6-5-16 ~ A Barn, Flowers, and a Sad Week at the Robinson Homeplace

This week I had to have my beloved pal of 16 years, Little Jack the Schnauzer, put down because of kidney failure, incontinence, and advanced dementia. I never knew dogs could get dementia, but Jack was having a terrible time getting lost and just not responding. He laid in his little bed crate almost all day. It has broken my heart as I have never killed or had to have a doctor put down any animal in my life (a ground stinging bee hive attacking me and flies so not count). I had no idea how hard it was going to effect me, but there has been some real depression. As always, I draw to try to get over the doldrums so here is my first beginning sketch. Jack is NOT a girl as you all know, but I love bows so put them on him. The lighting was terrible this morning so please excuse the dark gritty places in both pictures.

As the week went on, I decided to try to come up with something happy that included him so created... The Kerrs Creek 2016 Beauty Contest with him as the Judge from up in Doggie Heaven. In case you cannot read the names of the contestants here they are...

Edgar Egret

Kelly Kitty

Brenda Bluebird

Matilda Mouse

Claudette Cow

Roscoe Rabbit

As you notice, they all have their little red hearts on them.

Just hunt and you will see them.

So, how do you put a smile on a sad old face....well, you go out and take pictures of a very old barn of a friend and all the wildflowers he planted 3 years ago and has nurtured them day after day. Thank you, Tom, for giving me a reason to brighten my days this week. For anyone wanting to see more pretty barns, go to Tom the Backroads Traveler's Barn Collective. This post is also linked with I Heart Macro and Macro Monday 2. 

4-5-16 ~ Our Surprise Baby Squirrel, Oscar, and Me following the Road to Success

This afternoon, Jack our old and deaf schnauzer brought home Mommy a baby squirrel. Fortunately he had it by its tail. I had a devil of a time getting it away from him, but finally had it wrapped warmly in a soft towel in my arms. Then I called the Animal Rescue League and got my instructions.  No milk or water. No food. Put him in a box where it was dark and quiet. Put a heating pad 1/2 way under the box so he would wiggle over there to get warm. I am to meet the lady at 5:00 tomorrow afternoon to deliver him to safety. I had no clue you had to be trained and licensed to take in wild animals like my wee squirrel. Night before last we had 85 mph winds and lost electricity and phone service for a very long time. Buddy thinks the wind must have blown it out of its nest up in the tree. Anyway, here are some pictures I took of my baby. It is adorable and loved being held close by me. We were laughing that he though I was his mommy and wanted some food...I Think NOT! Anyway, I will be up and down all night checking on him to be sure the heating pads have not cut off. It is supposed to get down to freezing. Keep your fingers crossed for Oscar that he makes it through the night without any problems. He appears to be breathing and sleeping just fine.

 "Hi, folks...My name is Oscar, but my step-mommy does not know if I am a boy or a girl and I certainly don't! Her dog grabbed me by my short little tail and about dragged me back to the house. When step-mommy tried to get him to release my tail from his mouth, but he was very uncooperative. I think he thought I was a doggie toy. Very carefully she freed me, wrapped me up in a cozy and fluffy towel, and called for help. Jack was so worn out he just hopped into his kennel and went to sleep. Now, that's a silly dog for you. "

     "It is so hard for a little newborn squirrel to stand upon wobbly legs, but I will learn before long. It's just gonna take lots and lots of practice." 
I really do need my REAL mommy.

"Well, I'm exhausted so think I'll just throw in the rag and quit this trying to move about. It is just too much trouble. Plus...I have had a very hard day and want to go back to sleep.That devilish old Jack did not help me at all other than to bring me dangling in midair into a nice warm house."

Oh, I forgot the other happy news.....the ladies at the Rescue League informed me the litters are usually three, so if Jack brings in another one or two, not to be alarmed. Just call and they will meet me halfway and take them, too.  We live about 100 miles roundtrip from their two locations so wish us luck.

Nite Nite from Oscar and Genie

We'll let you all know how we get along tonight by adding an addendum onto the end of this post once we are awake and functioning in the morning. Never a dull moment out here in the boonies. Over the almost 40 years, we have tried and tried to rescue litter of kittens, a family of little bunnies, and stray gods and cats and have never had any luck. I surely hope this cute little Oscar is going to be a toughie and hang on until I can get him to the people that do this every day.

Here is another sketch I have been working on for my class.

As you can see...I am praying for success. I'm definitely following the sign.

Have Hope. You can do anything if you'll just put your mind to it.
Remember....The Sky's the Limit!

March 1, 2016 ~ My First Sketch of Jack ~ Art Journal

"Good art is not what it looks like,

but what it does to us."

Roy Adzak

This is my first attempt at sketching my VERY OLD Schnauzer, Jack. He now sleeps most of the day and he appears to be losing his sight and hearing. Instead of playing with my granddaughter and her friend when they come for a visit, he goes and hides. He used to scamper on their heels all around our non-use-farm. It is so sad. The one thing he continues to do with a vengeance is bark when Buddy is leaving for work. That really upsets him. The other one is when the pest control man comes - who he does not like - I have to put him in his kennel, and then he barks the entire time Mike is here. So...he still has perk left in him, but not what it used to be. He continues to be my baby, and “King I” around this old place along with “King II”, Trouble, Bud's cat! Trouble does NOT want to have anything to do with me.

This post is linked with Moo-Mania and Inspirational Challenges.

#27 ~ Jack in His Maze and Other Snow Scenes

Our World Tuesday at Home

Just a little while ago I walked into the living room, and this poor baby is what I found.

What in the world happened to it?

Maybe it hit the door and then Jack messed with it outside. and brought inside. 

The cat does not ever go out.

I tried to get a picture of the yellow on the head so it would help you all to identify it for me.

This always makes me so sad...but NEVER, has one been brought into the house...

that is saved for the mice that the cat catches at night in the lower cabinets.

Yes....We live in a very OLD farmhouse, and you cannot kill all the mice.

 My Favorite Tree in the Snow

 Hay Bales on the Way Home

Whenever we have a large snow, we build Jack a little maze.

I pretend is the one at Hampton Court.

I have never seen a little dog have such a good time...and his Mommy.

 Oops...Buddy, You dead ended me into a big tree. You need to be more careful. 

I could get hurt.

Get out here, please, and fix it for me. This is my peeing tree, duffus.

 The VA Dep’t of Transportation's big gravel pile.

 You can see that they have been moving up and down.

This is our front yard off to the left f the house. I thought the shadows were so cool.

The big field in front of the house with its shadows.

This post is linked with Our World Tuesday 
and

Shadow Shot Sunday 2.

Jack ~ Before and After

Before ~ Grumpy Jack

 After Hair Cut ~ Relaxed and So Content

This post is linked with Saturday’s Critters

Jack and Cuz Buster

Poor Jack...he did not know what to do with his frisky cousin that wanted to jump about and play all weekend. It is sort of like he is saying...”Please just leave me alone. You are barely one and I am 13.”

This post is linked with:

Camera Critters 

Saturday’s Critters

One Happy Bird ~ One Miffed Dog

A New Take on Goldilocks and the Three Bowls of Porridge

Feeder #1 ~ Let me try this ear of corn...it looks interesting and yummy.

Feeder #2 ~ I don’t know...this might be easier to get the corn into my beak...

Feeder #3 ~ OK..This is it. The third try is the winner. 

I will definitely take one of these, and I’ll be back for more.

It tastes so good.

I want something to munch on, too, Mom.

Dog-gone-it. You've let me down, again, and I am not happy :-(
Shame on you.

This post is linked with:

Camera Critters ~ Saturday

Wild Bird Wednesday ~ Wednesday

NFWinged ~ Thursday

Meet Our Family Critters

Eloise with Genie's Jack before His Hair Cut

 Vern ~ Eloise's Kitty

 Buster ~ My Daughter's Baby

Jack after the Hair Cut

Trouble  Bud's Kitty 

This post is linked with Camera Critters.

Mom's Best Friend ~ Jack

Hey, Mom...Do you think I can make it across the "Bridge to Somewhere"?

I promise NOT to go out into the highway.

I'm not sure. 
 Think I might need to think about this a bit more because it's risky territory.

Nope! Don't think I'll do it today. It sure did hurt a while back when I got my paw caught between those old boards and had to cry for help.We really do need a new bridge, Mom...a doggie proof bridge...PLEASE!  I'm going home for a "cookie". That's lots safer and sure tastes better.

This post is linked with: 
The Weekend in Black and White 
and 
Camera Critters. 

Eloise, Mom and Dad, and Her Pals

Eloise and Baby Buster

(These were taken at my daughter's home on the Eastern shore 
at Thanksgiving. Buster is her auntie's new puppy. He is so tiny - 4 pounds at 3 months - and he has to wear his homemade sweater when he goes outside. )

Eloise's mom and dad. Mom is the redhead on the right and E's Auntie Sarah is in the middle.
They are walking back from the end of the dock at Betterton, MD, on Thanksgiving Day.

Jack and Finn

Eloise's next door neighbor (blue shirt) walking with the brother of one of her pals (red shirt). Here they are alongside E's backyard fence.

Our World Tuesday

Weekly Top Shot