My Old Ladies

I recently stumbled into a blog I like via Daisy the Curly Cat. I read some funny stuff there (Bee didn't agree). Today when I checked in I found a post about "Old Dogs" , and I instantly felt connected to the story.
So I decided to tell you the story of my own two Old Lady dogs.
Cleo and Ginger
Cleo was found as a puppy along with her sister scrounging at the dumpster behind my church. These two pups were skin and bones. They both had mange (the contagious one)they had little fur and lots of sores and rash. We caught them and I dropped them at Animal Care (county) with a note to contact me so I could help pay for their care. ACC called and told me the pups would be put down because of the list of infestations, so I "rescued" them again. My co-worker/ friend Jody helped to rehab them while they were quarantined in a friends kennel for a month. They were treated for all kinds of parasites, as well as the mange. Then I took them to a local adoption fair were I thought I had found a suitable owner (passed home check, everything). Two years later I was cooking for the following day's Thanksgiving, and I over hear the news caster talking about the "pet of the week" being CLEO, a red and white wirehaired mix breed , sure enough! It WAS my Cleo!!
I raced to the shelter and showed them the adoption contract that stated the dog was to be surrendered only to me if the owner could not keep her. Sadly, I never knew what happened to her sisiter. So, in essence I have rescued this happy Alpha female three times in her life. She prefers life outdoors, except when there are thunder storms/hurricanes, or when it is just too hot or cold. She is appraoching 14 years and is fragile, and cant see well, but she eats good, she is happy and barks out her orders to me every now and then.

Her little sister, Ginger ( now 13), adopted me. She lived down the street in a rented house that I had watched dog after dog come and go, just dissapearing. There was a lot of police and drug activity there, and I had seen numerous dogs abused there (ACC never seemed to be able to help). Ginger (being a terrier) was tougher than the rest, but was still SO fearful. She would not let anyone near her, except the little girl that lived there. I began tossing a milkbone to her as she scurried by with her tail tucked, barking at me. She would grab the treat and run. As time passed she would slow, then stop and eat her treat. I began to lessen the distance. In a mere TWO MOnTHS (!!!) I was able to get her to take a treat from my hand, as long as I was sitting on the step. I took her to be vacinated and spayed, but left her "ownership" to the family of thugs down the street ( the little girl and I had become friends).
It soon became apparent the Ginger was making a change in her life. Every day when I came home from work, that little red dog was sitting on my front porch waiting. When I opened the door, she zipped in and stayed to visit a while. One day the mom of all the druggies down there came to me and said "Ginger loves you, you keep her" and that is how Ginger moved in. The family moved away, and Ginger missed her little girl for a long time. She spent most of her adult life frightened of anyone but me. She came around though and now knows that there is nothing to fear from any human at MY house!
I have two young dogs that annoy the crap out of "the Ladies" so I have subdivided my yard , and provided a smaller area which includes the carport and a little grassy area jus for the old girls. They have a huge doghouse (see pic#1) Cleo always lets me know when it is time for breakfast . They are so content with each others company and a few minutes of lovin from me.

I have a ritual when it will come to be their "time" I have repeated it four times prior, for Monkee, Buster, LD, and Byrnie.
When they tell me with their eyes that they are too tired to go on, and look to me for help, I do what they ask. But the day becomes their day. I spend the whole day with them, either quietly or a ride in the car, or whatever they like the most. Then I let them eat whatthehell ever they want. (Byrnie had a half an italian sub and a pint of ice cream) . My vet comes to my house and we help our friend out and to "the Bridge' (if you prefer) while I hold my friend in my arms and talk softly and let them know how loved they are.
This chore will be coming around again, and I will not shirk my duty when the girls call for help.
phone cam pic of (LtoR) Ginger Byrnese Chuckie Mini from the kitchen window

One day I know I am destined to be known as the "crazyass old dog lady "
(I heard that!!, I am NOT "old "yet!!!!!)