Ellie, My Hero

Last night I was shutting my bathroom door, which is a sliding door, when suddenly a spider about the size of a quarter drops down on a thread from the top of the door. It landed on the floor and while I was processing the act of getting my vacuum, it quickly started scurrying around on the bathroom floor. This thing was quick!

I jumped out of the bathroom, thinking that maybe the carpet was like hot lava to spiders and that it would stay on the linoleum. Knowing I didn't have enough time to grab the vacuum (because the spider would probably hide somewhere and then I wouldn't know where it is and be freaked out all night long) I quickly called Ellie over.

She loves to chase flies and other bugs so I knew she'd be up for this challenge. She quickly got to pouncing on the thing, which evaded her attacks a couple of times. Finally, she snatched it up in her mouth, chomped on it a couple of times and then swallowed. I could tell the thing was putting up a fight inside her mouth because she was making movements with her tongue as though she was trying to force it down.

Still shaking from fear, I brought Ellie over to the pantry where I gave her a huge treat to wash that disgusting thing down. She saved my life!

"What? What'd I do?"

Furry 5K Walk

This past weekend, Ellie and I enjoyed a beautiful sunny Sunday at Seward Park in Seattle for the Furry 5K walk/run to benefit the Seattle Animal Shelter.

We were both overwhelmed with the number of dogs and people who showed up - hundreds! And the dogs were all shapes and sizes. It's always so much fun to see such doggy diversity.

Love big Danes!

Waiting to walk

In going through my pictures, I also realized that we went hiking on Saturday too! I went with a big group of girls and there were very few people on the trail which meant Ellie got to be off leash. She LOVED it. She kept sprinting ahead and then running back to make sure we were keeping up.

Ellie in front of the half-frozen Heather Lake

Lots of physical outdoor activities for us this weekend!

Graduating from the crate

I have been trying to crate-train Ellie for a number of months now, ever since I realized that she was slightly destructive when left to her own devices. If allowed, she would get onto the furniture (where she's not allowed) or scratch at any closed doors, including the front door.

Well, I finally realized that it was not the fact that she was left alone, but the beeping from the cable box that caused Ellie so much anxiety which lead to her destructive behaviors.

A few months ago, I traded out the cable box and there have been no beeps and no anxious episodes since. And last week, I decided to give her another chance at being left alone without being confined to the crate.

I am pleased to report that she is doing famously! When I return home from being away, she sleepily trots to the door to greet me. In other words, she isn't waiting by the door panting from anxiety of being alone or scared. She is well-rested, and even ate any treats that I left (something she won't do when anxious)!

While I am still crating her at night so that she stays used to the concept, it is such a relief to know that I can leave her home alone and she can still stretch her legs and get water when she needs it!

Volunteer Appreciation Cookies!

I was out walking Ellie this weekend on our usual route. We frequently see dog shelter volunteers jog by in sort of a parade with their neon vests and their smiling shelter dogs, most of them pits or pit mixes.

Gidget, one of the dogs currently available at the Seattle Animal Shelter

Every time I see them, I feel so appreciative because I know that they are at least 2-3 miles from the shelter which means they do a long jog!

Well, today, I saw them and was feeling particularly appreciative. They donate their time and their energy to make sure that these dogs get some extra love and exercise. I wanted to tell them "thank you". I wanted them to know that they are appreciated for all that they do. I wanted to give back.

I don't have the time or a regular schedule to volunteer jogging with the dogs, but I do have a skill that I would be happy to donate. My baking! I decided to make sugar cookies that I could bring to the shelter and give to the volunteers. So tonight, I put my mixer and my oven to work and made these cookies, and tomorrow I will write a thank you note and deliver them to the shelter.

What is your good deed for the week? Pass it on!

Wordless Wednesday: I'm tired of puppy-sitting.

Ellie had a fun day playing with her new puppy friend

"enough already."

Ellie and a Frenchie

Getting to come to work with me every day, Ellie has met many French Bulldogs (they seem to be popular pets around here!)

Today she met Bella for the first time who is a puppy somewhere between ages 12-15 weeks, I'm guessing. Bella gave Ellie a run for her money and totally wore her out! Ellie was chasing her at the beginning, but as she got tired, she would just worm around on the ground and allow Bella to climb all over her :)

BFFs

I watched Goldie for my sister since she went out of town this weekend. Ellie loves hanging out with her best doggy friend!

I took them on my 5 mile urban hike yesterday and a 3 mile walk today.

We had a nice sunny day walk which totally tired out the pups (thankfully!)

Goldie crashed out

Ellie says no pictures, please.