Where the Wild Poodles Roam

Well, I have been in "life maintenance." In the past month and a half I have finished my last internship (thus ending my quest for the Master's degree), procured a really good job at the place of my first internship, obtained my temp license for the state of Washington, and am about to sit for my national exam next week. Then when I get the results back I can get my permanent license and not have to worry about whether or not one of my sponsors for the licensure is in the building. I am just so jacked that I can hardly stand myself. Working with a temp license has been hell on my outdoor time though. I have only had Sunday and Wednesday off. Not having two days off in a row has really sapped my energy. And of course there is that study time I am try hard to work into my schedule. It is really hard to try to find time for something I don't really want to do. In addition, Walter continues to have some sort of unknown intestinal distress. We thought it was a bug of some sort but it is not. It may be related to his surgery. At any rate, he has been eating home cooked foods.

I did have a nice afternoon a few weeks ago walking with the dogs out by Hog Lake. I knew no one would be out there on a Wednesday afternoon so Nancy and I took Walter, Lily, and Ruby and let them get their sillies out. The day started out sunny and warm and by the time we were done it was raining, but we had a good time anyway.

Roaming Wild Poodles

Lily in midair

Mama Ruby

Walter and Lily had their sixth birthday this month. I can't hardly believe it was that long ago that we were in hysterics as Ruby screamed and strained and popped Walter out into the world, followed by six more puppies. For his birthday, I gave Walter a new brother. His name is Elliot. We are actually looking for a home for him but it is going to be difficult. Nancy and I drove over to Missoula to pick up three puppy mill standard poodles from this horrible woman. They were all adults. The female was so matted that Nancy had to shave her while she was under anesthesia from being spayed. She got a wonderful home with a woman in Reno. The other two were brothers who had very little experience with humans and had only bonded with each other. One of them was essentially wild and dangerous and after almost two weeks of assessing him, he had to be put to sleep. If he had been any other breed of large dog he would not have even had two weeks. It is very sad. His brother, now named Elliot, has come here to stay.

Elliot

Elliot has had to learn a great many things, but the other dogs here have been wonderful teachers. Elliot had never been inside a house before (he is almost two years old), had never been on a leash, walked through a doorway, or gone up and down steps. He is still very scared and mistrustful, but has come a very long way in just a few weeks. He went from dreading even two steps into the house to running up and down my steep stairs inside. He will come up to me and ask for attention but if I move too fast he runs away. The county sheriff and the Department of Agriculture in Montana have been notified of the puppy mill and I believe they are serious about doing something to shut this horrible woman down. She gave the three dogs to Nancy because she has 27 and cannot feed them all anymore.

The only way to get stuff up to the cabin

Getting ready to get the 4 feet of snow off the storage trailer

I have done a bit outside but not enough to completely satisfy me. Aside from Hog Lake, I spent a LOT of time working on snow removal up at Nancy's cabin as well as spending several night there alone. At one point there was five feet of snow on her road, three feet of which came down in a 24 hour period. Once I have my regular schedule I will have three days off in a row and my first weekend is going to involve escaping with Walter. I can't wait. Until then, I need to study. So here I go.