May 11
faithfulservantUncategorized
Day 7 10:04pm
Today was one of those days were you go did that really happen? I’m going to wake up tomorrow and it will all be a dream. Things went all wrong with Lola’s pre-sale vet check today. All because a vet decided to make a very premature diagnosis on one set of X-Rays. I have to ask can I ever catch a break? Good buy sale. Time to find a new way to save my house.
And now I’m forced to lay here tonight in my own self pity listening to Family Guy (which I despise) and my husband is eating the last bit of chocolate in the house. Someone shoot me, please!
That’s it for today or I will continue to moan and bitch. Until tomorrow. Here’s hoping it’s better than today.
May 10
faithfulservantUncategorized
Day 6 11:18pm
Another early am, wakey wakey. Morning duties abound and all critters fed off to Raphel’s I go and Andy is headed to the house of eight dogs for their last visit of the week. After numerous calls and texts from my husband about how bad his morning is going: dogs spilling food bowls, knocked over water bowls, the poodle vomiting up his breakfast and the blind dog thinking his finger is a cookie, I finally get a little piece and quiet at Raphael’s. I’m not sure why he feels the need to call and report to me everything that happens at his sits but he does. My fluffy cat friend is happy for the company and I’m glad his Mom came home today as I feel bad for him all alone with no friends to play with. That sad cat face when I leave is more than I can deal with after the week I’ve had. I tell him “Don’t fret. Mom is home tonight” and I dart out the door.
Now my dilema starts. I have a little over and hour until I have to be to my Dr’s appointment. You see, my fingers have been cronically going numb at night and waking me up. Getting old isn’t for sissies! Anyhow, I decide there isn’t enough time to do anything but go to Ulta and buy myself a few things with the money I made from judging yesterday. Thanks to Scottsdale Saddle Club for the job! Everyday I feel like it takes a bit more makeup and I even bought some hairspray this time. I haven’t owned a bottle of hairspray since high school! I used to say the dogs don’t care how I look, but lately I feel like the barks and howls are a direct reaction of the image they see when I walk through the door. I’d cry too!
I am now convinced my Dr thinks I am a hypocondriac and he is probably correct, but what the hell I have insurance. After my list of issues and concerns I presented to him, out the door I went with a order for bloodwork, which I have to fast for, and a recommendation to wear a wrist brace. What was that, fast…..as in no food? That’s funny! Ok, no blood work for me.
On to lunch at Pita Jungle with Mom so I can listen to her story about the fight she and my step father are in and finally time to head home. Maybe I can squeeze in a nap before my riding lesson with the Freidman girls. No sooner do I leave Pita Jungle when I get a call from the owners of our poor lost dog, Dodge. Apparently I have more readers of my blog than I thought and someone sent his real owners the picture of our now beloved Dodge. I know it’s only been four days but no signs? I don’t get it. In all my years of rescuing lost pets at least this is the first time I’ve ever had someone actually thank me for finding and caring for their pet. Figures since we actually wanted to keep him and Holster, which is his real name, has a loving home. Bummer! Now how to tell poor Andy. I feel so bad. Andy is such a sweet guy always giving of himself to others and he finally gets something he wants and has to give it back. Crap! Sometimes life isn’t fair especially to the nicest people. I just hope Petsmart will take back all the supplies we bought and the $45 open bag of food we’ve been feeding him. Anyone need a air conditioned dog house?
My lesson kids did well today. They are two sweet, smart, and talented girls and they remind me each week why I love to teach. Today they worked on going over a bridge and a water obstacle. They both did great and Robin took good care of them safely traversing her route. Good Pony! Well she’s a horse just a really small one. We let the Moms and babies out for a run and Xerox decided at 9 weeks he was a trail champion and walked himself over the bridge and through the water obstacle. We were all hooting and amazed! Good baby! Maybe he heard were selling horses around here.
After feeding the horses I headed into the house to give Dot her pill and take a shower. No visits tonight. Ya! Left over Chinese and plop my ever-spreading ass on the couch. I think there is some left over chocolates from Easter, lets go check.
May 09
faithfulservantUncategorized
It’s 10:28 and Andy and I are driving home from our last pet sitting of the night. You know the eight dogs, so I decided I must muster up the energy to blog to all my loyal followers. After much toil I was able to blog on my Droid. What an amazing piece of modern machinery.
Can you believe that I got up at 6:45 and still barely made it to the show at 9am on time. There is something drastically wrong with this picture. Anyhow, Andy was Mr. Pet Sitter this morning and took care of the pack of Chihuahuas and one lone Poodle, as well as Mr Raphel. I adorned my judging digs and set out to get paid for my opinion. As I arrived to the show I felt certain sense of calm. Ah! Out there I am Queen and no one can call me. What a concept.
The show was full of a lot of nice people and some lets just say interesting horses. I must admit that even though these horses may not be the caliber of the breed show horses they are.much more fun and interesting to judge. It’s like watching hockey instead of baseball. You never know who’s going down next. Well after the typical class line up and some ever eventful Ranch Horse classes we came to a close at 3:30pm.
After the show I made a B line for my car and couldn’t wait to peal off my jacket and hat. It is such a beautiful thing to crank that AC when you have just about melted. Ok, I admit it I stopped for a blackberry shake at Jack in the Box on my way home. I don’t want to hear it I deserved it! I worked hard at sweating in the sun for almost seven hours.
Home I fly shake in one hand AC blowing through my hair. Time to suck it up and call my Mom. Here ‘s when the real guilt trip starts. Who out there thinks 7pm is too late to go for dinner? Apparently on Mothers Day it is.
Now with Andys help, I need to see how fast we can feed all our critters, shower, do a visit with Raphel and get to Moms. Well the answer is 2:45 minutes. Holy Shoot! I’m watching language not to offend, but just for the record I’m not a prude. Thank God Mom isn’t feeling well and wants to order Chinese take out and hang on the couch. “Are you hungry”? She asks. Are you kidding? Do you know who your talking to? I hope that doesn’t sound awful. Of course I’m not glad my Mom doesn’t feel well but just about now I’m about ready to pass out from fatigue. At 9:20 we head out with still a stop at the house of 8 dogs ahead of us. A bit of last closing up still to do at home and good night to Dodge who has passed out like someone shot him smack in the middle of the lawn. Bedtime 11:24 with my cat Monkey at my side and all is right with the world. Frigin’ Chinese food I’m already hungry!
May 08
faithfulservantUncategorized
Day 4 9:59 pm
Today started out like everyother day. At first light rollin out from under the covers groaning and moaning, and not in a good way. Moring chores, you haven’t forgotten those morning chores have you? 1:15 minutes clocked to get out the door. On my way groving down the road with “We are the Champion” blaring on the radio and I’m thinking this is a good start to the day.
First stop AJ’s for a poppy seed muffin. Damn the diet it’s time to live on the edge! I deserve a muffin, at least that’s what I tell myself even if I somehow between all the dog walks, horses I ride, stalls I scoop, etc…etc. I still gain weight. 150 here I come!
Visit numer one is 8 cute little dogs, well actually 7 cute little dogs and Louie the cute and somewhat crazy Standard Poodle. 1.5 hours later and off to Raphel’s house I go. Thank God for one cat house holds! It give me the break I need everyday 
Ok, now home I fly trying to make my 10am visit with little Miss Reily. Cute as a button and only “three and a half”, from her lips to your ears. My newest horseback riding student. She is now clicking and saying “Whoa” which is too cute even if I have to count to three for her to say “Whoa”. I think those are the tiniest boots I’ve ever seen. Chances are she will be my greatest competition someday blonde curls and all. In for a shower. Yes, time for a shower! Can you believe it? At least today I don’t have to smell like perfumed poo. Normally I feel like I smell like a bad bathroom spray that didn’t quite do its job.
I soon come to realize I have a message on the Making Strides phone from Scottsdale Saddle Club in need of an emergency judge for tomorrow. To judge or not to judge, that is the question. Pays half of what I normally make and my Mom is going to be pissed, it being Mother’s Day and all tomorrow, but as I was feeling earlier, I live on the edge and say “What the Hell. I’ll do it!” I like to judge horse shows so why shouldn’t I? After all it’s not often I do things for me. Still hungry, cause I’m always hungry. Maybe that’s why I’m getting chubby. Hmmm…. There’s a concept. Ok, so I stopped at Barro’s can we just leave it at that? Well it’s only ’cause it was next to Ace where I had to stop for horse food! Yes, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it… Oh ya and they’re cheap.
A never-quick, stop at my Mom’s down the street to explain that I am now judging a Horse Show on Mother’s Day. That went well, I think, or does “Don’t worry about it” mean she’s pissed ?
Yep, my husband wants the stray dog I picked up. He says it reminds him of his childhood dog Christy. Did I say ugh yet today? Ugh!! About this time I find out that Animal Kingdom wins the derby. How many of you didn’t get the correlation? Our business is The Animal’s Kingdom. Here’s hoping the publicity will help business and here’s to the idiot that didn’t even bet ten bucks on fate. Let me clarify the idiot is me. Did I mention the horse ran at 22/1 odds? Boy this day is starting to fizzle. Going back to the dog (sorry for the tangent) how do I say no to my husband when I have 6 and 2 half a horses in the backyard that he scoops up after daily? Ok fine, we’ll keep the dog and how’s Dodge for a name? At least it sound Cowboy. Now I may be partially to blame for this whole I wanna dog situation since I did call Andy and tell him that I just happened to see a cool looking dog house at Foothills Animal Rescue Boutique as I drove by this morning. (Whew, that was a run on sentence) Turns out it has a heater and AC unit that comes with it. Pretty pimp if you ask me.
I will say it was amazing how many people were excited by this bit of news that we are keeping the dog. You would think we just won the lottery or something of that magnitude, so off to Petsmart I go. Wait isn’t this Andy’s dog? Guess where that pimped out dog house is?
The rest of what’s left of the day (about 5pm at this point) is boring; more pooh cleaning and feeding of the flock, and a visit or two or is it three? Whatever, I need to go iron some slacks so I look “judgely” tomorrow. Gosh I’m hungry I wonder what there is to eat in the fridge?
May 07
faithfulservantUncategorized
Day 3 and starting my blog at 11pm, so don’t worry this will be short. I spent most of my day presenting my horse Lola to her prospective buyers for the 2nd time. After the morning routine, we discussed what that entails yesterday plus now feeding the lost dog, and visits I came home washed my horse, loaded her up and hauled her down to Westworld so the people could ride her in a bigger arena. What the point of this is I’m not sure but I aim to please! 2 hours later and now officially melted from the sun they decided they want her and are willing to buy her baring a A OK from the vet. I promptly call my husband to tell him the news and he says, “Do I say congratulations or I’m sorry? Honestly, I don’t know either. It is a hard decision to sell something you’ve loved for six years. Do I pay off some debt and move forward with horses more suited toward making a name for myself in my area of equine showing or do I say damm it all and keep my girlie!! Time to grow up and act like a trainer and judge, say Bye and walk away.
Anyhow, Raphel gave me kisses instead of biting me today maybe he knew I was sad, so I gave him some milk as a treat before I left for home.
Doug, as I now call him and every dog I dont know the name of, is doing well and has now decided to be the best dog ever, so sweet and so obediant. Now my husband is talking about keeping him. Ugh!!!! Do you think that the people who are buying Lola want a cattle dog while there at it? He’s free
May 06
faithfulservantUncategorized
Well we’re only on day 2 and it was nothing short of interesting. It started like any typical Thursday get up and begin the servitude. For clarification to those who don’t know my normal life routine let me clarify the morning schedule.
*Roll out of bed (early) and wait to see how many joints hurt when my feet hit the floor.
*Shuffle to the bathroom and look at the grey hairs I can’t afford to cover. They’ve made a wonderful Jay Leno type patch right on my forehead. Brush teeth, put in contacts and go get my close out of the dryer (because I never have time to catch up on laundry, so I dress out of the dryer)
*Turn on the light to the one of four fish tanks.
*Get Dot’s Pill (Dot is my Japanese Bobtail cat that has Hyperthyroidism) My Princess. “Oh ya, and for those of you who don’t know me well, I’m a bit of a Hypocondriac therefore her pills are pre-cut and placed in a Sun-Sat labeled pill holder. That way I know she is never accidentally over medicated.”
* Morning pill is an event in my house. All seven cats join in as I hide Dot’s pill in a treat, so everyone comes for their share.
*Next is feeding the 6 and 2 half a horses in the backyard. We’ll save this for another time. They’re a whole blog on their own!
Whew, I’m tired already! Ok now that we have come to an understanding this encompasses my mornings before I start the day. Ugh! I FORGOT TO FEED THE BIRD!
Onward to my visit with three spoiled birds and four horses. Thankfully my Husband, Andy (we’ll discuss him at a later date too 
) placed the 80lb bale of hay in the monsterour wheel barrel, which I think weighs as much as the bale, for me. Now the drag across the enormous arena. Of course the spot where they eat is in the farthest away possible place. Horses taking bites out of the hay as I go. Now that I am smelly and pooped it’s time to head home, load up my office necessities, including my laptop, and head to the office.
Properly primped and having covered the lofting smell of horse poo with perfume I head off to the office. No sooner dose my butt hit the seat but my staff of sitters start the incessant texting to see when I will be arriving with there paychecks. Did I mention that the 5th is payday? Oh’ and did I also mention payrolls not finished yet?
1pm and payroll now finally finished we have no ink in either printer. Yes, that’s right both printers are out, so off to Costco I go. Ok back at the office to print the payroll statements. Done! Whew! Then back off and running to the bank to make the deposit so I can pay the sitters and shocker it’s just enough to cover payroll. Sniff Sniff!! Some computer work and a long call with a client whos cat has taught her to accompany him to his food dish each morning and I decide that at about 6pm I’ve had enough of my office work and I head to my visit with Raphel. At least he is a sweet kitty and it’s easy work. Oh ya, and his Mom is a tipper!!
On my way down the freeway talking to my Mom and feeling relaxed. Oh *&@^#&^@# I’m heading home instead of to my visit and I just when about 15 minutes out of my way. EEEERRRR! turn around and back to Raphel’s house I go I go. The sweet kitty trips me on the way to the alarm, but he is so cute you can’t be mad. After taking care of his minimal chores I camp out with him on the couch for about 20 minute of TV the best part of my day so far. On the way out I pick him up for a good bye kiss and he decides to bite me. Nice Kitty! Good things he’s so damn cute.
Well finally homeward bound. Just need to repeate the morning duties, horses, Dot’s pill, feed fish and hopefully Andy has done litter boxes and feed the cats, and then I’m done. If only I had not gone the wrong way maybe I wouldn’t have come across the poor lost Border Collie wandering down Dynamite. Ya, you bet I just had to pick him up. Now he is lounging in my backyard with a full belly of food from my neighbors stash. Tomorrow somehow I will find the time to try and find his owners. Who probably wont even say thanks. I’m yet to bring an animal home to a thankful owner. Does this have a correlation? I think so!
It’s 10:27 and the days over, except for shower. Do you need a drink after that? I do!! Oh ya, I don’t drink! Bummer!!
May 05
faithfulservantUncategorized
I need lots of kisses and my mouth wiped everytime I drink.
Well here we go! Have you ever sat in your cubicle and asked yourself why you’re not running on the beach with a pack of dogs? Do you think that your pet sitter has the best life ever? Well I’m here to give you insight into the glorious world of professional animal care. You might be surprised!
Oh ya, and I’ll throw in some educational info and cute pictures or videos of pets, of course!
Did I mention I am just finishing up my day and it’s 10:28?
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