I realized recently that this blog serves a double purpose. Not only is it a creative outlet (when I use it); it’s also a record keeper. Jeremy and I will always disagree about when things happening. Specifically when we started dating (again) and when we got Tonks. We always forgot and it happens again. Luckily for me, I blogged around those things so it is documented for eternity! If I’m not writing about things that happen I will have no proof that I’m right.
I stumbled upon this whole 'less adoptable' thing because I ended up with a big black dog and people started saying how great it was that I chose her since she would have been at the top of 'The List' at a shelter. I was shocked and looked into it; I've since (as I'm sure you've figured out by now) become crazy dog lady about less adoptable pets and big black dogs in particular.
I can't imagine life without Tonks. Of course she is a big black dog, so inherently more dangerous and aggressive. Can't you tell?
Jeremy found this picture on the interwebs and I am convinced it's Tonks as a puppy. The site that had it didn't know where it was from either so it is entirely possible it's a wee stray from Ohio.
Parts of this can be difficult to see, but if you can watch it goggies everywhere would appreciate it. Very interesting perspective on the 'nanny dog'.
Poor Tonks! We forgot our Tonkiversary this year. March 21st was two years with this precocious mutt. I just told Jeremy it was the best thing we ever did. Ever.
Now we just need more! I keep emailing Jeremy dogs from Petfinder that Tonks desperately wants but Jeremy says that she likes being the only dog. In reality I think she falls somewhere in between.
Fostering is an option, that would satisfy my need to save dogs in shelters from being euthanized, and we'd get to know a whole bunch of doggies while helping them find their forever homes. Every time we could make room for a someone it's one more dog off death row that has time to find it's humans. Shmoo. Think of all the fun they'd have together!
The biggest problem will be saying goodbye to the dogs when they get adopted. This may be a slippery slope that ends with me on the news for taking over my apartment building with hundreds of dogs. I think the technical term is 'foster failure" (when you adopt the dog you are fostering, it's a good kind of fail) but in this case it would be more like starting a new society with dogs in charge and I start speaking only in barks and growls.
OR I dress them all up and have massive tea parties! Happy belated Tonkiversary Nymphadora Tonks.
Oh and happy belated seven year anniversary Jeremy. Just thought I'd get that in there while I was at it.
For those of you who accidentally turn your hair green or blue or some variation in between, I can tell you that mixing equal parts baking soda and shampoo and leaving on your hair for 5-10 minutes actually helps. You have to use cold water to rinse it out though not all versions of this cure said that, it's what I did. It starts to smell like you just put the dye on after a few minutes, which I thought was a good sign. Even though no colour washed out when rinsing it was significantly faded.
It took 17 years of careless and spontaneous hair dying but I can finally join the ranks of those with bizarre colour boo boos.
On Saturday March 19th I donned coveralls and partook of the Keeper for a Day program at the Toronto Zoo. It was amazing. I highly recommend it to everyone. I hope to do it again at other sections of the zoo. This was a birthday present from Jeremy; I would be assisting the elephant keepers for the day. Oh Em Gee. I met and shoveled the poop of Thika, Oringa and Toka.
Toka is the most submissive, she stores her hay between her trunk and tusk so the other girls don[t steal it (squee). Oringa is the anti-macgyver, she has disassembled pretty much everything that she's ever come into contact with. Thika is the alpha, and she reminds me of Tonks. She will steal the other elephant's toys and food and bully them. And when you walk by her she will put her trunk out and beg for food.
I also got to get a sneak peek of the penguins, which won't be on display for a couple more months. I met Perky and Petal, two river hippo sisters. They were hilarious. They came over for snacks and pets, when we walked away they made whiny noises for more attentions. Too cute.
Jeremy met me for lunch and afterwards the keepers were kind enough to give Jeremy a tour too. He got to see the indoor facilities (which were way bigger than I realized) and go around back to see the elephants, and the hippos and penguins.
The program is run by the keepers themselves; they are a part of the American Association of Zoo Keepers. The funds are used for teaching and training of it's members as well as various conservation efforts. Recently they sent a member to Madagascar for research and purchased GPS units for the anti-poaching patrols in Africa. Unlike some people I could mention (cough, PETA) they talk the talk and walk the walk.
The training they do is very cool; I'm going to try some of the ideas on Tonks. For example they go through the motions of taking blood or giving an injection every week, so that they don't automatically associate the actions with a yucky experience. Plus they get jellybeans whether it's a real needle or not. I think I'll try that with cleaning Tonks' ears. Right now she sees me get cotton balls and runs. I'll do it once a week and sometimes just wipe her ear with cotton without the cleaning goo, and give her a treat. Keep her on her toes. But I digress.
I was very impressed at how knowledgeable, friendly and passionate about animal conservation everyone was. I sincerely hope they get their wish and the zoo decides to fund a new habitat and facilities for the elephants. While they do actually like the snow (Oringa makes snow elephants), their thin ears can suffer when it is below zero so they stay indoors. I don't want Toronto to lose it's elephants, they are in capable, caring hands and just need new facilities. Each kid who sits for a keeper talk and learns about their funny personalities and the dangers they are facing against poachers is one more person who can make a difference. Wow, how did I end up on this soapbox? I just LOVE THEM so much. Anyhoo enjoy the pics and videos.
