By nature I'm an optimist and I believe we'll get through the current crisis. However that belief gets shattered on a daily basis and I start to panic. This usually happens when I'm tired or accidentally hear a news report. I've learned that if I don't listen to any news, not even NPR, I don't…Read more My Dogged Hope in these scary times
mental health
Rough Times for My Dog Goldie
On Sunday afternoon Goldie and I were taking our usual walk on the campus of Occidental College, enjoying the warm, sunny weather, when she stopped to poop. She assumed her normal crouch position then suddenly started screaming with an intensity I’d never heard from her before. At first, I thought one of her dew claws…Read more Rough Times for My Dog Goldie
Raising Money for Rescue Dogs
We did it! On Saturday, October 20, Goldie, Don and I completed the Strut Your Mutt walk in Exposition Park in Los Angeles. It was pretty warm, so it felt more like Stroll Your Mole, but it was fun and sooo rewarding. Our team, Adopt Me Rescue, raised $14,101! I want to thank all of…Read more Raising Money for Rescue Dogs
The Gold(ie) Standard
The Gold(ie) Standard My husband and I have been lucky with the stray and rescue dogs who have joined our pack in the past 20+ years. They all came with their own personal mystery baggage, which manifested as behavior problems, but none were so awful that we had to un-adopt or relinquish them. In…Read more The Gold(ie) Standard
Our New Family Member: Teddy the “Sharpusky”
When we lost Henry, I knew I couldn't replace him, but I really missed having a little buddy by my side. If I did get another pup he would be small like Henry, because that's what I was accustomed to, and it was more practical. But the universe had something else in store for me.…Read more Our New Family Member: Teddy the “Sharpusky”
Keeping it Simple with Lucky Sean O’Sloth
I feel lucky every time someone orders one of my sloths on Etsy. When a friend suggested I put some of my holiday ornaments on Etsy in December, I never expected people to buy them, especially since there are already a gazillion super cute items there. I've been giving my ornaments away for more than 10 years, and hadn't considered selling them,…Read more Keeping it Simple with Lucky Sean O’Sloth
Distractions from Depression During the Holidays – Do They Work?
It may seem odd that I'm writing about my holiday "blues" this late in the game, but for me, Christmas day is the darkest. It brings inexplicable depression and despair, so I call it D-Day. All the hoopla in the weeks preceding Christmas doesn't bother me at all. In fact, that's when I have fun getting my holiday…Read more Distractions from Depression During the Holidays – Do They Work?
Dionne’s Demise – Stress?
On the day before Thanksgiving I found one of my beloved box turtles lifeless in the middle of the aquarium. In 2008, I adopted three eastern box turtles from a friend at the zoo, whose children had "outgrown" them. My friend had hatched these three turtles eight years earlier as a way of teaching her…Read more Dionne’s Demise – Stress?
Unanswered questions about an uncommon illness
Forgive me for whining, but lately I've been feeling alone in my struggle with my recently placed Power-Port, the grape-sized catheter in my chest, that I need for monthly IVIG infusions. The surgery was 3 months ago, and it still hasn't healed. When I showed my inflamed port to a doctor a month ago, I…Read more Unanswered questions about an uncommon illness
Goodreads Book Giveaway
I'm a little late announcing this since I was hospitalized, but since I'm still here(ugh!), I have time to do it. I've never done a book giveaway, but if you visit this link, they'll walk you through it. https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/260132-giving-paws-having-a-service-dog-for-a-hidden-disability Giveaway dates:Oct 22 - Oct 30, 2017 Thanks from Martha and Henry!!
Dogged Hope 