A Sheep In Wools' Clothing

Elementals

Amongst my blogger friends is Amber Moggie.  She is a Brit, who is knitting hospice socks with donated yarn while her husband has been undergoing chemo himself.  She practices earth based spirituality, and also makes "Elementals."

Her Elementals are multimedia handmade dolls, with trinkets, yarn hair, yarn wrapped legs and arms, felt clothing, and symbolism.  When she posted photos of these five, I could not resist, and struck a deal with her for them.  I am about to embark on shamanic studies, and so the four elements told me they needed to be mine, and I could not resist the spinner one.

 Once they arrived, I was awestruck with them!  Amber is a most talented and creative fiber artist!  The Elemental's dresses all have some sort of adornment, from appliques to fabric paints, to beads.  Most have some sort of necklace, and they all have a little metal hand which says "hand made" on their left wrist.  (Click for bigger).

Samson at 15 Weeks

Samson is almost 16 weeks old now.  He met his vet this past week, and got his rabies, and his last distemper shot.  He weighed in at 39.5 lbs, up 6.3 lbs from two weeks previously.

Giant breeds have specific nutritional need difference from regular sized dogs - they have a slower growth cycle (2 yrs vs 1 yr), need less fat and protein as puppies to control their growth rate and prevent puppyhood obesity that can lead to joint and bone disorders.  They are also susceptible to bloat, or gastric torsion.  No one knows what causes the bloat.  Genetics certainly play a role, in that the giant breeds are the ones who get it.  People have suggested raised feeders, not allowing a lot of water to be drunk after eating, certain food ingredients, etc.  But the upshot is no one really knows.  However, now that vets are doing laparoscopic procedures just as human surgeons are, they are making prophylactic gastropexy for these giant dogs.  The procedure tacks the stomach to other structures to prevent it from being able to twist.  The risk of torsion goes up with age, and can kill a dog very quickly, so it is a major concern.

Samson starts a couple of private puppy lessons next week, and will do puppy classes for socialization starting later in the month.

September Sheep Calendar

Samson is Here!

Samson arrived this morning on the 0700 redeye direct flight from LAX from his breeder, Tierra Alta Kennels.  He was shaking all over, but had kept the shipping crate clean.  We coaxed him out of the shipping crate while still in the Air Cargo office, and took him outside.  He was too terrified to be very interested in doing any business initially, so we drove him over to a marshland reserve for a walk.  He learned how to walk on a collar and lead (did very well, the proud mother says, puffing out her chest), did his business, got to know us, drank water, ate breakfast, and even met four other dogs (and did pretty well with that for a little guy) who were also there.  He loved the reeds by the marsh water - wasn't pleased that we didn't want to follow him into the stagnant water.

On the way back home to Maine, we just HAD to drop in at Spunky Eclectic and let her meet Samson - I needed to introduce him to the luscious fibers, and spinning wheels.  He toured the shop, met Baby Boogie and 7-going-on-20, as well as Boogie Mom.  He did very well with the girls, and it appeared they were happy with him as well.

We drove the rest of the way home (a total of four hour drive), and introduced him to our older dogs (that went well), and gave him a guided tour of the fenced portion of the backyard (approxiamtely 1/2 acre).  He seems pleased with the digs, and in the course of all of that, has learned very quickly how to handle stairs.  After more food and a nap with mom on her bed, he got to meet his sister while we were moving her into her permanent dorm at school.

DD joined the marching band for the University of Maine, playing the tuba.  Their tubas are all brass, and are named after the seven deadly sins - hers is "Envy."  She is developing tuba shoulder, and is getting in plenty of exercise.  Their band camp is this week (classes start next week), and they work at this from 0800 to 2100 (9 pm) daily.  She seems happy.  Her horse is happy in the new barn near school.  She'll meet her roommate Friday when the rest of the kids officially move in...

More puppy updates frequently - need to document his growth, okay?

Blogaversary

Today marks my third blogaversary, which I have never noted previously here.  When I started thinking about it, I was thinking in terms of two years, but then it dawned that more time than I thought had lapsed. 

As I reflect on the years, at first, it was more driven towards knitting/spinning equipment and purchases, and fun at a LYS that has since gone by the way.  Now it has evolved to reflect travels to Scotland and Ireland, my kids growing up and moving away, my growth as a spinner, and barns.  Can't forget the barns.

It's been a good three years, and I've checked out other blogging programs/servers and decided to stick with Typepad, even if that means I have to learn some new tricks.  Being an old dog bites sometimes.  Thanks for being here with me!

Mystic Meadows - Almost Done

The Mystic Meadows (by Anna Dalvi)  KAL started June 1.  However, I was holding out for the arrival of my "Iris" Whisper Merino Lace yarn from The Woolen Rabbit.  I was convinced that yarn would depict a meadow to my liking, and it does.  Despite using a light box for these shots, the colors are off.  The greens are a wonderful late spring/early summer sort of gree, and the purples are in the blue violet range.  I obviously need to work on the white balance of my camera...

I am on Row 387 of 425.  I took a long hiatus during July and until this week in this project.  Something to do with Tour de Fleece and having another cardiac cath done made me lose the mojo temporarily.

As I worked through the clues, I fell in love with this stole. Even DS #3 likes the stole and the yarn.  I offered to knit him one, but he thinks shawls are too "girly" for him to wear.  I guess I'll have to knit some Anne Hanson man lace for him instead.

Anna has been doing an element series of lace shawls also.  She's done  Mystic Light and Mystic Waters (before I stumbled onto her patterns), and  in September, she is doing the mass test knitting of Mystic Earth.  I've signed up for that KAL too, and am now scouting out "earth" yarn.  I don't want anything flat & boring.  I want something with depth of color.... up for suggestions.

Handspun Baby Set

I just completed the finishing on a baby set including Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Sweater on Two Needles (Knitter's Almanac), Norwegian Baby hat (free Ravelry pattern), Striped Baby Mitts (free Ravelry pattern) and Amy King's "Baby Keep Your Socks On" booties (free on her website).

The yarn I spun from the Spunky Junkies  Fiber Club Feb 08 selection, "Think Spring" in South African Fine.  It was amongst the several nice hanks of yarn I either finished or spun during the Tour de Fleece in July.  I usually am lagging far behind in fiber club spinning, but July got me charged up, and I wound up with several hanks of yarn I really love.  I've crossed the threshold to where I'd rather knit from my handspun that from anything commercially prepared.  My "Think Spring" turned out to be sport weight, and is very soft, squishy and in perfect baby colors!  I spun it using the fractal stripe method described in Spin Off last fall.

This set was commissioned of me for a nurse at work's new granddaugher, born in July.  Gauging from how warm my hand got inside the bonnet, I am certain this set will keep the little New England tyke toasty warm this coming winter!  I knit an I-cord mitten keeper to lessen the odds of losing a single mitten....

New Pupppy Coming!

For awhile after Hero died, I wanted to just enjoy the two dogs still remaining.  We lost our Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian mastiff, rare breed with a natural aversion to strangers) last October, and I lost Hero in May.  That left us with Bagira, an 8 1/2 yo female German shepherd, and my daughter's dog, Chase, a rough coat Collie.  (My vet says I have the most amazing collection of fluffy animals she's ever seen).

Well, Chase will go with DD to school after she's finished with dorm life.  Bagira has attached herself to my DS#3.  Apparently, he is her person, and that leaves me with no companion upstairs (the kids hide out in the TV room in the basement with the dogs).  SO this past weekend, I decided I was ready for a new dog.  One that is MINE, all mine.

Prior to Hero's death, when I knew I would not have him much longer, I started researching breeds.  While I love my GSDs and their intuition, their bond with their owner, I also realize that with my cardiac issues, I cannot do justice to their need for working, and activity.  So, I went searching for a guardian dog who is content to be a sloth indoors.  One that is without an insatiable drive to be working.

Several years ago, I'd seen a show on Animal Planet about the Pyrenean mastiff.  A flock guardian dog from Spain in the mountains (hence the name), they are bred to protect sheep and flocks from predators.  I contacted the breeder in the show, Karin Graefe from De La Terra Alta Kennels in California.  She also breeds Great Pyrennes, and Spanish mastiffs.  Possibly St. Bernards as well.  She is very knowledgeable about the mastine breeds or giants.  When I wrote to her describing why I need protection dogs (my stalker is still in the picture), but also needing a dog who is open to my kids bringing beaus home, and eventually perhaps grandchildren (the Fila would not be a good dog for that), she educated me that the Pyrenean mastiff when it was bred back from almost extinction, had lost some of its protective instinct.  She felt the Spanish mastiff would be a better protector, and still be a flock guardian animal content to be pretty inactive indoors.  

And so, this guy is coming home to me, hopefully arriving August 27.  He has his vet check with chipping next Thursday where he will get his flying papers.  Shipping crate will be picked up this week.  He'll catch a red eye flight (easier to meet the heat restrictions on animals in the hold) from LAX to Boston where I will pick him up.  If I am figuring out airlines correctly, he should land at 0625 am.  I have a 4+ hour south and west to Boston, so I may use my bonus points at a hotel for a free night at the airport hotel so I can pick him up well rested....

His dam is Fortuna who weighs 156-158 lbs.  His sire is  Columbus  who weighs 210 lbs.  Of note, neither of these dogs appears overweight.  My guy is from the "E" litter for this dam, and so his pedigree name needs to begin with "E".  We are having a hard time finding an "E" name that seems suitable, so if anyone has suggestions, I am open!  Might even have a hank of yarn to award a winning name!

He weighed over 25 lbs at ten weeks.  He will be a BIG boy!  He's already enrolled for puppy classes.  I've already found the dog food he's used to here locally.  The crate Hero loved will come back out into my bedroom.  I just need to be sure I have a Gentle Leader of the right size, raised feeders and an assortment of puppy chew toys.  I imagine this guy's teeth are sharp and large.  Probably need some Bitter Apple to keep him from mouthing on us, too.  I love that he appears to already be scanning activity behind the photographer!

In Hero's Memory - Seth & Ruby

On Sunday, we held a spaghetti dinner benefit to help raise funds to buy a service dog for Seth Reardon, an engaging young man bound to a wheelchair due to cerebral palsy.  Seth's mother is a nurse with whom I work. 

When Ruby, the dog designated for Seth, arrived, you should have seen the smile on Seth's face!  This was a first public outing for the two of them, and the first time Seth had the responsibility to tell us all that we could not pet her, because she was working.  Ruby has already bonded firmly enough with Seth that she warns others off from Seth at times.

The spaghetti dinner raised an even $400 towards the $5,000 they still need to raise for Ruby.  An anonymous donor gave an additional $500, and the 50:50 raffle we held netted yet another $87.  And my blog friends have so far donated $30 more dollars.  Every donations helps!

I cannot think of a better way to honor the memory of my personal protection dog, Hero, who passed away this May.  As soon as I heard about Seth training for a dog, I knew Hero would want me to honor him this way!  Service dogs rock!

Seeing Seth's face when Ruby arrived with her trainer was wonderful. 

Service Dog Fundraiser

Seth's mom, Linda, has asked that Sissy and I be the third parties to which the fundraiser donations be directed.  Sissy is coordinating the spaghetti supper, so I will take on this portion of our efforts towards getting Ruby for Seth.  I'll take some photos of all at the spaghetti supper Sunday afternoon and post them Monday (I have to work call Sunday pm at work, so I can't count on being able to post them Sunday, but it might happen through the wifi in the hospital library if it isn't too busy).  Any Paypal donations can be made to knitmdster (at) gmail (dot) com  with a notation for Seth & Ruby.  I'll post running totals here on a daily basis.  Thanks in advance for your contributions in Hero's name for Ruby and her new owner!

Update:  Contributions are started - thankyou Amber Moggie !