Sneaky Pete's First Escape

Sneaky Pete AKA Ikey
Saturday afternoon I stuck my head and my camera out the front door to get a quick picture of something.  Little did I  know or see or hear, "Sneaky Pete" creep out the door without me seeing him.  I went back inside to finish what I was doing...some more organizing and unpacking that there is still plenty of to be done.  Anyway, I was standing beside my bed where there is a big window viewing the side yard of the house.  All the sudden I see this white flash go by....IKEY!  I hear guns, dove hunters, in the distance.  That is what sent him home!  He hates thunder and the sounds of guns and there is nothing that will send him by my side any sooner.  I rushed to the front door to let him in and I wanted to give him the "what for" verbally, but upon looking at him, scared and wanting his mama, I chose to just give him the "stink eye" grab him up and love him for coming home!  I did give him a little soft spoken speech about going outside without me know it, which he ignored.
Phew, what a close call.  No telling how long it would have been before I noticed he was not in the house.  I doubt he had gotten any further than the side yard, but on that particular day, the sad death of a dove brought my puppy flying home!

Psalm 121:7
The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;
(and Ikey too!)

Encourage one another, continuing the journey on fresh paths.

The Ghost Dog

Mostly, he only comes out at night.



One morning very early Ikey decided to take a vigil out the bedroom window.  He was perched on my pillow RIGHT next to my face.  Ears perked, eyes wide, he watched.  I never looked at the clock and I have no idea why or how long he was there.  I was dosing off and on as he lay there.  At a point I hear this low growl.  His head picks up off the pillow.  I peer outside and there appears "the ghost dog",  BIG, sort of yellow, long haired, ambling.  I have seen him several times at night, off the side of the road usually.  On one occasion I had taken Ikey outside for his last bathroom break before bedtime.  It was very dark out.  As Ikey was still at one point, in the pasture next to us, some 100 yards away, I saw him, the ghost dog, stopped, quietly looking at us.  Then he traveled on to where ever he was going.  Ikey never saw him thankfully as I scooped him up immediately, hid his face and carried him into the yard.  Ikey would absolutely take off like a bolt of lightening after any dog (or cat) near his yard.

Now here he was again, traveling through our yard, right outside my window, like a ghost, a quiet ghost, never making a sound.  Ikey's low growl was the only noise and it continued (but no barking which was unusual) until the dog disappeared from sight.

I have spoken of this dog to someone in the neighborhood and they say he belongs to another neighbor who owns property and a house to both the south and the north of Ikey and I.  He must be traveling from one home to the other.

Let me say, I don't plan to become friendly with him.  Although he doesn't look menacing, it's just as well he doesn't stop for a visit.  We'll just leave him alone and hope he does the same.  

Judges 5:6
“In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were abandoned; travelers took to winding paths.

Encourage One Another...continuing the journey on fresh paths.

Chihuahuas Who "Porch"

I only know one...chihuahua who "porches".  But I'm sure there are many.  Here's a short story of the one I know.

On our way to our new home in Cost, Texas..."pre-porching" days.

Ikey has, like me, decided that "porching" is the best thing ever.    He obviously loves the sounds, the sights, the sun and the adventure.  He loves to watch the cows graze, the squirrels scamper, the hummers hum, the birds sing, the butterflies fly and he trails, tracks, runs after and jumps on grasshoppers.  (Still trying to get video of how cute he is doing that!).  

 First days of "porching".  Just learning how to "do it right"!

He occasionally will ask out to "porch" alone...and I let him.  I feel pretty secure he will be ok on the covered, gated porch.

Night "porching".  He is a diligent night watchman!

 

But he loves to nap too!

 Truly life is good when you are rocking and "porching".

 Cattle moving across the front yard are fun to watch.

Relaxed, peaceful Chihuahua "sun porching".

Back at the condo Ikey, had his own doggie door.  He had freedom to come and go at his little whim, day and night.  And he did.  I was a bit concerned about him being more confined in our new country home with no doggie door.  Not only did we not want unwanted varmits coming in the doggie door, I did not want Ikey going out unsupervised with all the varmits that might be outdoors (ie: skunks, snakes, hawks, owls, possum, rats!).  So, life is different for Ikey.

He has adjusted amazingly well to no doggie door.  Going in and out has become a bit of a routine and he is managing without mishap.  I am truly impressed.  

When God created the dog, he created an amazing creature.  One who loves you unconditionally and has no expectations; one who greets you with enthusiasm EVERY time you walk in the door; one who licks your face; one who brings joy to your life and a smile to your face every single day.  I thank God for dogs, especially mine!

My "Big Ikey" is just an amazing little guy.  So if your in our area, come by.  We're usually out here, morning and evening, "porching".

All things bright and beautiful

All creatures great and small

All things wise and wonderful

The Lord God made them all

–Cecil Francis Alexander

Genesis 1:25
God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

Encourage One Another, continuing the journey on fresh paths.

Ellen K, this one is for you!  Let me know if you read it?!

We Are On High Alert

Me and Ikey that is, until the thunder and lightening stop.  My little pup is petrified of thunder.  I'm not talking a little scared, head under the pillow scared.  I'm talking out of his little mind and heart scared.  He sits up in the bed facing the window from the moment he hears the first little rumble in the far away distance til the last rain drop falls.  He can hear it miles away and he anticipates that lightening strike like a hammer hitting a nail.  Last night he had so much anxiety he was panting furiously.  There is nothing I can do for him.  There is no way to soothe him or settle him down.  He's just beside himself and on top of me.  He sits on my chest like a sphinx.  He will eventually lie down but he never takes his eyes off the window.  If he is very very still I can fall back to sleep, albeit I cannot turn or roll over for chance of stirring him.  Eventually I will wake up and find him curled up and asleep too after all chance of something terrible happening is gone.  Poor little guy.  Thankfully for him where we live there are very few thunderstorms...not near enough in my opinion and in the needs of the land.  But as far as Ikey is concerned...one thunderstorm is too many.

Home Sweet Home

Absolutely nothing like sleeping in your own bed. I finally did so last night after two weeks of sleeping in someone else's bed, or several! My sheets are just the best, soft and smooth. LOVE them. I have two sets now. I could not stand to wait a week till they were changed again. I like the room to be cold when I sleep too. So only at my house do I truly get to regulate the temperature like I want to. I like the window open with the cold night air blowing in. I like the fan on to keep the air circulating. Whether I sleep in my "night clothes" or my "birthday suit' depends on the temperature and my mood. Sometimes that changes during the night. Ikey and I have sort of a ritual when we hit the sack. He gets in first and then as I get in, he circles around on top of me till he is on my chest. Then I rub him and talk to him until he gets sleepy eyed. He will roll over on his back and let me rub his belly until his eyes roll back in his head a bit. We become one. He likes to snuggle down deep into the covers and keep warm. He also likes to "spoon". The fact that he is only about 15-18" long means he doesn't cover a lot of "territory", however, it is welcomed. He makes those ever present circles like dogs do, then hunkers down and stays pretty still for most of the night. He will accommodate me when I move and vice versa. We are good sleeping partners. We are just good buddies. He always rejoyces when I get home, runs to meet me, wiggles to get into my arms. Then we hug and kiss a bit and he runs out the door as fast as he can. He's just the best. He makes coming home a joy. It takes a while to make a house a home. But truly, where ever there is love, and companionship, a home is. Coming home...ahhh!