The noses at Hearts on Noses

A few more pics from my last trip to Hearts on Noses.

For the past couple of years, the winning photographic shot in the Domestic Animals category at the Cowichan Exhibition has been a photo of a horse's nose - in fact, one year both first and second prizes went to horses' noses.  So this year I was photographing horses' noses.  This fall I finally won first prize in the Advanced domestic animals category - ironically, with a photo of a dog! (It was the first photo in this post). But I'm still taking shots of horses' noses, and here are Dior and Lacey, the two sanctuary horses:

Dior's nose

Lacey's nose

Dior and Lacey

Not to be left out, one of the new piggies (whose name I can't remember) wanted to make sure I got not only the nose but the tongue:

I'm much funnier than a horse's nose!

And, of course, then the other piggies had to show me their beautiful noses:

And not to be outdone, Chilco the dog had to get in on the photoshoot too:

I haz a mighty fine nose!
It can smell treats from a mile away!

Janice, the owner of Hearts on Noses, has had some serious heart problems lately - not hearts on pigs noses, but her own heart.  She is now awaiting either a triple bypass or the addition or repair of  stents that were placed there a couple of months ago. In order to sustain the sanctuary during this difficult time, she can use all the volunteer help and donations she can get.  Check out her website or her facebook page in order to find out how to help.  Hearts on Noses is located in Mission, BC.

And if you are on the island - my friends Gail and Jenn are heading over to Hearts on Noses on Saturday Dec 7th to participate in a work party.  They hope to have the truck loaded with donations of apples, carrots, Mazuri Exotic Pig Feed, wool blankets, squash, alfalfa, and cash.  Pickup or transport of donations from other areas of the island may be possible - email me using the contact on this blog or via facebook and I'll relay the message to them.

The noses at Hearts on Noses will be most appreciative.

Sneaky Pig

When I was on the mainland this month for mom's funeral, I popped into Hearts on Noses Potbellied Pig Sanctuary to say hello to the owner Janice and to the 12 pigs I once fostered. The pigs were resting in their houses when I arrived, but I had treats so I figured they wouldn't mind being disturbed.

I went into their pen and tossed a tomato, one of their favourite fruits, near the door to their house as I softly called out the familiar "Piggy piggy piggy!" just as I used to do when it was dinner time at the barn.  Immediately one of them - Whisper, I think - came out to say hello. 

But watch closely what happens to the tomato, just to the right of the door:  

Hi, Former Foster Mama!
I thought I heard your voice!
Didya bring me a treat, didya, didya?

Me:  Look to the side, silly piggy!

Huh?  What?

Where?  What?

I'm sure I smell tomatoes! 

Did you see it? In the third picture?   I have no idea whose little snout that was that stole the tomato, but he sure did a sneaky job of it!  Fortunately, I had lots more and soon all the pigs came out for a visit.  

More pics of my pals at Hearts on Noses tomorrow. 

Streetwalker, Squeegee Girl, and Lady of the Night

I pace back and forth, back and forth, on the sidewalk.  Over and over again.  Then disappear for a short while before reappearing to pace again.  No, I’m not wearing 6” stilettos  or a short, short skirt, and it is a dog, not a pimp, who forces me into this routine.  I have never in my life walked so slowly for such a short distance as I do with Princess Riley.  Okay, maybe that’s not true – I seem to remember a very similar experience with Charley when she was old and arthritic.  Riley is followed by Mitzi – who sometimes forces me to walk very slowly and sometimes races around the town with me in tow.  And Shiloh.  Who usually walks quite briskly except when I am in a hurry, and then prefers the streetwalker stroll.  Eddie simply tells me which direction to go and then struts out in style – if there is a pimp in my life, it is he.

And then there are the nose prints  - and often paw prints - on the windows.  Today it was time – sun low in the sky accentuates every streak of mud left by dirty-pawed dogs wanting in, and every smear of slobber left by nosy noses looking out.  Bucket and squeegee in hand, I tackled the windows.  Sadly, not one of those on the other side of the glass gave me a tip. 

And lastly there are the night time duties.  Old dogs needing out at night should coordinate their biological needs instead of getting me up at 1 AM, 3 AM, 5 AM.  I am tired today.

Sigh.  I’m a streetwalker, a squeegee girl, and a lady of the night. 

And I thought my former job as a university instructor was challenging.   

Parting Shots

Princess Chelsea Dawn

Princess Chelsea Dawn went home today.  Before she left, I spent a little time this morning trying to get some photos of my dogs in Christmas attire for my cards.  They didn't cooperate, so I asked Chelsea to show them how it is done.

Please, please, please let this be over soon!

Sigh
All right, this is how it's done.
Now can I go home?

Her folks had a very long day, getting up in the wee hours of the morning for their flight  from New York, so before I took Chelsea back home to Chemainus, I stopped to give her lots of exercise at Swallowfield.  I figured they'd appreciate having a tired dog who would be only too happy to go to bed early tonight.

At first, Chelsea wasn't too appreciative of the stop - she knew all her gear was in the van and had already figured out that meant she was going home.

Do I hafta?  Can't I just go home?

But soon she got into the swing of things and enjoyed the afternoon walk on a beautiful crisp and sunny day:

Bare trees on blue sky

Reflections in the ponds

Chelsea on leaf-strewn trail

Late afternoon sun lights up the mill

Pastoral tranquility

Soon the sun was low in the sky and it was time to go.

Walking into the setting sun

I hope you enjoyed your visit, Chelsea.  See you again soon!

Memorable moments in time

I remember exactly where I was the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated fifty years ago today.  I was in Grade 8 English class - I remember the room, the seat, the teacher, the classmates around me.  I remember the shock.  I remember walking home with my friends, talking about the potential implications for world peace.  I remember sorrow - though I had very little political awareness of Kennedy's strengths and weaknesses, I knew him as a handsome and charismatic world leader and on that basis alone had come to admire him.

It was one of those moments in time that is forever burned in my mind.  There are others:  I remember vividly the first time there was a test of the air raid sirens in my town during the Cuban missile crisis.  I remember vividly the first time an astronaut walked on the moon.  I remember vividly the moment I heard the  US announce the war in the Persian Gulf.  I remember vividly the moment I heard of the Twin Towers terrorist attack.

And I remember vividly the middle-of-the-night phone call telling me my sister had suddenly died.  It was two years ago today.  It may not make the  history books but it was life-changing for my family.  And I will never forget.

Miss you, Big Sis.  Love you forever.

Frosty Morning at Swallowfield

Eddie, above the estuary at the
south end of Swallowfield
(c) Jean Ballard 2013

The temperature has dropped and there is a hard frost on the ground even midmorning.  But the sun is shining, the air is crisp, and to me the weather is perfect for a walk with the dogs.  I take Eddie, who can run off leash, and our guest dog Chelsea on a long line, and head to Swallowfield.  It is one of my favourite places to go in the fall - sunlight reflecting on pools of water, solitude, ocean vistas across the estuary, tall bare trees and then open grasslands,  a wide, level trail.

Eddie and Chelsea on leaf-covered trail

Along the trail at Swallowfield

Estuary, south end.

I usually head north at the t- intersection in the path, to the Chemainus River and across the estuary. Today I headed south instead, past the foundations of an old homestead, gazing at the paradox of the smoke and steam from the pulp mill and the sillhouette of the mill stacks against the natural beauty of this protected waterfowl landscape.

Crofton Pulp Mill in distance

Bright red berries attract many small birds, while overhead an eagle flies.  Suddenly I spot a bird I don't recognize - the size of a crow yet rounder, with distinctive bars on the breast.  I have only my little camera, so can't zoom in quite close enough.  A grouse perhaps?  Yet it doesn't seem quite right.  It is only after I upload the photos that I notice a second bird of the same species to the right of the photo.  Can you see them both in this first frame?

Two birds in the bush

Bird one
from centre of  above photo

Bird two,
from right side of first photo

Eddie, Chelsea and I continue on our way, crunching the ice over the puddles as we go.  This one, however, remained intact - a maple leaf in whirls of frozen water:

Frozen Canada
(c) Jean Ballard 2013

 A few more photos before we head home:

Chelsea Dawn on the estuary

Bullrushes on a frosty fall day

Bare trees and blue skies

Two hours of walking and we didn't meet a soul.  All within 15 minutes of home. How lucky I am to live here.

Chelsea gets busted!

Auntie Jean is threatening to put me behind bars.
She says she saw me chasing the cat.

I am in soooo much trouble!

I was just sitting here minding my own business!!!
Musta been some other dog chasing the cat.

I mean, c'mon now.....
Do I look guilty to you?

And today's smile-maker is......

SWEET SHILOH!  

With a very cold wind blowing, and Shiloh having no fat on her bones and only a thin coat of hair, I thought I would look through the dog supplies to see if I had a sweater to fit her.  I already have a raincoat for her, though I had to get my sewing neighbour, Mary, to adjust the belly strap which went around Shiloh's skinny little ribcage twice (thanks, Mary!).

So, I looked for a long, skinny sweater, and this was the closest I could find to her size.  A wee bit too small, but she was very cooperative and I couldn't resist taking pictures. I do believe red is her colour!

Aw shucks!

I hope I get a treat for this!

HRH Princess Riley.....

Riley was most humiliated when she read my blog today and saw the most unprincessly photo of her in yesterday's post.  She said "Isn't that just like the paparazzi - sneaking unflattering photos while royalty is oblivious!"

So, to make amends, here are a few better ones, taken today while she was outside enjoying the day.  They aren't fantastic photos, but they do have the Royal Riley seal of approval.

A more princess-like pose

Is this my best side?

Hi mom!
Auntie Jean is taking good care of me!

Full House or Royal Flush?

My little house is bursting its canine seams right now.  We have:

Princess Mitzi

Princess Shiloh
who is adjusting very, very well
(except for her cat-chasing episodes)

Princess Chelsea Dawn
who is staying with us for the next week

HRH Princess Riley
(In most unprincessly pose, falling off the bed)
who is staying with us for the next month or so.
Seen here with her shadow, Princess Shiloh

And, of course, HRH Prince Eddie

Fortunately, despite their airs of royalty, they all get along very well.  I normally consider four dogs at one time to be my limit, but had already committed to looking after Riley and Chelsea before I knew Shiloh was in my future.  Riley and Chelsea have both been here several times before, so I knew them to be very easy and well mannered guests, hence no concerns about having two visiting dogs at one time.  But Royal Attitudes are certainly apparent - I am clearly the lowly servant, here only to serve their food, open doors, brush their hair, fluff their beds, escort them on walks........ in other words, be at their beck and call.

The only chaotic times are first thing in the morning, meal times, and bedtime - it is all just a matter of getting each dog in/out/to their own feeding space/to their own bed without all of the others trying to beat them to the punch, and without the stronger or bigger dogs knocking over the smaller or frailer ones.  Really, the only dog that is a real challenge is Anxious, Excitable, Foodaholic Eddie.  The rest are really very calm.  In between the chaotic times, you would never know there were five dogs in the house.

They all walk at difference speeds and different distances, so I much prefer to walk them individually - which means I'm currently spending several hours a day walking dogs.  Or escorting royalty.

With Riley, a walk is more of a gentle stroll with a lot of side-to-side paw waving.  With Shiloh it is more of a parade, head high, chest out, strutting along to imaginary trombones and tubas.  Mitzi's walks, I think, are an example of royalty rushing to meet with the prime minister - an air of great determination as she plows her way through the crowds and stops only occasionally to give the nod to a lamp post or fire hydrant. Chelsea goes on world tours - as the youngest member of the royal group, she believes in steering her own coach and dragging her entourage  farther afield to explore new territory and meet with the commoners.  Here she went on an exploration of Osborne Bay Park with our friends Sadie B and Gail,  and accompanied by Prince Eddie and me.

Princess Chelsea Dawn at the beach

Sadie B decided to go skinny dipping, and although Chelsea was dying to join her, the entourage kept tight rein on her lest she bare all to the paparazzi like a certain young British prince.

C'mon in!  The water's cool!

Walking so many dogs individually does have its rewards - like this beautiful sunrise Princess Shiloh and I experienced the other morning:

As for Allie?  Well, she thinks things have gotten quite out of hand, especially now that Shiloh's honeymoon period is over and cat-chasing reveals itself as a favourite past time.

I am SO not talking to you, camera lady!

And when Shiloh chases, Chelsea joins in.   Allie is plotting her revenge. There may be a coup in the castle.

Wake me when the nightmare is over. 

(And thanks to Riley's chauffeur, Deb of CatnMouse Designs, for fixing my computer when she delivered Riley in the Royal Pumpkin Carriage on Monday). 

Blog-ation

I'm taking a blogging vacation - my computers are both infected with something and my photo files keep duplicating themselves then deleting themselves - I have six copies of some folders, and other folders which are empty when I open them to see the photos.  And my virus protection has gone haywire, and re-sets itself into the off position every thirty seconds.
So.... I'm shutting everything down until I can find a computer guru and the money to pay him/her.
See you in a week or two or three.

Leaving Home, Coming Home

Today I left my Crofton home and all my critters to return to the mainland for my mom's funeral this Tuesday.  It will be the first time I have been back to White Rock, my childhood hometown, for several years. From one seaside town to another.

It will be the first time I've been inside my childhood church for probably three decades. Now I celebrate life and express my spirituality through nature,  through walks in the forest, with the critters I love.

It was hard leaving all my critters, though my very capable friend Margaret is staying in my house keeping them all safe and happy for me.  Allie and Eddie knew something was up the minute I pulled out the suitcase.  Mitzi began to get the idea once items were piled by the door - and promptly ran into her crate with a resolute "I am NOT going with you!".  Little Shiloh is probably still pacing around the house looking for me twelve hours later - she has just begun to follow me everywhere and to seek me out if she awakens from a nap and I'm not right there.

On the ferry today, I was reading my mother's journals again, as I try to pull together the eulogy for the service.  Memories came flooding back, and new ones are added as I read about her own childhood, her perception of our childhood, her memories of times we spent together,  her stories of things she did without us, and her perspective on aging.  It was quite a journey, reading those words, hearing my mother's voice.

I was going to photograph the ocean, the sea birds, the little islands.  I was going to photograph the sun setting on Mt. Baker as I drove towards my friend's place where I'm staying.  Instead, my head was full of thoughts of Mom - and so it should be.

Leaving home, coming home.  One where I live now, the other cradled gently in my heart.

I'll be back Wednesday, heart full from my human family and friends here, but happy to embrace my canine family and friends there. Two homes.  One then, one now.