<![CDATA[Greta's Haven Pet Rescue - Orrin's Observations]]>Mon, 28 May 2012 02:54:02 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Let the Beatings Begin]]>Sat, 12 May 2012 08:48:57 -0800http://www.gretashaven.com/1/post/2012/05/let-the-beatings-begin.htmlMom has decided that I need to go for basic obedience... AGAIN. I've already been to two basic classes with two trainers and I think I did pretty awesome at both. I guess mom disagrees.

The other trainers were all about treat rewards. OMG, so am I! But mom complains that unless she has a pocket full of hot dogs I won't obey. Well, why should I? HELLO!!! No hot dogs!!!

Mother (I refuse to call her the affectionate "mom" at this juncture) says I need to become a gambler rather than a glutton and she needs to become a slot machine, not a vending machine. First, she's crazy. Second, what the hell has that trainer been instilling in her heretofore generous psyche???

The plan (mother's plan) is to begin basic obedience on Thursday evenings with Jerry. Eva like's Jerry; she told me so. But she says mom expects a lot when we are with Jerry. 

*Pant pant pant* this is stressful already. I hope I 
]]><![CDATA[Fun with Dirt]]>Wed, 09 May 2012 03:41:58 -0800http://www.gretashaven.com/1/post/2012/05/fun-with-dirt.htmlFriends; the most glorious thing has happened!!! Some dude in a giant truck just dropped off a ginormous pile of dirt!

I hardly know what to do first. I think I want to climb to the top and then slide down on my side. Then maybe I can dig a tunnel through the middle. I also need to scratch through and find any bugs or interesting debris to eat. Then, when I have finally gotten the pile crushed down and disbursed a little, I think I will roll in it. 

I just had the most amazing thought. What if it rains! Oh, I will have the most magnificent mud puddle EVER!

I'm going to be so dirty! This is great!!!



]]><![CDATA[The Wolf Within]]>Tue, 10 Apr 2012 04:54:30 -0800http://www.gretashaven.com/1/post/2012/04/the-wolf-within.htmlWe husky-types are a fun bunch. We tend to be playful and energetic. Most of us are intelligent, too, often to the point that we get into a lot of trouble. We can't help thinking about things and problem solving. Did you know I even figured out how to turn door-knobs? True story. 

But huskies have a true wild side! All dogs are closely related to wolves but perhaps we are the closest. And sometimes the wolf within strikes me. One minute I am a docile doggy and the next I am stalking Gabriel with slow, sure steps. Other times I am tearing the stuffing out of a pillow while, in my mind, I am actually disemboweling an elk. Ah, what a nice fantasy! 

The best part of my wolf heritage is singing. When Eva is upset and barking or Mom is bellowing an Adele song I launch my beautiful voice into flight. You'd almost think we were a pack of timber wolves in Canada. Except Eva sounds like a chihuahua and Mom sort of sounds like an injured cow...


]]><![CDATA[Technicolour Vomit]]>Fri, 30 Mar 2012 04:16:00 -0800http://www.gretashaven.com/1/post/2012/03/technicolour-vomit.htmlWill the humans never learn? Things should not be left where I can get them. 

This time it was jelly beans! Two pounds of gourmet jelly beans to be exact! Dad asked Mom to buy them because he likes sweets almost as much as I do. They were left where they shouldn't have been - on the nightstand.

And so I feasted. I think the strawberry flavoured ones are my favourite. Or maybe the green apple. But I also like the buttered popcorn ones and the espresso ones and the banana ones and the pina colada ones... heck, I love them all. I thoroughly enjoyed a sweet morning.

But then... oh dear, oh my... my tummy lurched and rolled and flippity-flopped and then - SPEW - my jelly beans came up. I lurched and heaved and emptied my stomach's contents on the bed, on the hardwood floor, on the dog beds, on the carpet, on the side of the couch and on the carpet a few more times. I'm not sure why but at that point I became incredibly thirsty and had to drink nearly all of our water in the giant bowl. Then that all came up on the carpet, too.

Dad was the first one home. He sent a text to Mom who was at work with several hours left to go in her 12 hour shift. Mom worked  for another hour or so but she couldn't concentrate on police department stuff. All she could think about was cleaning up puke. 

When Mom got home she sighed, filled a bucket with hot water, and proceeded to scrub. But the bad thing? The vomit was basically liquified sugar. It had the consistency of corn syrup having been poured out and left to dry. There was no getting that stuff out of the rug without a carpet shampooer. So, Mom went to Kohls and bought one.

The clean up went a little more quickly with the shampooer and, even though Mom still seems a little upset with me, I think she should be thanking me. You see, when she bought the carpet shampooer she also got some Kohls cash - that free money they give you for spending money - and with it she got a pretty new pair of shoes. In the long run I did her a favour!




]]><![CDATA[Spring Cleaning]]>Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:21:31 -0800http://www.gretashaven.com/1/post/2012/03/spring-cleaning.htmlNow is the hour of mom's discontent.

Spring cleaning, she says, has been a travesty since my arrival. Equipped with scrub-brushes, various solvents and a few vacuum devices, Mom goes on rampage every spring. 

The carpet gets a good brushing, the cabinets a cleaning out and de-cluttering. Even the plants get their glossy little leaves wiped free of dust.

Oh, but the hair! My husky hair! It is in every crevasse; every nook and cranny; if there is a space - oh - white wiry hair! It isn't MY fault! It falls out of its own volition.

Mom made the mistake of trying to clean under the bed. It appears an entire iditerod of huskies exists under there... 

I'll admit that I don't make spring cleaning easy but just think of how accomplished Mom feels when all is fur free!

You know shedding season begins about two weeks after sring cleaning ends, right? Ha ha ha!

]]><![CDATA[Ode to the Little Pokey Potato]]>Thu, 08 Mar 2012 04:07:02 -0800http://www.gretashaven.com/1/post/2012/03/ode-to-the-little-pokey-potato.htmlI think it is time for another poem.

Little hedgehog in his bed
Puffle-psst
Puffle-psst
Just poked out his pokey head
Little hedgehog in his bed

Little hedgehog has a bug
Nibbly-nomble
Crunchy-cromble
Gave that cricket leg a tug!
Little hedgehog has a bug

Little hedgehog on his wheel
Squeakily-squawk
Weekily-whock
Rumble-tumble-wobble-squeal
Little hedgehog on his wheel


]]><![CDATA[Happy Leap Day! Make that Slip Day.]]>Wed, 29 Feb 2012 03:04:57 -0800http://www.gretashaven.com/1/post/2012/02/happy-leap-day-make-that-slip-day.html
LOL! It is Leap Day for everybody but in our section of Michigan it should actually be called Slip Day this time around.

Mom went out in the car and came back 10 minutes later saying, "Oh heck no!". I guess the snow that is falling on top of the freezing rain from overnight makes car travel difficult. 

I don't have a problem with slipping. I've talked about my awesome husky feet before. My toes spread out and I have wonderful fur between them for warmth and traction. 

Maybe for winter driving everyone should get sleds. There are a whole bunch of huskies and other musher-mixes like me at area shelters! Wouldn't sledding to work be fun?!?! Plus, your sled dogs could keep you company at work. I think dogs in the workplace make everything better even if we aren't used as transportation.

The TV says that today is Tornado Day for people in the south... Stay safe southern friends! ]]><![CDATA[Brain Drain]]>Sun, 15 Jan 2012 08:22:05 -0800http://www.gretashaven.com/1/post/2012/01/brain-drain.htmlEva has been a little naughty lately so Mom and Dad signed her up for basic obedience class with a guy named Jerry. Eva says Jerry is pretty nice but Mom turns into a big meanie while they are there!

I believe it because today we all went for a walk to practice some of the basic obedience stuff. We have to sit down during our walks if Mom and Dad stop. Well I am actually used to that except today Mom kept making me sit in the snow!!!

I like snow - I am part husky, after all - but no one likes to have their sensitive bits frozen to the concrete, am I right?

But I think it is even trickier for Eva. The cold on her bits isn't as bad for her as the having to think all the time! Eva is easily distracted. Training is making her have to focus and think a lot more than usual. After our walk she decided to take a nap instead of wrestling with me.

Practice makes perfect, though. Eva will understand what is being asked of her soon and she won't have to think so hard. Until intermediate obedience class!
]]><![CDATA[On a Lazy Saturday.]]>Sat, 10 Dec 2011 08:22:49 -0800http://www.gretashaven.com/1/post/2011/12/on-a-lazy-saturday.htmlOn a lazy Saturday you can usually find me curled up in bed, or on the couch, or on the dog bed. I dream of rabbits.

On a lazy Saturday, if no food is being served, you will likely find my little buddy Gabriel sharing my sleeping space.

On a lazy Saturday, I keep one ear half-awake to pick up the jingle of leashes and Mom's half-question: "walk?"

On a lazy Saturday I like those comforts that emerge in the steam off of Mom's tea, the scent of baking and the whispering cold wind outside the window.

On a lazy Saturday I remember being alone, afraid, abandoned in a kennel. And then I smile for what life has become.

On a lazy Saturday I dream of dogs being adopted. Just like me.
]]><![CDATA[Santa Claus and the Nice/Naughty List]]>Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:13:06 -0800http://www.gretashaven.com/1/post/2011/12/santa-claus-and-the-nicenaughty-list.htmlI would like Santa Claus to know that, no matter what Mom says, Eva and I have been VERY good this year. Only one emergency room visit, Santa. Find another pair of dogs who can say as much!!!

I went to see Santa Claus with my cousin, Link, and we had a great time. Santa was nice. I already have kittens so I asked for a puppy. I couldn't hear what Link wanted because he whispered in Santa's ear.

Since I am sure that Eva and I are on the nice list I would also like to ask Santa for a favour. Fraggle the kitten has a lady who would like to adopt him. Mom says that the lady is very nice and very good to her animals. I hope, Santa, that you will not only make this lady love Fraggle a lot, but that you will also remember him on Christmas. I know you will fill stocking for Eva, Adina, Bowser, Gabriel and I. If Fraggle has gone to a new home, please do not forget his!

I know for a fact that Fraggle is on the nice list. He purrs a lot and snuggles with me. If anyone is naughty it is... well, since you are Santa you already know. Right?




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