A Dog, a Ball and a Nightmare.

I just learned about this blog today. My sister in law in Tennessee emailed me about the boycott and asked me to do the same. I investigated the whole thing as far as I can- check the company website for any sign of doing the right thing and recalling the product, read the blog on the dog victim and then forward to my dog show world connections. I'm appalled at the response, or total lack of, of this company. Here's the link to the owners blog. http://www.thechaistory.blogspot.com/
Let me know what you think.


In the meantime, here's what I think. I think if this was marketed as a kids toy it'd be all over the news. The recall would be announced on all major news channels and the CPSC (http://www.cpsc.gov/) would be sending me an email announcement. Pets get a short stick. Yeah, yeah- I know dogs aren't kids- blah blah blah. In my house they are- so there! Arthur is just as much a family member as #1 and #2. Don't bother to start about that- you'd be preaching to the willfully deaf. I grew up with dogs- breeding, training and showing them. They have slept on my bed and I've slept on the floor by a sick dog as much as or probably more than I've slept with my kids when they're sick. They all (kids and pets alike) beg and plead for what they want, they all want more of my attention than they think they get and they all are spoiled. Most days I'd rather have Arthur with me for a long ride in the car- no "are we there yet?", "can we play my CD?", "I'm hungry." etc. Nope- he'll ride shotgun for as long as I want. When he's tired or bored there is no whining about it- he just goes to sleep. He even rides buckled in- no kidding. He's got a harness and it clips to the seatbelt. At 70 pounds he wasn't going to ride on one of those little doggy seats for the itty bitty bunch. Arthur can see out the window from his seat without help. I like the dog as a family member. We chose to drive all the way to New Jersey to buy him from a breeder who raised the bullies in the house with her kids. We spent a good penny for him to get a true example of the breed. He puts up with everything the kids can dish out and never gives them a cross look. He can go to his rug (big heap of blankets he configures to his satisfaction) and be done with them although that doesn't happen often. He worships both kids- where else will a dog get attention, sloppy eaters who drop all sorts of tasty treats, the coolest toys left everywhere- some have lights and make noise when sat on by man or beast. #2 is great for opening the fridge and not caring who steals from the lower shelves. Not to mention the need #1 has to give biscuits and help train him. He'd rather sleep on the sofa with #2 climbing all over him than on his rug without #2. It's a very codependent relationship the little beasts have going. Add the cats to that and some days it's like living in a zoo- or an insane asylum after the inmates have taken over. Guess what- I'm raising the wee folk in the same vein. #1 is already going to dog shows and matches. My life is complete- another generation has gone to the dogs!

You're right- it's not Arthur. Arthur is not a conformation dog. This little furry friend belongs to #1s 3rd Grandma. A very good friend of the family and my first official employer, Marilyn, or Miss Marilyn, as #1 calls her, is another one of the kids fan club. This was at the Kennel Club of Niagara Falls sanctioned match earlier this year. The poodle took First place, Best of Breed and a group fourth. Not bad for a 7 year old who doesn't own the dog so she can't practice till she drops. The good news is- everyone there was most gracious to the kid and she really enjoyed the experience. The thrill of the ribbons and being treated like the adult exhibitors (in her mind) but with the kindness and encouragement necessary to raise the baby handlers up right really made her feel special. A big thanks to all who interacted with her that day- I'm sure you all know who you are. Every kindness shown to kids at shows helps develop the next generation of exhibitors to be the best they can be.

Back to the poor dog in the story this started about- I hope his life returns to a happy state and he adapts to his loss. It's such a rotten thing to happen just because the ball had only one hole and if you're chewing on it (c'mon folks- a chew toy???) when your tongue is on the hole it could get pulled into the hole. That's just twisted. Has anyone out there tried to tell a dog not to get his tongue near the hole on his chew toy? I'm sure someone has- people do the darndest things-have they had any luck??? If so- can you email me and help me teach #2 not to sit on balloons and then be surprised when they pop on his butt?? But (pardon the pun) that's a whole other story...
Have a Happy Labor Day, folks.

Electric Momma

I have no idea what an electric momma is but my seven year old dubbed me that and it stuck. I suppose it's rather catchy and memorable so here it is. Since I've been reading blogs for a few years I decided it was time to give it a try. Hopefully this will be fun and educational for all, myself included.

So I'm a mother of 2- one mostly normal seven year old girl and one autistic five year old boy. I like crafting and find I spend way too much time surfing the 'net for new projects as well as new pages about my favorite crafts. Right now I'm a stay at home mom and find that rather than having lots of free time I have almost no time. Hmm- I have no idea how that can be. So let's look at the great black hole of free time.

Once upon a time I had a job, an apartment, free time and money. Then came the house in a small town in Western New York, baby1, job downsizing post 9/11, baby2 and here I am. Oddly enough my job entailed copious quantities of time in front of the computer and now here I sit staring at the screen again. I'm hoping to use this blog as a place to connect all the dots of my life- motherhood, autism, crafts, normal kids (OK- those who know her might beg to differ somewhat- she is unique!), gardening, renovating a 170 year old house, pets, my pathological need to photograph everything(more on that another day), and all the other detritis that seems to clutter up my otherwise simple life.

My seven year old daughter is one of those incredibly social kids- she loves parties. She loves to dress up in her finest and celebrate- anything. Since I am such a stick in the mud sometimes and don't always want a few dozen of her closest friends over she often will have parties for herself and a few hundred of her closest stuffed friends. She is a great kid and always up for trying a new craft or going somewhere. My five year old son is her complete opposite in so many ways. He is autistic and prefers not to have loud parties. He would stay home or just go to a few preferred places for his whole life if we allowed that. Alas, his wishes often get over ridden by reality. Groceries must be bought, errands run and general mayhem over strict schedules prevails here. For all the boy is quiet and content with quiet pursuits, the girl is loud and enjoys noisy pursuits. I feel like the rope in a game of tug 'o war most days trying to balance the two. Add one 4 year old Bull Terrier named Arthur Pendragon, three cats, and lots of wildlife in the yard and chaos is an apt description of some days.

Add to the mix the ongoing renovation of our very old farm house and mess is another way to sum up my life. I feel like I spend a good portion of my day moving things out of an area to be worked on, doing some work and then looking for what I had to move. Oh well, someday the work will be done and everything will be in it's place and I'll find everything I'm currently looking for- right?? At least the yard is looking better this year. Did I mention my love for all things John Deere? We'll tackle that another day. Why scare everyone off with too much weirdness, right? Actually the yard still has some changes coming but I'm pretty slow with the planting. I'm still letting last years plants fill out and deciding if I like it all. We have a shallow but spring fed stream in the yard outside the dining room which is very peaceful. I like to relax and read out there while the kids play in the shade.

So that is the short version of what to expect here. Chats on crafts, kids, pets, home renovations, house work and whatever strikes my fancy. Grab a cup of coffee and join me in a few laughs over the daily workings of a not always ordinary mind.