Is it Spring Yet?

Spring in Utah is frustrating for us sun lovers. We spent the entire day last Saturday doing yard work without a coat. Then Sunday, winter made an uninvited appearance. I try to keep visions of the tulips at Thanksgiving Point in my head and know they are just around the corner.

Wild Horses

When Kate said she wanted to go look for Wild Horses on our Friday Afternoon adventure I didn't know what to expect. I am always ready to explore new territory and this was an amazing example of land and animals in my own back yard that I had no idea existed. It was a thrill to see this stallion and his mares living free in a beautiful canyon with wide open spaces and plenty of land to roam. Top that view off with dinner at a Truck Stop and there you have one grand adventure and a Friday Afternoon to remember.

The Village Canines

Rocky stayed with us the past week while his people were in Hawaii. When he comes to visit he comes with the normal leashes, collars, etc. The difference is his belongings include several outfits. They are all very macho, as well they should be for a 9 pound Maltese named Rocky. I just couldn't resist trying some of the outfits on him. I didn't want Ruby and Rusty to feel left out so I got out their Halloween costumes.They look like the Canine version of The Village People!
I got the idea for this photo when I found Rocky asleep in a pile of dog toys.

My favorite is the shirt that says, "Bitch Magnet".

$1500.00 Rescue Dog

Rusty's Gotcha Day 3-15-07

Today is Rusty's 2 year Gotcha Day. His story is a little unusual for the average puppy that was abandoned at the local shelter along with his mother. He was lucky to be picked up by Pet Samaritans and fostered by a nice family until he was adopted.

We came into the picture because I wanted to adopt a rescue dog. I had been looking at Pet Finders.com for quite some time for just the right one. I found him when I saw the quirky picture of Rusty. I called the number and was surprised he was still available. I had heard that small puppies were adopted right away but soon learned why he was still looking for a home. He had been diagnosed with a knee issue that affected both his hind legs. His adoption would be contingent on paying for his adoption fees along with the estimated $1500.00 surgery to correct his problem. I hung up the phone thinking there was no way I could pay that amount of money for a mixed breed, rescue dog.

His picture haunted me and I couldn't stop thinking about him. Great Guy agreed to at least go meet him. You can guess the rest, love at first sight, papers signed and the card to the Orthopedic Vet we promised to take him to in hand.Rusty's One Month Gotcha Day

We got him home and he ran and played just like any other puppy. But we promised, so we took him to the Vet. The Dr. looked him over, poked, prodded and finally proclaimed, "I have tried very hard to find something wrong with this puppy, but can't." I was overjoyed! On the drive home I couldn't help but think of all the people that had inquired about Rusty but had overlooked him because of the original diagnoses. We had even hesitated. But 2 years later and a very loved part of our family, I like to believe he was just meant to be ours.

Rusty's 2 year Gotcha Day

Salt Lake Lookout Point

I got up this morning totally committed to being domestic and actually dust or something that mundane. This view out of my kitchen window changed my mind. There was sunshine and new fallen snow and a snowshoe trail calling our names.
We called T & J and were at the trail head before Great Guy had a chance to polish off his first pot of coffee and I had a chance to rethink my responsibilities.I chose the Salt Lake Lookout Point Trail up Millcreek canyon because Kate and I got "bucked off " of it on our last Friday Afternoon Hiking Club and I thought I needed to get back on that particular "horse". It is one tough trail for us 50 somethings. It takes us about 3 hours to get to that evasive Lookout where you can see the Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island in the distance with the whole of Salt Lake City at your feet. The snow was so fresh that no one had broken the trail yet. Lucky for us girls we had J and Great Guy to blaze ahead of us making it just a little easier to snowshoe behind them. Once at the top the incentive to hike the hour and a half down was a Burger from the Citrus Grill that was as big as my head and probably will take another hike just like this one to wear it off.

Utah Dahlia Society

My two years on the Board of the Salt Lake Master Gardeners ended on December 31st so instead of resting and relaxing I agreed to be the Historian for the new Utah Dahlia Society.
I am excited to be part of the very beginning of the newest gardening society in Utah and also to learn how to grow these beauties. If you live in the Salt Lake area and would like to join in the fun check out their blog at http://www.utahdahliasociety.blogspot.com/. There are many upcoming activities including a tuber sale in April.

I hope to see you there!