Thursday, November 19, 2009

dogs, squirrels and shopping.....

Well, first of all, my daughter had to put down her wonderful pet, Mollie. Mollie, a black lab, just had too many aches and pains from old age and it was something that had to be done as she could barely move any longer.....she was an important part of our family for over 15 years and was a bit of a heroine to my old dog, Tommy. You can read about it here. Rest in peace Mollie.

If you read that old post, it gives you a little insight on the problems I have had with squirrels. They are the cause of many power outages, not to mention the intimidation they do to the family pets. Tommy (my Lhasa Apso) wasn't able to fight them back like Mollie did so he had to put up with it. This dog I have now...my rat terrier, Abby, just hates squirrels. I think her breed is born hating them. She spends her days running from one window to the next watching the squirrels jump from tree to tree or scamper all over my roof. Since Abby would rather chase a squirrel than eat, I have to let her out on a 50 foot nylon leash so she won't leave my yard....the squirrels have learned just where the boundaries are and they will run around just inches beyond her reach with her angrily yapping. Yesterday I let her out and she tore off the deck and headed straight for a squirrel that wasn't out of her reach....he just wasn't paying attention. My sweet little pet turned into a snarling savage as she tackled this squirrel....they tumbled ears over tails in the yard and the squirrel managed to get away from her. That was her first taste of actually having one in her grasp. When I let her inside a few minutes later and went to unleash her my hand came away covered in blood. Upon checking her over I could see that the squirrel had bitten her on the top of the head and also on the ear. Abby has her first battle scars and she wears them proudly. I hope she was able to get a couple bites on him too. I called the vet to make sure I didn't have something to worry about as I've heard that a lot of squirrels carry rabies. They said as long as she's up to date on her shots, (she is) that she should be fine. I cleaned her wounds with peroxide and put some antibiotic ointment on them. Now when I let her out, she actually prances. The squirrels are keeping their distance for right now, but I know they'll be up to their dastardly tricks again before too long.

Now this is off the above subject but its something that I have to pass on or I'll surely forget to. About 6 months ago I came across what I refer to as a best kept secret in the shopping world. Yep, its a family owned department store somewhere in PA. They may have more stores elsewhere in that general area too, I'm not sure. I was looking for something (what....now I can't remember) and I believe their name came up in Google. I checked them out and really liked what I saw. I have bought from them 3 times now and they are wonderful. This last time I got my granddaughter a London Fog winter coat for only $43. and some new Mary Jane type shoes for $16. I also got her some nice waterproof and insulated Totes winter boots for $23. These prices are absolutely unbeatable....especially for brand name merchandise. Yes, they were having a sale, but they seem to have a lot of those. They ship for a flat fee of $9.95 no matter how big your order is and they are prompt, as well as accurate. I'm not getting anything from them to promote their business....I just wanted to pass along a good thing. Go to www.boscov.com and see for yourself. I just love it when I find good deals. And just in time for Christmas too.

13 comments:

Joy Des Jardins said...

Well I guess it's not 'the best kept secret' now...is it Val? Aren't you sweet to share this with all of us? Thanks Val.

I guess those squirrels better watch out big time and stay out of your yard if they want to live to store their nuts another day.(Let's just leave that one alone.) Abby means business. Hey, there have been times when I would have loved Abby to mess with a squirrel or two around here. They stick their noses in plenty of places they don't belong.

Really sorry about Mollie...sweet pup...RIP Mollie....

betty said...

So sorry about Mollie. It's always hard to lose a pet. Thanks for the link.

gayle said...

Sad about Mollie.
Squirrels can be a real pain!!

Anonymous said...

RIP Mollie! And for the shop... if I were there I would certainly take advantage!!! But you are definitely sweet to share it with your readers!

SOUL said...

wow. poor mollie-- poor daughter. i think you remember when i put my midnight down. nearly the same age as mollie. it's so hard to let such a long term pet go. it's almost like losing a family member. i'm so sorry.

about the squirrels -- ugh. i think we talked about this the other day? or maybe i'm just senile?
but my min pin is the same, if not worse. that darn yap-yap-yap. ugh.
i don't know what makes her think she will catch one -- she never will. unless it has a broken leg. bah.
anyhow- i'm glad your doggie has up to date shots-- that woulda been my first thought too.

i'l have to come back and check out your shopping link too-- i am hoping to avoid malls at all cost this year. you do know how i fear them.

happy friday charlotte-- have a great one-
laterz

Moohaa said...

I am sorry for the loss of Mollie. Four feet doesn't make them any less of a part of the family.

Thanks for the heads up on the company. I will check them out, I need some good resources.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry about Mollie. I dread when I have to go through it with Spot.

Thanks for that link-I've been browsing and like what I see!

Anonymous said...

I'm going to read about Mollie after this comment. If I read it first, I wouldn't still be here. I'd be in the closet with my little boy's ashes, squalling some more.

The thing about rabies is this: When your dog/cat gets in a fight and is bitten, if they've had THEIR rabies shot, they won't get rabies. BUT, if the animal that BIT THEM has rabies, the person handling the cuts can get the virus on their hands.

Margaret Hall said...

Hi, Val...Ohhh, I am so sorry about Mollie..May she be romping across the Rainbow Bridge~!! Tell your daughter that I am sorry...
Squirrels...well, we have several that frequent our yard...Have had 4 at one time...Looked to be parents and twins..lol...They make a wide circle around our patio, as our dog will run after them, but he is older and way slower..*smile*
Thanks for the link for the shopping place...always fun to go...
Take care, good to get to come by and visit..Thanks for the recipe at the blog~!!
Love, Margaret...

Maria said...

Socks just HATES squirrels and isn't it fascinating to watch the whole chasing thing? I swear that those squirrels deliberately TAUNT him. He has not caught a single one and he feels humiliated.

Savannah said...

I was extremely sorry to hear about Molly. It's unbearable to lose a much loved pet and it took me a long time to get over putting my little Lucy down at the tender age of 2 years of age. Sigh....


Could I borrow Abby for a while? Where you have problems with squirrels I have a problem with rabbits, effin hundreds of them. They keep eating my plants and digging great big holes for me to fall into. I swear they are deliberately trying to make my life a misery.

Respectfully Yours said...

thank for the tip. Just popped on your blog for a visit. Loved your posts. Sorry about Mollie.

Come by for a visit sometime...

Kel said...

So so so sorry about Mollie!! It's terrible to lose a member of your family! Our sympathy to all.

Our Lhasa Apso will only chase the squirrels when he sees the border collie do it... Otherwise, he could care less!! lol

Thanks for the link - and you were right! We ordered from them based on your recommendation, and received our product in about 3 days! Excellent!