This morning Baxter had another training session with Trish from Dawg Phonics. Hans and I told her we did not feel comfortable using the shock collar, and because we weren’t using it consistently she agreed to put it to the side. We worked on heel and sit with Baxter. The challenge was that Trisha’s service dog, Athena, was present. At first, Baxter could not keep his eyes off of her and was not concentrating, so Trish introduced the gentle leader. It is not a muzzle, but it does control the dog’s head, and it made an amazing difference. By the end of our session, he was healing like a champ and completely ignoring Athena 🙂 now it’s up to us to practice practice practice.

Then it was on to go visit, baby Abby and her parents. She’s still at such a great age where she’ll just sit on your lap and be content.  I don’t think Brenden and Claire quite appreciate this fact, but as soon as she starts crawling and walking they certainly will 🙂

Now I’m getting a little bit of rest and playing with the puppies before our Friendsgiving auction tonight benefiting the Friends of Manatee County Animal Services. 

When I first started in rescue, the  shelter was a disaster. Dogs with heart worms were euthanized automatically even though it is a very treatable condition.  There just wasn’t any money. Dogs or cats that were injured were euthanized. Dogs with behavioral issues were euthanized. There just wasn’t any money.  

Sue snd I raised funds through Animal Network for years until FOMCAS was born. Today  FOMCAS provides enrichment, extensive medical care,Kuranda beds for shelter dogs and cats  and food for feral cat colonies. They also fund a transport to send dogs to shelters up North where there are less rescue dogs available. It’s amazing to see posts of our Florida dogs, many of whom sat in kennels for years. Now they live in Massachusetts or Maine and romp in the snow outside their adoptive homes. 

We had 2 reserved tables so our friends could join us.  Kathy and Woody, Lisa and Guy, Grisel, and Bob, Judith and Tom, and Mike and Lee and Liza.  

We had a lot of fun and helped raise much needed funds .   Hans and I bid many items up and then dropped out but we did walk away with a tray of desserts (see photo above)   which I passed out to our tables first and then gave  to our neighboring tables to enjoy. The mini cupcakes were moist and delicious. Hans bought a painting by Mark Barons who painted 5500 shelter dogs. (We are now members of the Collectors Circle. )

I got a phone call after we got back home about a Disney silent auction basket I had bid on. The person who outbid me defaulted so I won!  ( I always laugh when people say they “won” auction items because they really “bought” auction items). In any case, I was happy to get the basket. Claire is a huge Disney fan and it’s safe to assume Abby will be too. I’ll put the basket aside for Abigail’s first birthday.   

Footnote to Abby if you ever read this and wonder what happened to your promised basket….Lee bought it from me for her granddaughters.  

So a good time was had by all for a good cause. I definitely had too many desserts translating into too much sugar.  I’m writing this at midnight and I’m not tired.   🥴