Joy's Tale

Rescued. Adopted. Loved.

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With You…

IMG_5075.JPGIf you have never been around Border Collies, you cannot imagine their intense and seemingly never-ending amount of energy. I wish I could bottle up Joy’s energy and give it as a drink to certain people to spark them into life.

Today we went on a 2 mile nature walk in a state park near us here in Southwest Florida. We wanted to go for the full four, but it was just too hot. Fortunately there is water on either side of the path so that made it a little better.

Joy is always so excited to be going somewhere, getting there and participating in whatever adventure is presented. She fully embraces each day and it’s one of her many qualities that I just LOVE about her. After, she is equally enthusiastic to go home and we got home right before “lunchie” as it known to her. She eats three smaller meals a day and looks forward to every bit of each one – always different and always healthy.

My sister says it’s good that I have my little girl companion and I agree. We are together constantly. I know she is spoiled because of all the time and attention she is given. That is okay. I have more than made up for her rough start in the Amish puppy mill she was born into. Fortunately she got into a good rescue, and I adopted her when she was just turning 2. I know everyone says this, but I personally do not know another rescue dog who was as happy to be adopted as Joy. We show each other  everyday with kisses, affection and genuine heart because I was as happy to adopt her . 

I thought about all this today because I don’t know anyone else who provides as many activities as I do for Joy. Everyone tells me Joy is like a person. She really is because she is always doing interesting things and here in Florida she can even go into many stores and she has come to love shopping; although the pet supply stores remain her favorite along with dining alfresco at some nice restaurant by the water.

Whether we are on the boat, in the car, at a store or just out for a simple walk, life with Joy is always full of adventure. It makes me happy not to just give her a home,  but a life well lived.


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A Sunday Ride in the Car…

joy in the car looks up.jpg

I have heard of dogs not wanting to get in cars.  NOT my Joy! She does not care where we go as long as we go and I am glad that gas is less costly because we are on the go a lot!  That is part of the reason I do not have more time to write more blogs! She gives me that look that says, it’s nice out, get off the computer! Today I am gong to take her to her favorite park again, Buhl, after we make a quick stop so she can be a therapy dog for a little bit. She is not a real therapy dog, but in this case she can maybe cheer someone up with her amazing spirit. I only have a few minutes so while I was waiting for my husband to get ready for the cheer-up stop, I thought I would write about dogs in cars.

You should always encourage your dog to take rides in the car, It’s good for them, just be safe about it. If you are going to let he/she hang out the window make sure you are going very slow! We love all animals here at Joy’s Tail and we wish you a great Sunday and a ride in the car!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Leaves Of Joy

joy leaf

 

Fall is a tough one for me but Joy certainly makes it better and that is the way Bailey would have wanted it. After all, it was Bailey who found Joy to begin with. When I walk at Buhl Park with Joy I always think what great friends they would have been, perfect companions for each other. Joy might have been a bit too crazy for senior Bailey, but still I think all in all they would have had fun together.. It’s been lovely there and Joy certainly has proven to be quite the leaf cruncher. She is spirited and whines like a baby as soon as we enter the parking lot!  Some kind of slushy snow is expected tomorrow, so I am hoping that we will get to the park and take some pictures and perhaps Joy can catch a few snowflakes on her tongue before we head South to Florida next week.

The ride to Fl is 1100 miles long, but who loves a ride in the car more than Joy? Rest stops, hotel stays, treats all day long and long naps, she says, “what’s not to love?” I always tell her I wish I could lay with her in her crate! She has the best ride of all – well so does Safari. He is the only cat I have ever had that loves his cat cage. He loves to sleep all day anyway, so a long ride is right up his alley as well. We get no sleep because he wants to run around the room all night! It’s awful! I am hanging on to my last days of Fall, my favorite season with leaves of Joy.


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A Tail To Remind Us….

me and my joy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOY 4Joy’s 4th birthday!

 

For those of  you who have followed me on my blog http://www.baileysjournal.com, you know that I am huge lover of Border Collies and it was Bailey that helped me find Joy. No question. There are so many things I think about when I am walking with Joy especially because she always seems to be ahead of me! I know, I know…I don’t want a training lesson and neither does Joy. The one thing that always reminds me of Joy’s terrible situation when she was in an Amish puppy miss is her docked tail. I actually LOVE her little wigglebutt tail which is always wagging. I was told that mills do this “so the tail is not in the way for breeding.” How sick is that? Border Collies happen to have these amazing fan tails and hers was docked to make life convenient for some Amish asshole.

So it is a constant reminder to me about her awful start to life, but I am quickly grounded by her life now and how amazing it is and how she gets to be so spoiled and loved to the nth degree. And when we are walking in Buhl Park, one of the most amazing places on earth, I think about puppy mills and the horror dogs go through. I think about breeders. I am not saying some breeders do not have good intentions, but I, and many people, think that right now on this planet there are enough dogs that need homes without breeding more.  My Joy is a purebred Border Collie. The Amish know these are working dogs and they farm and Borders love farms. But I happen to live fairly close to some Amish areas here in Pennsylvania and I can can tell you that most animals on those farms are NOT living great lives.

Joy got so lucky when that Amish mill was busted and thus Indian Summers Border Collie Rescue was called in to help. Joy was among many dogs that were rescued that cold night. They stole her puppies before they were even weaned and then dumped her off because she would not let them breed her again. I know my Joy. One day at Buhl Park a lady had come out of her car suddenly and Joy saw her and being as protective over me as she so fiercely is, she growled so loud the lady screamed! Later we saw her walking and she told me Joy sounded like a grizzly bear! Funny!

Joy is also small by Border Collie standards. She is petite and beautiful. But oh, is she mighty. She still has fears which we work on daily even after two years. I must kiss her hundreds of times a day. She loves that I work at home and can be with her and our cat, Safari all the time. Her tail will never be like it should but it is exactly what is and I adore her. She is  my beautiful daughter and for that I am grateful.


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A Joyous 4th Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOY 4

Today is Joy’s 4th Birthday. She, along with our cat Safari, is the light of our lives. She is always smiling, always happy. She truly lives up to her name in every way. Though she had a rough start in that puppy mill, it just shows how trusting and amazing dogs are and can be with the right set of circumstances. By the time we got her she was near two years old. Here we are 2 years later and she could not be a more pampered or loved little girl. She eats better than most people, sleeps wherever she wants and goes with me everywhere. She is an adventure-seeker, squirrel herder and cat lover. The relationship between man/woman and dog is truly a special one. Though I am not an overtly religious person , it really makes sense that God is dog spelled backwards, now doesn’t it? Happy Birthday little Joy. I love you so…

Jumping for Joy!

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safari grass 3safari chair 1

Aside from my husband, no one loves me like our dog. Yes, our cat loves me too, quite a bit actually, but no one reacts quite the same as Joy after you have been gone for a while.

After returning from a cruise this week, Joy pretty much muddled me to the ground with her happy greeting. She jumped at my face so hard to kiss me I had to be careful she doesn’t knock my teeth out! She also jumped on my husband but he is second to me that is for sure. She is young, powerful and her energy should be bottled since it’s better than any vitamin because it’s simply pure love. There is nothing else that compares to that feeling of complete and unconditional love of a dog. Her rescue Grandma, Victoria Summers, named her Joy and it could not have been more on the mark. Joy is always smiling with that big Border Collie tongue hanging out – I love it.

Adding to my own happiness to seeing my furkids was the still joyousness I felt from reading a book I took on the trip. It’s called Dogtripping by David Rosenfelt and his hilarious experience in transporting 29 dogs across country to move into their new house from Southern California to Maine. He and his wife Debbie rescue mostly senior Goldens, sprinkled in with some others, and the story is just so heartwarming. While reading it, it made me miss Joy and Safari so much more. I always said the first cruise line to initiate a trip where you can take your dog would be sold out in moments.

Joy certainly did not disappoint me with that Jump for Joy greeting she gave me. Safari, our almost 13-year Orange Tabby sauntered in, saying, Oh finally you are back; it’s about time! It’s also unconditional love for after all he is a cat and they just have a different way of showing it and I have had cats my whole life. Joy is only my second dog but oh is she special.

I own my own business. I am always busy and there never seems to be enough time in the day, but furkids tend to make you stop. As much as I needed a break, I am always happy to return to doing those routine things like feeding them and even cleaning up their messes. I love being their mom and home is truly where love flourishes everyday with “Joy.”

Joy, a Name For All Seasons…

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It’s been so long since I have written here mainly because Joy keeps me so busy. It’s only our second Christmas and her name is everywhere I go and I just love that. When her rescue grandma, Dr. Victoria Summers rescued her, she named her Joy. When I first saw her adorable face on Petfinder, her name was only a bonus. When I called about her she told that she had named her Joy because she is one. How could you not fall in love with that idea?

When we wake in the morning, Joy is always scratching even though there is no reason to. She is healthy and eats better food than most people as I often cook for her and she is corn/soy/wheat free. I think she does this out of habit from being born into a horrific Amish puppy mill situation in Ohio. When cages are stacked on top of each other and there are no bottoms, feces and urine must be getting all over the dogs – it sickens me and I do work to help stop this abuse. I tell her every morning that she is clean, safe and I kiss her a thousand times a day. I am so happy I have the ability to share our life with Joy & Safari, our gorgeous Orange Tabby boy.

When I think about the end of the year and all the cats and dogs that need forever homes it makes me so sad but then I think of all who are rescued. We do what we can; I only wish more good, loving and caring people would be helpful and kind toward innocent animals either by adoption or by donation to their local rescue. These are my children. I have had many kids over the years and I would not have had it any other way. I love them all and miss terribly the ones who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

Joy stands for love and I stand for her, paw in hand.

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The Princess and the Beach…

At this time of the year in Southwest Florida, the heat can be taxing. If you get up very early though, it’s okay to be out and about, so that is what we did so I could try taking Joy to the beach one more time before we head North. I stopped at a different part of the beach and it was very pretty. The houses were set far from the shore, which made it a lot nicer than  when we stopped the first time. The Atlantic was so warm; well into the 80’s, hot and salty like a good pretzel at a ballgame.

It was breezy that morning, which made for louder than usual wave talking, which Joy was not sure how to interpret. As the waves crashed upon the white, sandy shore she backed up, which is Border Collie specialty anyway. “No thanks,” I think she thought. “Princesses are not supposed to get wet unless they are in the shower.” I am sure that is what she was thinking.  Joy thinks likes a princess and I am glad she does. Her Grandma Summers, who had the high intelligence to rescue her told me that she was a princess before I ever met her. Dr. Summers thinks princesses get a bad rap. “Princess do good,” she has told me, pointing out the marvelous example of Princess Diana. “They are social, hard-working, they help people and are charitable. I think princesses are great,” she said, adding that I too am a princess. Dr. Summers has told me more than once that Joy a nd I were perfect for each other because we are both princess-like. I take it as a compliment. In fact, my dad always told me I was his princess, so I think I was raised to be one anyway and I agree that princesses are do-gooder types and should not be looked down upon.

As a lady stopped d to pet Joy, she marveled at how sweet she was and how pretty her coat and colors are. “She is really beautiful. What a good-looking little girl,” she said, lovingly stroking the top of Joy’s head. Joy loves being paid attention to and loves when people love her. The funny thing about Joy is she knows who is good and who is not immediately! That lady was no problem, someone else might come up to say hello and she suddenly sounds like a big dog that you do not want to pet. Dogs know things and Joy certainly had enough experience with the horrible puppy mill people who treated her unkindly and she has not forgotten. Not yet. She just turned 3 on Mother’s Day so the memories are not foggy. Someday they will be but I think dogs know things and are quite keen on picking out the good from the bad. I think it’s  a beautiful, innate quality they have and Joy is no exception. She is a finely tuned detective of good and evil.

Even though going in the ocean or a pool is not for her, she likes to be on the water in a boat or near the water on a dock, a marina, or a beach. I think she just likes to be with us – close, protective and leading the way, that is what princesses do.


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I’ll Start With My Toes….

Joy likes to drink water a lot more than she likes to stand in it. Most dogs splash in puddles, Joy, our princess of a Border Collie  prefers to step around them.  We have tried to introduce her to water next door  at Anthony & Julia’s pool,  Anthony tried really hard to hold her gingerly so she would not be afraid. She made progress after 3 or 4 tries one day, but I figured pools were just not her thing. Maybe it’s the chorline I convinced myself.

A couple of days ago we took her for the drive to the marina where we will dry dock our new boat next season here in Southwest Florida. When we had our other boat this particular marina was the first one we kept it at but then they had a grand idea to make it all boat condos for a million dollars each, so we  left. Guess that did not work out so well after the crash, since now they have re-opened it up to the public and interestingly, have the lowest monthly fee we can find. When we got there we were amazed at how gorgeous the place now is, with all the fabulous amenities, restaurant, water sculptures, a big maine store and a simply beautiful marina. While my husband looked around, Joy and I sat on the big outdoor couches. It only took two minutes before various people came up to her wanting to meet her, pet her and love her up.

I knew we were going to head to the beach after visiting the marina and it dawned on me that I had forgotten the regular camera. Sure I have my camera phone, but in the very bright May sun in Florida, you may as well be looking into the abyss because you cannot see the screen. I pointed a shot a few pics which are here, but that was it.  This was Joy’s first visit to a beach and I was wondering how she would like the soft white sand and the gentle, rolling waves of the salty ocean water. To our surprise she did go in at the shore, just a little bit, so her toes could get wet. I had to prompt her a touch to let her know it was okay, because the first time she saw the waves and the water roll ashore, it puzzled her. The water rushed up and then it was gone! “What?” She did take a lick of the water, I  knew she would and after tasting the salt, she did not like it, thankfully so I did not have to worry about her gulping some down and then getting sick later on.

She went in a few times with her toes and enjoyed it. A nice family came up and said they loved dogs and thought Joy was so adorable and pretty. They stopped to talk and pet Joy. She loves when she gets attention from perfect strangers and she rubbed up against all of their legs, happily. Before we head north, I will take her along with extra new camera I bought so I will always one with me, wherever I go. I love to photograph her and chronicle her life, especially since she is such a happy girl. When I think that this poor baby was once in a puppy mill and how far she has come to be able to trust, it’s simply amazing. She truly does live up to her name. Joy, I love you.


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A Joyful Birthday…

This year on Mother’s Day will be Joy’s 4th birthday. We adopted her on May 12, 2012, the day before Mother’s Day. In a perfect twist of fate, her first year with us, her birthday and Mother’s Day all collide into one happy day.

I have always been amazed at how all creatures come into our lives and just fit right in. Maybe this is not everyone’s experience. but this is how my life has always been. Joy is no exception. She is as beautiful inside as she is outside. Like Bailey, everywhere I take her, people compliment her on how pretty, cute or beautiful she is. She likes when they call her beautiful, because Joy is truly a diva in every sense of the word. I remember her Grandma Summers telling me that she is a dog that expects you to fluff her pillows! She was NOT joking around. Joy loves to have her head on a soft pillow.

As our first year comes to fruition I am happy and proud that we were able to give this wonderful girl a truly happy home. I think this enters my mind daily since adopting her. When I think of all she went through, first being born into a puppy mill, having her babies stolen from her and then thrown into a pound, I am so thankful that Indian Summers Border Collie Rescue was there for her and that we was there for ISBCR, in return. That is what makes rescue work. Good rescue groups finding good homes. The most important aspect of rescue in my opinion, is finding the right family, so the animal is not returned after being adopted.

Border Collies are not for everyone. In fact, they are not for most people. I think you need a special personality to be able to provide the give back of their boundless energy and need for attention. This is not a sit on the couch kind of dog. Today it has not stopped raining. I welcome the time to actually get some work done uninterrupted except for feedings and out in yard pit stops, but then again there is something amiss about not throwing a few balls after lunch for a little while. On rainy days, Joy relishes in a chance to relax I think. She has just lazed around all day which I think she is enjoying. It’s at least giving her extra-working, extra-jumping Border Collie legs a rest!

Joy continues to live up to her name in every aspect of the word.