Preparing to Cross the Bridge

Hi all my furry friends,
I know I haven't been around much lately. I am not feeling well and now the meds don't seem to be helping much. I think I will be crossing over the bridge sometime this week. Both of my moms want to be with me when I cross over, so I'm not scared.

I probably won't post anymore and will have to turn the posting over to Sadie, but you guys will like Sadie too. Don't be sad for me. I am going some place where I can breathe and run and play, like I did when I was a puppy. I just know there is a giant lizard there that I can hunt all day. I know Sammy and Storm and Scotty will be there waiting for me, so I am going to be fine.

I do worry about my moms though. I know they love me and this is going to be very hard for them. So I would ask all of you to keep them in your prayers and check in on them now and then. I am glad they have the rest of the Badlands Crew to keep them company. Maybe that will make it a little easier on them.

Over the last few months, I have met some really wunderful paw pals. Mini and Margo, Gizzy and Bo and all the rest of you, too many to name. I cherish those friendships.

Anyway, thanks for letting me bark in your ears and tell you stories and what life is like here at the Badlands. Until we meet again... Now go on out there and do something nice for someone and make the world a little brighter.
Luv always,
Ginger!

Human Company

Hi all my furry friends,
How are things in your neck of the woods? Do you even live in the woods, BOL. We don't, we live on the prairie, with a couple of trees. Our favorite tree is a fruit tree that grow these round things called pursimmuns. All of us like to eat them, green or ripe. The tree is full of little green balls now and we are constantly reaching up and grabbing the ones we can reach and pulling them off to eat them, tree and all. I don't think it makes mom happy, but, what's she gonna do, BOL.

We had human company this week. My mom is so funny. She gets so excited when humans come to visit. I thought she would kill herself with all the cleaning and cooking. Boy, that kitchen smelled reeeel good. She made chicken parmesan and even had a lemon cake for desert. I would eat them both if mom would have let me. Okay, she gave me a bite, so I guess I can't complain. You should have seen Sophie freak out when the company got here. She don't get to see many people, well none of us do, but Sophie is especially scared. Mom had to put her on a leash til she got used to the company. I think she was scared Sophie would bite them. Sophie was just protecting us. Anyway, it all went fine.

I've been having more of my coughing spells lately. I dunno why, cause it isn't as hot outside as it was a week before. Maybe something is in the air, or, BOL, maybe too many of those green things. Mom is making me stay quiet, so that helps. She gave me another hair cut last week and combed me out good. Oh man, that poor woman can't cut hair. Glad I don't have to go anywhere.

Well, that's about all for now. Not really much exciting happening these days. I hope some of you have been on vacation and will write me and tell me all about your vacations. Prayers of peace and happiness out to all. Now go out there and do something nice for someone and make this world a little brighter.
Luv,
Ginger

NO FOOD IN THE HAIR!!

Hi all my furry friends,
Hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend. Let's talk about the weather...We had a cold front come in on Friday and even had an eentsy beensty bit of rain. We never made it to triple digits, YAY!!
This morning it was only 73º when we went outside. It was NICE!!! We all got to spend lots of time outside and we had a lot of fun.

Mom made that box in the backyard smoke this weekend. That always makes us happy, cause that means steak or something good. This weekend, it was steak! Mom is such a pushover when it comes to the "puppy dog eyes", BOL. We all just gather around her feet and just watch, with such intent. Sophie is funny, cause she lays her head on mom's lap and then just looks up at mom. Mom, don't fall for it! I am cuter, BOL. She always shares a little with us, but on this night, when she tossed me a bite at me, I didn't see it land. I could smell it, but I couldn't see it. Let me look behind, nope, not there. Mom, what did you do with it. I am circling now, going nutz. Hey! You guys get off me! Why are you all circling me? Where is my steak?? Mom, starts laughing. Not funny, mom, I can't find my bite. It is then that she reaches down and pulls my bite out of the hair on the back of my neck and gives it to me. Very funny mom!

Lots of you have asked about the story I sent out last week about Spooky and his adventures. You wanted to know about that stray kitty. Well, Spooky's family couldn't take the little kitty, but that nice shelter lady took her to find her a nice home. She is going to be fine :)

Today, we are still praying for for Margo's friend, Brenda, who is battling some serious health issues. Everyone around here is healthy this week, so far, but we want to pray for all thos people and animals out there who are homeless and feel they have nothing to hope for.

Now go on out there and do something nice for someone and make the world a little brighter.
Luv,
Ginger

A Spooky Tail!

Hi all my furry friends,
Hope all are doing well and having fun this summer. I know lots of you are travelling with your moms and dads. Be safe and happy. On this note, I would like to share a story about a friend of my mom's that we prayed about the other day. Remember Spooky, the kitty who got scared and ran off, while mom and dad were thousands of miles from home, travelling? Well, here is his and his mom's terrifying tale, but this one has a happy ending! The power of prayers and friendship really is powerful! The following was the story written by Spooky's mom, Betty. It's long, but well worth the read.

As we all know Monday was a very dark day for Doug and I. I lost my Spooky. I love my animals like family. Having lost him really broke my heart and Doug's.I was beginning to think we should have stayed at home so that my kitty would still be with us.

After I went to the ER on Monday and received medical attention for my hand, I began walking the forest calling for Spooky. I told anyone and everyone to be on the look out for this pretty blue cat. Before I went to bed I would again walk the forest line calling out his name in hopes he would hear my voice and at least come to the direction of my voice.

Monday night we had a horrible rain/hail storm. The hail was pea size but the thunder and lightening were impressive echoing through the woods.I prayed for Spooky that he was in or under some covering for protection. I also was thinking how very freighted he must be. It was just bad.

Doug and I decided to go to the grocery store in Rapid City which is about 40 miles from here Tuesday morning. As we were getting ready to get into the truck I called out his name again in hopes of him coming to us. Doug was getting ready to get into the truck when I told him to stop. I hear Spooky. I called again and again Spooky sounded out with his little meek meow. I turned around and there he was under the hood wedged in the tire well and engine. WE could not get him out from the top or bottom without Doug undoing the tire well covering. As Doug was taking out the screws the tire well cover began to open and off went Spooky to the spare tire under the truck. WE tried to get him out but he would just go higher with each reach. Now the challenge begins. What to do? Doug recalled we still had one tranquiller pill left from Spooky's last vet visit. We knew he was hungry so we slipped the pill in some soft cat food. Spooky lapped it up or so we thought. We wait for an hour before we were going to lower the tire down so that Doug could grab Spooky. By now we have help from one the camping neighbors. He was so nice.

As the tire was coming down and Doug reaches for Spooky he bolts and takes off for our side neighbors truck.I and the first neighbor guy take off running. Doug is still under our truck. I run over and get under the neighbors truck. Bandaged hand and all. I had no idea how I would get Spooky but there I was. Well Spooky had gotten into the fifth wheel housing on the under carriage of the that trunk. No way was I going to get him. By now I have quite a few camper folks around watching all this activity. Whew!! My heart is racing! Doug walks over and we notice he is bleeding from his elbow and forehead. Not bad just small wounds. WE have antibiotic cream from my ER visit so he cleaned his wounds and apply medication. Now what to do??? No way was I going to leave that cat. I know that he is slightly drugged and will stay were he is for now. Recall we began this around 9:30 and it is now 1:45 pm.

I had gone to the camp office checking on Animal Control, Game Warden, or Park Ranger for a catch pole or catch net. Left a message for all and the Animal Control officer called me back around 3:30. I am still setting in my chair by the truck and Doug has left for Rapid City for some food. The whole time I was fingering out how I would get my cat. I had an idea. When the Animal Control lady, Geney Ziolkowski, came by by we discussed ways to catch Spooky. I told her I wanted to wrap the under carriage with netting. She had a hundred foot roll of netting. Off she went for the netting. She came back and both she and I crawled under this old blue dirty Ford trunk. It was nothing like Doug's. YUK but we wrapped the entire area. She could see Spooky but he would not drop down into the netting. Again we had campers standing around watching. After 45 minutes or so she left and I camped out by the truck. We also set up a live trap. Doug came back around 6:30 pm. We both stayed out until late dark. All night long I would get up to see if Spooky was either in the net or trap. Nothing.

Wednesday morning Doug went to check on Spooky and he found that Spooky had gotten out somewhere from the under side of the truck. Again we were heart broken. I called Geney to come over and get her trap. She came and told me she had a brand new trap never used so that meant it would not have any other animal smell on it. She brought that back with a large dog size live trap. WE set up each trap with food and water. Spooky has not eaten at this point since 5 am on Monday. He has to be hungry. Yes, again campers are gathering to see what is going and if we had gotten Spooky.

I again walked the forest line in the park area calling out his name through out the day Wednesday. Right before dark Doug and I walked the forest line with me calling out his name and Doug flipping the tab on the cat food can. All of a sudden Doug said look I think it is Spooky running towards us. Not Spooky but another stray torte cat. I had Doug open the can and fed that hungry little girl. We returned to the coach.

About 9:30 pm I went back outside to once again call for Spooky. There under the coach is Spooky and he is meowing. He is hungry! I talk to him and call Doug. We closed our other cats in the living room and opened both doors on the coach. WE tried to coach him into the coach. He wanted to come inside so bad but was too frightened. I stay outside until around 11:30 working with any and all ideas I could think of to get Spooky. I finally decide to just feed him and hope that he would stay around until today so that I could get a catch net from Geney. He would come right up to me within a foot. I am talking to him and trying to get to eat when all of a sudden here comes the stray cat we had fed earlier. She thought hey I will eat and go into your house. At that point I said what the heck.

I went into the coach and got some cat nip and sprinkled the steps on the coach. I was hoping Spooky would smell this and walk in. At this point the little stray had gotten into the live trap and was loving the towels and covering. Now comes the most heart wrenching part. I have both doors open for the entire world to enter the coach, Doug has gone to bed, and I setting outside in the dark praying my cat will walk in to the coach. Spooky came back to the steps, began sniffing the cat nip, went up each step, (he really wanted to get in), entered the kitchen, went towards the bedroom, and back into the kitchen. I quietly got up, closed the back door and softly called out to Doug to get up. As he was talking to Spooky and Spooky talking to him, I went around the coach and closed the front door. It is now midnight and we are giving thanks to God for bringing Spooky back to us. I am still crying.

Spooky is as happy to be back as we are to have him. He is home! As we went through another heavy hail/rain storm around 2 am both Doug and I looked up at Spooky sleeping on the bed and again gave thanks for his safety. I have to stop now and get to work. I just wanted to thank everyone for their prayers and wonderful thoughts. I will NEVER NEVER take any of my cats outside to kennel before we leave.

Happy day to all!! Now, go out there and do something nice for someone and make the world a little brighter.
Luv,
Ginger

Another Dog Day in Texas

Hi all my furry friends,

Hope everyone is doing well today. I heard mom say that today would be our 7th day in a row in the triple digit temps. It is hot, hot, hot! We still manage to go outside early in the morning and do our business and stretch our legs before it gets too hot, thank goodness.

I must have gotten a bug this weekend. Whew, I woke up early and HAD to go. Mom was still asleep, so I tried to wake her. "Mom, get up, gotta go, gotta go. MOM! get up, gotta go, gotta go. MOM!!! I gotta.....OOPS...go....gone." Well, she woke up then. Sorry mom, I tried to wake you. Yeah, I made a mess and it was really smelly. Even the other dogs wanted to get out of the room. Mom got up to take care of ...and,... well, she didn't see that second mess. I tried to tell her, but it was too late...she stepped right in it. If it wasn't so bad, it would have been funny to see mom dancing around trying not to make a bigger mess. The rest of the day, mom watched me to make sure I got outside quick. This was on Sunday, so mom was planning on taking me to see the Vet on Monday, but I got better, so she didn't have to. Yay!!

Speaking of Vet, Sophie had to go to the Vet on Monday. Nothing big, just needed her yearly shots. I heard she was scared to death, BOL. Big ole chicken. Geeze, that girl weighs 64 pounds now. Big ole gal! Sadie has to go sometime this week for her shots and maybe Jack will have to go in to have his allergies looked at. Poor guy has an itchy rash in his armpits.

I was sneaky again this morning and got in that tub when she wasn't looking, BOL. It sure felt good, but mom wasn't very happy. Don't worry, I didn't get in trouble, just the look, BOL.

Well, I guess that is about it for now. Prayers today go out to our human friend who is travelling on the road and whose kitty, Spooky, got scared and ran away into the forest. In Spooky's fear moment, he scratched his mom's hands pretty bad, so we prayed for human hands and heart to heal and for protection for Spooky and hopes he finds a new home quickly. Prayers also go out for all who are in need of a little boost. We would also like to pray that our friend , Roxy, 5 month old black lab, finds a new forever home. Roxy's current family cannot take care of her anymore. We hope she doesn't end up at that awful place with the cages.Remember to let me know if you need to add someone to our list.

Okay, now go on out there and do something nice for someone and make the world a little brighter.
Luv,
Ginger

More Trouble at the Badlands

Hi all my furry friends,

Hope everyone is having a great day and if you are where it is hot, stay cool and hydrated. It is going to be a hot one today, whewie! I had a rough day and night yesterday. Hopefully, it isn't going to be a problem today. I weezed and coughed all night. Poor mom has to wear shoes in the house now cause she never knows where I might do my spit. She loves me though, so she wears shoes.

We got to go outside for a little while this morning. Mom watered the garden and fed the birds and gave us all new water. That is a big job cause there are lots of birds and lots of us, BOL.

Something I don't understand. Mom, spent time outside today, using a stick with a bag stuck on it, walking around the yard picking up our poop. She does this a couple of times a week. I don't understand. Mom, doesn't poop outside, she poops inside and doesn't have to pick it up. Why doesn't she just let us poop inside so she doesn't have to pick it up? Hmmmm.

Oh boy, did the other four get in trouble today. When mom was done in the garden, the crew was out in the field, with their noses to the ground in hunt mode. Mom, called them to her, so she could take us in and feed us breakfast and all four of the crew acted like they couldn't hear her. Do they think mom is stupid?? She knows they can hear her. She gave them several chances, but you know she is mad when she goes in the house for the leashes. If she has to go get you, you are in T-R-O-U-B-L-E. Glad I stayed with mom. When she had them all corralled in the backyard, they had boot camp, BOL. Mom made each of them practice, sit, stay and COME, over and over. I think mom got her point across, BOL. I had to learn that lesson a long time ago. Maybe one of these days they will learn too.

Okay, we got some new folks to pray for today. We have added Bella's human dad, who has back issues and Mini, who has some family health issues too. We prayed that health and strength will come back to their loved ones soon. We also added Margo's mom's friend Bren, to the list. She is struggling with an incurable health issue and then has to struggle with gubernment red tape, whatever that is. It isn't pleasant, I know that. We pray things get easier for her soon. We also have a joy and a new furrend to announce. Tabitha's mom adopted a new baby. If you remember, Tabitha went to the Rainbow Bridge last week and her mom needed a new dog to keep her company. We are glad to welcome Cynth's Bella (I know two Bella's, this is gonna be confuzzling) to our little group of friends. We are praying for a long, healthy and happy new friendship for them both. Remember, if you need a prayer, let me know so we can add them to our list. We have PLENTY of room and lots of prayer critters, even for our human furrends.

Well, I think that will wrap things up for today. Thanks everyone for stopping by and spending a little time with me. It means the world to me and my mom. Now get on out there and do something nice for someone and make the world a little brighter.
Luv,
Ginger

Mornings at The Badlands

Hi all my furry friends,
I know, I know, I haven't written in a while and I know you are just dying to know what is going on with us here at The Badlands, BOL. Well, not a lot these days. Summer has set in and now we all know why they are called Dog Days...all we wants to do is lay around in the house where it is nice and cool.

Seriously though, not much going on these days. Mom added a few new photos to each of our pages as we had our morning beverages. You know mom likes her coffee and so do I and Jack. Jill can take it or leave it. Sophie and Sadie like a little soda. Sadie is very fond of Root Beer, just like Snoopy. In one of the pictures on my page, it looks like Sadie is trying to get everyone to play spin the bottle, BOL. YUK!! Too many germs for me. Never know what those young pups put in their moufs! So take a look at our new photos :)

Earlier today, mom let the four other dogs out to run around before it gets too hot today. It was quiet for a long time. Then finally, we heard Sadie. Sadie is the one who talks. She yells at mom when she is ready to come in and can get quite irritated if mom doesn't let her in quick enough, BOL. Sadie is a spoilt dog fer sure!.

Anyway, when mom got to the door, I heard her start yelling back at them. When I got there to see what all the ruckus was, I thought mom had found four new dogs! OMG! I am packing my bags. It is too crowded here now. Mom, how could you do this"!?!, Wait,...what?? No? What do you mean those aren't new dogs? They don't look like our dogs?? I watched then as mom put on her boots and grabbed a few towels and went outside. I followed cause I gotta see this! She turned the hose on and washed down all four of them. That new black lab, turned out to be Sophie, BOL The other three were muddy from head to toes. I guess they went swimmin in the pond and then rolled aroun in the mud. I can't believe, they aren't even pigs, BOL. But mom washed them all up and then dried them with the towels before she would let em in the house, BOL! Serves 'em right. Glad that is one adventure I didn't go on.

Well, now we are back to normal and everyone, but me and mom are sleeping. Guess that pretty much catches us up for now. Hope you are all doing well. Our human friend, Deb told us that her medicine is working and the cancer is slowly going away!! BARK! BARK! BARK! Have a great day!

Now everyone, get on out there and do something nice for someone and make the world a little brighter (Not hotter, just brighter).
Luv,
Ginger

It's Raining!

Hi all my furry friends,

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend. Mine was good. I got to run around a little with my siblings, in the mornings. It just got too hot in the afternoon.

Mom bought us two movies to watch this weekend. The first one was Bolt. Boy, that was fun to watch. That dog and the cat remind us of each other, so we spent the whole movie going, "Sadie, that's you! That is Monkey!" BOL.

Then we watched Wall-E. This was cute but more about tin men not dogs, so I think mom liked it better than we did. We slept through that one.

Saturday, mom left us outside for a looong time. She said they went somewhere called Fort Wurth to watch the cows. Now that don't make no sense to me. How much more wurth are the cows there, than they are right next door and we wouldn't have had to stay outside.

Saturday night, we all got to go outside and watch those loud bright lights. They were all over the sky and sometimes happened all at one time, making our necks hurt, trying to see them all. Jack liked to bark at them. He is such a loud mouth. Sadie is scared of them, so we didn't get to stay out too long. I think Sophie was scared too, but she doesn't freak out like Sadie does. Sadie tries to get under my mom. Sophie just sat next to mom, looking around. They don't bother me, I'm a big girl.

We got us a cold front yesterday! It went from 101º to 95º, BOL This morning we woke up to some rain! It is only 78º outside now, but it is really hunid and makes it hard to breath. Mom is glad it is raining some, but I think she wishes it would rain more before it gets hot again. I personally, don't care as long as I can stay inside, BOL.

Hey, I gotta get on outta here. You guys all have a great day. We still need to keep Tabitha's mom in our prayers. She is missin Tab a lot. Mini says she is feeling better after being attacked and we are glad of that.

Now for the rest of us, let's go out there and do something nice for someone and make the world a little brighter.
Luv,
Ginger

New Beginnings for Tabitha

Hi all my furry friends,
I know I said I probably wouldn't be around this weekend, but I have some breaking news. Our dear friend Tabitha has gone to the Rainbow Bridge today. She had been having more and more pain and trouble recently. We are very sad for Tabitha's mom. You see, Tabitha was an only dog-child and her mom is really struggling with her loss. Please say a little prayer for her mom, so she can find comfort and peace. You can find Tabitha's page by looking at my friends page.

This is a new beginning for Tabitha. She has gone on to meet my Sammy, Scotty and Precious. I know they are running and playing and having a great time. None of them are in pain anymore and now they have forever to explore, play and make friends.

If you have room for another prayer, another friend of mine, Mini, got attacked yesterday, by an unstable dog. She is going to be okay, but she needed a few stitches. It was quite an ordeal.

Anywho, thanks for listening and have a great rest of the weekend.
Luv,
Ginger

Happy July Fourth!!

Hi all my furry friends,
I can't believe Fourth of July is on us already. I would love to hear from you all what your family is planning on doing this weekend and how much fun you will be having.

Mom made us take pitcures this morning. Oh man, the torture. I hate, Hate, HATE my picture taken and she makes me sit with those young pups. Someone always moves, so it takes FUREVER! We always think we are in trouble when she does this to us, STAY!, SIT! STAY! DON'T MOVE! LOOK UP!, but then she gives us big ole cookies afterwards, so it is all kewl. Whew so much work. Anyway, mom has posted The Badland Crew's photos on all our pagers. Hope you enjoy them.

Mom got up really early today and drove away. I dunno where she goes, but I am glad she left early today. Of course, I am spoilt and get to stay in the house, so at least I don't get too hot, muwahaha.

I think we are gonna have a brisket this weekend with some tater salad, deviled eggs and corn. The race track, down the road will be shooting off fireworks tomorrow night after those noisy cars get finished roaring and banging each other up and the neighbors cross the street always shoot off a good show, so, we won't even have to leave our yard to see the works, YAY! Good thing cause it is supposed to be HOT again all weekend.

Mom got some movie about a dog for us all to watch, this weekend. Anyone else seen Boltz? I haven't watched it yet. I hope it is good.

Well, I better get on outta here. Prayers go out to all those who will be traveling, those scared of fireworks and anyone who just needs a boost. I may not talk to ya again until after the weekend, so don't worry about me, if ya don't hear from me.

Now go on out there and do something nice for someone and make the world a little brighter.
Luv,
Ginger