Well, the humane education office has another foster dog during the day. This little gal, Daisy Belle, was found emaciated near Duck Creek. Anyhow, she took over two weeks to recover enough to be fostered by Jill. She is a doll and is getting braver each day. She has a head tilt and is unsteady on her feet but hopefully things will improve. The head tilt could be from an ear infection that damaged her brain or some other neurological problem. No one is sure quite yet. Every time I pet her I try and massage her neck!

I hadn't had a chance to spend time with the Vicktory dogs so I went during lunch to visit my girl Georgia. A class from KY sent her a care package and a photo of the class holding up a sign that says "We Love You Georgia" it is so cute! I also got to walk a beautiful girl named Halle, she coward with her tail between her legs but would stop on occasion to let me pet her back and bottom. No shame I tell ya!

I feel like I should be giving birth this week! My stomach actually feels bruised from Addison growing so much. She has been really active and gaining strength. I do not know how women do this multiple times. Just in case those hormones trick me into forgetting the tough parts I am going to keep a journal. I won't let those hormones out smart me, no siree.

I just heard on the news that People Magazine won the bidding war to take the first photos of JLo's twins. It dawned on me that neither Daron nor I have received any phone calls from the paparazzi bidding on Miss Addison’s first photo shoot. Maybe they don’t have our current phone numbers? Maybe they will be hanging in the trees and lurking around the hospital dressed as Dr’s and nurses after I give birth. I might have to ask Officer Nagle to serve as our security. Ahh so much to think about.

I have updated the photos from our hike into the box canyon. Daron’s parents look like they were made to live here, don’t they? I jokingly asked David to climb up this big rock that was sticking out of the cliffs and he did it. The photo doesn’t do it justice!

The stray cat we picked up has been enjoying the view from the top of her cattery! She still enjoys sleeping on the guest bed and cuddling with me but during the day she loves to watch the birds from her perch.

Just a few photos that I forgot to add to the earlier blog. The Ducks my Mom got when she visited with new pink and green and white bows to match the room and Daron's Dad on the computer, asleep after we worked him to death, poor man.

It has been a great three full days with Daron's parents and I am afraid we have tired them out. Actually, we gave them so many tasks that wore them out. Daron and I were moving a bit slower a lot sooner than they were and I, of course, took naps here and there. I used the excuse that I am pregnant but in reality we all know how tired I usually am! Ha. Anyhow, here are some photos of the BEAUTIFUL and AMAZINGLY COOL cattery that Daron and his Dad built in two days! You would think that Sunday they would rest but they replaced the bathroom door that Zeena had partially destroyed when she accidentally got locked in not once but twice! Then Daron's Dad wanted to replace an outlet and fix the dangling live wire that was hanging out of the ceiling fan (it's a rental so we overlook a lot of things). Anyhow, I though Daron was going to pass out right there on the floor from exhaust but he pulled his boot straps up and helped finish the job! Now when a tall person comes over or somebody puts Addy up over their heads we don't have to worry about electrocution.

Paula made improvements on the baby's room up until the last minute. We even hit the one store in Kanab that has house and baby goods - Family Dollar - and she got us some storage drawers for more onsies and diapers as well as some cute pink kid hangers for some of Addys more special pieces of clothing. Chip and Sarah and Madison send Addy a beautiful yellow baby blanket with ADDISON embroidered on it. I LOVE IT. I use to have a yellow baby blanket that I never let go of when I was a kid.

Paula, David and I went on about an hour hike in a box canyon by our house and we took Zeena B so she could run. Unfortunately, the hike is near the shooting range and she ended up spending the whole time shaking under an evergreen tree. Poor little thing. Then when we brought her home I had to cut sap out of her fur so she looks a mess. Then the boys were working on the electrical projects and everytime we turned a breaker off there was a beep. That sent her into a shivering fit and she spent the whole evening in the bathroom. On a good note, Paula, David and I had a great hike!

Daron's parents made it safely to Kanab and needless to say we put them right to work! I asked David if he could build a cattery for me and he and Daron went right to work on Friday morning. They did an amazing job the first day but it got to dark to take a final photo from day one.

Paula and I looked at the belly and decided at 33 weeks along we ought to finish the baby room. We, of course, asked the boys to help with a few things in the beginning...



Addison or Addyson (we haven’t decided on spelling yet) will be happy to know that BOTH of her grandmothers took part in creating the baby room, particularly the windows. My mom and I sewed the black and white curtains and Paula sewed the tie backs and added green hearts to the bows. Paula also made a baby quilt from the material my mom bought (it is hanging over the black chair).

From One Mama to Another!






















Well, it has been a couple months since I lost Rodeo and I have really been missing our time together. Our dog Zeena is great but she doesn't have the same soul as Rodeo did.

I decided with "the belly" getting so big I can't really eat a proper lunch so why should I go to the lunch room? I decided my time and heart would be much better spent helping soulful, sad, scared dogs. So "the belly" and I have volunteered to spend a few lunches a week sitting with some of the Vick dogs. I hate to even use that mans name so I am going to call them the victory dogs. The first day I volunteered with the dogs CNN was filming. I stayed out of the way by spending time with two gals and a handsome man named Lucas. After spending time with the gals I ran into Lucas who they were taking back to his kennel after his big "interview" I said "hello" and he gave "the belly" and I a big hug. In fact, he put his big, scarred head on my shoulder and just relaxed into me. Can I just say "oh my gosh I just want to wrap him up and put him in my pocket!" The CNN guy took a photo for their blog and I just saw it on the site it is: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/02/07/vick.dogs.rehab/index.html
Yup, that is my shoulder, no autographs please :)

Anyhowb back to the gals, one of the caregivers thought that my email about me and "the belly" volunteering was so funny that he thought it only appropriate to have me hang out with Ellen "belly" as they call her. You can tell by her teats hanging down low and ragged that she was mother to God knows how many pups and her right cheek sabs due to nerve damage from fighting. I walked right up to her and said "Ellen my teats are going to look like that soon!" She thought I was so funny that she wagged her tail! I, of course, started to think of my teats (and stomach for that matter) turning out like hers and started to get a bit concerned. I reforcused my attention to Ellen. Focus, focus, focus. Anyhow, I figured she had multiples and that HAS to be harder on the body! Ellen got her "belly" name because when she meets you she rolls on her back and gives you her belly to rub. Of course, she didn't do it when I got in there, instead she wanted treats and wanted to play. Go figure. We did get her to pose ever so briefly for a Double Belly shot! I figured Addison will really appreciate this photo when she is older. Maybe.

The next gal I hung out with was a fighter and a mother. Her name is Georgia and her tongue hangs out because her jaw was once broken and healed at an awkward angle. She has a tail that zig zags, scars from puncture wounds on her face, legs and torso and was obviously forcibly bred. In fact, she has no teeth. All 42 had been pried out. I only hope this was done under vet supervision which is highly unlikely. The fact is if a dog gets one tooth removed and has pain meds it is pretty excruciating. Why would some idiot pull out the teeth you ask? So she can't harm the male when she is forced to breed.

Despite all of this Georgia is happy to see me wiggling and cuddling. She has a beautiful face with deep brown eyes. I sit on her dog bed and massage her ears. Within a few minutes she is snoring. I hope at this moment that she is happy and at peace. I hope that in time her emotional wounds will heal. We are concerned that the dogs will experience post traumatic stress disorder much like soldiers or abused children. She still barks incessantly at her doghouse and rolls her toys so obsessively that her nose is rubbed raw. It reminds me of children who are abused and will rock obsessively. I know I cannot change her past but I know that I can be an active participant in brightening up her future. Though "the belly" and I are sitting at a slightly awkward angle I don't move for fear that I will disturb her sleep.

Tomorrow I will spend time with an extremely timid dog named Cherry. She is a black and white pit mix (who actually reminds me more of a boston terrier) who cowers when you walk by. "The Belly" and I will spend time in a room with her. It may take 20 or more sessions to have her approach me but that is one thing "the belly" and I have is time!

Daron and I went to St. George yesterday in search of a crib. It took about 15 minutes to decide which one and about 2 minute to find the bedding. We were either lucky or just didn't feel like spending all day deciding between Rainforest animals vs. Princess sheets. The room is coming along. Right now it just has a mish mosh of stuff piled in there. When Darons Mom comes I plan to have her help me arrange and rearrange and jazz it up a bit. When we got home from St. George it as late and Daron stayed up and put the crib together.

STUCK TRUCK

So Monday I am at work and the snow is coming down ALL day. It is beautiful until you have to drive in it. It is lovely until you realize you don't have 4 wheel drive and you don't have any sandbags in the back of the pickup. I plan to leave at 4 so at least if I slide off the road one of the 400 employees at Best Friends will see me and can pull me out or give me a ride. This is when I really really appreciate the fact that I genuinely like everyone I work with and I go out of my way to be nice to everyone no matter what department or job; I like them all. You never know when you will be stuck at the side of the road just shy of 8 months pregnant, legs hurting, feet fat and freezing, hair wet and matted on your head just hoping for someone anyone to save you…

In addition, I have a yoga class to teach at 5:30 p.m. and I am tired. Not worked all day tired but worked all day, forgot to take my meds, carrying around a 20 pound, nutrient sucking, energy stealing, stamina draining, bundle of joy that is now playing havoc on my back, legs and circulatory system tired. I am determined however not to cancel the damn yoga class. So out to the truck I go, scraping windows, warming car, getting in car, backing car out, sliding, sliding, correcting, sliding, correcting, sliding, cursing, cursing, sliding. Yes, I slid sideways until I hit the pavers that line our slanted driveway. The forward and back motion doesn’t help because my tires get stuck in the previous tire marks and I slide right back to the pavers. Getting out of the car, walking back to office and asking coworker for a ride home, getting yoga clothes out of truck, scraping co-workers window and getting a ride home. Yoga did make me feel better I must say although it was the first week in 31 weeks where I wasn’t able to keep up with my own class!

Next day was sunny and beautiful and I asked the maintenance guys who were pulling a car next door out if they could pull my truck out. The truck they had was spinning its wheels and couldn’t move my little truck. Because of the way the truck was against the pavers they either had to move the pavers so they wouldn’t hurt my axle OR get the big tractor snow plow and lift the trucks back end out. I guess they decided that using the tractor sounded much better than digging out 25 pavers that weigh 75 pounds each - dry. From the photo it looks like they are going to lift it out with the snow plow end. They don't. They tie a rope around the other scoopy end and pull and lift with that.

Dogs, Dogs, Dogs

Photo by Molly Wald

Little Red and DogTown Manager Ed.

Needless to say, Daron and I are really enjoy living out west and being involved with all the animals at Best Friends. We are going to start going up on our days off and socializing & walking some of the dogs at the Sanctuary. They are all great and because I work with many of them when I take groups out to volunteer I have a few favorites. Daron and I have also enjoyed watching the National Geographic shows on Best Friends Dogtown. The vet that took care of Rodeo, Dr. Patti, is in many of them as well as all of our friends. In a small town you socialize with those you work with and you see them in the grocery store, gas station, Dr.'s office, pharmacy, bank and restaurants! The link to see when the Nat. Geo shows are airing again is http://www.bestfriends.org/dogtown/ I met one of the producers from Nat. Geo last night in the gym - small town what can I say? If it gets enough response then they will keep producing the DogTown series. Fingers crossed.

Photo by Best Friends

Best Friends also took in 22 of ex-NFL player Michael Vicks dogs. I was able to meet them today and I must say if Zeena was a nicer dog we would have one of these shy little love bugs in our house. We couldn't talk about them at all until the gag order was lifted but now it is lifted so we will be posting stories about them on our website. http://www.bestfriends.org/vickdogs/ All of them are shy dogs but crave attention. When you talk to them their little tags start wagging. One that I particularly liked had a face full of scars but he didn't seem to hold it against anyone. He was cuddly and loving and played with his ball and a kong that was filled with dog treats. He looked as though he was settling right in. It was hard to see the dogs that were anxious and pacing but hopefully in time they will settle down and realize that they now live in heaven and that their fighting days (or worse their bait days) are over.

Daron and I went to Rodeo's memorial site yesterday and placed his new memorial stone. It is so beautiful and the photo Daron chose is perfect. I am so lucky to have Daron as my husband. As we were driving to Angels Overlook we saw a bald eagle sitting on top of a hoodoo. Every time I visit Rodeo's grave I see a single animal. This is the second or third time we have seen the eagle. There was a bald eagle circling when we went to visit Rodeo on December 24th. I am glad we went yesterday because it was in the 50's and sunny. Today it is snowing - big white flakes.

"It's Not a Tumor"

I have been running around the Sanctuary saying "It's Not a Tumor" all week. Ah, pregnancy fun, I tell ya...

Addy is moving around like crazy and I feel like my belly button is going to explode. The Dr. assures me that that has never happened but I am still suspicious. Daron has been taking good care of me by cooking and doing laundry. He even gives me daily foot rubs and that is not his favorite thing to do. He bought a beautiful granite headstone for Rodeo the other day. We haven't placed it yet but when we do I will post a photo.

Well I have to thank Miss Sarah, Chip and baby Madison for the three huge UPS boxes of baby/maternity stuff. Daron unpacked everything for me while I rehung the curtains in the baby area. I couldn't go through the boxes as it was WAY to overwhelming for me! He kept picking up cute little pink outfits going "Oh, look at this, for little Addy, it is so tiny" my response was, of course, "That is not very small not small at all. Please tell me that is 3 - 6 months and NOT a newborn." Yes, it is all fun and games until I think about our dear little daughter making her grand exit/entrance. It is the exit I am worried about! Ha. So you see me in a photo (please overlook the horrible hair - I just got back from teaching Yoga - Oh it looked equally as bad before Yoga don't get me wrong...) Anyhow, I am holding a special thank you for Sarah for the maternity clothes, breast pump (two words I NEVER thought I would say) and baby stuff. I guess we were lucky that we got pregnant after you! My sister Lisa spoiled Daron this Christmas with a personalized RAIDER shirt. In fact, she didn't think the first order went through so now he has a grey and a black personalized Raider shirt. For all of you who know Daron you know these will be well worn.

Our new bedroom colors came from the baby room which was looking far too dark and daunting. My mother was afraid that Addy would be wearing gothic clothes white makeup and black lipstick and it took me a few weeks but I started to agree! Therefore, I moved much of the black and white home goods into our room. Daron liked it until I got the cheesy satin bedspread from the ONLY store in Kanab that sells more than food - the Family Dollar. I can't help it I was anxious to have a matching bedspread. Needless to say, he immediately laid down on it and struck a sexy pose. I got the point but it will do for now!

The baby area is currently full of junk, baby stuff, diapers, and what nots. I am hoping that Daron's Mom can help me pull it all together. I guess Daron and I will have to eventually buy baby furniture - that right there would help it look more like a baby room. Anyhow, for now it has some fabulous curtains that my Mom and I made and lots of colorful goodies from our friends.

Well, for all you that doubt you'd ever see a belly on Jen... Here ya go. This is a pic at 7 weeks compared to a pic at 27 weeks! Addyson is one lively little baby, and she is getting bigger by the minute. Jen is my hero, and is doing a great job entering into the last trimester. She even looks HOT in maternity jeans that she just tried on for the upcoming 3 months. This is getting exciting.
D

Congratulations Officer Nagle!

On January 4, 2008 the entire Nagle clan, Karen Crumback, Cathie & Bill and 15 or so of Lisa's closest friends attended Lisa's graduation ceremony for the Louisvill Metro Police Training Academy for the officers of Metro Academy Class 12. I believe it was 25 that graduated three of the graduates were females.

Lisa is now officially Officer Nagle. Not only did she complete the training but she was the top dog when it came to her driving skills. Needless to say, many of the male trainees were not too thrilled to come in behind a girl but whatever! In addition, she kicked major butt in the physical testing and was once again top dog. Are you seeing a theme here? After her graduation we watched a video of her being Tazed ( I have no idea how to spell that but you all get the idea) and her being not just sprayed but doused in pepper spray (mouth open - because one of the trainers challenged her). After her dousing she had to run an obstacle course, beat up dummies, shoot a bad guy and more.

Our Dad walked up on stage and pinned her badge on her which was very exciting and touching. They both stood tall and did the Nagle name proud!

Our Mom arranged a wonderful luncheon at the Brown Hotel to honor Officer Nagle and it was great to all sit together and review the morning festivities.

The Wheelers (Uncle Mel and Aunt Pam) came through town to visit and congratulate Lisa! It was great to see them and have the whole clan together.

Happy Holidays!
Daron and I had a very quiet and lazy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We figured we better save our energy for next year :) We had a nice time at the Best Friends Christmas Party and here are two group shots with some of our buddies.

Rodeo and Jen in Zion National Park November 18, 2007




I have been putting this off because I didn’t think I could put into words what I was feeling or give Rodeo the tribute he deserved. But the Blog must go on and I just wanted to thank each and every one of you who have shared words of love and support during the last month.

Anyone who knew me knew how much My Rodeo meant to me. He was my constant companion, Best Friend, running partner, travel co-pilot, my first son, my confidant, my soul mate, my everything. My days, vacations, work schedule, exercise sessions, relationships, down time, up time, all times were scheduled around My Rodeo. If he wasn’t happy I wasn’t happy and my whole goal in life was to make him happy, at least half as happy as he made me. He was a beautiful dog with an old soul which made him extremely extraordinary.

Although the last four months were hard because he was on a lot of medication and his enlarged heart was causing him to cough he never lost that sparkle in his eye or his ability to chase rabbits. It was on the morning he passed, November 27th, 2007, that his sparkle was gone and his ears were not held high. He had been anxious at night all week. I thought it was his medication or his diuretics that were keeping him up but in the end I realized it was his heart and lungs. But that morning he was up at three and having trouble breathing. He could not lie down although for 45 minutes between 4 and 4:45 he did fall asleep on my stomach, I think the angle was just high enough where his chest wasn’t compressed. Unfortunately, I tried to slowly move and he woke up. I rubbed his chest and he was so tired. He would lie down only to cough and have to stand back up.

The whole family got up early that morning and Daron spent some time with him in front of the fireplace. Rodeo had been “talking” to Daron a lot in the previous weeks. Daron believed it was Rodeo telling him to take care of me. Smart dog.

I remember finding out I was pregnant in July the same time I discovered that Rodeo’s heart had gotten far worse. That summer an Indian from the Kiabab reservation had told me that when a soul leaves the earth it makes room for a new soul.

Rodeo had hiked in all of his favorite spots Thanksgiving week and got to spend time and enjoy the cooking of his Grandpa and Grandma Nagle. I had the week off so I took him to Zion National Park, Tom’s Canyon where he chased Jack Rabbits, Vermillion Cliffs, and his last hike was that Monday, November 26th, 2007 behind the shooting range in a beautiful area that I call Elephant Canyon. He had a great time and we even sat on a rock and hung out in the sun for awhile. He was happy. It was as if he was born to live in Utah. His markings matched the red cliffs and the terrain perfectly and he absolutely loved hiking.

I thank God that I was at the Sanctuary that morning and that Rodeo was put to sleep while we sat in my truck, him in the co-pilot seat cradled in my arms. As he was fading I relived our hiking trips and talked to him about chasing rabbits and deer. I told him what a good boy he was and how much his Mom was going to miss him. We were able to spend time alone after my friends and coworkers and vet left. I told him I would meet him at the Rainbow Bridge just as soon as I could and that he could rest assure that I would be thinking about him romping around in Heaven every single day.

Unfortunately my parents had to leave! Daron and I were getting quite spoiled with them here. Mom was always cooking something and Dad painted our molding, cabinets, and more. One day my neighbor emailed me and said my parents were working too hard. She drove by at lunch and saw them sweeping the front walk, painting the front door and steps and heard nailing later that day. What can I say? I have great parents! Luckily, that was the only day I worked while they were here so I made sure we had fun too! My Mom and I actually made curtains for Addison's room. She measured (of course, if anyone knows me they know math is not my strong point) and I sewed. The curtains we made are in the photo with Mom adjusting them. The cow print material over the other curtains are going to be hemmed etc. we just ran out of time. The little elf/gnome figurines Mom brought from Florida and their colors match the room quite well. They have cute little faces too. I bought two of those red lamps and painted them and am planning to glue black fuzzy trim around the bottoms of the lamps. By Saturday we needed a break from the house so Mom and I went to Page Arizona to shop and eat. As you can see from the photos we stopped off at an overlook of the Lake Powell Dam - I think it is actually called the Glenn Canyon Dam. Anyhow, we saw the dam and ate at the Dam Bar and Grill. It was fun and although I was sad to see them go I knew they were heading to the Wynn hotel for two nights - that definitely made leaving a bit easier for them :) Now I just hope they win some money!!!