Hectic Time in The Crowe House

[Richard Crowe]

Judy is attending the American Maltese Association Specialty which is very necessary because that Specialty is the major fund raiser of our American Maltese Rescue efforts.  She is handling the various auctions and other fund raising events as well as giving assistance to the Specialty in general.

 

This leaves Richard in charge of the house and our dogs.  I thought that it would be easier than it is.  We have a total of 9 adult Maltese (4 of them rescues) and two litters of Maltese mix puppies, totalling 6 puppies.  Of course we also have our Holly who is absolutely no trouble at all.  If it weren't for Holly's wonderful relationship with the Maltese, this caretaking would not be possible.  She is truly a joy to have with me.

 

Mealtime is hectic because many of the Maltese have various dietary needs and are on medications.  Of course, each dog is fed in a different area so that the fast eaters don't take advantage of the slow eaters and the right meds go to the right dogs.  I have printed out lists of the dogs with the meds that they need.  I know that foods each eats so I cut out tabs with each dogs name and place it by the bowls as I am preparing the meals.  After, filling the bowls, I place the tab in the bowl, put all the bowls in a tray and distribute the food (always remembering to pull the tabs out of the bowl so they don't get eaten along with the food).  It takes about forty five minutes to prepare and distribute the food and meds.  Then, there is one dog who needs drops in her eye and onother who needs drops in her ear.  I feel like "Nurse Richard"

 

The puppies have been weaned and are eating kibble which compounds the problem because I not only have to prepare two different puppy bowls (the litters are different ages) but, the pups do a lot of pooping and I switch their pads and clean the puppy pens about four or five times a day, plus cleaning out any poop as I walk by the puppy pens.

 

Tomorrow, I am going to the Specialty for one of the luncheons so I can meet, face to face, many of the rescue volunteers with whom I have developed an email and phone relationship over the last couple of years but, whom I have never met.  I will be taking one litter, two puppies, with me to turn over to a foster volunteer who has traveled down from Vancouver, Washington for the Specialty and who has furever homes scheduled for the pups.  That will make it slightly easier with the reduction of one group of puppies.

 

However, I soon expect to get Nutmeg a doodle, which we will be fostering.  I am sure that Meg will take up any slack generated by the absence of the two puppies.

 

After the Specialty ends this Saturday; Judy returns home for a couple of days and then is driving to Texas with our son-in-law's mother who has helped us greatly with our dogs over the years (she doggie sat when we traveled to China for two weeks).  She was apprehensive about driving all the way to Texas and since Judy has two sisters and their families in Texas whom she would like to visit, that was a great way to get there. Our son-in-law is paying for Judy's return flight so that will be a free trip for Judy. Judy will only be gone about five or six days.

 

However, when Judy finally arrives home permanently, we can then start dividing the chores between us.  Oh yes, I am naturally having to keep the house straight and clean in addition to minding our poochies.  This is a break time for me because after their breakfasts, all the dogs take naps...

 

 

 

 

 

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

I think I'm going to make this mandatory reading for my husband, so when he complains about having to prepare Sedona's meals or pick up her poop, I can remind him how easy he really has it!!  Way to go, Richard!!!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

OMD! Richard you are one organized guy!!!  What a blessing you are to all those little dogs who depend on you!!! But I have to go take a nap now after reading all that you are doing... kind of made me tired! LOL!

[Sue & Lily Grace]

Wow, I tired just reading this. Good luck.

[sandy b]

Wow! Richard I'm exhausted!! I need a nap :-) you and Judy are fabulous doing all you do for the little ones.

[F, Calla & Luca]

So you are retired, right : ) What an exhausting schedule. Please do take care of yourself because you getting sick would help no one. You continue to amaze me.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Oh goodness, I would not call this "retired"!!! I would call this a more than full time job!

Way to go Richard. Keep up the good work. You will really appreciate your wife's help when she comes home. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Richard, thank you so much for posting this! JD is on so many different meds and needs 4 feedings per day with different amounts of home-cooked food and kibble along with different meds at each meal that I too have to refer to written instructions to keep everything straight. Your post makes it seem so much easier! I only have to do all this for one dog! 

Seriously, I don't know how you do it, but i am so grateful that you do! As F said, take care of yourself! Lots of people and dogs need you to be strong and healthy!

I can't wait to hear about Nutmeg!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Richard, I'm so impressed.  I really don't know how you're keeping it all straight. 

[Doris]

Totally devoted!  It's a great deal of work, but so worth it to have healthy, happy dogs!

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

wow thats crazy!!!

[Lynda Kamrath]

Way to go Richard!  At least you can appreciate all the help you get from your wife when she is around.  Is Nutmeg the doodle that has been on DRC for a while? I keep looking at him but figured two dogs were enough for me.  You are to be commended.

[Richard Crowe]

     That's are right about this being a full time job!  Judy and I could never have taken on this project if we still were working our pre-retirement jobs. Actually knowing Judy, I was aprehensive about her retiring because she gave so much into her work as a professor of Nursing at a local college.  I was right too!  Judy became very bored with retirement at first.  She tried some volunteer work at a local charitable agency but, they wanted her to work in the thrift store which drove her even more crazy.    Now that we are involved with rescue work to the extent that we are, Judy ia a lot more content and happier.  The other side of that equation is that I am also happier when she is happy...