MONDAY with Golfers, Dogs, Cats, and Good Friends!

Chili Bob and Seann just left for Costco in El Centro because Pepsi is $0.88 a bottle, and our Canadian boy loves Pepsi!   They left out early, driving quite a distance to Costco to stock up on 'goodies' to last a few more days and enable them to live and have fun in Slab City and have all the conveniences they chose!

Along came Julie, who had had a 'gold date' with Hiker Mike, the golfer,  to play 18 holes today!

  Meet Julie, who was camped with us!    She has a nice new rig and travels with her cat!  Julie has a passion for writing and the ability to write and travel at the same time.    Julie is tons of fun, and has great knowledge about all the toys in the 'techy' world! 

Meet Hiker Mike who was 'walking' his way from Southern California north!   He was a 'hiker', not a hitch-hiker!   We had lots of questions for him, and enjoyed his tales about his adventures!    Hiker Mike had become a minimalist, with only a bedroll, and a change of clothes.  He decided to make the trip without the aid of technology, so he traveled without his cell phone.   He claims there was no 'withdrawal' from the world of technology!    You'll be amazed when you see the Gold Course where Slab City residents play golf regularly!  

TIME FOR DISCOVERY!

Karen has started the day with a 'clean all over' and a major decision about whether to wear Capri pants or jeans!  It's only 8:00 a.m. here, but that's a big decision when you are on SLAB TIME!    We both soon found out that you can't stay 'clean' if you are determined to see everything Slab City has to offer! 

MEET THE CANINE RESIDENTS OF SLAB CITY!

During the past year, I learned of a lady, named "Cookie",  who lives in Slab City, ............. a lady with a mission!   I already knew from her Internet posts that she loved dogs and ran a 'rescue' shelter there in the desert to keep as many dogs off of 'death row' as possible.   She also had recently learned about a  friendly, lovable local dog that had been so violently abused by someone that it's leg must be amputated, but the veterinarian's fee was extremely high.  The people of Slab City and 'friends' of Slab City have been determined to support 'Cookie' and all of her efforts to care for her rescued dogs and try and provide medical services for the dogs who were in pain or who needed medical attention.    Please meet Cookie!

Cookie, all of your work is so special.   Your love for the dogs you have saved is evident!  It's so sweet and gratifying to see how the pups snuggle up to you and feel so loved. 

Karen and I drove away knowing that there was NO WAY we could leave Slab City without doing a small part to help the pups that Cookie (and supportive hubby, Earl) love and care for so much.

Karen and I soon found our way about 40 miles down the road to stock up on dog food for the pups, filling up the back of the jeep, and making a small donation to help build the veterinarian's fund to get the abused dog's leg amputated! 

We loaded up with dog food to try and be supportive of Cookie and her mission to help 'the helpless'!  God Bless you, Cookie!

If you want to help Cookie and her rescued dogs,  there is a 'chip-in' fund that has raised about 1/3 of the cash needed to amputate the leg of the abused dog.   Just contact Bob or Seann, or write me a note, and I will send Cookie's information to you!   

                                   THE DOG 'RESIDENTS' WHO LIVE IN SLAB CITY
Many people who live, vacation, or visit Slab City have brought their pets with them.   My personal veterinarian insisted that I have an extra supply of medicines for my dogs when they visited Slab City with me last time.   He prescribed a medication for them "just in case" they get into a nest of fleas or other insect infestation, gave them their traditional inoculations, and added a 'rattlesnake' anti-venom shot.  It was nice not to have to worry so much every time my pups would stick their nose into a scraggly bush, share kisses and play time with other dogs, and 'live' in Slab City without having the 'street smarts' the other dogs have!

     
The first dog you should meet is ''Bunny'', rescued by Chili Bob when he drove "Cookie, the doggies foster mom/rescue lady" into another town to save some puppies!   Chili Bob tells the story of how all the dog crates were piled into the back of his car, and one little dog stood as 'sentinental', looking over his shoulder, all the way home.  He sensed her presence behind his shoulder, and soon thereafter, ''Bunny'' went to live with Chili Bob forever!!   Meet Chili Bob and Bunny!!

"Bunny" knows who saved her life, she has gained weight, has a new 'vest', and a new mission and a new outlook on life!  
She protects her master and her territory with a fervor evident only when someone she doesn't know too well enters into Bob's 'territory'!  
She barely lets him get seated before she has jumped up and firmly planted herself in his lap.

She has a purpose now!  She has a home, and someone who loves her!

Many people in Slab City probably don't know Bunny's 'starvation to satisfaction' story, and wonder why Bunny only wants her master to hold her and pet her!    Such is the challenge!   Food won't change her mind, but when you finally gain her trust and confidence, ........ she will let you hold her, or grace you with a brief visit in your lap!    Seann got lucky after several months of gaining her trust. 

On the left is Chili Bob and his adopted angel, "Bunny", who protects him as if she were a grizzly bear with her fast snappy growl.  

On the right, is one proud "Uncle Seann" who has now gained Bunny's confidence and trust.  Not many people could manage get Bunny to sit in their lap or accept a little bit of petting, but Seann has Bunny all relaxed and getting her belly rubbed, ......... in 'angel heaven'!

Everyone should give serious consideration to adopting a dog who will always love you once they know they will be safe with you.   If you can't adopt a doomed, lonely, scared little puppy, please remember the ones who don't yet have a home, and consider a donation to help with their care.              Happy Doggie Days, Bunny!!

Back at home in Texas, I have 5 rescued dogs, and a 'heat-stroke' kitten:
 Chessie, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever mix,
Candy, the runt of a litter no one wanted,
Rio, a greyhound doomed to death after he won his last race,
Lilly, a mommy dog who was considered UN-adoptable,
and Tripod, who had been thrown from a car window, breaking her hip and leg.  
All five dogs now are safe at m house.  
The kitten, dubbed "Spare Kitty" by my vet after she recovered from a heat stroke

And I forgot to mention the 9 very wild outdoor kitties who come home every night knowing that I will have 'dinner' set out for them.
Traps will be set next week, and after making a deal with my vet, all that can be caught will be neutered or spayed, hopefully to help curb the multitudes of unwanted kittens born each year into a world where their survival rate is extremely low, and their chance of being a tame, loved pet is almost non-existent.   The wild ones will be released again after surgery, because, at this stage in their life, living as a domestic cat would be considered almost impossible, but they will always have a good meal in my back yard, and a 'cat house' built for me by my dad, long ago, ..........for as long as they stick around!      Please support your favorite non-profit organization that helps our helpless animals.
Every day should end with friends around a campfire!!

Sleep well in the silence of the desert, be comforted by the cries of the wolves, and look forward to a beautiful sunrise!