MONDAY JANUARY 1 2001 Interviews begin on New Year's Day for a new kennel helper to replace Lisa

I always conduct interviews for kennel helpers during Afternoon Rounds. I take the prospective new helper with me to meet all the dogs inside their kennels, which shows me how well the dogs and the job candidate relate to each other, which is an essential requisite for their being hired. (The dogs actually conduct this part of the interview.)

The first person came this afternoon at 1:00. She was amazed at the "enormous" size of our shelter and at the tremendous amount of work that must be done here every day to take care of 50+ dogs. We have several more applicants to interview throughout this week before we make a decision.

TUESDAY JANUARY 2 2001 Old, sassy Katie-Dog spends the cold nights in the house

Katie is enjoying spending the icy cold evenings (low 20s) in the house kennel in the kitchen of our warm house. I've been bringing her in with me at the end of the day, and she happily curls up on her warm pillows for the night.

The weather man forecasts the low temperature in the teens tonight! We've either got to build a kennel building or figure out a way to heat the dog houses with something more than hay, which we believe is adequate if the temperatures stay above 30 degrees. The dogs survive the super cold nights, but it's got to be quite uncomfortable for them--especially those with short hair.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 3 2001 My sister, Penny, arrives from Ohio for a visit

This was a day I'd been looking forward to for ages! My sister, Penny, whom I hadn't seen for more than 15 years, was coming for a visit. The doggie crew was here caring for the dogs as Bill and I left for D/FW Airport at 8:30 a.m. When we got back to Straydog a little after noon, the weather had warmed up into the 40s--just for Penny's visit.

THURSDAY JANUARY 4 2001 A trip to the vet clinic for puppy vaccinations on a sunny, warm day

The weather was gorgeous, a sunny 55 degrees this morning as sister Penny and I loaded Puppy-Dog Scooter and the three big puppies, Nina, Gina and Bunny, into the van for their trip to the vets for their second puppy vaccinations. Such good little pups the four of them were. (How nice it was to have Penny's help!)

FRIDAY JANUARY 5 2001 69 degrees makes for a great day for "tummy tanning"

It couldn't get much better than this for a beautiful day in January! The temperature had risen to 69 degrees by 1:00 p.m., and the sun was shining. This is perfect doggie weather and the pups and dogs spent their lazy afternoon lying on their backs getting "tummy tans" in the warm sun.

SATURDAY JANUARY 6 2000 No adoptions during Dog Adoption Day, but one previously adopted dog (with her "parents") and the "parents" of another previously adopted dog pay us a visit at PETsMART

Unfortunately it was another very slow day at PETsMART today, and no dogs or pups were adopted. But the highlight of the day was when the parents of one adopted pup, Terri, came in the store with little Terri to say hello. It was wonderful to see Terri again and to hear all the cute stories about her from her "parents."

Shortly after visiting with Terri's family, Sara's "mom and dad" came in to say hello and to give us the report that all is great with their adopted Puppy-Dog Sara.

(See photos of both Terry and Sara by clicking on *Recent Emergency Mailer on our Home page.)

Sorry I didn't have time to write more this week, but with Lisa gone and my sister here I just didn't have time.