Happy Birthday Sammi!

Sammi Sez: Thank you so much for my wonderful "paw"ty yesterday! I know all the kids and moms loved the cakes with their beautiful icing, made specially for me by my friend Jill Houck,(who always gives me a cookie when I visit her, I might add.)...I was glad to see other four-footed friends, Bella and Money Penny, and I even gave them some of my special doggy cake . The grownups sat around eating and talking, which was fun for them, too. Rosemary Grey, our children's librarian and Corinna Raznikov took beautiful pictures (even of my mom's wild pink tights-matching the cakes). We hope some of the photos will be in the Wanderer for everyone to share. So.....to all my many library friends-------a big Shih Tzu kiss-come and see me any time!!! S.

Come celebrate Sammi's first birthday!

The library is celebrating Sammi's first birthday on Thursday, December 9 from 3-4 p.m. S will have her very own "doggie" cake, and everyone else will enjoy yummy "people" delights. All ages are welcome to join the festivities and sign a card for our favorite pooch. We know many of you would like to give Sammi presents, but at this time we know she would prefer to remember all those pets who are not so fortunate to have so many people nearby who love them. So......if you'd like, bring dog or cat food, and we'll distribute all of it to local shelters. We will be giving out book marks ahead of time to help everyone remember the date, so stop by the library and get yours. Sammi and I look forward to seeing you all then!

It's my turn.....sez Sammi

Hello everyone! My friend Dianne suggested to my Mom that I write a blog about myself instead of waiting for her to let everyone know about my cute (and not so cute) antics.) Well, that sounded like a lot of fun, so here goes......I see the world at ankle level. That's why I'm always nipping at shoes and socks. You all move around a lot, that's for sure, and make great targets.....I'm just as fascinated by the grass and anything upon it (twigs, paper, plastic, leaves, and stuff my mom won't let me mention). However, when it's time for me to "deposit" something, she always has a little bag to put it in. This puzzles me a lot, but who am I to question her fastidious neatness because, after all, she is a librarian!.....I also have my nanny, Shalala, looking after me this summer. We both love the color pink. I have a pink: leash, raincoat, party dress and pj's. Shalala and her friends are a lot of fun, running with me outside, playing games on the computer with lots of noise, teaching me how to jump from a chair onto their stomachs-----really. I get very excited during an afternoon of romping with them, that's for sure. When it's time to go home,I'm carried to my blanket in the car. I have always loved travelling this way since I was a baby. The engine noises are very soothing. By the time we get home, I'm very sleepy and ready for my quilt. I discovered that it makes a perfect bed for a tired, fluffy dog, so I push it around on the floor until it's Just Right. Mom closes the door (I have my own room) and it's very quiet. I fall fast sleep with the summer birds tweeting outside. After twelve hours or so, I am ready to start my new day with a few little squeaks and whines which I gradually expand into great big (or so they seem to me) barks. You must understand that we Shih Tzus are ALL alpha dogs, or at least we THINK we are!

Sammi's "onesie"

Sammi came through her spay surgery beautifully. Dr. Gould did comment that all morning she had been protesting loudly that she had been "dognapped and really did not belong here at all". ( Translation: she drove them all crazy with her yipping.) Of course she was groggy when I picked her up, but by morning was back to her usual wild bursts of energy. I had been warned about the potential for pulling out stitches, as well as the dangers of her licking the incision too much, which might cause an infection. What to do?....I hated the plastic cone she was forced to wear around her neck the first night, even though, with her wild hair, it made her look a little like a little Pilgrim girl..... Consulting with my friend, and animal rescue pal, Carol, we decided to try a gentler, cuter approach and dress her in a little tee shirt. Always resourceful, Carol found a charming romper suit (onesie) at the Salvation Army. It is bright pink, and says "Hawaiian Princess" on the front. The length is perfect for this 10 pound little girl, and she even tolerates the bottom snaps-around her tail of course....In the extreme heat, I take it off and keep a sharp eye on her little pink tongue which can get into incredible mischief VERY FAST!

Sammi at the Salon

Who knew that having a my little Shih Tzu groomed would take four times as long as having my own "do" done? Also, I never anticipated my high level of anxiety as I put my little girl into the hands of a stranger, who was going to put her through the tortures of: shampooing, creme rinsing (strawberry), clipping, combing, arranging of tail and topknot, etc. Whew! After leaving her off, with some trepidation, I was told that they would call me on my cell phone in THREE hours. A friend and I decided to go shopping and eventually to roam around scenic Padanarum, have lunch, and enjoy the sunny, hot day. This proved to be a good idea, fun and relaxing. By one o'clock, however, I was getting a bit concerned that I hadn't heard anything from what I had pre-determined had to have been systematic torture. Imagine my surprise when I got there to find that I could watch my baby in the "final" stages of the procedure through a one-way glass. (Needless to say, they don't want moms waving or smiling at their charges, who would surely loose their cool, and begin jumping around and barking.) On the contrary, Sammi was calm and patient as she had every hair clipped and arranged, her toenails done, and even her teeth! The "cherry on top" was a big yellow bow fastened to her topknot, which had been left long for just this purpose. Now she really looks like she should be in the Westminster Dog Show for sure. What a little doll!!!!

Summer Bad Hair Days

What to do about doggie and kitty hair in the extreme heat and humidity of July and August? This new worry had never concerned me until Sammi and her "mop" entered my household. After all, my rescued cats had short hair, which they shed all over the place to lighten their load, and seemed content to lie on the kitchen tile floor to keep cool. Not a one has ever died from heat prostration.....Then, I two friends tell me that they had to have their Maine Coons put under anesthetic in order to be shaved, in an effort to endure the extreme heat. I know MC's have great heavy coats (presumably to withstand those bitter temperatures in northern New England), but to go through all that, and end up looking "naked"! How embarassing.....
One of the staff at the library has her Sheltie, who has great, long, beautiful hair, given a crew-cut for summer. However, one cool, June day, I suggested a sweater for shivering Merry. Poor thing, had been used to the equivalent of a raccoon coat!..... Meanwhile, my lively Shih Tzu is wandering around in what looks like a very shaggy white and tan bath mat. Her bangs are held back with a very spiffy barrette, but the rest of her hair, and there's lots, requires a whole lot of brushing, that's for sure. I'm tempted to get her a very short, puppy cut. After all, she's only six months old, so it would be appropriate. However, I'm wondering if her hair gives her a certain feeling of security, like a baby drags around a piece of blanket. I have a feeling once it gets into the 90's and I can't keep her in air conditioning all the time, I'll give up admiring her "cuteness" and opt for anything that will keep that cute little pink tongue from hanging out while she pants. We'll see.....

Sammie sees herself for the first time!

This morning Sammie, who is all of five months, caught a glimpse of herself in my glass fireplace doors. At first, I was reading nearby, I couldn't figure out why she was sending forth a tsunami of barking and growling. Then I noticed that she was fixated on the hearth. I stood up and looked. Sure enough, her exact image was looking back at her. Of course she thought it was another little terrier, and she was not going to give her an inch! The caterwauling went on for a few minutes, and then S. began to dance around a bit and inch up toward the fireplace. Gradually, she got right on top of it and pressed her nose to the glass. The crying continued until she backed up again..... Anybody have an idea of how to handle this? I'm thinking of hanging a blanket over the glass when we're in the room. Otherwise, if Sanmmie keeps on seeing rival pups, she will have to be banished, or she'll never stop tilting at windmills, or imaginary Shih Tzus!

PATRONS & PETS ON DISPLAY

Beginning on May 10th, we are accepting photos of pets, submitted with their names and those of their owners. These will be put on our "library pet" wall, each picture having a caption listing what they are called, and who is taking care of them. The wall will illustrate how many of our readers are also animal lovers. They have always been welcome to bring their pets in for the staff and others to admire. Some days the library becomes a bit of a "zoo", but all are well-behaved and everyone enjoys seeing them. Treats and water are always on hand, too. If you have any questions, call the library at 508-748-1252, or just bring in a picture with the names on the back for identification. We will be posting them all summer long, and hope to fill our wall with funny, sad, and charming pictures. (If anyone would like to post a picture of a beloved animal who has crossed the rainbow bridge, we would be happy to do so, too.) Let us hear from you all! We've recently been visited by: Sammie, Merry, Bluebell, Adventure, Honey, Abigail and Higgins.......

Sammie update

Samantha just passed her 4 month birthday and is now a toddler. She weighs just over 6 pounds and has had all her puppy shots. Since she is at the library all day, she's become friends to all the kids in town, and many adults, too. All volunteer to walk her from time to time, so I get relief from every two hours walking up and down Spring Street. On beautiful days it is great fun to play hooky for ten minutes or so......She still sleeps through the night beautifully and sits in her car seat without a peep. Last week, however, I heard a soft bark from the rear, and, curious, I peered around, when I wasn't in moving traffic. I saw the little seat upside down on the floor with Sammie under it! She wasn't hurt, more indignant and curious as to how this happened. We kept driving to the library, once I'd lifted the soft cushion off her. No problem, she still loves the car. At night, like a toddler, she has to have her puppy pads to pee on, but during the day she is very good about going out. (Does not know to stand by the door, though, since there are bigger and smaller doors at the library and at home-very confusing). Next, it's on to "heel", "sit", "be quiet". Dr. Gould, who paid her a "library call", said not to rush these obedience tests. My only worry is that she will outsmart all of us, since she just has to twinkle those little black eyes and everyone does what SHE wants. Let's hope she keeps her sunny disposition and immediate,devoted love for everyone who crosses her path.......Meanwhile---does anyone have a tiny barrette for her unruly topknot? (She does have a sweater-and is getting a raincoat from a devoted fan!)

Welcome, Samantha!

Spring is coming, and thoughts of wonderful long walks with a dog had me researching various breed sites, and calling shelters to see if I could find a small dog that would get along with my cats. Over the years, I had thought about a Yorkshire Terrier, or perhaps a Maltese. These tiny dogs do have a bit of a reputation for being "yappy", so I was cautious about that problem since a lot of time would be spent in my office with me. I was also told to get a female since they tend to be better-tempered. Unfortunately, no shelters in driving distance had a suitable animal, so I decided to go to a kennel offering many smaller breeds. When the soon-to-be-named Sammie was brought to me, it was all over-we took to each other immediately. She has short spikey terrier hair in what is called "brindle" colors-black, white and tan. Her round black eyes make a perfect triangle with her little, round black nose. Even-tempered she is for sure, having greeted everyone at the library today. She sleeps throught the night in her crate, and is taking well to potty-training in the back yard. (A few mistakes, but not many, so far). One of the librarians is teaching her to "fetch" her toys, and declares that she is one smart pup! Her primary job, of course, is just to love everyone. Mine is to read everything I can get my hands on to help train her well, and keep her happy and healthy. This endeavor is in good hands, as many friends are enjoying being consulted as Dr. "Puppy" Spock!.

MORE PANDA-MONIUM!

Now that Bai Yun and Yun Zi are out on display during the day, they are doing their best to entertain everyone. If you check our website between noon and three, you will see them at their antics. Apparently, at this point in Yun Jr.'s development he races between wanting to climb trees on his own, and clinging to Mom. She keeps an eye on his antics, and occasionally hauls him down from a perch. Then, he wants to play with her, but she may opt for a bamboo snack and push him away. The cutest scenario, though, is when they both go into the big open box which seems to be lined with some sort of sawdust-like material (non-toxic since Mom still grooms him). They roll around and do somersaults-a real riot! Obviously, all these activities are stimulating for the cub and help develop his muscles and co-ordination. At a certian time, decided only by Yun, he climbs quite far up into the trees and naps-even that is cute! Check it out, you'll find it hard to pull yourself away from these mesmerizing guys, that's for sure.