School Days

Jazz joined a 5th grade classroom this school year where she makes a weekly visit during reading time. As her human, I am delighted to report how very much Lady Jazz enjoys these delightful young lads and ladies! Of course, Jazz will at times succumb to her shy demeanor, but all in all she is always excited and delighted to be there and share time with her young friends.

It is a treasure to see Jazz settle comfortably near her reader and quietly shut her eyes as she is soothed by their calm vocal cadence as they read to her. It is also a delight how much the students enjoy sharing this time with Jazz. It would be such a gift is she could spend more time with them!

A special treat for Jazz and for her boy, William, is that this is *his* 5th grade class that she visits. This was by special arrangement and has worked out quite well for all involved. Jazz's boy is mildly autistic, and she can be a wee bit shy.... so meeting in this particular setting is a delight for both.

Jazz wishes to share that we treated her to a trip up to the snow this past weekend:
It was late in the day so we dared not travel too far up the mountain. This was taken at 3,000' elevation where there was several inches of snow and the road slushy. Jazz pranced around with unbridled delight (but is always willing to cop a nice pose for the camera)! This weekend we will hope to make it to the top (6,000') where the snow is told to be over 3'!

My Spring Vacation

Hi gang! It's me, Jazz. I had a really great time on my spring break. Mom, Dad and the kids took me to the mountains where we hung out for 4 relaxing days in a little cabin in the woods. Here's some pictures that my Momma took:

This was Nestle's first trip away from home and to the totally unfamiliar. He was happy to find a "nest" full of Momma's things and her slippers. He also liked having some familiar toys around.

Here's the cabin Momma found for us. It's pet friendly so Nestle and I got to go along, yay! There we are in the front yard with Sarah.
Here's a picture of the inside from the loft. That's my boy, William next to the fireplace and there I am blending in with the wood floor!

This is the loft with that thing they called a "Pool Table" but there was no water....just balls. Odd. Anyway, the humans enjoyed playing with it. William slept on the low bed in the background which Nestle enjoyed 'cause he could see out the windows.
I liked snuggling on Sarah's bed.
Here I am on the back deck with Sarah and Nestle. Even though Nestle could easily slip through the railing (30' drop!), he didn't. What a good pup. That big box in the background is the hot tub which the humans enjoyed a LOT.
Nestle and I enjoyed the couches.
Nestle enjoyed the back of the couch where he was up high enough to get a great view of everyone and everything.
The humans took us to a place called, "Mingus Mill" in the Great Smoky Mtn.'s National Park. I was afraid of the foot bridge and wasn't allowed to go inside the mill itself, but there were lots of great smells and nice people there.
Here's the scary bridge. Momma's holding me to cross it. I was a brave girl and walked across the second time.
Daddy had such a fun time with Nestle. My little brother is 10 months old now....he's looking rather handsome, isn't he?!
Dinner at the cabin..... and there I am at William's feet.
And some hot tub time.
I had such a fun time! My special thanks to Mommy for helping me type this.

Spring Break!

Jazzie misses everyone at pet therapy! Her mom has been nursing migraines, bronchitis or a spasmed neck (tiz one or the other!) for weeks!

This week marks "spring break" on the Blount County calendar. Jazz is heading south to the Florida panhandle to partake in some serious beach time with her family. Her Mommy promises plenty of "What I did on Spring Break" pictures!

Let's hope and pray that the week of the 23rd brings fine health and renewed therapy visits for all!

Think Spring!

Smoky Mountain Pet Fair

SMOKY MOUNTAIN PET FAIR

Sunday September 21st
Pearson Springs Park
Maryville, TN

11:am - 5:pm

Promoting Animal Rescue, Adoption, Spay & Neuter

Fun competitions, prizes, medals
Frisbee toss, hurdles, high jump and a whole lot more:

Rescue groups, face painting, micro-chipping, K9 police dogs, adoptable pets, wildlife rehab, pet therapy, great food, ferrets, vendors, live music, exotic birds, pet photography, rabbits, products & services........ AND "Sparky" the fire dog (with the fire engine!).


Come on out for the fun and meet Jazz and her humans at the HABIT exhibit. Nestle may be there too....but only for the socialization (he's not a HABIT dog....yet). It'll be a howling good time!

Welcome Jazz's New Sibling

Nestle

B. 5-22-08

Chocolate/Rust long hair Mini-Dachshund

Nestle comes from a local breeder by way of Chattanooga where his original owner kept him for two days before surrendering him to the Small Breed Rescue of East Tennessee. In spite of a traumatic month in the life of this little fellow, he seems quite at home with us and his new big sister Jazz and extra big brother Elvis both are very comfortable with him.

Welcome home Nestle.

All in Stitches

All the girls in Jazz's family are sporting the latest in summer fashion.....stitches.

Jazz underwent the common canine surgery, spaying, on July 3rd. Her procedure went very well and her recovery has been relatively easy. Stitches come out at the end of the week (July 11th or so).

For the rest of the girls, it was a bit more traumatic event leading to stitches. July 5th was a lovely day filled with swimming, snacking, fireworks, boating. Towards the close of the night yours truly and daughter opted for a midnight swim. Daughter Sarah made a run along the dock for a dramatic splash which was abruptly interrupted by cries of pain. I came to her rescue and was halted by a similar, painful circumstance. Pain seared through my foot. I looked down to find the bottom portion of a glass beneath my foot. I sat and applied pressure while the rest of the partying gang attended to the injured Sarah. Sarah was carried inside while I made a gimping dash. After some emergency care on Sarah the party atmosphere doused from some bloody reality...off to the ER we went.

As it turns out Sarah and I sustained nearly an identical injury to the big toe on our left foot. Both of us have a large, deep gash across at mid-toe. We don't know at this time how many stitches we each have, but guesses are "10" at the minimum.

Sadly, pet therapy visits are postponed till the Perry girls can again walk without crutches, and Jazz's stitches are removed.

THR is a "go"

I finally got the news last week that Jazz is a "go" for a total hip replacement. The only delay is in making sure the surgical hospital has the correct sized "machine" for the procedure. Jazz's x-ray will be sent in so they can take measurements to determine whether they have the correct equipment or need to rent one.

I am planning/hoping Jazz can undergo the surgery around mid-June. By the time she gets beyond the threat if infection, I'll be able to take her swimming to aid in rehabilitating her new hip.

Post Surgery

Not Jazz. Me! I had a bicycle accident last August. This was to repair a torn ligament in my left thumb from that accident. I had the surgery on April 1st. So this is "day two". The swelling is down as I'm able to wiggle my thumb a tiny bit, which is all it takes for it to hurt quite a bit!

As painful as it is, it's a welcome "good hurt" instead of the nagging mild ache of something broken and no longer working.

Jazz wasn't pleased with me the day of surgery. The odd odor of my wrapped hand/wrist bothered her. I'm sure it had that "hospital" chemical odor to it, which I would imagine her not liking very much as she really dislikes hand sanitizer. So, she was thrilled to have me come home but wasn't very snuggly. Snif.

Yesterday about mid-day I was sitting at the computer when Jazz came over, sat at my chair, looked up at me and wagged her tail vigorously. She had come around! I invited her into my lap where she lept quickly and threw her body against me. Someone was making up for lost time and it seemed to officially be "snuggle time".

After an afternoon of snuggling on the couch, she seems to have returned to being her old self. I guess that makes me okay! My follow up appointment is on the 10th. I expect the stitches to come out then.

Jazz's Spring Vacation

Jazz & her kids at the SC welcome center
On the steps of Magnolia Plantation; Charleston, SC

This was a lovely place.
We just toured the gardens...
which took several enjoyable hours!

Enjoying a snap dragon and poppy garden outside Magnolia Plantation

Salty dog.... Edisto Beach, SC

I believe this was Jazz's first experience with sand, waves, etc.
She learned to enjoy the warm tide pools.
She loved digging in the sand and a few brief bullistic romps!

Edisto Beach, SC

Below: Sunny and warm on Hunting Island, SC

Hunting Island was our favorite.
We found a private stretch of beach where we let Jazz off-lead.
She loved lounging in the shade near us.
She got to romp with one other small dog, much to her delight!

Above: With Sarah on the steps of a historic home in downtown Savannah, GA

Jazz enjoyed greeting lots of fellow tourists in Savannah
She also learned to perfect being a polite "city dog"

Below: At the summit of "the big mound" at Ocmulgee National Monument near Macon, GA

What a great hike around this monument!
Jazz was carried up and down this huge mound to save her hip.
She had a wonderful time!

In addition to these wonderful locations, Jazz highly recommends:

Reds Ice House
Shem's Creek; Charleston, SC. Amid all the Posh eating establishments this one is retains the flavor of the old Shem Creek eateries prior to Hugo in 1989. Better yet, their food is top shelf and they are a pet friendly restaurant! Jazz gives it two paws up!

Harry's Louisiana Grille
Acworth, GA. In the historic district. Jazz's folks love good Cajun cookin' and were happy to stumble across this great little place. The humans vote it as probably the best eatery ever in terms of organization, professionalism, menu, atmosphere, everything. Jazz says that Henry is a nice fellow and he smells good, too. Well worth visiting if you're ever in the area.

Oh, and she says the bacon from Waffle House is a pretty nice, too!

Blessing of the animals

A community event to benefit the Humane Society. Games, contests & prizes, food, fun and your beloved fur friend is welcomed.

HABIT will be there, and so will Jazz & her handlers! Come out to beautiful Maryville and have some fun:

Saturday April 19th
10:00 - 1:00

First United Methodist Church
804 Montvale Station Rd.
Maryville, TN

Sunday in the park

Jazz enjoyed a lovely spring day a Springbrook Park. This is her favorite game, the slide! Today was her third trip, ever. She really seems to dig this and wasn't the slightest bit intimidated by the hoards of adoring kids cheering her on.