Mako Gets a Treat

Mako's ears go on alert when he sees the treat on the upper righthand corner.

 The smell of a treat makes him happy!

 The treat gets closer...

 He wonders what he has to do to get this treat?

 Mako strikes!

That treat was good!

Doggerel Day in Centreville, DE with the delSPCA

   Saturday, May 18th, was Doggerel Day in Canby Park located in Centreville, DE. The event was sponsored by the Centreville Animal Hospital. The Delaware SPCA was joined by the Windcrest Animal Hospital, the Response-a-Bull Rescue and the Delaware Humane Society. It was a meet & greet for all the groups. We had the same dogs with us that had attended the Point-to-Point, CoCo and Abby. The rescued dogs got a chance to strut their stuff. There were also sled dog and herding dog demos that were informative. A state police officer was there with his K9, a Belgian Malinois. We didn't get to see them do a demo because the officer's assistant wasn't able to be there. Their SUV was pretty cool. It was set to drop the windows and sound an alarm if the internal temp rose above 92 degrees. The officer could also remotely open the door and let the dog out, if needed.
  I have posted an album from Photobucket below. If you can't view them, try: http://s826.photobucket.com/user/bluezstudios/slideshow/Doggerel%20Day

Theo Huxtable the pit bull pup was tired at the end of the day. Theo is available for adoption from the Response-a-Bull Rescue.

Brutus a Presa Canario that was adopted from the Response-a-Bull Rescue. He came back for a visit.

The 35th Annual Point-to-Point and the delSPCA

I attended my first Point-to-Point on May 5th this year. I was a volunteer with the delSPCA  and we all had a terrific time with this meet and greet opportunity. We brought two adoptable dogs with us - Abby and CoCo. We shared a tent with the Wilmington Kennel Club who ran an agility course behind the tent where the public could participate with their pets. It was a fun and festive time that featured steeplechase races, vintage cars, elegant tailgating and more.

The day had started off in a wild fashion before we even got there when one of the female pit bulls at the shelter escaped and dashed out the front gate with Walt in his truck following in hot pursuit. The dog ran across three lanes of traffic and cleared a four foot high concrete medial strip. She safely made it across three more lanes of traffic because the cars slowed down or pulled over. Bless 'em! She flew into the JP Morgan site across the road. The motorists could probably figure out the scenario - the SPCA sign, ​a loose pit bull and a truck zooming through the intersection right after her. A truck filled with young guys rushed to join the search. Walt had to return without her. We needed to get going to Winterthur.   Fortunately, as soon as we left the SPCA grounds, there they were! Triumphant with the pit bull inside their truck! They said as soon as she saw them, she jumped in a pond! Ha ha! She made sure she was soaked before she gave up!

Walter Fenstermacher - Volunteer Coordinator & Foster Care Coordinator with the Delaware SPCA

More images from the Point-to-Point:

The delSPCA's CoCo.

The entire album can be seen at my photobucket album.

Ramps Are Here!

This spring's sea of ramps .

      I first heard about ramps on Top Chef.  The chefs loved them. There are even ramp festivals. I Googled ramps and found out that they grow in this area - especially in PA. According to About.com - Southern Food - "The flavor and odor of ramps is usually compared to a combination of onions and garlic, and the garlic odor is particularly strong. Strong enough, in fact, that even ramp-lovers will advise caution." How true!

I have read that they were the first greens that the colonists saw in the spring. They were so starved for fresh veggies, after such a long winter, that they ate them. Look at the picture above and you can imagine what their woods looked like. Plenty smelly veggies for everyone.

 Last year, a friend brought brought me some to eat and plant in my yard. I have a few shady spots with leaf coverage for them to thrive. A certain PBGV named Punch dug up several ramps after I planted them, so there were a few casualties! She was strolling around the yard with those big green leaves dangling from her mouth! Later, after the Peeb attack, I saw one of the plants flower.

Their peak season is about three weeks in April. My ramps are growing strong but my friend brought me some more to eat and plant from the sea of ramps in the picture. I need to cultivate my ramps so they multiply, too - Peeb free. 

I am now on a ramp eating binge. I have added ramps to a Quiche Loraine, shrimp fried rice, roasted peppers, various Cajun and Creole dishes, sandwiches, etc. - just about anywhere you use green onions and or garlic. I slice the greens for garnishes on any meal. You can freeze them, too. For more information and some recipe ideas, read: http://southernfood.about.com/cs/ramps/a/ramps.htm

Delaware SPCA Vaccination Clinic

I worked the Delaware SPCA Vaccination Clinic yesterday at the Stanton location. I was one of those volunteers who filled out the forms. I had to fill out Rabies Vaccination forms for the state, so I had to get those just right!  It was my first time at one of the clinics so it was a bit daunting. I'd like to thank Diane the Cockatiel breeder for taking me under her wing. She made it so much easier! She introduced me to everyone and made me feel right at home during a pressure situation.

 For a list of future clinics, please see http://www.delspca.org/services/vaccine-clinics


After the clinic was over, she went into the kennel and visited with the dogs. Below is one of the sweet pit bulls that we met. This is China and she is listed as an American Pit Bull mix.  She a beautiful, young girl who is looking for a home. Read her story @ http://delspca.animalshelternet.com/adoption_animal_details.cfm?AnimalUID=966750

PBGV iPhone images

 Awesomized iPhone images taken of Punch this afternoon. I used to print my own photographs using classic non-silver processes like cyanotype and gum bichromate. These images remind me of those vintage techniques.

Airedale Camouflage

Mako blends in with his toys...