***Public Service Announcement***

WARNING!!! Don't let your Dog eat raw fish especially of the salmon variety. Freckles went to the doggie hospital Monday with severe Salmon Poisoning and will be coming home today. This will be an ongoing problem for us as Freckles is a scavenger and will eat ANYTHING, so he will be living a much more confined life. No other animals can get this condition so you don't have to worry about your cats or gerbils. We will keep you posted on Freckles recovery. Below is an explanation of Salmon Poisoning.



Salmon poisoning, also known as Salmon Poisoning Disease or Neorickettsia helminthoeca, is an acute infectious disease of wild and domestic dogs caused by ingestion of raw fish. The infective agent is transmitted through the various stages of a fluke in a snail-fish-dog life cycle. The name of the disease is misleading because there is no toxin involved. The disease is caused by the Rickettsial organism Neorickettsai helminthoeca, and is most often associated with eating raw fish containing N. salminocola, the trematode fluke (worm) carrier.Exposure to a fresh brackish stream or beach and eating raw fish in an endemic area are risk factors. The fluke parasite is carried in the kidneys of infected Salmon (can occur in other fish but is uncommon). The fluke is passed to the dog after ingestion of the infected fish.



Common signs of Salmon poisoning include:
Fever
Lack of appetite (anorexia)
Lethargy
Vomiting
Diarrhea (with or without blood)
Depression
Enlarged lymph nodes
Nasal and eye discharge may be seen in some dogs
Fever

Yes It's True

He grasped me firmly, but gently just above my elbow and guided me into his room. Then he quietly shut the door and we were alone. He approached me soundlessly, from behind, and spoke in a low, reassuring voice close to my ear. "Just relax." Without warning, he reached down and I felt his strong, calloused hands start at my ankles, gently probing, and moving upward along my calves slowly but steadily. My breath caught in my throat. I knew I should be afraid, but somehow I didn't care. His touch was so experienced, so sure. When his hands moved up onto my thighs, I gave a slight shudder, and partly closed my eyes. My pulse was pounding. I felt his knowing fingers caress my abdomen, my ribcage. And then, as he cupped my firm, full breasts in his hands, I inhaled sharply. Probing, searching, knowing what he wanted, he brought his hands to my shoulders, slid them down my tingling spine and into my panties. Although I knew nothing about this man, I felt oddly trusting and expectant. This is a man, I thought. A man used to taking charge. A man not used to taking `no' for an answer. A man who would tell me what he wanted. A man who would look into my soul and say .... "Okay, ma'am," said a voice. "All done." My eyes snapped open and he was standing in front of me, smiling, holding out my purse. "You can board your flight now."

Christmas on the Ranch

Fully decorated, space is small but no Bah-Humbug around here. Oh yeah, and no snow but lots of rain. We wish you all a great Christmas and the most perfect New Year. Please come for a visit, we miss you all.
Love
Uncle Spud and Aunt Jo Jo

"Ireland's Best Photo Album"

Click on the link below to enjoy the photo's of Jody and Cleota's trip to Ireland.

http://picasaweb.google.com/jodybnewell/IrelandsBest?feat=directlink

ENJOY!!

Two Years and Counting

Yep, two years under our belt in Elkton and no signs of pulling out anytime soon. Those of you that have stopped by know what a cool place we have to hang our hats. We have become somewhat embedded in the local culture, getting to know our neighbors and other folks in the area. The workload is seasonal, weeding, mowing, fishing, planting, trimming, fishing, pruning, painting, fishing, you get the picture. The pets like their home, sharing with all the other wildlife, deer, elk, raccoon, skunk, bear, cougar, geese, duck, eagles, we get to see most of these on any given day. Jody and I would like to extend a formal invitation to come and camp in our park like setting and go fishing, hiking or just sitting around in a quiet beautiful place. See you soon!

The Travelers

Two weeks and several thousand miles on planes and driving the girls are finally home from Ireland. They had a wonderful time and with the luck of the Irish everything went perfect. In country they went from Dublin to Belfast in northern Ireland to attend the National Sheep Dog Trials. Cleota's favorite herder Mike Gallagher won the event and they got cold and wet. Next they headed south to Cork county and spent the next week doing day trips around Ardmore, visiting castles and museum and kissing stones and finding headstones of ancestors. The list of all there stops is quite long, JFK Arboretum, Blarney Castle, Giants Causeway, Horseback riding, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Lisemore Castle, a lot of great scenery while driving. Jody did a great job getting them to all the different locations and in the end the rental car was returned with nary a scratch. Unsolicited help came from everywhere, anytime they looked like they were lost a helpful person would stop and give them directions or guide them to there destination. So the general consensus was the favorite part of the trip was the people, and now the thought of a return trip is being considered, and I get to go this time! Can you say Guinness?

Well, I guess it's time to catch up a little. Yes we are back from Anaheim and another Shaklee Convention is history, I thank Shaklee for our continued good health. Disneyland is still there and doing well by the large amount of people. Jody is on a campaign to irrigate the newly planted trees and has been very successful and our young forest is flourishing. I was asked to play for the Fort Umpqua Musical Pageant over Labor Day this was the 8th year it's was a lot of fun, met some good musicians and learned a couple of song to add to my list. Boss was on site for few days to supervise the Island and Creek modifications, got alot accomplished in 3 days. Took Jody to Portland for a flight to Las Vegas to meet up with her Mom for a trip to Ireland, so I will be lonely for my honey for a few days. The cats are still adjusting to Jody being gone. Getting ready for the Bosses visit in October. Going soon to pick up Jody, I miss you Honey.