Miss Bee

There is a wonderful group of Schipperke lovers on Facebook. Some of us met again in April 2012 in Ferriday, LA where one of the ladies lives. Being in LA, and somewhat near New Orleans, this get-together was called the VooDoo Tour 2012. We made arrangements to stay at a fishing camp in cabins. David and I ended up at a Days Inn in Natchez, MS (about 20 minutes away). The cabin was just a bit too primitive for me: there was no comfortable chair to sit in for reading or rest, the bed was sag-city (very bad on the back), so we moved. The others managed nicely in the cabin attached to the main office. We took Jack along, who proved to be a wonderful traveler. Sadly, Boo Romper died in late March. He was 15 if he was a day! One morning he had a bad seizure followed by a severe stroke that removed all his motor control in his limbs and head. My precious Boo. We had been looking forward to taking him along on this trip. Pictures of Boo and Jack:

So Bee is a retired champion. She had an "accidental litter" last spring. One of those puppies went to my dear friend Mary Alexander. His name is Rippy. Mary had recently lost her male Schip, TeeJay and was heart broken. Rippy has been a blessing and balm to Mary's soul. So, during our stay in Ferriday, there was much talk about me wanting to have a female again. One of the gals called Rippy's breeder (Bee's owner), and discovered that she was willing to put Bee up for adoption to us. she explained that Bee is a very sweet, cuddly girl. Perfect!! We were not planning on going home with another dog...and I was afraid that David would think the whole thing was a set up. But-- he was thrilled. Bee and her owner were going to be at a big dog show in Shreveport, LA that weekend. They were driving in from Arkansas for the show, and Susan would bring Bee for us. Mary and Bonnie drove 3 hours to and 3 hours from Shreveport to pck up Bee for us!! Talk about friends!!! Here are some pics of Bee arriving back in Ferriday.

Bee is 9, DOB 3/22/2003. She is a puppy at heart: she's very playful, happy and physically active and agile. She does have some grey hairs on her face and belly, but she seems far younger than her years. We were amazed at how well she and Jack traveled together on the long trip home from Louisiana. Ten hours one day, 5 hours the next. They settled right in and slept -- got out for bathroon and treat stops and behaved perfectly. A quick background on our current canine family: Duke, German Shorthaired Pointer, aged 10 1/12. Formerly David's hunting dog. When David and I got together, I was just not used to the idea of a dog that didn't participate with the family as a house dog. I worked with him, trained him in the basics, and he became a very nice house dog. We have our problems now with him not obeying me, but he is at least a loving, sweet dog to have around. When Israel died in Sept 2008, she was the last of the Kingfisher Schipperke line. I couldn't bear not having a Schipperke around. I watched on line, and found a beautful male Schip at a a rescue in Iowa named Edgar. In order to become adoptive parents, Duke had to be neutered. (Finally!!) Done! We drove to Iowa to get Edgar in October 2008. He turned out to be an extremely shy, almost feral dog. He couldn't do the steps at the hotel. He rode well in the car back to Ohio. He was doing pretty well, until on Hallloween Day October 31, he slipped out the door past our very diligent son, and was never seen again. Consider that Edgar was microchipped, he wore a collar with ID AND he had on a harness. I plastered the vets in this and surrounding counties. He was on the internet, phone poles, bulletin boards. NOTHIING!! We figure he was killed by a coyote, or adopted by another blonde who fed him wel and lived out of state. A few days before Thanksgiving in 2008 we adopted Jack. He and a female had been left tied out at a no-kill shelter with a note saying that the owners had lost their home due to foreclosure. "Jack" and "Jill" (real names not given in note) went to Ohio Schipperke Rescue. Jill was adopted first. When we went to see Jack, it was all over for us. He was shy at first, and he has come a long way. He's probably the most extraordinary Schip I've ever known personality wise. He is wise, sensitive and now since Bee has been herem has proven to be a good leader. He's a wonderful caregiver. He's a happy and gentle spirit. It took a long time, but he and David have really bonded, and now I'd say he's David's dog. Bee had taken over as my primary caregiver, but she too has bonded will with David. We got home from Louisiana Monday late afternoon. I wanted Bee to have a change to acclimate to the home and the scents. We brought Duke home from the kennel Tuesday afternoon. Ever since, we have have trouble with Duke humping Bee. That's all he wants to do. Remember he's a 70 pound GSP and she's a 11.5 pound Schip. She's too nice to be nasty to Duke. She'll lift a lip and scoot away. Jack has taken to jumping in between them and running interference by growling and nipping at Duke. That will usually send Duke away. As time has passed, Bee has become more vocal about her growling at Duke, but she has never snapped. Guess she's too much of a southern lady. So, we're working on it. During the days when I'm in pain, I sit in the recliner in our 3 /4 season room with the heating pad on my back. Jack may be up on my left arm rest or in his club chair. Duke goes to his big round bed in the corner of the room. Bee usually burrows on the leg rest and is in between my legs or next to them. I have my computer on my lap, my Kindle or other books, sometimes my knitting or crochet. I often listen to Christian radio or podcasts on my phone. I'm also working on course work from Vineyard Bible Institute. The company and comfort that the dogs provide is amazing. They are one of God's most amazing and wonderful gifts to us. Oh, yes... I talk to them, I sing to them. They look at me with tht look...."...here she goes again...."....and they ease the lonliness I have some days being here alone. The transition from a very busy medical practice to being home alone was difficult. I've grown more accustomed, and am grateful for the connectivity provided by our phones and computers. I often feel so disconnected -- how can I serve God from here? I'm learning that writing notes, paper or electronic, making little gifts to send...there are ways to connect and encourage. I'm supposed to be writing a book. Have to get back on that. No matter what your spiritual beliefs are, I want to share how David and I have managed to deal with my illness and the huge life changes we have both experiences. I hope to get back to ork on that soon. So...it seems like God has our little family just right. The four- and two- legged Linnabarys love and provide for one another in ways we had never imagined. God provides, and has an awesome sense of humor in the bargain. The generosity of Susan (Bee's owner) and of Bonnie and Mary for giving up an entire day driving in the rain to go pick Bee up for us are very humbling. Love in action.