Residentially challenged Senior Citizen looking for

roommate or roomates. 70ish (in dog years), likes 2 simple meals a day, healthy,11 inches tall, weighing in at 25 lbs, good security skills, can round up varmits in your yard. Will accompany you on any/all auto trips, boat trips. Will gladly share your bed (or sleep on floor if you insist). Will gladly pretend your kitties do not exist (what do you see in them????) Can sound alarm if strangers come to door (sounds like broken foghorn). Will befriend any other dogs in the home, and I can be quite charming. Follows easy directions, but have slight stubborn streak when not "in the mood." My mom of 10 years dropped me off at the shelter. Said we both needed to "move on." You get the picture.
Call Chester (aka Wally) at 265-8680 to arrange interview. Even better looking in person.

Good Day at NC shelter

3 large dogs adopted today. A 6 month old went home with FOUR young children, to join another dog, 2 cats, rabbits and a snake. Now, that's a readymade family. A beautiful female Rott went to Sac to join her 3 humans, and another is off to another full family. Love happy endings. Still some great dogs needing forever homes. The kitten congestion was eased over the last week, but there are alot of young to older cats needing homes. Some real beauties. They are running a 2/1 sale (2 for $50) and discounting dogs from $80 to $50 to seniors. Way more $$$$ goes into these dogs than they are asking for adoption fee. Things are really calming down at the shelter, and Cheryl and Kurt have created a very safe easy atmosphere for all.
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A reader reminded me that there is a Doxie rescue (Doxies are near and dear to my heart, as I have a 16 year old named Harry Dog.) There are alot of rescues for specific breeds. It's such a win/win to get a dog from a rescuer, as you will know so much about the animal from the foster parent. And they usually insist you return the dog to them if for any reason it doesn't work out.
They are spayed/neutered and have all their boosters. Ready made dog.
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The Wed night & Thu night street fairs are in full swing, with awesome music. I've been working a booth for NC Land Trust, promoting their 8th annual concert to be held Aug 26th (Sat) with the fabulous Mavis Staples (of Staples singers). I've never seen her live myself, and can't wait, but many fans have dropped by the booth and told me "she brings down the house!" The event is at NorthStar House on Old Auburn Rd. Get your tickets from the Land Trust. Bring your own low back chair and enjoy a wonderful night of music under the stars at a great historic site. Soooo Nevada County.

Lower Scott's Flat Lake

Had an inquiry about a quieter kayaking spot nearby. Yes Virginia, there is a lower Scott's Flat. Take Hwy 20 East to 5 mile house (same road that takes you go campgrounds). About 1/2 way down, turn right onto Scott's Flat Dam Rd. It's a good road, though signs may tell you different (locals want you to think you can't make it). Takes you right to a little launch spot. There is a house across the way. The people there like you to think you can't park (again, they wish is was their private lake, but it's actually NID/public). Just park on right beyond the launch spot. The water is coooolder (upper lake bottom water) but it's a beautiful peaceful spot, with the occasional small fishing boat. Lots of wildlife. This is the lake you view from the spillway of upper SF.
By the way, if you paddle the right hand side to the top of Upper SF, you will enter Deer Creek. You can go quite a way up this time of year (starts dropping soon and it's pretty quiet, too shallow for motor boats).
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"Minnie" has been renamed Annie and is happy, happy, happy. Her new people work from home and she has their love and devotion 24/7. I love happy endings.
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Supposed to start cooling today. Whew, I forgot how draining the 90's can be.

It's hotter than hot, and time to hit the lake

Feels like a steam bath out there. Even the dogs (all 5 right now) are spending the day flopped on hardwood and lapping pails of water. Can't wait to hit the lake this evening in kayaks, once the ski boats take off.
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Well, foster dog Minnie (cause she a mini-pinscher) got a great home with local artist LeeAnn Brooks (you've seen her wonderful river photography and art around town and in card selection) and her partner Robert. She could not have found a more beautiful and peaceful existence. Don't know who I envy more, LeeAnn for picking Minnie, or Minnie for getting LeeAnn and Robert. Any, wishing you a wonderful long life, "monkey girl."
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No sooner did Min go out the door, that I went to my shift as the NC Shelter, and found a beautiful 10 year old male beagle named Chester hanging around behind the counter, flirting with all the girls. His former guardian "was done with him" and just turned him in. Well, I could not leave the little man in jail, so brought him home till a permanent situation can be found. Do you know anyone looking for the perfect companion. He is sweet, quiet, well trained, healthy and a perfect gentleman. I've only heard that "beagle bark" twice, when we arrived, and when he wanted his breakfast. He gets along with dogs and cats, and I'm told kids. He just needs someone who will let him live out these senior years with love and dignity. He's only about 25 pounds, and has the sweetest face you've ever seen. I'll try to post a pic.

2 more movies, plus kids yoga

I stand corrected by Pam Herrenkohl. There will be two more movie night Fridays. On the 23rd they are showing "Old Dogs."
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Womens Club has arranged for Kids Yoga at the Firehouse by teacher Colleen O'Rourke. Tues & Thu. 10-12, bring a drink, snack and yoga mat if you can. The cost is a donation of $5-$10, but no one turned away for inability to pay. All ages welcome. Yoga has just too many benefits to list here, but know that it is a wonderful healthy form of exercise for your kids!
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Foster Dog Minnie showed off her swimming skills at the lake last weekend, and gained many new fans. She's got a couple of families interested, and should soon find her 4ever home. It would be sooooo easy to keep her myself, but as someone asked me, do you want to help one dog, or many dogs? So, I will send my little Minnie to her new loved ones, and open my heart to a new pup. Can't tell you how rewarding this fostering is. Plus I get to try out all kinds of training tips. Minnie has learned sit, down, off, dance, and house trained in just a few days. What a smart cookie! Amazing how they bloom when they feel secure and loved.
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Are you watching this season of America's Got Talent? So many amazingly creative acts, especially one called "Fighting Gravity." You can catch them on YouTube. The Air Guitar guys are hysterically funny.
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I accidentally stumbled into DICKIPEDIA. Way funny. Check it out.

movie at Firehouse

I did't make it to the Friday night movie at Firehouse this time (Monsters Inc) but heard it was a big hit. This coming Friday *(Journey to the Center of the Earth) is the last of the series! Lots of fun to sit under under the stars on a balmy night with all your neighbors/kids. Free popcorn and soda's/water. Thank you CS Womens Club! Just bring your chair and banky.
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The Homeowners Assn is planning the annual group yard sale at Firehouse. If you want to participate (have a booth) at the Firehouse this year, contact Pam Herrenkohl (see her info on cascade shores website). She's checking on interest right now. It's a great way to get your garage cleared out for winter, make a few bucks and have fun with the neighbors. It's usually just a one day, (SAT ) sale. If you want to just shop, there will be many a treasure to find.
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Things are going well at the Nevada County Shelter. It's getting spruced up, dogs are happy, kitties are in good condition, & lots of volunteers showing up to help. There are some wonderful dogs looking for permanent homes, or even foster homes. "Get a Life" by saving a dog or cat! Be sure it's the right dog for your situation. I've seen more than a few come into the shelter because they were the wrong dog for that family/person. Choose carefully. That's why fostering is such a win/win way to pick a dog. You get to try them on for size/personality. Agencies will pay foood/vet/meds while you foster. Call me if you want to hear about the experience from a foster mom's perspective.
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Camped for 3 days across the lake at Scotts Flat. Such a beautiful clean campground. The bathrooms and showers are great too. The lake temp is perfect right now! By Sunday noon it felt like we had the campground and lake all to ourselves. It's fun camping in your own backyard!

Gardens, cont + dog, dogs, dogs

Hey Anonymous: gardening in cascade shores is such hit and miss, you hate to invest alot of $$ when you don't know if it will even thrive here! Sooo, I would love to start a "free nursery" for neighbors to share cuttings of stuff that works! (god know my vinca is taking over, and the ajuga).
Want to start a campaign with me? Call me at 265-8680.
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First day at shelter, and heard/saw some heartbreaking stories. The beautiful little sweet pit mix left behind to fend for herself when the family moved to Hawaii. A concerned neighbor came in to tell us all about her, how sweet, loves to swim, loves children. No shots, not fixed. Most loving little thing. If interested, go to shelter and as for "rosie." Shelter will take care of her needs, spay and shots. You can adopt her for $80. Most of my best friends cost me alot more than that! Also, shelter is full up on kitties. Is it time to adopt?
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Scooter's Pals rescue needs volunteers to got to Incredible Pets ""adoptathon" on Sat. July 9th and just hang out with pups so people can come by and meet them. Call Sally at 268-3557 if you would like to help. Good community service for something to do for the teens.