Wassup!

Colleen's thoughts on writing, directing and coaching, and her unique take on life itself!

Saturday, June 30, 2007

New family member

OK, time to woman up.

This blog is definitely breaking news to just about everyone who knows me so if that includes you, take a deep breath.

First I need to let you know that: 1) I'm not losing my mind, nor am I 2) becoming one of those women who ages ungracefully, filling their homes with all sorts of cats and dogs who happen to wander through the door.

Take a look at this little 6-pound, 7-month old guy and tell me you could resist! Look at those eyes. Even in photos, his eyes look into your soul. In person, it's eery but exciting.

Temperamentally he is an angel. In fact, that's his name. Angel.

His right hind leg was operated on and looks a little crippled now, but it will be completely healed and normal in about 3 months.

And it's not my fault I had to have him. At all.


My "friend" Julie Clemen, who runs the modest but champion-filled Rise N Shine Poms in Washington state let me know she was looking for a great home for him. Just take a peek.

Just take a peek, right. Sigh. He's now the newest member of the family.

I have to tell you I'm not a fan of people who let unneutered or unspayed animals procreate without a plan to place or care for them.

Or irresponsible breeders of any dog or cat; too many don't care enough about the puppies or kittens they create and too often their "purebred" dogs or cats have serious health and psychological problems.

Puppy mills and backyard breeders who only breed to sell dogs - forcing females to have litter after litter until they die - should be shut down.

On the other hand, Julie is exceedingly conscientious about the care of each dog and pays plenty to keep them healthy, happy and housebroken and to find excellent homes for her pet Poms.

To support her "habit," the love of Pomeranians, she and her family built a boarding kennel for small dogs so if anyone needs to leave their small breed pup (20 pounds or less), they can be roomed, fed, medicated, exercised, petted and spoiled- er, I mean cared for at The Little Paws Boarding kennel!

















My pups have stayed at places supposedly for small breeds and IMO there has been too little protection or supervision, so Little Paws comes at the right time and for the right price.

One of the Little Paws exercise pens---->

Julie, while not a veterinarian herself, certainly knows about medically caring for dogs with any condition or problem and works closely with a veterinarian she considers "superb."

I'm totally against irresponsible backyard breeders and I think people who operate them and puppy mills should be charged with felony animal abuse, receiving very long sentences when convicted. One of my actors got a "purebreed" bulldog puppy from a backyard breeder recently who was sold as a healthy pet, but in fact suffers from serious health problems. The "breeder" won't take any responsibility for the dog's diagnosed congenital condition(s) or even answer my actor's phone calls.

A woman in the Seattle area was recently arrested after running a backyard breeding operation that produced unhealthy "purebred dogs," sold them for a lot of money and took no responsibility for their conditions or care.

If you have had this experience, please report it to your local sheriff, animal control officer or police. If you paid more than $500, it's felony territory! You won't have to relinquish your puppy if you want to keep him or her, but you can help build a case against irresponsible "breeders" who need to be put out of business.

Likewise sick people who steal dogs for ransom or to sell for drug money or whatever need to know that it is a felony offense if the dog is worth more than $500 and most actual pure breeds are these days.

And believe me, responsible breeders who love the dogs they raise want these animal abusers out of business because they actually care about the animals and feel these bad breeders are a poor reflection on all breeders.

When looking for a pure breed and you're new to choosing? Speak with several breeders and the great ones will become apparent immediately.

Julie also works with Pom rescuers, so Poms who need rescuing and new homes for whatever reasons (often people have died and not left proper instructions for the care of their canine companion left behind) can be helped. You can look under "rescue" and fill in the breed you may want to find pups that need rescuing in your search engine.

Note: people who work in rescue operations finding new homes for pups are generally extremely careful about placing rescued pups to make sure their new home will be healthy, happy and permanent.

I don't consider Pomeranians or any small breeds "lap dogs." They are dogs who need to be trained just like any Doberman, Pit bull or breed of any size or temperament to be good citizens, appropriately social and well-behaved.

Too many people who adopt social breeds like Labradors or lab mixes somehow think they will become automatically trained, but unless they have lots of care - as much as a young child - and socialization? They can get out of control and ignorantly destructive as they grow larger.

I know because I was a volunteer for two years at the Seattle Animal Shelter and worked with probably hundreds of them. By that I mean I took a few minutes to train them and they were *wonderful.* I made it clear to potential owners what it would take - time and training - to keep them sweet and well-behaved so they could have a great experience with the dog.

So many people have told me how much they want a Pomeranian after meeting mine. Well, let me tell you, these dogs are not born this way (although I think Julie has a special gene in her pups with which they can instinctively wrap us around their little paws ... ;-). They need time, attention, training and lots of patience and love.

My Allie Cat?

Same thing. So many people have commented on what a wonderful kitten she was and cat she has grown to be. Once again, what makes her that way? Time, patience, training, affection.

She's a fabulous little cat with her own personality, but needed direction and redirection and praise and affection to make her "happen" as she grew into a full grown cat.

Since we have taken dogs and cats, who used to be wild, self-sufficient animals, out of their natural habitat and domesticated them, I believe we have a responsibility to protect and care for them.

And, I'm pleased to say that I have become a better person for having these little non-people in my life.

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Saturday, June 02, 2007

JR's new BFF

This is Winston when he was a little puppy. He's a French Bulldog.

His doggie parents, oddly enough, are from Russia. They were brought to Seattle by their owners John and Kimberly, who live in Seattle. They taught Winston's parents English (they still bark with a noticeable accent, however).

This photo also includes John's legs and feet and pants and ... drawers, captured when he was .. ah .. studying the newspaper or a book, and, um, Winston - being partial to hammocks and all - saw his chance to .. hop in. Hoping someone would light a match... but no, they just snapped photos.

John hopes and prays you do not recognize his legs if you see him in shorts this summer.

John and Kimberly gave Winston to his new human caretakers, who are my friends (and not coincidentally, John's beloved parents).

Those caretakers, Steve and Lou, also live in Seattle but have a country home in northern Washington State, where a group of writers and our families assembled over the Memorial Day weekend.

Still a puppy at six months and weighing 19 pounds, Winston and my 5-pound Pomeranian JR played, ran, wrestled and went exploring *all* weekend. They exhausted one another with their never-ending energy and excitement. JR, who is two years old, kept the larger pup in check, maintaining healthy boundaries while still matching his French pal step for step, wrestling hold for wrestling hold. JR seemed to know Winston is still a baby because he treated him like one.

They are hysterical - and precious - to watch at play. For their efforts, they received approximately 1,789,325 hugs, kisses and pets (they both counted).

JR offered to sign pawtographs; Winston insisted he was more pupular.

I'm just glad we didn't vote on which of the two is cuter, because I wouldn't want to hurt Winston's feelings .. ;-)

I'm so crazy about Winston's look and temperament, I'm using a French Bulldog puppy as one of the lead characters in my comedy feature screenplay Nothing But The Truth.

Here's a piccie of his daddy Bacon (left) and Winston.

Bacon used to snap impatiently at his wee son, but was trained to chill, share and snuggle.

All together now: awwwwwwwwwww.

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Friday, March 16, 2007

Oscar's Farewell

Life Savers

by Colleen Patrick

Li'l OHe came into my life
All four pounds
Enduring so much strife
Damned puppy mill grounds

Nearly twelve years ago I was
I was low as low could be
Anti depressants and all because
A futile depression enveloped me

Don’t ask me why
When this little guy
Caught my eye
I couldn’t say good-bye

A soul encompassing my own
That wee sable pup
So angry, vicious and alone
Except with me - he completely warmed up

In the car – his very first drive
He couldn’t get close enough
He was so sweet, he seemed to thrive
Alas, with others he would only act tough

Li' O in his bedWe arrived home
With nary a bone
But he didn’t moan
He got an ice cream cone

Eight months old
Living years of neglect
And misery untold
Memories he’d forever reflect

I took him to a vet
Who told me to forget
Him - "Get a healthy pet
He’s a wreck -" and yet

Despite his horrendous mind/body plight
So much that couldn’t ever be made right
The one thing I couldn’t fight
Between him and me? It was love at first sight

And so I struggled for two years
To train my little social misfit
Whose temper sent fears
Into grown men with grit

Li'l OHe became a perfect gentleman
Walking proudly around the lake
People even became fans
Stopping us for pictures to take

He was the IT factor
And a smile magnet
Not a single detractor
Where ever we went

All the games we played
And his farts – oy vey!
Wallpaper peeled
Noses needed a shield

When did he get old
I really don’t want to recall
He started falling in the cold
Then one day couldn’t walk at all

I don’t mind carrying him around
All five and a half pounds
This little furry mound
His shirt pulled down

Those eyes have somehow lost a light
Though he watches me every waking minute
Those big brown eyes once clear and bright
So loving, his heart has reached its limit

As he moves around, he limps and he trips
His little heart murmurs, his neck and hips
Rife with arthritis; his aging bladder drips
His seizures frequent, as he stands, he slips

I can’t let him live in pain or misery
Oblivious as he is - as long as he’s with me
I hold him closer now for it's the end I see
Instead of once I kiss him three

Sweet Pomeranian kisses
They number in the millions
His head against my cheek
There were not many misses

Ah the stories I could tell
Of the little wild man I tamed
And the reason that I named
Him Oscar

Being a director and screenwriter
I thought my future would be brighter
When asked if I have an Oscar thirst
I smile and say I already have my first

Sick OscarI shall weep inconsolably just for today
I can’t bear the thought of being without him
Or empty nights I can’t pet or play
With my smiling furry boy at my slightest whim

But this isn’t about me, it’s for him I pray
So his final days will be filled with joy
And laughter and cuddles – we’ll pah-tay
So he can leave this earth one happy little boy

I will only say au revoir, I cannot say adieu
I’ll snuggle him tight as he takes his last breath
The last words he’ll hear will be simply thank you
I'm right here, loving you at your time of death

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