Rottweilers Ate My Laptop

Rottweilers. Computers. Cameras. World Domination. Not necessarily in that order.

Rottweilers.
Computers. Cameras.
World Domination.
Not necessarily in that order.

Last-minute preparations

by

We’re spending the evening on some last-minute preparations for Freya’s rally obedience trial tomorrow. I have the van loaded with two crates, crate pads, reflective tarps and sun shields, sheets, towels and MapQuest printouts. And this time, I remembered to load my folding chair, although I’m sure I’ll be pacing instead of sitting.

We did not do any actual practice this evening, as it is not only raining, but thunderstorming. I think we know all of the exercises by now, though. Or at least Freya does. I have spent some time once again reviewing the rulebook and the signs, and more time praying that I don’t misread any of the signs once it’s showtime tomorrow.

Freya is preparing for the trial by sprawling out on the love seat and napping. And snoring loudly.

Who is the more evolved species here, I wonder?

(NaBloPoMo | July ’09: 24 of 31 | 75% Challenge: 181 of 274)

A mysterious disappearance

by

On Monday, we had a baby cardinal sighting. It was quite brief and it was not possible to determine much, including the age of the little one. And now it seems that we have had a mysterious disappearance sometime in the last 24 hours.

We haven’t seen much of the male cardinal, but the female has been to the nest every day. Today, however, she was not sighted at all. Since the nest was unattended and neither parent was seen or heard nearby, Dan got in close to quickly stick a cameraphone above the nest and get a photo:

Two eggs, no babies. Hopefully the baby we saw was older than we originally thought and was ready to leave the nest. In trying to find out more information about cardinal nesting habits and cardinal babies, I found estimates of anywhere from 7 to 15 days before the young ones leave the nest. I did not think the cardinals had been there that long, but I don’t know for sure.

The eggs are supposedly laid one each on consecutive days, so I’m not sure why (at least) one hatched and the others did not. I’m guessing these eggs are not viable since we haven’t seen the female cardinal for a whole day. Either that, or something happened to her. We do have the occasional predatory bird in the area, and of course a fair number of cats whose owners let them roam outdoors.

It’s sad to think that something might have happened to them, but that would be part of the circle of life. I just hope it had nothing to do with the overzealous bush trimming last week, but I have a feeling that is probably the cause of those two eggs not being viable.

(NaBloPoMo | July ’09: 23 of 31 | 75% Challenge: 180 of 274)

A case of mistaken identity

by

My last name… my husband’s last name… is quite common. It has been in the top 10 most common names in the United States through the last 3 census periods. So perhaps the surprising thing isn’t that I’m having a problem with a case of mistaken identity, but that it’s taken this long for one to affect me.

I am well aware that there are many people who share my name, and unfortunately, it seems that quite a few of them are deadbeat jagoffs. When we applied for a business line of credit a few years ago, each of my partners and I received a document listing bad debts incurred by people with the same or similar names. One of my partners has a fairly uncommon surname and his document had one, count ’em, one listing of someone who was not him. Another partner’s document had a few more listings, but still quite short. Our prez has a surname that is usually in the top 100 most common names, and he had four or five pages to check. I had a dozen pages, listing many deadbeat jagoffs who shared my name, but were not me. A dozen pages, with over 100 listings. We all signed off on our sheets to certify that we were not the deadbeats on their lists, and I really haven’t thought about it often until now.

Apparently, the most stupid, careless, non-detail-oriented skip tracer in Chicago decided that my information was the closest match for someone sharing my name who is fifteen years younger, of a different race, and who was being evicted for non-payment from a property in a neighborhood I have never lived in. The property owner and their lawyer did not seem to find this a bad match, and are attempting to collect that jagoff deadbeat’s debt from me and/or my company.

The attempt will fail, as it is not exactly difficult to prove that I am not the scumbag they are looking for. But it is still a pain in the ass for me, my company and our lawyer as we have to waste the time to address it and make sure that their stupidity doesn’t affect me or the company in any way.

This is not a case of identity theft (obviously that was the first thing I checked out), just a case of mistaken identity. For that, I am glad. But I still don’t understand how my information would have been considered even a remotely possible match to this person’s. Even just the information that would be considered public record would show me living in the same place (nowhere near the address in question) for 19 years and married to the same person (who does not share the same name with the scumbag’s husband) for 16 years. I’ve tried to be responsible in all of my financial dealings over the years, as has my husband, and my credit report reflects that. I am still seriously pissed off that anyone could even consider that I am that deadbeat piece of crap.

Yes, I am being judgmental, because it’s my name and reputation that are being trampled on.

UPDATE: Following a discussion between our company’s lawyer and the property owner’s lawyer, everything has supposedly been straightened out. The court order documenting this will be forwarded to us on August 12. Hopefully end of story!

(NaBloPoMo | July ’09: 22 of 31 | 75% Challenge: 179 of 274)

Not all dogs are black and tan?

by

I took the day off and we went to visit Dan’s sister Linda, her husband Casey, and their millions of dogs. That would actually be two Pit Bulls, three resident Border Collies and one foster Border Collie. And by we, I mean Dan and me, because adding two Rottweilers into that mix would have been just way too much dog for comfort!

Dan and I failed miserably at being fosters for our breed rescue by adopting our foster rather than preparing her for a forever home with someone else. She was an older Rottweiler, maybe five years old when found as a stray abandoned on the north side of Chicago. Missy ended up being one of the best dogs we ever had. Love you and miss you, Miffers, and we’re counting on seeing you again at the Rainbow Bridge one day.

Linda and Casey have been fostering Toby for about three months now. He is a sweet middle-aged gentleman and is the perfect example of why potential adopters should consider an older dog. Toby has wonderful house manners, is past all the annoying puppy behavior stuff, and knows how to live as part of a family. There is in fact at least one potentially suitable home that agrees, but just in case, I’m posting Toby’s page at Midwest Border Collie Rescue for everyone to see. UPDATE: Toby has been adopted!

If you’re at a time and place in your life where you’re able to support your favorite breed’s rescue with donations of either money or time, I hope you will!

(NaBloPoMo | July ’09: 21 of 31 | 75% Challenge: 178 of 274)

Baby cardinal sighting!

by

If you sent your good thoughts to the cardinals in the neighbor’s rosebush, thank you! A baby cardinal was briefly sighted in the nest this morning and baby bird sounds were heard later this afternoon. So there is at least one baby, and possibly more, despite the traumatic remodeling that was done to their home late last week.

I wish I had photos to share, but I don’t want to unnecessarily disturb the birds. Even the dogs are on their best behavior, though not always by choice. When we hear the chirps of the female cardinal, we get the dogs to go to the other side of the yard or go inside so she can feel more comfortable about getting to and from her nest without giant Rottweilers staring at her.

I was just so happy to see that baby bird this morning and I hope he (or is it they? still can’t see for sure!) continues to grow and thrive.

(NaBloPoMo | July ’09: 20 of 31 | 75% Challenge: 177 of 274)