What Have We Been Up To??????

Wow!  It's been some time since I last added to this blog!  Why?

1.  I've been on vacation

2.  I've been busy with my mom who's in Memory Care - I have another blog for that, just to keep people informed on her status, and about Lewy Body Dementia.

3.  I had an auto accident (the other driver was found liable, so no jokes).

4.  I've been somewhat lazy.

So....Here goes the update!

Samson:
     He recovered from his staff infection.  He's doing very well!

Skally:
     She is slowly winding down.  It comes and goes.  Her birthday is September 2, and then she'll be 16.  I'm praying she makes it.
How is she winding down?  Well, she's moving rather slowly, now - unless she's barking at the foot of the deck stairs for me to come get her - then, when I do come down, she runs away - sometimes very quickly, but mostly just fast enough to escape my grab...
     Her attitude is marvelous, but she seems so tired.
     Her nails were getting too long, as well - so as soon as I was able (I was in an auto accident and without transportation to get them to the groomers - I don't trust myself with clippers) I had them clipped - and then she did much better - but a week later, and she's in need of a second clip..wow.
    The heat really sapped her strength.  The other day it registered 102 at my house, and I took them to the park when it was in the upper 90's.  I kept them there, then for a very languid walk.  I may have overdone it for her.   The others were fine - she seemed terribly lethargic when we came home - but revived in the 74 degree house within an hour.  Then she couldn't get enough of my chasing her around the yard!
    Her appetite is voracious!  She's even spending more time with me in the evenings - sitting close by and trying to get my attention...this is different, but wonderful!

Rusty:
   He is doing well.  The vet says he's getting an abscess on one of his back molars, but he hasn't shown any slowing down.  I put Oral Care rinse in their water, and this seems to be working for their teeth, in addition to the brushing.

Simon:
    We put Simon back on his thyroid medication.  What a turnaround!  Now he's really burning up the grass and going after that ball - even in the heat!  He's much more playful, and he's losing weight!  He was up to 113 pounds (earlier I thought it was 122, but I was wrong).

I did go on vacation and left them for 8 days.  My step-niece took care of them, and they were quite well-behaved!  They were a little excited when I returned home...but it wasn't the onslaught I had expected...maybe I'm not that special any longer....:(

FLEAS!  FLEAS!!!  FLEAS!!!

We had a terrible flea experience!  Before I left, Skally was shaking her head - and even though I bathed her thoroughly, nothing seemed to change this!

We went to the vet, and she gave them an oral pill that killed the fleas within 30 minutes.  That worked for about an hour.

When we arrived home, they were back at it!

I tried another oral pill that was supposed to kill them - it wasn't that effective.  So, I finally went to Costco and bought Frontline.  It worked!  Yah!

The vet gave a good report card to all four - except she seemed to hedge on Skally.  Fortunately, Skally seems to be doing pretty well, but slowly.  She's on Meloxicam, which seems to do the job for her.  I probably should be giving it to her in the morning, but the afternoon seems to suit her just fine.

The walking in the morning seems to really invigorate her - and she does a swell job of staying up with the pack - when she wants - she has a predisposition to sniff out as many things as possible....which means stopping quite frequently - nothing new...but it is sometimes irritating...

All in all, we're doing quite well.  The summer is winding down slowly,

BAD DAD!!!!!

Ai Me!

A few weeks ago I went to Costco and picked up some lamb treats for the pups.  They love them.
Now, these are strips, and, without thinking about the ingredients, I bought them, not realizing they had wheat gluten in them.

What a stupid thing to do!

This past week, I began to give them out to the pack and they delighted in the smell - I mean, who doesn't love lamb?!  Right?!

Well, Samson's body doesn't like this serving of lamb!

At first I thought it was fleas.  He began scratching - especially around his groin.

Then, despite all the brushing I was doing, his right ear kept looking oddly disheveled, and began to mat.

I found, on his neck, a lump of something that could have been sap, blood, whatever - but it wasn't sticky, and it didn't wipe off.

I caught him scooting.

Rusty began chewing his leg.

So, bath time!

During the bath, I found a hard lump, ball-like, in Sammy's groin area.

His mother, here for a wedding, told me that she thought the neutering was incomplete, and they couldn't find a testicle.

So, I phoned the vet and told them this.  I also wanted to see what was wrong, as he seemed oh so miserable.

Preliminary tools for Sammy

I took Sammy and Simon to the vet.  Simon won't let either Samson or me out of his sight!  We got there and Samson stayed very close to me...I'd like to think he understood we were doing right by him.

 Dr. Leddy preps for the exam

What did we find?  Hot spots and a staph infection - on his neck and in his groin!

They took him in the  back to finish his exam.

Simon waits patiently for Sammy to return.

They removed his fur, and gave him a couple of injections to help clear the infection.  They washed him and removed all the pus from his neck and groin.

Sammy's neck exposing the infection.

The lump was a swelling of his prostate.

a  partial view of the groin area - it's really nasty!

I've never seen him so miserable.  He was not going to let me near him!

He lunged at me when I tried to take a gander at his groin.

Yes, he's improving, and moving much better.  The scratching has ceased.  But, he still won't let me near the groin to clean it and put cream on it - in fact, he bit me!  He has bitten me more in the past 2 days than he's ever done (that was in play - this is serious!  This is "Don't you ever ever ever ever ever ever try that again!).

Lesson - Read the ingredients!

     AND - never underestimate a cute dog as being able to annihilate you!

He screams from just the touch of the cream.

I hope in the next day or so he'll be back to feeling up to trusting me, and not feeling so much pain.

Motion is the Lotion!!!

Oh My Goodness!!!!

This week we decided to get out to another dog park that was equi-distant to the one we usually attend.  The air was warm, the sky blue, and it was just relaxation!

I put on my headphones and listened to Rachmaninoff while I walked down and up with the pups.

My grandparents had a farm in Turner, Oregon.  These pictures remind me of that little house which, last I saw, was surrounded by many new luxury homes.

When we walk in the morning, the dogs are leashed, and don't always want to go in the same direction as do I.  So, I believe it's important that we find time to have some freedom.

Oddly, the pups are more engaged in meeting other dogs and exploring here rather than at our usual park.  Could it be the novelty?  Hardly - there are other parks where they haven't the urge to explore as much as they do here!  Even Rusty goes off for a lark on his own to explore!

Because they do so much up and down hill walking, they tire, but it also builds their endurance at their own pace, which gladdens me when I hope to relax at night - they drop off to sleep earlier, giving me some down time, as well.

The act of walking on a regular basis is good for several reasons:
     1.  It helps the joints relax and be used, sparing the muscles from atrophying;
     2.  It stimulates the brain (if you allow your dog to naturally sniff on the way - annoying and slow as it is, this is what can really tire them out!)
     3.  It gives the dogs a chance to explore at their own pace - both mentally and physically stimulating.
     4.  It aids them in feeling free, relaxed and able to roam without restraint.

I've read in so many books and articles that you can walk or run a dog every day and find yourself needing to give them more (their energy becomes boundless).  Without the mental stimulation of commands, sniffing, socializing, exploring, etc., they tire less easily; with it, they become sharper and their mental faculties tend to last much longer (look at Skallywag!).

That's why we have a foodball at home - they have to roll it around to get the treats, and for them it's also play;  it's also more downtime for Pops!

We also play hide-n-seek at home and the park, as well as chase and tag!  When you play these games it keeps the dogs young at heart (we'll catch this in a later blog!), and keeps them young in mind, as well (just look at Skally, who loves to play these games, still; though she's not as quick as she once was).  

Going to the park on a regular basis is also good for several reasons:
    1.  It helps them socialize and learn appropriate behaviors;
    2.  It allows you to interact with other humans, and they other dogs;
    3.  It allows them to play in a more natural environment (I'm talking outdoor parks - I realize people need the indoor ones because of logistics, but they aren't even close!);
    4.  It allows them to relax and just get up and out on their own terms!  Independence is as necessary for your pups as it is for you!  (you wouldn't like being cooped up in the same yard/house for eons, and then have to walk on a lead without any real sense of freedom).

Enjoy your pups!  Remember, they are an investment of Well-being, Mental Stimulation, Budgeting (oh those treats and that food!!!), Love, Compassion, Enjoyment, among all the other qualities they bring to your life.  Keep them moving, even when they are older.  

Walking....and walking...

One reason people seem to have a dog is that "It will force me to exercise!"

Yeah?  How's that working for you?

Sure, there are times I wake up at 345 am and wonder - 'Why?!'

Then I get up, have my first cup of coffee, with Rusty on my heels (he's my shadow), get out my grapefruit, put the eggs in the pot and begin to boil them, and take down the treats from the fridge.

By this time, Samson is also by my side.

I locate Skally, who's usually sitting up awaiting her treats, feed one to her, then to Samson and Rusty, and go in to find Simon lounging on the bed.

Then comes treat #2 - the chicken strip.  Same routine.

By this time, I have walked to the back door to see how the weather is.  IF it's pouring, then there's no way we're going out.  But if it's not a deluge, I grab my headphones, my cellphone, my clothes, hat, etc., put Sammy into his harness, grab Simon out of bed (not an easy task - believe me! He's worse than a teenager!),   make sure I have enough poobags, and leash them up.

Out the door we go.

Of course, it's rarely a brisk walk.  WE have the need to sniff, pee, poo, inspect, go back further to re-inspect, taste, and the cycle continues for approximately 45 minutes (about 2 miles).

During this time, though, I'm able to listen to at least one chapter of an audible book, think, clear my head, and begin planning my day.

During this time, too, the dogs are able to stretch their legs, evacuate their wastes, use their brains, and have a wonderful time with their Pa.

There are times of frustration, though, when I feel as would a Sherpa lugging bodies up the Himalayas on the last leg home (the four don't seem all that anxious to go uphill, or go home) with my wee steps and arms pulled behind me.  But that's good exercise, non?!

And, it being dark, most of the year, it's quiet, serene, and the lights below give off a sense of romance and wonder.  These pictures don't do it justice.

I've done this for the past 16 years, on a regular basis.  I had to when I began, as Syd, Cubby, and Skally were just too active and barky  - I needed to find ways to get rid of a lot of that energy (and our walks, then, were more like 4+ miles, and over an hour) - which didn't always seem to work.

But walking them enables me to have calm, as well as them.  They have the opportunity to walk as a pack, and learn from each other (Rusty and Simon have learned a great deal - Sammy pretends he already knew).
So, even if you've no dog, or pet, to walk in the morning, try it.  It's good for your soul, if not your legs and body (the dogs are not only my causation, but also my barometer).

Early to Bed! and all that rot!
CFN!
T.

It's the Little Things in Life

I bumped into a dog park patron I hadn't seen for a while.  She inquired about Skally.  She is amazed!  Not only about Skalatia (one of her nicknames, along with Marie - from Everybody Loves Raymond...there are just too many similarities!) but about Rusty, Simon and Samson...She hasn't been around since before Samson came into our lives.  It's amazing how things change in 3 years!  Even 5!

I was content with only one dog, Syd, but then I realized he needed a partner in crime, so to speak.  It's just not right, in my humble opinion, that dogs should be alone during the day when I'm not home.  So, eventually we met Skally (Syd was nearly 3).  This was not a match made in Heaven - Syd had been King of the Castle, and now Skally, who outweighed him by at least 2x, came in and added the woman's touch.  She also kept winning in the chase for the ball - so Syd stopped playing in a very short time.

After Skally came Cubby - who we'd known since he was 3 months.  Cubby and Skally were best buddies.  And the three of them, actually, played and wrestled, tug-o-war, ran, barked, etc. together.  But Syd was still his own personality, and once he'd had enough he'd part ways from us and go his own.

After Cubby's death, there was a heavy pall on the house.  Skally and Syd both missed him terribly, as did I.  And then Syd was stricken with cancer.  When he died, though, Skally sniffed my arm where his head fell when he passed, smiled at me, then ran around the yard barking as if in jubilation.  I couldn't figure it out.

For a year I had only Skally.  She loved all the attention she was getting - but something was really missing.  Eventually I realized there was the necessity to find a partner for her.  So, I looked for an older dog; a bigger dog.  My intentions were to have both dogs for a few years, then have some time to myself.  HA!

I found Rusty (see the first posts), and the two of them had to find their rhythm.  They did, in ways I never imagined.  Today they love setting off the barking at me together, as if singing - smiling and watching one another.

Then came Sammy - and there was another spark of life in the house.  And now Simon.

Things have changed for the better.  There are days when I wonder about my sanity, but these guys are such wonders!  Yes, they can be demanding, but they also take care of one another (Simon is a food thief - so he needs watching!).  I know that if one were to vanish the others would be at a loss.  I include myself in that lot.

We have become a pack.  If I take a poo bag to the trash in the park - they are all watching and following.  If I go running through the park, they all follow.  The only one not to lick my face is Skally (she's not licked my face in at least 9 years, and even then I'd only received 8 licks, total).

There is a closeness and a bonding.  Even Simon and his quirks are accepted by the others.  He and Skally enjoy each others' company, and Samson loved launching into him.

Simon has his balls.  Skally has her fence fighting.  Samson has his stuffed animals.  Rusty has me (I swear without me none of these guys would do much of anything around the house).

They're all so quirky!  Skally has no problem going outside no matter the weather.  Sunday was sunny and then rainy - Skally wen t out.  I went to take care of my mother, so left the back door open for the others, just in case.  Only Skally had gone outside.  The others were dying to go out when I came home to use the facilities.  No kidding.

I feed them, walk them, speak to them, read to them...and we're a family.  It's the little things that help create the whole, here.

An Homage to Skally...My Oldest and Dearest Friend

Life is odd.

It would seem that as we aged we'd become more agile physically and mentally, rather than just mentally.

Or maybe that's just middle age.

I love watching puppies.  They're quite clumsy and dorky.  And yet they continue to push onward to get to where they believe they should be  -  it's instinct.

And as they grow, they adapt to the new challenges around them.

Dogs can do that.  Adapt - to a new home, family, siblings, surroundings, what have you.
      but not always to a new food....yuck.

People have troubles adapting to new things, unexpected things.  I watch, listen, and see it everyday.
Age makes it tougher.

I watch Skally.

I remember her as a young lass.  I recall the days she'd leap through the tall grass with the other dogs in our walking club.  They'd leap up as dolphins in the sea of grass.  It was marvelous, breath taking, jubilant, and memorable.  I remember Syd running through, as well, but not having the long legs to imitate - but quick enough to run below them.

Those days are over, though.  I watch my gazelle toddle around the yard, her legs, sometimes, moving like steel pegs from the arthritis.  And then a bark comes from the other side of the fence - And she springs into action!  No bother to the pain, but leaps and pounces that soar over the grass and pathway to meet her friend/foe for fence fighting.

I know the end could come at any time.  It could for any of the pups; but for her it would be a natural progression.

I treasure her days as I would anything priceless.

I laugh each day as I move the sheep skin back to its place in the living room from where she's moved it to cuddle.

I pull her tautly on the lead when she demands to sniff far off track from the others, and wants nothing else but to investigate something unseen.

She didn't adapt to her age.  She grew with it.

She adapted to her new siblings as they came in, and reigns over them.

She is regal.   She's the Queen Victoria of the manse.

I write this in case I forget in the future.

Misty-eyed, I ponder her beauty, her grace, her style, her judgemental stares.  Her sense of humor and insistence which crop up daily.

She may have leapt wonderfully as a young lass, but her style and finesse will always be bounding through my mind.

A Morning at Thousand Acre Park on the Sandy River Delta

Well, I finally gave in - no, I believe it was the rain!

This week has been wonderful!  The weather has been graciously nice and gently warm.

I decided last night to take the pups to Thousand Acre Park, where the Columbia Meets the Sandy (although you actually see a great deal more of the Mighty Columbia than the Sandy River).

We arose this morning at 630, took care of our chores, and ate breakfast.  Then I showered, and dressed, and out the door we went!  It's good to get there earlier in the day to ensure you find parking!

As we drove, we found ourselves behind a car with some very frolicky pups in the back.  We had to pass them.  What if they got the only spot left in the lot?!

We arrived and there were a few open spaces for cars, and we gave the car we had passed the better of the two - they did have to be passed by us.

And then we went!

As we headed on to the path, we were greeted by no fewer than 15 dogs, rushing about.  Sammy, Simon, Rusty and Skally all rushed in and watched.  Luckily they did their do's early, so I had a trashcan nearby to huck it in.

We walked briskly.  Rusty was in heaven, running all about.  Simon was in awe.  We found a stick and he went running to play fetch for a bit - but we were also continuing our walk.

Skally was quite curious about all the smells, and what was hiding in all the bushes!

We met many other dogs - all friendly, and most off lead.

We made our way to the river where we found  a fisherman in the one spot most dogs like to drink from.  He wasn't happy about all the dogs finding him throughout the day, but he chose that one spot!

After playing in the water, we made our way past the blind, and headed east over the winding paths.  Eventually we found the "pond".  This is filled with rainwater and grows during the winter months, and slowly shrinks in the warmer weather.  Today it was full.

I was quite surprised to find Simon walking into the water of the pond, as well as the river.  He seems so uninterested in the pool and pond at home  Hmmmm.  Rusty even got his feet wet!

Skally, of course, had a marvelous time soaking her luscious gams in the cool  drink.  She was so content!

After walking about 4.5 miles, I realized Skally was wearing out, as were the others.  So, we headed back to the car, where they all jumped in and grabbed a good spot for resting (except Skally, who stood on her haunches and kept her head out the window all the way home!).

They are now sleeping contentedly.

A good day!

How Do We Care For Our Dogs?

Monday was gorgeous.  I felt a little guilty about arriving home late, as I have been hitting the gym (trying to lose about 40-50 pounds) especially with the sun glowing and the air feeling warm.

I was greeted by 6 loving eyes, 3 happy barking dogs (Samson, Rusty, and Simon), and tons of fur rubbing up and down my legs and arms as I entered the front door.  They were ready to rock and roll!

I went through the house and into the family room where Skally had been sleeping on the couch.  She arose and ventured outside with Samson and Simon.  Rusty had taken advantage of going out the front, when I arrived, to relieve himself.

I tried to get ready as quickly as I could - it had been a long day!  I was eventually ready to hit the road and take them to the park.

We arrived.  The air was crisp, yet warm.  Many people playing basketball; the parking lot was full.  Several dog walkers were there, and others heading to or from the park.

The four of them tugged quite avidly at their leads, but weren't doing so aggressively; they were excited and anxious to get in.

Skally was dawdling.  This morning she'd had two incidents of suddenly squatting and sitting - having troubles staying up on her haunches.  Needless to say, I'm quite worried about this, and am watching her with eagle eyes - yet, aside from that, she's been spry at home, but lower energy....Time has it's way of telling, though.

After playing for quite some time, I eyed my watch and realized it was time to leave (Jeopardy was starting soon!).  Skally had been skulking after some younger males - this gave me heart.  Rusty and Samson were being social (for Rusty this is a wonderful thing - he's doing it more and more), and Simon was fixated on his ball and chasing it (did I ever mention he's grown quite agile and much quicker?  His body is beginning to look much svelter!).

We (Skally) decided to go for a walk around the perimeter of the park.  This is a very good thing as it allows her to sniff and move about without worry of other dogs ramming into her while running amok.  It also drains the others of extra energy before heading home and eating dinner.

We passed these two teenagers passing their soccer ball, and they looked at me.  The first boy said, "Wow!  You have FOUR dogs!  How do you take care of them?"

As we were passing, and Skally was tugging to her next sniffing spot, I said the only thing that came to mind - "Same way as your parents take care of you!"
 "Oh!" said the boy, "That makes sense.  You must be one heck of a good parent!"
I had to smile.

The next boy smiled and said, "You have beautiful dogs!  You're lucky!"
"I know," I smiled back.

This lead me to my question.  How DO we take care of our dogs?

I know it seems like a silly question - but have we really given it much thought?
I bathe them somewhat regularly.
I walk them at least once a day (yup - 430 am, we're on the road!), and try to get them to the park later in the day.
I feed them grain-free, add supplements and meat to their diet.
I give them treats I believe are healthy and they enjoy (this is what is literally bankrupting me - large dogs eat so much more than small! - duhr!)
I brush their teeth regularly.
I talk to them.
I read to them.
I chase them around the house (playing games like Hide-n-Seek with your dog is supposed to keep them young and spry), and at the park I am easily found running around with the pack following.
I have them groomed when necessary; nails once a month, Samson cut and beautified once every other month.

Is that what we're talking about?
How do we care for our pets' mental health?  What about their emotional health?  Their intellectual health?

These are all questions we can ponder and come up with some answers - and for many it may come more quickly than for others.

Some might say these are not very important issues....however, I do believe they are.

I'd like to hear from people with their input on this.

Anyone?

UPDATE:  Skally is friskier than ever, now.  She has put on weight and is eating (even if I have to force her to, By Gum, she will devour!).  Yesterday she was running and pouncing up and down the fenceline with the small dogs in the other paddock!  I swear - she's indestructible!

Food & Exercise

Well, it seems as though everyone is talking food again.  So.....

When I welcomed my first dog, Syd, into my arms, I knew very little about nutrition for dogs.   I'd always thought foods for pets were all the same - just different prices.

Not so....as I discovered!

I used to feed my pets a store brand of pet food, that now makes me cringe to think about.  I didn't know any better, and no matter how much people chattered at me to buy something else that would be more nutritious, I shrugged it off as elitism and hard sells.

Now, my mother, who wasn't overly fond of my dogs (Syd, and Cubby, the two Schipperkes - but she did have a liking to Skally), went to Port Townsend with friends and saw a movie that made her think for me.

The movie featured Juliette Levy, a holistic vet, who challenged processed foods and found natural remedies for animals, from dogs and cats to horses, by finding effective methods used by the peoples around Europe for centuries.  And - she wrote a book - The Complete Herbal Handbook for the Dog and Cat.  Well, Mum bought the book for my birthday and I ravenously read it.  I was fascinated!

For too long I had looked up at the Heavens and asked, "What can I do to mellow out these Schipps?"  This seemed to be my answer!  Also, it just made sense that I feed them what they would eat naturally.

I began mixing oats, buttermilk, molasses, honey, meats, carrots, broccoli, and other vegetables (my Molinex sure had a great workout!).  I would feed this to the dogs, and they would eat it up!  I loved it.  They did seem to mellow - at first - then they had even more energy!   And the poop was easy - it just seemed to seep into the ground, or disintegrate.  Nice!

This meant a lot of work, though.  One batch would last a few days, then it was time to make more.  Being the Epitome of Human Nature, I began to look for ways to avoid doing all the work.  I found people I knew at the park who were opening a store - and, yes, they were familiar with Levy's work, but they didn't think she had it right - they had more books and other methods.

So, I began to buy my veggies and grain free food for the pups.  Even canned.  There were so many choices!  And having one large dog and two small ones didn't mean spending tons of cash.  Whew!

Aside from the food aspect of the book, I found her treatments of sickness to be quite helpful and effective.
Skally and Syd both had split pads, one summer.  Her book said to put on a Nasturtium or Geranium leaf, and to leave it on for a while.  So I did.  It worked.  After that, it was a no brainer, and we didn't have split pads any more...

For colds, I used Eucalyptus oil on a q-tip, and put it barely in the nostril.  It really did help a great deal.  Rosemary began to creep in, as well.

Mom bought me another book on Herbs and Cures by Levy.  I began trying to catalog them - but that was, perhaps, 12 years ago?  I didn't have a great computer system then, and my efforts went Kaput!

Now, I discovered that grain-free is the only way.  And on my budget, I can afford Nature's Domain at Costco, which, with Fish Oil, and Spunky (and some pieces of red meat for Skally - more on that later) has kept my poochies healthy and happy.

Skally receives red meat in her diet to keep her weight on.  I had to take it away from the others as it seemed to promote aggression (Rusty began shoving his way into her food, and there was a kerfuffle, with blood, and now she cedes her bowl to him - unless I'm there...I'm always there, now).  Skally, at 15.5+ has been putting her weight back on, and is just as active as she was over a year ago!  Thanks to her diet, Spunky II, exercise, and a little aspirin.

Simon has lost weight.  He's in terrific shape, and he came to me on Thyroid medication which I used until it ran out.  Now, he's lost some weight, gets regular vigorous exercise, and is very content moving around the park barking with the ball in his mouth.

Rusty continues to improve.  He doesn't pull as much as he used to (because Simon does that now).  He's moving more fluidly and rapidly.  He's such a great guy!  He is always in a great mood, and when he's not I worry....

Samson is doing quite well, too.  He just zips everywhere, and has his stuffed Timmy Mouse and Ricky Racoon (who looks like he's been rotted roadkill) to play with.  He beats Simon up and keeps him in line.

I'm so happy we exercise so much (even I'm on a good diet now, having lost 15 pounds in the past few weeks, and going to the gym).  It's something we enjoy together.  Rusty was my inspiration for losing the weight - that and wearing out my over-sized wardrobe, while gazing at the unworn-because-I'm-too-large wardrobe...

I hope you found this interesting.  Sorry there weren't more photos, but i'm not a ravenous snapper... :)
Let me know your thoughts on this.

TTFN
T.