Buffy Matilda Chubin Brixie

Jan. 15, 2001 to April 27, 2015
Buffy was one of two pups in a litter rescued from a kill shelter in the central valley. We always thought she was a lovely mix. Then we had her dna tested and found out she was half-Ausrtralian cattle dog, mixed with at least 12 other kinds of dogs, including pomeranian and terrier.

We thought she resembled a small golden, and she had the temprement of a border collie. What a sweet, lovable girl. We thank her fosters, for naming her and caring for her after rescue. She was picked up by Second Chance rescue and we adpoted her from the Marin Humane Society.

Berry, my daughter and Wayne, my husband, spotted her while I was in Salt Lake City on a business trip. My boss told me I was being laid off at the end of the month. Berry told me on the phone about her soft fur and lovable nature and I said sure, go ahead and adopt her. We had already been interviewed and approved for the adoption. By the time I got home, she was there.

It was overwhleming at first, because a new puppy is like a new baby needing constant attention. We took turns taking her out to pee and poop every few hours. She was put in her crate every night and we kept her in the bathroom, cordoned off with a babygate to contain the accidents when we weren't supervising her. Every time we took her out, we gave her a treat when she came inside the house. In about two weeks, she was potty-trained.

Berry and I signed up for a puppy training class at the Humane Society. You bring your dog, they give a lecture and then you go and do training in a big arena with instructors. We took another puppy class and then Family Dog Training. Everyone is the house was supposed to use the exact same commands and also use hand gestures for each command. Buffy was smart enough to know to behave most of the time but when she could get away with it she would wander off.

Buffy had some interesting quirks and habits. She was vocal and liked to bark quite a bit in the beginning. Once Andrew our neighbor from 2 townhouses down came over and asked us to keep her quiet, Buffy was disturbing him. That was before the training class started. We used a tie-down and time-outs to train her to stop barking. We set up a routine where we eat first, then she ate. We fed two meals a day as our vet recommended. Buffy tended to eat too fast and throw up so we split up her food into two servings.

Our beautiful neighbor Alva had a rescue Jack Russell terrier named Molly. Buffy and Molly would play together nicely. They both liked balls and would be off-leash at the end of our street which was a cul-de-sac. Buffy would bow low and bark up a storm. The two of them would pretend to go at it. Sometimes we had to break them up they would get so over-excited by the fun of it. I loved walking with Alva and getting to know her as he had a most interesting life and was an artist. Alva developed Parkinson's and was coping well. Later she found she had lung cancer and it spread to her spine.

Though she had to give her dog up, she loved dogs. Alva would watch Buffy for us when we went away. And she had a key and would come walk Buffy during the day when she felt good. When Alva became housebound and was in hospice, Buffy and I would visit Alva. Buffy didn't really want to go, so I would trick her by taking her for a walk, letting her play off leash for awhile and then putting on her leash and walking briskly saying let's go see Alva. Alva wanted buffy on her bed close to her so she could pet and comfort her. I could tell Buffy didn't really want to, but she would jump up on her bed to make Alva feel good.

Elevator Speech

I realize marketing objectives by helping to create an experience that build relationships. I enable creative collaboration by controlling execution: the schedule, budget and production management of deliverables. I have produced print, video, interactive and web applications for global clients and worked with smaller design firms. Many of the creative people I work for have commented that they are free to focus on the design and let me take care of executing the technical details.

I have worked on international award winning print campaigns for corporate clients and done pro-bono projects for local organizations where I was able to secure donations from various sources to produce work for little or no cost. Currently I work in educational publishing, managing print and digital projects and handle web updating for our website.

One constant is my passion for process. If team members can participate in defining what is needed to create successful projects, I can usually assist by designing or refining tools to make it easy to collaborate and complete assignments. At each organization, whether it was part of my job description or not, I felt compelled to document how work was produced and analyze the bottlenecks and problems to solve issues and make production easy for everyone. Great work gets results and usually produces more work. 

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West Coast Family Reunion

Home again and finally recovered. Back to work, back to a clean house, back to the bay area after five days away. I will try to sum up our experiences.

Went up to Donner Lake to see the Brixie's in nature. The trip was put together by Peter, and he rented a cabin on the shore. They didn't allow dogs and we prefer the camping, so he reserved a site at Donner Memorial State Park.

There was a total of three campsites involved. One for the first night, one for the next four nights, and another one for the final weekend. The last one was to another campground up the road. This picture was taken down the road from where we stayed by my nephew Michael. It captures the flavor of the reunion. Note the boat and the car. Everybody came together and played on the water while staying overnight at a house or in a tent. During the day, Buffy and Shasta hung out on the back deck, in view of the lake and the beautiful pier.

Some nights we made dinner, as the cabin had a grill and full kitchen. Other nights we went into Truckee or ate a local spot, Martha's Kitchen which allowed dogs on the patio. We also ate at Zano's, where they had Chicago style pizza and were able to seat our party of 12 without too long of a wait. Unfortunately there was no room on the patio, so Wayne took Buffy back to town to the Burger Me joint where he got great service, and Buffy sat proudly outside waiting for him while he ordered. (We had eaten lunch there, so she was familiar with the protocol.)

We visited the local farmers market and bought some corn, veggies, artisan olive oil, great garlic and some Indian craft items. (Gourds with seeds and drawing on them, and a cool Oaxacan animals for our collection.) I was admiring a beautiful hand beeded bag/necklace with an intricate pattern worked into it. I wanted to buy it, but knowing it wasn't really practical, hesitated at spending $50. Wayne had said I could get it, but I thought it was too extravagant. Later, after my mom pooped out and was resting on a bench while I was finishing shopping, my dad gave me the money and told me to go buy it.

Later I went on a short nature hike with Buffy, my dog, and took pix of each different wildflower that I spotted along the trail. Wayne and my dad took off and explored the community on the south side of the lake in the car.



We rented paddle boards for my niece and nephew to try out. Mackenzie gave me a ride on hers. We had a blast. So we went back the next day for more. Since the mosquito's were very bad at dusk and even bothered us at night, and the campground scene was not the best, so we decided to head home Friday night instead of Saturday.

Our last night was Friday, we planned a BBQ to celebrate the arrival of John and Rose. They had to work and could not get off the full week. We watched their kids for them from Wednesday through Friday, so they could enjoy some camping as well.

I made a salad from scratch and bought a bunch of salads, and customized them. We had fresh salmon, all types of sausages and rolls, olives, homemade pickles and brownies or pie for desert. It was getting later and later, and my brother John still hadn't arrived, so we sadly decided to leave without seeing him and Rose. Next time! They live in Stockton, so it isn't too far. Maybe I'll get invited to the twins birthday...

We made it home with no traffic until 37 at the Infineon racetrack. An event had just finished, so it took a bit longer than normal for the last 15 miles. When we got home, Buffy got the biggest smile on her face when we put her crate into our bedroom. I took a shower and crawled into my bed, still itching. Wayne had a drink and looked over the accumulated newspapers. No mail, so luckily our neighbors must have put it aside. All my plants looked pretty much alive.

I posted my pix to facebook already, now I just have to write my thank you to my parents, for paying for most everything on the trip and to my brother Peter for organizing it.

A Wandering Dog story

I told Buffy a fib today, but she got back at me. I had a vet appt for her rabies and parvo shots, but I asked her if she wanted to come to work with me. Then I drove right to the vets. And carried her in, of course. Then we went back to work.

She stayed and walked around all day, cowering under everyone's desk. Teresa's, Roberts,Andrea's and even the new people in Customer Service. The front door was open and the gate. I guess I shouldn't have believed Robert when he said she would be fine in Customer Service. She preferred staying in there than under my desk since I was concentrating on my work and ignoring her. It was pretty warm inside, but lovely outside.

They have a floor fan in C.S. that blows right under Robert's desk. (He thinks she just likes him, but I notice she sits so she can get the breeze.)

Anyway, I checked on her about two or three times, and each time she came out when I called her. So the last time I checked, she didn't come out of C.S. It was around 4:30, right before the customer service employees leave. She wasn't in there. She had run off again.

I went right to my office to get her leash and headed over to the bus depot next to our warehouse. That's where she went the last two times she wandered off. There was some nice smelly mud mixed with diesel fuel and oil residue that she likes to roll around in. Who knows what else might have been in there?

This time I walked right in and went to the spot, calling out to her, but no answer. I saw some employees outside and asked them if they had seen a smallish dog, but they hadn't. So I kept calling her, went out in front of the place and called, looked around, crossed the street, calling, looked back in the bus parking area, didn't see her anywhere. I thought I might have her her tags clicking, but she didn't come out when I called and I didn't hear her moving. So then I kept walking around the block, calling her name loudly. Nothing moving, no dog.

I was getting a bit worried, wondering where she would have gone to. Then when I rounded the corner on 7th street, I spotted her standing casually in front of the driveway next to the bus depot, at the edge of our building. When I approached her, I tried to act happy and not mad. I offered treats and threw some at her. She would not approach me. When I tried to walk toward her, she ran into the street.

Robert came out and asked where she had been, I told him the bus depot. He couldn't believe how she was acting. So then he said, want to go for a ride? She jumped in his car and settled into the front seat. Then he rolled down the window and I poped on her leash.

Then she was tied to the file cabinet next to my desk, and I told her to lay down in her bed. When she started to pull it over, I tied her to the flat files. After about 25 minutes when she stopped whining I untied her. She kept trying to get in the corner and sit on the computer wires. Finally I finished work and went home.

Berry read me the riot act and suggested that from now on, I tie her up on a long leash so she cannot leave. We'll see about that. She is staying home by herself for now.

My Chicago Trip

Last Friday I woke up early, and then a lawnmower started whining while I was laying in bed. It brought back memories, of our Salt Lake home and wacky neighbors. (Who mows their lawn at 7:48 am?) At least it wasn't Saturday. I felt refreshed after my day of travel from Oakland, CA.

I was in Oak Lawn, staying with Sylvia, sleeping in her grand-daughter's room. Her husband Bill passed away, at age 67, about a month ago. I wanted to spend time with her because she and I became very close, after she married my brother, in the seventies. Joe left this earth in 1994.

The trip was bittersweet - Nov. 6 was Bill's birthday. Sylvia had recently returned to work, but was taking some time off. She was still upset about his death, and coping with insurance, legal paperwork, and carrying out his last wishes.

A contractor came over to give an estimate for some painting and refinishing. Like everyone, he liked Bill and was very kind to Sylvia. He noted that the house has a light gray theme, including the molding. The oak flooring would be beautiful if refinished, unless pet accidents discolored it. The living room had the old style, of grooved narrow planks.

Later, it started raining, but we visited Home Depot to select paint colors for the house. As we went out and about, the rain increased intensity, as if nature was mourning along with Sylvia. The umbrella broke, literally failed as I tried to close it once we got in the store. I picked out a bunch of colors and some brochures, in light warm shades, to go with what will become refinished oak floors, hidden under carpeting.

We went to the grocery store, to buy groceries since Micheal was coming home after a long absence. Sylvia decided to make beef stew. She reflected that Bill never liked her beef stew, but her son did. So she bought both Welcome Home and Happy Birthday balloons. Then, we headed home to relax and bond, while waiting for Michael to arrive. He was taking the bus home from Pontiac, Illinois, and due in the late evening.

Weekend Description

Friday night, we ordered take-out from Sol in San Rafael, I had a pressed pollo sandwich with roast chicken and ham and lettuce and mayo. Wayne has the bistec (thin sliced beef and avocado.) Both sandwiches come with cheese and spicy vinegary dipping sauce. We watched a western - Cheyenne Social Club, with Jimmy Stewart and Henry Fonda.

Saturday, up early, drove to Redwood city to visit RAFT - a teacher resource center where wayne picked up a bag of headphones for his computer lab for $5. Good thing he got 80 sets, because so far, 1 in 2 are bad. I think my company may donate old cards and toys to this place for reuse by teachers. They take discarded items and make kits out of them for elementary students.

Wayne wants to buy a laser printer and scanner for his labe and the school can't afford it, so he is thinking of trying to see if they have any computer equipment. He had to pay $15 to get into the store for a day. It costs $40 for a yearly membership. But they have all sorts of teacher supplies available for supercheap.

Then we met Stephanie at Nordstrom Rack to shop for bargains. (When we cross the golden gate bridge, we like to get our moneys worth out of the $5 bridge toll.) I found two new pairs of jeans, brown jag cords and NYDJeans to replace those my daughter took from me. And a new fashionable sweater. (No, it is not green.) Will try to get wayne to take a pix of my new duds - time for a new profile picture anyway.

Then Stephanie made homemade meatloaf sandwiches with lettuce on wholegrain bread for lunch. (Too bad wayne had a polish at Home Depot while Stepha and I power shopped.) We all gabbed for a couple hours until the sun went down and then we enjoyed their outdoor hot tub. Finally rushed home to Buffy at 7:45 pm. I made spicy sausage and mushroom pizza with goat cheese mozzarella on Vicolo cornmeal pizza crust for dinner. Slept well until 4 am; woke up and just couldn't get back to sleep. Then I took valerian and drifted off without further ado.

Today, went to the farmers market for organic lettuces (Little gem, butter and red leaf), smoked salmon, japanese yams, yellow pear cherry tomatoes, fruit danish and beautiful sun flowers. Made special healthy dinner for my brother and his wife Ruth. Desert was Coconut Bliss cappachino non-dairy ice cream. (Highly recommend for those who can't indulge in the real thing. No soy, vegan and tasty.)

Now contemplating whether I should proof the 24 new product folder/passages I brought home or continue proofing the new catalog pages ( I am on page 22 of 61)? Or goof off, after all, this is my weekend...and I have two books I am int he middle of reading.

And there is the HOA budget and reserve study. I guess I just need another day off. The story of my life and most every weekend.

TGIF

I had to drag myself out of bed today. Commuted with Wayne to San Francisco, got a ride to Berkeley from Robert, a co-worker and still arrived an hour earlier than usual. Public transportation would have taken two hours from San Rafael to Berkeley. It would have meant a 20 minute walk to the bus station, taking one bus over the bridge, to the Richmond Bart station, then another bus to San Pablo Ave, transferring to one last bus to Gilman, and then walking 6 blocks to the warehouse.

The good news is Wayne's Sebring is fixed, $650 for a new fuel pump since they have to remove the gas tank to put it in. So I can drive my car to work next week. And he is coming to pick me up in Berkeley. All this to save $40 for a car rental for one day (and the hassle of picking it up and returning it.)

Time to sign off and go vacuum the office. We let the janitor go in February. Tomorrow will be better.