Watch Out for the Quiet Ones!

Georgie fooled me.  He fooled all of us.  Underneath his quiet, relaxed, unruffled exterior lies the heart of a renegade.  On our morning walk, I accidentally dropped his leash.  Georgie immediately saw his opportunity to make a getaway, and he took it.  Off he went, just like an escapee, straight into the woods, leash skipping along behind him. I don't think I've ever seen him move that fast.  Okay, Georgie's not that fast, but given that I had Charlie and Sunny on leashes, and three others off lead, it sure seemed like he was -- Because those few moments that I needed to get everyone together were all Georgie needed to bolt to freedom and disappear.

I put Charlie and Sunny inside and headed into the woods, through thorns and thick brush to find him.  I eventually found Georgie, casually sniffing a tree.  He was, of course, totally ignoring me, and before I could grab him, he started off again. No doubt about it, Georgie was in the zone. But he made a rookie mistake and zigged when he should have zagged, and I stepped on his leash--He was caught!  I slowly walked the delinquent back home.

Thirty minutes later, after a little water, just like Todd was after his encounter with the toad, Georgie had moved past the whole experience.  And just like Todd and as he is every morning, Georgie was anxious and ready for breakfast.  The moral of the story is, watch out for the quiet ones. I think I'm going back to bed.

The Todd Hunter

Todd, being the star of our household, took front and center stage this week!

We were just coming back from our morning walk on Tuesday when I noticed Todd vomiting. I'd taken the other dogs for a walk, leaving him unattended in the fenced yard, and he was fine 10 minutes prior to that.  I had no idea what happened. I got all the dogs inside, including Todd who had vomited again and was shaking his head and pawing at his mouth.  In between his getting sick, I managed to catch him and rinse out his mouth, and wipe his face and beard off, thinking (and hoping) I could wash off whatever he'd gotten into.  It was not an easy thing to do because even on a slow day Todd is pretty fast. Added to that, he doesn't really like being picked up, and he especially didn't want his mouth washed or wiped out.  In the end, he knew he had no choice.      

I'd noted to myself that Todd had gotten sick 8 times.  But by about a half-hour, thankfully the vomiting was lessening and he seemed to be getting better.  His ears that had been laying back were now standing up, and he was drinking a little water. Good signs!

After about an hour, Todd seemed to be recovered, and was taking small bites of food that I was offering him and wagging his tail.  I went with him outside and he led me right to the scene of his crime.  It was what I'd suspected -- a toad.

I think we'd all agree that toads are great to have in your garden because they dine on bugs and are a natural pest control. But a dog like Todd that loves to investigate and play with anything that moves, a toad is not a good thing to have around.  I'm sure the (now dead) toad would agree with that...  

It wasn't even 9 o'clock in the morning, and I was already feeling frazzled and worn out.  Todd however, was no worse for wear.  He'd moved on and forgotten all about the events of the hour before, and was back on patrol of the yard.  Something I wish I could have done!

Canine Expression

It was a good weekend both for us, and the dogs too.  The new allergy medications seem to be working for Buddy, and he's not had to wear the "cone of shame" since Friday.  Lexi is also much better too.  She did however, get sick this morning.  She seemed really hungry, so I gave her a little bigger meal.  I'm hoping that it was just too much food for a still sensitive stomach.

I think Georgie had a good weekend too -- Because isn't that a happy smile on his face?

Okay, maybe not...    

 Todd, being pretty observant, didn't think so either...

Another Whirlwind Week!

The week began with the passing of my 10+ year old computer finally giving it up.  I've known for awhile that it was going to happen, so its passing came as no big shock.  *SHE* and I were together for a long time. A very long time for a computer who at times should have not been blamed for the faults and maladies that came with  her advancing age. They certainly don't make 'em like *HER* anymore, and that may or may not be a good thing.  By Wednesday Carl had my new computer set up and connected.

Life may have come to a standstill online for me, but it didn't for the dogs.  I know that I don't mention Buddy much. Some of you may have even forgotten about him.  He came to us in November because of his severe allergies.  We've had some pretty good success in working through them with a limited ingredient diet and over the counter allergy medications.  But even with a good vet, there have been some set backs too.  Buddy is still really itchy, and if we don't watch him, he'll chew and pull out his coat.  So, it was decided to take him to the dermatologist.

~Buddy waiting for the Dermatologist~

It was a productive visit, and I'm encouraged that with a change up in a few things, along with a new allergy medication called Apoquel, that has had some really good success, Buddy can finally put the annoying allergies behind him.  

~Buddy, still waiting for the Dermatologist and a treat~

While I was waiting for the Dermatologist, I got a call from our dog-walker about Lexi.  She's not been feeling well this week.  On Tuesday she had gotten sick, but seemed a little better by Wednesday morning. The dog-walker couldn't get her to her feet, and Lexi had gotten sick again.  I called the vet and thankfully they were able to see her. I took Buddy home, picked up Lexi, and we were on the road again.  After all the tests, including x-rays and fluids along with nausea medications, we were on our way home, and Lexi was smiling and feeling better.

~Lexi, feeling better!~

The test show nothing "too unusual,"  so we're not really sure what is causing Lexi's stomach to become so sensitive.  It could be her diet, so we're going to make a few changes. This evening she seems more like herself, and her appetite seems to be returning. A good note to end a busy week on!

It's all worn Sheba out, so I'm sure she'd agree!