I interrupt our irregular schedule of posting to bring you a product review. To start, we never get asked to review something~I know, how could that be? So, to be asked to just give an honest opinion on a toy by a company whose products I have bought plenty of over the years, of course I agreed.
Now onto our review!
About two weeks ago we received aKONG Jumbler FootBall, courtesy of the KONG company.
The Jumbler Football is a recently introduced KONG product, and is available in two shapes (football and round) and two sizes (M/L and L/XL). Because of the Goldens, I always buy "Golden sized" toys for Todd, so I asked for the L/XL football.
This toy is different than any other toy our gang has had before and I felt they would like playing with it for several reasons. For one, it has everything our dogs love, handles to make it easy for them to carry it, a tennis ball inside, and best of all, it squeaks, which is always a plus in a toy for them. The Jumbler didn't disappoint!
~Todd when he realized that the Jumbler squeaked~
The handle on either end means that I can hold one end and play a little game of tug and it makes it easier to throw it too -- Retrieving is, of course, one of our crew's favorite games. The squeaker is loud and really gets their attention, and for our gang, it makes it more fun for them to play with.
As with all toys, it's meant for supervised use, and the Jumbler is not designed to be a "chew toy" but I can't keep our dogs from doing that, especially Todd. So, I did let Todd and his powerful Scottie jaws "test-chew" it for a couple of minutes, under strict, direct supervision. While he was able to somewhat get his Scottie sized mouth around it, I feel it is too large to be a choking hazard for him or the others. Like so many of the KONG toys, it feels really durable and is very sturdy. Todd didn't manage to damage each time I have allowed him to have it throughout the week. He takes testing "Scottie-tough-toys" very seriously!
Charlie was a little more gentle with the Jumber.
But he did try to chew it, because that's just what he does. He also didn't damage it.
I think it's a fun toy that ticks all the boxes from durability to fun!
It has become a favorite, especially for Todd -- Here's a little video so you can see for yourself.
Another exhaustive week is coming to an end. On Monday what I thought was an infected hot-spot on Gus's back leg, turned out to be an infected pressure sore (or bed-sore) instead. I will begin by saying that it's very rare that I can't see one of my two favorite vets. But since Gus couldn't wait until one of them could, I decided to take him to the vet that treated CarrieAnne for the lump on her neck. He'd taken such good care of Carrie, and in similar circumstances I've taken our other dogs to see him. "Dr. X" is, in my opinion a very good and thorough vet, with confidence and experience and I respect and trust his professional judgement. It ends there. And I will begin by saying that I know that Gus has many health concerns, some of which will never be resolved and I know that his time with us is limited. Which is partly why I left the office feeling discouraged and without much hope that was triggered because of what I felt was Dr. X's "attitude" towards Gus. When those clouds cleared, I remembered why it was that I preferred not to take my senior dogs to him. Dr. X, in my opinion, (I may be wrong) does not see the "worth" of a dog like Gus. All week long I've struggled with caring for Gus's infected, open wound, feeling that he (Dr. X) could have and should have done more to help Gus. All week long I struggled because I wanted to prove to him that Gus would indeed live to see the start of next week. All week long I kept seeing the value in trying to help a dog like Gus. But by Friday, I felt like I may be losing that battle and I knew Gus needed to be seen again. I was relieved when Cissy and Cricket's vet could see him. There is no doubt that Dr. C sees what I see in a dog like Gus. It truly showed in how she interacted with Gus and how she patiently listened to my thoughts and concerns. She has come up with a good, workable treatment plan that I feel is going to help the sore to heal, which I will tell you more about later.
Finally, I just have to tell you that in the rush of my week I didn't need yet another proverbial wrench thrown into it. But as you well know, you don't always get that choice. I will spare you the details of why and how it happened, and just tell you that I tripped going down the steps at my office on Thursday and I have fractured my ankle. It's now a beautiful color of purple with no sign of an ankle bone and there is something that vaguely resembles the foot and toes I've known my whole life. Thankfully I can put some weight onto it, but the doctor told me to stay off of it as much as possible. I do enjoy a doctor with a good sense of humor! The way it looks right now, these chairs on my porch are going to remain empty for awhile.
But I do hope you are able to relax and enjoy your weekend!
I was looking through old photos the other day and came across Todd's "gotcha day" pictures. Since today is his "gotcha day" I thought I'd take you back down memory lane with me and share a few of my favorite pictures from the very first day he arrived at Golden Pines.
I think the dogs were all thinking "what is it, and what have you done??"
~Toby checking out the new boy~
Charlie saying 'get away from me kid' Actually, he still says that!
Sammy and Todd, "nice to meet you sir."
Todd to Sammy: "Can we play?"
Of all of the dogs that we had at that time, five of them have passed away. One dog in particular had just come to us a few days before Todd arrived. Her name was Reggie. She had been confiscated by animal control for neglect. That neglect and mistreatment didn't hamper her sweet, kind and gentle spirit. She soon became known as "Momma Reggie" because she took care of Todd like he was her own puppy. Below are my favorite photos from that first day she and Todd met. They had an immediate connection.
When Todd would whine in his crate, she'd stand there and look at me as if to say "we need to do something." She always slept near him.
~A tired puppy is a happy puppy!~
Todd was followed her everywhere.
We had Reggie through the entire summer. Just as Todd was getting a little more grown up and a little more independent, she left us for the Rainbow Bridge. Her "job" was done... And she did it very well.
Happy third "gotcha day" to Todd, the most unique and spirited member of the Golden Pines Gang! Our lives are a lot more fun and full of laughter because he's part of it!
There is no doubt that summer has truly begun in my corner of Virginia!
A small carnival has come to the town where I live.
The nest of Eastern Phoebe's above our living room window will soon enough get their wings and leave the nest.
I also caught a glimpse from the window of our resident fawn. I didn't see "Bambi's Mom," but I'm sure she was somewhere nearby ... I hope!
~Bambi?~
One of the joys of our property has been the wild black-raspberries that grow alongside our long driveway and the edge of the woods. Each year the dogs let me know when they have ripened, and this year wasn't any different. They love them as much as we do!
~Josh (left) and Sheba~
Generally we're able to pick several buckets full each year ...
~Sheba exhausted from supervising the berry picking~
Which provides enough for a cobbler or two like the one I made this morning along with a plentiful supply for snacking out of hand and a few to freeze too. Cobbler recipe here
The cold and snowy winter we suffered through was tough on these old berries. But it hasn't stopped the long canes from being full with the plump, sweet black-raspberries that we adore.
~Sheba, my berry-picking assistant~
Even CarrieAnne felt well enough to join us yesterday. I am so grateful and relieved that the lump is slowly shrinking in size. Your prayers and good vibes have made a difference -- There is still a ways to go, so if you don't mind, please keep them coming for her!
Another sign of summer was a harmless black snake on our porch this afternoon. He was curled up on the back of the old chair. For some reason, I wasn't as afraid seeing a snake as I have been in the past.
But he quickly left when he was disturbed. However, it's still a sign I could do without!
