Our wonderful little puppy was born on April 1st, 2011. We brought home our little April fool on May 28th, 2011. All of 8 weeks old. We went through a challenging Spring together, and an easier Fall. However, this is everyone's 1st Winter together.
When we used to go for walks in the dead heat of the August sun, Winter was barely on anyone's mind. Our quest to look for sprinklers and water fountains pushed the menace of winter further and further out of our minds. Pup, of course, would have absolutely no idea that this white stuff even existed!! As Summer faded slowly into Fall, and the days got shorter and the wind got brisker, we'd throw on an extra sweater and laugh at how pup would put his nose up in the air to smell the unique aromas that Fall brings.
Then it happened!!! The weather started getting much colder. Now, to be fair, I have to say, it's December 18th and we still haven't had any snow on the ground. But, it has gotten considerably colder. At first, I felt kinda sorry for pup. I went out and bought him boots so his little feet wouldn't be too cold. I put them on him, and the poor thing hated them. He kept walking on his ankles. At one point, he had the strap of his front paw in his mouth. There he was, walking on 3 legs with the other leg at a right angle, foot in mouth!!!! All this before he had reached the end of the driveway!!! Needless to say, I took the boots off him. He seemed much happier, and, get this, the cold didn't seem to bother him at all!!! He loved it!!! It was as though the cold air made him come alive!
My husband has a theory. Although my little Portuguese Water Dog's roots are in southern Europe, this breed was originally bred to carry messages from boat to boat in the rough seas of the Atlantic. That's gotta be some seriously cold water!! So, although they are moderate climate dogs, they love the cold. At first I laughed at this logic, but the more I saw my little pup frolicking on the cold frozen ground, the more I realized that this pup will really give me a run for my money when the snow starts falling. My fantasies about sitting in front of the fireplace with a glass of wine and the dog at my feet are now shattered. I foresee a long cold winter, me dressed in layers upon layers of clothes...nose and eyes watering in the cold...while pup will be running up snow-banks, digging tunnels, getting drenched in the cold, cold snow, and crying when it's time to go inside!!!!
For more blogs, please visit http://cluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/ and http://thecluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/
Sunday, 18 December 2011
Sunday, 11 December 2011
The Allure of the Wood
My 8 month old PWD loves WOOD!!! Lots and lots of WOOD!!! He doesn't care how big, small, rough, smooth wet, brittle, treated it is...he just can't get enough WOOD!!
When he was just a pup, our walks would be very frustrating because his nose was so low to the ground, that absolutely everything would go in his mouth. Rocks, paper, grass, mud, sticks...it really didn't matter. However, as pup started getting older, his tastes became more refined. Sure, he still likes to kick back with the occasional used Kleenex, but his real passion lies in wood. Twigs, branches, tree bark, etc....as long as it once belonged to the tree family, he's in!!
Every lunchtime walk starts out the same. I put the leash on him, up goes the garage door, pup waits for me to lead the way!! He's an angel. Right up until that first pee 4 seconds later!! Once he's been properly relieved, he begins his never ending quest for that perfect twig.
At any given time, I look down and he's got a small branch in his mouth. He chews on it until it's almost gone, spits it out and continues the hunt. The next branch might be much larger. He loves dragging humongous branches, with all sorts of off-shoots, and all the leaves still in place, down the street!! Most times, the branches are larger than he is, but that only makes it more fun!! Many times, I'll be walking him, when all of a sudden, I'll feel a whip like sensation across my shins. I'll look down in pain, only to see him carrying a skinny twig, about 4 feet long, happily in his mouth whipping everyone on either side of him (Mostly me..of course). Getting the wood out of his mouth is never an easy task. The stronger I pull, he more he resists. The more he resists, the more excited he gets. The more excited he gets, the harder it is to pull the wood out of his mouth. Actually, I've found that the only thing that works to get him to drop the stick, is to entice him with another stick!!! My 14 year old thinks I'm nuts. He's sure pup will choke on the wood someday. I'm not so sure, however. The appeal for more and more fresh wood is enough to keep him alive forever!!
Last week, during one of our walks, I let him onto a lawn to relieve himself. He grabbed what I thought was a skinny twig. I was wrong!! Turns out the people who lived in that house must have been winterizing their front yard....chopping down bushes, covering plants, etc... My pup came back with a 4 foot rose bush twig!!! I knew I couldn't pry it out of his mouth because he would swallow, or get hurt by all of the thorns. Let me tell you, he was not going to let go!!! I tried everything I could think of. I tried to be authoritarian..make him drop the twig. Hah!!! That wasn't gonna happen. I tried to gently pry his mouth open, trying hard not to stick him with any-more thorns...fat chance of pup letting go!!! I tried to entice him with more wood, but pup was really happy with this new flavour and sensation in his mouth so that wasn't gonna happen either. Then, in desperation, I thought of the only thing I could. I started running with him...we ran really fast, we ran for over 3 blocks!!! My rationale was that if he started panting, he would eventually let go of the bush!! What a sight we were...me, holding onto a leash, running like the wind...my 8 month old pup, tail wagging, running beside me...a rose bush branch firmly embedded in his mouth, whipping my legs, and the thorns tearing into my pants!!! Needless to say, this plan did not work!!
Finally, after all that exercise, pup sat down and in the time it takes to blink your eye...I had taken the branch and flung it across the street.
I'm OK with wood as long as it's outside of the house, but today, as I was dusting my living room antique coffee table, I noticed a corner had quite a few teeth-marks in it. I wondered if that wonderful antique table was made from rosewood :(
For more blogs, please visit http://cluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/ and http://thecluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/
When he was just a pup, our walks would be very frustrating because his nose was so low to the ground, that absolutely everything would go in his mouth. Rocks, paper, grass, mud, sticks...it really didn't matter. However, as pup started getting older, his tastes became more refined. Sure, he still likes to kick back with the occasional used Kleenex, but his real passion lies in wood. Twigs, branches, tree bark, etc....as long as it once belonged to the tree family, he's in!!
Every lunchtime walk starts out the same. I put the leash on him, up goes the garage door, pup waits for me to lead the way!! He's an angel. Right up until that first pee 4 seconds later!! Once he's been properly relieved, he begins his never ending quest for that perfect twig.
At any given time, I look down and he's got a small branch in his mouth. He chews on it until it's almost gone, spits it out and continues the hunt. The next branch might be much larger. He loves dragging humongous branches, with all sorts of off-shoots, and all the leaves still in place, down the street!! Most times, the branches are larger than he is, but that only makes it more fun!! Many times, I'll be walking him, when all of a sudden, I'll feel a whip like sensation across my shins. I'll look down in pain, only to see him carrying a skinny twig, about 4 feet long, happily in his mouth whipping everyone on either side of him (Mostly me..of course). Getting the wood out of his mouth is never an easy task. The stronger I pull, he more he resists. The more he resists, the more excited he gets. The more excited he gets, the harder it is to pull the wood out of his mouth. Actually, I've found that the only thing that works to get him to drop the stick, is to entice him with another stick!!! My 14 year old thinks I'm nuts. He's sure pup will choke on the wood someday. I'm not so sure, however. The appeal for more and more fresh wood is enough to keep him alive forever!!
Last week, during one of our walks, I let him onto a lawn to relieve himself. He grabbed what I thought was a skinny twig. I was wrong!! Turns out the people who lived in that house must have been winterizing their front yard....chopping down bushes, covering plants, etc... My pup came back with a 4 foot rose bush twig!!! I knew I couldn't pry it out of his mouth because he would swallow, or get hurt by all of the thorns. Let me tell you, he was not going to let go!!! I tried everything I could think of. I tried to be authoritarian..make him drop the twig. Hah!!! That wasn't gonna happen. I tried to gently pry his mouth open, trying hard not to stick him with any-more thorns...fat chance of pup letting go!!! I tried to entice him with more wood, but pup was really happy with this new flavour and sensation in his mouth so that wasn't gonna happen either. Then, in desperation, I thought of the only thing I could. I started running with him...we ran really fast, we ran for over 3 blocks!!! My rationale was that if he started panting, he would eventually let go of the bush!! What a sight we were...me, holding onto a leash, running like the wind...my 8 month old pup, tail wagging, running beside me...a rose bush branch firmly embedded in his mouth, whipping my legs, and the thorns tearing into my pants!!! Needless to say, this plan did not work!!
Finally, after all that exercise, pup sat down and in the time it takes to blink your eye...I had taken the branch and flung it across the street.
I'm OK with wood as long as it's outside of the house, but today, as I was dusting my living room antique coffee table, I noticed a corner had quite a few teeth-marks in it. I wondered if that wonderful antique table was made from rosewood :(
For more blogs, please visit http://cluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/ and http://thecluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/
Sunday, 4 December 2011
The 10 Minute Demolition
10 minutes!! That's all it takes for anything to last in my home once pup's been at it.
Before we got our Portuguese Water Dog, hubby and I did lots and lots of research. We knew that PWD puppies were notorious chewers, and, because they are classified as "working dogs", we knew that unless they had lots of stimuli, they got bored really easily. Unfortunately, in a PWD's case, boredom = destruction.
So, because we knew all this, hubby and I went out and bought him every toy we could think of. We bought him squeaky toys, balls, unstuffed animals, stuffed animals, kongs, and strong braided rope-like toys. Well, let me tell you, it doesn't matter what pup has in his mouth, he will destroy it in 10 minutes or less. We have had pup for exactly 6 months now, and absolutely NOTHING lasts. Every toy he gets is ABSOLUTELY RUINED before the 10 minutes is up. How could he be so fast? Each toy we get him is "designed for the serious chewer". However, nothing, but nothing lasts.
It would be great if the story ended there, but alas it does not. As I mentioned, PWD's are working dogs so they constantly need something in their mouths. Now, since the toys didn't last very long, my pup started dragging the cushions off the sofa. So, I've started putting all the cushions in a closet. I have to remember to take them out when people come over. So, no cushions, equals no chewing..right? Wrong. Now pup sees the sofa as his empty canvas. We've had to take 3 of the seats to be reupholstered this week. The guy at the shop told us there was not much he could do, so he's just kind turning them around and flipping them over. Sob!!!
Does the story end there? Of course not. Since pup has chewed up all his toys, cushions and seats, I've taken to giving him used bits of clothing. An old running shoe that doesn't fit my son any-more, an old T-shirt that's got a couple of holes in it..the list goes on. Each time, pup gets a hold of the new article and it is DEMOLISHED in less than 10 minutes!!! My 14 year old son, who has more sense than I do, pleads with me to stop giving pup clothing. That we are helping him develop a whole new set of BAD habits. Deep down I know he's right, but I just can't help it...pup's gotta chew and I have to be able to leave him out of my sight for a few minutes to get ready in the mornings.
When it was warmer outside, I use to tie him up in the backyard while I got ready. Well, after he chewed through his 4th leash, I started using a bike chain. No, not the metal ones, the ones that are coated in plastic and are pliable. He couldn't chew through them and I felt confident he wouldn't escape the yard. Well, now in December, it's started getting colder. Although we still don't have snow on the ground, I feel uncomfortable leaving him outside. So, being the conscientious (doormat) owner I am, I started putting him in the vestibule (a little foyer, if you will, between the front door and the inner door to the house). I figured he'd like it there, 2 large windows to look out of, and lots of space. Well, in the 2 times that I put him in the vestibule, I started noticing that my baseboards were shrinking! Yep, that's right. Not only has he eaten his toys, clothes, cushions and sofa...now our wonderful 8 month old dog has started eating the HOUSE!!! By the way, yes I feed him enough food, yes it's very good food, yes he gets plenty of exercise!!! He just loves to chew and chew.
So...last week, hubby and I went out and bought "bitter apple" spray. This is "supposed" to deter dogs from chewing on furniture and baseboards, etc.. The smell makes me gag and I certainly never finish my breakfast or coffee after hubby has sprayed the furniture. My son gets up from a deep, deep sleep and closes his bedroom door to block out the putrid smell. Pup, on the other-hand, walks over to the remaining frame of the sofa...his tongue out, as he licks up every last drop of that wonderful spray....
For more blogs, please visit http://cluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/ and http://thecluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/
Before we got our Portuguese Water Dog, hubby and I did lots and lots of research. We knew that PWD puppies were notorious chewers, and, because they are classified as "working dogs", we knew that unless they had lots of stimuli, they got bored really easily. Unfortunately, in a PWD's case, boredom = destruction.
So, because we knew all this, hubby and I went out and bought him every toy we could think of. We bought him squeaky toys, balls, unstuffed animals, stuffed animals, kongs, and strong braided rope-like toys. Well, let me tell you, it doesn't matter what pup has in his mouth, he will destroy it in 10 minutes or less. We have had pup for exactly 6 months now, and absolutely NOTHING lasts. Every toy he gets is ABSOLUTELY RUINED before the 10 minutes is up. How could he be so fast? Each toy we get him is "designed for the serious chewer". However, nothing, but nothing lasts.
It would be great if the story ended there, but alas it does not. As I mentioned, PWD's are working dogs so they constantly need something in their mouths. Now, since the toys didn't last very long, my pup started dragging the cushions off the sofa. So, I've started putting all the cushions in a closet. I have to remember to take them out when people come over. So, no cushions, equals no chewing..right? Wrong. Now pup sees the sofa as his empty canvas. We've had to take 3 of the seats to be reupholstered this week. The guy at the shop told us there was not much he could do, so he's just kind turning them around and flipping them over. Sob!!!
Does the story end there? Of course not. Since pup has chewed up all his toys, cushions and seats, I've taken to giving him used bits of clothing. An old running shoe that doesn't fit my son any-more, an old T-shirt that's got a couple of holes in it..the list goes on. Each time, pup gets a hold of the new article and it is DEMOLISHED in less than 10 minutes!!! My 14 year old son, who has more sense than I do, pleads with me to stop giving pup clothing. That we are helping him develop a whole new set of BAD habits. Deep down I know he's right, but I just can't help it...pup's gotta chew and I have to be able to leave him out of my sight for a few minutes to get ready in the mornings.
When it was warmer outside, I use to tie him up in the backyard while I got ready. Well, after he chewed through his 4th leash, I started using a bike chain. No, not the metal ones, the ones that are coated in plastic and are pliable. He couldn't chew through them and I felt confident he wouldn't escape the yard. Well, now in December, it's started getting colder. Although we still don't have snow on the ground, I feel uncomfortable leaving him outside. So, being the conscientious (doormat) owner I am, I started putting him in the vestibule (a little foyer, if you will, between the front door and the inner door to the house). I figured he'd like it there, 2 large windows to look out of, and lots of space. Well, in the 2 times that I put him in the vestibule, I started noticing that my baseboards were shrinking! Yep, that's right. Not only has he eaten his toys, clothes, cushions and sofa...now our wonderful 8 month old dog has started eating the HOUSE!!! By the way, yes I feed him enough food, yes it's very good food, yes he gets plenty of exercise!!! He just loves to chew and chew.
So...last week, hubby and I went out and bought "bitter apple" spray. This is "supposed" to deter dogs from chewing on furniture and baseboards, etc.. The smell makes me gag and I certainly never finish my breakfast or coffee after hubby has sprayed the furniture. My son gets up from a deep, deep sleep and closes his bedroom door to block out the putrid smell. Pup, on the other-hand, walks over to the remaining frame of the sofa...his tongue out, as he licks up every last drop of that wonderful spray....
For more blogs, please visit http://cluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/ and http://thecluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/
Sunday, 27 November 2011
My Dog is Trying to Kill Me!
Yes, it's true. My loving 7 month old pup, the one I feed, walk, pet, play with, and enjoy, is trying to kill me.
Last week, as I was walking down the stairs, he darted out in front of me and I almost missed my step. I narrowly grabbed the handrail to keep myself from plummeting down to the main floor. I had a few bruises on my shins.
Yesterday, as I was cleaning my house, he ran in front of me..I fell face first into my dining room chairs. I put my hand out to break my fall and now I have a huge bruise on my hand.
This evening, I was taking him out for his evening stroll with my son. We walked wonderfully until we came upon what I call "Devil's Stretch". This is an ordinary stretch of land..about 2 blocks long. On one side of the street are typical suburban homes, on the other is a park. Well when hubby or son are walking the dog along this stretch, he behaves beautifully. However, when I'm holding the leash...HE GOES NUTS!!! He pulls away, bites the leash, growls at me, and barks up a storm. He runs back and forth yanking me and the leash with him. Then, once the stretch is over, he goes back to calmly walking beside me...weird!!
Well. this evening, I had the leash as pup, son and I went by Devil's Stretch. Pup started up as per usual, but, he now weighs over 45lbs!! He started running back and forth, turning somersaults in the air (quite the agile puppy!) At one point, he ran behind me and yanked my left arm straight out behind me. Then he jumped up so my arm went up. He then yanked back and I fell, on my left side, right into the muddy grass in the park. He then must have seen a squirrel or something, because he kept on running until I was completely flat, face first in the mud, with my arm stretched out straight out in front of me.
It took me a few minutes to roll over and get my bearings. I was covered in mud on my left side. It was a miracle that I had never let go of the leash. I looked up at my son and asked him if he was planning on helping me. He told me he would as soon as he stopped laughing!!!
So there you have it...pup throws me down stairs..he flings me into chairs, and he drags me through mud. When I walk him tomorrow, as a precaution, I'll wear my son's hockey helmet!!
For more blogs, please visit http://cluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/ and http://thecluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/
Last week, as I was walking down the stairs, he darted out in front of me and I almost missed my step. I narrowly grabbed the handrail to keep myself from plummeting down to the main floor. I had a few bruises on my shins.
Yesterday, as I was cleaning my house, he ran in front of me..I fell face first into my dining room chairs. I put my hand out to break my fall and now I have a huge bruise on my hand.
This evening, I was taking him out for his evening stroll with my son. We walked wonderfully until we came upon what I call "Devil's Stretch". This is an ordinary stretch of land..about 2 blocks long. On one side of the street are typical suburban homes, on the other is a park. Well when hubby or son are walking the dog along this stretch, he behaves beautifully. However, when I'm holding the leash...HE GOES NUTS!!! He pulls away, bites the leash, growls at me, and barks up a storm. He runs back and forth yanking me and the leash with him. Then, once the stretch is over, he goes back to calmly walking beside me...weird!!
Well. this evening, I had the leash as pup, son and I went by Devil's Stretch. Pup started up as per usual, but, he now weighs over 45lbs!! He started running back and forth, turning somersaults in the air (quite the agile puppy!) At one point, he ran behind me and yanked my left arm straight out behind me. Then he jumped up so my arm went up. He then yanked back and I fell, on my left side, right into the muddy grass in the park. He then must have seen a squirrel or something, because he kept on running until I was completely flat, face first in the mud, with my arm stretched out straight out in front of me.
It took me a few minutes to roll over and get my bearings. I was covered in mud on my left side. It was a miracle that I had never let go of the leash. I looked up at my son and asked him if he was planning on helping me. He told me he would as soon as he stopped laughing!!!
So there you have it...pup throws me down stairs..he flings me into chairs, and he drags me through mud. When I walk him tomorrow, as a precaution, I'll wear my son's hockey helmet!!
For more blogs, please visit http://cluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/ and http://thecluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/
Sunday, 20 November 2011
The Social Butterfly
My pup has lots of friends. Lots and lots of friends!!! Everywhere we go..a new friend pops up!
Sadly, however, it wasn't always this way. In the beginning, when our 7 month old pup, was only 2, 3, or 4 months old..he didn't have any friends. It wasn't from lack of dogs in our neighbourhood, oh no, not at all. It was because our pup hadn't been fully socialized yet. He didn't quite understand "canine" language. Other tiny pups understood him. When he jumped up and nipped at their ears, they let him. Occasionally, they would bite back and a full out Sharks/Jets rumble would break out. They would fight till the other owners and I would have to pull them apart.
But, when my little pup would come across an adult dog, well then the rules would be completely different. Adult dogs would have no time for him. They'd turn their back on him, or just growl, saying "Back off pup..can't you see I don't want to play with the likes of you?!" Of course, being a young pup, and therefore, completely clueless, my pup just wouldn't take the hint. He'd jump at and yap at the adult dogs..ignore the fact that they were ignoring him, he'd nip at their ears...just long enough for the adults dog, with lightning speed, would pin him down until the yelping started. The other owners would apologize to me and try to get their 70 lb dogs off my 11lb puppy. As soon as the dog was off, my pup would start up again until once again he'd be pinned down. Actually, I didn't mind it one bit. I figured the best teacher to teach my pup the ways of the canine world, is another dog. And so it went....
Now my pup is 7 1/2 months old. I gotta tell you, he learns fast. Now, he has so many friends...pups his age, and dogs 10 years older than him. He plays really really well with everyone. When we come to a soccer field, baseball diamond, or a dog park, he's out there playing with everyone. He's got his regular friends that he sees every day, and he is constantly making new ones. He loves and plays with all dogs...except...he doesn't really care for very young pups. I occasionally find myself trying to pry him off a 2 month old that he has pinned down...he has no time for them.
For more blogs, please visit http://cluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/ and http://thecluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/
Sadly, however, it wasn't always this way. In the beginning, when our 7 month old pup, was only 2, 3, or 4 months old..he didn't have any friends. It wasn't from lack of dogs in our neighbourhood, oh no, not at all. It was because our pup hadn't been fully socialized yet. He didn't quite understand "canine" language. Other tiny pups understood him. When he jumped up and nipped at their ears, they let him. Occasionally, they would bite back and a full out Sharks/Jets rumble would break out. They would fight till the other owners and I would have to pull them apart.
But, when my little pup would come across an adult dog, well then the rules would be completely different. Adult dogs would have no time for him. They'd turn their back on him, or just growl, saying "Back off pup..can't you see I don't want to play with the likes of you?!" Of course, being a young pup, and therefore, completely clueless, my pup just wouldn't take the hint. He'd jump at and yap at the adult dogs..ignore the fact that they were ignoring him, he'd nip at their ears...just long enough for the adults dog, with lightning speed, would pin him down until the yelping started. The other owners would apologize to me and try to get their 70 lb dogs off my 11lb puppy. As soon as the dog was off, my pup would start up again until once again he'd be pinned down. Actually, I didn't mind it one bit. I figured the best teacher to teach my pup the ways of the canine world, is another dog. And so it went....
Now my pup is 7 1/2 months old. I gotta tell you, he learns fast. Now, he has so many friends...pups his age, and dogs 10 years older than him. He plays really really well with everyone. When we come to a soccer field, baseball diamond, or a dog park, he's out there playing with everyone. He's got his regular friends that he sees every day, and he is constantly making new ones. He loves and plays with all dogs...except...he doesn't really care for very young pups. I occasionally find myself trying to pry him off a 2 month old that he has pinned down...he has no time for them.
For more blogs, please visit http://cluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/ and http://thecluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/
Sunday, 13 November 2011
The Vet
Being first time puppy owners, we take our pup to the vet...A LOT!!
"Honey, do you think pup has a limp?"
"Honey, does his right eye look normal to you?"
"Honey, do you think we're feeding him (enough/not enough/the right food)?
"Honey, do you think he gets (too much/not enough) exercise?"
"Honey, do you think he's gaining enough weight?"
The list goes on and on. I've got the Vet on my speed dial. They roll out a red carpet when they see us coming. I'm pretty sure that in the 5 months since becoming puppy owners, we've sent 2 out of the 4 vets to Hawaii, and the other 2 have had major renovations done in their homes.
The funny thing is that I don't even like doctors. But pup does...A LOT!! Pup looks forward to these trips. From the moment we walk through the glass doors, to the moment we leave, our pup gets treats....lots and lots of treats. The Vets tell us that it's better for the dogs so that they have less anxiety. I think that giving a pup treats for 1 solid hour has proven Pavlov's theory tenfold. Hubby and I just have to spell V.E.T. and pup begins to salivate.
Vet is walking distance from our house. Whenever it's time for a walk, pup begins by wagging his tail and leading the way to the vet. When we change direction and turn left instead of going straight, pup begins to pull and pull. Pup can't believe that we're NOT going to the vet. The further from the vet we go, the louder pup whimpers. He's mad and sad and I can almost see the betrayal he feels just by looking into his eyes!! He can't believe his loving masters aren't taking him to the vet...why it's only been 3 days since he was poked, prodded, and weighed....how could his masters be so cruel??? A pup's gotta have treats...just gotta!!!
And so it goes, every walk the same...till we get to that point mid-month when, "honey, do you think we're feeding him enough for his weight?" kicks in, and off we walk towards those glass doors.
For more blogs, please visit http://cluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/ and http://thecluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/
"Honey, do you think pup has a limp?"
"Honey, does his right eye look normal to you?"
"Honey, do you think we're feeding him (enough/not enough/the right food)?
"Honey, do you think he gets (too much/not enough) exercise?"
"Honey, do you think he's gaining enough weight?"
The list goes on and on. I've got the Vet on my speed dial. They roll out a red carpet when they see us coming. I'm pretty sure that in the 5 months since becoming puppy owners, we've sent 2 out of the 4 vets to Hawaii, and the other 2 have had major renovations done in their homes.
The funny thing is that I don't even like doctors. But pup does...A LOT!! Pup looks forward to these trips. From the moment we walk through the glass doors, to the moment we leave, our pup gets treats....lots and lots of treats. The Vets tell us that it's better for the dogs so that they have less anxiety. I think that giving a pup treats for 1 solid hour has proven Pavlov's theory tenfold. Hubby and I just have to spell V.E.T. and pup begins to salivate.
Vet is walking distance from our house. Whenever it's time for a walk, pup begins by wagging his tail and leading the way to the vet. When we change direction and turn left instead of going straight, pup begins to pull and pull. Pup can't believe that we're NOT going to the vet. The further from the vet we go, the louder pup whimpers. He's mad and sad and I can almost see the betrayal he feels just by looking into his eyes!! He can't believe his loving masters aren't taking him to the vet...why it's only been 3 days since he was poked, prodded, and weighed....how could his masters be so cruel??? A pup's gotta have treats...just gotta!!!
And so it goes, every walk the same...till we get to that point mid-month when, "honey, do you think we're feeding him enough for his weight?" kicks in, and off we walk towards those glass doors.
For more blogs, please visit http://cluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/ and http://thecluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/
Sunday, 6 November 2011
The Phantom Poop
I am a very conscientious dog owner. I've had my 7 month old pup for 5 months now. In this time, he's been professionally groomed 2ce. He gets monthly pedicures. We've home bathed him half a dozen times...in short, we've done everything by the book.
We walk him several times a day...morning, noon, late-afternoon and evening. And, let me tell you...my pup is REGULAR. I've had entire dinner (!) conversations with hubby about the regularity of our pup. We talk, size, weight, and consistency of the poop. We talk poop bags (regular or lavender scented), poop bag holders (the kind you clip onto the leash, or the kind you carry in your purse), and of course, we talk poop..lots and lots of poop.
And, because as I said before, we are conscientious, we always, always, always pick up after him. Noon and early afternoon walks are easy. In broad daylight, it's very clear to see where pup has gone. Sometimes, I'll be picking up his poop from a neighbour's lawn, only to find the neighbour at the window..sighing with relief that we didn't just dump and run. We would never do that. I hate getting up in the morning, only to find that someone else's dog has gone on my lawn and no-one cared to pick it up. Therefore I would never do that to anyone else. In the early morning and at night, hubby and I always have a flash-light with us. We do this out of respect for lawns everywhere!!
But....
Having had pup since June 1st, this is our 1st Fall season with him. The Autumn leaves were very pretty in October when they started changing colours. Yellow, orange, gold, red...I just loved them all. Now, in mid-November, they are kind of a dull brown. If they're dry, they crunch underneath our shoes. Pup loves the sound and runs through them. He tosses them in the air, and bites at them. Sometimes they get stuck on his snout. He's perfectly happy with all this..and we love to watch him play. What we don't like are the leaves that are all wet. They just kind stick to the bottoms of your shoes, and stick all over pup's face and legs. (sometimes his back if he's rolling around in them). Also these brown wet leaves look very much like a certain something that belongs in a poop bag...which brings me to yesterday. Yesterday, hubby was exhausted. He had done yard work for most of the day, winterizing the house, raking up leaves....cleaning out the garage, etc...Being a loving, wonderful wife (!), I suggested to hubby that he stay home last night to relax, while son and I would walk pup. (I should also mention at this point, that we are in the transition stage in puppy food. Pup is now slowly going from puppy food to adolescent food).
Son and I took a few poop bags with us (just in case), and the flash-light (of course). Off we went on our evening walk. Well, we came upon a house and pup took his usual stance (heaven forbid pup wait until the park that was only 1/2 a block away!). Pup had to go and he wanted to go NOW!! As I said, he took his stance and began. He went and went. Son and I began to give each other nervous looks...it was gonna be huge. Pup, unphased by our body language, just kept going and going. He got up at one point, went a few feet further, and continued to go. What felt like an eternity, but was probably only a few minutes, the pup finally got up and walked away. I gave son the leash, took out 2 bags (I knew there was no way all that could possibly fit into 1 bag), and I took out the flash-light. I searched and searched...and searched some more. I scoured every inch of that lawn, but all I could see were yucky wet brown leaves. I looked forever...at least 10-15 minutes. I'm pretty sure I found the needle in the haystack, but the phantom poop was nowhere to be seen. I took back the leash and gave son the flash-light. I figured his 14 year old eyes were better than mine. He combed through that front lawn with the precision of a CSI agent. The poop was gone!!!
I feel really bad about this. In 5 months, this has never happened to me. But I just know, that when those folks woke up the next morning, they had the same reaction as I did when I found poop in my yard. They thought we didn't care..it was a poop and run...they thought they'd NEVER do that to anyone!
For more blogs, please visit http://cluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/ and http://thecluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/
We walk him several times a day...morning, noon, late-afternoon and evening. And, let me tell you...my pup is REGULAR. I've had entire dinner (!) conversations with hubby about the regularity of our pup. We talk, size, weight, and consistency of the poop. We talk poop bags (regular or lavender scented), poop bag holders (the kind you clip onto the leash, or the kind you carry in your purse), and of course, we talk poop..lots and lots of poop.
And, because as I said before, we are conscientious, we always, always, always pick up after him. Noon and early afternoon walks are easy. In broad daylight, it's very clear to see where pup has gone. Sometimes, I'll be picking up his poop from a neighbour's lawn, only to find the neighbour at the window..sighing with relief that we didn't just dump and run. We would never do that. I hate getting up in the morning, only to find that someone else's dog has gone on my lawn and no-one cared to pick it up. Therefore I would never do that to anyone else. In the early morning and at night, hubby and I always have a flash-light with us. We do this out of respect for lawns everywhere!!
But....
Having had pup since June 1st, this is our 1st Fall season with him. The Autumn leaves were very pretty in October when they started changing colours. Yellow, orange, gold, red...I just loved them all. Now, in mid-November, they are kind of a dull brown. If they're dry, they crunch underneath our shoes. Pup loves the sound and runs through them. He tosses them in the air, and bites at them. Sometimes they get stuck on his snout. He's perfectly happy with all this..and we love to watch him play. What we don't like are the leaves that are all wet. They just kind stick to the bottoms of your shoes, and stick all over pup's face and legs. (sometimes his back if he's rolling around in them). Also these brown wet leaves look very much like a certain something that belongs in a poop bag...which brings me to yesterday. Yesterday, hubby was exhausted. He had done yard work for most of the day, winterizing the house, raking up leaves....cleaning out the garage, etc...Being a loving, wonderful wife (!), I suggested to hubby that he stay home last night to relax, while son and I would walk pup. (I should also mention at this point, that we are in the transition stage in puppy food. Pup is now slowly going from puppy food to adolescent food).
Son and I took a few poop bags with us (just in case), and the flash-light (of course). Off we went on our evening walk. Well, we came upon a house and pup took his usual stance (heaven forbid pup wait until the park that was only 1/2 a block away!). Pup had to go and he wanted to go NOW!! As I said, he took his stance and began. He went and went. Son and I began to give each other nervous looks...it was gonna be huge. Pup, unphased by our body language, just kept going and going. He got up at one point, went a few feet further, and continued to go. What felt like an eternity, but was probably only a few minutes, the pup finally got up and walked away. I gave son the leash, took out 2 bags (I knew there was no way all that could possibly fit into 1 bag), and I took out the flash-light. I searched and searched...and searched some more. I scoured every inch of that lawn, but all I could see were yucky wet brown leaves. I looked forever...at least 10-15 minutes. I'm pretty sure I found the needle in the haystack, but the phantom poop was nowhere to be seen. I took back the leash and gave son the flash-light. I figured his 14 year old eyes were better than mine. He combed through that front lawn with the precision of a CSI agent. The poop was gone!!!
I feel really bad about this. In 5 months, this has never happened to me. But I just know, that when those folks woke up the next morning, they had the same reaction as I did when I found poop in my yard. They thought we didn't care..it was a poop and run...they thought they'd NEVER do that to anyone!
For more blogs, please visit http://cluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/ and http://thecluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/
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