Change Of Plans

After weeks of rain, the weather forecast for this weekend was different. We were told to plan for snow and this morning when I took the dogs out, snow was falling. It didn't amount to much, only a slight covering on the ground, not enough to even excite the dogs, but Rob and I were both looking forward to a quiet weekend at home.

Anyone with kids or dogs knows that plans can change in a second and ours did. After breakfast Rob and Mac were dozing on one couch and I was on the other couch watching TV and sipping my second cup of coffee. Fudge was beside me and all was peaceful.

Then Mac jumped off the couch and I yelled. Mac was lying on the floor flopping around. Her legs were twitching, her head was thrown back and her eyes were rolling around. She didn't make a sound but was obviously terrified.  I gave her a Rimadyl and Rob ran to get the car.  I held Mac and called the vet at the same time. He said to bring her right in.

By the time we got there the Rimadyl was working and she could walk and wasn't exhibiting any pain. The exam didn't tell us much but because of her long back, we know she could be susceptible to back injury. Dr B seemed to think that it might be her head, not her back. He said it could have been trauma or she could have had a small seizure.

She came home and is confined to a small space in the living room and is not allowed to run or jump. She's tethered to a chair leg to keep her from doing any more damage. She's taking pain medication and a muscle relaxant and has been a very good patient so far. I'm to check her eyes several times a day to be sure they're tracking correctly and watch for any strange behavior, such as becoming completely still for a few moments or any outward sign of pain or confusion.

If she does show any of those signs, we'll do further testing. We're hoping this was just a one time incident and we can go back to normal in a few days, but something tells me this isn't over yet. We can use some paw power for the short dog.

How I Spent My Birthday by Sebastian

Yesterday was my estimated fifth birthday. When I found this home, my new parents took me to see Dr B for a checkup. He estimated my age and counted backwards and came up with January 4th as my official birthday. At this house we celebrate all birthdays, so mine is the first one each year. I'll tell you all how I spent my day yesterday.

We got up at the usual time in the morning and Mom took us downstairs to eat breakfast. She makes a good breakfast and I cleaned my bowl. Then I licked out Fudge's bowl but he didn't leave anything but a little flavor. 

Then, after a trip outside, we went up to the kitchen where I waited while Mom got our meds together. I take vitamin B complex, B12, tumeric, fish oil and Reglan. I have something called acid reflux and Reglan stops it so that I don't get sick and lose my breakfast.

Then I caught a little snooze while Mom and Dad ate their breakfast. I have to stay near them because we each get a slice of banana when they're finished eating.

After that it was time for my morning nap.

Dad took us outside to play for awhile.

  Then it was time for my early afternoon nap.

At our 2:00 outing we had my birthday party. See these cupcakes that Dad bought for me? Fudge says they're the good kind because they have lots of sprinkles.

Mom said it was party time so we all watched the door for the arrival of Dad with the little cakes.

 He handed them out.

 Then he let me lick up all the extra sprinkles that were in the box. Fudge was right.That guy knows all about sprinkles.

After the party I was hoping dad and I could make a little trip to McDonalds for French fries like last week, but Mom said not today. MoDonalds makes great fries. Instead I took my late afternoon nap till dinner.

I had a special birthday dinner, some duck pate on my kibble. It was wonderful.

After we all ate and while Mom and Dad ate, I took a little nap.

Mom went into her office to do some computer stuff and I went with her and rested under the desk.

Mom and Dad watched some TV during the evening and we all napped.

Then it was time for yogurt and bed. Wow, it was an exhausting day.

Mom had the audacity to tell Dr B that she thought I was lazy. He said she was just used to Portie energy and that I was a normal dog. So there!
 Sebastian

Off To A Good Start

Whether we're ready or not, 2016 is here.  So far it seems to be getting off to a pretty good start. This morning and for most of the day, we saw sunshine. That may not seem like much of an accomplishment, but after the week of rain and floods, it's a really big deal.

Mid morning Rob took the dogs into the back yard and Sydney immediately caught a squirrel. That makes our score Dogs 4- Squirrels 0. Maybe the squirrels need to stay alert and pay attention to their surroundings. I'm nor sure this one was listening to his Ipod, it's just a guess.

Next we got to watch hockey the way it's meant to be played, outdoors in the snow. Boston and Montreal played in the Winter Classic and I  got to watch from the comfort of my living room with a blanket over my legs and a cup of tea at hand. It wasn't a great game, but it was hockey, so that makes it good.

I'm in the process of changing the dogs' feeding time from 3:30 to 5. The earlier time was chosen to avoid an issue with a neighbor but it has been bad for the dogs. They have too long a time between their dinner and breakfast the nest morning, so I decided that they are more important than the neighbor and I'm moving their meal time back. The dogs know exactly when the clock strikes 3:30 and start pacing and staring at me. Sebastian comes over and gives me a nudge. I'm doing this in stages, so we're currently at 4:30. Today to make them happier about the change they had a delicious meal of kibble and stew and shrimp tails and broccoli. I think they've forgiven me for making them wait.

Now I get to spend the evening stitching and drinking champagne, surrounded by these furry little creatures that I love. What could be a better start to a new year?

Practice Makes Perfect

I've been fighting the urge to do a year end post. It was not a great year because we lost so many friends and our own Miss Morgan, but I've decided to move ahead and just let 2015 go. Instead I'll let you in on a little problem we're having with Miss Norma Jean.

Portuguese Water Dogs are expert counter surfers. It seems to be in their genes. Fudge broke the habit at an early age when he pulled a towel off the counter. Drying on the towel were several pieces of pottery and a couple broke. That scared the boy into giving up the habit.

Samba, on the other hand, started early. At three months she wasn't tall enough to reach the counter, but she pushed a chair over and was able to reach a plate of cookies. Once they have a success, there's no stopping them. She grabbed a newly opened container of Ben and Jerry's which she shared with Fudge and her best score was an entire turkey just out of the oven. I got that one away from her before she had a chance to eat it.

Samba passed the surfing gene to all her pups. Noah grabbed a piece of lasagna of Rob's plate, right under his nose. Sky stretched for and devoured an entire box of frosted sugar cookies. Bailey has managed to reach several bags of dog treats which she usually shares with her sisters. I've received reports that Gracie helped herself to a take out Mexican dinner while her Mom's back was turned. Each of them check out the counters a couple times a day and I am always reminding Rob to place things out of the reach of those stretchy legs.

This week Norma Jean who checks the counters regularly, made her first score. Rob decided to have a mid-day snack of coffee and a muffin. He put the lemon raspberry muffin on a plate and walked across the room to microwave a cup of coffee. I walked into the kitchen to see Norma Jean standing on tippytoes and eating the muffin from the plate. I yelled and Rob turned in time to save about half his muffin.

Well, after a fine score like that, an enterprising pup isn't going to give up. We were both careful to put anything edible out of reach till yesterday when Rob made himself a sandwich. First he took a nice hoagie roll and covered it with cheddar cheese. He left it on a plate while he cooked up some sausage with onions. When the sausage was ready he carried the pan over to the counter where he'd left the roll, but no roll and no cheese. Also no Norma Jean. The others were standing there watching him, but Norma Jean was in another room finishing off her cheese sandwich.

Now she thinks she's a pro at this counter surfing thing and we have to watch her constantly. During the evening, when everyone else is snoozing in front of the TV, I can hear her checking out the counters. I know most of you are probably aghast at the idea of your dog standing up at the kitchen counter reaching out a leg and pulling a plate of food toward them, but that's normal life with a Portuguese Water Dog. Just ask anyone who lives with them. So I'm trying to think up a way to discourage the girl. I may have to  dig out the shock mat again so that when she touches the counter she gets a shock, but Samba used to stand on the thing and thought it was just a pleasant massage, so that may not do it. I'll let you know if I win this battle.

Now bring on 2016 and we all hope it's a good one for all of Blogville.

WANTED: ARK

Here's a holiday riddle for you. What do you get when you combine a well used back yard and 13 inches of rain?

Answer: an Olympic sized mud pool.

Yes, it's been raining for days here in Missouri and I don't mean a nice gentle rain, I mean continuous cloudbursts accompanied by thunder and lightning. As you can imagine I have some rather unhappy dogs who at times have to be dragged out the door to take care of business.

So what does one do with nine restless, unhappy, damp dogs?

Treats.

  Lots of treats.

 I know the whole country is having weather issues, so I won't whine about our rain. We're safe and warm and mostly dry and sending wishes that all of you are also safe and warm.

Christmas Is For Pups

Merry Christmas everyone! This morning we intended to carry on with our custom of letting the dogs select their own toys from the toy box, but it took a different twist. Santa filled their toy box with new stuffies and balls.

Ordinarily when they come running into the room, they can't wait to claim a toy or two or six.
Today the Porties all looked in the box and each of them picked out a toy, but they quickly lost interest.

The younger dogs, Sebastian and Mackey were super excited about all the new playthings and kept going back to the box over and over again till it was empty.

 Sydney stayed outside to play in the warm December weather, but did get her very own toy presented to her. She didn't have to push and shove and get all upset. We're trying hard to keep her stress free.

While the other dogs checked out the counters and splashed water all over the kitchen, Sebastian and Mac had a great time with their presents.

 Everyone had several treats thru the day, so at dinner time I decided to give them something to sooth their tummies.  I mashed up a large sweet potato.

Then I stirred in some rice. Dr B has recommended this mixture when any of them do have upset tummies.

But for a celebration, today I added some pieces of turkey and some parmesan cheese.

  Mix it all together and stir it into their kibble and watch them devour it.

 And to all a good night.