Nails. And vets. And screens.

Hey blogaroos. Squirmy here to provide news, updates and info about life here in the asylum.

It’s been a bit roller coaster-like the past couple of weeks. First we had the big-eating Coyote- who thought that after 8 years, food was GREAT – if it contained baked potatoes. And all was happy in foodland for several weeks. Until the broken nails….

So all was right in Coyote World. He was eating more than ever, happy as always and ever-ready to wrestle with yours truly. BUT he was licking at his leg. A lot. The Warden examined him and saw that his dew claw had broken and half had lifted off – like a pair of scissors. Yowza. She sent a photo to the vet, and they suggested cutting it back. Well hello. Mr. Don’t-Touch-My-Feet does not allow ANYONE to clip his nails. The Warden can dremel his nails, but she didn’t think that would work in this case. So off to the vet he went.

Now we all know about his dramatic behavior at the vet. He basically needs to be pulled in and then he begins to exhibit a combination of shaking from head to toe and a loud incessant squeaking that is worse than a Saw Whet Owl looking for a mate. (See our previous blog post if you have no idea what we are talking about).

He was SUPPOSED to be seen by a technician and while two techs did initially look at him, they decided the vet should really take a look at it.

The vet (who is quasi-new to our vet clinic) is someone who the Warden knows from WAY back – like in the days when Paxton was in Drill Team. They actually did Drill Team together! The Warden LOVES her – and was so happy when she heard she joined our clinic. Anyway, Dr. L came in, looked at the Coyote, and easily removed the loose piece of his nail with a quick tug. He never even squeaked. So all was again joyful in the Coyote’s world. He gave kisses and tail wags to everyone in the room, and he went home with instructions to keep the nail clean, keep him from licking it, and watch for signs of infection.

The nail was quickly fine. And all was once again right with the Coyote World. But then…the Warden noticed him licking ANOTHER nail. Sure enough – it was also splitting. But it had not separated like the first nail. It was kinda partly split and one piece was overhanging the bottom part. The Warden thought “THIS I can dremel.” Wrongo. One tiny rotary movement and it started bleeding. Off to the vet. AGAIN.

This time he was seen by the techs, who were able to cut back the overhanging piece. They unfortunately said the best thing to do would be bandage it until it grows out a bit more…

So the Coyote is sporting a bandaged foot which is changed daily. He is NOT impressed. And we all know what happens if the Coyote is not impressed or if something changes in his world…he refuses to eat. Yup. He’s on a hunger strike. He runs over to his food dish at meal time, and then says “meh.” He doesn’t even want baked potatoes….

So the Warden has upped her own blood pressure medication. JUST KIDDING. But it IS stressful- especially when he was doing so well…

In other less stressful news, we think there’s been a bear visiting our compost bin. Isn’t it funny that a BEAR is less stressful than the Coyote not eating?! Anyway, a neighbor on the road took a photo of a visiting bruin and our can has been knocked over twice – even though there’s not much in it. He must be really hungry. Wonder if he’d attempt to eat a PON? The Warden says one look at loco me, and he’d run the other direction. See. It pays to be crazy.

What else? Oh yeah – the new plants. So, if you may recall, the Warden gave up on her little vegetable garden the year after I arrived. Probably because I saw it as a FABULOUS place to run and dig. So now her “planting” is limited to a few large pots of annuals she puts by the front door – and in a planter in the middle of the backyard.

A couple of days ago she bought some plants for her planters and a friend dropped off a few as well. She had these giant bags of soil to fill the planters and she worked at it after supper the other day – in the front of the house. The Coyote and I were inside because a. He couldn’t be loose outside in the front of the house because he would take off (bandaged foot and all) and b. I would stay around for awhile, until I got bored, and then I would go bunny hunting. So she was doing her work without supervision. Frodo was her usual supervisor for such projects. He wouldn’t take off. She misses his supervision….even when he was Bossy.

So she fills several planters, and then drags the remaining soil and plants to the backyard planter. Our backyard is fenced. The deck door is open – so the Coyote and I race down to see her.

She puts the plants down and turns to get the bag of soil. At which point, yours truly promptly “waters” the new plants waiting to go into their new home. “Hey” she shouts, just as the Coyote walks by and also attempts to “christen” the newcomers. “Aggghhhhhhh” the Warden screams. Now she gets to plant the wet specimens. Good thing she wears garden gloves.

I’m still going to my obedience classes, though one would never know it at home. Since the Boss is gone, I have totally ramped up my barking. It’s like his barking soul has entered my body. I have a LOT to say. But in class, you’d never know just how maniacal I am at home. I play a good part.

And speaking of talking, have you read the latest research on dog talk? Check it out:

https://search.app/?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ecbsnews%2Ecom%2Famp%2Ftexas%2Fnews%2Fdo%2Ddogs%2Dtalk%2Duta%2Dresearcher%2Dworking%2Dto%2Dfind%2Dout%2F&utm_source=igadl%2Cigatpdl%2Csh%2Fx%2Fgs%2Fm2%2F5

The Warden says if they need subject dogs to get a speech sample, she’ll gladly send me off. She thinks she’s funny.

What else? Oh – the Warden replaced the fabulous magnetic screen door to the deck – because SOMEHOW, it got a hole in it last summer. Don’t look at me. I think it was a faulty screen. Anyway, BEFORE the “L” shaped tear, which I eventually put my head through, the screen was working like a charm. This wasn’t one of those cheapy screens you can buy at the Dollar Store. No. It is made of like space age fiberglass or something. And the price reflected that technology. And it DID work great. Until the L. And then the giant hole. So she bought another one- and put it up. You know that famous saying by Einstein: ‘Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.’ Welcome to our home. Let’s see if this one makes it through the summer. We’re taking bets.

I think that’s it from the asylum. We’ll keep you posted about the Coyote’s apathetic appetite. Paws crossed he gets back on track. But not to worry about food ever being wasted. That’s why every household should have a canine composter aka PON. And some people think that title goes to Labs. Ha! They just don’t know PONs!

Have a good one. Peace and paws up. Stay safe. JBJ