Author: frodopon

Brilliance

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Her highness got an email from a former graduate student yesterday – and it included information about a research study going on at the university where my human worked.

The study is through the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience- and they are looking at whether dogs’ abilities to find hidden objects are predicted by their understanding of spoken words, as is the case in human infants and young children.

In the study, dogs get to search for hidden rewards, and they also look at the dogs’ ability to understand English words. Dogs cannot be bilingual- and their primary language must be English.  They say that any dog can participate regardless of age, breed, or ability level. 

So you KNOW she had to volunteer us.  She immediately emailed the researchers.  HOWEVER, I’m thinking they probably won’t call us.  Because she included the following info in her email:   “All three of my dogs understand English.  Whether they choose to respond though is another story.” Very funny.  I think she ruined my chance to do research .  And to prove my brilliance.

And speaking of brilliance, I found this video the other day.  This is one trick we won’t even THINK about attempting in this house.  NONE of us has this level of patience.  Including my human:

That’s just plain freaky.  That dog needs some sheep.  What’s he going to learn next- chess?!
Excuse me while I do something brilliant like chew on Einstein’s ears.  And watch the FG toss around a baby carrot.  Yup- they will never pick us for that study…
Have a good one.  Peace and paws up.
Seizure free days: 5

Who’s a good boy!

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Well I went for my vet appointment yesterday. I didn’t actually see the vet because I was just there for blood work. But I got to see two nice technicians.
Before I went, I of course underwent the obligatory pre-socializing grooming.  When we’re at home, it’s OK to look like ragamuffins who have been living in the wild for months. But we go out in public and we have to look “presentable.”  Mind you – it’s not unlike her highness at home -who is typically dressed in stylish “dog clothes” which are covered in hair and slobber and have a drawstring waistband on the pants – for supreme comfort.  You would never catch her dead in the grocery store like that – but at home – and even out on walks, she looks like a  ragamuffin herself.  Just sayin. 

After becoming presentable and even wearing the mandatory hair clip, we headed to the vet.  My human plopped me on the scale in the waiting area – and it appears I have gained a lb.  Mind you, I have always been on the thin side.  She then plopped me on a bench with her- so I wouldn’t sniff and snark all the germs on the floor.  How do you spell “paranoid?”
I must say- I was on my best behavior.  The two technicians commented about how I’m always so good and so well behaved.  My human smiled and rolled her eyes.  If they only knew.
After the vet, she took me to the pet store where we get our food.  OK.  I haven’t been in there in awhile.  Well let me tell you, my brain exploded.  I just stood and stared at this big display of deer antlers, bones and other assorted chews.  Seriously.  I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I was paralyzed.  
Several people asked what I was.  I thought my human should have said “a cat,” just to confuse them,  but she told them what I was.  I was behaving so she told the truth.  Otherwise she would have said a Polish Highland Terrier.  Or a Doodle. 
One person said “wow- that must be a lot of grooming.”  My human wishes she had a dollar for every time someone says that. Now she just says “oh just a bit.”
I came home and Einstein and the FG had to do their “inspection” of me.   I passed.
We all went out on the deck when we got back- with my human threatening us with a squirt gun if we attempted to pee. After all the deck painting agony last year – she STILL had to do touch ups the other day where it was ALREADY peeling in spots. Bad enough about the peeling – here I was looking all dapper and clean – and the entire deck was coated in a fine dusting of pollen.  We all had green feet in no time.
Later in the afternoon, my vet called…
They don’t have all my results yet- but one important result was obtained.  One of my primary meds is actually below the therapeutic range for effectiveness.  So that means I can increase it substantially if I have any more seizures. That is really good news. We actually already increased it yesterday when we found out – just by a bit.  So HOPEFULLY we will get things under control.  My human was very happy.  I suggested we celebrate with some extra treats.  Old spoil sport reminded me of that extra lb. I had gained.  I suggested we go for another walk.  She pointed out it was raining. Score one for her.  This time.
Thanks again for all of your positive thoughts and good wishes.  They worked !
Have a good one. Peace and paws up.
Seizure free days: 4

Thanks all around

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Well check out my new bandana!  It seems the good folks at Atlantick – the place that makes the all natural tick spray that we have been using, read my blog.  So they sent us some cool bandanas!  Now we just spray Atlantick on our new attire, and those ticks take off in the other direction! So far so good. We give the product 4 paws up.  Out of 4.  We still do good tick checks – just to be sure one of the mini vampires hasn’t broken through the force field.  But as I said, so far so good! 

This isn’t a great shot of all of us – you know what a gong show it is to get all of us to take a shot – but we wanted to say thanks to Atlantick!

OK I know the “ticked off” line is kind of corny – but hey – it was the FG’s idea and we wanted to support his effort.  
In other news… today is National Pet Memorial Day.  A day to think about those dogs who have gone onto the Rainbow Bridge. And other pets as well.  Cats, gerbils, iguanas… any pet who has enriched your life.  Mind you, I’m partial to dogs….
Her highness’ pets when she was young included Mickey, the Irish Setter, and Goldie, a goldfish who jumped out of his bowl.  Love the originality of the name.  She was training him for agility and it didn’t go as planned.  There apparently was also a turtle named Stanley who was found during a summer vacation lake holiday, and who apparently didn’t adapt well to life in a large plastic enclosure with a palm tree.  Oh yes – and there was that Easter chick – who was a gift from an uncle.  And who stayed at home for 24 hours before he was returned to his farm.
Then, in her “adult years,” there was Barney – the multi-terrier cross SPCA “special” – fondly known as the “Biter.” There were four Bernese  Mountain Dogs – Schubert, Guinness, Harper and Paxton, and the lovable yellow Lab, Beamish.  Every single one of them taught my human something and every single one of them held a special compartment in her heart.  My human found these quotes and they pretty well sum up life with dogs….
Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love and loyalty.  They depart to teach us about loss.  A new dog never replaces an old dog; it merely expands the heart.  If you have loved many dogs, your heart is very big. 
– Erica Jong
It came to me that every time I lose a dog, they take a piece of my heart with them.  And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart.  If I live long enough all the components of my heart will be a dog and I will become as generous and loving as they are. 
-Cheryl Zuccaro  

Those make us sound pretty special, don’t they?  I’m going to pass them to my human when I attempt to get her up at 4:30. Or even when I want a treat…
Speaking of which – time to get her moving.  I have my appointment at the vet at noon – just for some bloodwork.  Chances are if I play my cards right, she MAY stop at the pet store with me on the way home.  Maybe I’ll limp after they take my blood – and try to milk it for extra treats. JUST kidding!!  Maybe.
Have a good one.  Peace and paws up.
Seizure free days: 3

Another birthday

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June 10.  And it’s the birthday of the Duke of Edinburgh- or better known as Prince Philip – husband to Queen Elizabeth.  He turns 98 today.  98!!  And it appears he is as witty as ever, although his driving skills may have deteriorated just a bit!  But it’s not like he can’t find somebody to give him a lift. 

We have talked about the Queen’s love for dogs – and her years of breeding corgis.  I searched for Prince Philip’s opinion about canines and couldn’t find much – but from photos it appears that he has enjoyed being surrounded by four legged friends. Dogs and royals appear to go together- here’s a cool site with lots of photos of royals throughout history with some of their canine kids:
So we wish Prince Philip a very Happy Birthday today!  Cheers!  We’ll be sure to celebrate here and have an extra treat just for him.  
OK.  Let’s face it. Every day is SOMEBODY’S  birthday – and we canines are ALWAYS ready to party….We never need an excuse for extra treats…Have a happy Monday!
Have a good one.  Peace and paws up .
Seizure free days: 2

Happy birthday MJF

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June 9.  And today is the birthday of the famous television and movie actor, comedian and producer- Michael J. Fox.  He also happens to have Canadian roots!  But besides his notable professional career- he is also known for the work he has done through the Micheal J Fox Foundation – in finding a cure for Parkinson’s Disease – a condition that Michael himself was diagnosed with when he was just 29 years old.  To date, his foundation has raised over 800 million dollars for funded research in this challenging neurological disease.

So what’s the link to dogs and Parkinson’s disease you may wonder?  Well there are three…
1.  Recent research has been investigating whether our supersonic canine noses can help in the early detection of the disease. With early detection, individuals can possibly have an early diagnosis and can receive early treatment.  Yup our noses are good for more than just olfactory art.
2.  We canines can be Service Dogs for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease.  We can help with everyday tasks for the disease which can affect movement and mobility .  You may recall that former President George W Bush had a form of Parkinson’s Disease – and he had a Service Dog named Sully.
3.  Did you know that dogs can get Parkinson’s Disease?  I didn’t.  But in researching this topic I found that we can.  While in humans, Parkinson’s is USUALLY seen in the elderly (but clearly not ALWAYS- as in the case of Michael J Fox), but in  dogs it is usually seen in younger animals.  The degenerative condition results in tremors and difficulty with mobility.  Medications can treat the symptoms- but as with humans, it is not yet curable.
So there you have our medical moment.  Michael J Fox has done so much to raise awareness about the condition- and has been willing to be a spokesperson- despite the challenges that the disease (and the medications) have on his ability to communicate.  We commend him for his efforts and wish him a Happy Birthday- and the hope for a cure in his lifetime.
Have a good one.  Peace and paws up.
Seizure free days: 1

Bad news

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Jeepers I hate to share this news…I had another seizure.

My human kept thinking that once she finished with work, we would get my seizures under control.  Well I guess we have more work to do. 

But you know something- she had a “feeling” I was “off” yesterday.  You see when her highness gets up in the morning, I am ALWAYS the first one to jump up.  I’m usually the one to GET her up.  But yesterday it took me 3 seconds to get up.  The difference would be totally unnoticeable to anyone.  But SHE noticed.  I went on my walk, and instead of being in the lead ( because my leash is longer than Einstein’s), I was trotting right alongside him.  Again- no one would notice.  But her highness did.
She had to go out to run some errands and other than those two TINY signs, I seemed  like myself. So she gave us our treats and off she went.  
She was gone 3.5 hours. And when she came home, someone had knocked down the gate to downstairs.  And peed down there.
Sure enough- she checked the video footage for confirmation.
I have an appointment at my vet on Tuesday to get my blood taken and to check my medication levels.  Since her highness was off this week, she did lower one of my pills by a tiny amount.  We had RAISED it back in the beginning of April – with the idea that it would be lowered when she was done with work.  Guess we have to re-evaluate.
The other thing her highness will do in the future is to trust her gut.  If she has a “feeling” not matter how tiny and insignificant the signs, she will give me extra medication to possibly ward off a seizure.  You humans KNOW us SO well.  That’s why you become poop obsess-aholics.  You’re always watching EVERYTHING we do. 
We know that dogs pick up on human stress, but since her highness has been off work, she is NOT stressed. So we won’t blame this seizure on stress !  In fact Tuesday was a rainy day, so we relaxed all day – and even had several rounds of “find Lambchop.”  We all had a GREAT time – although by the time it was the FG’s turn, Lambchop was rather soggy. He didn’t care, though.
Paws crossed we get better control.  I’m optimistic.  But then, we dogs always are.
Have a good one.  Peace and paws up.
Seizure free days: 0

Triplets

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Her highness was on the phone the other night, talking to her old friend Janet, in Texas. No sooner did she comfortably situate herself on the sofa in the DFZ, when Einstein and the FG decided to start playing Poke-a-PON.  We know what that entails…the FG pokes Einstein in the butt, Einstein swings around as if he is about to kill him – but instead he just barks at him.  And barks.  And the FG leaps back and squeaks. And he goes back to poke again. And so it goes. Poke. Spin. Bark. Squeak.  Poke. Spin. Bark. Squeak.

Her highness shouted “knock it off” because she couldn’t even hear Janet. Even Janet commented about the melee.  Her highness said “welcome to my multiple dog world.”
Oftentimes, when she meets someone for the first time, the subject of dogs comes up. Surprise, surprise.  And people comment and say “Wow- three dogs-what’s that like?”
She has thought about life with multiple dogs and depending on the day, she has a variety of analogies:
  1. Picture two year old triplets who didn’t sleep for two nights and have just each eaten a chocolate bar after they got into your purse.  
  2. Picture a tank of three hungry sharks after a bunch of fish have been thrown into the tank.
  3. Picture three Girl Scouts (or Boy Scouts) who accidentally step on a bees’ nest while out hiking.
  4. Picture three Capuchin monkeys who get into a big bottle of molasses.
  5. Picture three cats who get their tails caught in a doorway.
  6. Picture those two year old triplets again – this time getting into bottles of nail polish.
Now picture those triplets, sharks, cats and monkeys running to the fridge door, every time it is opened. Picture them under your feet as you prepare a meal in the kitchen.  Picture them waiting outside your bathroom door.  Picture them waking you up at 5 AM.  Just because.
Picture walking all of them in the rain- when they don’t want to go out.  Except the sharks.  They don’t care.
Picture saying names repeatedly throughout the day – to which no one responds.
Picture the fact that they have learned pack mentality and they KNOW that you only have two hands. And if one is getting pets, they ALL WANT PETS.  At the same time.
Picture windows covered in original olfactory art.  Especially in your vehicle. 
So have you got the picture?   The best analogy is two year old triplets.  Triplets who pretty much stay at two years of age – for MANY years.  
So what do you see?  Chaos?  Insanity?  Unbearable, sleep deprived craziness?  
Yup.  That’s all true. But what you also need to see is that pure, unconditional love and devotion that we canines ALL provide.  That longing for you when you go away.  That excitement when you return.  That wish that we could be with you all the time.  Because YOU are our human.  Picture all of that – times three.  
Yup – we live in a WILD household.  And want to know a secret?  My human wouldn’t have it any other way! 
Happy Friday!
Have a good one. Peace and paws up.
Seizure free days: 10

When nature calls

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When ya gotta go, ya gotta go…

After her highness and the FG had their abbreviated golf course walk on Tuesday, her highness decided she would make it up to him that evening.  So she loaded him in Ludwig, threw us a pile of kibble and off they headed to the boardwalk downtown. 
She always tries to park in the same area because there is a patch of grass there, and she KNOWS Mr Predict-a-poop will go before they hit the boardwalk. Sure enough- within 39 seconds of disembarking from Ludwig, he delivered.  She scooped and they were on their way. 
The boardwalk is reportedly about 4 km long (2.5 miles for my American friends).  It was a beautiful night – so the place was busy – lots of people eating at outdoor cafes; lots of people walking, jogging; lots of bicycles and baby carriages; kids running everywhere; street performers- in other words a very active place.  And the FG behaved perfectly.  He didn’t jump on anyone nor steal anyone’s ice cream.  He ignored other dogs – unless THEY jumped in his face- and even then, he was able to “leave it.”  He was a good ambassador for well-behaved dogs.  They trotted along through the crowds and had a great time.
When they reached the end of the boardwalk, they sat for a bit and watched the boats in the harbor.  It was lovely.  And then they headed back to the car.
All was going perfectly.  They took a bit of a detour at one point to bypass some crowds. And they were keeping a good pace.  The sun was shining.  The ocean was calm.  When suddenly, just outside the windows of a restaurant, the FG suddenly halted.  And nature called.  Right there on the boardwalk. 
OK. I won’t be graphic but let’s do a little story for comparison.  You’re walking along the boardwalk, eating some French fries. When suddenly – you trip and a few fries go flying.  No big deal.  You just pick up the fries.
Later you decide to get an ice cream.  Soft serve.  And you are loving every lick of your extra large cone, when someone bumps into you and your cone hits the boardwalk – in several places.
The clean up, when you are only outfitted with Dollar Store poop bags – and no tissues or napkins is….not so easy.  You try your best and then slink away -praying for a sudden downpour.  Which luckily it did.  The next day.
When nature called, the FG just looked sheepishly at her highness.  Like I said, when ya gotta go,  ya gotta go!  Next time, her highness will be armed with a pocket full of baby wipes.  Now THAT would be photo worthy! 
I just wonder what those people in the restaurant were saying….Let’s hope they were owned by canines too…
Have a good one. Peace and paws up.
Seizure free days: 9 

Hazards

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Well it has only taken three years – but the FG has FINALLY figured out something important.  He has FINALLY realized that IF you want to eat something, like a piece of banana, or a small piece of toast, or a carrot or a treat- you do NOT put it on the floor.  IF you think you like it, keep it in your mouth and run.  To the other room.  Even then – it is critical that you do NOT take time to examine the edible.  If it hits the floor, the shaggy Roomba suddenly appears out of nowhere, and your edible disappears. 

I have talked about how the FG likes to toss his treats-which usually results in him losing the treat.  Einstein is fast.  Lightning fast. He will even follow the FG to wait for him to drop it.  Usually, her highness will call Einstein away, giving the FG time to inspect the edible. 
But in the last week or so, the FG has finally figured out that he MUST chew any treats immediately.  And he CANNOT drop any pieces.  He has learned manners – how to chew  with his mouth closed.  He can now go to any fancy restaurant.  He has FINALLY realized what it’s like to live with two PONs.  And it only took three years.
My human took him for a walk yesterday and ran into Pig Pen and his human.  We haven’t gone for a walk with him in ages.  I always wait by his driveway to see if he is coming out.  And sometimes, he does race out to greet us, to do the obligatory sniffs – but we haven’t gone for a walk.  Probably because we were walking at 4:45AM.  Anyway, yesterday the FG got to see Pig Pen.  So her highness agreed to accompany them down the road to the golf course .The FG was on leash because his exuberance for seeing Pig Pen and his human could have resulted in injuries.  
They JUST started their walk and her highness noted something- they were spraying the course.  With something.  Well.  You would have thought they were walking through Chernobyl 20 years ago.  She promptly announced that their walk was over – much to the disappointment of the FG.
Her highness had talked with the guy who is the course manager.  Apparently, they spray fertilizer twice a year.  But when that happens, my human will not take us in the course for weeks after.  The FG had a total rinsing when he got home.  It may be a bit of overkill, but the effects of herbicides and pesticides CAN be bad.  So she’s not taking any chances.
Yup.  Between ticks, black flies and chemicals, she is looking to create doggie hazmat suits. There probably (sadly) is a market for them….
Have a good one. Peace and paws up.
Seizure free days:  8

Shopping carts.

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On this day in 1937, a guy by the name of Sylvan Goldman in Oklahoma, designed the first shopping cart.  So you guessed it – today is Shopping Cart Day.  I’ve been waiting all year for this day.  Sure I have.

Well, as you might expect on such an auspicious day, I would have to find some info on dogs and shopping carts.  And my old friend Google did not let me down.
First we have the story about a grocery store in Italy- where the owner has designed special carts so Fido can go along to pick out his own steak.  Mind you, Fido cannot be too large- or he wouldn’t fit in the cart.  The cart has a panel to separate it from the food section, and it is cleaned after each use.  We PONs would need bigger carts.  And picture the FG in a cart… Now THAT would be entertaining!
And of course, I had to find some videos – like this one of a dog who CLEARLY gets excited about shopping:
And if you REALLY want canine shopping cart entertainment, this video is pretty funny: 
There ARE stores in our area that allow pets. Remember the FG’s day of shopping.  The key is that we canines MUST be on our BEST behavior.  My human would never attempt to take more than one of us at a time. I’m not sure why….
And speaking of her highness, (that’s my new name for my human), she has a new project.   I should first mention that I started thinking that since Frodo and Elroy have nicknames- so should my human. I don’t have one – since I always write this blog – but you can call me either Your lordship, Oh Supreme being, Balthazar or Hank.  Your choice.
But back to her highness’ latest idea.  One of our great neighbors is helping her highness to construct raised beds.  To plant veggies and herbs.  Stop laughing.  She really is doing this. So once it is finished, we will be taking bets as to who will be the first dog to pee on the tomatoes.  Her highness says we will not be allowed around these boxes.  WHO is she kidding?  What dreamworld did she step into?! Looks like she retired and turned off her brain.   IF she manages to grow ANYTHING, it will be nothing short of a miracle.  We are talking about a woman who can kill artificial flowers.  I kid you not.  So THIS will be entertaining.
Times for walks.  We have been letting her highness sleep in until 6AM.  Well… that’s not entirely true. I TRY to get her up at 5, but she refuses.  I need to get back to training with her…
Have a good one. Peace and paws up.
Seizure free days: 6