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Well Jaws went to something called a “handling class” the other night.  As IF he can be handled.  It’s a practice class for dogs who hope to compete in beauty pageants, or as they say in dog show terminology – in conformation shows.  There were mostly other puppies in the class – including a handsome Old English Sheepdog boy and a cute Bearded Collie girl.  Of course he would be most interested in those two – they are most “PON-like.”  He would have loved to mess up their hair – like he does with Frodo, but that would NOT be acceptable in this venue.  My human was a bit concerned how he would react in this new activity.  He was a BIT shy with some people – kind of like Frodo and I were when we first did the beauty pageant gig.  But he’ll get over it.  He ran around the ring and didn’t pull my human over so the venture was deemed a success.  If he can figure out where his feet go, he might be able to try this thing.  

You know, it’s funny that when people show dogs  they are called handlers.  The word “handle” means to manipulate, manage or control.  As if you humans REALLY control us.  Let’s face it, if we don’t WANT to do something, we won’t BE handled. And lots of times when points are lost in the Obedience or Rally or Agility rings it is because of HANDLER errors.  Not dog errors.  

There IS an art to this handling thing.  Some people start doing it when they are kids.  They call it Junior Handling.  And some people get PAID to do it.  They are called Professional Handlers.  I think my human started this stuff when she was too old.  It’s hard to teach an old dog….well you know the rest.  But I’ll give it to her – she does TRY hard.  I think she’s better at handling us in the performance rings than she is in the pageant ring.  Probably because the first time Frodo was shown in the pageant and he was competing in the Group, he pooped in the ring.  Which is actually acceptable in the pageant ring.  Not desirable.  But acceptable.  Whereas in the performance ring, if you poop in the ring, you automatically lose. My human still has visions of that moment when all the handsome dogs were standing in the ring being judged, and Frodo responded to nature’s call.  He didn’t get any ribbons that day…

Remember, at the end of the day, it’s us dogs who REALLY control what happens in the show or performance ring.  And honestly, we do all of this show stuff just so we can hang out with you.  For US, that’s what it is all about.  We just let you think you are in control….

So.  I’m thinking that Elroy is really here to stay.  And I must confess, I AM starting to get used to him.  I mean it’s not like you can ignore him.  He’s everywhere.  And he’s getting HUGE.  He celebrated his 4 month birthday yesterday and to “mark” the occasion, he lifted his leg to pee.  Another milestone.  He has outgrown one collar, and I think this second one will soon be retired as well.  He is still totally unaware of where his feet go – I still think he is a klutz. I don’t know if that’s a Picard thing, or an Elroy thing.  And those EARS.  One day up.  One day down.  One ear up.  The other ear up.  If his head has to grow into them, he is going to have a noggin the size of a grizzly bear.

He LOVES to steal things.  Like poop bags from the one pocket of my human’s ugly dog sweat pants.  Good thing that one pocket is deep – it holds treats AND poop bags.  And when Jaws steals something, he is GONE.  Now humans are NOT supposed to chase us when we steal something.  They should try to entice us to “trade” for something better.  Like a treat.  Yeah – good luck with that.  When Jaws goes into the pilfering party mode, no treat is good enough to get back the treasure.  It’s quite amusing to watch my human circle the dining room table with Jaws gripping his bounty and darting back and forth under the table and my human waving some paltry treat.  

The nails thing is moving extremely slowly.  And they had a major setback.  My human had this “brilliant” idea that MAYBE he was ready to try clipping on the grooming table.  Wrongo.  She must have been delirious from lack of sleep.  She went to clip a nail, he pulled, and you guessed it – she clipped it and it bled.  Well.  THAT was IT for Jaws.  He wanted NO part of nail clipping ANY more.  My human took him off the table while she looked for the styptic powder. And she suddenly realized that the styptic powder jar was almost EMPTY.  So Jaws was walking around, bleeding everywhere.  My human dashed into the kitchen and grabbed a bag of flour.  She poured some into a container and went to grab Jaws who was bleeding as if she had amputated his paw.  She managed to wrestle him and stick his foot in the container with the flour.  Flour of course went EVERYWHERE – so it looked like a scene from some kind of macabre TV cooking show gone bad.  Blood and flour everywhere.  

I admire his coat – it requires minimal brushing – at least SO FAR.  And it doesn’t take long to dry when he’s been swimming.  And flour comes off it really easily.

He definitely DOES have a HUGE Paxton-ism. He LOVES to take off in the woods.  He is always attached to a long line – so he can’t go far – but if he had his way, he would, without a doubt,  make a run for it.  Perhaps when I am totally adjusted to my drugs, I will join him.  I do miss Paxton and our adventures in the woods…

I must say, he actually DOES have MOMENTS when he will fall asleep and he isn’t  sequestered in his crate.  And he is kinda cute when he’s asleep.

Well, it’s Monday and my human has Mondays OFF.   SHE thinks she is going to do things like laundry and cleaning.  But of course WE have other items on the agenda.

Have a good one!

9-11.  A date that is etched in the mind of many humans.  A date when the world became different.  Dark.  Suspicious.  Angry.  Frightened.  Sad.

In the aftermath of the tragedies, though, the resilience of the human spirit shone through.  Humans helped humans.  And canines helped humans too.  Dogs helped in the searches and later, served as comfort dogs.   The last surviving Search and Rescue dog, Bretagne, a Golden Retriever, went to the Rainbow Bridge this year at the age of 16.  You know she is with those humans she helped to find…

Today, take a moment to think of those people who lost their lives in the tragedies.  And take a moment to say a little thank you prayer for those who put their own lives at risk (human and canine) to help others.   And pray that the light of goodness, continues to outshine the darkness of evil.  Now – and for generations to come…

At the 24 hour Vet clinic

Well I am here to report some good news.  Remember the “special person” who was in the hospital?  I am finally allowed to report that it was my human’s mother.  She’s OK now – so I can tell the story.

Our favorite computer-loving, independent, octogenarian was actually visiting with US over a week ago when my human noticed something odd.  Her mother’s speech was suddenly not right.  She was having a mini stroke.  My human called the ambulance.   You know,  it was interesting because we would usually go CRAZY with strange people in our house – but we watched from another room and were unusually quiet…

I won’t go into all of the details – but suffice to say that her symptoms thankfully resolved and after much work in the hospital to find the right medications for her, she has finally gone home.  Feeling like herself again.  Fantastic news.

It is critical when someone observes the symptoms of stroke that the person go to the hospital as quickly as possible.  Think of the acronym F.A.S.T. – which stands for facial droop,  arm weakness, speech difficulties and TIME.  If you see these symptoms get help quickly.  Stroke is s serious condition.

Humans can have a stroke at any age.  And dogs can have strokes as well.  The symptoms in a dog can include difficulty walking, a head tilt, abnormal eye movements, blindness, strange behavior or falling to one side.  They don’t say anything about speech. I’m not sure why – Frodo sure does a LOT of speaking…  Usually a dog that has a stroke has an underlying health problem – like kidney disease, hypothyroidism or cardiac problems.  The treatment of stroke in dogs is similar to humans – with medication for blood pressure and/or sometimes blood thinners.

In other health news, I almost HATE to say this  for fear I will jinx myself, but I  have had no seizures this week.  And my medication has been reduced and the side effects seem to be wearing off.  My human is VERY hopeful that we have things under control. 

It is the weekend, and for SOME odd reason my human is THINKING  she is in need of a RESTFUL break.  She said she would LOVE a weekend where she doesn’t have to go to a hospital or Veterinary clinic.  

And I must say, one thing that I learned from the past 2 weeks is that if you wish for something in  life, it shouldn’t be about having the nicest dog toys.  Or the best treats.  Or having the fanciest dog bed.  You should wish for good health.  Because if you don’t have THAT, nothing else really matters. Take good care of your health.  Eat those blueberries your human gives you.  And those carrots.  Go for a good long walk.  Lie in the shade – not the sun.  Watch that you don’t eat junk.  If you’re not feeling good – see a doctor.   And savor EVERY minute you DO feel good.  

I wish every one of you a happy, HEALTHY weekend!! Oh and if your blood pressure for some reason is LOW, let us know and we’ll come over to raise it up!  Have a good one!

So what EXACTLY goes on in the brain of Jaws?  I mean we KNOW he has the attention span of a gnat.  Training sessions with him can only last about 3.7 minutes.  Otherwise he just walks away.  And that nail trimming exercise?  That is THE ultimate test in patience for my human.  Let’s just say those nails are getting longer each day. She manages to MAYBE trim 1/1,000 of an inch off a couple of nails.  Progress is very, VERY slow.

Unlike the thoughts in Jaws’ brain.  Which are FAR from slow.  If one were to see what his mind is thinking, it would look something like this…

“That’s a cool bone.  I must chew on it.  Chew. Chew. Chew.  Wait.  The big fuzzy white one is walking by.  Must chew his tail.  Must bite his ears.  Must bark.  Must chew.  Must bark.  Must chew.  Wait.  I never noticed THAT bone before.  Must chew.  Wait.  I’m thirsty.  Must drink. Must drink.  Stop.  Is there something in the water?  Must stare.  Must stare.  Muuuuust put foot in the water.  Must splash.  Drat.  The human stopped me.  Must chew bone she gave me.  Wait.  I wonder how the outside of my plastic kennel tastes.  Must chew.  Must chew.  Wait.  I never noticed THAT bone before.  Must chew.  Wait.  These table legs are made of wood.  Must chew.  Must take the bone the human has given me.  Wait.  Those socks the human is wearing sure look tasty.  Must chew.  Wait.  Why are the other two canines running to the kitchen.  Must line up.  But  don’t know why.  What’s this yellow stuff called banana?  Must chew.  Must spit.  Must chew.  Must spit.  Must roll.  Must chew before other canine steals this thing. Hmmm.  Feeling tired.  Must lie down.  OK.  Enough of that.  Must explore.  Hmm…the gate to the DFZ has been secured.  Must try to figure out how to get in.  Wait.  I’m thirsty.  Must drink.  I need to pee.  Must stand and stare at door.  Must sit while leash is being put on.  Wait.  I don’t think I really need to pee.  Wait – what’s that on the sidewalk?  A rock.  Must chew.  Must trade for something my human has pulled from her pocket.  Must walk on wet lawn.  Must pull to go BACK in the house.  Must find the big fuzzy white one.  Must bark.  Must pull clumps of hair.  Must chew hair.  Wait.  I never noticed THAT bone before.  Wait.  This carpet is so chewable.  Wait.  Here she comes with that Bitter Apple stuff.  Must grab human pant leg as she turns to walk away. Wait.  Must look at that other grey fuzzy one.  Must play bow and bark.  Wait.  I never noticed THAT bone before.  Wait.  Must nudge human while she if attempting to eat.  Must look adorable so she will pet me.  Must chew her sleeve while she pets me.  Must continue to look adorable while doing so.”

Yes.  That’s a look at 15 minutes in the brain of Elroy.  If you’re just tired reading this – IMAGINE living with him.  AND us PONs!

As I always say, NEVER a dull moment!

Hope YOUR day isn’t dull!

Sometimes my human thinks that if they did a movie about a “Day in our lives” no one would believe it.  They would say it was pure fiction.  Hardly.  Here’s an example:

My human gets up at 5 AM.  She takes Jaws out as he needs to be first.  Puppy bladders are smaller than adult dog bladders.  While she does this, Frodo begins his “Good morning song.”  And I join in.  

My human was concerned because she didn’t like the side effects of the drug I am taking for my seizures.  It is causing me to be very wobbly in my rear end.  VERY wobbly.  Of course, she had already Googled this – AND had called the 24 hour vet clinic the night before to check on this fact – and they said it was “normal”.  And it will get better in a week or two.  But she’s not happy with “normal” so she wants to talk with someone about it ASAP. 

After she brings Jaws in, he immediately begins his hair stylist routine on Saint Frodo.  Pulling, biting, chewing – while Frodo intermittently tells him to stop.  My human readies our breakfasts and we dive in, giving her a chance to fill our water bowl and turn on her much needed coffee.  After we inhale our food, she takes Jaws out for his poop walk.  He complies quickly – although he does have a unique poop style.  Pardon my graphic description, but he’s the kind of dog who likes to leave a poop trail.  He’s too busy sniffing and looking around to stand still and leave a pile which is easy to pick up.  After he leaves his poop path, she takes him out to the road to get the paper.  Ah – but it is garbage day.  And there are garbage cans on the road.  And it is still dark out.  So garbage cans on a dark road are scary to a puppy.  Never mind that HE accompanied my human when she took the cans up last night.  He is QUITE anxious to go BACK down the driveway to the house – so for a change – quickly grabs the paper and never stops to chew it.  He just wants to be away from the ominous garbage.

Jaws is then sequestered in a run in the garage which is filled with an assortment of toys that dispense treats – while she takes Frodo and I for our walk.  She wants him occupied so he doesn’t whine and bark while we are gone, waking all the neighbors within a 5km radius.  As IF the neighbors haven’t already heard Frodo’s “Good morning” song.  

We walk up the road in the dark, with my human wearing her head lamp.  It’s hard to believe we are back to head lamp time – where did bright summer mornings go?  Anyway, I am not feeling like myself on this medication – so I am walking like a sack of potatoes.  A wet sack of potatoes.  Which concerns my human to no end – she is anxious to get home and call the clinic before she gives me another dose of this stuff.

We get home and she calls the 24 hour vet clinic and speaks to a nice vet who listens to my whole story. While she is telling the story, Jaws and Velcro dog decide is vocal play time – so they start barking at each other.  She excuses herself from the call and puts Jaws in a crate.  As IF that will stop the barking.  The vet agrees to look at my dosage level, and she will call back in 10 minutes.  Enough time to give us our banana treats.  Jaws plays with his, while Frodo and I inhale ours.  

The vet calls back and gives my human an alternative dosage level –  lower than I am on.  NOT that I am on a high dosage – but she has changed it to a very low level.  We’ll see if this works. My human is still going to talk to the vet who prescribed it later today.

So remember that the water bowl is freshly filled.  Well, it’s about time for our Michael Phelps wannabe to attempt a swim.  My human watches from across the room as Jaws takes a drink, stops, looks at the water in the bowl and then furiously begins to do the doggie paddle – splashing water everywhere.  “No” she shouts.  He just looks at her and dives back in.  She takes him by the collar and gives him a chew toy on the other side of the room – to occupy him while she cleans up the flood.  She grabs some paper towel and reaches for the puddle.  And from across the room comes one charging puppy who MUST get that paper towel.  She wrestles with him and he tears off a piece to savor under the dining room table.  I actually take a piece that he drops.

My human sits down to have her coffee and look at the paper.  At which point, yours truly decides I MUST have those few pieces of kibble that I KNOW are in the pocket of her ugly dog sweat pants.  The pants have only ONE pocket – as Frodo ate the other one.  She tells me “no.”  I poke her again.  She says “no buddy – you had your breakfast.”  I poke her again.  After about 6 pokes she says “I give up.” She rips off the sweat pants, puts them in the bedroom and proceeds to eat her breakfast sitting in her underwear.  She looks at the clock.  It’s not even 6:30.  And for SOME odd reason, she feels like she wants to go back to bed.  Honestly, the woman has no stamina.

And that’s just how a typical day BEGINS…  I tell you – this is better than fiction.

 Sometimes you humans really puzzle me.  You have such an interesting view of the world.  And this OBSESSION with taking photos of things, it really is a very human trait.  You take pictures of each other, pictures of nature, pictures of vacations, pictures of art, pictures of scenery, and of COURSE, pictures of US dogs.  

Yesterday my human, with an accomplice,  helped someone “escape” from the hospital for an hour or so – and they went to the Halifax Public Gardens – a beautiful Victorian Garden in the heart of the city. The dahlias were in bloom so OF COURSE, my human had to take some photos.  

I don’t understand why dogs aren’t allowed in the gardens.  Actually, when I look at the plants in our yard, maybe I do.

And THEN when she got home, she decided to take photos of us.  So what ELSE is new?!  

Getting a photo of the three of us together is NOT an easy task.  It’s miraculous that she actually managed to get a few.  And one that turned out.  I’m sure the neighbors heard the begging,  and the 4963 repetitions of “VIKTOR STAY”.  Frodo automatically stays wherever you plant him, and Elroy?  No point in telling him to stay.  It’s not in his vocabulary.  In fact, his vocabulary is pretty small so far.  I think my human should be talking to him in French.  She might have better luck. 

And after the puparazzi routine with copious amounts of treats, I started thinking what kinds of things we dogs “value” and what we would take photos of.  I have talked before about getting a Go Pro camera, but this is more about what kinds of photos WE would hang on OUR walls.  Here are my choices:

A leash.  Which means a walk.  Which we dogs love.  A thing of beauty.

The dog treat jar.  How beautiful is that?!

Our food bowl.  But preferably when it is FULL.

A retrieving toy.  For me anyway.

A hosta.  Or any plant for that matter.  To pee on.  This is a good example from our garden. And I suppose evidence as to why dogs are not allowed in the Public Gardens…

A chew toy.  To keep us occupied when humans are not around. These objects are preferable (according to humans) to carpet, drywall, chair rails and other dog’s ears.

And lastly a picture of you.  

I mean it’s only appropriate that we have a photo of YOU since you have so many of us!  Plus you supply all the previously mentioned items that we love. And really, YOU are what we value most.  

Unless it’s time for grooming.  JUST KIDDING.  Sort of…

Have a picturesque day!

Sometimes the best laid plans do not go as expected…