Viktorsviews. The Next Chapter.

Peanut butter.

June 12, 20151 Comment

June 12. National Peanut Butter Cookie Day. What an outstanding day. Frodo, Paxton and I love peanut butter. A little bit of peanut butter is a special treat – and biscuits made of peanut butter are amazing. The all-natural peanut butter is a good source of protein, healthy fats and vitamins.

Most dogs love peanut butter. In fact there is a story on-line about a dog who got so excited about peanut butter on a spoon, he ate the whole spoon! Sounds like something Paxton would do.

If you want to entertain us – put some peanut butter inside a Kong for us to lick. It will keep us busy for quite some time.

Just like humans, though, SOME dogs MIGHT have an allergy to peanuts. It is NOT common – but dogs who are allergic will itch and scratch and even lick at their paws. If you see this – your dog probably needs to see a Vet.

My human has learned that IF she needs to give us a pill, the easiest way to get us to take it is to put it in peanut butter! We lick the peanut butter and down goes the pill.

Like most things, it’s probably a good idea to go easy on peanut butter – because way too much COULD result in the dreaded soupy poops. Everything in moderation….

Here is a link to some peanut butter treats.

http://www.k9instinct.com/blog/homemade-grain-free-peanut-butter-carrot-and-honey-dog-treats

In our household, we eat grain-free food – so we can use this recipe because it calls for coconut flour. Personally, I think we CAN eat grains – but my human seems to think we can’t so we go grain-free in our house. It actually took SEVERAL years before my human could find a food that was good for ALL three of us. Frodo used to lick his paws until they turned brown, Paxton would have soupy poops and me – well I can eat anything. And for AGES we were all on different foods. But we have found food that works for ALL of us – which makes my human very, very happy. In our house, we are grain-free pescetarians. Fish eaters. Paxton has good poop and a lovely shiny coat, Frodo’s feet are not brown – and I’m just perfect all around. Oh. And we also like peanut butter.

Have a great Friday!

Dangers

June 11, 2015Leave a Comment

June 11. Today is Corn on the Cob Day. My human loves corn on the cob. But I don’t need to tell you that corn cobs can be VERY dangerous to us dogs. If we eat them, they don’t digest – and they can get stuck in our intestines. That causes a blockage – and as Paxton well knows, can result in surgery. Remember – he ate my human’s sling for her broken wrist and he had surgery. And he had to wear the cone of shame….

There are lots of good sites on-line that tell you all the toxic substances for dogs. The more you find – the more you think you should live in a bubble.

I decided to do a little survey of all the potentially dangerous substances around OUR house – with my suggestions on what my human can do about them. Here we go:

Outside:

· Hydrangeas. My human JUST bought one last fall. She loves the flowers. She was not aware they are toxic to dogs. But we knew. That is why we continually attempt to pee on it. We must destroy the danger.

· Yew. Who knew? Another plant to pee on – and destroy.

· Tulips. We don’t have many – and they are very pretty. But they are dangerous. Pee again – and then just stick some plastic flowers in the ground. That would look just as nice. And they will last longer.

· Toads. I haven’t seen one in a while – but I KNOW they must be out there. Not all toads are poisonous – but don’t take a chance. Assume they all are. Call the neighbor’s cat. He can kill them – and he probably won’t eat them. Probably.

· Mushrooms. We live in the country. Our house has woods around it. We have mushrooms. Not all mushrooms are bad. But don’t take a chance. No munching. Again – pee on them.

· Lupines?! The pretty wild flower that grows near our road?! They should be blooming soon. They are sooooo pretty. We will just refuse to walk by them. Problem solved.

· Ferns?! Wait. They are poisonous to cats. Safe in this house.

· Daylily. Oh my Gosh – my human has LOADS of daylilies. We have to move! Wait. Cats again. Phew.

Inside dangers:

· Alcohol. Of course my human has alcohol in the house. In case we get company. It is VERY bad for dogs and cats. When she goes to work tomorrow, I will dispose of any alcohol in the toilet. We dogs must be safe.

· Batteries. Frodo and I are OK with this one. But Bucket Head – we have to watch out for him. As we know, he will eat anything. No more flashlights in this house. But wait –matches are also dangerous. We will be living in the dark during emergencies from now on. And no more barbecues.

· Coins. Throw them in a fountain. Just keep bills.

· Gasoline. Get rid of the car. Use that bike with the flat tires in the garage.

· Grapes and raisins and chocolate and onions and garlic and rhubarb and salt and the green parts of a tomato plant. A little bit of some of these may not KILL us – but really – who wants a sick dog with soupy poop? Just get rid of all of it.

So there you have it. Our new, safe home. I feel more relaxed already!

Zoos

June 10, 2015Leave a Comment

June 10. On this day in 1793, the first public zoo opened in Paris France. There is evidence that zoos date back to 3500BC, but this was the first zoo in modern times. I think my human probably remembers it.

Actually – a little bit more zoo trivia….do you know where the FIRST zoo in North America opened – in 1847? Halifax, Nova Scotia! Really!!!! My human used to live across the street from the property, which is privately owned today. Remnants of the old enclosures and the greenhouses are barely visible now. My human used to walk several of her dogs on the property – with the owner’s permission!

While old zoos are kind of sad, because the animals don’t have much space – today there is an effort to make them more spacious – and to simulate the natural environment of the animals. While some would argue that we shouldn’t even HAVE zoos – they do help to protect and breed those animals that are disappearing in the wild. Due to humans.

My human used to visit the zoo in Buffalo, NY where she grew up. She especially enjoyed Eddie –who was a very naughty chimp. Even more naughty than me. Eddie liked to throw….hmmmm…I might as well just say it…poop at visitors when they watched him. But he had QUITE the fan club.

I’ve never been to a zoo myself. I don’t actually think most zoos allow dogs inside. I suppose that’s a good idea – can you IMAGINE Frodo and I if we saw an elephant? I mean our heads explode when we see a bunny – so WHAT would happen if we saw one of them? I nearly dragged my human on her knees the other morning when I spotted a bunny running across the road. And yesterday, my human counted her lucky stars because while she was out with Frodo and MY buddy Jackson, she spotted a deer. The dogs didn’t see him – good thing! My human also saw something swimming in the lake the other night – either an otter or muskrat or beaver. And someone told her that an ermine was spotted AND three eagles this week!

Given all the wildlife around us, I guess we don’t even need a zoo. Although some would argue that one step into OUR house, and they HAVE entered a zoo. Maybe I should start charging an admission fee!

World Pet Memorial Day

June 9, 2015Leave a Comment

June 9. Today is World Pet Memorial Day. This is the day we remember all those pets that have gone on…to a peaceful place. It’s the one hard thing about humans having dogs as pets – you generally outlive us. The oldest living dog according to the Guinness Book of Records lived to over 29 years. THAT’S amazing.

I’ve already written about Compartments of the Heart (February 2) so I won’t go into all the thoughts, feelings and emotions that go with losing a pet. Once upon a time, people used to say “it’s just a pet.” Now we know that the loss of a pet can be just as tragic and hard as losing a human. So instead of memorializing each of my human’s pervious dogs – with sad notes, I thought it would be good to tell you something bad that each one did. Just to lighten the subject…

Barney. A terrier-cross who ALMOST looked a bit like a PON. Barney came from the pound. And they called him “the Biter.” And my human, never one to be deterred by a challenge, took him home. And yes. He bit her. But they learned to live together and respect each other. He loved to the age of 17 ½. One favorite bad story….One time when my human was going out of town, she left Barney with her sister. Barney was an escape artist. So escape he did – he took off out the door and ran to the neighbor’s house. He promptly went into their vegetable garden and pooped – while they were having a BIG outdoor party. My human’s sister raced to get him and grabbed him – apologizing profusely. She dragged him back up the stairs to her second floor flat – only to realize in her haste to run after him, she had left the water running in the sink. Yup – she flooded the kitchen. She didn’t dogsit for Barney much after that.

Schubert. My human’s first Bernese Mountain Dog. My human thought Bernese were supposed to be big. So she fed Schubert a lot. Only to realize he wasn’t big. He was FAT. Schubert went on the pumpkin diet and lost 20 lbs!!!!! In Schubert’s first obedience show, he jumped out of the ring and left the building. Maybe he wasn’t quite ready for competition?! Anyway, he sadly only loved until 3 ½ – he died of cancer…

Beamish. The poop eating Yellow Labrador Retriever. He TOTALLY believed in recycling. One time he ate poop and several hours later went in the closet and threw up in my human’s shoes. He was also super friendly – once during a trial for his Working Certificate, he went to visit the guys who throw the ducks – rather than come back to my human with his duck. My human repeatedly called him and finally in a bit of desperation, she shouted “Remember me – I feed you!” He then returned AND they actually passed the test! He loved to 11.

Guinness. Another Bernese Mountain Dog. Guinness was an EXTREMELY friendly dog. He would make friends with ANYONE. But his way of showing affection was to gnaw on your arm. Or your hand. Every time my human’s father visited, he inevitably ended up with bruises on his arm – because Guinness was so happy to see him. Guinness loved to 9 ½.

Harper. Another Bernese Mountain Dog. Harper was smart. Very smart and obedient. Except – like Paxton, he liked to eat “other things”. He was the one who ate a bunch of stuff – and he required surgery. When the Vet revealed a clear bag with the contents, my human asked if there was a prize – of a free surgery. No such luck. Harper loved to 7.

Note in my stories I said each dog loved and not just lived. Despite our sometimes bad behavior – we DO love you humans – and we know, you also love us. So on this Pet Memorial Day – do not be sad – but be happy for all those loving moments – no matter how many years you shared them. Think of them and smile. And also, take a moment today to think of all those dogs who serve in police departments and the military and who have given their lives for our protection and freedom. To them we owe thanks – many thanks, indeed.

Weeds.

June 8, 2015Leave a Comment

June 8. Upsy Daisy Day. Don’t ask me what that means. I don’t make these “holidays” up. I just report on them.

But the title reminds me of the battle that is going on at our house right now. My human against the Dandelions. Dandelions are pretty yellow flowers that turn into wonderful fluffy balls – that break up and fly everywhere. But Dandelions are also called WEEDS. And although we canines think they are fine, and the bunnies like to munch on them, humans hate to see them popping up in the lawn. And in the flower beds. And if they could, they would probably grow in the Welcome Mat outside the front door.

My human will not use toxic radioactive chemicals to get rid of weeds – because she worries about us too much. She doesn’t want us running or playing on a toxic lawn. So – she attempts to cut the yellow heads off the plants – just so she doesn’t have to look at them. Last year she tried a non-toxic concoction made of vinegar and she sprayed it on the dandelions. She ended up with a polka dot scorched lawn – with dead weeds AND dead grass. And the weeds just grew around the dead dots.

So this year, she is just going to keep mowing them and she will finally concede defeat. Honestly – we dogs don’t care. They are all plants to us. Including the NEW plants she brought home from the nursery yesterday. We will be sure to “christen” those, as soon as they are planted. Hey – maybe we could help with the weed control by peeing on them! Nah. Too much work.

Anyway – have a flowery day!

Water Torture

June 7, 2015Leave a Comment

My human refers to it as Polish Water Torture. The painstaking process of taking two PONs out to poop. In the rain.

We KNEW yesterday morning when she came out of the garage with the dreaded raincoats, that our much-awaited Saturday morning romp was going to be a bit different than we had expected.

I begrudgingly put on the flashy blue coat. I stood there like I was in a trance. Frodo attempted to make a run for it – but was quickly corralled. He had to wear the ill-fitting 70’s style plaid coat.

The door was opened and we both stood like statues in the open doorway. Usually we both attempt to BOLT out. Not yesterday. My human kept saying “Let’s go. Let’s go.” We both stared at the puddles ahead – and the rain coming down and would NOT move. My human had to push us out the door.

I didn’t used to be THIS bad about the rain – but my older brother has taught me well. Paxton, on the other hand could not care less – he likes any weather – rain, hail, sleet, snow – it’s all the same to him. But we Polish princes do NOT appreciate damp conditions. My human marvels at photos on-line of other PONs enjoying water and puddles. Not us.

The only bright spot in the soggy walk was that we both pooped QUICKLY – even wearing our attire. Sometimes wearing attire slows the process – but not yesterday. We both wanted to go back home as quickly as possible.

The good news? The sun is SHINING today. All is wonderful with the world. Although I DID hear something about being brushed today….Time to hide.

Oh but before I close – my horse came in third yesterday. But the big news – American Pharoah won – and he won the Triple Crown. The first horse to win it since 1978. But really – what would you expect – he had a jockey named Victor!

Have a good one!

Fast.

June 6, 2015Leave a Comment

June 6. In the US today, there is a big horse race called the Belmont Stakes. It is the third big race in the Triple Crown – a race for three year old Thoroughbreds. A horse that wins all three races is considered a big deal. This year, there is a contender – a horse called American Pharoah. There hasn’t been a Triple Crown winner since 1978. The odds, as I write this are 3-5 for him. I’m betting on Keen Ice. The name reminds me of our driveway this winter. And the odds on him winning are 20-1. OK. Those are not great odds. But when I win, I’ll get lots of money. So THAT’S my bet.

Dogs can race too. But just like horseracing, it is a controversial sport. Dog racing is done with greyhounds because they are reportedly the fastest breed. They can run 45 miles per hour. Cheetahs are even faster – they can run in bursts of 70-75 mph. THAT is fast.

A search on the internet for the fastest dog breeds revealed the following – and some may be surprising!!!

Greyhound (45 mph), Saluki (43 mph), Vizsla (40mph), Jack Russell Terrier (38 mph), Dalmation (37 mph), Borzoi (36 mph), Whippet (35 mph), Weimaraner (35 mph), Doberman (30 mph), Border Collie (30 mph).

OK, the sight hounds are no surprise. And we know those terriers can be fast chasing rodents. But Dalmations? Right. Chasing fire trucks!

I think it would be fun to race Bassett Hounds. Or Pekingese. On a course like a greyhound course. THAT would be fun to watch. If you had 8 hours to spare.

But seriously, WHAT breed do we see missing in the top 10?! PONs! OBVIOUSLY no one has clocked me when it’s dinner time. Now THAT is fast!!! I think I could even give those Greyhounds a run for their money!

On pins and needles

June 5, 2015Leave a Comment

I saw him. Well. I HEARD him. And I wanted to go and make his acquaintance. But my human was having a lucky day. So I didn’t get to meet him.

Who?

The porcupine.

Yesterday morning during my 5AM constitutional with Frodo, (and my human) we stopped on the road . My human had to pick up Frodo’s “deposit” which was proudly left in the middle of the entry to a neighbor’s driveway. Leave it to Frodo to leave his mark in a conspicuous location.

JUST as my human was about to bend over to pick up the treasure, she saw me looking into the bushes at the side of the road. Actually I was listening. And of course I was on a leash. And had my human not noticed my fascination, she would not have been prepared when I tried to BOLT into the bushes. But she WAS ready. And she held tight. It was then that she heard – AND she saw what had captured my interest. Mr. Porky. Thankfully Frodo didn’t notice – because two PONs with wild intent CAN be hard to control! But Frodo didn’t see or hear Spike, so my human JUST had me to contend with. She kept repeating about 4000 times, “Leave it!” Then she cautiously bent down to gather Frodo’s monument, all the time holding on to me for dear life. We then turned around and went back home. I kept looking over my shoulder to see if I could spot the walking pin cushion. But he was gone.

So now my human will be on pins and needles watching out for my new-found “friend.” Pun intended. I have a feeling there will no be running off leash early in the morning or late at night. The joys of country living!

Spelling Bee

June 4, 2015Leave a Comment

June 4. On this day in 1970, Libby Childress won the 43rd National Spelling Bee in the US by spelling croissant. For some reason, croissant doesn’t seem like such a tough word. Maybe more people eat them today than they did in 1970? This year, they had co-champions. One spelled scherenschnitte (the art of cutting paper into decorative patterns) and the other spelled nunatak, (a hill or mountain completely surrounded by glacial ice). Those kids are pretty darn smart.

But I started thinking that there are lots of dog breed names that could be in the Spelling Bee. So let me give you a few – to prepare you in CASE you enter a Spelling Bee yourself!

Affenpinscher – the little German “monkey dog”. They are not very common. I think it’s because people can’t spell their name.

Dachshund – another German breed. Another tricky one to spell -no wonder people call them Weiner Dogs.

Chihuahua – the little Mexican guys. Too many vowels and ‘h”s. Plus it SOUNDS like Chiwawa.

And the ULTIMATE Spelling Bee word –Xoloitzcuintli – the Mexican Hairless dog. Seriously. This should be the last word in the Spelling Bee. Any kid who spells this deserves a REALLY big trophy. I wonder if it has ever been used? And you thought PolskiOwczarek Nizinny was tough!

Have a PONtastically wonderous day.

Aphasia.

June 3, 20151 Comment

A blog story about aphasia? Written by a dog? Now HOW is THIS going to work?

It all started when my human was scrolling though Facebook yesterday. She came across the photo of a cute Labrador Retriever – a Service Dog owned by a woman named Gabby Giffords. For people who are not from the United States, the name may not be familiar. Gabby was a politician – a Senator from the state of Arizona. In 2011, at the age of 41, Gabby was the victim of an assassination attempt. She suffered a gunshot wound to her head.

Gabby survived her injury and continues to amaze people with her recovery. Her Service Dog, Nelson helps her with some tasks because she has difficulty using her right arm and leg as a result of her injury. I’m not so sure I would have been cut out for Service Dog work. It takes special dogs to do that job – and while I AM special, as we know, I’m not always obedient. But I digress. Gabby doesn’t let her physical challenges hold her back – she walks well and on the third anniversary of the shooting – she went skydiving! Nelson did not jump with her. He draws the line where he can help.

One of Gabby’s biggest challenges since her injury is that she has aphasia. I don’t know how many of my readers know that word – but since it is Aphasia Awareness month (and it just so happens that my human knows a little bit about aphasia) I thought I could share some info about it.

Aphasia is a problem communicating as a result of some type of brain injury – like a stroke or head trauma. It’s kind of like going to a country where you don’t know the language – you may not be able to speak the words, you may not understand what others are saying, and you may not be able to read or write – because you just don’t have the words. BUT – your intelligence has not been affected. IMAGINE how frustrating that would be!

Dogs can have strokes – and some people relate that they bark less after that happens. I’m not sure that they have aphasia – but maybe they do. I saw a cartoon of a dog and the caption said “aphasia” – and in the word bubble over his head, he was saying “meow.” That’s what it’s like for people with aphasia – the words do not always come out right.

People with aphasia can improve their communication skills– with therapy and hard work. It’s a challenging and long journey and they need support from others along the way – to help them find the words. Communication is KEY in our lives – we dogs communicate in many ways. From our tail wags when we are happy, to our barking at bunnies, to our avoiding eye contact when we are being submissive – we use communication a LOT. In fact all animals communicate – so we see how important it is. It is our connection with the world. People with aphasia need our help to interact, communicate and connect with others.

So that’s my message for today. And that’s how a dog can tell a story about aphasia. If you knew about aphasia before, I hope I didn’t bore you! If you didn’t know about it, I hope you’ve learned something new. And you got the info from a dog. You got it from Viktor. Viktor the PON.