Water hound invades shower

My dogs are spoiled. They eat before I do, empty bladders before I do, and play before I get to. They also get to use the shower first:



Some people have shared feelings similar to horror over the level I indulge my dogs. But my dogs indulge me, so I indulge them. We have fun together and make life much better. Why wouldn't I indulge them?

Attack of the Zoomies! / Snake?

Fig gets a mild case of the "Zoomies" immediately following a bath.

In other news: Fig found a snake. The snake found a toad. The toad had a bad day that ended early. (Don't click if you dislike snakes, toads or toads being eaten.)

Allergies

Late spring Dexter began licking himself more often than normal. He's always been rather cat-like, enjoying a good bath in the evenings after dinner and late night before bed. But this was different; more vigorous and he spent more time at it. It didn't take long before his paws began showing wear and tear from all the licking. Conveniently, the dogs were scheduled to see the vet a few days after Dexter's paws became red and inflamed.

"Allergies," the vet said. "Contact allergies." Crap.

Thus began a frustrating and tiresome journey to discover how best to prevent bad flare-ups.

Today we're pretty used to our routine of baths and ointments and booties to minimize the damage. We know what doesn't work (Benadryl, prednisone) and what does (natural, oatmeal-based shampoos, anti-itch soaps and creams and sprays, preventing contact with grass). It's become a part of our lives (but hopefully only for the rest of summer).

Just as things began to get easier for Dexter and I a certain black and white spotty dog began itching, too. I assumed it was fleas despite the fact that the dogs never miss their date with Frontline Plus. After a flea bath, I hoped Fig would stop itching. But we had no such luck. Fig is developing the same red spots Dexter has, but in different areas.

It's beginning to look like both dogs have allergies.

Since my husband and I also have pretty nasty allergies, I guess we are destined to be a family of sniffling, sneezing, and itching.

Adult dogs need toys, too.

I've noticed a tendency for people to stop buying new toys for dogs once they reach adulthood. It seems that more people understand that puppies need toys than realize that dogs still need them.

Adult dogs need environment enrichment, too. It keeps them young in mind and body. It makes life something to be enjoyed rather than survived. Considering all the things dogs do for us--from lowering blood pressure to helping us get more exercise and socialization--we should strive to improve their lives however we can.

I try to keep this in mind and so I periodically put old toys away (so they will be forgotten and become "like new" again) as well as replacing old toys or trying out brand new ones. In an effort to enhance my two spotty hooligans' lives, I finally picked up a "Holee Roller." I've seen them around but, for whatever reason, never felt compelled to buy one. I purchased one this past month and could not be happier that I did.

The toy has become an instant hit, inspiring hours of fantastic play. The dogs share it well. It is fetch toy, tug toy, multiple-dog toy, and pool toy all in one. (It's also fascinating to my neighbor's toddler. She says it's hers.) And it's holding up well to their abuses.

But I am not writing this to encourage anyone to buy a "Holee Roller." I share this as a reminder to try new things with our dogs. It might just make their lives--and ours--that much better. Also, I wanted a reason to share the cute photo of Dex and Fig playing with their toy. ;]

Comments appreciated, responses stalled.

I can't seem to respond to comments anymore. I was able to a couple of weeks back and now it's acting like I'm not logged in when I am. Peculiar.

Until I figure this out just know that you're not being ignored.

Here, have a picture of a pretty red lady Pit:


Last friday I went to Riverside Park without the dogs (I know, I know--that was pretty mean of me!). 3/5 of the dogs visiting the park that day were Pit Bulls. Incidentally, they were the most outgoing and well behaved dogs I saw at the park. Even when children were hanging from their ears.

The difference between play and fight

Dog fight! Or is it?

 Sometimes it's hard to tell a play fight from a real fight. In what could have been a simple misunderstanding of dog behavior and difference in play styles, a dog named Bear-Bear lost his life. From HometownAnnapolis.com:

"Shepherd claimed he shot Bear-Bear because the animal was attacking his German shepherd, Asia, and he feared for the safety of himself, his wife and his dog. The man who was watching Bear-Bear at the park, Stephen Kurinij, claimed the officer overreacted and that the two dogs were just playing."

We may never know whether Bear-Bear and Asia's play had turned into something more serious or if the officer was just unfamiliar with Bear-Bear's play style. But one thing is clear: Someone at the dog park that day was ignorant of canine behavior.

 Thankfully, most misunderstandings of this nature don't involve such a tragic ending. But misunderstandings are surprisingly common considering an estimated 39% of U.S. homes have at least one dog (approximately 77.5 million owned dogs).* Many Americans grow up with or around dogs yet we struggle to understand them.

 Most of my neighbors have dogs--and the majority of them have two or more--yet I have had people shoot worried glances at my dogs as they wrestle in the backyard. Online I have received concerned comments over photos of my dogs at play. At the dog park it can be worse with people labeling dogs as aggressive and shaming owners for their dog's perfectly normal behavior. Sometimes things even turn physical. Once a lady grabbed my puppy by the throat and screamed in his face because he was play growling.

  So how do you know when it's all in good fun or something scary? It takes equal parts of reading dog body language and knowing your dog. It also helps to be able to tell the difference between various vocalizations.

 There are websites, books and videos available at various sources that can explain canine body language. Take what you learn from these sources and apply it at home with your own dogs. Watch them and practice reading them. You can take this on the road and visit places where dogs are--places like dog parks, pet stores, vet clinics and training classes--and practice there, too. What are the dogs' bodies telling you?

  And for those of us who share our lives with dogs that prefer rough play styles: We need to know our dogs and stand up for them. A play growl is not the same as a serious growl. Our dogs are not dangerous just because their play style appears aggressive. Don't let ignorant people threaten, scare or shame you or your dog.

 Also, please do be aware that not all dogs like your dog's rough play style. Supervise your dog and know when to separate dogs or enforce breaks in play.

*Source: http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/pet_overpopulation/facts/pet_ownership_statistics.html 

Peace and puppies

Picture, if you will, the following: It's early Saturday morning. Quiet. Peaceful. (Yet still way too damn early to be awake, but I'm not about to argue with a dog's bladder.) In our little backyard--a slice of heaven reserved for us--Fig romps with a visiting 7-week-old black Labrador Retriever puppy. The play breaks up for a brief rest. Puppy is getting tired. He's very young so his bursts of energy last an hour before he needs a forty-minute nap.

Puppy plops his tiny puppy bottom down in a shaded spot for a breather. A strange scream is heard. High-pitched, almost wailing. It sounds muffled, yet still loud enough to disrupt our peaceful Saturday morning. Puppy looks startled. Fig hears the noise and rushes at puppy. Puppy looks confused. Fig shoves puppy out of the way and throws herself down on the spot puppy had occupied. The screaming grows louder and, if possible, frantic.

By the time I made it across the yard to investigate Fig had a giant cicada sticking out of her mouth. She was gritting her teeth with a determined look on her face.

So wee puppy had sat on a cicada, who had screamed in protest, and ended up locked in the jaws of an angry Fig.

And if you're wondering whether I'm the kind of fruit who saves insects from dogs, I won't keep you wondering: I did make Fig hand over the cicada. She was not at all amused about having to give it up. The cicada was not amused at being sat on and then glomped. I was not amused at having to fish a cicada out of a dog's mouth.

I learned two things: Cicadas sound really creepy when sat upon and Fig needs to work on her "drop it" cue, as it doesn't work on cicadas.