Heart Like a Dog

The Good, the Bad, and the Oh My God of living with dogs!

Follow-Up Friday, July 5th 2013

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I hope you all had a safe and happy 4th of July.

Thank you for joining me for Follow-Up Friday, the blog hop that let’s you wrap up your week and leads you right into the weekend.

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My co-hostess this week is a great friend and mentor of mine.  I’ve learned so much from her, and not just about blogging but about generosity and friendship.  You know her as the mastermind behind Kol’s Notes, the one and only, Jodi Chick.

Thanks so much for co-hosting with me this week Jodi.

This ‘N That Thursday – June 20, 2013 – UPDATE

This post I shared that Sampson had a lump.  He saw our vet on Wednesday.  The good news is the lump is a fatty tumor that some dogs are just prone to.  The bad news is the location, it is on his chest near what we would consider our armpit.  Our vet says if this grows it will impede his mobility.  We are planning on having his teeth cleaned very soon and when we do, she will remove the lump.  It just makes sense.

Thank you all so much for your prayers and good thoughts.

Follow-Up Friday – June 28, 2013

A few of you were wondering what flopper stopper was.   I’m only guessing here and will need Frankie to confirm, but I’m thinking it’s along the lines of a maxi pad.  Like I said, I’m only guessing. 😉

You Make Me Smile

Sue asked, “Have you ever considered turning this “You Make Me Smile/You Make Me Laugh” into a blog hop?”

No Sue I haven’t.  Follow-up Friday is as many blog hops as I can handle. 🙂  If you would like to use “You Make Me Smile” or “You Make Me Laugh” feel free.  I just don’t have the energy to add anything more to my plate at the moment.

Our dogs are so unique, I loved reading how your dog greets you.  Sampson is actually quite amusing.  If Hubby is home first Sampson runs right to the back door.  He then makes his way to the corner of the yard where he sits and waits for my car to pull in.  Once he sees my car he goes charging back to the door so that he can be inside to greet me when I walk in.

Bon Jodi

Sue mentioned they are having a problem with flies.  I’m not sure if you saw it or not Sue, but Elyse left you a link for some traps they bought that really helped, you can find her answer in the comments.

Can I just go on record as saying you west coasters are lucky that you have no bugs!

Emma said, “Mom says that drinking lots of alcohol keeps the bugs from biting, but she wouldn’t recommend that as a good solution.”

I like the way you think Emma.

Blueberry’s Human said, “You know – they have these screen-type “shirts” that you can wear that protect you from bugs. I wonder if they make them for dogs too?”

If they do, I haven’t been able to find them.  If you do, please let me know!

Julie said, “Last summer I got a sample from Pet Friendly of some bug spray that works for no-see ums – and it’s all natural. I can’t remember the name of it, maybe Amy can remember what it was??”

Any chance you checked with Amy? 😉

BJ pup said, “Have you tried that Off thing that you hook onto your pants.”

Not yet, but I thought about getting one and attaching it to the back of her collar!

Jessica said, “I use Dr. Mercola’s Natural Flea and Tick Defense and…so far, so good”

Thanks Jessica, I’ll have to check this one out.

Here’s what my vet told me.  When it’s really hot, the ticks aren’t very active, so we are focusing more on the other pests that bother us.  I mentioned the Skin-So-Soft and she felt it was okay to use on the dogs.  As for the eye area, she suggest a make-up sponge but I found a Q-tip works just as well.

We are also staying away from the really wet, dark, wooded areas.

Tuesday’s Tails, Regally Yours

Marie Angelique said, “You know when I was stationed in Germany, they would not let American Soldiers adopts pets locally because some Soldiers would get orders to go to another assignment and they would just abandon the dogs! I never understood this because after all the effort and love you give a dog, there is no way I would just abandon them. By the way, I’m a Soldier who tried to adopt a dog, which is how I know.”

Marie, first and foremost I thank you for serving, if you are ever in the northeast, please look me up, I’d love to thank you personally.  As sad as it is that you couldn’t adopt a dog, I can understand why some folks might be hesitant to adopt to a soldier.

2 Brown Dawgs said, “But I bet there are people who would love to take pets and cannot. The economy is such that sometimes people do what they have to do to provide for their families”

All Things Collie said, “I work with a woman you gave away her 12 year old dog because she had a baby.”

Jan said, “It’s heartbreaking for me to look at all the adorable Chihuahuas in shelters because they or their parents were part of a fad that is no longer “in.””

There are many great posts about people surrendering their pets and why.  Sometimes I do understand, I really do.  BUT there are some excuses that just don’t fly with me.  Surrendering a 12-year-old dog because you had a baby or surrendering your pet because it is no longer fashionable don’t fly with me.  Call me judgmental, or unreasonable but that’s how I feel.

That being said, there are programs available and organizations that will work to help you keep your pet.  As I said, I’d sleep in a tent but that’s me.

I’m not a quitter.

It’s Not Just the Rain

Caren said, “It could always be worse….did you forget the MOUNTAINS of snow you had last year?”

No I haven’t and right about now, I’d love that snow.  Even though we had trouble getting into the woods, it was still better than the bugs and heat. 🙂

Pamela said, “Monday the rain was so heavy I saw a moving stream along my basement foundation wall. When I moved my bike away, I saw 4 weep holes in my foundation spurting water in.”

Ut oh, that’s not good.  I hope you get that straightened out Pamela and yes, it’s good you aren’t living on a boat!

Most of you are experiencing either wicked heat or mad amounts of rain.  Those of you who said you have decent weather, enjoy it!

Happy Birthday America

Happy Birthday America!

Happy Birthday America!

 

Before you go thinking my dogs were so good wearing hats, nope.  I added those hats and fireworks with PicMonkey. “-)

Thanks for joining us, this is the Follow-Up Friday blog hop hosted by Kol’s Notes and Heart Like a Dog.


Follow-Up Friday – June 28, 2013

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Welcome to this week’s edition of Follow-Up Friday (FUF) the blog hop that let’s you wrap up your week and leads you right into the weekend.

This week my co-hostess is JoAnn from Sand Spring Cheseapeakes, thank you JoAnn and welcome.  If you haven’t check Sand Spring Chesapeakes out yet, hop on over.  She has four (yes 4!) Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and has recently added MK (Marsh Kitty) to her household.  MK’s story is a sad but sweet story with both joy and sorrow involved.  JoAnn’s clarity as to why MK came into her life just astounds me.

Get Your Hustle On

Boy the comments I got about the ages of dogs and what constitutes a senior.  Don’t shoot the messenger peeps, I’m just relaying what I’m told.  Based upon my dog’s ages and breed, they are both considered senior.  If you’d like to know if your dog is considered a senior, check out this handy age converter.

I can assure you, I do not consider my dogs to be seniors.

You may have noticed in yesterday’s post we were awarded the “Walking Warriors Award” from K-9 Kamp.

Thank you to Kol's Notes and Peggy's Pet Place for hosting K-9 Kamp.

Thank you to Kol’s Notes and Peggy’s Pet Place for hosting K-9 Kamp.

 

I love the name of this award but when I was chatting with Jodi, she let slip we almost got the “way to find a loophole award.”  Dude, I would have loved that one too.

You Make Me Laugh

This comment from Frankie and Ernie made ME laugh, “We have them TUNED… Mine (Frankie Furter) are always F Sharps… and Ernie’s are E Flats. BOTH are grrrreat fur making mom and dad SQUEAL with Delight.”

Delilah is actually the first dog I’ve ever heard fart.  And her reaction makes it funnier.

One, Two

Sue said, “Hmm… I’d be worried about disease if the dogs got too close to those foxes!

Don’t think it hasn’t crossed my mind.  That and what if they’re rabid?

Did you read Kirsten’s comment? “Yesterday’s experience took the cake though, on our evening walk we came across a deer who actually stood her ground, reared up, and attacked Lady!”

Holy crap!!  I’d probably pull out my pepper blaster and give that deer a snootful!

Jen stated there were a number of wild animals in there park “and cornish game hen fat squirrels in the library’s park. They come up to you and beg like little dogs; I’ve considered clicker training one or more of them for the lolz.”

My dear, I would pay to see that. 😉

Jessica asked, “Surely the fox would run from dogs as big as Sampson and Delilah?”

GOD I hope so.  If not, they’ll be running from me and my .22!

JoAnn asked, “Wow a couple of foxes, do you live in the city?

No, we are not in a big city.  We live in a town of about 30,000, but our neighborhood is in a very woodsy section of town.

Basil said, “Maybe you can talk fox as well as you talk deer and you will have nothing to worry about?!”

Well we don’t know that yet Basil and no, your typist did not confuse me with someone else. 🙂

Penny For Your Thoughts

You guys, on top of the sadness of two of our friends losing their furry ones, Penny’s story just about kills me.  I look at her face and I see the worry in her eyes and I just want to fix it, you know?

Looking at her sweet face just about breaks my heart.

Looking at her sweet face just about breaks my heart.

 

Julie said, “Stories like Penelope’s break my heart – what kind of heartless person disposes of their senior dog because it is inconvenient?”

Sage said, “How can people be so cruel?”

Snoopy said, “Penelope’s story made my Mum cry, how can people do that?”

I don’t know, I just don’t know.  But it breaks my heart too.

Jessica said, “Our city shelter runs a fantastic program to pair senior dogs with senior citizens–very low adoption fees, and assistance with the dog’s medical bills. The lower-energy dogs are better company than a rowdy puppy. I wish it were more common.”

I love this idea.  I wonder how I could get something like this started?

Donna said, “You. Are. Killing. Me. I need a bigger house. And maybe some lotto winnings…!”

Me too my friend, me too.

Urban Hounds said, “I worry constantly about the time I have left with my old dogs, not an evening passes that I dont think about the fact that another day with them is over.”

You and me both.  I could literally turn into a puddle thinking about losing my dogs.  If I ever had to cry on cue, I would think about that.  It puts me over the edge.

Delilah Likes to Roll in Smelly Things

Holy Helen, if you want to read some funny stuff, go back and read the comments on this one.  I cracked up more than once.

I had to single this one by Frankie and Ernie out, “there was that ONE time… when we had company and I (Frankie Furter) came walking out… wearing one of mom’s Flopper Stoppers.”

I’m guessing what a Flopper Stopper is and picturing it in my mind.

I am laughing.

This is the Follow-Up Friday Blog Hop hosted by Sand Spring Chesapeakes and Heart Like a Dog.



Follow-Up Friday – June 21, 2013

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Welcome to this week’s edition of Follow-Up Friday co-hosted by Hound Girl and Heart Like a Dog.   No introductions needed as ya’ll met Kari last week.

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The blog hop that helps you wrap up your week and leads you right into the weekend.

Rescued Heroes – Update

Thanks to all of you who shared and promoted this great project on your social media sites.  I checked the project on Monday and they had met their goal!

See Beautiful – Author’s Note

We sure do have a beautiful area to walk, which works out well for me as I usually use the walks as an opportunity to de-stress.

The path in to our little slice of paradise.

The path in to our little slice of paradise.

Jan asked, “Your flowers look like Clematis?”

No idea Jan, they were there when we moved in and neither one of us are very good with plants.

Go Check – Author’s Note

Off-leash recalls have been a struggle with Delilah from day one.  She’ll do fantastic for months at a time and then boom, she blows off a recall.

JoAnn said, “Have you tried training her to recall to a whistle.”

You know I was working with them with a whistle, but I’m not really sure how to train it.  I wonder if it would be beneficial to her?

Sue said, ” Years ago my tripawd used to take off after deer (he’s the one we hung a cow bell on).” and 2 Brown Dawgs asked, “Have you ever thought of putting a bell on her like they do with dogs hunting in high cover?”

You know I hadn’t thought about it, but it might not be a bad idea.  Since both Sampson and Delilah wear collars with tags on them, sometimes I hear the tinkle of the tags and think it’s her, but it’s really him.  A cow bell would definitely sound different. 🙂

Since my walks are supposed to be about unwinding and de-stressing having her running off is counter productive.  As of right now, she will remain on leash unless we are in a fenced in area.

Heeeeeeere’s Manny – Author’s Note

2 Brown Dawgs asked, “Seven is senior?”

Apparently yes.  Even if you figure it in dog years, I don’t think seven is “senior.”   But what do I know?

Jen said, “Yes, we do tend to highlight those breeds near to our hearts, don’t we?”

We sure do!

What Did You Do To Her? – Author’s Note

Thank you all for your kind words and for sharing your stories about your experiences with dogs and children.  I’m truly grateful that Delilah did not bite my granddaughter.  It is a reminder to me that even when I’m in the same room, I need to be aware of what’s going on.

This ‘N That Thursday

Thank you all for the positive thoughts for Sampson, I know so many of you who have dealt with or are dealing with aging or ill pets and I know it’s not easy.  And while the possibility is likely it is a fatty tumor, there is always the chance it could be something far more sinister.

I worry, what can I say?

2 Brown Dawgs asked, “Was the tick attached as long as they say it takes to transmit the disease? I am unclear on timing. Was the disease transmitted in a shorter time frame?”

You know according to the CDC the tick has to be attached for a minimum of 24 hours, though the ‘norm’ is 36 to 48 hours.  I picked the kids up about 9:30 and noticed the tick about 6:30, which is only 9 hours.  My daughter said she did not notice anything on her when she got her dressed that morning, but we are talking about something as small as the head of a pin.

Your guess is as good as mine.  The good thing is that we caught it early and besides being a bit cranky with a rash, she didn’t seem to have any of the ‘typical’ symptoms.

That is my wrap up for the week.  Many thanks to Kari who kindly hosted the hop all on her own this week.  I have a co-host lined up for next week (JoAnn) but I’d love to share the love with you.  If you can join a blog hop, you can host one too, it’s super simple.

Have a great weekend and thanks again to Hound Girl!

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