Welcome to this week’s edition of Follow-Up Friday, the post where I highlight reader’s comments, answer questions and generally just wrap up my week.

You Make Me Smile – April 12, 2015

Sophie said, “I think, you might just be the biggest recipient of that special bond(:”

I would have to agree with you there.  He is one special boy.

Jan K said, “Mine are way too wound up to snuggle when I first get home. We have to have treats, and then play some ball. Snuggling comes later!”

Delilah used to be like that, she’s settled down a lot though.  Now most days she greets you with a toy in her mouth and then lies down to wait for rubbies.

Is She Going to Fart And…

Callie, Shadow and Ducky’s Mom said, “OH! MY! GOD!!! I am laughing so hard that my side aches!! ”

I was hoping it would turn out to be funny.  Sometimes I feel like I think it’s funny but it’s not. LOL

Val said, ” My question is….was the bubble gum flavored and if so, did her farts smell like the bubble gum!! LOL”

As a matter of fact, it was flavored but sadly, her farts still smelled like farts.

Jan said, “If the vet’s office has Caller ID, I bet they all want to take your calls. I love how they always say “Keep an eye on her” after our hysterical calls. Like we couldn’t figure that out.”

I often times wonder if it’s the opposite, they see my name come up and do rock, scissors, paper to see who gets me. 🙂 And I agree with you, I wouldn’t be calling you if I wasn’t keeping an eye on her. LOL

Jan K said, “HAHAHAHA…..you could have been rich!!”

SO RICH. Private jets to fly us to Nashville. 😉

Sand Spring Chesapeakes said, “damn, I want to see a fart gum bubble!”

This is the best I could do. 😉

Scanning Your Pet at the Vet

Tenacious Little Terrier said, “I try to have Mr. N scanned every time we go to the vet. Two years ago, I had him scanned to discover that there was no trace of his microchip.”

Wow, it’s a good thing you had him scanned, can you imagine if you were to become separated.  It is just a little extra peace of mind.

Emma said, “Everyone but Mom is chipped at our house, Katie and I have two chips, European and US. Turns out in the US, most readers don’t pick up European chips and they are also located in a different spot. Our vet always takes a read when we go in too.”

I did not know that about the European and US readers.  It’s good to know.  Is mom resistant to the chipping, is that why you haven’t had her chipped? 😉

2 Brown Dawgs said, ” We had all of our pets chipped as puppies and without anesthesia. It was no big deal. I cannot imagine putting a dog under just to implant a chip and most puppies don’t need procedures which require anesthesia.”

Well I already told you what I’d say about it. 😉  But I will add this, it may not have been a big deal to you, but I wonder what the dog would have said if they could talk? 😉 I guess you and I will have to agree to disagree.  As for the anesthesia, if you were getting your puppy spayed or neutered, it would be a fine time to chip. IMO.

Jackie Bouchard said, “I didn’t realize it was best to do the microchipping under anesthesia. (Sorry, Rita!) ”

I don’t know if it’s best, these are just my thoughts after having seen the needle.

Kari said, ” I marvel at those stories of dogs reunited after years because of the chip. And my heart breaks, because we lost Mia for a hour a few weeks ago and that was rough!”

I’m glad you got Mia back. It is so heartbreaking.  My sister’s dog was lost for 12 days in October and there is a local woman whose home was broken into and her dogs either escaped or were stolen.  She has been following every lead for over a year. 

KB said, “I cannot believe that the hold time is 3 and 0 days for dogs and cats in Chicago. That’s outrageous. I hope, with all my heart, that none of my dogs ever gets lost.”

I agree, it is outrageous.  I hope the people of Chicago speak up and insist on change.

This Little Piggy…

Meagan & Merlin said, “I have a theory about Sampson “swimming” in the carpet after he’s been sprayed is I think its cos hes trying to smell like himself again if that makes sense.”

It makes sense to me!  Thanks for sharing that.

We Live in a Flat said, “It doesn’t even have to be a pig does it? Yesterday, Donna got all exciting over a tub by the side of the road – -”

LOL no, it doesn’t have to be a pig.  For my dogs most of the things that pique their interest are statue type items, but they also get excited by weird looking sticks in the road too.

Emma said, “As for the bitter spray thing. Mom sprayed some of our houseplants with some yucky stuff to keep the cats from chewing on them. They still chew, didn’t phase them a bit, but Mom has tasted it many times…seems to last forever…and it is awful, can’t get it out of her mouth! Her hands sometimes touch the plants when she waters or trims them and sometimes she accidentally touches her mouth for some reason and then there are a lot of loud, not so nice words.”

Oh I agree.  I did not taste it intentionally! I put his booty on then grabbed a poop bag.  I like to open the bags before I stuff them in my pocket (so it’s easier when pick up time comes) and I wet my fingers to help grip the back and YUCK!

2 Brown Dawgs said, “Maybe at one time they wanted light in that part of their yard to deter marauding beasts?”

You go with that. I’m going with the entrance to Narnia. 🙂

Mary Hone said, “What a week you’ve had my friend. I think you should touch the pole, just for shits and giggles.”

Oh Mary, you made me laugh. If I thought I might be able to sneak up into their yard, without them wondering WTF I was doing, I would totally touch that pole!

Monika said, “Oh, what I wouldn’t give to hear what the D-dog has to say!”

YOU my friend are very brave. I imagine the D-dog has a LOT to say. LOL

Blueberry’s Human said, “Poor Sampson. Maybe if you took him to Narnia his foot could be healed miraculously over there. Don’t take Delilah though. You are right – she’d start talking and well…we both know that probably wouldn’t be a good thing.”

Maybe this weekend on our solo walk…but you are right about Delilah, I don’t think it would be a good thing.  Sampson would be all peace and love and Delilah would probably go all white witch on me.

Jan said, “Some people just take dog walks through their neighborhood. Jodi fantasizes about going into Narnia. How I wish we could walk with you.”

I’d love to have you walk with me Jan! Anytime you’re in CT…

Laura Elizabeth said, “I don’t think I’d be able to resist! Hold onto those leashes and report back!”

Okay, but if you don’t hear from me for a few weeks, you know what happened.  Remember time is different in Narnia then it is here.

Jen Gabbard said, “Why do they have that lamp post? I’m curious as well; it’s not like it’s even in a spot that you’d normally have a functioning light. It’s just there – in the middle – as an ornament.”

No idea.  It seemed a very odd thing to me as well.

Well my friends, that is it for me, thanks for joining me on this crazy adventure.  Have a great weekend.

Welcome to this week’s edition of Follow-Up Friday, the post where I highlight awesome comments, answer reader’s questions and generally just wrap up my week.

You Make Me Smile – Easter Sunday 2015

Cupcake said, “Ha! Ten or fifteen? Is that all?? Amateur. Mom usually need 500 before one looks like I’m being a good girl.”

OMG I lost my patience after about 5, which probably explains why my photos are so crappy!

Divide and Conquer

Slimdoggy said, “It is SOOO much easier to walk them separately, but finding the time is a challenge. Jack is not the challenge, it’s Maggie – she never met a straight line that she liked so she is all over the place.”

My guys zig and zag all over the place too.  Just yesterday I tried stepping over Sampson’s leash and almost fell again! LOL

Kirsten said, “Positive dog trainer friends have always told me I should walk my dogs individually, and of course that would be ideal for working with reactive dogs. But I seldom get to do it!”

I’ve found it’s much easier to work on each dog’s issues when they are alone.  My hope is the individual work will make them a better pair when they walk. It’s also hard to find the time on a daily basis, so I have to grab it when I can.

Jan K said, “Right now I only walk individually, because they all walk so differently, and walking three dogs at once is not in my skill set (my dogs don’t walk that well). I could probably handle two, since Sheba and Luke walk similarly, but I don’t want to leave one dog home alone.”

That’s another issue, which is why the weekend works better for me, if Hubby is home the other dog doesn’t mind staying home. And of course I have to walk Sampson first, or the baby sits home and barks.

Sand Spring Chesapeakes asked, “walking each dog singly you get to spend your own time with them which is rewarding. You still have that much snow?”

Some spots (like the front of the house where all the snow gets pushed) still have a lot of snow, but the woods don’t have a lot anymore.

And 2 Brown Dawgs said, “Please tell me that is an old photo of Sampson in the snow! ”

That picture was taken March 18th, just a little over three weeks ago.

The Exodus of the Worms

Sand Spring Chesapeakes said, “yes Delilah you can eat a mole but you might get worms.”

OMG I couldn’t stop laughing.

Repoleon said, “Another disgusting thing about worms – when they die and start to dry out they smell BAD – really bad for such small things. I know this because the dogs LOVE to roll on the occasional dead smelly worm.”

Yes that is one more disgusting thing to add to the worm’s ick factor. And my dogs like to rub themselves on them too.  Ewww.

Mary Hone said, “Ewww. You could have gathered them and went fishing. I can just see you skewering a worm on a hook.”

Actually no.  I don’t mind fishing, but I won’t bait the hook or touch the fish. Hehehe and I will never willingly touch a worm. 

Elaine asked, “Yuk! I would be paranoid about stepping on them too. Did you have to pick worm parts from Sampson and Delilah’s paws when you got back home?”

OMG the thought never crossed my mind!  I should have washed their feet before they went inside!

Blueberry’s Human said, “This really reminds me of those made for TV movies they used to show in the late 70s, early 80s. Remember? Things like “Ants!”, “Swarm!”, and there was even one with worms – probably called something really imaginative like, “Worms!”. ”

Holy woof woman!  Do you think I watch those shows?  NO.  I can’t even. NO. My skin would crawl for weeks.

KB said, “That used to happen to us when we lived in an area with pavement. I’d freak out because I couldn’t bear to see worms being squished by cars so I’d try to save them.”

Bless your heart. I can’t touch a worm. 

Jen Gabbard said, “I don’t know if it’s true but I feel that I can “smell” worms. ”

Oh My God! You have a super power!  Do you use it for good or evil?  Can you teach ME that super power?  Because I don’t ever want to see that many worms again.

Little Paws Boutique says, “oh, that would have grossed me out too! I know a woman who picks up the worms that end up in her driveway so she doesn’t run over them. She would have been out there for hours!”

She really might have been out there for days. LOL The pictures can’t even begin to show the magnitude of exactly how many worms there were.

#GETTOUGH

I know there are some organizations that spend a lot of the money they raise on salaries and advertisements.  I’m not sure where the ASPCA falls in that category but whether they are good or bad, dog fighting must be stopped.

2 Brown Dawgs said, “You all are scary!”

I was trying to look serious.:-)

Teach by Example

Emma said, “Looks like you have had huge success with sit and stay for the new addition. Can’t wait to see how come works out ”

He’s great at sit and stay but we are not making any progress on come. LOL

Callie, Shadow and Ducky’s mom said, “Haha! You almost had me with the new puppy part…until you said the dogs greeted him enthusiastically. Sampson possibly since he’s a lover boy but Delilah? Anyway, the puppy IS cute.”

Neither one of them liked my daughter’s puppy when she was here two Christmas’ ago. But I think Delilah would be better than Sampson

Jan said, “I was thinking “Are you and your sister out of your friggin mind?” but happy endings…”

LOL yes, I’d have to be out of my mind.  I have my hands full with the two I have. LOL

Jen Gabbard said, “Your new puppy is cute but he looks like he might be a bit rigid – have you taken him to the vet? And by the looks of things he might have some resource guarding going on.”

I’m a terrible dog owner, he still hasn’t been to the vet. 😉

Jan K said, “I knew there was no way you got a real puppy, unless it was a beagle. ”

Oh Jan.  A beagle, I so want a beagle and a springer and another lab.  Lord help me, is there a 12-Step program for me?

2 Brown Dawgs said, “Better those people should learn not to let their dog roam. I know you don’t let your dogs roam so I kind of doubt they will learn by example. I think you probably have to hit them over the head, but then that would not be positive training.”

You know a couple of years ago the dog ran off (into the woods where we walk) and came back with half his tail torn off, part of it had to be amputated. I know they don’t intentionally let him roam, but you’d think they’d try and put something in place to minimize it and find a way to get him back. And you are right, it’s not positive training, but I’d still like to clock them a couple of times. LOL

That’s it for me folks.  Thanks for reading and have a wonderful weekend!

Welcome to this week’s edition of Follow-Up Friday, the post where I highlight awesome comments, answer questions and generally just wrap up my week.

You Make Me Smile – March 29, 2015

Blueberry’s Human said, “Blueberry is soooo different from my last dog Shadow. Shadow wasn’t really under foot, but she was very vocal about how long it would take me to get ready. Have you ever tried to urinate while having a dog howl/whine/bark at you? It’s very unnerving. I called it “extreme peeing”. I don’t do well under pressure, so it was very challenging.”

LOL Have you ever tried to pull down your pants to pee with a dog’s head between your legs? Delilah loves to come up behind you and shove her head between your legs.  It’s comical but is also stressful if you are trying to drop  trou. 😉

The Nose Knows

Molly the Wally said, “The nose sure knows. Here it is the foxes that are driving all the dogs mad. ”

Oooh foxes, we saw one last year, but thankfully, there aren’t a lot of those around us.

Emma said, “Bailie is tracking all the time when she is outside. She is amazing! The first full day she lived with us, Mom took Katie and I for a walk and then took Bailie out. She followed our path to a tee!”

That Bailie is one smart little dog, you wait, Emma, she is still young but once she really matures, I bet she gets lots of titles.

Leah said, “I swear Zack can sniff out a discarded slice of pizza crust on the side of the road from 2 blocks away :->”

He must be related to Delilah!  I swear she starts sniffing a crumb of bread from about 30 feet away!

My Love/Hate Relationship with Winter

Callie, Shadow and Ducky’s Mom said, “You left out one of my favorites though. The way the male cardinals stand out in their bright red bodies on the snow-covered tree branches. They are soooo gorgeous, especially if the sun is shining and reflecting off the snow.”

Oh yes, the cardinals, I love those too.  And Delilah.  I love taking pictures of her standing in the snow, you can really see how beautiful she is.  Here is one of my favorites.

Frankie and Ernie said, “We can’t find ANYTHINGY to like about Winter… NOPE… NOTHING… Dark Cold Gloomy and just plain AWFUL…”

I don’t find it quite that bad, but I do admit, it wears on me after a while.

Jen said, “Well I can get all those good things about Winter, except for the snow, in the Fall here. I’m done with Ohio winters. My 5 year plan now includes moving to Texas.”

You know it gets super hot in Texas right? And they have cockroaches as big as your dogs. 😉 Let’s talk about where WE’LL relocate when I see in you Nashville next month.

Pamela said, “Generally, I find spring and fall harder than winter. Once winter comes, I know I need to wear heavy socks, lots of layers, and a warm coat. But in the spring and fall, I’m tempted to get away with less. And I always freeze.”

I can agree with that.  There are many times I think it’s nicer than it really is and find myself undressed for walking.

Elaine said, “Hate the wet, slushy underbellies too, but I really hate when my nose is constantly running and I’m fumbling with gloves, kleenex and the leash.”

That’s what they make gloves for. 😉 For me, I wake up with a stuffy nose and the cold helps loosen everything up.  (Too much information?) 🙂

Jan K said, “I especially dread the bugs coming back.”

UGH, the bugs.  They are probably the thing I hate most about nicer weather!

Lauranne said, “I have missed you so much!!”

I have missed YOU too my dear, it’s nice to see you back!!

Once Upon a Time

Blueberry’s Human said, “Firstly, I am sincerely glad that you weren’t seriously injured …Secondly, Bahahahaha!!!!!”

Hahaha, I knew you would love it, I tried to make it funny, but I did need to sit on it a few days because I didn’t find it at all funny on Monday. LOL

Lauren Miller said, “When I was stuck with strictly leash walks only, I HATED it. I’ve always struggled with loose leash walking with Zoe because the environment is way more rewarding than anything I could ever offer her. There are squirrels, rabbits and deer oh my and she couldn’t give a crap about what I’m doing. I also get the whole front clipping harness woes. They step on them and get even more tangled in them and it freaking sucks. I have not found the magic answer. We work on it as much as possible and moving back to Oregon and right next to a big off leash hiking place has seriously helped because I can just let them run free and be dogs without being dragged around.”

I think I could write a whole post in response to just this one comment.  Yes, I love off-leash myself and until Delilah started running off, that is how we worked, but like Zoe, the environment is way more rewarding than anything I can offer her.  And of course, recently she’s taken to eating disgusting things.  The last time I let her off for a minute, she ate poop.

As for the leash part, I’m thinking of modifying my leashes to work the way I want/need them to.

Kari said, “I have a pretty cool tandem leash from Xtreme pet products that doesn’t get tangled in itself… but that doesn’t keep Mia and Leo from wrapping me up in it.”

Thank you for sharing that link with me.  I am adding this to my wish list.

Sheena said, “I hope you’re going to wear that head protection in the summer as well!!!”

Callie, Shadow and Ducky’s mom said, ” Maybe you should start wearing a bicycle helmet instead of that baseball cap, just to be on the safe side.”

Mary Hone said, “I saw cute helmet on Facebook the other day you could get.”

I’ve actually considered getting a helmet, honestly, it won’t be the first time I’ve worn something totally crazy on a walk.

Emma said, “Mom only falls when running and always lands face first on the pavement and it is a bloody mess”

That’s awful!  Honestly, I realize how lucky I was.  I didn’t fall in front of a car, I didn’t hit my head on a curb, I didn’t fall on my face or knock myself out or break anything.  It could have been SO much worse.

2 Brown Dawgs said, ” I have a review coming up next week of a book about how to train your dog to walk on loose leash. I am hoping there will be a discount or even a free sample.”

I’m looking forward to that review, fingers crossed for a free sample. 😉

Jan K said, ” I’ll never forget lying flat on the ground with our neighbor’s German shepherd in my face (thank God he’s friendly). I was holding onto the leash and Luke’s harness and Luke was no longer in it.”

Oh lord, I can only imagine.  Did Luke run a long ways off? 

DZ Dogs asked, “Any chance you could practice some solid walk training with each dog one at a time? …Treats and clicker really do help, we just have to practice semi-regularly to keep the dogs in the habit of walking nicely. ”

I actually have a post coming up about what I’m going to do about this.  I just have to get the clicker thing down. I need someone to show me how to train the right way with a clicker.  Any takers?

Monika said, “Once I was walking all 3 dogs I owned at the time (2 Old English Sheepdogs and Sam), and through no fault of the dogs-just stepped off the curb to cross the street, stepped into a small divot, rolled my ankle and went down like a ton of bricks and realized later than morning I had broken my leg. The dogs all looked at me like WTF are you doing down there?”

OMG!  I’m so glad you were okay!!  Yes, I always carry my cell phone and most times I carry my pepper blaster as well…just in case.

Sherrie Petrie asked, “was it Sampson that had the knee surgery ????? My girl Trixie a 6 year old Chihuahua jumped off the couch about 2 weeks ago and tore her ACL and and a seriously luxating patella so we took her to the vet because she wasn’t bearing any weight on it at all and she was put on Rymadyl and Tramadol and was told she needed surgery. So we made an appointment with the Ortho Doc for the practice and by the time the appointment rolled around she was bearing full weight and didn’t act like anything was wrong. We were told that on small dogs under 15 pounds the ACL can scar over and surgery isn’t needed.”

Yes, Sampson did tear his ACL and we tried conservative management (similar to what Trixie went through) on him and it did not work for him. My understanding is it sometimes works for larger dogs as well, I know it did for Jen from My Brown Newfies.  Well not Jen herself, because she’s a wee bit of a thing, but it did work for her dog Sherman.

I’m so glad that it worked with Trixie!  As you may recall Sampson had a very hard time with it.

That’s it for me folks, I hope everyone has a great weekend and Happy Easter!