Heart Like a Dog

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

Follow-Up Friday – April 18, 2014

By

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

You Make Me Smile – April 13, 2014

Jan K said, “Don’t you just love the determination of dogs?”

Yes I do.  I wish I was as determined as she is.

Roxy the Traveling Dog asked, “Is Sampson sad he can’t join her?”

Yes, Sampson is very sad.  I think he’s even sort of depressed and I can’t blame him.  He’s so limited in what he can do.

I Know Why They’re Called Labradors

Emma said, “Perhaps a general dogstacle would be appropriate as we all seem to be in the way of you busy humans. I guess there could be a catstacle as well. We often hear that we make better doors than windows at our house.”

He he he, yes I think both species are effective at being obstacles.  The cats I had always liked to be weaving around underfoot.

Callie, Shadow and Ducky’s mom said, “Callie will let you step over her; but unless she’s sound asleep, Shadow will get up in mid-step and send you falling flat on your face.”

Yup.  I can relate to that, although Delilah’s gotten better at letting us step over her.  HOWEVER, if she’s awake you better watch out.

Are you saying I could be on T.V.? Siriusly? That's Doggone awesome, who do I talk to?

Are you saying I could be on T.V.? Siriusly? That’s Doggone awesome, who do I talk to?

Blueberry’s Human said, “You know – I said it once and I’ll say it again…you need to have a video camera going at all times at your house. ;) That is reality TV that I would love to watch!”……”I call Blueberry the Ninja Dog because she is always slinking in behind me and scares the crap out of me when I turn around and there she is.”

OMG you’d hear an awful lot of yelling and swearing. LOL

Colby said, “Unfortunately, a blind person cannot see Labradoors. As part of our guide dog puppy training we work with our Labs and do our best to make sure they are not obstacles for their blind handlers.”

That’s awesome Colby.  You have my undying respect for that.  I’d love to learn some of those skills.

2 Brown Dawgs said, “From small puppies my doggies learn the phrase “gotta move”. That means get the hell out of my way. Only I say it real cheery: “gotta move”. ..happy voice. But I am thinking the other.”

I usually say, “Beep, Beep” but when that doesn’t work I usually yell and swear.  I’m a horrible dog owner.

Delilah and Me

Jessica asked, “I’m trying to decide if it’s *better* to know that Delilah is capable of loose leash walking or *worse.* What do you think?”

For me, its better knowing she’s capable of it.  It gives me something to work towards.  

Jenna, Mark “HuskyCrazed” Drady says, “Three huskies who all want to be in the lead, and the only thing that has helped me with it has been using different harnesses to help with the pulling.”

I recently got a harness for Sampson that’s working rather well, BUT he is not at full capacity yet.  So I can’t say with certainty it will help.  But when he is 100% I’ll have them both on harnesses and let you know.

Who’s Been Pooping in my Bed?

Jessica asked, “How strange. Is Sampson still on medication?”

Yes he is.  He’s on Tramadol and Carprofen.  But he’s never done that before.  He only ever pooped in the house once and he was probably 3 months old when he did that.

Lauranne said, “Wow there are so many things wrong with this post – I’m not all squimish and stuff but yuck bare hands and even bigger yuck you offered it to your dog to eat!! You may have just earned the crazy dog lady title 2014!!  I also worry far too much – do you think there is a way to get paid for it??”

First I should tell you raw fed poop is very hard and dry.  I honestly couldn’t tell what it was until I’d picked it up AND I would NEVER let her eat the poop, it was an impulse just to see what she would do.  To your question I would say, I wish there was, but I don’t think so.

Sheena asked, “Are you sure YOU didn’t leave that poop in the bed so your scent was there for Sampson? Lol! Perhaps you have totally lost YOUR mind and you we’re sleep pooing?”

No, I’m certain I did not poop in the bed, it was definitely one of the dogs.

Emma said, “Obviously you are way off track on this one. You can’t just blame the dog! I don’t think you have a cat, but if you do, that would be the perp in this case. What about hubby? He is the one that is usually in that bed isn’t he?”

No to the cat and no to the Hubby.  He and Delilah have been sleeping in the other room.

HLAD 4-17-14

Callie, Shadow and Ducky’s mom asked, “And, by the way, what’s that on YOUR pillow?”

It is just the way the blanket is draped and the darkness of the photo.  I can assure you there is nothing on my pillow!

Frankie and Ernie said, “So you are saying… you had a CRAPPY experience????”

BWA HA HA yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying.

Jen K says, “wow, it just occurred to me the morbid conversations we dog owners will candidly have with each other….”

Yes, yes we do.

Jan K said, “You would have laughed if you had seen me at about 4 am this morning trying to get back in bed when Luke had taken over my spot when I got up to pee.”

I can picture this as I have gotten up many nights myself and lost my spot.  There have been times where I just end up sleeping somewhere else, because it’s just not worth the fight. 🙂

Blueberry’s Human said, “Maybe it was Sampson’s version of a mint on the pillow?……I can’t say my reaction would be the same as yours at finding out the “rock” turned out to be a turd. LOL – puzzlement??? I would have shrieked and flung it. ;) And best. line. ever. – “…what if he had a little one left in the chamber and when he went to sleep it shot out?”.

OMG mint on pillow!!  That cracks me up.  I’m glad you liked that line.  When I giggle writing it, I’m pretty sure that someone else will find it funny too.

I’m glad you all realized the post was intended to be funny.  

That’s it for me, I hope you all have a great weekend and a Happy Easter.

 

A Mama’s Heartache

By

Two weeks ago today I dropped Sampson off for ACL surgery with a veterinarian I’d only met once.  I’d been preparing myself for the day for two weeks, ever since the moment I knew he’d totally torn his ACL.  I had met with the surgeon eleven days prior and I really liked him.  He came highly recommend both by my vet and a dear friend.  I even called the vet hospital the day before with a list of questions and didn’t hang up until I was satisfied.

They can fix it? Really? I can't wait to feel better.

They can fix it? Really? I can’t wait to feel better.

 

I’d prepared a room for Sampson to recover in, converting my office into a post-surgery haven by adding carpeting to the floor,  a gate to the door, blocking the windows and removing the Futon from the room, leaving only a mattress on the floor.  I’d even begun sleeping in the room with Sampson, helping him become comfortable in the room he’d be spending a lot of time in.

I prepared how I’d handle the morning of the surgery.  How Hubby would pick up the water bowl before Sampson and I got up that morning, how my mom would feed Delilah,  what time Sampson and I would leave.  And how when I got home that night, I’d grab Delilah and head to our woods for a nice, mind clearing walk.

After talking with the Vet staff and my friend whose dog had ACL surgery, I prepared myself for how Sampson would look when I picked him up.  How we’d get him in and out of the house, how the first two weeks post-surgery would be hell.

I prepared myself not to cry the morning of surgery as I drove him to the hospital, and warned myself not to project my fear on to him by letting him see how really worried I was. I told him over and over again, “We’re going to get you fixed, it’s all going to be alright.”  Trying to convince myself in the process.

My anxiety was building as I drove him to the hospital that morning.   I hadn’t prepared myself for the rush hour traffic and I was getting nervous that I’d miss my drop off time, but we made it with five minutes to spare.

Sampson was a real trooper, one of the staff came and took him from me and I watched as he walked purposefully in to the back room.  No backward glances, it was as if he knew, this is it, I’m going to feel better after this.  I busied myself with the pre-surgery consent forms, clarifying what type of surgery he was having.

I prepared myself for everything I could think of, except nothing can prepare you for the moment the vet staff comes back and hands you an empty collar and leash.  It was almost my undoing, I choked back the tears, finished the paperwork and quickly left the lobby for the safety of my car, where I could let the tears flow.

I shared this moment with some of my blogging friends and Amy from Go Pet Friendly said, “If they only paid a moment’s attention they’d see the pain they’re causing their clients because they can’t find a way to keep from losing collars and leashes!”

It seems like a simple enough process to me.  Hospitals do it with patient’s personal belongings.  How hard would it be to hand you a Ziploc Baggie and a Sharpie while they’re asking you to fill out paperwork.  You can put your pet’s name, your name and your phone number on the bag.  It goes in back with your pet and when they take the collar and leash off, they put them in the baggie.  Then it goes in a plastic bin, in alphabetical order.  How hard is that?  And how much heartache would it save the person dropping their pet off?

We were told we could bring something with our scent on it to stay with Sampson in the kennel, which is something they’d need to keep track of.  If they can keep track of Sampson’s pillow,  why not his leash and collar to save a Mama’s heart ache?

Have you ever dropped your pet off and been handed back their empty collar and leash?  Or does your vet keep it with your pet? How do you feel about that?  Is it kinder to hold onto your pet’s personal things and return them with your pet, or do you prefer to have them with you?

The Drinkin’ Bone’s Connected To The….

By

A few years back country singer Tracy Byrd had a song called “Drinkin’ Bone.”

For the record, it’s a catchy tune so if you happen to google the song and it gets stuck in your head, don’t blame me.  Cause’ I reckon most of you have never heard this song before so the odds of you getting ear worm are pretty slim.

Anywhoo, the lyrics go like this:
The drinkin’ bone’s connected to the party bone
The party bone’s connected to the stayin’ out all night long
And she won’t think it’s funny
And I’ll wind up all alone
And the lonely bone’s connected to the drinkin’ bone

Today I want to go on the record and say, my drinkin’ bone’s connected to the Sampson Stone.

First off, we are a week into the full ACL tear and Sampson has adjusted to getting around on three legs.  He still waits as long as he possibly can to pee and poop,  but lately he’s decided that a three-legged dog can do anything his four-legged sister can do.

I can scale this fence in a single bound.

I can scale this fence in a single bound.

I’ve taken to having him wear his collar and tags in the house when we are home.  This serves three purposes.  1)  It allows us to quickly hook him up to his leash to take him outside.  2) It gives us something to grab if he decides he’s wonder dog.  3) The tags jingle which helps keep tabs on what he’s up to.

Holy Woof-a-geddon, this dog is driving me to drink.  By the time this ACL surgery and rehab is over,  I’ll be in a different type of rehab.   It’s like a drinking game for dog parents, every time Sampson does something he shouldn’t be doing, or I start worrying about the procedure,  I take a drink.  Thank goodness I have a ‘go-to’ alcohol no matter what time of day it is.

For instance Monday morning when Sampson came galloping into the bedroom, I knew he was intending on jumping on the bed.  I sat strait up and screamed, “NO” just as he launched himself onto the bed.

The next words out of my mouth were, “Bring me the Carolans.”  Thank goodness my co-worker just made a trip to New Hampshire and brought me back this large bottle.  It should get me through next week.

Thank god for Carolans.

Thank god for Carolans, and coffee.  Of course it’s also good over ice.

My vet called me Monday afternoon to check and see how we were doing.  I turned into a blubbering mess.   Will he be scared sitting in a crate?  He’s never stayed at overnight at the vets before.  I’m comfortable with your practice, but I don’t know these people, what if they have a bad person working there?    I ended up crying on the phone.

Thankfully Sangria is the perfect afternoon drink.

After I gathered my wits about me, I called my vet’s office and asked for her voice-mail.  I wanted to apologize for my earlier freak out.  That didn’t turn out so well.  I ended up crying again.

A nice glass of vodka on the rocks is perfect for sipping in the late afternoon.

Monday night I went downstairs to visit my mom while Hubby worked on getting a fire started in the fireplace.  When I came back upstairs Sampson was on the couch! How did he get there? I asked.

Hubby turned, puzzled and stared at the couch, then back at me.  “I don’t know, I was working on the fire” he muttered.

I rolled my eyes, “Would you like to join me in a shot of Tequila?” I asked.

The phone rang, it was my vet assuring me I had nothing to apologize for.  Our dogs are like family members and it’s natural for us to be upset and worried in situations such as these.

After a lovely ten minute chat we hung up with her advising me to have a beer.

Yesterday I pulled on my big girl panties and called the specialist. (For the record, the receptionist was wonderful, she and I laughed quite a bit throughout this conversation.)

Me: I’m very anxious about this surgery.

Receptionist: You have an amazing surgeon.

Me: Yes I know, but it’s not him I’m worried about.  I have a few questions.

Q: Is Sampson going to be alone in a kennel?  He’s used to our vet staff and I know the staff goes back and loves on him all day long. He’s a very social dog, he loves people.

A:  There will be someone with Sampson all day long, he will get plenty of attention.

Q: I understand he’s going to be shaved and catheterized, will he be sedated while that’s being done?

A: Oh yes, he will be sedated for that.

Q: I’m worried that he’ll be scared sitting in a crate all day.  Can I bring something of mine to stay with him?  I have to drop him off in the morning and his surgery isn’t until the afternoon.

A: Oh no, his surgery is scheduled for the morning (around 9:00) he will be up and moving about at least a couple of times that day.  He will go outside to potty.  And yes, you can certainly bring something in to keep in his kennel.

Q: Will you call me after the surgery?

A: The Dr. will call you after the surgery.

Q: How’s your kennel staff?  Are they nice?  Competent?

A: The kennel staff is wonderful.  You can call at anytime up until 7:45 pm to check on him.

Me: I’m sorry, it’s me.  I’m a nervous mom.  I’m the one that needs to be sedated.  Actually, this dog is driving me to drink, in fact I’m drinking now.

YO, someone, anyone!   I’m gonna need another bottle of wine over here!

Don't believe everything you read. She drinks because she likes it. Would a face this cute lie to you?

Don’t believe everything you read. She drinks because she likes it. Would a face this cute lie to you?

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...