Heart Like a Dog

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

Planting Seeds

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Spring has finally arrived and we’ve had some decent weather the last week or so, even though it got super cold last night.  Easter Sunday was just about perfect weather wise and it was made even better by having the grandchildren over.  I was so excited that my grandson who is six was showing some interest in walking the dogs.

He did super good with Sampson.  Sampson is one of those dogs who adapts to whomever is walking him, he’s also on a new harness which helps with his pulling and I was tickled that my grandson could walk him.

Don't worry little dude, I'll go easy on you.

Don’t worry little dude, I’ll go easy on you.

When it came time for Delilah’s turn I became a bit more hands on.  If she saw a squirrel or a dog I was afraid she’d want to take off and he could easily get pulled or worse, so I kept a good eye on it. It was a good learning opportunity for us, as a couple of times when Delilah pulled he gave her leash a good tug.  I explained to him that is not how I work with Delilah, I want her to do something because I ask her to, not because I force her.  We had a good conversation and I hope at the least I planted a seed.

Hey, take it easy on that leash, yo! We don't leash pop dogs in this house.

Hey, take it easy on that leash, yo! We don’t leash pop dogs in this house.

It took me back many years to the beautiful walks and talks I had with my grandfather and the many seeds he planted in me.  What a beautiful Easter gift to share with my grandson, the gift of having an adult listen and share.

Sampson

Sampson starts his physical therapy tomorrow.  This past Tuesday was the four week mark since he had his surgery and it seems to me that he is walking a bit better.  He still resists his weight bearing exercises, but we’ve discovered if we let him initiate a game of tug, he naturally puts weight on it without realizing it.

And yesterday on one of his walks he pooped and used that back leg to kick some dirt over it.  I was so excited, I couldn’t wait to get home and tell Hubby!

Delilah

Delilah continues to be her crazy, zany self.  Honestly I need a video camera to actually capture all the crazy things she does.  Yesterday as I was prepping for her walk she she mistook my hand zipping up my jacket for a treat and actually tried to eat the zipper tag.

This dog yo!

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Delilah Peed on a Frog

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Typically my dogs pee in the woods, the grass, leaves, gravel, trees, fire hydrants and occasionally a curb.

Once when Sampson was about 15 months old we were traveling to Florida and stopped for the night in North Carolina.  Our intent was to get a room and then take Sampson for a nice walk so he could relieve himself and stretch his legs.  For some reason we got out of the car and stood in the parking lot a tad too long for Sampson’s needs.  So he peed right there in the parking lot and a good long time if I remember correctly.  Besides that occasion, I can’t remember him ever peeing on pavement or sidewalk.

And then there was Delilah.

When I walk both dogs I usually head up to the park.  It’s easy because Sampson can usually be off leash, which leaves me free to manage Delilah.  Of course there were times before Sampson’s tear where I walked both dogs on leash, both around the block and at the park.  It’s not my ideal walk but it was doable.

Since my All Star hit the D.L. Delilah’s walks have been largely up to her.  I decide when we walk and Delilah decides where.  While Sampson is a dog that loves the woods, Delilah is a dog that loves houses.  I suspect before she came to us that she spent some time on her own, scavenging for food.   When opportunity has presented itself, she heads to a yard and usually be found grazing like a cow.

So it comes as no surprise when Delilah chooses the walk, we usually end up walking around our neighborhood I’ve begun to suspect she’s casing the houses, waiting for her opportunity to strike.

Our neighborhood has no sidewalks, so I walk in the street.  Delilah can either walk in the street or she ventures just a tiny bit onto the grass of the neighborhood houses.

She’s surprised me lately because she’s taken to peeing in the road and I had no idea why.  Sounds far fetched, right?  Here’s your proof.

Mama! Remember what happened to you the last time you put a picture of me peeing up? Two words. Human Shaming. You've been warned Mama.

Mama! Remember what happened to you the last time you put a picture of me peeing on the blog?  Two words. Human Shaming. You’ve been warned Mama.

The first time she did it, she peed on  a newspaper that someone had left on the road.  (At first she tried to roll on it, then she changed her tune and peed on it.)  I suspect many animals have peed on that paper, which is why she continues to pee on it every time we pass it.

I wouldn't pick it up either, Dog knows how many animals have peed on it.

I wouldn’t pick it up either, Dog knows how many animals have peed on it.

I couldn’t figure out WHY she would pee in the middle of the road, on what to my eyes was nothing but pavement.  Until one day when she peed on this.

I'd like to tell you no frogs were harmed in the making of this post, but that would obviously be a lie. I can assure you I did not squish the frog.

I’d like to tell you no frogs were harmed in the making of this post, but that would obviously be a lie. I will say IT WASN’T ME!!

So now I’m suspecting that with her superior nose, she’s smelling things that have long since disappeared from human eyesight.

Unless of course she’s simply being Delilah and just likes peeing in the road.

Have your dogs ever peed on anything you found strange?  I know a lot of times my dogs are “marking” but why in the world would she mark a frog?

Follow-Up Friday – April 18, 2014

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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.

 

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