Not a great day. Part 2.

Well, they haven’t come to take the fugitive away so meals are still being delivered on time.

Now for the “other” news.  And before we begin- we are not going to panic about this.  We are going to be positive- and think about next steps - rather than doom and gloom.

On Friday, my human took Einstein to the vet.  He has been licking at his feet - and they are all pink.  She tried trimming his hair between his paws and rubbing in some itch relief medication.  After THAT wrestling match, it still didn’t work.  He has his feet chewed up.  To top it off, the FG helps him.  My human caught him gnawing at Einstein’s feet several times.  So she decided it really needed to be addressed. 

The vet didn’t see anything bad on his feet but prescribed a medication that she said will either “work immediately- or it won’t.”  So far, it IS working.

While at the vet, my human asked the vet to listen to his heart.  Remember he had a murmur back in March.  Well, the vet listened - and she said it sounds worse.  She suggested an X-ray- which they did right then and there. 

There is evidence that Einstein’s heart is enlarged. He shows no symptoms of a problem- no lack of energy, no coughing - but obviously there is a problem.  The vet told my human there is a new cardiologist who has moved into our area. Before this, if you wanted to see a cardiologist, you needed to go to the Vet College in Prince Edward Island - about a 3 hour drive, or wait for a traveling clinic.  So it’s GREAT news that we now have someone here full time.  Our vet recommended a cardiac ultrasound to get a good picture of what is going on, and to get a baseline measurement of his heart function.  The vet also suggested that the cardiologist would be able to recommend whether, at this point, medication is warranted.

While this is obviously not great news, we are happy that the problem has been found.  Quite honestly, because he is asymptomatic, we would never have even known there was a problem.  So paws crossed he will get the proper treatment to continue living a long, happy life!

Of course, Einstein is going to milk this “heart condition” every chance he can get.  “Sit?”  “Oh that’s too much effort. Just give me the treat while I’m jumping on you.”  Yup.  I can see this resulting in a HOST of bad behaviors which he can blame on “his condition.”  Great.

We have had VERY hot weather the past few days.  I’m voting for a heat pump- which despite the name, apparently keeps you cool in the summer.  Leave it to humans to invent a cooling machine which they call a HEAT pump.  Yeah - I know it also provides heat - but how about a TMD - a Temperature Modulation Device.  That would be more appropriate.  Why didn’t they ask me about the name?  Anyway, I think it’s time to investigate it.  We are melting. If anybody local has recommendations for local companies- let my human know.  Her highness said it might not be “in the budget” right now.  But we dogs want one.  So that’s three against one.  I’m determined to get one.  She doesn’t know I have her VISA card...

Have a good one.  Peace and paws up.

Seizure free days: 29

Not a great day...

Well.  Yesterday was not a great day...

It began with a suspension.  My human’s.  Let me begin this story by saying she is not a suspension type person.  In fact, she’s never been suspended.  From school or elsewhere.  She’s pretty much a rule follower.  She’s never even had a speeding ticket!  Mind you - that’s largely due to luck.  But she’s never had a parking ticket.  OK- the meter HAS run out a few times - and she DID have to pay for that - but she’s never had a ticket for parking in a no parking zone. She doesn’t do it.

I’m not sure if she has had overdue library books - but certainly not any amount that would have her “suspended.”  She’s no saint - she’s just boring.

So imagine her reaction when she got an email from the Google Ad people - telling her that my ad account on my blog was SUSPENDED for 30 days.  The reason?  They say her highness clicked on the ads on my blog.  Which is “illegal.”  Not illegal in the law sense - but it’s a frowned upon activity.  I’m here as her witness to tell you she has never clicked my ads.  Ever.  Apparently, if “illegal activity” is found on a site, it results in suspension.  And if you click your own ads, it’s illegal.  

The problem is that there is no appeal process for “illegal activity.”  No judge,  no jury - you are presumed guilty and have to do your time.  So we are in suspension mode for 30 days.  Luckily they don’t take her to jail.  That would be awful.  Who would feed us?!

Apparently there are other “illegal activities.”  So - IF they let us have ads again, please don’t click on anything- unless you are at least remotely interested in the site.  Who knew that repeated clicking of the ads is discouraged.   I guess they are there for decoration. 

I understand if companies PAY people to click ads (which apparently some do!) - or if someone employs robotic software that continually clicks ads that would inflate ad interest - it could result in huge earnings for some companies who use ads- but I’m not sure how, if someone sees an ad for a pet store on my blog, and they click on it - even after several days- it can be considered “illegal.”  Someone COULD be interested in a product and they are reminded about it when they look at the blog.  Anyway, they did NOT say that was the reason for her suspension.  But something to consider in the future.  

The challenge is that there is no human to discuss the problem with.  There is no chat line.  No phone number.  Google doesn’t REALLY exist.  

Bottom line, my human did NOT click her own ads.  We want representation!!! Her only recourse is to consult an on-line community of others who use ads- and ask for their help. Someone in the forum suggested that someone ELSE in our household was using my human’s computer and IP address and perhaps that  “someone” was clicking on the ads.  Don’t look at me.  I just dictate the blog- I’m not computer savvy enough to click the ads.  Although I DID see Einstein at the desktop the other day...

So that blog news wasn’t great.  Mind you, it’s not the end of the world.  We will survive. It’s rather exciting living with a suspended woman.  I think I’ll start calling her the fugitive.  We’ll have to keep her in line.  

There was also a vet visit yesterday....Tune in for news about that tomorrow....

Have a good one.  Peace and paws up.

Seizure free days:  28

The rope trick

We all know that yours truly will play fetch until my tongue is dragging on the ground. Or I would if my human let me.  Einstein enjoys the game as well but after about 10 returns, starts taking the toy back to the house.  He clearly communicates when he has had enough.

Now that the weather is finally getting warmer, we can only play early in the morning. Or in the evening.  Currently we play until the mosquitoes and black flies begin to carry off the fetch toy.  Or my human is bleeding profusely.  Whatever happens first.

The challenge is the FG.  My human KNOWS he is itching for a run - and she KNOWS if they play fetch, he’ll see it as an opportunity to make a mad dash.  She wants to get him down to the lake for a swim, but she has to finish cutting the trail first.  She did a good part of it the other night before the mosquitoes made her look like a pin cushion.  The key to enjoying the great outdoors right now, is a breezy day.  Got a breeze?  No bugs.  No breeze?  Better wear your big suit.

Anyway, she wants to take him for a swim - and will do so within the next few days. On a breezy day.  But she remembered that last year, the FG liked to swim down the lake.  And then he would go for a run in the woods.  To address that challenge, she went shopping for a long, floatable line.  So she can “direct” our freestyle swimmer.  She went to several places.  She had seen one “for dogs” last fall and didn’t get it at the time. Bad news - they no longer carry it.  She did find a 50’ rope with an attached clip in the marine section of a hardware store.  So she got that.

The other night, it wasn’t breezy enough down at the lake, so after Einstein and I had our game of fetch, her highness decided to put the rope to use on land.  And she would play fetch with the FG.

She threw the toy, and held onto the end of her 50’ leash.  Out he ran and back he came with the toy.  Brilliant!!!! She tossed it again.  Again he came back.  Awesome.  But we’re talking about the FG.  Next toss he goes out and comes back half way.  He promptly rolls on the toy.  She walks over, picks it up and tosses it.  Out he races. Grabs it and lies down.  And so it continued.  My human fetching. Multiple times.  But the BEST part?  Picture a rolling Picard tangling himself up in 50’ of line.  Quite an entertaining scene.  I think they should take that trick on the road.

Ah the joys of summer.  I can’t WAIT to watch him go for his swim.  My human better wear waders.  Or a bathing suit.

Have a good one. Peace and paws up.

Seizure free days: 27

July 4. And kabooms.

July 4 - and in the US it’s a big holiday- Independence Day.  Lots or parades, barbecues, picnics- and no doubt fireworks. While fireworks can be pretty - the loud thunder-like kabooms - can be VERY stressful for some canines - and actually for some humans as well.

Some municipalities are moving toward quiet fireworks. But many still have the kabooms - as do many individuals who use them. 

Clearly if you have a dog who is frightened by them- do NOT let that dog loose outside. Reportedly, a study by the ASPCA found that more dogs run away in July than any other month.  Think there’s a connection?

Some dogs benefit from the use of a Thundershirt - which acts as a compression wrap - to help them relax.  Playing music may also distract from the scary kabooms. Closing windows can also help to cut down the sounds. 

One suggestion I read,  was to tire your dog out during the day - so he won’t be AS worked up when the kabooms start. He may be so tired he might sleep through them.  Might being the operative word.

If a dog is really frightened - apparently there is medication that can be prescribed by your veterinarian.  One vet on-line suggested something called the gum gel Sileo.  It acts as a calming agent but does not sedate the dog.  If your dog becomes really frightened- and some dogs literally shake and shiver and try to hide - a medication may be the best option. Apparently desensitization takes a long time and lots of work - and unfortunately is often not successful.

Nobody in this house cares about thunder, fireworks or ANY  loud noises. Probably because we see them as competition and not something scary.  Einstein barked when he heard fireworks far off in the distance the other night. He was just showing he could be equally loud (as everyone in the neighborhood knows).  As for thunder - we don’t care - but it does signal that we probably don’t want to go out right then.  You know what we think about rain.

Anyway, have a happy 4th to my friends in the US.  Stay safe and ignore the kabooms.  Be like us. Make your own.

Have a good one. Peace and paws up.

Seizure free days:26

There’s a tick in there...

Monday morning.  At 6 AM we were having more rain.  It pretty much rained on and off the whole long weekend.  No one in our house was in a hurry to go out.  My human managed to drag us out around 7AM.  She gave us the “quick, quick, quick” instruction- which basically means no long walk - we are headed to the backyard where we are expected to go.  Quick. Quick.  QUICK.  As usual, Einstein QUICKLY complied with the instructions.  And me? Nah.  I’m not AS phobic of rain as he is.  

After Einstein did his thing, her highness let him off leash - and he ran around to the front of the house to stand under the front entrance porch.  Meanwhile, she took me part way down the trail to the lake.  She didn’t want to go too far for several reasons:

1. She had not cut the trail grass.  And it was high.  Meaning a potential tick haven.

2.  Because she had expected we would follow the “quick, quick, quick,” instruction, she had not bothered to put on our tick force field bandanas.  So we were defenseless.

Frankly, I didn’t care.  I wandered along.  In the fine rain.  Sniffing, trotting, looking - I was not about to produce results.  She headed back toward the house with me happily leading the way.  She put me and Einstein in, and took out the FG who, like Einstein, followed the q3 instruction for a p3. As he was coming in, it began to rain harder.  Imagine my shock when she came in and put the leash back on me, and went to take me out again.  Seriously?!

This time we headed up to the road.  More cool stuff to sniff. No results.  

By now we are both soaking wet, so she tries one more time in the backyard .  And at this point she doesn’t care WHERE I walk.  Tick haven or not.  She is letting me go in tall grasses, dried (well wet) piles of leaves.  She just wants me to GO.

Nope.  No results.  She walks me back to the house but instead of letting me into the kitchen, opens the door to the grooming torture palace.  She is about to perform the tbc (tick blow check) and also dry me off.

As she is blowing, she notices SOMETHING on the fur on my foot.  She gets a comb and pulls it off - along with a bit of hair. She tries to figure out what it is - and THINKS it is a tick.  So she holds the comb with the THING over the bathtub to get a closer look.

Now I have talked NUMEROUS times about this woman’s lack off coordination. And ....well sometimes a lack of brains. She is holding the comb with her dominant right hand and holding the jet engine dryer nozzle with her non-dominant, even less coordinated left hand. One step toward the tub and in a classic case of the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing, she blows the “thing” somewhere.  Who KNOWS where it went.  I’ve said before that that dryer could blow a chihuahua into the next county. Imagine what it could do to a tick.

Of course she screamed and attempted to actually find the thing.  Ever been in our garage?  Picture a combo grooming torture chamber, second hand store, tool and gardening center, recycling warehouse- oh and a small place to park a car.  So do you see the futility in trying to find a piece of dog hair with a tick attached?  But she tried to find him.  While I stood on the grooming table watching. She finally gave up after about 15 minutes.

So somewhere in our garage - we MIGHT have a tick. She’ll be looking at every dot she sees on the floor for months now.  We might have to move.  I’m surprised she didn’t put up warning signs at the entrance to the garage.  Or that yellow crime scene tape.

Oh and I finally did produce a p3 later that afternoon.   No problem.  Sometimes I just like to shake things up around here.  Never EVER a dull moment.

Have a good one.  Peace and paws up.

Seizure free days: 25

The new pet store...

Her highness subjected herself to a high blood pressure inducing event the other day.  Just because she loves us.  She went to check out a new pet store that recently opened  in our area. This company has always had an on-line business and we have bought lots from them in the past.  But they recently opened two local stores.  Their grand opening has been going on for a week or two.

So she decided to pop in there on Saturday.  The Saturday of the holiday long weekend. She COULD have taken us or at least ONE of us - but she wanted to check out the lay of the land first. Probably just as well.

While the store is nice and they reportedly have no lack of toys or treats, it was apparently a bit of a doggie madhouse.  Humans and pets could have a free photo taken in front of a fake scenic background.  That apparently was a bit of a gong show - as most pet photo shoots are.  At least in our house. 

As someone is trying to get their photo taken,  those waiting are not exactly helping - with their dogs barking and pulling toward the photo models.  And of course, this scenic background is set up RIGHT by the entrance.  Just TRY and get Fido’s attention for that photo. Humans are wrestling with dogs, and dogs are not cooperating .  (Just watching this made my human’s blood pressure go up. )

Then we have the dogs who freak out as you come around the corner of the aisle and run into them.  Barking and pulling at their leashes. (Blood pressure again rises. )

We have the extremely pleasant but obviously novice staff who spend the odd spare moment studying food cans and bags so they can answer questions.  I am NOT making this up.

Oh and of course we also have the overweight Bernese who comes in and is not in the store 3 minutes before he has a giant poop. Giant.  Clean up aisle four.  (Blood pressure is creeping up again. )

My human overheard one child say to his mother - “Where’s the pets? I thought this was a pet store.  I want a kitten.”  The mother said - “I don’t know - it doesn’t look like they have any.” (Blood pressure is now at danger level. Doesn’t EVERYBODY know that you don’t buy pets at a pet store.  OK.  Maybe some sell fish.  I guess the name is a bit of of false advertising.)

My human breathes a sigh of relief that she didn’t bring us.  But of course, she DID make a purchase.  While checking out she chatted with the cashier who asked what kind of dogs my human had.  So you know she HAD to show our Canada Day photo.  The girl said -  “oh cute - you should bring them in and we can take their photo!!!”  My human said she could only bring all three of us if the store was closed.  The cashier said -“bring them any time - we can help.”  Her highness just smiled and said thanks.

But here’s the best part of this story. So she goes into a store FILLED with treats, food and toys.  Doggie Disney World.  And what does she come home with?!  Are you ready?  A COMB.  Yes - you read that correctly.  A COMB. I love her - but seriously- isn’t that just cruel? 

Excuse me while I go and order some stuff on-line.

Have a good one. Peace and paws up.

Seizure free days: 24

Canada Day

July 1.  And it’s Canada Day! A day to celebrate the true north strong and free.  From far and wide. 

As you can see, we had the obligatory holiday photo shoot.   Her highness spared us the flag head gear this year and bought more subtle bandanas for us. We had a small flag too. And the only one who would POSSIBLY hold it was Einstein- and he wasn’t cooperating. We would have stuck the flag in the ground outside and taken our photos there - but it was raining.  And heaven forbid,  when she tried to stand it up and gather us around it inside, all heck broke loose.  The FG wanted to rub against it, I wanted to pull it, while Einstein just sat smiling.  My human didn’t get any photos of the melee because she feared being arrested for desecration of a flag.

So do you know the five breeds of dog that originated in Canada?  If you’ve been a long time blog reader, you may recall this answer.  First off, we have a northern dog that was bred for sledding. Not riding in a sled.  Pulling a sled.  They are actually called by two names - the Canadian Eskimo Dog (the original name) and the more recent name - the Canadian Inuit Dog. Here is a short video about the breed.  I’m not sure all of these dogs like to live in a home.  And ... well I would be a bit more careful with ANY dog and a baby... But it does show you the breed.

https://youtu.be/HSU32f0OqUA

There is also a movie about the Canadian Inuit dogs living in the North - with Polar Bears as neighbors. I haven’t seen the whole movie, but I warn you that these dogs live in pretty harsh conditions.  Still - if you want to see these dogs in their natural environment- the film is available on-line and is called The Last Dogs of Winter.

Our next Canadian breed is the web-footed, water-loving affectionate gentle giant- the Newfoundland.  Here’s a good description of these big guys: 

https://youtu.be/6Bg9XTPsz4Y

Next we have what is probably the most popular dog on the planet.  The all around happy-go-lucky Labrador Retriever.  They really don’t need a video - everybody knows about Labs - but just in case you have been living on a dog free planet - here they are:

https://youtu.be/0cj81wHmfXc

Next we have a breed that comes from our very own province - the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.  Every second household here has one. OK.  That’s not true. But they DID originate here. Check them out:

https://youtu.be/zRWfwa3Ivhs

So there you have our Canadian breeds.  But wait - I said there were FIVE breeds that originated in Canada.  And there were - the last one being the Tahltan Bear Dog - a breed that originated in the northwest.  Unfortunately- in the 70’s the breed was removed from the Canadian registration records - because no dogs had been registered for more than 20 years.  There’s a bit of a controversy about the breed - as some people are claiming to still own this ancient breed.  There is even a Facebook page for the breed - with  people claiming they have them.  But several sources refute that this is a scam. They say the dogs have become extinct. It’s a mystery...Here’s a video with some old photos:

https://youtu.be/MnfxtIfkZqQ

Now you have your Canadian dog history.   You’re all set. So you can go grab a bag of ketchup potato chips or some poutine or a butter tart or a Nanaimo bar and have a Molson Canadian or a Caesar - and wrap yourself in your Hudson Bay blanket - and celebrate a little bit of Canada today!  Have a good one, eh?!

Peace and paws up.

Seizure free days: 23. A big shout out to Jennifer, who we met yesterday- and who gave me some of my needed medication.  She was so nice - as was her Boston terrier, Sophia who I got to meet too!!!  Paws crossed - so far so good!!!! Thanks Jennifer!!!