Tag Archives: Dogs

Spring Approaches

Country Life, Dogs & Other Animals, ,
Claire

Spring is the season of rebirth and hope. We know that warmer weather, sunshine, and growth are not so far away.

Zekie

It was so nice this afternoon, nearly 60 degrees, that I took all six dogs outside to sit on the patio and soak up some sun. Zekie took the opportunity to sniff scents in the air.

He also spent time just enjoying the sun.

Cassius & Baxter

And here we have Cassius and Baxter on border patrol, guarding the fence.

Shelby and Nikki spent most of their time sleeping in the sun too. Just a preview of things to come as the weather warms.

Be Prepared!

Dogs & Other Animals, ,

Shelby had her annual health check at the vet’s yesterday. She received her booster shots. Her fecal check was negative. Her heartworm check was negative.

And the portion of the test for Lyme disease was only faintly positive. This was a relief to me as it was strongly positive the past couple of years and she had a flare up the first year she had it that required a second round of antibiotics.

So, just a reminder that tick season will be right around the corner. (Ticks can transmit Lyme disease.) Stock up on those preventatives. You may want to do some research first, or ask your vet to recommend a preventative. Ticks have shown resistance to some of the products that I have used. I understand that fleas can also develop resistance to certain products. Be prepared!

Good Boy, Zekie!

Country Life, Dogs & Other Animals, Rescue Happenings, , ,

It’s been a while since I’ve given an update on Zekie. I realized recently that it’s because he hasn’t been as much trouble.

In fact, if we don’t take him on walks, he’s barely any trouble at all. We do have the mega security crate for when we go away and leave him home. I wouldn’t want to chance this without that crate. It has been a life saver. Literally.

But when we are around home, Zekie’s worst behavior is licking the floor, or the dog bed, or my pants. His insecurity manifests this way. You can’t scold him for licking. Since it is a result of insecurity, the more you tell him to stop, the worse it gets. A squirt bottle does help a little. Both result in our house getting wet though.

Zekie has improved to the point where we can go outside for bits of time and leave him loose in the house. If my husband goes to his workshop or to get wood, he takes Zekie with him since he is good on these trips. He can even spend hours in the workshop with power tools running.

Zekie is still leash reactive during walks. He does pretty well with walkers now, but still barks ferociously at other dogs. Even though he is fine with other dogs coming in our house.

Whenever we are inside, Zekie causes no trouble. He no longer gets into things. He doesn’t chew inappropriately. He doesn’t steal our things. He no longer jumps onto the dining room table to watch us through the window when we go outside. He does lay on the back of the couch beside the door to wait for our return, but this is rather endearing.

We first noticed Zekie’s improvement when we got our new foster dog about a month ago. It was the new dog stealing and chewing things and barking at us. When someone improves their behavior ever so slightly over a long period of time, it is not readily noticed. This has been the case with Zekie. He’s not perfect, but what an improvement.

Good boy, Zekie!

Couch Dynamics

Country Life, Dogs & Other Animals, Rescue Happenings, ,

Sometimes dogs know how to use furniture as well as people do. Our dogs all try to get the best seat. The best seat is generally considered to be beside mom on the couch. The next best snoozing real estate is considered to be one of our two giant, cushy dog beds, followed by the second couch in the family room.

Last choice is the couch in the other room or on the rug. They will try to make another dog move by standing over them or trying to fit into a space so small that they end up partially laying on one of the others, before they will lay on the rug.

It’s fun to watch the dynamics play out and see who ends up where. The outcome varies and you just never know what will happen.

Never Enough Friends

Country Life, Dogs & Other Animals, Rescue Happenings, , ,

Foster girl Claire has made good progress in her relationships with cats. At first she found them to be exciting and something to be run after. She soon moved on to standing and watching the cats run by, but not giving chase.

Orange Kitty has been instrumental in this new behavior. He is so laid back that he doesn’t even move now when Claire approaches. She seems to seek him out for company.

You can never have too many friends.

Good Night

Dogs & Other Animals,
Sleepy Baxter

And to all a good night. Sleep tight.

Nap Time?

Dogs & Other Animals, Rescue Happenings, ,

This afternoon was nap time. Foster dog Claire joined me.

Then she wanted to sniff me.

Nap time got even better when Zekie joined us. That is unless you wanted to actually nap!

Nap Time

Dogs & Other Animals, Rescue Happenings, ,

Foster sheltie Claire hanging out with the big guy, our resident greyhound. The angle of the photo is deceptive. Claire weighs 27 lbs. to Cassius’ 72.

Cassius is a gentle giant. He is by far the most mellow greyhound we have had. Even when Claire takes toys from right beside his mouth, he just gives a loud woof. He is so good natured. She on the other hand has no sense of personal boundaries.

The one who is teaching her to back off and respect his space is our 8 lb. cat Morty. If he hisses or growls, she backs up. Though he is tiny, his attitude is fierce.

Belly Rub, Please!

Dogs & Other Animals, , ,

This evening was nursing home night for me and the dogs. It didn’t take Shelby long to ask for a belly rub.

Nikki spent part of the time in a chair between two residents. That way two of them can pet her at the same time.

Another resident came and we gave her the chair, so Nikki moved to a lap and was very happy.

I’m never sure who has a better time, me, the dogs, or the people we visit.

Spirits of Peace

Dogs & Other Animals, Rescue Happenings, , ,

I love this photo. It is of Lacey and Merlin sharing couch time. Both are gone now, but their spirit of peace lives on. Both were strays of a sort.

Lacey came from my family/friends. She was born to an Amish cat that gave birth in their barn. I asked if I could have her because she reminded me of my beloved Grey Cat who had recently passed. Lacey turned out to be nothing like Grey Cat, but she was a great Cat in her own right.

Merlin came running down our dirt road one day and stopped near our driveway. I had recently gone to a large greyhound event and wanted a greyhound. Wish granted! Merlin was probably a greyhound-lurcher. He may have had a bit of hunting dog in his background but he looked like a greyhound that wasn’t quite long enough.

Both were wonderful additions to the family and provided many years of love.