At the Beach

We finally took a vacation and no way was I leaving the fur babies behind. Since we were going to the beach, I decided to do some research first. The last thing I wanted was for my dogs to get sick while we were out of town and the vet so far away.

My vet checked both of my pets over and said both were ready to travel since they had all their shots and we were going by land. We made sure we had their food and water (the place we were going to used well water so we figured better to use bottled water). They had their own suitcase of paraphernalia! Here's what I found we really needed:

• Food and water bowls - they feel better with their familiar bowls
• Fresh water - salt water is definitely bad for them if swallowed (which happens when they swim). Better have fresh water on hand to help them wash it out and keep them from dehydrating
• Water dispenser - this is a handy way of keeping sand away from the water.
• Towels - the fur babies get cold after swimming and the heat of the sun doesn't always dry them fast enough. Like after a bath at home, rub them down. 
• Shampoo/Soap - Be prepared to give them a bath as soon as you get back to the beach house or hotel and help them get the sand out.
• Beach toys - a stick is fine but a frisbee is always fun for a dog that loves to jump and catch and fetch.

I love that my pups both went in and swam but my little star did not like the salt water much. My Ensign was more inclined to play tag with the waves and swim back and forth between those of us swimming. Once they got out, they found spots in the shade of the overhang and went to sleep til it was time to eat lunch.

Trimming Your Dog's Nails

I am still not comfortable doing this. I dread the thought of injuring or scaring my pet - even accidentally. Thank goodness for how to videos on the internet. Here's one that I find really helpful.

I'm still at the desensitizing stage and I'm looking for the alternative to clippers that will last long. The filing process looks less traumatic than clipping, that's for sure!

My 1st Pet Trim

We decided that it didn't make sense to be spending so much at the local groomers if we could do the work ourselves. So while we were at the vet last week, we asked our vet to recommend the equipment we'd need to take care of grooming our fur babies at home. This is what he suggested:

I am so thankful that the kit included a disc on how to give my poodle and shih-poo the "pet trim" as well as how to use and care for the items in the kit. I was expecting a razor and the combs but was happy to find that the kit also had a scissors and 2 combs in it (and the disc). All I needed to do after was watch the videos until I felt comfortable enough to try and do it.

It helps to have assistants - and I had 4 taking turns. 1 helped me bathe the 2 puppies and dry them. 1 to help hold the pets as we did the trim. Hubby had to help me hold the muzzle since I was so worried about nicking the sensitive areas I couldn't hold properly.

Both were okay with the trimming of most of their fur. Both did not like having their paws done. I was too scared of nicking the webbing to really get the paws clean. I'll have to practice more and build up to that. I also wanted to make sure that Ensign didn't get scared because it is his very first trim. A cooperative dog makes the entire experience easier for both me and them, that's for sure.

Feedback: Great kit! Really easy to use and the video is spot on. 

All that's left to do is practice and get really good and comfortable at it.

Sad and Mad

My puppy had a bad day.  I took her  to the vet and was told she had heat spots. That meant having her fur trimmed way down, especially where the wounds are. Then they put a cone on her to stop her from getting at her wounds. Now we have to follow the course of treatment and hopefully she'll be back to normal in a few days. In the meantime, cream  for her wound, special shampoo for bath, special food for the next 4 days.

What worries me is she's shivering. At first I figured maybe it's because she lost her coat but she's shivering even when wrapped up. She's very warm to the touch - but then dogs have a higher body temp than us.Fortunately her nose is cold and wet not dry. If she stays like that today, I'm calling the vet.

At best I would say she's mad at me and that is why she has retired to her bed and turned her back rather than staying next to me on the bed like normal. She really wants me to take the cone off but that that's a no-go til she's better. I tried it and she immediately went for her wounds so no.

I can't wait for her to be better.

Feeling the Heat

My poor pet is experiencing her first heat. I don't remember my askal having as difficult a time and it's ben so long since I've had a female dog that I had to do some research to ensure we get through this phase of doggy life as comfortably as possible for both her and us.

Some facts about a dog's heat:

• it is a cycle
• it happens twice a year
• usually lasts three weeks
• will result in two kinds of discharge
• blood - 7 to 10 days; couple of days after the latter fluids
• pinkish/tan / lighter colored fluid - 5 to 7 days
• means your dog can get pregnant
• the scent of her heat will attract males (pheromones at work)

What does that mean for us, their family? It means preparations are needed since this will be three weeks worth of discharge. If your dog shares your bed (and even if they don't) a diaper will help keep the mess to a minimum. It will take some getting used to and she may try to remove it. Some people just choose to keep their pets out of the house for the entire period (if she's not a house dog).

Be prepared for your pet to be less energetic. She may be more affectionate and need more attention. She may ask for more cuddling and less play time. This is a great time to groom her and give a massage.

Another thing to watch out for is the humping. My sister's pet would hump her leg or arm. She seemed to be going nuts! She was forever trying to hump my pet (yes they are both female) whenever we visited. Thankfully this stage lasted less than a week.

Like any female with blood coming out of her, TLC is needed. I find peace and quiet soothes us both. A cool room and her brush make for a nice, relaxing afternoon. I'm just glad she dogs don't have dysmenorrhea like we humans get.

On or Off The Bed?

When I brought home my puppy my hubby said, keep her off the bed. For months, she slept sprawled half on and half off her doggy bed. At one point I even worried if we got her the right size because she never quite seemed to sleep comfortably - sometimes preferring our pile of dirty clothes to her bed.

Every morning though, we would get woken up by the feel of the bed shaking as she scrabbled to get our attention; finger licks if my hand fell over the edge of the bed or little taps on my side of the bed since she couldn't reach. She'd wait very patiently til I opened my eyes. Once I did, it was bark, wiggle, wag tail, point to the door. I get it - get up and let her out.

When I'd be sitting in bed reading, she would look at me through the mirror - yes, she is a very smart dog. She would bark to get my attention -just once. Looking into those eyes, I just couldn't resist, I would pick her up - and just to avoid some argument - I would place her on a cloth that I would spread on the bed to minimize her scent on the bed clothes. Hubby would frown but he would also pet her.

Months later, she grew! She became tall enough to see over the bed. My hubby also taught her a new command which proved very useful to her - jump! End result - since Christmas, she has slept half the night in our bed. We still encourage her to sleep in her bed but you can be sure that come morning, there's a ball off fur happily squeezed in between us, greeting good morning. Yes, more than hallf the time, he calls her to go up on the bed.

Is it a bad thing? I'd say no but it is important to talk it over with your spouse / partner. Unless you want to live only with your pet, this is an item for discussion. Also, keep the pests off the bed, but the pet can stay - no one wants to sleep with ticks and mites right? Regular bathing, grooming and treatment (as needed) will make your four legged friendmore welcome to your partner.

My Little Star

Six months a former colleague posted a picture on her facebook page. She called it, "My Dark Knights". In it  2 dark furred puppies were featured. I looked at it and fell in love. Thankfully, my friend was more than willing to give me one of her knights and five months ago, I took my little star home for the first time.

My pet is a shihpoo - half shih tzu, half poodle mix. She looks so well dressed with her dark fur, white bib and white gloved paws. She is not a noisy dog and is very loving. She is smart and loves to show off her tricks though we still need to get her to really do them on command.

Having this little one around is both a blessing and a test in patience. She is a sweet companion, usually following me around, and is very entertaining. She can be very mischievous (naturally) and loves to play pounce. She loves to dig in her water bowl - often soaking her feet in it rather than drinking. I often wonder if she is wishing we have a swimming pool.

For those who are thinking of getting a pet but live in an apartment or condominium, I can definitely recommend getting a shihpoo like her. She doesn't need a lot of space, just some TLC. She definitely makes my day.