Tag Archives: Dog

Lousy is Back!

20 Monday Jan 2014

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My baby boy Lousy is back for a vacay!  Despite the fact that one of my closest friends can not (or won’t) come visit during his stay I’m very excited (he tried to eat her a couple times … no biggie).  I have another topic I had planned to write about today but instead I think it is appropriate for me to re-post one of my Lousy blogs.  Here you go …

Lousy’s Last Night

photo (3)I have to admit I’m pretty torn up about this being Lousy’s last night with Riggins and me. Despite of (or maybe because of) his need to kill friends and strangers I just adore him.  Although he may want to kill you, he is a giant cuddle monster to me.  I can’t move far without his adorable little wiggle butt somewhere beside or on top of me.   Right now he is under my desk unhappy that he can’t be in my lap.  By far the cuddiliest dog I’ve ever meant.

Running the Rose Bowl trails.

Running the Rose Bowl trails.

Since he is three and is Riggins’ almost 1/2 brother he reminds me of how Riggins acted at his age.  Lousy is a calm bunny compared to Riggins.  At that age I could not just watch TV.  I had to watch TV AND throw a ball down the hall over and over again.  Lousy will happily curl up and go to sleep at bedtime.  At his age Riggins would grab a squeaky ball and sprint around the house while I prayed to every god I don’t believe in to get him to stop.  In the morning Lousy will happily jump up on my bed and curl up at me knees for a few more zzzzzs.  At that age Riggins would be up and ready to go.  I’d have to semi-tackle him and soothingly pet and murmur statements of love to get him to settle down for a bit more shut-eye.

Almost 1/2 brothers at the dirty dog park.

Almost 1/2 brothers at the dirty dog park.

Riggins is older and calmer now.  MUCH CALMER and has been a champ with Lousy this week.  Although there have been a few warning barks, in general they get along great.  Riggins has even figured out how to use Lousy’s energy to his advantage.  Riggins will camp out on my bed or on my lap and when he hears something going on outside he will start barking letting Lousy know that he needs to check it out.  Lousy will then bound up from wherever he is and make a beeline for the door ready and willing to defend his new castle.  Riggins thinks it is great!  He gets to be the guard dog he wants to be without even getting up!

Runyon (It was hard to get him to leave my side so I could take a picture.)

Runyon (It was hard to get him to leave my side so I could take a picture.)

Holding Out For a Hero

13 Monday Jan 2014

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I feel like I’m a pretty laid back person.  I let a lot of things slide.  I’ve often said I’m easy to date.  Maybe too easy.  You wanna hang out all night partying with 25 year olds?  Fine.  Just don’t wake me when you get home.  My friends come in all shape, colors and moral codes and yet I feel like there are a few truths we can all live by.

  • Sleeping with, torturing, marring, etc anyone underage is bad.
  • Killing, maiming, torturing other humans is a no-no.
  • Adultery is a cry for help.  Stop whoring around and hurting your family you selfish prick.
  • Killing, hurting, torturing, etc an animal makes you an asshat (I suppose unless it is to feed you and/or your people … whoever they may be and even then torturing is off the table).

If we can all, at least on some level, agree that these things make you less than a saint why do we allow people to do them.  Specifically why do we allow people we consider “heroes,” “legends,” or “leaders” do it?  Bill Clinton gets a pass for dragging his family through a very public scandal because he was the leader of the free world and “man that must be stressful.”  Tiger Woods is given a pass and even kept on as an endorser for major brands because “his personal life has nothing to do with how well he plays golf.”  We give Woody Allen a Lifetime Achievement award at the Golden Globes even though 90% of humanity would consider his personal life gross and repulsive he sure made a lot of movies that made someone somewhere a lot of cash.  Don’t even get me started on Michael Vick … oh no … I said his name …. let the rant begin.

I truly don’t understand how anyone can give Michael Vick a pass.  I’ve talked to people, even people I call my friends, who do and I consider their arguments for the man mind numbing.  If you have been hiding under a rock for years let me bring you up to speed.  Michael Vick plays football.  He also bankrolled a vicious dog fighting ring which he reluctantly admitted too and spent time in jail for.  You can read a great blow-by-blow account of the “dog fighting” timeline here.  It is much more factual based than anything my hate filled fingers could type.  There is no need for me to rehash the horrific acts he did and knew about.  If you want to ignore that his actions were illegal be my guest, but you can’t for a second tell me they were in any way moral or right.

I’m told by Vickians (the label I give those that forgive and forget his crimes) that he didn’t know any better.  That I’m too sheltered and don’t understand that dog fighting is a way of life for some people.  He was never taught it was wrong.  My response?  Tough shit.  It may be a way of life but he knew it was wrong.  He started his dog killing business (see I told you my fingers were hate filled) when he was an adult who, by all accounts, had been to more cities in the US than most men his age.  You are telling me he never figured out torturing and killing animals for pleasure and money was wrong?  If you believe that then obviously Vick needs to get himself into an assisted living home STAT because his mental status is that of a 3-year-old and he has much bigger issues to deal with.

The NY Times recently published an article by Juliet Macursuggesting any team that wants to sign Vick should be made aware of his past crimes.  I think that is a great idea unfortunately I don’t think it would matter one bit.  As Diddy sang, “It’s All About the Benjamins.”  Head honchos don’t give a flying rats ass as long as it brings in the cash.  It’s up to us, the normal humans of this precious race, to let them know it isn’t okay by not giving them the green when they make such ridiculous decisions.  (Macur actually does give Vick’s side some ink near the end of the article.  My favorite is when the reader is informed Vick supports a bill to make it illegal to take a child to a dog fight.  Ummmm … isn’t it already illegal since dog fights aren’t allowed?  Do we need to add bills that state the obvious like, “don’t murder your baby’s mama in front of him.”  I also read somewhere that Vick admitted to all the bad things he did with his “business” but that he never made money betting on the dogs or a percentage of the purse.  If that is true he isn’t just a horrible person he is a moron too.  Idiot.)

Vickians tell me I’m being too harsh that he served his time in jail and has earned a second chance.  My response?  F*** off.  He can have a second chance.  He should get his resume together and start applying for jobs where he has to check the “was convicted of a crime” box.  I’d be okay with that.  Sadly that is not what happened.  Just 7 days after his ankle monitor was taken off he was signed to a professional NFL team making 1.6 million dollars.  That number jumped to 5.25 million the next season.

Vickians will tell me he is good at his job … playing football so why shouldn’t he be allowed to do that.  My response?  Because I expect more from my heroes and my society.  Just because you are good at something I don’t believe you should get a pass for not just breaking the law but glorifying brutal and deadly hate acts.  The job of football player, president, politician, actor, singer, director, golf champion, and paid brand advocate includes having your personal life be part of your public persona.  If you don’t like that fact then get another job.  You get fame, glory, money and ego boosting in your position.  For all of that I expect you not to be an immoral asshat.  I feel like that is fair.

“But judgemental Wendy no one is perfect.”  True dat.  Although I would NEVER think it was okay to grab a dog with a friends help, and whip him up and down against the pavement until he no longer breathed.  Call me crazy.

Annoyance & Stupidity

10 Friday Jan 2014

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I live in Los Angeles.  5 minutes from downtown (when there is no traffic so if you want to get there in the middle of the night).  My yard is small and if I wanted to I could hand my neighbor coffee through my side fence to them lounging in their living room.  What I’m trying to say is I live in a city not the country.  So explain to me why I have to live with a rooster?

A couple of years ago my neighbors got a rooster.  It was a loud son of a bitch.  It was a complete and total asshole.  It started crowing before the sun rose and then continued long into the morning.  It wasn’t like a snooze button.  You can’t anticipate when the next crow will happen.  You think it is over and then COCK-A-DOODLE-DO.  At some point I realized my annoying alarm clock was no longer around.  I was beyond happy.

Guess what?  They got another rooster.  What the hell do they do with a rooster?  I don’t know.  I suppose they have chickens too I just can’t hear them.  I suppose I’m lucky in so much as this rooster isn’t as nearly as loud as the other but he sure is chatty.  That critter cock-a-doodle-dos at any time of day.  He has no sense of rooster timing.  It’s 11:49 as I type this and he is going strong.  COCK-A-DOODLE-DO!!!!

Roosters have no place in my life.

Stupidity

You know I like dogs.  It’s not a secret.  Dogs seem to like me too so they often come up to me to say hi.  What do I do?  I bend down and give them a big ol’ kiss right on the top of their head.  Doesn’t matter what kind of dog, who he is with, what he looks like, or how clean he is.  SMOOCH right there on the noggin’.  I did that very thing this morning while the dogs and I were hiking in Elysian Park.  An older golden came by on leash and wanted to say hi.  Without hesitation I bent down and gave him a kiss.  WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?  What makes me think I have the right to do that?

First of all you should never ever pet or touch a dog unless given permission from the owner.  Something I obviously feel doesn’t apply to me.  Secondly there is a right way to introduce yourself to a dog and bending down cooing, “You are so cute … muuhaw!” isn’t the correct way.  Some day a dog is going to bite my face off.  That will teach me.

Secondly how gross!  Dogs are dirty animals.  I don’t know where that dog has been and I think it is okay to put my lips on him?  I’m horrified at myself.

I doubt I will change.

Have a happy weekend!

Lights Out

09 Thursday Jan 2014

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photo (54)During the meet and greets with my future doggie guests and their human parents we meet in the backyard and, once everyone has sniffed each other, head inside the house for a quick tour.  In the bedroom the conversation usually goes like this:

Me:  Where does (fill in dog name) like to sleep?

Owner:  Well.  Ummm.  He will sleep anywhere.  I guess we could bring his bed.

Me:  Does he sleep with you?

Owner:  Yes.

This happens 90% of the time.  Dog owners who send their dogs on vacations while they are out-of-town are the kind of dog owners who let their precious babies sleep with them.  We all know we aren’t suppose to.  Yet we all do it.

Lights out at my house is very interesting.  Those dogs that have been with me for a while know the drill and when I say “let’s go to bed” there is a mad dash for the bedroom to secure their sleeping positions.  Things normally work out but sometimes there are arguments.

Because I love him the most I always give Riggins special treatment.  If he wants to be on the bed his spot is always up on one of the pillows.  If there is another dog there he/she has to move.  It just so happens that Bongo (vizsla), who has been here for just over a week, thinks that is his spot.  When he doesn’t get it he will stand by the bed and cry until I convince him it is just as good on another part of the bed.   He is not an easy sell.

Dragon (schnauzer), a regular guest, skips all the drama and heads straight for the foot of the bed.  He hangs out there until I get in and then he gets as close as he can to my feet/legs … when I say “close” I mean “on”.

Baby (Alaskan husky mix) who is here until she finds her forever home, is cool as a cucumber.  She will go wherever but is always there first.  She is first on the bed and plops down right in the middle.  Then she gets pushed and shoved around until everyone else is settled.  That is a-ok with her.

If you are counting that is four dogs and one human on a tiny little full size bed.  Usually the dogs all need to be up there when we first lay down while I’m ready a book, and right before it is time to get up.  In between there is a shifting of what dogs are up and which are down (except for Dragon … he isn’t moving).

photo (53)This morning the crew got up early to pee and eat.  Since I have been sick and pooped I headed back to bed for a few more zzzzzs.  I was the last in the bed and it was just too much trouble to move everyone so I plopped down right in the middle laying sideways.  Riggins and Bongo were butt to butt up on the pillows comfy as can be.  Dragon and Baby were curled up at the foot of the bed snoring.   I was groggy and the path of less resistance seemed like a good idea.

Tonight Dragon goes home and Asscher (golden retriever) shows up.  Let’s see how that changes things!

Super Yum Yum

08 Wednesday Jan 2014

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photo (50)You know my deal about cooking.  I only do it if it’s easy.  Well this holiday I made a couple of winners that I found on Pinterest and wanted to share with you.

* 8 Can Taco Soup – I actually skip a can (the chicken … canned chicken sounds gross) so for me this is 7 Can Taco Soup!  This could not be easier.  You take a bunch of cans of food (specific ones not just any that you happen to throw in your cart), drain whatever is in them and then plop them in a big ol’ pot.  Done!  I’ve actually made this twice once with and once without the taco seasoning packet.  I like it better without but remember I’m a huge wimp when it comes to anything spicy.  Someone on the blog suggested substituting a ranch dressing packet for the taco seasoning.  I actually had planned to do that on my last batch but totally forgot to purchase it.

If you are fancy you could add a dollop of sour cream, a couple of slices of avocado and some tortilla chips.  If you are me you can just ladle it right out of the pot and into your mouth.  I love soup and I love mexican food so this is the perfect lunch or dinner for me.  Today I’m eating it for both!  Yum yum!

Ingredients:

  • 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15 oz.) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (14.5 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 (15.25 oz.) can sweet corn, drained
  • 1 (12.5 oz.) can white chicken breast, drained
  • 1 (10.75 oz.) can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 (10 oz.) can green enchilada sauce
  • 1 (14 oz.) can chicken broth
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
Directions:
  1. Mix all ingredients together in a large pot.
  2. Heat until warm, stirring occasionally.
  3. Serve.

* Cake Batter Rice Krispie Treats – You read that correctly.  Already sounds delicious doesn’t it?  When you click on the link to go to the original blog post of this amazing concoction you will notice that the fancy pants woman made cute little cupcakes out of the krispie treats.  She even made the effort to top them with some fancy schmancy icing.  I did not do that.  I made them like a normal person would make rice krispie treats and packed them into a pan and cut them into squares.  Worked great.  Tasted better.  Seriously for how little effort it takes to add some vanilla and cake mix to your krispie mixture the additional wow factor for your taste buds is amazing.  Do it.  Wow your taste buds.  They deserve it.

Ingredients 

  • 6 tbs margarine* (3/4 of a stick)
  • 3/4 cup yellow cake mix
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 cups Rice Krispies
  • 1/2 10oz bag of marshmallows (5oz)
  • 1 tbs sprinkles

Instructions 

Melt margarine in the microwave (about 45 seconds). Mix in marshmallows and return to microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring between, until melted. Mix in cake mix and vanilla until combined. Add in sprinkles and 2 cups of Rice Krispies with a spatula. Add in the third cup of Rice Krispies.

Fill each well-greased pan with the Rice Krispie mixture and press it in gently with the back of a spoon. Cool for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.

(I don’t have any pictures of any of this so enjoy some more dog pictures.  They are cute and sweet too.)

Doggie Happy Ending

07 Tuesday Jan 2014

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Bob

Bob

I got myself into a real pickle during the holidays.  My goal was to wake up really early on Dec. 24th and head out to my folks.  I was stopping at my friend’s house on the way to drop off Morgan (poodle).  He had been with me but my friend’s neighbor was going to watch him for the next couple of days.  To get to my friend’s house I have to drive down a pretty busy street.  I was at a stoplight when a little dog came darting out into traffic and happily strolled to the other side.  He looked like he was in good spirits and stopped at everyone waiting at the bus stop and on the street to say hi.  I told myself that someone else would help him and then knew they wouldn’t so did a u-turn and headed back.

I knelt down a few feet away from the black and white scruffy terrier mix and he came right up to me.  Happy as can be.  While I looked around to see if anyone close knew him a mom and daughter came up to me.

Sparky

Sparky

“Do you like dogs?” the daughter asked.  It was hard to say no since I had two in my car and another in my arms.  “Yes.” I replied.  “Do you want ours?” she asked.  What????  Turns out the grandpa had gotten the family a chihuahua and pets weren’t allowed where they rented.  I gave them my card and told them if they still needed help after Christmas to call me and I would help find their dog a new home.

Meanwhile, I popped the scruffy dude, who I started calling Bob, into the car and drove toward my friend’s house.  Without much open during the holiday and not many options I left the stranded dog in my friends backyard with food and water.  I figured it was a better location than the street and I would come pick him up on my way home the next evening.  Of course Bob wasn’t happy about this and caused such a ruckus that my friends neighbor took him in for the night.

The evening of the 25th I picked up Bob and started a search for his family.  On the 26th I picked up Sparky, the homeless chihuahua.  Now I had two homeless dogs in my house plus my own and those I was sitting.  Bob was a charmer and was no problem at all.  He got along with everyone and was happy to hang out with me.  Unfortunately he had no collar, no chip, no one knew him, and there were no signs for him up in the neighborhood or online.  Luckily, he was so good at being a loving dude that the family who had watched him Christmas eve fell in love and ended up adopting him.  Whew … one down.

Sparky with friends

Sparky with friends

Sparky was another story.  That dude was trouble with a capital T.  He hated me and all the other dogs and would be really happy to kill us with his itty bitty sharp little teeth.  My first night with Sparky I was at my wit’s end.  He was a devil dog and I had no faith that he would ever be adopted.  He had never been to a vet so had no shots and was not fixed.  As a 6 month old he was still a puppy that could learn to socialize if he just wasn’t such an ass.  I sat down at the computer and pleaded my case to any and every pet rescue group that was out there.  I learned pretty fast that no one would touch him.  I was told over and over that I would have to get him fixed and foster him.  Given his current attitude and my lack of income this was just impossible.  I was really scared that I might have to bring Sparky to the shelter.  I knew he was screwed if that happened since he wasn’t really adoption material.  Who wants a tiny monster that wants to rip you to pieces living in their house?

I kept him in a crate in the hallway where he could see the action.  Then I ignored him except for a couple torturous bathroom breaks.  Chihuahuas like attention so ignoring them usually is not okay with them at all.  24 hours Sparky stayed in that crate with the door closed and locked.  Then I opened the door and he stayed in it for another 12 hours or so growling at anyone who dared come near him.  Dragon was pretty happy with the “let’s piss off Sparky” game which consisted of him slowly getting closer until Sparky reacted and then gleefully running back and starting all over again.  I continued to ignore him.  That evening Sparky very slowly came out of his cage and carefully came up on my lap.  After that he was my BFF and loved me and all the dogs in the house.  He figured out playing with other dogs was big fun and, unlike the others, he was small enough to fit under the bed for sneak attacks.

Jack

Jack

At the same time a few groups finally gave me some hope.  By working directly with one of their volunteers that was a friend of a friend Dogs Without Borders offered to get Sparky fixed.  That was a huge win and raised my spirits.  LUXE Paws actually found a foster for him but it was no longer necessary since I had gotten a call from a woman who was Sparky’s savior!  Sheila Choi of the Fuzzy Pet Foundation had contacted me and her group was willing to take Sparky on.  They would get him fixed, get his shots up to date, foster him and get him socialized so he would be ready to find his forever home.  They also do an extensive home check on any folks looking to adopt.  Their goal is to get the dog into a home where he/she will live the rest of their lives.  That is exactly what Sparky needed!  Since talking to Sheila I’ve done more research on her group and I’m extremely impressed with the work they do.  I highly suggest you check them out and, of course, donate to them if you are able.  I’m confident any donations will go to a good cause.  Something I can’t be so sure of for some of the other groups I contacted.

Baby

Baby

At some point during all this I took on two more dogs that needed homes.  This sweet brother and sister pair were orphaned as their human parents had passed away.  As a favor to my very good friend I took them in and kept them while we all worked on getting them homes.  Jack, a yorkipoo, ended up being adopted by Morgan’s folks.  Morgan’s human dad is named Jack and he melted when Jack dog jumped into his lap.  Baby, an Alaskan husky mix, is going to be heading to San Diego to live with a friend.  Until she is picked up she is hanging with my gang and enjoying her daily hikes with her new temporary pack.

Baby with friends

Baby with friends

At one point I had 7 dogs in my house.  1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ,6, 7 (I feel like the count from Sesame Street should be laughing after that).  In case you were wondering that is waaaaay too many dogs to have in your house.  A couple of days ago I was driving down Mulholland on the way to the Laurel Canyon Dog Park and saw a dog walking toward me on the side of the road.  “NO!” I thought.  “NO NO NO NO NO.  I CAN’T DO IT.  NOT ANOTHER ONE.  NOT RIGHT NOW.  PLEASE.  NO.”  Lucky for me it was a coyote and I was able to leave him in his home … outdoors!

Just a note: Sheila of The Fuzzy Pet Foundation would be unhappy with me if I didn’t mention that you should never just hand over a pet that you found to someone.  Bad people who use the dogs for backyard breeding and/or bait dogs troll Craigslist, Facebook, and other places to find victims.  If you have a dog that has lost his home finding his/her original family should be the goal.  If this is not possible make sure the group or person you are giving the dog to will be (or will be the group to find) the perfect forever home for that specific dog and his/her specific needs.

What Do I Do With the Poop?

02 Thursday Jan 2014

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I’m about to say something that won’t go over well with most people and certainly most people I know and call my friends … ready for it … hold on to your hats … I truly hate the plastic bag ban.  It just really chaps my hide.  I know plastic bags are bad for the environment.  I’ve biked the Los Angeles River and seen first hand the discarded ripped bags hanging from the branches of the river shrubs like discarded and shamed confederate flags.  I get it.  Mother Earth and I are tight … I understand that the enormous amount of plastic bag waste is a huge issue that needs to be dealt with.  I just don’t have to like it.

Adorable poop makers.

Adorable poop makers.

I’ve been bringing my own bags to the grocery store for years.  I don’t have an issue with that at all.  I have a dozen or so reusable bags stuffed in the back of my car and when I head to Vons (no longer Ralphs as we know they suck) I whip them out and smugly walk into the store knowing I’m as green as it gets.  Then what exactly are my issues with this increasingly popular law?  Let me explain:

* Sometimes I’m running in for just a few things and I forget my bag.  It happens.  Not often, but it happens.  Then I have to decide if I want to precariously carry everything I purchased out to the car to dump in one of my bags or pay 10 cents to get everything thrown in a brown bag.

* When I traveled for work I NEVER brought reusable shopping bags with me.  Come on … on top of everything else you want me to remember that.  Screw that.  I was already stressed I didn’t need to know if I wanted to purchase groceries I had to bring my own carrying device too.  I remember an incident at a Trader Joe’s in San Jose that almost had me on my knees.  My bad day ended in me having to carry my groceries (heavy on the wine bottles) back to my car as I tried to remember where I put my bottle of Xanax.

* I ALWAYS forget if it isn’t a grocery store.  I don’t really know what the law is and it is probably different for each city, county, state, etc.  For the area I tend to shop in if you have x many stores (I forget how many) you are a “chain” and therefore the bag ban applies to you.  This includes Petco, World Market, Michaels, Target, and many others.  Do you know how many times I’ve gotten to the front door of Michaels only to have to turn around and walk back down (I park downstairs at that store) and grab bags before coming back up.  So aggravating.

* I’m amazed how little now fits into a reusable bag.  Those bag stuffers (whatever their actual title is …  I shouldn’t make fun of them I will probably have to get a job doing that soon) use to pack EVERYTHING into one or two of my canvas bags.  Now it’s one or two items per bag.  Recently on a trip to Vons the bag stuffer person was really terrible at her job and every two seconds asked if I wanted to buy more bags.  “No!  Everything will fit.”  She “tried” again and gave me a “what do you want me to do?” shrug.  I ended up having to bag everything myself in my own bags which I think suited her just fine!

Now looking at that list I realize how horrible I sound.  I don’t want the plastic bag ban because it is an annoyance to me.  Plain and simple.  Selfish me doesn’t want to be put out.  True.  But here is the killer reason …

More adorable poop makers.

More adorable poop makers.

* What do I do with all the poo in my back yard?  As you can imagine with all the little four-legged poo makers running around my backyard it is full up with the stuff.  Every other day, or so, I grab two plastic bags and head to the back yard ready for war.  One bag is used to cover my hand while I scoop and the second is used to hold the pounds of poo.  It’s a good system but plastic bags are a huge component of the system.  Right now you are thinking of a number of solutions for me, buy my own bags, buy a pooper scooper thing, use doggie bags …. stop.  Just stop.  I don’t want any of those solutions.  I want my free plastic bags that I can fit a ton of crap in (literally) and the earth can just screw off.

Can’t we compromise in some way.  Why do I have to pay for paper bags?  Why can’t you just give me those?  Or give me those unless I bring my own then give me 5 cents off per bag.  Something like that.  No?  Really?  You sure you wanna piss off the gal with unlimited amount of ingredients for flaming poop bags?

I didn’t think so.

Charlie’s Sleeping Positions

11 Wednesday Dec 2013

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photo 2 (19)Charlie is a 5-year-old Boston Terrier and Russel Terrier mix.  She is an anxious little girl and is currently sitting on my lap shaking because Riggins and Nijo (golden retriever) are barking at something outside the front door.  Even without the barking Charlie would be on my lap or somewhere near me.  That’s just who she is.

Unlike Shadow Charlie has two nighttime positions.  The first, which she uses approximately 50% of the time is just down.  As in stop where you are and lie down.  It is going to be on or next to me but there isn’t much preference where.  For the other 1/2 of the night her position is standing on my chest, stomach, or photo 1 (20)bladder.  Once there she would either aggressively try to french kiss me or growl so I will throw a tennis ball.  I swear a couple of times last night she growled herself to sleep.  At first the vocalisation was extreme and meaningful.  Then it got softer.  When she could barely take it any more the growls only came with her breathing.  Almost snore like.  Finally she was down and out.  That is until she got back up to play ball again!  For the mouth to mouth the later into the night it got, the more my night breath seemed to attract her.  You can’t sleep while a dog tongue is abusing your mouth.

Last night was Charlie’s first.  I’m hoping she has settled in a bit more so tonight will be more sleeping and less accosting of me.

Crinkle, Crackle, Crunch

04 Wednesday Dec 2013

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1483311_10201392039777845_1076653169_nBefore we all headed up to my sister’s house for Thanksgiving we were warned that the new puppy, Captain Shadow, was a chewer.  There are a ton of chew toys out there and many that are specifically for teething puppies.  Most of them look a lot like the products you would purchase for teething human babies.  I swear if you can make a product that can be marketed to both new baby parents and new dog parents you have made it.  Those are the two best consumer groups ready and willing to drop cash on anything.  When Riggins was little the best “chew” toy he had was a Hartz ball chew thing that I got at the supermarket.  Not at all fancy.  It was made of some sort of hard plastic was white and bumpy with super bumpy purple areas poking out of it.  I don’t think they make them anymore, but it was the best.  He would chew on that thing for hours.  The key was to find what Shadow liked.

I had purchased a little toy on clearance at Petco for Shadow but when I heard how much he was chewing I tossed that one to Riggins and decided to make him some toys.  Dogs like to chew and be destructive so my goal was to make him something that would be fun and easy to chew but at the same time gave him the feeling that he was really doing something.  If you google how to make dog toys a number of folks suggest using socks or towels.  Personally I think this sends a mixed message to the dog.  How is a puppy supposed to know the difference between his chew sock and the sock you plan to wear that day?

I designed the Captain Shadow Chew Toy.  To make this you will need an empty water bottle and an old baby blanket.  Any plastic bottle will do but the sturdier the better.  I made three of these and Shadow made quick work of the flimsy water bottle while the thicker sparkling water bottles had some staying power.  I cut out a piece of the baby blanket so that it would easily fit around the water bottle.  Next I sewed it into a pocket and stuck the water bottle inside.  Finally I sewed it closed.  To add some extra fun I sewed a tie strap to the top, wrapped it around and knotted it.  Two of the toys were as simple as that.  The third had extra “arms” hanging off of it and each was stuffed with something fun at the end.  Extra material, freezer paper, etc.  Anything that would make a crinkle, crackle, crunch sound or just be fun to chew.  The extra arms also allowed for tug of war games which are always a puppy favorite!

The water bottle inside each chew toy allows Shadow to make crinkle, crackle, crunching sounds which makes him very happy.  Personally I find them far less distracting than the constant “squeak” that most favorited toys have.

Shadow’s toys were pretty basic.  I didn’t do anything to decorate them or make them pretty although you certainly could.  Add some eyes and that “armed” bottle becomes an octopus.  Even without extra decorations Shadow loved his toys and was happy to munch on them.  That is when he wasn’t munching on a human!

You are going to be spending a lot of cash on your new four-legged family member.  If you can save some dough by making your own toys I say go for it!

Scardey Dog

30 Wednesday Oct 2013

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pizap.com13831847803531I love Halloween.  It is by far one of my favorite holidays.  At one time I’d say it was my absolute favorite.  I love getting dressed up in costumes and all the wacky fun that goes along with.  I’m a hard-core “make your own” costume type gal and always want to go all out.  When I first got Riggins I was SO excited to have another person to dress up.  At the time my boyfriend was already forced into couple costumes a dog just rounded out the theme.  Our first Halloween with Riggins we were living in West Hollywood.  THE WEST HOLLYWOOD with THE WEST HOLLYWOOD Halloween Parade (which isn’t happening this year I hear).  The city closes off Santa Monica Blvd. and it becomes a parade of fabulous wacky fun!  I had never had a chance to go but this seemed like the perfect opportunity.  I put together not 1, not 2 but 3 (insert count laugh here) vampire costumes.  One for my boyfriend at the time, one for me AND one for Riggins.  He was so friggin’ cute.  We proceeded down to Santa Monica Blvd and it didn’t take too long before puppy Riggins was overwhelmed and I had to pick him up so he wouldn’t be stepped or stumbled upon by fellow partakers in Hollywood Halloween madness.  Luckily Riggins was still small because I carried him for MILES that night.  Bringing him was not the best of ideas.  I think it traumatized him for life.

Halloween contains three of Riggins biggest fears/hates:

  1. Children
  2. Crazy people in odd attire
  3. People coming up to the house
  4. People screaming

It is his own personal Hell.  I’ve tried to keep him in the back room during trick or treating hours and that went badly.  I tried to keep him on a leash and that went badly.  I tried to just push him out-of-the-way and that went badly.  Only the bravest of children will dare walk up my driveway and whisper in a shaky voice, “trick or treat” above the menacing barking of a giant black dog.  It isn’t uncommon for a child to stand on the sidewalk looking up at my house and think, “Screw that.  I don’t want that mini candy bar that bad” and just move on.

pizap.com13831850521331I’ve learned my lesson and no longer force Riggins into a costume he doesn’t want to wear (see list below) nor do I even open my door for Trick or Treaters.  It’s easier just to have Riggins bark at them with his hatred from behind a closed-door.  I put out a bowl of candy with a note to take a piece or two.  It is the honor system at my house.  I have faith in humanity and believe one nasty kid won’t come dump the entire bowl in his plastic jack o’ lantern and just call it a night.  The REALLY smart kid would just take the entire bowl.  That is if they dare to come to the porch of the evil barking dog house!

We all make sacrifices for our children.  I sacrificed Halloween for Riggins.  Tomorrow night we will be huddled together in the living room during the small child invasion, and I’ll give him treats and love to try and keep him from ripping down the door with his claws and teeth!

Riggins past costumes:

  • Dracula Dog
  • Broom to my witch
  • Champion wrestler (the year he had a small piece of his ear taken off — that piece is HUGE now due to a dog attack so he could really rock this costume).
  • I was a cat once and he was … a dog

Happy Halloween to all and beware of any black dogs crossing your path!