Bye Bye Louie

Sweety boy Louie left tonight to go to his new home in New Hampshire. He'll be hanging out with about 150 goats...oh, and his human companions, too.

Louie learned to walk on wood floors while here, learned to walk on tile floors at a friend's house, and was getting a tiny bit more comfortable on car rides. He wasn't interested in wandering too far from my sight, and returned with a call. He's one of those dogs that is just JOY.

He greeted women like they were his long lost loves. He will love being with his new main companion, a gentle and kind woman that will take such good care of him and when she's not available, her sweet daughter will fill in.

Bye bye Louie, you are an awesome boy that it was a pleasure taking care of. 

Little Bug and Lyme

Tuesday afternoon Bug had been holding up her left leg while walking around. Wednesday morning, more of the same, and very little activity. Wednesday afternoon, I carried her outside to do her duties, she did try to walk a little, but it was using her front legs, both legs were now not working. She'd end up just plopping down as her legs gave out. She'd look at me with that cute little face as if to say, "Mommy, I can't do it." I carried her inside and made her comfortable. Yesterday morning, she wouldn't even pee, even with my help of holding her up. I called the vet for an appointment. 

This was her in the morning until about noon...

then I took her out again and she did her duties and walked a few steps, wobbling and using mostly her front legs -- and she plopped down again. 

Around here I give a two day 'let's wait and see' before calling the vet, but she was getting worse not better. Since it started in the legs, I thought "maybe it's Lyme." I called, Angela, she said, "maybe it's Lyme" (after we decided it wasn't a luxating patella, a pulled muscle, or an upset belly.) I texted Shelly, "sounds like Lyme." The vet appointment was for 3:15. 

Lyme and Anaplasmosis, two tick borne diseases. 

I learned a few things, too, in talking to the vet, which I'll put in a 'Did You Know' post, because I didn't know. 

She's on meds for 4 weeks...and very little activity. 

This is her today...immobile but alert.

She walked a little last night, but this morning, it wasn't happening. Her spirit is better and her face is brighter. My Little Bug will be OK...and, now, so will my heart. 

Hanzie and Bug Chillin'

On the way to camp. 

Hanz was so happy. I've been leaving them behind and every Friday they know we're off to camp, because the bags get packed and lined up by the door. Hanz cries really loud when I close the door behind me. Heartbreaking. Well, this time, there was no crying. He's a happy camper. (no pun intended) :)

A Tisket a Tasket a Vintage Laundry Basket

Along with the store display rack I told you about yesterday...I pulled this out of the dumpster, too...

A vintage laundry cart. A friend thought maybe it was originally used at a laundry-mat. 

It would be cool to use it as a towel holder in a bathroom, or for something in a kitchen. I'll be using it for its intended use for now, as I was looking for something that could replace the wicker chair that I would pull over to the clothesline and place my basket full of clothes onto. 

It pays to visit friends you haven't seen in a long time. 

Why Hello Louie!

Louie is a 4 year old Schnauzer (I can't say 'Miniature' Schnauzer because he's 34 pounds, which, technically puts him over the weight of the standard weight measurements for a Miniature.)

Best of all is that he is a sweety. A gentle boy with eyes that melt you.

He is Parti Color in grey and white.

Louie came to me because his parents are moving to Florida and the place they are moving into does not accept dogs.

I was told that he knows many commands and does them without repeatedly asking him to do it. I have not tested him on this, yet, as he is still in a traumatic/perplexed state of mind. Plus, he won't walk on my wood floors. The idea of it scares him silly, so he stays on his large dog bed. I did put it close to the door where there is also a runner for him to step on but there is one corner of wood floor that he 'might' step on so, therefore, he backs off from going outside. Boy he can hold his pee for a very long time. So yesterday I pulled out a couple of bath mats and covered more of the floor with them and this has helped him make his way to the door to go out. This strikes me as odd because he came from a home where he would walk on tile. But he just looks at the floor and gets nervous.

I'm hoping that some gentle coaxing/training will eventually help. In the meantime, he'll get food rewards when he puts all four paws on the floor. I've started to pick him up, which makes him nervous, and place him in the middle of the floor and feed him some very tasty treats. Then I make a path of treats toward his bed. He very carefully makes his way until the last few steps where he scrambles to safety. I'm hoping that by watching the freedom of the other dogs he will learn that all will be OK. Sometimes other dogs are the best teachers.

Now that I've added Louie to the mix, I have to keep an eye on Otis causing a fight and it also changes Hanz's and Bug's personalities. Add to it that now Bug is feeling like she needs to remind Hanz that she is dominant by mounting him. He never questions her dominancy but she's feeling insecure apparently. But, they're also playing tug-toy more...well, it starts out with play and gets a little more aggressive as it goes along so I have to keep them in check.

Add to it, this heat, and it is definitely the Dog Days of Summer!!

Hope you're able to keep cool!!

Masey (aka Mercy) Got a Haircut

Masey's new owner has emailed me to keep me updated on her progress. She already has learned to ring the bell hanging on the door, to go outside. She's a smartie. She also got her hair cut and is sportin' the Schnauzer look -- quite cutely, I might add.

I wish they lived closer, I just want to hug that little munchkin! and be around her infectious puppy happiness.