Slow week on the Farmstead

What can I say - It is winter in Nebraska ?  Ruthie and I spent time in the warm sunshine by the front door.  Baby the cat tries to hog the warmth but I am always successful in chasing her away.  Ruthie however likes her to stick around and make patties on her.  Mom says it is a kitty massage. 

Mom took us out on Tuesday to a place called "Dogtopia"  It is a doggie day care.  When we went to visit though Ruthie and I had to stay in the car because we didn't have a special shot needed to come in.   Mom toured the day care and talked to the owner - Nicholle.  Mom made an appointment for us to come back next week and go through an evaluation and if Ruthie and I pass we get to go play with other dogs there.  New friends !! and new adventures !! 

Thursday Mom took Ruthie and I to the Vet's office - Heartland Animal in Papillion - to get our kennel cough shot.  I wasn't too excited about this and told Ruthie she could go first.  I waited out in the lobby.  I remember the last time I was there they made a BIG scar on my tummy that hurt for a long time.  I am still waiting for my puppy hair to grow back out.  Mom also had our nails done but when I asked the Vet to polish my nails like Mom has hers done the Vet just didn't get it.  You would think he would understand puppy talk but he doesn't.  The only person I know that understands it is the Big Red Guy called Santa. 

Mom is on her mission as she says to work on my "Commands".  Every time now when I come in from "Hurry Up" Mom makes me do two or three of the commands.  The Commands are still up on the door and Mom marks the ones we do.  Mom has a chair in the middle of the living room and makes me sit/down/under plus go up.   Ruthie does them right away and I told her she was puppy whipped.  She will even do them without treats which I told her she shouldn't.   I make Mom work at it !!  If I have to work she has to work !!  I just hope the treats don't run out.  However, I saw Mom filling the treat cup and made my own assessment of the situation.  Looking good !!  Science Diet is soooooo GOOD to me. 

Mom's show American Idol was on again this week.  Mom says it will be on for a long time till they announce the winner ?  There are some really weird people who come on the show.  I can howl better then they can sing.  I wonder if there is a Puppy Idol show ?  I would try out for that.   Mom let's me watch from the foot stool if I behave myself.    I guess I am special because Ruthie has to watch on the rug in front of the TV. 

Ruthie and I went out with Dad this morning.  I think for about an hour and a half but I just heard Dad say that.  I don't know how to tell time yet.  Dad did a lot of poo flipping - He hasn't flipped for over a week.  I heard him say he likes flipping better in the winter because everything is frozen and no smells.  I however like the smell of poo.  Tells you a lot about a fellow four legged friend.  My favorite snack is deer or horse poo.  After having a few of the snacks this morning I finsihed it off with a little fresh green grass in the flower beds.

We fed the livestock - It has been sometime and all of the feeders were low.  I tried to help Dad fill the feeders but I really was just trying to have a snack of bird feed.   Mom cut back on Ruthie and my feedings because the Vet said our girl figures were looking a little pudgy.  Ruthie much more then me :)  I am not sure why having a girl figure is important since Mom said the boy dogs were not going to be too interested in me after I had my girl surgery.

I was soooooo excited when the door bell rang this morning after Ruthie and I came in.  It was the UPS guy but the package wasn't for me from Science Diet.  It was for Mom.  She got two new shirts from KSDS.  We will look sooooo styling when we go out now. 

I am BACK !

Hi - everyone.  I am feeling much better and back to my old self.  My scar is looking much better but the Vet sure didn't give me a bikini cut ?  Mom thinks though the stuff that they gave me so I would not know about the surgery effected my listening to the command center in my brain !  I heard her tell that to a few people while we were out this week.  It was kind of a busy week but a few things we were planning on doing Mom canceled.  I am thankful because it was really COLD here this week.

Tuesday we were off to Shadow Lake Mall.  Mom said I am getting too big to lift in the back of the Ford so she made me climb in through the side door and get in the back.  However, I like it when Mom picks me up so I played dumb which frustrated Mom.   This gets me treats !! so I finally climbed in.  Mom and I stopped at Office Max before going to PetSmart.  Mom left me pick out a new toy and treats before we stopped at the gentle leads.  Mom  bought a larger one.  Right !! as if I am going to like this one more !  I planned on watching where Mom put it so I could hide it but she outsmarted me.

Wednesday we were off to Lowes and Walmart.  Another try at climbing in the side door of the car several times which landed me more treats.  Mom said I was acting stubborn ! and she was disappointed in me.   Little does she know I have her trained.  Hope she doesn't figure that out.

On both of these trips I kind of protested as I heard Mom say.  I hate it when I get car sick !  Mom thinks it is just me being in my terrible two's but when you only get fed twice a day you want to make sure you keep everything where it should be.  There is limited poo snacking with snow back on the ground. 

Now I need to tell you something about a show Mom has been waiting to return - AMERICAN IDOL !  Mom made Ruthie and I watch the show with her and behave ourselves.   We had to do this two nights in a row.  I heard Mom saying the show will be on again tonight so I know what we will be doing.


Thursday I was going to go to the commissary out at Offutt Air Force Base and get groceries with Mom.  At the last minute Mom changed her mind after she looked at her grocery list and since she thought the groceries would take up the back of the Ford I got to stay home.  I was glad.  Grocery shopping is the least favorite thing I like to do.  Start - stop / Start - stop.  Plus it was soooo COLD !

Friday night Mom said we were going to the Sarpy YMCA for a teaching moment.  They were hosting family activities with lots of families and kids attending.   I wasn't interested in going so I did the protest thing before leaving - protest thing getting in the car then kept up what Mom said was the terrible two's.  However, it was so FUN to have all of the kids come up and talk and pet me.   I wanted soooo bad to chase after the balls in the gym but Mom made me sit/stay or at least tried to make me sit/stay.   If report cards were to be given out Mom said I would probably have gotten a C. 

Mom is determined to get back on track so while I was taking a nap on Saturday she got on the computer and made up a list of commands for me to work on.  She put them on the back door.  Now when I come in after "Hurrying Up" Mom makes me do one of the commands and sometimes WITHOUT treats.   Mom told me she can be as stubborn as I can be.  I thought Mom wanted me to be a free thinking puppy/dog but I guess there are a few things that I just don't have a choice to learn. 

                             Commands

Mom's Turn

Hi
I am Avalon's Mom and Avalon asked me to write on her blog this week.  Avalon had surgery on Tuesday and has kind of been out of commission all week.  Let me tell you the story-

Avalon and I were off to the Vet's Office on Tuesday morning.  She had to be there by 8:15.  We arrived a little late because I was working on the computer and watching the "Today Show" and spaced out the time.  No big deal since we got there at 8:30.

First Avalon had to weigh in again.  I think Avalon was trying to tell the Vet no girl likes to be weighed in public since she was refusing to get on the scale but after a few tries her weight was there posted on the screen for everyone to see.  Next Avalon and I went in one of the exam rooms and the Vet explained to us what would happen during surgery when you get spayed and what to expect and do after surgery.

I was able to take her back to her holding kennel and say "Good-Bye".  I told her to behave and I would be back later in the afternoon to get her.  This was old hat to me since this was my fifth time taking a service puppy in to get spayed. 

Bringing up five puppies let me tell you a few stories about the other service puppies that have come into my life.

My first one was "Charlie"  She was named after actors in Charlies Angels.  A dark golden who was an A+ puppy.   She could do no wrong and basically didn't.  She did however like chewing and did take out a few chair legs and a corner of the kitchen.  I learned after that to have lots and lots of chew toys around at the very beginning to encourage chewing on those.

Next was "Cali" a yellow lab named after a city in Africa.  The only lab I raised.  We took Charlie back and picked up Cali.   I remember being in the car and my husband and I crying because we just turned in Charlie.  Cali was crying in the back seat in her kennel.  I can tell you stories about Cali.  I think she was my C- puppy but the one who had the most loving/excitable behavior.  She was the first to poo right in front of the meat department at Walmart and even wondered off one time in Walmart.  They did a missing dog announcement and the Walmart greeters/staff blocked off the exits.   She was found eating a peach in the produce section.  Cali also had a VERY sensitive stomach and many things upset her stomach and caused things you did not what to happen out in public.

 On one such trip to Walmart it happened right in the exit area.  I saw her back humping up and dropped everything to run for the door but we didn't make it.  Everything ran down the grates on the floor and dug itself in.  I took her out to the car and me along with several Walmart staff members had to remove the grates and mop up the floor.  Cali actually went back a little early because of her stomach issues but it seems like after she left and quit swimming in the lake her problems went away. 

"Paris" was the next golden.  She was named after an author.  Paris I would say was my B+ puppy.  One thing I did with Pairs was have my first puppy shower.  I watch the Animal Planet and at the time that was one of their series.   Paris was the last dog that our family dog Bailey was a foster Mom to. 

Bailey our family golden passed away shortly after Paris went back to school for training.   Bailey was only 6 1/2 years old.  I had taken her in to get her shots and the doc said she had a fever and swollen glands so sent us home over the weekend with antibiotics.  We went back on Monday and the Vet thought more testing was necessary and by the next day we were told she had stage 4 lymphoma.  More testing was done and on Friday we started the first of six rounds of chemo.

 She was not able to come home - complications from the chemo and passed away the following Monday.  I remember the Vet telling us if we just managed her lymphoma she could be with us for awhile maybe but chemo was her chance to be with us for a long time.  He said if she makes it you will be soooooooo happy and if she doesn't you will wish you never did it.  I can say looking back I wish we would have managed it and would have had time with her no matter how long it might have been.

Next came along "Ruthie" my A- dog.  I asked if I could raise a service puppy then train and get certified as a Therapy Dog Team so that is how Ruthie came into our lives.  We took along one of Bailey's favorite stuffed toys and said the first puppy that got it would be the one we brought home.  Ruthie was the only puppy we got to name.  She had to be named after someone famous with George as their name.  Babe Ruth's first name was George.   Ruthie broke her leg and had to be in a cast along with moving with us from the lake out to the acreage we live on now.  I went for training for five days and Ruthie and I passed with flying colors.  Ruthie and I then started doing presentations on Service Dogs and going to nursing homes, schools,  the YMCA etc. to visit.

Back to Avalon for a few minutes before I post.  She is feeling much better today and went outside with my husband and Ruthie to go down to the road to get the paper and scan the farmstead.  Avalon though has developed a weird behavior after surgery.  I don't know if it is the meds affecting her or what but she all of a sudden will not walk on the wood floors and since most of our upper level except for the living room is wood this did not leave her much room to move around.

 My husband had a talk with her then offered her treats and she agreed to at least walk on the wood floors to get breakfast and dinner.  Hope this goes away - Really don't want to have to start psycho-therapy with her before she goes back to KSDS.

Hope you enjoyed the blog this week - Avalon will be back next week with new and exciting adventures to share.  I have planned several outings to expose her to new and different adventures to continue her social training.  I hope her terrible two's pass soon and we get back on track.

The New Year - 2012

My week started with my Dad and me watching the HUSKERS play in their Bowl game.   Everyone had to be in their Husker attire. Things did not go so well and Dad told me not to mention anything about the game.  I guess if you are a Husker Fan you know the skinny !  I did get to spend some time with Dad, Mom and Ruthie watching the game.  Dad didn't seem to be doing his usual yelling and jumping up and down so Ruthie and I got some shut eye.   Mom made some snacks for the game along with peanuts which Dad shared a few with Ruthie and me.  I always made sure I was first in line.

This week Mom started to finally feel better so Ruthie and I got to go on four long walks out on the farmstead with our neighbor MaeMae.  MaeMae usually walked me and Mom had Ruthie. One time when we were going to go pick up MaeMae we went all the way to her house and I got to see some BIG - BIG dogs.  Mom explained they were horses not dogs and I needed to stay out of their kennel.  I must tell you - Horse poo snacks are much better then deer poo snacks.   Ruthie didn't seem too interested in snacking but Mom said she has tried them many times before.  Dad would sometimes come home and say "Ruthie's breath smells like S _ _ _ " and Mom would say she just ate some !

When we went on one of our walks with MaeMae she bought along some Christmas presents for Mom and us.  For us three new stuffed animals to play with.  Mom gave us 15 minutes to have them torn apart and I think we accomplished it.  They are now deflated and one already in the trash.  Poor guy.  I also got a designer collapsible water dish.  Mom put it in my diaper bag.  It matches my cape so I will now be styling !


My favorite thing in the world arrived again this week - My Science Diet food.  Dad opened the box this time without me around and I was sooooo disappointed.  I lectured him about this but I am not sure if he understand puppy talk either ?  He did leave it out for me to see before it was put away. 

Mom and I went to the the Vet office on Friday.  Mom said something about pre-surgery blood work.  I didn't think to much of them poking me with a needle in the arm to get some red stuff but I did get a treat afterwards.  The Vet explained to me what would be happening next week and the reason for the surgery.  I will not have to use birth control when I grow up - not sure what that is anyway he did not explain that - but boys probably will not think I am a hot chick anymore which in my opinion is a good thing.  I really don't think much of them anyway.  I now weigh in at 46 pounds.

After the Vet visit Mom and I stopped at her Nail place and I got to go with her for the first time.  First she sat in this BIG chair with a bath tub in front and had her toes clipped.  Wonder if she likes it as much as I like it ?  Next we moved to another chair with a table in front and she had her other nails clipped.  This place paints the nails - I will need to talk to my groomer about this next time I go.  Mom said I did really good  at down/stay when she was in the Big chair but when she was at the other one I was done being a good puppy and tried to get up and wonder around.  This made it difficult for Mom's groomer to do her work.   Wonder if Mom gets a report card when she is done like Ruthie and I do at our groomers ? 

It is Saturday and Dad, Ruthie and I have been outside already.  Filled the bird feeders, played ball and Dad did his weekly poo flipping.  Dad is going to be home today but will be working all day tomorrow.  Big days in Court Monday and Tuesday.  Mom told me to pass along another book she read that she got for Christmas.  The Puppy Diaries.  Mom said the puppy's name is Scout after a little girl in a book/movie that is one of my Dad's all time favorites - To Kill a Mocking Bird.   Scout and I could be twins at least in looks - Mom says so far I have been much better behaved.