Halloween 2014

We only had two trick-or-treaters on Halloween. Disappointing, but it gave us plenty of time to torture-I mean dress up-the Rosendogs in their costumes. Enjoy!

Her Rotteness Reigns Supreme

We've created a monster. These teenage months are going to wear us down as much as puppy hood did, the only difference is Ray moves faster now. She's still adorable and funny, and we could definitely have it much worse, but she's as obstinate as ever and has little interest in listening to, much less obeying, commands. Unless you're Magi...or Jason.

Magi has very little patience for Ray's antics. They're still buds and wrestle regularly, but Ray cow tows to Magi, even when she shouldn't or doesn't need to. Magi's gotten really bossy with everyone, including us when she thinks she can get away with it. The two of them keep the boys in check though. They won't put up with Lieu picking on Speck at all.

Ray's love-me-not behavior wouldn't matter if she hadn't decided she's Jason's dog. She loves, loves, loves her papa. She brings her toys to him to play (while refusing my offers to play), and tries to share by shoving them in his mouth, she snuggles with him in bed or on the couch and ignores me or jumps off. And now she cries when he leaves.

So I've decided to use Ray's fondness for Jason to teach her a new trick. I always wave goodbye to him from the dining room window and Ray has started standing at the window with me when he leaves. So I'm trying to teach her to wave at him by moving her paw up and down. She's not very patient so she usually runs off before he actually leaves, but I call her back and help her wave as I do. I'm pretty sure she tried to wave by herself today and even if it wasn't intentional, she's still getting the idea.

I'm also teaching her to catch treats in the air. We started with Cheetos, cause who doesn't love Cheetos!? Ray did great, Magi not so much. Magi just lets them bounce off her head and the floor, much like Betty used to do. And Specker is great at it too. Lieu didn't hear the commotion and slept through it all.

A word of warning should you ever visit the Animal House: Ray loves to stick her nose in your crotch and butt, and will happily lift your skirt, shorts to do so. She actually has to approach you to do so, the chances of which are fairly slim given her track record with people, but consider yourself warned all the same.

Belly Love and Other Topics

Ray is a belly whore. Betty was the original belly whore. Whenever you'd pet her, Betty would invariably roll on to her back so you can pet her stomach, and usually sooner than later. Most dogs like their bellies scratched, but these two would prefer it was all belly petting, all the time. Ray takes belly whoring to a new level as she throws herself on the floor at your feet as you're walking through the house. She's hard to resist, laying there wiggling her butt and wagging her stubby tale, but she's also a danger to our well being at times. But look how big she's getting! The first photo is from today and the other six months ago.

Ray gets to sleep on the floor in our room every night. She's becoming a pretty good watch dog and doesn't care to sleep on the bed or tear anything up, so we're happy to let her sleep outside her box. The best part--Sillybutt comes up for snuggle time before we go to sleep and when we wake up. The other Rosendogs aren't too happy about it but they also aren't content to sleep on the floor. I also started pulling a bed in for Lieu (Ray also if she wanted) a few nights a week, he gets some special treatment as our senior Rosendog. Like getting to drag our clothes around the house.

Magi's been getting her own special time. I've started painting her nails every week or so. She does really well through about three paws, then it's sometimes a struggle to finish.

I'd feel bad if I didn't mention Speck. We're trying to keep his annual summer allergy freak-out at bay with Benadryl. Luckily the weather has been much cooler than normal. 

Dog Treat: Smarties

Here are a couple of pups who are as talented as they are cute! The patience and time these owners and talented canines exhibit is impressive. Bravo!

I'm ready for an end to daily rain and muddy paws. The floors and my clothes can't take much more. If only I could train the Rosendogs to wipe their feet...and Ray to quit jumping on me.

Rosendog Family Field Trip

Very rarely do we take all four dogs anywhere together. A quick trip to Sonic for half-price shakes provided the opportunity to take the girls for a short trip with the boys as company so we loaded them all up and headed down the road. Everyone did really well! Ray had a blast hanging her head out the windows with the boys and looking at everything. Magi did pretty well too although she stuck it pretty close to us. But there was no crying or puking so I call it a win!

Ray brought a stick in yesterday through the dog door. I told her that sticks need to stay outside. She promptly went over, picked the stick up and headed back outside with it. I know she didn't understand everything I said, but Ray shows us everyday just what a smart dog she is.

Rosendog Athletic Department

Huge news! Ray caught the Frisbee twice tonight while I was playing with her. It's the first time she's caught it for either of us and two times no less! We were super excited!

Here's a video of one of our other athletes. Lieu loves to "play soccer" and will push a ball around the yard until he's about to collapse, so he doesn't get many opportunities.

Nothing is Safe

Well, that was frustrating. After working on it for three days, I just finished my intended post with this title and it disappeared. I didn't know the title was a prophecy as well. Nothing is safe.

So here's the post in a nutshell:

• Ray & Magi eat all of our ripe strawberries before we can. Gonna have to move that planter. 
• Speck tortured a snake briefly and killed a new brood of opossums during nightly hunts last week.
• Ray had another clingy, anxious day Sunday, probably caused by threatened use of can. Then got stung by a bee on the foot. Back to self by evening.
• Sillybutt would not stay in out of the rain Monday.

And how about some pics:

 

 

Spring Romp with Magi & Ray

Took this a couple of weekends ago. Jason was building a pavilion/carport and I was cleaning the deck and deck furniture, but as you can see the girls didn't let that get in the way of their fun. Forgive the poor  videograghy,  they're hard to keep up with.

We decided to go with Pet Armor for flea and tick control now that it's available at more retailers. I don't care for the smell but nobody had a bad reaction so I'm hopeful.

Big news for Ray this weekend -- she managed to ride with Jason and Speck to Sonic and back without vomiting! I'm hopeful it's a breakthrough,  even if it means we always have to take another dog with her.

Crate Chaos

Ray's grown so much that she's outgrown her crate. Since the Rosendogs have days when they spend a good chunk of time in their boxes, I like to make sure they're as comfortable as possible. I hated that Ray might be uncomfortable or even worse,  that it would stunt her growth!

I really like her current crate so I looked online and found that Amazon handled the larger ones. Sillybutt just keeps growing and she still has a ways to go before she grows into her feet and ears, so I opted to go up two crate sizes to give her plenty of room.

Ray's definitely got plenty of room.  The new cage is gigantic! We could fit a couple of Sillybutts in it. And it's not even the largest size available, can't imagine how big the next size is. We rearranged Rosendog Row to fit in and moved Speck's bedding into Ray's old box. He's gotten pretty tubby so he needs the extra space.

Bear in mind that each dog knows whose box is who's, the same way they do with their bowls. Complete chaos ensues now when it's time for the Rosendogs to go in their boxes. It should only last a day or so, but for now we get to spend an extra few minutes sorting everybody out as they all go in and out of the wrong box. Even Magi and Lieu which I find funny since nothing really changed for them. At least we started on Friday so we have the weekend to get everyone sorted out.

Every Day's a Lesson

Our lanky stick eater.

You may recall me talking about how unique Ray is compared to other puppies we've raised, especially if unique means "exhibit every typical puppy behavior and then some." Suffice it to say that she has tested us in more ways than one.

Her post op recovery has been going really well. Ray has definitely recovered like a champ, so much so that she has developed what I believe is a seromas, a firm lump under her incision. They're caused by over activity following surgery and typically go down. According to one site, about five percent of post surgery pets experience seromas, so we feel privileged. In all seriousness though, I'm thankful that if she's going to have a complication, hopefully this is the worst of it.

I'm treating it with a warm compress a few times a day and trying even harder to subdue her rambunctious behavior. Luckily Ray's decided she likes the heat and has started exposing her belly to get more of the pad on her. Controlling her activity level is another story. She goes from one thing to another like a steam locomotive-from picking on the boys to wrestling with Magi and then on to chasing squirrels.

Last night Ray was rather sedate except for being excessively clingy and unable to get comfortable. It's nice to have some close contact with the typically standoffish Ray, but she was beside herself with worry if she wasn't on top of us. That would have been fine if she'd been able to sit still for longer than five seconds at a time.

Jason mentioned an incident involving the boys and "the can" and felt like she was still a little freaked out from the noise. It seems the evening's strange behavior could have been a combination of Ray being uncomfortable from the swelling and out of her gourd over whatever went on with the boys. Either way, hopefully this will be the extent of her post op complications and we can all get back to living free and easy very soon.

Pain, Patrols and Rights of Passage

Ray's a big girl now. Yesterday she passed that all important milestone for modern bitches-getting spayed. I hate to put her through it but I also feel strongly about the importance of spaying and neutering dogs and cats. There are far too many animals in need of homes and too many irresponsible pet owners. Sorry, off the soapbox.

Since they were putting her under anyway, we went ahead and had that last baby canine tooth removed. Add in the microchip and Ray had a full day of poking and prodding. Oh, the price of being a Rosendog.

Poor baby had a long day that started with her routine being thrown out of whack. She couldn't have any breakfast or water and wasn't allowed in the backyard to do her morning patrol. Ray's outside more than ever now that spring has arrived. We rarely see her inside unless it's time to eat or take a nap. You can see her weigh her options when we call Sillybutt in the house for any but the afore mentioned reasons. She's sure there's something more important that needs her attention. But I digress.

Ray cried all the way to the vet, again. It makes me sad that she hates riding in the car so much. But I was happy to hear that her weight is up to 36 pounds. Her surgery went well and I was able to pick her up at the end of the day...after a thirty minute detour to reach the clinic due to an accident on the highway. I was really glad though that I didn't have to take the detour with Ray in the car, she really would have hated that. She threw up on the way home just the same. Luckily the seats were covered.

My sweet baby topped off the day by nipping my hand when she snapped at Speck for getting too close to 'her' water. She wasn't happy about being denied free access to the backyard either. Lucky for all of us she's already feeling much better and back to her usual hijinks. I'm sure surviving Ray's teenage period will prove to be a challenge, but I'm glad to have this right of passage behind us.

Sillybutt's Favorite Things

Ray's about six months old now and gives everything she does 110 percent of her attention, good or bad. You can't help but love an animal that lives with such determination, but boy does she wear us out. Here are a few of her favorite activities:

10. Playing with Speck.

9. Wrestling with Magi.

8. Playing chase with Magi.

7. Chasing birds.

6. Barking.

5. Going on a walk.

4. Patrolling the yard.

3. Eating fish food out of the pond.

2. Chewing.

1. Eating.

Lucha Libre por Peros

The Rosendogs are ready to rumble--Mexican wrestling style! Don't turn your back on these ferocious beasts, you're liable to regret it. Meet the All Bads:

Rowdy Ray

Mad Magi

Licky Lieu

Spazy Speck

You Win Some, You Lose Some

So that whole Pet Rider thing, just forget about it. I took Ray with me for a five minute trip down the road the other night and she put the Pet Rider through a good run. I was very disappointed that she was sick because it's looking more and more like her only car rides will be to the vet, and no offense Dr. Davis, but that's no fun! But I was pleased because the Pet Rider didn't let any of the mess, and it was bad, soak through to the seat.

I pulled the cover out of the car and threw it in the washer. It says on the box and the tag that it's machine washable, one of the benefits I mentioned previously. They should probably add "not recommended" after machine washable because while it didn't destroy the Pet Rider, it certainly compromised the integrity of the backing material as its now full of holes. Not sure that will do much to stop leakage. Disappointing but at least I have a fall back...and the receipt.

Speck's eye is looking good and all the Rosendogs are enjoying their almost daily walk. We've been adding distance as the temperatures have started getting warmer. Ray is doing even better with come but loves to bark at the neighbor dogs and is still munching the poo poo here and there. She's still a Sillybutt and wiggly as can be, you'd think she was 2 months instead of 5. She jumps like a jack rabbit, straight up in the air, but has yet to figure out how to jump on the bed. She's a hot mess, but makes me laugh every day. The Rosendogs are all playing together well now, as much as the boys know how to play with others. And I had to smile when I looked over the other night and they were all laying on the dog beds. I think Ray's starting to become comfortable with being a member of the family.

My Yard is Mud

And therefore so are the Rosendogs feet. I pretty much give up on the floors this time of year, not that I put that much effort into housecleaning anytime, but spring is a losing battle. I wish I could train the Rosendogs to wipe their feet. I've seen it on the interwebs so I know its possible, but ours just look at me like I'm crazy/gnaw at my hands when I try to wipe their feet. So until the day comes when they wipe their paws, thank goodness for hardwoods and tile!

Speaking of messes--hopefully I'll have fewer in my SUV from now on. The dogs will still ride, but hopefully Magi & Ray's messes will be easier to clean up. The Rosendog humans spent a romantic Valentine's Day evening at Petsmart picking up dog food and a new harness for Ray. We passed an end cap of as seen on TV stuff and there sat one Pet Rider for only $9.99. Now, full disclosure--I love as seen on TV stuff! I don't try it all and I don't QVC but there are a few quality items to have come from infomercials and I'm hoping this is one. It installs easily and is machine washable. There's kind of a rubbery backing so hopefully dog bodily fluids won't soak into the seat/cargo area as easily as with sheets, blankets or towels. Sorry for the poor quality of the installed puke guard, at least you get the idea.

 

Made a second visit to the vet this week. Took Speck to get his eye and a tumor checked out on Saturday. So he got to try out the seat guard first. It didn't seem to impede him any and saved the seat from his dirty feet. His eye has a little ulcer, probably from playing with Ray, should heal fine with antibiotic drops. And it's a fatty tumor so besides being a tub-o, sausage of a dog, he's good. If only you could have heard Speck's monk chanting during his exam--om. Here's a little of his Elvis impression instead.

The Dingo Is My Baby

Who's up to 25.5 pounds? This girl is! We went to visit Dr. Davis today for Ray's second puppy booster and rabies shot. She's gained nearly 10 pounds in her first month with us. We also got a treatment for her latest fascination-poop eating. I've decided she's going to present us with every dog behavior issue possible as a trade off for her cuteness. I blame her early feral upbringing, after all I am raising a yeti-coated dingo--check out those ears! Further evidence: Ray's on top of Magi, shaking her by the collar as I write.

It was a banner day for Baby Ray, but not all of it in good ways. Work schedules required the Rosendogs to stay in their boxes longer than usual. I found Ray's  protest over her treatment when I came home to pick her up for the vet.

Ray cried the whole time on the drive to Nixa but was happy in the clinic and wanted to meet all the other dogs and their people. We had no sooner left the lot and got back on the road toward home when she threw up in the back seat. Poor baby! There's nothing I could do in rush hour traffic but head home. Ray just doesn't do well in the car. I'm not so sure she'll be up to being our new river dog if she's going to be sick every time we travel. We'll just have to keep trying and invest in one of those washable backseat covers, sheets just don't quite do it.

Another possible trip to the vet on Saturday, this time with Speck. One of his eyes is bothering him so hopefully it will clear up by then, but if not, at least he doesn't get car sick! 

Some days are like this one, even with our little Ray of Life, and sorry if it grossed you out. Life is definitely not all puppy kisses and cute photos around here, but I love it. 

For the Joy of It

Because of the dogs joyfulness our own is increased. It is no small gift. It is not the least reason why we should honor as well as love the dog of our own life, and the dog down the street, and all the dogs not yet born.

 -Mary Oliver,  "Dog Songs"

The Rosendogs bring immense joy to our lives and I am thankful for every day that I get to spend with them. I hope it brings you joy to read about their doggie lives on Ray of Life.