Tip-a-Canoe and the Dogs Came Too

September was a blur. We took the boys floating early in the month. Lieu cried all 6.2 miles and Jason had to counter balance Speck the whole way. They used to float with us all the time but I don't think we'll be taking them again.

We've been trying to take Ray in the car on short trips. Now she loves to go and gets excited whenever we leave, unless we take one or more of the other dogs, then she throws a fit. One day we took her and Speck to the pet store, to get puppy cones at Andy's and for a walk on the greenway. She didn't quite make it, but we've had many shorter successes, all in good time. Ray also got to accompany Jason to my work picnic. She wouldn't let anyone pet her, but she loved walking around the park and didn't get upset with any other dogs.

I was 5 minutes from leaving for work one morning, getting ready in the bedroom with Ray laying on the bed, when I leaned over to give her some love. She jerked her head up, gave me a fat lip and knocked my bridge out. Luckily the dentist was able to get me right in.

We took Magi and Speck in for vaccinations. She's up to 54 lbs. and he's 23lbs. Magi didn't throw up on the trip, we're on a roll! Lieu's been to the vet twice-his first anal gland issue and to have a fatty tumor checked.

October brings Ray's birthday. I can hardly believe our Baby Ray is already a year old.

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.

A Toothy Tale

We've been fortunate enough to share our lives with 9 great dogs through our nearly 20 years together. Never had to worry about one chewing through our hardwood floors until now. No. 10 is proving to be a challenge as we deal with endless teething. Hopefully we're nearing the end of it though.

During Ray's last vet visit (puppy shots are done, yay!) we learned that she had not lost her baby canines although her big girl teeth are coming in. No wonder it felt like a barracuda had a hold of us-she had four extra pointy teeth up front! Well I'm happy to report that three of the four teeth have fallen out in the last week or so. Hopefully the fourth will fall out on its own as well and soon.

Ray's like a goat in the fact that she will climb on and eat just about anything. I spent a couple of hours this weekend cleaning up the yard from her scavenging and chewing activities, among other things. And the other night I pulled a tack out of her mouth. Where she found it I can't be sure, just so glad I got it out before she swallowed it! I'm constantly washing my hands from pulling things out of her mouth on a regular basis.

On a positive note: our not-so-little Sillybutt has decided it's not so bad hanging around her people. She sat next to me for a few minutes while I was writing before moving to her favorite spot on the floor.

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.