The following alert came via the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association late last week. It seems a dog brought to the U.S. from Iraq had rabies. Authorities are concerned about the people who handled the dog and the other dogs potentially exposed during transport. It’s a good reminder that pet care and health are not the same in every country. …
It was another long, tough week around Lilly-Town. We nearly gave up and came home from class several times. Here’s how it went. …
There’s a new handler in our Sunday classes who has a somewhat shy/fearful standard poodle. We’ve already bonded a bit over our shared challenges, so she felt comfortable suggesting
that I have Lilly tested for Addison’s Disease while I’m at the veterinarian today. Great … one more thing to worry about. …
Spurred on by a sense that summer slips away, Lilly and I went on our first real hike Saturday at Centennial Cone Open Space, a county open wildland-like park. Elayne at Days of Speed biked there recently too. Weekends can be busy, so we usually avoid them. BUT, we needed an outing since our
usual foray to the Farmer’s Market isn’t an option right now. I’m happy to say the hike was
uneventful. Nothing scary happened — no rattlesnakes, no mountain lions, no rude dogs (or people). We did, however, see another dog pulling …
This week’s class took place along a busy, outlying trail. Lots of pedestrians, bikes, other dogs. But, there’s good shade in many spots and a creek/ditch for swimming. Despite
set-backs recently, I went with an open mind. I was ready to click anything that resembled something I want. That meant weathering a couple odd moments. …
It’s finally starting to warm up around here. Summer, it seems, may have finally arrived. And, that means … Lilly is losing her winter undercoat. I knew the winter was rough (cold,
windy, long), but the extent of hair she’s losing, tells me that her little body knew it too. …
Seriously. I’m putting my foot down. Lilly and I have a
veterinary appointment this morning, and I’m asking for them to draw
blood according to exacting standards, and I’m shipping the blood to
Dr. Jean Dodds at Hemopet in California for detailed thyroid testing. She’s considered by many to be the ONE WHO KNOWS when it comes to
canine hypothyroidism. …
I’ve met many really neat people through Lilly. There are several with whom I’d love to enjoy a more social relationship. But, here the catch. Most are too busy training and trialing to
ever accept an invite. And it’s hard to be buddies with people who can’t seem to squeeze you in … ever. Or, who almost never answer their phones. So, while all this training builds canine
relationships (or at least strives to), I’m beginning to think it just might hamper human relationships, except in situations where everyone is at a dog event anyway. …
I hate flexible leashes. Hate them. Hate them. Hate them. Based on the pretty common sight of these leashes in the hands of what I’d deem as clueless (or lazy) people, I’ve concluded
that the less you truly know about dogs, the more you probably like flexi-leashes. Those of us with fearful or reactive dogs, know all too well the sound of one reeling full-out and fast. If you are
like me, you likely cringe when that zzzzrrrrr noise is followed by the clattering, skidding, scraping sound of the reel part bouncing down the sidewalk after popping loose from someone’s …
No. You didn’t miss an election. In addition to being the Champion of My Heart, I’ve also decided to embrace Lilly’s latest role as the Mayor of Shutdown Town. And as her chief of
staff, it’s my job to pay attention to her cues, not mine. …
