We have had no measurable rain here since October, that is, until last night. I have to tell you that the impact of the first rain in months turned this environment of mixed conifers into a perfumed wonderland. The thirst of this land was given a sip of water and in return, she went from brown to green, overnight. That, my friends, is the poetry of the rain. The reality of the rain is that I now need to keep a pile of old towels close at hand. Why? I adopted a LONG HAIRED DOG.
She had her first taste of living in the woods, the WET woods, last night and while I was stirring up some sort of mushroom pasta in my cozy kitchen, Rod was dutifully walking the dogs out in the rain. I could do nothing but laugh and then rush for a towel when that big wet girl came careening around the corner of the carpeted hallway (yes, I am not a fan, but it came that way) slipped and skidded her way around the wood floor of the kitchen, leaving great swaths of wet floor. Niiiiiiiiice. This is going to be how we roll, around here, for the rest of what we hope to be the "catch-up" time with rain and snow, now that the "storm door" has been cracked open.
Now, I need to see about 1. whether I can find raincoats for these dogs and 2. whether these knuckleheads will put up with wearing these elusive things. These are NOT Chihuahua's, after all. She, certainly, is going to need her hikes but I don't think that she is going to be a big fan of being soaked to the skin. Hey, Michelle G, what do YOU do, with your English Shepherd? Tank, with his close, Lab coat (Labrador, you silly people) seems to have less of an issue with rain but this girl and her silky soft stuff gets W E T.
This afternoon, we have an appointment at the Smith Flat Vet Clinic, to have Trixie chipped and licensed, sealing the deal between us. When I called to ask for a Well Dog appointment for her (and a check-up for Mr Arthritis), I encountered what I had almost expected, when the receptionist asked for Trixie's breed. I piped up that "she is an English Shepherd" (I had, thanks to Michelle, done my research.) and after a few moments of silence on the other end of the line, I heard her say, "I will have to put her down as a Shepherd Mix because our computer program does not list that breed." I was not surprised but will be curious to see what Dr Kennedy says, today. She has all of the characteristics of this old breed and I aim to stick up for her. :o) Farm Dog. I like that.
This is going to be a test run, our first car ride and first trip to the clinic. Tank can't just hop up into a car anymore (how can a 6 year old dog be hurting like this?) and well, she is an unknown in the equation. All that I know is that when the leashes are brought out of the utility room, the dogs get antsy and nutty, in anticipation of a long walk but we'll see how they do, getting into the car, won't we? Wish us luck.
Today, Trixie will officially become our Forever Dog. That has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? Forever Dog. I have never adopted a young adult dog and while we had a bit of a period of adjustment, she has come around quickly. No more being cooped up in a crate all day and no more "leash only" walks. This sweet smelling forest IS a dog park and while Sasha is buried here, she has got to be happy about the new arrival. I think that she sent her...
Hi Lisa, quick question about Tank and his arthritis...I may have missed this in earlier posts, but is he on a regimen of Dasuquin and Nordic Naturals Fish oil by any chance?
We recently adopted a senior rescue cat, he came to us with no teeth and terrible arthritis, in obvious pain and we had to carry him up and down the stairs. Started him on the Dasuquin http://www.nutramaxlabs.com/vet/products/Dasuquin-for-dogs.aspx
and Nordic Naturals (it's the best, very palatable and active EFAs) and after 6 weeks, he races us up the stairs, barely any limp, much much happier. Even the vet is amazed. I get both from 1800PetMeds, seem to be the best price
Posted by: claire | January 20, 2012 at 08:33 AM
I am going to talk to the doctor about this, Claire. He had "prescribed" fish oil in his diet and doubled it, the last time that Tank was in. He was diagnosed with an elbow problem, when a pup but since the young dogs came into his life, this past holiday season, he has been favoring his hip. Tank gets his fish oil twice a day and I give it to her, too. I want him to be living a happy, pain-free life. He has had quite the time of it, with this cold dry winter. Thanks for the info!
Posted by: Lisa Souza | January 20, 2012 at 08:38 AM