Movie Star

We have been working with Echo on HEELing on walks and DOWNs in the car. I have been trying a new command "Don't make me stop this car!", which usually gets him to lie down.

Echo has been in and out of the car a lot the last couple days. He has visited the drug store, grocery, library, village hall, doctor's office, drug store, department store, and drug store. When out in public, everyone thinks he looks like a movie star, Marley. My guess is that all our Yellows get the star treatment.



This week is Dog Whisperer week. Echo enjoys watching Cesar's projects and any other dogs on television. He watched Eight Below and Fluke this weekend. He watches the dogs and listens to their barking/whining. He was disturbed by the pictures of fetal cats and dogs on a promo for another show - he sat up and started barking.

New Beginning

Echo's "vacation" is officially over. We have been lenient with his training throughout his ordeal so it is almost like starting his training over. The stitches have been out for five days with no separation. To celebrate we went for a long walk to the park for some off leash exercise. He is sleeping soundly.



Yesterday was to the official "New Beginning". Echo was invited to Troy's birthday party which was fun for Troy, but so much fun for Echo. He played with the kids a bit, but most of the party was spent in a DOWN STAY. The only difficult distraction, which I completely blame the Puppy Coordinator for, was a balloon. Echo was entranced by the green orb as it rolled across the floor.



In the evening, we took Echo to another badger hockey game. He was not so skittish this time. He actually followed the action on the ice before we put him in a DOWN STAY.



Many pets and calm greetings as we walked around between periods. However, much to Lisa's displeasure, his dependence on me has seemingly increased. Echo needed to know where I was constantly as we walked through the crowd.

Visitors

Woof! Woof! Woof! (Ho, Ho, Ho)

Mom and dad had a whole bunch of people and visiting pups over the last few days! I had a chance to play with four other puppies. Three dogs were Mindy’s and one was Mike’s. We had a great time! During present opening time, mom and dad put all of us dogs away in our crates because there were lots of little things that we could get into. We wanted to help open presents and stockings. There was also food everywhere! But, no people food for me. I was given the same, old, brown dog food. I don’t understand why I can’t have that better smelling food - I was very good!

Mom has taken the tree and surrounding fence out of the living room. I don’t understand what it was there for in the first place. While fun to look at, trees don’t belong in the living room. It takes away from my floor space.

We also stopped by Sports Products to pick up all the OccuPaws shirts and Jackets people had ordered. I offered to model a shirt but they declined and said I could "wear" a bag instead.

It was really nice and warm yesterday so mom played with me a lot outside. It felt so good to run around the back yard and be a puppy. But a lot of Mr. Snow had melted away. Mom even took Fluff Ball for a little walk as the ice melted off of the driveway. She said it was too foggy to walk on the road, but she and Fluff Ball learned a lot about walking next to each other.

Fluff ball is getting bigger, and does not leak on to the floor as much as she used to. Mom is very happy about that.

Well, I hope all of you Woofs had as much fun as I did over Christmas. Mom says something called “New Year" is coming. I wonder if that is something I can open?

Slick

Tis the Season!

View Dually's Christmas.

Snow Snow Snow

I love Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas to All,

Slick

Present Delayed

Wednesday is finally here. Echo gets a bath. It has been a long time since Echo's last bath and he has been through a lot. He just doesn't smell nice. Spritzing only works on the surface and as a cover up.

On our morning walk to the park we met up with and played with Leinie. Usually mild mannered, Leinie let Echo know who the boss was this morning. She barked at him and wouldn't take any of his puppy shenanigans. Getting out with other dogs for the first time in a while, they enjoyed their snow time.

Immediately after our walk Echo left for the Oregon Veterinary Clinic for suture removal, to be followed by a long bath. First we weighed him and he gained five pounds since the surgery. However, while taking the stitches out the vet commented that Echo should "remain calm" for a couple days and NO BATH for another week. His activity is more restricted now than after surgery.

Oh well Lisa will have to wait another seven days for a Christmas present from Echo.

Am I in Trouble??

Woof! BrrrWoof!

Zowie, I sure got mom mad today! I don't know what her problem was. I was just enjoying the deep snow!!! I remember she was calling me and there was something about me not wanting to come….it was too cold for her to chase me around…….and the snow was almost over the top of the backyard fence.



But, the snow is so much fun for puppies like me. Sure the snow is up to my belly, but I can charge right thru it - powder flying!

Mom did not think it was fun. She sinks up to her knees and with her two legs, she had trouble moving around the yard. So the next time we went out, she put a 50-foot lead on me to make sure I came when called.


That was not as much fun as I couldn't race up and down the hill and dive off the wall into the snow. She said she allowed me a “little slack” today because I have been so cooped up in the house,,,,but she also said I’d better be good next time. She worries about me walking over the top of the back yard fence and getting lost.

Lost?? I won’t get lost,,,I’m a big boy - I know where we live.

But, I did promise to try harder.

Slick

Yummy

Hi fellow woofs,

Did I tell you I like snow - but I don't like salt!!! That salt stuff humans use to not slip, really hurts and burns my footsies. I'm not sure what's going on, but I can play in the snow for an hour but walk in a salty ICE cold slush puddle and I can't walk - it hurts!!!

OK, enuff whine with that cheese - yesterday there was no salt at Shelton's so off to my corner while Mom, Dad, Joe and Karen ate ....I got NOTHING by the way :-(


But I did get quite a few nice pets and greetings when we left.

Brrrrrrr,
Slick

Wrestling

It has been too cold for the dogs or me to get much exercise outside. A la Cesar, we tried Echo on the treadmill, but he didn't want to walk on it. He kept being propelled off the back. After that I introduced Echo to my bike on rollers. He quickly understood to stay clear and instead caught a nap next to me while I biked.

The only indoor exercise that both dogs seem to like is wrestling. This is not an approved OGDA behavior, but we cut them a little slack due to the weather and the fact that Echo is still technically on vacation.



We did get out for a short walk this evening. The snow was packed down and very slippery. Both dogs were having a hard time stopping. Echo was running toward me and forgot about the road conditions and knocked my legs out from under me. On the way down all I was thinking about was not falling on him and hurting him. Fortunately there isn't any video or pictures of that.
.

IceMan

We administered the last doses of medicine to Echo yesterday and he has returned to twice a day feedings with dry food. The stitches will be removed on Wednesday and then he will get a much needed bath.

We went our our first outing since his operation - just a quick trip to the grocery store. Upon entering the house after our trip, Echo was growling and barking at the window. While we were out a stranger appeared in the window.



He didn't want anything to do with the "IceMan" until we turned the lights on.

SNOW DAY

Did I say I love snow!!!!!

"Ornery Men"

Woof,

Well, Mom's really lost it now. First she planted a tree in the house, next she put fire flies that twinkle in the tree, then she hung stuff on wires (I think she called them "Ornery Mens") on the tree.

Now yesterday she covered lots of boxes with paper and put them under the tree. I told Fuzz Face that the paper pulls right off which she thought was so much fun. So I told her if she brought me a couple of them there "horn mints" thingies I'd play tug with her.

Well fellow pups, Mom didn't think it was all that clever so she decided to build a fence around the tree and take away all our fun!!!

She even said we couldn't look at the tree. What's a pup to do for entertainment if he can't get his lil sis in trouble???

Slick

Road to Recovery

Echo is well on the road to recovery. He has started eating his regular (softened) dog food, 1.5 cups three times a day plus a few treats. The feedings coincide with the doses of medicine to protect his GI tract. His walks to the park have also returned, albeit somewhat shorter.

His coughing has lessened and the incision appears to be healing well. The only other evidence of the operation are the shaved areas: one on his front leg from the IV and a large area on his belly which show the scrapes from the razor.

Other than visiting Nicole the other day, there haven't been any trips. Even though he hasn't gotten out, he still received a treat from the clerk at Walgreen's. Lisa stopped at the drug store and Al, the clerk, asked about Echo. She explained his situation and the clerk went back to his lunch to retrieve a cookie to take home for Echo.

Sainted Clothes??

Woof! Woof!

My little buddy, Evan, was over yesterday. We had a lot of fun playing. He pets me really nice too!

Mom also for some reason put a tree in the living room! Then, she put lights on it….She has been acting really strange. On top of it all, she hung red socks on the wall.

Does that have anything to do with Scented Claws? Not sure what or who she is talking about. And who is this other guy Stained Nicolopoalas...human blah blah babble.

Slick