There is nothing I like better about dogs than walking them along new routes. Heidi's limp is finally back under control, so we went on a little adventure today. Mind you, there were no off-leash romps on the itinerary!
Today, we walked south along Metcalfe and I had every intention of just doing a little square. We got to the point where we would turn back towards home and I looked at Heidi, who seemed to be having fun and not limping, and then at Reese, who loves romping outdoors for hours, and decided what the heck, let's turn away from home and see where we end up.
We ended up finding this pretty little stretch of park along Patterson's creek between the canal and O'Connor street. We were the only ones there. Birds were chirping. It was serene. I love that. It's better than church or meditation to me. It's a time to just be outdoors, enjoy what it has to offer and watch my two dogs loving every minute of it.
Now on to the rest of my day after that great start!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Learned my lesson
This morning I was woken up by the sound of Reese's stomach growling. It was so loud, I thought maybe she was going to be sick or something, so I got up at 5:30am and took them out for a walk. We ran into a friendly neighbourhood dog, Sasha, and her owner. We chatted and the dogs frolicked. I decided to let Heidi and Reese off leash since it was so early and quiet. I figured it had been more than 8 weeks since Heidi's surgery and we've been gradually lengthening her walks, so she'd be fine for a little romp.
Wrong.
She was limping slightly on the way home. I thought she just had snow in her paws.
Wrong.
After resting at home, it was quickly apparent that she was limping badly again. I'm not sure whether it's good or bad, but it's not the leg that was repaired surgically. It's the other side. Our home vet said that she had severe hip dysplasia on that side, so I'm guessing it's her hip that is sore.
So, we're back to very restricted walks and we'll see how it goes. Hopefully Heidi will be back to normal before we know it. Unfortunately for Heidi, I think this is the end of off leash for her. It just isn't worth it for the pain she goes through afterwards.
Wrong.
She was limping slightly on the way home. I thought she just had snow in her paws.
Wrong.
After resting at home, it was quickly apparent that she was limping badly again. I'm not sure whether it's good or bad, but it's not the leg that was repaired surgically. It's the other side. Our home vet said that she had severe hip dysplasia on that side, so I'm guessing it's her hip that is sore.
So, we're back to very restricted walks and we'll see how it goes. Hopefully Heidi will be back to normal before we know it. Unfortunately for Heidi, I think this is the end of off leash for her. It just isn't worth it for the pain she goes through afterwards.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
In search of a patient groomer
The dogs were a little difficult to manage on our morning walk this morning. I think it was a combination of things - there was fresh snow on the ground (which they ADORE) and they had extra energy from yesterday because we didn't walk as much as we usually do when it's not so frigid.
They romped, pulled, rolled in the snow (well, Heidi did that) and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
When we got home, I decided to give Heidi a bit of a haircut. She develops this tuft of hair on her chest that makes her look like a lion. It's very cute, but it gets tangled and matted. Her trim looks pretty good for a home jobbie. She's very well behaved during the trimming and brushing too.
We haven't taken them for a grooming since Heidi began to limp. Now that her limp is gone, I'm hesitating because I'm worried that she won't be able to stand up for hours while they do the bath and grooming. I don't want grooming to be a traumatic experience for her and I also don't want to be a pain in the arse customer at the groomer.
Anyone know what groomers think of arthritic, post-operative dogs who can't stand up for long periods of time?
They romped, pulled, rolled in the snow (well, Heidi did that) and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
When we got home, I decided to give Heidi a bit of a haircut. She develops this tuft of hair on her chest that makes her look like a lion. It's very cute, but it gets tangled and matted. Her trim looks pretty good for a home jobbie. She's very well behaved during the trimming and brushing too.
We haven't taken them for a grooming since Heidi began to limp. Now that her limp is gone, I'm hesitating because I'm worried that she won't be able to stand up for hours while they do the bath and grooming. I don't want grooming to be a traumatic experience for her and I also don't want to be a pain in the arse customer at the groomer.
Anyone know what groomers think of arthritic, post-operative dogs who can't stand up for long periods of time?
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
They listened!
Anyone who has met my dogs knows that they are uber friendly, so much so that they cannot contain themselves when they meet people, and a part of their greeting ritual is jumping up on people.
I know this is a bad habit.
I know Caesar Millan would say it's our fault because we aren't practising discipline and boundaries with our dogs.
But.
We did try to break them of their jumping up habit. But obviously we weren't consistent enough to stop them. We pretty much have Heidi trained not to jump (she's the bigger of our dogs). Reese, however, is another story. She is a very energetic dog. When we come home, she pogos on two legs like a circus bear to greet us. I have to admit, that although it is bad in the dog manners department, it is super cute. So, Reese is still a jumper. Especially if it's someone she knows and likes.
This morning, after our usual walk (thank goodness it isn't as cold today!) we saw our neighbour as we were exiting the elevator. The dogs zoomed forward enthusiastically and I was expecting a jump (they like him and he likes them). "No jumping." I said.
It worked.
Yay!
I know this is a bad habit.
I know Caesar Millan would say it's our fault because we aren't practising discipline and boundaries with our dogs.
But.
We did try to break them of their jumping up habit. But obviously we weren't consistent enough to stop them. We pretty much have Heidi trained not to jump (she's the bigger of our dogs). Reese, however, is another story. She is a very energetic dog. When we come home, she pogos on two legs like a circus bear to greet us. I have to admit, that although it is bad in the dog manners department, it is super cute. So, Reese is still a jumper. Especially if it's someone she knows and likes.
This morning, after our usual walk (thank goodness it isn't as cold today!) we saw our neighbour as we were exiting the elevator. The dogs zoomed forward enthusiastically and I was expecting a jump (they like him and he likes them). "No jumping." I said.
It worked.
Yay!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Thunder tail
Had a frosty but great walk with the dogs this morning. Met one of our neighbours in the elevator and the dogs were so happy to see him.
They love people, love other dogs, and pretty much love attention of any kind. That part is great. What's not so great is that we haven't been able to train them out of jumping up on people. It's a bit awkward.
Heidi gets so happy when she sees people she knows, her whole back end wags, not just her tail. Our neighbour commented on how he loves that. She definitely knows how to make people love her.
Sometimes Heidi uses "thunder tail" for evil though...like when she shimmies up beside the bed and the wall and uses it as an improvised alarm clock. Thump Thump Thump Thump I guess I prefer that to beeping.
I'm guessing it was because of the cold, but this morning both dogs kept getting what I refer to as "snow foot" - they get snow packed into their paws and begin to limp. It hasn't happened much yet this winter, but I had to rub the snow off their paws several times this morning. Luckily, they don't mind letting me help and then they continue on their way.
Off to do some volunteer work this morning...better pry myself away from the computer!
They love people, love other dogs, and pretty much love attention of any kind. That part is great. What's not so great is that we haven't been able to train them out of jumping up on people. It's a bit awkward.
Heidi gets so happy when she sees people she knows, her whole back end wags, not just her tail. Our neighbour commented on how he loves that. She definitely knows how to make people love her.
Sometimes Heidi uses "thunder tail" for evil though...like when she shimmies up beside the bed and the wall and uses it as an improvised alarm clock. Thump Thump Thump Thump I guess I prefer that to beeping.
I'm guessing it was because of the cold, but this morning both dogs kept getting what I refer to as "snow foot" - they get snow packed into their paws and begin to limp. It hasn't happened much yet this winter, but I had to rub the snow off their paws several times this morning. Luckily, they don't mind letting me help and then they continue on their way.
Off to do some volunteer work this morning...better pry myself away from the computer!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
New Adventures
I plan to send an email off to the wonderful surgeon at Alta Vista Animal Hospital who performed Heidi's knee surgery to say thanks and update him on how she's doing. We're about 6-7 weeks post-surgery now and she is pretty much her old self.
This morning, the girls woke me up early, but not too early (around 7am). We headed out for our morning walk and I decided to try a new route since Heidi can go a little further now. We headed off south toward the Glebe and then cut across to the path along the canal. There weren't too many skaters at that time of morning, but we saw a couple glide by. The dogs seemed fascinated by the ice and were trying to sniff at it from our view up above on the path. They watched a skater go by, I don't think they've ever seen someone skate. They paused to take it in, then we continued on our way.
They trotted along, I walked, it was peaceful. A group of runners passed us, the girls tried to run alongside them in between sniffing the new bushes and rocks.
I'm looking forward to more walks and adventures now that Heidi is on the mend. One of the best things about living downtown is that we have so many options for routes to walk, there's always something new to see and sniff.
This morning, the girls woke me up early, but not too early (around 7am). We headed out for our morning walk and I decided to try a new route since Heidi can go a little further now. We headed off south toward the Glebe and then cut across to the path along the canal. There weren't too many skaters at that time of morning, but we saw a couple glide by. The dogs seemed fascinated by the ice and were trying to sniff at it from our view up above on the path. They watched a skater go by, I don't think they've ever seen someone skate. They paused to take it in, then we continued on our way.
They trotted along, I walked, it was peaceful. A group of runners passed us, the girls tried to run alongside them in between sniffing the new bushes and rocks.
I'm looking forward to more walks and adventures now that Heidi is on the mend. One of the best things about living downtown is that we have so many options for routes to walk, there's always something new to see and sniff.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Care to spoon?
This morning, I was drinking coffee on the couch when Reese hopped up for a cuddle. I was patting her and watching the morning news when Heidi sidled up to us. Usually, when one dog is on the couch and the other approaches, they switch off.
Today, that wasn't the case. Reese wasn't budging. Heidi hopped up anyway. The result...2 dogs, spooning on the couch beside me. Each jockeying to be patted. (Never mind the fact that my husband was sitting on the other couch all alone...)
I've never seen them do this before, although they are fairly affectionate with one another. I'm glad that I got the photos to prove it!
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