A Trip To The Vet

Caelan has had a pea sized lump on his side for a while now. I figured it was just the result of boy will be boys, an injury from a bit of rough play. I didn't feel like it was anything to worry about, but kept my eye on it. The lump was movable and did not seem to hurt him, yet he was aware when I looked at it, and I looked at it often. I hit up Google and began to fret and imagine the worst like most of us dog lovers do. The, nothing to worry about, became something to worry about and we called the Vet. I met my husband at the office and he took him in while I waited with Taren in the Jeep. I don't take the boys in because they do better when I am not there, especially Taren who gets overly protective. I sat there with a vice around my heart waiting. I could see the examination room from my viewpoint, and watched as the vet examined KK, although I could not actually see him. Seems Caelan has no more than a clogged up sebaceous gland for which I will go back to keeping my eye on. Fluid was aspirated and it was measured for comparison sake, and all is okay. Thank goodness. I rather felt like the overly protective doggy parent, who needed to back away from Mr. Google, but you can't put a price on the feeling of relief that comes from knowing those you love and cherish are well, and that a bump is just a bump. A rather unsightly and clogged bump, yet and still, just a bump.

I wanted to share KK's Valentine photo for the year with you. He is such a good sport.

The kit I used can be found for download (free) here:

http://www.shabbyprincess.com/downloads.asp

Let There Be Cake

Caelan wanted nothing to do with his cake. Taren, chow hound extraordinaire was all over it. I think it was the candle. So after letting big brother show the way, I will post photos tomorrow, we blew out the candle. No go. So then we removed the candle. Still not buying it. We then took it off the table and put it eye level and then he thought he just might give it a go. The sweet potato frosting was big hit.

In case anyone wants to know, the cake is a meat cake. I made it with nearly fat free organic ground beef, carrots, whole oats, rye, barley, flax and wheat germ. It is held together by two eggs and mashed sweet potato.

The white frosting is mashed potato and plain yogurt.

The orange frosting is mashed sweet potato with low fat cream cheese.

The orange dots are thinly sliced carrots.

I wanted it to look like a dog food bowl, and I kept staring at KK's bowl wondering just how I was going to pull that off. Hmmmmmm......I wonder...... I grabbed his bowl, greased it up, pressed the meat in the dish and baked it. When it was done I flipped it over on a plate and scooped out the center. That my friends is the best idea I have had in a long time. I let it cool and frosted it, which was so much easier than I had imagined. I then pushed in the carrot dots, and ran some frosting around the bottom edge. I am telling you, it was so easy. I am not a cake maker or decorator. I am a pie girl. This cake came out so much better than the one I made at Christmas- for people. That one looked like garbage, seriously.

I did manage to do one really stupid thing, which I am not up to admitting at the moment, and still cannot believe I did, but we'll get to that. *blush*

What Lurks In The Shadows

German Shorthaired Pointer Stalking Squirrels

Morning comes early at our house. I feed the dogs straight away, because Taren is pretty sure he is on the verge of starving to death if you do not. I pour my coffee, and nuke it so it is extra hot.  Just the way I like it.  Then drown it in creamer and fake sugar. Yes, I am well aware that somewhere in the world a gourmet coffee grower just heaved a great sigh. I then trudge upstairs, turn on the computer and proceed to drink my coffee. Bothering me before the caffeine flow is firmly established is a bad idea, a badddddd idea. I hear the door open, and the boys rush outside to potty, and then I hear the barking. They normally never bark so I wonder what is out there in the dark. I yell out the window a sharp- Caelan!  His pitch and fervor rise. It's 5 a.m.- Hi Neighbors! Good Morning! Somewhere in our neighborhood I am sure someone is thinking- Gonna shoot me a dog. I run down the stairs, I never want to be *that* neighbor. I get Caelan to begrudgingly come in, and I proceed to drink my now not optimally warm coffee. Grumble.....  As the morning progresses I let KK back outside and he rushes to the edge of the deck, stands, and leans over the railing. His entire body is quivering. I usually throw bread over the edge for wildlife, so I was expecting to see a deer or two. I know, bad habit.  I look over the railing and I see what appears to be a cat. I go back into the house thinking, That was kind of a weird looking cat.  So I look out the window and sure enough it was a weird looking cat, up and until he turned into the light. It appears we have ourselves a possum. I grab Caelan, yell at my husband to come look and make it snappy, and shut the door in a hurry. You know, because they can levitate, hurl themselves at your face and suck out your soul through your nostrils. Okay, maybe not, but their eyes glow red and they growl, and not in a very nice way. Have you seen their teeth?! So while my coffee is now stone cold, I know what lurks in the dark, and am none too happy for the knowledge.

It's Friday! Aroooooooo!

German Shorthaired Pointer

One of the boys has big feet!

It's Friday and not a moment too soon. My friend and I were just discussing how this week has lasted an eternity, maybe two. Anyone have any big plans? It has been so rainy here that we all have a bad case of cabin fever. I think we will head into the big city, as opposed to small town America were we live. The boys will head to doggie daycare to romp with their buddies and burn off some stream. One of their favorite friends is a girlie. A 200 pound Mastiff, with a very dainty name like Daisy. Daisy is anything but dainty and is more along the line of slobbery, but she always makes me smile. Their other best bud is a wild black Lab, and I do mean wild. That should not surprise any of you in the least. He is owned by a very, very, petite older woman that gets drug across the parking lot every time she drops him off. We just hold open the door and get out of the way. He makes our two look like perfect angels, which they are of course. (ahem) I love doggie daycare. The boys get to socialize and they come home exhausted and sleep the evening away. However, the best part is they do anal glands for three dollars. Three! Squeeze away! You weren't eating were you? =o) I would pay ten times that not to have to do the nasty, but I am keeping that little secret to myself. The boys play away the day, and get groomed. Mom and dad spend the day not having to worry if we are straining anyone's bladder. It's a win-win in my book. So how about you? What's up?

Happy Friday!

Trouble 2011 Edition

Well, he made it to the 11th, that's something, right?

Somebody has been a baddddd boy. (bad)

He's still the best speckled boy around though. (sort of)

As always, textures compliments of the ever generous and talented Jerry Jones of Shadowhouse Creation.

Cowlicked

See that tuft of hair sticking out on the side of Caelan's neck. I love that spray of hair. That is the perfect storm of hair convergence. There is a ridge of hair that runs down his neck, and a ridge of hair that runs up his neck, to form a swirl. It is a precise circle within a circle. Have you ever seen a BB shot through a window? That is what it looks like. In the very center is a tiny ring of hairless skin. With the length of his lush winter coat it looks to have a bad case of static. In the summer it lays flat. All dogs have markings or identifying features that makes them uniquely them, this is Caelan's. That and the large splotches on his side resembling Micky Mouse ears. Which I am always sorely tempted to glue eyeballs on. Just for kicks. My friends Weimaraner, Starr, has long ears. Taren has a freckle on his lower eyelid. What makes your pup stand out from the pack?

Starr's Long Ears

Actions compliments of the ever generous and talented Rita at the CoffeeShop Blog.

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

I have been a good boy this year. Nearly perfect. The best boy ever. Even better than my brod'r, and certainly better than those fluffies across the street.

Well, I did eat the momma's three cell phones. I couldn't help myself they were so shiny, and new. The last one was red, you like red.

Then there was that Direct TV remote, but they charged the daddy for a new one, and new is good. Aroooooo!

I did steal my momma's fancy memory foam pillow, and dragged it to the backyard, but she has lots of other pillows and this one was really funny shaped anyway.

Oh, and I did tear a big hole in the side of the chair, and ripped the trim off, but the momma has been wanting some new furniture, so I was only too glad to help, I loves the momma. I have been a good boy.

I am sorry I ate those two collars, that pair of sandals, all those books, measuring spoons, that briefcase and daddies glasses. The eye Dr said that happens a lot and he gots a new pair. I have been a good boy.

Then there were all those kitchen sponges. I really like the green ones, but the blue ones aren't half bad either. I really like to helps the momma in the kitchens. I like to help put the groceries away, like the time I took the brown sugar out behind the A/C, the French bread, and the cornbread too. I likes breads. Oh, and I like the toilet paper also. If you pull hard on it, it unwinds and unwinds. I like that game. Momma closes the door now, but I bring in big dirt clods from the backyard and chew it all ups on the carpet. That is almost as fun. I have been a good boy.

I really like to bark at the fluffies across the street, the fluffy down the street, and that cat behind our house. I like to do my part to keep the neighborhood safe. Momma says, the neighbors must just love me, and I know they do. Aroooooo! I have been a good boy.

I know I have been good Santa. Momma says I am the best speckled boy around. I snuggles with her at night and I keeps her warm. I helps her cook dinner every night, and I drag the dirty clothes downstairs to helps with the laundry. I really love daddies yummy smelling exercise clothes and I only hide the socks once in a while. I like to take out the garbage too, I eat what I can. Anything to helps the daddy.

I am a good brod'r too. I only steal Taren's suckies once in a while. Not near as much as I want to. I like those stupid cats too, I help them clean up their food everyday so they don't have to. I always plays tag with the black one, but he bites. He's bad, but I have been a good boy.

Please Santa would you brings me lots of new toys for me and my brod'r. A big bone too. Maybe something for the stoo-pits. They are not smart, and they meow a lot, but they are fun to chase. I loves to eat them. I loves them.

I have been a good boy!

xoxoxoxox Caelan

Sniff

Caelan, also known as K-K, the Freckled Wubba, and my baddest boy is getting a complex from his momma dishing the dirt on his naughty exploits. So for today, I am going to tell you something good about my boy. Caelan is the best snuggler hands down. The dogs sleep with us. Yes, I know, we are bad. It is just so hard to resist a good cuddle when they are puppies. Then all of a sudden they grow up to be big dogs, bed hogs and blankets thieves. Before you know it, a bad habit is born. Caelan likes to sleep right next to me, curled into the curve of my stomach and chest. He is oh so warm and comforting. He also likes to be under the blankets, where he so often ends up with most of the blanket. If you scoot over, he scoots over. He stands up, turns in a circle, and makes the cutest noise three times, and exactly three times. Puts his feet as close to your body as he can get and flops down in his rib crushing way. Which is really wonderful in the winter, not so spectacular when it is 90 degrees outside. Sometimes he snores. It doesn't bother me, I find it rather soothing. However, sometimes you wake up in the middle of the right to find a drooling dog face half and inch from yours on the pillow and it can be a little disconcerting. Not to mention the wet spot on the pillow. We have a lot of pillows so I just flounder about in the dark until I find a clean, dry one. K-K may be the resident bad boy by day, but at night he kind of turns into a pussy cat and that is just the way I like it.

Actions compliments of Rita at the Coffee Shop and you know where the texture came from. =0)

Many thanks to both for their generosity.

CoffeeShop Blog

Choking-So Scared

Caelan is a snuggler. He was sitting right next to me last night, as in glued to my side, chewing on a bone. I watch the boys when they have bones because Taren is a power chewer and can break big pieces off. I am always afraid he is going to choke. Caelan is not near as interested in chewing on bones, he is more interested in the rest of the house, and doesn't break off the large pieces like Taren. Except last night, when he must have broke off a larger, or odd piece.

Taren was standing in front of me, and I was telling him he is the best dog EVER, besides Caelan, and yours, and yours, of course. =0) I heard Caelan make an odd sound, and I turned to look and he was swallowing hard, over and over. I knew it was going to be bad and it was. I started rubbing his throat to see if I could feel an obstruction and help him ease it down. When that did not work, the fear began to set in.

I tell my husband to pick him up and hang him upside down so we could help dislodge the bone. I think my husband thought I was nuts and half hearted tried to comply. Caelan is a big dog. He is above standard in height and weight. Much larger than Taren, and it was not working. Your mind takes you places you do not want to go, and you realize very quickly your dog may die in your living room. I mentally think about the phone number to the E-Vet that I keep in an emergency file on my computer. It dawns on me that I could call, but it would be far too late and that how all this unfolds will be up to my husband and I. My inner mind is running around in circles, flapping it's hands, all the while shrieking and having an epic meltdown. My calm self races upstairs and Googles- dog Heimlich Maneuver, while my husband tries to help Caelan.

I yell down the stairs to pick him up by his back torso, legs off the ground, and shake him to help dislodge the bone. I keep reading, and I am thinking, please, please, please..... do not let this dog die, because I seriously can't do this right now. Can't do this, can't do this, can't do this....

I run down the stairs and try to do the maneuver, afraid to do it, afraid not to do it, afraid I am doing it wrong. It is not helping and Caelan is struggling to swallow. I do not know if he is breathing or not, and I think how much I love this dog, and I have never felt so helpless in my entire life, and please just let this work. You are in a dark place and it's not good. I tell my husband to run up and read about the Heimlich himself, as he is working to dislodge the bone. Then K-K opens his mouth the tongue pops out and you can hear him breathe. He is still swallowing hard, but you are pretty sure it is going to be okay, he is going to be okay.

 He trots over and drinks a bunch of water, and I point a moth out to him and he goes in for the kill and sweet relief courses though my entire body. You have your dog back, long may he and his home wrecking ways live. I on the other hand, feel on the verge of a heart attack, so awful. He continues to swallow hard on and off, and I watch him intently, but I know its over. We go to bed, and he snuggles up tight against me, like he does every night, and I am so thankful he is. Every time he makes a move I am watching and listening in the dark. He finally drifts off to sleep and I have a bit of a good cry, for the love of a dog.

Today he is fine, I am not so sure I am though. I am throwing away all the bones that these pieces break off from. Taren will not be happy. I cannot go through this again, I do not want my dogs to go through this, so we will need to find some new chewers. I do not believe it was a large piece that broke off, just an odd angle. I think K-K just swallowed wrong and it got stuck.

Here is the link to the information I used. I encourage you to read about the Heimlich for dogs and watch the videos that are available on YouTube.  Heimlich Maneuver

Copyright Grey Dog Photography 2010, All Rights Reserved

My Helper



German Shorthaired Pointer

As some of you know I am on my second week of jury duty, six more weeks to go. In an effort to break the ice and pass time I decided to make cookies. If cookies can't get a group of strangers to engage with each other, I don't know what will. The uncomfortable silences are killing me, so let's eat. LOL I dug out my measuring cups and general supplies only to figure out I have no baking soda and not enough butter. *sigh* I have jury duty, I am not suffering the indignity of having to go to the store too. I work out a couple conversions and fast pace it ahead, hoping for the best. The group doesn't know I am making cookies so I figure if they are terrible the long suffering husband, eater of failed experiments past, will have a metric ton of cookies at his disposal. I start to measure out the ingredients and wonder where all my measuring cups went. Then I turn to see where Caelan went, stealer of all things not nailed down. He is on the deck along with two measuring cups, a spatula, butter knife and measuring spoon. His expression indicates he is quite pleased with himself and only too happy to help. I pat my helper on the head, let him keep the chewed up spatula, load the rest in the dishwasher, and drag out some more utensils. The rest of the afternoon goes without issue, with the boys gated off the kitchen.

The cookies were a hit, and for all my misfortune turned out to be really, really yummy. I made peanut butter Butterfinger and chocolate chunk Oreo, and the conversation flowed. I am not sure what I will follow this up with in the coming weeks, but it appears my jury cohorts are eaters.

As always, textures compliments of the ever generous and talented Jerry Jones.

Copyright Grey Dog Photography 2010, All Rights Reserved



Drool Face

Actions Compliments of Pioneer Woman, Thanks Ree!

Copyright Grey Dog Photography 2010, All Rights Reserved

Anatomy Of A Shake

I love to watch dogs shake and flap their ears. I really wish as humans we could do the same thing. It looks like it feels great and they always look so pleased with themselves.

As always, textures compliments of the ever generous and talented Jerry Jones.

Shadowhouse Creations

Copyright Grey Dog Photography 2010, All Rights Reserved

Speckled, Spotted, Ticked

German Shorthaired Pointer

Caelan has the best markings. He has socks on all four feet. Mickey Mouse ears on one side. He is spotted, he is solid. His stomach is ticked pink perfection. See that freckled strip running below his chin? That is my favorite marking. Mainly because it's his best kept secret, you rarely know its there. Unless you are family, chances are you would never see it. The skin under his chin has folds, and is as soft as silk. His fur begs to be rubbed and scratched. For his enjoyment, but more so my own.

As always, textures compliments of the ever generous and talented Jerry Jones.

Copyright Grey Dog Photography 2010, All Rights Reserved

Dog Days Of Summer

Copyright Grey Dog Photography 2010, All Rights Reserved

You Are Bugging Me-Nap Edition

Caelan is a happy boy, with a goofy grin. If he were a human he would be the equivalent of the class clown. He does take one thing seriously though, and that is nap time. He likes to prop his head on the end of the couch, look out the window and watch the squirrels. This poor couch has been through two kids, a herd o'cats, five moves and has long since been replaced and relegated to the pups. He slowly drifts off to sleep to dream about whatever dogs do. If you speak his name he will begrudgingly look your way. If you do so with a camera in your hands, you get the grumpy look. Also known as the, Are you kidding me?, look of doom. The one that says, you own shoes and I know where to find them. It makes me laugh to look at this photo because he is so obviously annoyed at me, rightfully so, and it is a face I have so rarely seen.

 Copyright Grey Dog Photography 2010, All Rights Reserved

As always, textures compliments of the ever generous and talented Jerry Jones.

Shadowhouse Creations

Saturday Morning Fun

German Shorthaired Pointer

Caelan is sweet beyond compare. Good natured, a huge snuggler, likes to be petted and loved from sun up till sun down. He is also the resident trouble maker. As the old adage goes, a tired dog is a good dog, so we look for ways to keep him entertained. A few Christmases back we bought the cats a remote control truck. I know that may seem a bit odd, but they are chasers. We put a tail on the truck and oh, did they chase. When we got Taren he naturally got in on the action as well. He likes to run and bark at it. Caelan was just looking for trouble this morning so the old remote control was resurrected. He absolutely did not know what to make of it. He watched, his eyebrows working, he dodged and weaved, jumping on the couch and up out of the way for a view from above. Finally coming to lean against me, trying to wrap to his mind around it. We filled the trunk with kibble and Taren caught the scent soon enough and the chase was on gobbling piece by piece as he caught the truck. Caelan was happy to get his share from the wayward pieces that fell as the truck skidded around corners. It was quite a sight on an early Saturday morning. I think Caelan will need some time to figure out the true delight of this new toy. Unfortunately, it did not tire him a bit so a walk will be the order of the day. Happy Saturday! Aroooooooo

Copyright Grey Dog Photography 2010, All Rights Reserved

My Bad Boy



Caelan is a sweetie from morning till night except he is a bit of a menace. There is not a day that goes by that I don't exclaim an exasperated, Caealn! You see, Cealan likes to carry things in his mouth at all times, where upon they end up in the backyard. I kept wondering where all the spoons went. LOL He has trained us well. We put things away, move them to the far recesses of the counter corners, and use the microwave as a breadbox, and all around store all. He has a particular fondness for kitchen towels, sponges, and potholders. The dog is quick, you can't turn your back for a second or he has snatched his prize and runs. Of course he wants you to chase, and he bounds and leaps and teases till you do. I am sure the neighbors think we are nuts, but both dogs are spoiled beyond belief so the game is on and we chase. It's a bad habit, I am down to my last potholder. Life is too short not to indulge our speckled boy, so we do. Potholders are cheap.