Dang it, I picked up something over the weekend at the trial. Mum just got back from taking me to the vet and I have something called - gastroenteritis.
According to Wikipedia (one of our favorite research sites):
Gastroenteritis is a general term referring to inflammation or infection of the gastrointestinal tract, primarily the stomach and intestines. It can be caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, or other parasites, or less commonly reactions to new foods or medications. It often involves stomach pain (sometimes to the point of crippling), diarrhea and/or vomiting, with noninflammatory infection of the upper small bowel, or inflammatory infections of the colon.
It started on the last day of the trial. After my last run I got the "Big D", that's what Mum calls diarrhea. I get it sometimes because I have IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) which I get from eating anything with artificial stuff in it - like colorings, preservatives, and the like. But this time the "Big D" persisted.
On Tuesday night, Mum withheld my food for 24 hours, which we thought did the trick, but nooooo....I threw up a little tiny treat that Mum gave me for coming in from outside. And then I had the "Big D" again. That's when she rushed me to the vet.
They stuck a ouchy needle in my leg and took blood. Luckily Mum got that poo sample before we left and they analyzed that. All my test were in the normal range, but when they looked at my poo under the microscope all kinds of squirmy things were in there - way too many Aunt Bonnie said - she's our vet.
So they stuck another needle in me to give me medicine. And gave Mum a supply of nasty tasting pills I have to take twice a day. And the worst part is that I can't eat any solid food for 36 hours, and then when I do get to eat food, it has to be soft food, like yogurt, cottage cheese, chicken noodle soup, for 5 whole days. What the dog?????
Well we are entered in a trial this weekend, 'cause you have to enter weeks in advance. So it's all up in the air. Mum's gonna watch me closely, and if I'm not up to par, we won't go. But she says if I get the zoomies, or start herding birds tomorrow, we may still go. We'll just have to wait and see.
Drat it all!
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Why do we pick, who we pick?
We were reading an article in PetMedsOnline.org about the top 10 most intelligent dogs.
The list included: Border Collies (that's Gracie's primary breed), Shelties (that's me!), Australian Cattle Dogs, Rotties, Paps, Labs, Goldens, Dobies, German Shepherds and Poodles.
This started me thinking. Is intelligence, everything? Sure, the intelligence of us pups helps the humans train us and keep us out of trouble more easily, perhaps. But I'm sure it doesn't make the two-leggers love us any more, or less.
So why do certain humans pick certain dogs? Is it because intelligence seeks intelligence? Brawny, picks brawny. Skinny, picks skinny? Is it a physical attraction, an energy attraction, a look?
I asked Mum about this. Why did she pick me? Why is she crazy about me and why does she drool when she sees certain dogs?
Here are her answers:
Johann: Mum, why did you pick me at the shelter?
Mum: I picked you because you were, #1 very cute, #2 because you let me hold you and didn't squirm away, and #3 you didn't seem like you wanted to eat the cats at the shelter (very important to our resident cats).
Johann: What is it about me that you are so crazy about now?
Mum: I admit, I didn't know I was getting an energy machine when I adopted you. But, now I love all your energy and life, it adds so much more to my life. You make me exercise, get out of the house, get away from work when I've been there too long, meet friends, and more. And even though you have all that energy, you will still cuddle with me on the couch while we watch TV. I love that!
Also, you are very smart, just as the article said. I love watching you learn, and finding out things you know, that I didn't know you knew. You always want to please me and it seems that I am the center of your universe. That makes me feel very special (even though it carries with it, much responsibility).
Johann: If you were going to pick another dog, what kind would you pick?
Mum: That's a tough question, buddy. But I'd have to say that I would pick a pup that you, Gracie and the kitties got along with, was intelligent, attentive, had lots of energy and drive, but still would like to cuddle. A pup that was curious about life, but yet wanted to check in with me often. And, just to be superficial - I am partial to black and whites, with some fur to ruffle up.
Johann: Would you pick me again, now that you know much more about dogs?
Mum: Now for the real toughie, huh? I encourage people to read about different breeds before they select the type of pup they want to add to their household. Because a good fit is very important. I admit, I didn't do that when I went to visit you at the shelter.
The nice thing about you and me, bud, is that we got lucky. We are a great fit. I'm really glad you needed something like agility to expend all that energy, because I just love it, and I know you do too. And I love your loyalty, faithfulness, willing to please attitude, and (as you get older) your independence. So, the answer is a definite, YES!!!!
OK - readers out there in blogging land; Mum and I are curious - why did your two-legger pick you???? Tell us, we'd love to know.
The list included: Border Collies (that's Gracie's primary breed), Shelties (that's me!), Australian Cattle Dogs, Rotties, Paps, Labs, Goldens, Dobies, German Shepherds and Poodles.
This started me thinking. Is intelligence, everything? Sure, the intelligence of us pups helps the humans train us and keep us out of trouble more easily, perhaps. But I'm sure it doesn't make the two-leggers love us any more, or less.
So why do certain humans pick certain dogs? Is it because intelligence seeks intelligence? Brawny, picks brawny. Skinny, picks skinny? Is it a physical attraction, an energy attraction, a look?
I asked Mum about this. Why did she pick me? Why is she crazy about me and why does she drool when she sees certain dogs?
Here are her answers:
Johann: Mum, why did you pick me at the shelter?
Mum: I picked you because you were, #1 very cute, #2 because you let me hold you and didn't squirm away, and #3 you didn't seem like you wanted to eat the cats at the shelter (very important to our resident cats).
Johann: What is it about me that you are so crazy about now?
Mum: I admit, I didn't know I was getting an energy machine when I adopted you. But, now I love all your energy and life, it adds so much more to my life. You make me exercise, get out of the house, get away from work when I've been there too long, meet friends, and more. And even though you have all that energy, you will still cuddle with me on the couch while we watch TV. I love that!
Also, you are very smart, just as the article said. I love watching you learn, and finding out things you know, that I didn't know you knew. You always want to please me and it seems that I am the center of your universe. That makes me feel very special (even though it carries with it, much responsibility).
Johann: If you were going to pick another dog, what kind would you pick?
Mum: That's a tough question, buddy. But I'd have to say that I would pick a pup that you, Gracie and the kitties got along with, was intelligent, attentive, had lots of energy and drive, but still would like to cuddle. A pup that was curious about life, but yet wanted to check in with me often. And, just to be superficial - I am partial to black and whites, with some fur to ruffle up.
Johann: Would you pick me again, now that you know much more about dogs?
Mum: Now for the real toughie, huh? I encourage people to read about different breeds before they select the type of pup they want to add to their household. Because a good fit is very important. I admit, I didn't do that when I went to visit you at the shelter.
The nice thing about you and me, bud, is that we got lucky. We are a great fit. I'm really glad you needed something like agility to expend all that energy, because I just love it, and I know you do too. And I love your loyalty, faithfulness, willing to please attitude, and (as you get older) your independence. So, the answer is a definite, YES!!!!
OK - readers out there in blogging land; Mum and I are curious - why did your two-legger pick you???? Tell us, we'd love to know.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
From the founders of Petfinder.com - it's PetVideo.com!
Have you seen this site? Petvideo.com!In March of 2006 Internet and media veterans from PetsIncredible.com and Petfinder.com announced the formation of PetVideo.com: a revolutionary broadband portal catering to the interests of current and future pet owners which launched in the summer of ‘06.
PetVideo.com’s interactive pet content will ultimately be available through a variety of mediums including broadband, cable and video on demand. These highly interactive videos will celebrate the human-animal bond and, as one would expect from the founders of Petfinder.com and PetsIncredible, will even include a special channel featuring videos of adoptable shelter pets.
Shows featured on PetVideo.com provide viewers with advanced interactive features to navigate relevant, high quality videos designed especially for pet parents. Show topics include behavioral issues, entertainment and lifestyle content, quick tips and much more.
The Police!
Back in the 80's, BD (before dogs), Mum was working and living in downtown Indianapolis; living a very urban, single, young lifestyle, and working her way up the corporate ladder. She loved listening to The Police back then. She started listening to them then and has listened to them ever since.
Now The Police are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their recording debut with a double disc Police Cd. This CD collection, released on June 5th brings back a lot of memories for her.
The CDs include 28 of their biggest hits including, 'Bring on the Night', 'Every Little Thing She Does is Magic, Roxanne, Walking in your Footsteps, and their first single, 'Fallout'. And with purchase you receive a free vintage poster.
Click on this image to go and view an awesome banner where you can watch The Police's videos, listen to tracks from The Police's new 2 CD hits collection through the jukebox, enter to win a trip to NYC to see The Police in concert, tour schedule information, ringtones, and view details about their current world tour. You can even send the link to a friend.
Their Eyewonder banner, it's a great place to find out about the latest and greatest from one of the most successful bands of all time.
This is gonna be a great CD to introduce a whole new generation of fans to the greatest of The Police. We think they will love it, just as Mum did and still does!
Now The Police are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their recording debut with a double disc Police Cd. This CD collection, released on June 5th brings back a lot of memories for her.
The CDs include 28 of their biggest hits including, 'Bring on the Night', 'Every Little Thing She Does is Magic, Roxanne, Walking in your Footsteps, and their first single, 'Fallout'. And with purchase you receive a free vintage poster.
Click on this image to go and view an awesome banner where you can watch The Police's videos, listen to tracks from The Police's new 2 CD hits collection through the jukebox, enter to win a trip to NYC to see The Police in concert, tour schedule information, ringtones, and view details about their current world tour. You can even send the link to a friend.
Their Eyewonder banner, it's a great place to find out about the latest and greatest from one of the most successful bands of all time.
This is gonna be a great CD to introduce a whole new generation of fans to the greatest of The Police. We think they will love it, just as Mum did and still does!
SIRIUS Satellite Radio announced recently that renowned animal intuitive and communicator Sonya Fitzpatrick will host an exclusive weekly animal advice and call-in talk show, Animal Intuition.Animal Intuition will launch in early spring 2007 on SIRIUS Stars, channel 102. Sonya Fitzpatrick will help pet lovers understand and connect with their pets-both living and passed on. Sonya, the former host of the Animal Planet program "Pet Psychic," is popular with animal lovers everywhere whether they are skeptics or believers. A lifetime animal advocate, Sonya has the extraordinary ability to communicate with animals and to teach people how to see things from the pet's point of view.
On Animal Intuition, Sonya will invite questions from listeners about any pet, from the usual household menagerie of cats, dogs, and birds to horses, pigs, iguanas, llamas, camels, and more. Guests will be a part of every show, from experts such as vets and animal shelter workers to celebrities that love pets.
And if you're looking for Sonya's book - you can get great used copies from JohannTheDog.com!
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
A little first aid!
We were just reading about our blogging friend, Tish, and how she saved her pup Cruella from choking one day. Whew, thank dog she knew what to do!
It's so important to know information on how to perform the Heimlich and CPR on your dog! You just never know what can happen.
Helping a Choking Dog
The Heimlich Maneuver for Dogs and Cats
How to Give Your Dog CPR
Pet CPR and First Aid
You can also check with your local American Red Cross has pet first aid classes.
Here is an educational video on how to perform CPR on your pet.
And see this great story about a police officer who saved a dog using CPR!
It's so important to know information on how to perform the Heimlich and CPR on your dog! You just never know what can happen.
Helping a Choking Dog
The Heimlich Maneuver for Dogs and Cats
How to Give Your Dog CPR
Pet CPR and First Aid
You can also check with your local American Red Cross has pet first aid classes.
Here is an educational video on how to perform CPR on your pet.
And see this great story about a police officer who saved a dog using CPR!
A couple of great tugs!
JohannTheDog.com has a bunch of new toys available, here are just a couple:
Tuffies Tug-O-War Dog Toy
Dogs go nuts over the Jersey Bar dog toys, which are made out of braided cotton/polyester t-shirt jersey material. These toys are soft and comfortable enough for your dog to really grab and hold on to, and the fringe makes the toys exciting for him to chase and shake. The Jersey Bar dog toys are also soft for the human member of the team to hold (you can use the fringe for a handle) and have just a little bit of give to make tugging more comfortable.
These items are available at JohannTheDog.com through Clean Run. Remember, when you purchase through our site, 10% of the profits go to dog rescues and shelters!
Tuffies Tug-O-War Dog ToyFinally a soft dog toy that lasts more than 5 minutes! With 3 layers of material and 7 rows of stitching, Tuffie's Soft Dog Toys are the most durable soft dog out there. Each toy is stuffed with safe, nontoxic fiber and has two or more squeakers in it. There's a protective pouch around each squeaker as an added safety measure in the unlikely event your dog gets to the core of the toy. Tuffie's toys float, and they are washable (air dry).
Dogs go nuts over the Jersey Bar dog toys, which are made out of braided cotton/polyester t-shirt jersey material. These toys are soft and comfortable enough for your dog to really grab and hold on to, and the fringe makes the toys exciting for him to chase and shake. The Jersey Bar dog toys are also soft for the human member of the team to hold (you can use the fringe for a handle) and have just a little bit of give to make tugging more comfortable.
These items are available at JohannTheDog.com through Clean Run. Remember, when you purchase through our site, 10% of the profits go to dog rescues and shelters!
Sunday, July 01, 2007
We're beat!
We're back from the final day of the USDAA trial this weekend. What a long and fun weekend!
Had four runs today - pairs, standard, snooker and jumpers.
Pairs - This is so cool! When I was just about 12 months old and too young to compete, Mum started taking me to agility trails, walking me around, getting me used to the wild and crazy environment, working a little. Once last summer we met the judge at the AKC trial that we were visiting. Well, the weirdest thing - we were paired with him and his Min Pin this weekend. How fun is that! We didn't Q, but had a lot of fun running together. He and Charlie (the Min Pin) have qualified many times for nationals in both AKC and USDAA and have even placed in some of the AKC nationals. Fun!
Standard - It was getting pretty hot by the time we ran standard today. So Mum was trying something new - take me out of the crate about four dogs before, and running me to the ring as a warm up and taking the practice jump on the way. Well she needs to make sure she really knows the course before she does that! Ha! She hesitated on jumps 4-6, trying to remember where to go, well needless to say I made my own decision and took a jump in front of her. She told me she was sorry and we went on and had a nice run. Mum calls it a brain fart - good thing it doesn't smell! NQ
Neat thing is that at our Jen Pinder seminar on Thursday - Jen and Mum talked about his very thing. Jen said that I read Mum like a book - and that if she hesitates I start to think about what I'm supposed to do, and make my own decision. Jen says that I probably make the right decision about 95% of the time, but Mum and I loose time - not only with Mum hesitating, but if I have to make any decisions. So Jen told Mum to be really, really certain and sure about the directions she gives me, so that I don't have to think, just follow her lead.
Snooker - Yesterdays snooker run was a fabulous course. Today was extremely challenging; with a couple of times that Mum and I had to run about 3/4 of the course without taking an obstacle to get to reds. But Mum tried a new thing that Jen taught us on Thursday, the backing up run - where Mum faces me, running backwards to get the focus and not slow me down, then she throws in the front cross and I keep running at top speed. She did that and it worked great!!! We are going to do this move much more in the future. I loved it!
We got in two sevens went for the four instead of the six, since there was so much running and many weren't making time. We ran great - and was taking the last jump of seven when the buzzer went off. Luckily we got in enough points to Q!
Jumpers - Jumpers, the last run of the day and weekend. Jumpers is my absolute favorite thing - jumps and tunnels. Love it!!! We can really get the speed going. Well I got the 'Big D' right before my run, but Mum thought I was OK. I ran - pretty fast too - but got the 'Big D' again after. Mum thinks I picked up something on the ground and it flared up my IBS - cause when I got home I was fine.
I ran at a pretty good clip, not my best but.....Mum gave me lots and lots of goodboys, and ran with me a lot to keep the speed going and we ended up Q'ing on this run too!
It was a great weekend trial! We had some unbelievable successes and learned a lot; even got to try out some new 'tricks'.
And the best part is.......we have another trial next weekend - AKC. Yippee!!!
Had four runs today - pairs, standard, snooker and jumpers.
Pairs - This is so cool! When I was just about 12 months old and too young to compete, Mum started taking me to agility trails, walking me around, getting me used to the wild and crazy environment, working a little. Once last summer we met the judge at the AKC trial that we were visiting. Well, the weirdest thing - we were paired with him and his Min Pin this weekend. How fun is that! We didn't Q, but had a lot of fun running together. He and Charlie (the Min Pin) have qualified many times for nationals in both AKC and USDAA and have even placed in some of the AKC nationals. Fun!
Standard - It was getting pretty hot by the time we ran standard today. So Mum was trying something new - take me out of the crate about four dogs before, and running me to the ring as a warm up and taking the practice jump on the way. Well she needs to make sure she really knows the course before she does that! Ha! She hesitated on jumps 4-6, trying to remember where to go, well needless to say I made my own decision and took a jump in front of her. She told me she was sorry and we went on and had a nice run. Mum calls it a brain fart - good thing it doesn't smell! NQ
Neat thing is that at our Jen Pinder seminar on Thursday - Jen and Mum talked about his very thing. Jen said that I read Mum like a book - and that if she hesitates I start to think about what I'm supposed to do, and make my own decision. Jen says that I probably make the right decision about 95% of the time, but Mum and I loose time - not only with Mum hesitating, but if I have to make any decisions. So Jen told Mum to be really, really certain and sure about the directions she gives me, so that I don't have to think, just follow her lead.
Snooker - Yesterdays snooker run was a fabulous course. Today was extremely challenging; with a couple of times that Mum and I had to run about 3/4 of the course without taking an obstacle to get to reds. But Mum tried a new thing that Jen taught us on Thursday, the backing up run - where Mum faces me, running backwards to get the focus and not slow me down, then she throws in the front cross and I keep running at top speed. She did that and it worked great!!! We are going to do this move much more in the future. I loved it!
We got in two sevens went for the four instead of the six, since there was so much running and many weren't making time. We ran great - and was taking the last jump of seven when the buzzer went off. Luckily we got in enough points to Q!
Jumpers - Jumpers, the last run of the day and weekend. Jumpers is my absolute favorite thing - jumps and tunnels. Love it!!! We can really get the speed going. Well I got the 'Big D' right before my run, but Mum thought I was OK. I ran - pretty fast too - but got the 'Big D' again after. Mum thinks I picked up something on the ground and it flared up my IBS - cause when I got home I was fine.
I ran at a pretty good clip, not my best but.....Mum gave me lots and lots of goodboys, and ran with me a lot to keep the speed going and we ended up Q'ing on this run too!
It was a great weekend trial! We had some unbelievable successes and learned a lot; even got to try out some new 'tricks'.
And the best part is.......we have another trial next weekend - AKC. Yippee!!!
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