Bath-Time for Charlie

It's fall, and Charlie's hair is growing back into the wavy Cocker Spaniel hair that he had when we first adopted him in spring. During the summer, it brushed out, leaving his dachsie-like short hair, which was great for keeping clean and meant that we didn't have to vacuum the floor as often. Now, not so much. So once again, it was bath-time for Charlie.

Before bath-time                                                 

Bath time with Charlie is very much like bath time with any 'child' - it's all in the preparation and timing! I start by running the water in the tub (Mr.Curious has to peek in before he runs away). Then we take off his collar (he doesn't like that - it's HIS collar...what are we doing??). And then the fun really begins.

This time Mike was awake to catch the action and we have never laughed so hard as when we tried to capture the blur that was Charlie, in action.

Step 1 - wetting and soaping Charlie

I like to  use gallon jugs to wet and rinse Charlie - and if I keep the water running, it doesn't freak him when I have to replenish water in the jugs to wash the soap off. Here he is, after his first shampoo - being a 'good dog.'

Step 2: Washing out the rest of the shampoo

Charlie doesn't really mind this step - as you can see by his face. I support his chin so I can control the flow of the water. I try keep it out of his nose and eyes. I usually repeat this step a couple of times.

He knows he's a good boy, but he loves to hear it

Charlie enjoys his cuddle

Then it's his favorite time, shaking himself silly and scootching around the living room, trying to get totally dry. Anyone who has a pet KNOWS this step, intimately! It's a wonder Mike could take any photos, we were laughing so hard at this point. No, never AT Charlie, but definite with him as he played the clown. Bath-time was done for another couple of months, and Charlie could relax. Is he ever proud when everyone tells him how soft and handsome he is, his hair gleaming in the sunshine! It's almost worth the effort :)

Sliding around on his side

Resting before another scootch

Clean Charlie - after the bath

Charlie's Split Personality Problem

Charlie in "Play" mode

Lately, we've been noticing a change in Charlie's personality. He's beginning to shy away from some people, even folks he previously greeted with enthusiasm. In discussing this with other dog parents in our community, we  reluctantly agree that he is growing up. He still happily greets his favorite people, especially the dog-owners he got to know and love when we first adopted him, but he won't approach strangers or people he fails to recognize. And he won't go to anyone who has anything in their hands.

Not unlike babies. who enthusiastically gurgle and goo, smiling at everyone they see when they are infants, once they reach 18 months of age or so, most "play shy," recognizing individual features and faces. I think Charlie has reached that stage of development.


When we adopted him, he was so starved for affection that he loved everyone. He rushed to greet the world with wagging tail and a big smile. Now, he realizes where home is, he recognizes us as his family, and things have changed. He's not fearful, just wary. And being part dachsie, he is also very, very stubborn. You can't FORCE him to like someone, or to go against his grain and even accept their pats. Really, you shouldn't force a pet to go against their instincts like that because they may even bite or snarl, and we don't want to start that reaction.


As our neighbor said, maybe it's a good thing in some ways. You don't want him to go to just anyone. I still have to figure out how, but I guess that there is his safety factor to consider. So I suppose the "running away to join the circus" or whatever is now out of the picture.


He and Munchie are now closer, too. At least as close as protagonist-friends can be. Charlie gets so excited when Munchie goes by, and Munchie waits for his playful attack. If Charlie makes a move and Munchie doesn't react, then Charlie will even go so far as to tug at Munchie's tail! THEN he gets his reaction and cat and dog are chasing each other around the apartment. He darts, he teases, and Munchie watches, tail swinging. Then, once the opportunity presents itself, Munchie swipes at Charlie and the chase is on! They are even sleeping in the same bed occasionally, which is a true miracle that we never thought we would see.

Charlie's also starting to vocalize a lot more. I don't mean bark, I mean "rawr rawr" with definite intonations, like he is trying to talk to us! It's really obvious, especially when we are on the computer and he is on "his" chair beside us. Maybe he wants to get onto Facebook to chat with Buster or Chewie, or maybe he just wants our undivided attention, but whatever the case, quite often it's followed by nibbly ticklish pokes to my legs or Mike's ankles. That gets him his attention! He also "talks" to Munchie a lot. Munchie has lately taken to answering with small growls and yowls of his own. The place is like a zoo sometimes: yapping and yowling, bodies flying across the floor. We wouldn't have it any other way.

I have read that Dachsie's are tenacious, stubborn, insistent canines, and I can't argue with that. But if Charlie is any indication, he's also strong, independent, loving and very affectionate. With that comes a strong protective instinct. 

He's still the best "investment" we ever made, and any love we give him is returned tenfold. Once again, all I can do is urge you to visit your latest shelter and adopt a little chatty friend of your own. Life is sure never dull in our household, and we wouldn't have it any other way.

Note: Our pet daddy friend, Buster's owner, laughed when I told him about the vocalizing: he said maybe Charlie would be the type to "sing" and play the keyboard. Dang, I knew there was a reason I wanted a stool for my keyboard! America's Got Talent, here we come!

Life Lessons Learned from a Little Dog

There are many things that are impossible to comprehend unless you have experienced the love and devotion of a dog. When non-dog lovers look at our furry little friends, many of them see is a lot of work or ties that keep you from doing what you want to do. A restriction on freedom.

Nothing could be further than the truth!

There is so much we can learn from our pets. We have learned these and more life lessons from our little Charlie, just by watching him and experiencing his unconditional love:

1. It's ok to be silly. Playing with Charlie: chasing him around the house, tussling with him with his favorite toys, playing fetch or even taking him for a walk, allows us brief moments of pure joy and silliness. And it feels great!
2. Sharing is caring. When Charlie places his little bone in our shoes, he is showing us how much he loves us. When Charlie brings us one of his toys, and looks up at us with bright shining eyes, he is giving us the only thing he has to share: his love.
3. Laughter is good for you. We have done more laughing since Charlie came into our lives that we have in years. Watching him play with Munchkin, the 2 of them chasing each other, or watching him sleep sprawled on his back (looking like a grocery store chicken) has literally brought us to tears of laughter. 
4. Everyone is a friend (until proven differently). Look at people through your pet's eyes: everyone is a potential friend: a loving hand, a kind voice. Even when pets get more wary with age, they still wag their tail before barking. Pets don't judge because of age, appearance, culture or size. Be wary, be watchful but be kind.
5. Family first. Pets love their people before anyone else. They will protect you, put up with your foibles and quirks, adjust to your schedule and always be waiting for your return. That's the power of unconditional love.

We've also learned that he loves us in the morning, when our hair is sticking straight up and at night, when we are so tired that we can barely make that last evening walk with him. He doesn't care what we look like, how we dress or how little money we have. When we give him his "good boy" treat, he is thrilled with whatever he gets. We've found that we, like other dog walkers in our community, stagger out our door with coffee cup in hand every morning, wearing our sweats or pj pants. Pride goes right out the window (and it helps when your neighbor looks no better than you!).

Next time: Charlie's new tricks.

Life with Charlie: the Adventure

Life with Charlie: the Adventure

A hot dog on the deck

Every day with Charlie is like an adventure. Being young, you never know exactly what he'll do, how he will react, or what he will find lurking in the corners. But one thing is constant: his love and devotion and his "friendship" with the other dogs in our community.

We have the equivalent of the "Midnight Patrol" at our place. Do you remember the "midnight howl" in Lady and the Tramp? Where the dogs all howl to communicate what's going on where they live? One howls, the other responds, another chimes in and so on? We have the "Midnight Patrol" here. One dog starts yipping, another yaps in response, a third one barks and then the games begin. Sometimes it sounds like a regular chorus, something out of a "Christmas Dogs" album, only without the musical touches.

Charlie has learned to respond from a spoken command from the bedroom, after I flew out of the bedroom a couple of times when he first started yapping at night. Now, when I yell for him to "give it a rest!" he gives one more muffled "mmph" of a bark and settles down to sleep, his duty done. He is a good watchdog; I just wish it did sound quite so loud at 12 midnight or 1 am! He's learning.

He also understands what I mean when I tell him "We're going to get the mail" or "Let's go to the garbage!" He usually heads in the right direction without being pulled that way, unless a dog distracts him, of course. The cutest thing is that he now looks in my eyes and listens when I talk to him. The other evening, I was telling him "no doggies" because he heard barking on TV and that set him off. He cocked his head one way, then the other, a few times before coming to sit on the ottoman and watch TV with me. I do love it when dogs do that!

And what am we learning? To take cues from him. There was a break-in for the first time in many years in our community, and the dogs alerted neighbors to chase the perpetrator away. Good dogs! We stop more to "smell the roses" (or the cut grass, or enjoy the shade, or talk to neighbors) now that we have him. Everyone has a story to tell and it's good to catch up on the latest scoop from around the complex. We're adjusting to life with dog, as in: " Ok, we can go to three places this evening, but after that we have to go home because Charlie - and Munchie - will have to go to the bathroom by then" or "If we go on vacation, would it be best to take Charlie with us camping or to a cabin, or to put him in Petsmart's Pet Hotel" (the one that Brandi, our previous dog loved so much). It also includes getting him treats when we go bulk grocery shopping, or looking for a cute new interesting item for him or Munchie when we are out and about. Mike's also learned to drive and hold the leash when he comes to pick me up at work - the matter of a 3 minute car ride. I have learned, again, to enjoy the sight of a little furry face smiling at me when they come to get me.

We have learned that every dog is different, even when they seem the same. They make different sounds (Chewie whines as he walks when he sees Charlie, while Charlie kind of grunts. Buster huffs and snorts and Bella flies like the wind). Big dogs love to play as much as little ones, only they tend to bowl the little ones over. It is possible to get wrapped up in a leash and not fall down, just look ridiculous standing there all dolled up with leash like a Christmas tree. We have learned to do the "lasso" move with the leash, rotating it over our heads when Charlie decides to have a good run on the green. And yes, we are already thinking about how much fun Christmas will be with him in the house. Mike's even talking about putting the Darth Vader costume on Charlie this Halloween and going trick or treating... Sure, Mike....

(next article: Charlie at the park)

Belonging to the "Dog Owners Club"

 Belonging to "The Dog Owner's Club" (Responsible Pet Ownership)

When you become a dog owner, either for the first time or the 10th, you automatically belong to a select group: "The Dog Owner's Club." You find doggy poop bags in the dangdest places: in your work pants, in every jacket or sweater you own, in your pants pockets, on the dining room or coffee table. You know what I mean. 

You also become someone who goes outside in the morning, hair and teeth unbrushed and clothing thrown on higglepigglety to bring your little friend out to do their morning "bidness." You find yourself walking your pal at 6:30 in the morning and at midnight. Every walk is an adventure for your buddy, with him or her straining at the leash to sniff the scent they must have smelled fifty times before, more like them walking you than the alternative. Sometimes, intuitively, you and other dog owners avoid each other with a nod or a muffled grunt. Sometimes, you meet and greet each other with a list of your pet's accomplishments or a sharing of their history. You find places near home that you never even knew existed, and meet people that you have never met before. And their pets, of course. You get to know the pet's names before your learn the owner's names, but that's ok, because they are doing the same thing! You become Charlie's Mommy or Daddy!

You also time your activities away from home: "Should we go to the casino after the show? Or should we go shopping first at this place and then at that place before going home?" "Well, Charlie will have been alone for 6 hours by that time, and it's when he normally has to go poop, so..." Spontaneous vacations become a thing of the past (mind you, those of us who have never been able to afford them anyway aren't missing much, are we?). Trips to friends' houses become an adventure. You are on a very different schedule, all of a sudden. Even walking out of the door becomes a trick equivalent to Houdini escaping the water chamber, if you're not taking your pup out with you!

You become one of "those" people...

If you have been parents, you recognize this as similar to having a child. Only, instead of diapers in your pockets, nuks and baby toys underfoot, you have poop bags, dog treats and dog toys to trip over. You worry about feeding schedules, read labels more carefully to see if "meat" comes first on the label instead of fillers, much as you did the contents of your child's baby food jars. You worry about bowel movements, their behavior: "Charlie isn't very active today, do you think he's feeling ok? He did a little barf outside on the walk. What do you think he got into to?" "I'm not sure. I'll check the floor and see if I can find anything..."

When you are an "empty nester" or someone who has never had a child, you find yourself looking at the pet clothing online. I kid you not! Even if you would never dress your pet up, that would demean them, they are animals after all, you find yourself smiling at some of the costumes. Don't deny it, I know you do! We still have that Darth Vader Halloween costume of Brandi's, and Mike said the other day "Wouldn't Charlie look cute in that?"

Yes, you are definitely one of "those" people.

If you have never had a dog, you can't conceive of saying "good boy" to a dog whose leavings you just scooped up with a little green bag over your hand. You can't even imagine walking the same path 4 or 5 times a day, with your little guy investigating the same grass each time. It's difficult to understand how the same people can share the same stories, with mild variations, day after day without going insane. You never could even imagine being interested in another dog's operations, history or adventures, and couldn't even dream of joining in on the conversation. having exactly the same sort of stories to share! How many times can you tell people, "We got Charlie for just $65 at the Henderson Animal Shelter! Aren't the other shelters expensive?" and have them respond that he's such a good boy and the best pet anyone could have? And yes, you are as proud of your pet at that moment as you would have been of your child, even if you won't admit it to yourself. A "good boy" from someone else is like a pat on your back. Is this vicarious living or is this sharing in the growth and development of your little furry "child?"

If you have never had a dog, you have never experienced unconditional love. Sure, cats love you too, but on their terms. They purr, they rub up against you, they like to cuddle and you love them deeply, but it's different. With a dog, a stern glance can leave them cowering, a firm word can make them stop in their tracks. With a dog, a "good boy" can bring a paroxysm of joy unequaled by any athlete. When your dog LISTENS for the first time, and sits when you say "sit" or stays when you say "stay," or when you find them doing something unbearably cute like secretly burying one of your shoes in their toy box and replacing all their dog toys in the box to cover it, and then unearthing it half an hour later, after you have searched for it the entire time <true story>, it's hard not to email or call your friends to tell them. 

You don't mind sitting on their doggy treats, or brushing your pants with a cat brush each day before you go outside. You don't mind going out in the wind, the rain, the snow, the extreme heat, and you tell yourself it's good for your health as well as for their well being. Even when you have severe allergies or feel plain lousy, you can almost enjoy a walk with your little guy. You don't curse (much) when you trip over their favorite toy, and can't refuse when they bring it to you all ratty-tatty and want you to play with them. The lick to the face makes you laugh, the sight of them running around the house with toy in teeth, tongue hanging out the side of their mouth, makes you laugh out loud. Somehow you feel more alive, more in touch with your emotions again, and you spontaneously burst into laughter more easily. You even enjoy the training, the milestones, the accomplishments and the very sight of their little face when you come home. You feel mildly guilty when you have to go out without them.

You have definitely become "one of those people," and aren't you glad?

Bringing Charlie Home and the Aftermath

Bringing Charlie Home and the Aftermath

Charlie (The Good Boy) and his toy box (and favorite toy)

On March 16th, 2012, we picked "our boy" up from the Henderson Animal Shelter. I think he was glad to be leaving there: we heard him bark "farewell" as we walked out the door. It was the first real barking we heard from him, but it wasn't to be the last! 

After an "interesting" drive home, during which we discovered that he really hadn't been in a car very often (if at all), we walked him through our complex, showing him the sights (and many sniffs). On his first of many, MANY walkies, he met one of his new buddies: Chewy. They became friends at first sniff! 

This wasn't really the case with Munchie, who took one look at him, hissed and the chase ensued! It was very soon established that because of his persnickety nature, Munchie would have the bedroom and bathroom as his territory, while Charlie roamed the rest of the apartment. This brought relative peace. For now.

We found that Charlie enjoyed everything: his food, his treats, his blankets, his walks, his leash, his home, his grassy areas outside and us. He proved to be friendly to every human and curious about every dog. In our complex, a new "arrival" is heralded, so by that evening, everyone was coming up and saying, "So this is Charlie?" and telling each other about his adoption. It made fitting in really easy. Have I mentioned how much I love this complex?

Charlie and Mike bonded even more on their excursions through the different walkways. We found out very soon that this place is a lot bigger than it seems! The common green is also a common meeting place for dogs. Within a few days, Charlie knew the routine. Being the good boy he is, we had no accidents in the house. He whined or stared us in the face when he needed out. The only accidents were our fault, when we ignored him, when he didn't feel well or if we left him alone for too long, and to date, that's only happened twice (so far).

It's good to have a dog to walk again, and good to get out and get moving. Now when I talk out loud, I know I am not losing my mind, I am talking to the dog! When you open a door to go out, he's there. When you come home, he greets you with pure joy. When you reward him, he is the happiest dog on earth. The few times we have had to call him a "Bad Boy," he responded by lying flat on the ground and covering his eyes with his paws, We hope that he and Munchie will become friends, and gradually, they are achieving their own peace. 

One thing we know for sure is that he is a pleasure to own, a wonderful new furry addition to our family. It was the right time, it was the right place and he is most definitely the right dog!

Munchie-Cat: arch nemesis and big baby

(Next time: the realities of pet ownership and "joining the owners' club")

Life Before Charlie (a quiet apartment)

Life Before Charlie (a quiet apartment)


Life before Charlie was pretty routine. We had a quiet house - Munchie was the only pet left of the 5 furry friends we had in our blended family when I moved to Vegas to marry Mike. I had gone through raising a pup to an old dog before, a couple of times, but Mike had never had that experience. Brandi was his first experience with Dog Ownership and he loved it. They had a real friendship, formed over the few years during which Brandi was still around.


When we talked about getting a dog, Mike was a bit reluctant. He thought Munchie, as an older cat, was a bit fragile, and he was worried he might get upset by a new addition to the family. On the flip side, we both thought we needed a bit of "excitement" in our lives. I have always had a "multi-pet" household, and had enjoyed the interaction of the animals and their individual personalities. Mike previously had two cats, so he was also used to dividing his time between pets.


Mike finally agreed. So, the day before we were going to go "look at pets," we went to the store. I kind of knew what we needed, by experience, and when I let it be known at work that we were "getting a dog," one of my good friends who had recently lost a pet, gave us some stuff she had at home. We inherited: a dog blankie, dog treat jar, a bag of assorted toys (with which her older dog had never played) and a dog dish. It was a wonderful beginning.


We picked up a big bag of dry dog food (for small dogs), a water dish (with rubber on the bottom so it wouldn't slide around), a doggie bed, a squeaky toy (destined to drive us nuts but well worth the cost), some dog treats and a "toy box" (rubber) to keep all the stuff contained. <Ha!>


Despite grumbles when Mike pulled out his wallet, he was excited, too. So we got everything home and attempted to explain to Munchie what was happening. He didn't particularly care, as long as he got his "ear rubbin's." Mike and I even talked about "territory" if Munchie freaked out when we brought the dog home, or if they didn't get along.  We didn't put the stuff out, because we didn't want Munchie to get the idea that these were his new toys, or supplies. We didn't want that "resentment" built into a new situation.


We were ready, and when Charlie chose us, we knew we would have everything he needed to start him off right. Now all we had to do was bring him home, and let the fun begin!


(to be continued)

Choosing Charlie

Choosing Charlie

Charlie adopted us on Wednesday, March 14, 2012. Mike and I took an excursion to the Henderson Pet Shelter with the sole purpose of finding a dog. We even brought a collar and leash. For the first time since losing our furry friend, Brandi a couple of years ago, we were ready to start fresh with a new pet. Charlie wasn't the first dog we looked at. He didn't even have a name or description posted on the cage. We passed him, noting that he was lying quietly at the back of the cage while his crazy cell-mate, Henry (a brindle chihuahua), was bouncing around like a beach ball on steroids. Of course we took Henry out for "walkies" to see if we would bond. He was a little too much for us, so we looked at a couple of other pets, wondering if we would find a "match."


Every time we went by, the little black and tan dog was there. When he came to the front of the cage, Mike said "I want to see him. I like him." He didn't bark, he just tried to push Henry aside from his frantic bids for attention. When the little black dog had enough, he lifted his lips in a sneer at Henry and put his foot on him to stop him from bouncing around.  That was the only time we saw him attempt to assert himself. He looked at us, tail wagging, and we knew we had to take him out to visit with him.


I think it's was Mike who got lambasted with "love at first sight." He liked his little face, ear that flopped up and his attentive nature. He liked the way he didn't bark (except when he lifted him up to look at the birds awaiting adoption). While I went to the front desk to ask about "no-name," and got his specs, the two boys bonded. He was a stray, about 2 years old, and they didn't know much about him. But he was healthy and "a good boy," passing the remote control "Cat Test" and getting along with the other pets. The staff loved him. I took the leash and let him drag me around the grounds; when I patted the bench beside me, he jumped up and gave me a kiss before jumping back down to explore again. Ok, this was it.


We looked at each other, and knew. This was our addition to the family. We went in to claim him, and found out he needed neutering ("What a lousy way to join the family!" I winced on the way out the door). We were to pick him up on Friday.


(to be continued)