Charlie Gets Sick

Poor Charlie

Charlie got sick this weekend. We don't really know why: garbage gastritis (he tends to try scarf stuff from off the ground outside), too many treats (yep, we're sometimes guilty of this), giving him the wrong treats (there's one that makes him yucky if he gets it too often), sneaking something nasty from Munchie's litter box, a cold, a virus or just clearing out his system.

Dogs get sick. It's a fact of life that no matter how healthy your dog is, you will eventually face the fun and joy of diarrhea, vomiting or both. There is a reason the old saying is "sick as a dog!" The good thing is, the healthy dog rebounds with a cold wet nose, wagging tail and happy snuggles with relative speed. The problem is, it's  never fast enough when you feel slightly panicky that he's sick to begin with.

I woke up Saturday morning to (if you will excuse the expression) a huge pile of "puddin' poo" on the bathroom floor. Even when sick, Charlie sticks to laminate surfaces rather than the rug, thank goodness! I got up early because I knew he was not feeling good. He was trembling slightly when he was pressed up against me in bed, he was licking his lips and swallowing over and over and his nose wasn't the cold wet weapon of choice I normally feel on my arm or back. I couldn't believe he had 'done the deed' inside, but when he looked shifty-eyed and guilty and bowed to me, I knew it was his doing and immediate took him outside.

The nice thing about this complex is we all greet each other with pj pants on and Medusa hair. No one judges. I didn't even take the time to put on my glasses, just on with the leash and out with the Charlie. Good thing I did, because he proceeded to do it again, to a smaller degree, on the grass around the corner from our apartment. I praised him for waiting until he got outside, took him home and gave him a bath, cutting the wealth of hair from underneath his tail and on his bottom to make clean-up easier.

Have I mentioned yet how glamorous owning a dog can be? 

He enjoyed the bath, and after I dried him (and he scootched himself out around the living room) he settled down for a sleep. The only treat I gave him was a bit of cheese, which made him ecstatic.

Having had pups for years, I kind of have a game-plan when dogs are sick:

1. Cut out the extras. Just stick to bland food such as rice with a bit of meat and veggies or the regular dog food.
2. If you want to give a bit of a treat, cheese is a good binder and the favorite of most dogs.
3. Give your pup a bath. It calms them, cleans them and saves them cleaning up their own mess. Cut off the extra hair if you have a furry wonder like Charlie. It saves a lot of grief.
4. Don't give them any milk products (other than cheese) while they are down and under. It can affect their stomach and make them even more sick.
5. Cut back on the flavored rawhide or other goodies. The beef flavoring can actually make them sick to begin with if they have too many of this sort of treat and can exacerbate their vomiting or diarrhea.
6. Use bottled water. The problem could be in the water from the tap. This doesn't have to be a permanent thing, but in Spring, especially there can be bacteria in the water that affects your pup's tummy.
7. Check the grounds around your place to make sure there is no junk or cigarettes or anything else your pup can sink their teeth into and scarf down. I did the patrol after Charlie fell asleep.
8. Bring them outside a little more often, to encourage 'going'outside rather than inside. Pet them and praise them when they don't mess the carpet.
9. Let your pup sleep as long as he wants. Some may sleep the balance of the day and wake up feeling much better. Chances are, their tummy ache cut into their sleep the day or night before. Sometimes all any of us needs is a good sleep.
10. Start re-feeding slow and easy. No junk for a bit, a bare minimum of treats. If your pup is still sick after a couple of days, he may get dehydrated and you may want to consider a visit to the vet.

You sometimes forget just how much your pet means to you until they are 'under the weather.' It's easy to take their health for granted, and when they are young, it's difficult to imagine what life would be like without them. Both Mike and I pale at the thought of life without Charlie. Munchie is getting  up there - he's going to be 14 next month- but Charlie will only be 2 years old at that time, and somehow while you can make your peace with the impending possibility of losing an older pet, it's not to easy to consider losing your younger kid. 

The main problem isn't what you feed your dog, most of the time: it's what he ingests outside. I don't know why a cigarette or a piece of gristle by the BBQ may appeal to them, or a dried out piece of bagel or a wrapper. No one really understands a dog's taste. Try get what they snag off the ground out of their mouths right away. I know it's difficult - they clench their teeth and may even growl. If you put your finger at the open space at the back of their teeth (right at the back of their muzzle), their mouths will open (it's a reflex) and you may be able to scoop it out.

The same goes for the home. You may have left an elastic band or twist tie lying around, and in playing with it, dogs or cats have been known to ingest it. Don't give your dog potatoes, alcohol (you know this!), or chocolate. Be careful of house plants and wrappers. If they grab something off your plate, there's not much you can do, but do whatever you can to make home safe for them. And just like children, don't let strangers give them treats, since it may not be good for their diet.

Enjoy your pets when they are well and celebrate life with them, but remember that illness is part of life, too, and we've all taken on that responsibility when we adopted or purchased them. L'chaim!

Charlie's Christmas Day

As Christmas got closer and closer, Charlie got a little more excited. He knew something was up with all the wrapping of gifts, the sneaking around and hiding things and especially when we tried his reindeer collar and ears on for the first time. He even got to tolerate wearing them after a couple of false starts.

  

On Christmas Day,  his nose didn't stop twitching, sniffing ham in the oven. This time, when our buddy Pam came over, he only barked for a bit before recognizing her and settling down on her lap for a good old-fashioned petting. Imagine, 3 pairs of hands to pat him and rub his ears instead of 2! Could any little dog ask for anything more? Even he and Munchie achieved a Christmas truce!

His 'cute' look

He loved his new toys, especially the soft, fuzzy ones. He even got the idea of taking a few out of the stocking himself. I got the chance to wash his old toys (finally). He didn't much like that but he was occupied. He doesn't like squishy rubber or hard toys, he likes the ones that 'talk' or make music, the stuffy ones. I think that if Munchie doesn't go into his crinkly Santa bag soon, Charlie may end up peering out of it soon. 

His favorite new Santa toy to cuddle with and nibble on

We had the best Christmas with out little buddy. It's hard to imagine life without his little shiny eyes and big wet black nose. We can't imagine not having him insisting upon being cradled when we're watching TV, or his nose poking us for attention. It's tough to imagine not having him squished between us in bed or not laughing at his earnest expressions when he 'talks' to us and we answer him. We look forward to what is yet to  come.

Adopt a pet today, adopt a pet for life. You won't be sorry. Happy New Year!

Charlie and his 'dad' Mike

You Can Teach a Young Dog New Tricks

 You Can Teach A Young Dog New Tricks

Charlie and the Giant Fish that Mike bought him

Dachshunds are supposed to be notoriously stubborn and difficult to teach. Cocker Spaniels are intelligent and loving dogs. Charlie, a mix of both, is changing all the rules as he settles into domestic bliss in his home. Sure, he still pulls at the leash, but he also listens to verbal cues and definite non-verbal tugs on the leash when we have a different destination in mind. He also knows the meaning of "car-car ride" and "going to the mail box" or "let's go to the garbage," heading in the right direction without needing us to guide him. He's also learned to be a real clown.

Charlie has discovered that nothing is more fun than making us laugh. I have to admit that I often find myself chuckling and even chortling at his antics, which makes him so happy. Tongue out, he runs around the apartment, only to return and poke his nose at me to make me laugh again.

Guess who?

He's also found out that "Where's Charlie?" can be a great game to play when I am making the bed. He thinks he sneaks under the blanket without me seeing him (yeah, right) and then he wriggles around in delight, covered, until I say "Where's Charlie?" By the third repetition he can't contain himself anymore, looking more and more like a sand worm from Dune as he rears around, nose poked up, waiting for my "Peek-a-Boo!" as I uncover him. We don't get out much, ok? We need to make our own entertainment!

He's also turned into "Daddy's Little Boy" at the computer. It isn't enough to have his own chair by our computer chair - oh no! He complains until Mike takes him onto his lap while he's playing his games or fixing up his fantasy football or horse racing stats. I have often caught them with Charlie lolling on his back, tongue hanging out, while Mike absently pats his chest or stomach. He calls him "Good Luck Charlie" or "Bonus Charlie" when he hits a lucky slot play online. What characters! And me, the only girl in the house!

When we watch TV, he is often between us, soaking up attention. And forget my crocheting when  he wants to flop down on his back on my lap: he just clambers on up over yarn and project, staring me right in the face until I put it down and then he throws himself backward into the crook of my elbow for me to talk to him and cuddle with him. When we go to bed, who crawls into the valley we create? Sometimes I have to wonder who's training whom, and who's learning the new tricks, anyway, but I have to admit, for love and enduring entertainment value, there's nothing like a Charlie in the house! And, between you and me, it's given Munchkin a new lease on life. I actually caught him rubbing his head against Charlie the other day. It lasted a brief moment, until Charlie started chasing him again, but still.....

Charlie's Olympics

Charlie's Olympics

Dreaming of fame as he waits for the Wrestling or Reverse Chase Events?

With the end of the Olympics, it's become evident that we have had some Olympic-qualifying events going on in our home and we didn't even realize it. Here, in a humorous vein, are events or accomplishments that should be included in the next Games. Please take note <ahem>:

Munchie, his greatest competitor on the course

1. The Reverse Chase. Charlie begins the course with a taunting and teasing of Munchie, only to have Munchie finally begin to walk away in disgust. In a surprise move, he tugs on Munchie's tail which causes our cat to suddenly reverse direction and the chase in on! It's an epic course - over couches, under coffee tables, around toy obstacles, through Munchie's tunnel and into furniture (ouch) before things calm down. Ah, but once you think it's done, it's Charlie in pursuit of Munchie, who does the smart cat thing: He climbs his cat tree and sits there eating treats, smugly looking down on Charlie! The winner of the gold has yet to be determined. [This looks like the Steeplechase event, with the obstacles changing on a daily basis]
2. The Toy Throw. Charlie's favorite night-time game is to bring his favorite toy and place it ON your foot. He stands there, staring until you finally look down. Let the games begin! When you slide his toy on the floor, he slides after it, trying to get it before it hits a wall or the door. He brings it back, waiting patiently for you to do it again (if you don't respond, he pokes your bare leg with his wet little nose, or gently nibbles at you until you play the game). This continues until he finds another interest, hits the food bowl or plops down to go to sleep.
3. The Throw & Cuddle. This is a new event in our home. Charlie has begun to throw himself backwards onto the crook of your arm when you are seated on the couch, to have his belly rubbed and have you cuddle him. If you ignore him, he stands on your lap and stares you in the face, catching you with a quick tongue if you are not quick enough to escape. Munchie finds this disgusting, and gives it a "0", but who is he to judge, when he is the master of the Insistent Nudge?
4. The Insistent Nudge. This is Munchie's premier coup. When he wants attention he will either stand on the computer desk and nudge you, weave through your legs and nudge (or nip you) until you give him attention, or silently steal your seat and wait for you to make the "ACK" noise as you try to avoid sitting on him. He also has been known to emit a loud "MAAA!" to get your attention and attempt to make you levitate off the bed.
5. Running in Circles (aka Laps). When Charlie gets excited, I would challenge any Olympiad to match him for laps! Ears waving, eyes wild, tongue hanging out of his mouth, he runs in circles at the end of his tether until we either laugh so hard we have to sit down, or until he is done and plops on the ground. Sometimes a team event with his friends Abby or Duchess. He prefers this because the leashes get tangled and he may have the opportunity to escape.
6. Hurdles. Charlie can leap over or onto pretty much everything in the house, except the cat tree. He is still in training. His forte: Levitation for 5 or more feet as he jumps from the foot of the bed in pursuit of Munchie (often followed by the Reverse Chase). His downfall: Crashing into Mom's legs with an oomph when he's looking behind himself instead of looking where he's going! His triumph: This doesn't stop him at all as he changes course and chases Munchie.
7. The Bark and Talk. While other dogs rush the window to bark, when Charlie is shushed, he is working at dialogue with his humans. He "talks" with different pitches   and sounds to get his meaning across, and has been known to stealthily creep across the floor to poke his nose through a window slat before emitting a loud "BARK" that reaches approximately 2 decibels. Often followed by Hurdles as Charlie tries his own Great Escape. I wonder how he would do on that TV show??
8. The Sneaky Tongue. We never know how long Charlie's tongue was until we witnessed him standing on the floor, trying to sneak his tongue sideways into our dinner plate one evening. This may not be an Olympic Event, but it's worthy of any spy - a real covert affair. Maxwell Smart, eat your heart out!
9. The Tail Chase. This event has only occurred once or twice since we adopted Charlie, but it is worthy of any greyhound or horse racing event. When he chases his tail, his solid little dachsie body contorts to resemble a doughnut as he spins, first slowly then ever so quickly to catch that elusive tail. He caught it once...and had no idea what to do with it! I can only imagine that many dogs would enjoy competing in this event. He is currently training with Munchie by use of The Reverse Chase.
10. Wrestling. His favorite Olympic Event. He waits for you to catch him on the bed, and flips over to wrap his paws around your arm. Emitting sounds (much like a bear) he wrestles you for possession of your limbs. When you flip him over and press him down again, he loves nothing more than to take your hand in his mouth and suck on it. Well, maybe that's not the best idea for an Olympic event, but he sure loves it! Also takes place on the couch, the floor, the chair....

Charlie the Champion at rest (or is he just waiting for the next Throw & Cuddle?)

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.

Charlie on the Hunt!

Charlie at his window post

                                                                   

Charlie has discovered the joy of the hunt. Lately, whenever we are outside, he can stand and inhale a scent for 5 minutes and then set off in hot pursuit of the next scent...or maybe the same scent in another location? Whatever the case, it has him captivated. Usually I have the patience to stand and wait for him to finish, but other times it's a case of "will you get on with it already!?"


It's gotten to the extent sometimes that he foregoes play with his "Friends" and politely declines a pat from his human admirers ("No thank you, I am busy pursuing this most captivating scent but will get back to you later...") Why is it that whenever I think of him having a human voice, it's British? Is this strange? Oh well...


I looked up the history of the dachshund, his main breed. They were bred long and low in Germany to hunt badgers (Dachshund = badger dog). I can believe it. He's pretty tenacious. His gentle nature comes from his Cocker Spaniel side, but, then again, Cockers were also used to hunt as gun dogs, so I guess he gets that from both sides of his breeding. The Cocker is a happy, little tail wagger, a devoted, intelligent and gentle breed, while the Dachshund is curious, mischievous, intelligent, devoted, affectionate and performs tricks. This breed is also pretty independent, which Charlie demonstrates on a daily basis. I can definitely see both sides of his breeding in him! It's an interesting cross!


He can entertain himself with his toys, looking out the window, running around the house or napping for long periods, but then he gets lonely and he climbs into our laps and gazes into our eyes. We flip him over and cradle him as we rub his chest. His mouth hangs open and he gazes into space. It's pretty cute. That's his favorite form of cuddling. Then he's off again to his other pursuits, usually chasing our cat Munchie or (more likely) being chased by Munchie these days. They are quite the pair as they sit on their respective dining room chairs looking out the windows!


When I see how watchful he is, I can definitely recognize the watch dog in him. He won't approach a person if they have anything in their hands. And he is quite protective of me when we go on walks. But he's always friendly and ready to play with his friends, or make the acquaintance of a dog he doesn't know. Right now Charlie is a little upset with me, lying beside me as I type with his nose buried in his blanket. All because a dog that isn't allowed to play passed near us and I didn't bring Charlie close to play with him. There are a few whose owners prefer to keep at a distance. And that's the prerogative. But try explain that to a playful pup! It's almost as bad as telling a little kid that Billy doesn't want to play with him! To make it worse, Munchie chased him when we came inside again. And I just realized that I forgot to give him his "good boy" treat. Whoops. Triple whammy!


My previous dogs were a purebred mini poodle and a terri-poo. Their temperaments were very different. They were eager-to-please dogs who were exceptionally territorial and protective. They tended to sulk in their dog beds when upset and were slower to forgive than Charlie. They pranced more and were more like little circus performers. But they were also very intelligent dogs who learned quickly and did their best.


That's what I like most about canines: their unconditional love and devotion.


That's it for today. Next time, we'll take a look at a few other dog breeds and see how they are the same and different, and there will be more on the adventures of Charlie Dog as he explores his world.

Crabby Munchie Cat at his vigil (watching Charlie)

                                                               

Peace in the Valley

We have achieved some kind of peace in the valley over here. Munchie permits Charlie into the bedroom now, where he is vigilant in standing guard over us while we sleep (heaven forbid the cat should jump onto the bed!) and Munchie patrols his old hunting grounds in the living room once again. Sudden moods still cause chaos and a general flurry of excitement. But we can now leave the bedroom door open. Personally, we think Munchie has discovered that Charlie's "Bark" is worse than his "Bite."

Charlie, the original hot dog after running around outside

Unfortunately, Charlie has also managed to chew through another cord leash. We won't be using those anymore. It's just too easy for those teeth to chomp right through!


He gets great pleasure in running outside. He and his friends love to do laps around and around us pet parents, snagging us in the leashes if we're not careful and causing a lot of laughter.  One thing we've definitely discovered is that there is a lot more laughter now in our home than there used to be. Oh, we were always happy, but now you can hear us laugh out loud a lot more often.


Charlie likes that!


He's getting more snuggly now that he's more comfortable with us. He loves to lie on his back, cradled against Mike, and have his chest rubbed. He likes to lie beside me in bed (yes, he still sucks and chews my fingers - some things never seem to change!) and nestle behind my knees. That's just what my "old" dog, Brandi used to do. I've missed that!


He and Mike have a new game. Mike gathers all Charlie's toys, and when Charlie starts poking his cold wet nose against Mike's leg, he plays the "go find your toy!" game with him. I can hear them playing late at night, sometimes. Charlie and I play the "run like fools around the house game," with me chasing him and going "GRRR" to make him run. Good cardio <wheeze wheeze>. 


So, for now, there's peace in the valley indeed. Life is good.

Charlie Takes Over the Apartment

Waiting for Mike to come home

We knew the day would come...Charlie has officially taken over our apartment! We came home to find him lying on the back of the love seat the other day. He had discovered it to be a wonderful place to spot passing dogs and their owners. I can only imagine the yipping and yapping during our absence. He also loves to lie there and wait for us to come home.


He has made his presence known in many ways: toys strewn throughout our home, dashing out the outside door when it's opened, sneaking into the bathroom to investigate the litter box (ewww), finding his favorite sleeping spots and spying-on-the-cat places. He and Munchie have been in the same room at the same time for the past couple of weeks now, without incident. The only time he really takes exception is when Munchie sniffs his dog bed; the only thing Munchie doesn't like is when Charlie curls up on the bed beside Mike. 


We have moved the furniture lately, and Charlie has discovered the joy of my new rocking chair, too. We vie for the seat now. He usually wins, since there's also a couch and love seat for me to sit on (and besides, he looks so CUTE sitting there!)

Charlie the Cute Dog on my rocking chair

He also leaves little "love offerings" - no, not the negative kind, just sweet little things. Toys in your shoe, little chewie bones between couch cushions, placing a toy on Mike's foot when he is at the computer, stuffed toys on the kitchen floor, things like that. We get a kick out of it. He really feels at home now, and shows it in every way.

We've learned to watch where we step (there's quite a "squeaker" on several of his toys!),  to pet him and give him attention while watching TV, to interrupt our use of the computer or while I knit, to take him outside or just rub his ears and jaw (he really likes that). Mike sings and does a little dance with him (I really have to get that on camera one of these days) and I talk to him...a lot...while working around the kitchen or cleaning up the place.

He's not fussy about the vacuum, but he has a reprieve. It's given up the ghost temporarily so we also have the pleasure of little tufts of black hair everywhere. It helps that he loves being brushed (another form of attention?) but I can't keep up with it! The joy of a long-haired dog! Now we have orange and white fur from Munchie AND black tufts from Charlie. *Joy*.

He is Mike's navigator when they come pick me up. Mike's talking about bringing him to work with him on his security job to keep him company - once Charlie settles down a bit, of course. They are devoted to each other, and nothing could make me happier. Charlie is my daytime buddy and he's Mike's night-time companion. Works out well all the way around! 

Yes, he's part of our lives now, and we are delighted with the little dog who was once hiding, overwhelmed, in the back of a cage and who now runs our home. Like Mike says, he really is "The best investment we ever made!"

"Love offering" in my walkies shoe

Charlie the Wonder-Goat

                                                           
I think we misnamed Charlie. Right now I call him Chewy Dog, or Chuckie Chew. He is either teething or is a goat in dog clothing, because nothing is safe around him. What happened to our "good boy?"

I came home from work the other day and the first thing Mike said was that Charlie had not been a good boy. I thought 'uh oh, what did he do now?' Apparently, he chewed the leash right off the holder. You know, one of those nice little expandable leashes that allows the dog to run around like a fool, dragging you behind him? I looked at him and said "Char-lie..." which is obviously the signal for him to now run around yapping and happy to have attention. The excitement stopped when I said "I guess it's the short leash for you!" He has learned what "short leash" means. It will be another week before we can afford a "good leash" for him, and no, it won't be the one with the skinny little cord coiled up inside. Charlie chews through that like paper!

And speaking of paper.... Anything left on the floor is now fair game, including items he can reach from the coffee table, shoe rack or couch. On Saturday, I found (on the living room floor):

• a chewed up toilet paper roll
• a shredded paper towel sheet
• a sliced and chewed piece of advertisement
• a wrapper gleaned from an unsecured garbage bag
• my two "dog walking shoes" - nothing new to that one, he likes to nibble and sleep with them. Guess that reminds him of the fun of walkies. He likes nothing more than when I ask, "Charlie, where's my shooooooe?"
• Every toy from his toy box and one beanie baby from the dining room table that wasn't even his!

He had been a busy boy while I was teaching and Mike was asleep.  None of this bothered me as much as when he unrolled half a skein of yarn and totally wrapped himself in it, happily sucking on it while he played. Ewww. Char-lie!

Mike and our neighbor, Buster's dad, reminded me that "He's just a baby. He is going through a phase. Maybe he's teething?" Uh, no, not teething, but he's definitely pushing the boundaries, just like kids. I know he's young, and I love his boundless energy and enthusiasm for everything and everyone. I saw, yesterday, that he is starting to differentiate between folks he knows and people who are strangers. And he is very leery of anyone with something in their hand. Maybe it's something learned as a stray, or maybe it's just that we are his family now and he is being protective.

Whatever the case, he's still our pup and we love him, although I wish I had his energy when I was cleaning up after him. Charlie the Wonder-Goat indeed...

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)

The Great Hunt: The Instinct to Hide Treasure

The Great Hunt: The Instinct to Hide Treasures

Charlie believes in The Great Hunt. He is the best dog at hiding his favorite treasures than any other dog I have seen or owned! He finds little hidey-holes in the couch cushions, behind boxes, behind the file cabinet, under the desk, by the TV stand, under his blankets (great for tripping!), on the ottoman, in empty boxes.... Wherever there is a little space, he will hide a treasure!


One of his favorite hiding places is his toy box. He loves to take out all his toys, put a special treat or bone in there, and cover it all up with toys again! Then, some time later that day or even later in the week, his little nose will follow an invisible path and then it's "Oh boy oh boy!" as he rediscovers his treasure, gleefully throwing it in the air and settling down to gnaw on it. Sometimes I don't understand dogs, except for the times when we have found a forgotten treat for ourselves in the freezer or cupboard... Maybe it's not so hard to understand them after all!


The great hunt for toys is only superseded by his great hunt for the elusive scent trail. His schnozz buries itself in the grass as he scoots it along, searching for that missing scent. Sometimes his head startles up and he sneezes when he finds something amazing! Then he cocks his head, looks at me and I swear he's smiling! Off to the next adventure.


Life, for Charlie, is indeed one adventure after another. Every day is new, the same old walk is different each time he takes it. He walks along the red curb like an intrepid circus dog, balance sure, trotting along. His balance is so much better than ours! This morning, he was so busy sniffing and exploring that he barely acknowledged a little dog he hadn't met before. He gave some cursory sniffs, a friendly wag of the tail, but he was totally distracted. It's compulsive, he had to search? Is there such a thing as OCD dogs, or is this instinct so deeply buried that they have to act on it? How he fights the leash when I try to tug him another way! But he is learning to obey (when he wants to).


There are always more dogs for Charlie to discover, new cats to spot, new birds to watch, and more people to charm. Even folks who don't particularly like dogs like him. He is so earnest and open! That's a dog's nature, isn't it? Last night, on our last walk before bed, he met Bella and her owner. The girl had seen Charlie before and thought him "adorable" (he took her compliment in stride, sniffing her toes and accepting a pat). Bella was over 4 times his size, a big gangling 2-year old baby! Charlie and she played, jumping, pretending to attack, hunkering down in the grass to slither toward each other. I think he's found another kindred spirit! Bella was enchanted to have a new friend; she sought him out twice during the course of that half-hour walk. Charlie was thrilled with his new friend. Now, when we walk past Bella's apartment, Charlie pauses to see if she is coming out to play, just like Chewie pauses outside our apartment to see if Charlie can come out to play. Just like kids!


Speaking of walks, it's pretty much time for our next excursion. I wonder what sniffs he will discover this time, and how many sneezes will mark his excitement as he finds an old trail. I wonder which buddies and new friends he'll find this time? Sometimes I think we live vicariously through our dogs! We have met so many new people since embarking upon this adventure! There's nothing like being adopted by a dog to give you a new lease on life!


(next time: The Meeting: Charlie and Munchie's Showdown)

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)