Crazy Dawg Times
Monday, July 29, 2013 at 1:54PM 
The Look!Tomorrow Adele gets to spend sometime with her brother. How cool is that? It will be laughing time for sure for all!
I am finally feeling better but Nathan has a serious neck issue which he refuses to get checked. It started when he went to the funeral and it has only got worse. I say to him you must move it to the point that it hurts just to gain mobility. You can't hold it in place but I get that he is. I think it is stress induced. This loss has been difficult to say the least. We really are missing a dear loved one. Sorry to use this as a venting - I know its about the dogs but we are about the dogs too. They are our lives and so are our families. Without them we would not be who we are.
We get our grandkids on Wednesday as our daughter goes into Ottawa for shiva (mourning for one week) and our one grand daughter can't miss her Bat Mitzvah lessons (she is going daily - thank you Rabbi) as she is playing catch-up due to hospital stays. This last month has been terrible. She is now off the Remicade due to serious side effects (breathing difficulties, rashes - side effects) and is on another drug. This one will take 6 weeks to work but her bat mitzvah is in 4 weeks. It's always something.
As I was sick and I was truly sick I got behind in grooming - never on visitors - just my own. Nathan said he would help and I suppose he did or it would be worse but wow I am playing catch-up today and it isn't pretty. I am working in-between feedings. Dennis is sleeping. I have 3/4 done. I am thorough so I take my time and not just say I do only getting the top coat. I use a comb on all. So time consuming it is.
It's also pouring so what I get done looks interesting 5 minutes later.
I did manage to take a slew of photos BEFORE grooming so you can see what my dogs looks like before I get to work. I brush the dogs before I groom me but to me they count more. That sounds silly but anything that brings me so much joy deserves my work I say.
So when you are looking at yours going oh my they look absolutely atrocious, smile as it happens here too. It's not often but it does. But I am a crazy dawg person and that's all I will say on the subject.
Truffie has been combed since, Roxie not yet. hehe
Dusty has been groomed and gad I love her silky shiny hair. Much to Adele's irritation she was groomed too and so was Benji but Benji decided to go under the deck and well he needs a bath and that's all I can say. I love his personality. He has such spirit but boy he reminds me of Wasabi - not his mom Fiona. hahahaha Fiona is such a princess and Wasabi likes to muck it up, crawl, get dirty and pounce on this or that. That's Benji and I swear he smiles when he comes looking at you as if he just climbed into the dirtiest hole he could find.
This was Benji before this mornings grooming and before he crawled under the deck. I love him anyway. All I can say is I am glad we are getting a new washer tomorrow as its been hell without one and I am almost out of towels and baby blankets for pups.
Abigail continues to play with Adele as if she is a wee pup. I will tell you Adele has a mischievous soul. She is a happy go lucky, let's create trouble soul. She doesn't back down from the bigger dogs being a tad boisterous. She keeps on going till she thinks she has won. Sounds like Jeannie, doesn't it!
We have been blessed to have Brewer join us this month just for the day. His last day is Wednesday and we and the others will miss that fun spirit. Oh Spice you make such wonderful pups.
Brewer is having a blast with Benji. See Irma Benji's haircut and its highly managable and curly and I think it looks great on him. They have the same hair.
This is Sadie and Lola. They both are really mucking it up with the crew and it is nice to see!
This is Brewer and Roxie. Brewer is saying I win! They go back and forth over this winning business.
Lola and Truffie are exceptionally playful with each other.
I have more photos but to be honest I must get back to grooming. We are having a blast. I am too and I am thankful that I feel well enough to play catch-up and enjoy the dogs. They are what makes my heart skip a beat. The hubby and the family does too. :-) I love them for sure!
Darlah
Everyone but Kat, Panda and Logan are brushed. Off to do Panda and Logan then do Kat after next feeding. Glad that is over almost!
Reader Comments (11)
What fabulous photos'. I am so glad you are feeling better.
I am interested in your comments about stress and neck ache, it's funny but I get terrible neck pain when I am due to go back to work after a holiday and I have never related the two before.
Love your pups/dogs loads; and I too need to get stuck into brushing a very un-co-operative Havanese, we manage 10 minutes then we have to stop or the legs go underneath and a tight ball ensues. I don't think I pull the hair as I hold it the way I do my own long hair when it gets wind blown and tatty.
Stress has a physical effect on the body. When you suffer from anxiety, you're putting your body through extensive, long term stress. Your body is in fight or flight mode, and that means that it's releasing hormones that tense muscles and create an overall feeling of general unpleasantness that, in many ways, contributes to further anxiety.
Neck pain is one of the symptoms caused by persistent anxiety. It doesn't occur with everyone – very few anxiety symptoms occur in everyone – but many do experience a degree of neck pain that ranges anywhere from slightly irritating to severe, all as a result of their anxiety symptoms. I notice with Nathan he gets neck issues with stress and anxiety.
Re: brushing - you may not want to hear this but YOU must be the boss. I may get reactions of I don't want to get brushed and I do give high value treats, hugs, massages but they know I am in it till I am done. If you do not you end up with a much larger job then if you persisted in the first place.
I have a friend that is a breeder. She brushes less frequently than me and her jobs are large. I try to say if you put in a solid 10-15 minutes a day and depending on the coats sometimes less and USE a comb, your job is not great. I did all my dogs but 2 now and I will tell you I spent about 15 minutes on each. I hate playing catchup as it means work, an uncomfie dog and a carpal tunnel thing going on. It pays to persist, watch tv and just do at least every other day. But that's just me. Eventually the dog will get used to it especially if they know they have no choice and really they shouldn't as knots hurt.
Beautiful photo of Truffie. What a rockstar. I love Benji too. He's an awesome dog - you can tell he is fun.
Sorry to hear about all the troubles. I hope everyone feels a little better soon.
Darlah, thank you, I will do as you say, I was scared that I would cause problems if I carried on brushing when the dog was fed up.
and thank you for the stress information I think I suffer from apprehension so hold my neck stiffly and once I relax and things are not as bad I thought it starts to ease.
I do hope that Nathan's neck eases soon.
Darlah and Nathan:
Thank you for once again opening your home to Lola. We're sure she's having a great time at "Camp Talemaker", which is how we explained to our kids how she's spending her time away from them. All the dogs looks very happy and loved.
Hope both of you are feeling better soon.
All the best.
Inga, David, Cassie, and Sylvia
Dr. Sender Deutsch
sender@shapetoronto.com 416-929-8444
Sender is a miracle worker . . I cannot say enough good things about him. He solved my carpal tunnel issue, my son's lower back problem( he slept on the floor for months before he met Sender) and many more wonderful stories. Please call him and of course mention my name or my daughter in law's..Bronna.. Just go for an evaluation and if Nathan wants he can go from there.
Stress is wicked and you have had a full basket. A Bat Mitzvah on the way will be a wonderful way to celebrate.
Call me if you would like any further info.
Inga: Lola is fitting in quite nicely. She is truly enjoying Adele, Roxie and Dusty. She is now laying on Nathan in the TV room snoozing after much play and a walk between the rain. She gives the absolute best snuggles. Hope you noticed her nose to nose with Truffie. Truffie seems to be smitten with her. :-) They are fast becoming best of pals.
Lola & Truffie seem very interested in each other. Love the Truffle.
Lola's coloring is a lot like Kona, except she looks like she has a much heavier
coat.
Glad to hear that you are trending toward recovery.
Kathy: She doesn't have a heavier coat and she is a Phantom and Fiona pup - smallest we have had weighing in at 6lbs. She is Benji's sister.
Benji does indeed look very cute and manageable! I remember his litter very well and he adores his country home.....even more reason to have a shorter cut. LOL
Truffie's before-grooming muzzle looks exactly like Timmy's after its been Lillyfied!
So glad to hear you are feeling better Darlah and I hope Nathan's neck stiffness and pain has eased. Stress can do terrible things to the body and mind. Take care.
Irma: Well I am on a mission to get me some probiotics as it keeps coming back. :-(
Truffie has been playing like crazy so he looks like that more than not, I swear.
I just brushed up Benji after he took a dip in the pool - not on purpose. Kat was chasing him and he missed the corner. It is easier to take care of his length though tail and ears and behind them can still knot.