The weather is always crazy this time of year.  One minute it’s warm and sunny the next, cold and gloomy.  The past two weeks have been no exception.  We have had bitterly cold days (for this time of the year) mixed in with a few warmer sunnier days.  Today was one of the warmer sunny days, so I met Bev at the dog park with the Newfs so the dogs could blow off a little pre-holiday steam.

The last few days have been pretty darn chilly and the pond at the dog park had stared to freeze over. However, with today’s warmer temps and sunshine the layer of ice is melting, especially in the middle.  As soon as I arrived and unleashed Hera and Apollo, Quincy the chocolate lab who is being boarded at the park (the same stinker from Sunday) decided he wanted to come and greet us.  He was in the daycare/boarding section of the park (on the other side of the pond) and decided the quickest distance is a straight line - he ran for us across the frozen pond.  He made it half way across and the ice broke beneath him and he went in.

OMG it was terrifying!  He was paddling around in the icy waters trying to get out.  He absolutely couldn’t get out of the water and kept slipping off the sides.  Luckily the owners of the park were outside and heard the commotion (another park goer and myself yelling to the dog). What happened next was the dramatic rescue.

He launched the inflatable boat from the shore and had to break the ice with his paddle to get to the dog.  It seemed like an eternity before he was able to reach the him, but in reality it only took about 15 minutes.  Once he reached him, Quincy swam back to shore on his own accord through the path that was carved out to get to him.  He seemed pretty happy to be on dry land.  He sustained minor injuries which included a one inch gash to his side (which looked as though he needed 3 or 4 stitches and a good cleaning/antibiotics) and several small abrasions on his legs.  Good thing Quincy is a lab and has that water resistant coat and undercoat to help keep him warm.  He was taken to his vet for treatment, his owner called and should be snoozing soundly back at the kennels as I type.  All I can say is thank goodness Mike was there and was able to save him.  Gentle healing vibes and warm cozy hugs to Quincy!

Bev and I were terrified after the ordeal to let the big dogs off leash.  They love swimming and its so difficult to keep them out of the water.  Their size alone would make it difficult for a rescue if either of them were to fall through the ice.  It would totally be my luck too. After Bev and the girls left, I did let Brutus off leash so he could run around in the trees and trails for a bit.

Then drama number two ensued!  Hera was wading around in the unfrozen part of the pond and spotted a duck floating.  She was stealthy in her approach, then exploded with a burst of speed and pounced on it like a tiger!  She caught that poor duck in her mouth as it was taking flight.  Oh the squawking, feathers and fluttering, OMG!!!  It managed to get free from her and fly to another part of the pond and appeared no worse for the wear, thank goodness.  I think she was a little shocked she actually caught it and wasn’t sure what to do with it once she had it and it started fighting to get away from her.  I know I was shocked… I was so stunned I couldn’t say a word. And no, I didnt get any pictures.

Speaking of pictures, only a handful of the few I did take were even worth looking at.  Pretty much sums up the crappy day at the park.. hopefully next time will be better.

About a year ago I bought a DSLR camera.  I have loved making the transition from point and shoot to DSLR.  I started out with a Canon Rebel xt and it has been an awesome camera.  I have decided its time to upgrade to something a little fancier and am trying to weight the pros and cons of the two I am looking at.  The canon Rebel xsi is the newest in the Rebel “prouser” line and is a whopping 12.3 megapixels… I ordered one a few days ago and come to find out the “awesome deal” I thought I was getting on line was too good to be true.  They called the next day said it didnt come with a battery or charger so I would have to buy one (cha ching $$) the one I had ordered was a grey market camera and if I wanted a US warranty I would have to upgrade another almost $300 (Cha ching cha ching $$) AND if I decided I wanted the grey market it would take no less than 8 weeks for shipping!!!!!  WHAT A RIP OFF!  I canceled my order, did a little digging and found this article.  Turns out this is is one of the old “bait and switch” companies… they are under investigation and have a horrible record with the NYBB.  DO NOT BUY from “SHOP DIGTAL DIRECT” (I dont even want them having a link on this blog… they are scandalous!) - Many people have had the same experience as me and are absolutely disgusted.  In fact, a good friend of mine and fellow dog photography buff had a similar run in with them not too long ago when she was trying to buy the xsi… She ended up with the 40D from another company.

So here’s where the quandry lies.  I have to pay an arm and a leg for the new xsi and it comes with a kit lens that I don’t really need.  There is a fancy pants lens I desperately want - Canon 28-135mm f/3.5 IS USM lens retails for about $380-$450 - OUCH!  well… the canon 40D comes with this lens and is only about $200 more from Adorama (I totally trust them.  I bought my xt, an external flash and 2 lenses from them) than the xsi at Best Buy.  Its a fenominally better camera and in the professional series of cameras.  The lens alone is enough to make me drool.  But $200 is $200!  I cant really justify the xsi to begin with since my xt takes great pictures.  I really want it!!  I would kill for the 40D… but honestly that is way more camera than I need.  Now I just need to convince my husband it is worth it.  Decisions, Decisions!

The sun was shining brightly this morning when we woke up but was really cold!  So we hung out around the house and hoped the thermometer would raise a few degrees.  Around 2pm it reached 39°F, so I called Bev and the Newfies for a playdate.  I loaded up the dogs and my son and we headed to the park.

We pretty much had the park to ourselves.  There was a male choc lab that charged out and us (no one in sight) and had a go at Apollo, Hera one of the newfs and even tried his paw with Brutus.  Brutus wasnt putting up with any smack and chased him off a couple of times but he kept coming back snapping and grumbling.  Brutus was such a good boy to listened to me so I could snatch his collar.  We shoed off the lab a few times then Bev tried to grab his collar to leash him up and he snapped at her hands.  OOH he was randy.  Eventually we got him over to the daycare area and we headed off for another part of the park.  Luckily he stayed on his side of the park and left us alone. A few labs and a gorgeous pair of Vizlas showed up and ran around with our guys by the agility equipment - big fun.

I didnt take many pictures today, my son was in charge of photography.  He struggled a little with the black dogs a little but took a few really good photos.  He is still learning and has a pretty good eye as well.  Here’s a few of his photos:

There are more pictures in the Gallery from today HERE.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week and stays warm and dry.

Around Central Ohio college football is KING.  And when I say KING I mean KING!  I think half of the people around here bleed scarlet and grey.  Heck, my husband and son sure do. Well this is the week all Buckeye fans live for, the rivalry game with Michigan University.

The dogs decided to get in on the spirit and dressed for the game.  I tried to fit a jersey on Brutus and Rufus, but sadly they are WAY too big.  So they are sporting buckeye nut necklaces, a main staple for all Buckeye fans.

And not to be out done… Zeus is sporting a fancy OSU Hawaiian shirt and Apollo (not cooperating) is wearing my son’s jersey.  Apollo was not impressed with wearing clothes so I tried to make it as quick and “painless” for him as possible… what a wuss. 

Michigan University is having a really hard time this year with their new coach and the Buckeyes handily crushed them! This is the first time OSU has won  5 games in a row against Michigan, ever!  So all is now right with the world in our house hold.  Now if I can just get to the dog park tomorrow…

Happy Friday!  Not much has been going on around our house these days.  The weather has been so cold, gloomy and icky that we haven’t been out much.   Today is actually very sunny and cold, but I have come down with a cold so I wont be able to enjoy the day at the park.  Sadly, I have been in bed most of the past two days.  While I was in bed, I caught up on all my blog reading and even found a new rss reader for Mozilla to organize all my posts.  It uses google reader and twitter and i really like it.  Its called Feedly.

I have also been watching Cesar Milan Mastering Leadership DVD set.  What a fabulous gift idea for your favorite Dog lovers!  It is available online and in stores for $49.99

Cesar Milan “the Dog Whisperer” is America’s favorite and most respected dog rehibilitators.  His show, the Dog Whisperer is on the National Geographic Channel almost daily.  He is author to several books (one of which, Cesar’s Way, I am reading) and has helped a long list of difficult dogs and their owners.  His techniques are based on a common sense approach to dog communication.  He teaches people to relate to their dogs on the dogs level, through their psychology.

Volume 1: People Training for Dogs

Cesar shares his wisdom and wit from a lifetime of working with dogs.  He discusses the following topics with a small group of people in round table conference.  I felt like I was part of the discussion and really connected with alot of what Cesar was saying.  This certainly was my favorite DVD of the set.

• The basics of dog behavior
• Understanding the nature of the pack
• Energy and body language
• Giving rules, setting boundaries and limitations
• Why the walk is important
• Cesar’s fulfillment formula
• Bonus Features, including feeding time with Cesar’s pack

I have tried Cesar’s suggestions when feeding my pack, and I am amazed at the results.   My attitude, actions and energy, before and during, the dogs’ feeding time have a remarkable impact on my dogs’ feeding behaviors.  Before learning and executing new techniques, several of my dogs became too excited to conduct themselves properly during meal time.  Now, the dogs are more docile and submission creating a better overall situation.   A few minor tweaks to my energy has made all the difference in our world and theirs.

Check back tomorrow for part 2 - Becoming a Pack Leader

I am pleased to be giving aways a complete dvd set to one of my lucky readers on December 5th, just in time for the holidays.  To enter your name in the drawing, make a comment on any or all of the three post in this series. Your name will be entered for each comment you make.  The winner will be announced at 9pm Friday, Dec 5.  Good luck and happy blogging!

Sorry I haven’t been around much the last few days. But there hasn’t been much to report.  Cold, wet, gloomy, rainy days… blah!!  I took the labs to one of the city parks (Pooch Playground) on Sunday to meet up with the greyhounds and it was awful!  Cold, wet, gloomy and so dark my pictures didnt even turn out.  The park was filthy, my shoes were covered in runny poo and no one was picking up after themselves.  There was a large group of snarky sled type dogs and a couple of rotties that were not well socialized and acted like total jerks while their inattentive, idiot owners stared out in right field or chit-chatted.  After about 20 minutes of freezing and trying to keep away from the unsocialized dogs I had about all I could take and leashed up the labradorks and hit the bricks.  I felt like a total snob, but that place was like a powder keg ready to blow at any moment.  I really am getting my money’s worth at the Companion Club Dog Park.

So today we (Brutus, Zeus and Hera) met up with the Newfs at Companion Club and had our weekly play date.  I forgot to blog about it last week, but we did meet up, it was a blast and there are pictures in  THIS gallery.  Zeus is feeling alot better from his surgery and ran around like a crazed maniac.  He seems so much happier in the last few days.  His teeth must have really been hurting him.  He’s like a completely different, and happier dog.  Brutus was of course in his element and enjoyed the cold and light dusting of snow.

Hera and Brutus were the park wild things and wrestled and chased each other all over.  I still can’t get over how much energy she has.  I swear,  if I could bottle it, I’d be a zillionaire.

And I got some great shots of the Newfs today.  They were really active and totally in their element in the cold too.  It seems like the colder it gets the more spunk all the big dogs have.  Which makes sense, they are bred for cold weather.

There are lots more pictures in the Dog Park Gallery from today.  You can check them out HERE ~ Enjoy!

Zeus made it through his dental and tooth extraction just fine.  Thank you for all your prayers and positive thoughts for him yesterday and today.  He is feeling alot better.  When I checked on him at the vet this morning he was wanting to play with the techs and had eaten breakfast.   The vet tech said she thought he looked as though he wanted a second helping.. yep thats my Zeus.

I just got back from picking him up.  He was so happy to see me and seems to be feeling ok.  He is sprawled out on his cushion now and happy to be home.  All the other dogs are happy to have him home too.

We recieved a package in the mail today!  Doggies do the happy dance.  A few weeks ago we won the Kong give away at Park and Bark Awhile and it arrived today.  Thanks so much!

Macie and her mom sent us an XL awesome blue Kong, which I immediately filled with peanut butter and handed to the first taker (Brutus of course), as well as two bags of Newman’s Own Organic Dog treats.  One bag of chicken and one bag of peanut butter.  I handed the bag to the dogs and they couldn’t figure out how to open it.

Here’s Rufus “keeping the bag company”

“This Kong is DELICIOUS”

“Treats Please”

We have a playdate at the dog park with Misty and Gabby the Newfies tomorrow.  I can’t wait.  Its going to be chilly but a nice day to have some fun.  I guess I better pull out a thick hoodie to keep warm.  Thank you again for our goodie pack.  The dogs love the treats and the kong.  I think the Kong is going to get a real workout.

Mother Nature has strung together 4 crummy cold, wet and icky days in a row for us here in Ohio.  Uggg.. I mean honestly, is it too much to ask for warm sunny days ALL year round?

Anywho, we have not left the house in days due to the rain and gloominess.  The dogs are a little stir crazy and Brutus keeps going to the door thinking he is going bye-bye.  He barks and wooo wooo’s at me when I ignore his requests to go.

Now I know they dont mind the weather, in fact they love it. But well, sugar melts (me being made of sugar) and I dont like the cold rain.  Its only 39°F right now and has been sleating off and on all day.  I am hoping for a nice day sometime this week so I can take the dogs to the park.  It would be so nice to see Bev and the Newfies and have a fun playdate at the park. The dogs could really use it.

One good thing about the nasty weather, is that I have finally caught up with my blog reading. I read all the posts and commented on about 75% of them.  Sorry it has taken so long to get caught up, but we had those nice days and I was spending alot of time at the park so I hadn’t had much time to be on the computer. When I was, I was busy working on calendar pages for the 2009 Ruffdogs (forum) Calendar.  That was really labor intensive and photoshop kept crashing do to the enormous file size I was working with. I think it turned out pretty cute and I hope the members like it! Here’s a sample page from the calendar

Zeus’s breath has been kickin’ for a few weeks and I knew he needed a dental. I gave him some bright bites(didn’t help) and a few meaty bones (did help)I thought things were ok. At his last appointment his teeth were in perfect shape. well… now the stank is bad and he keeps smacking his lips which drives me batty! So i got into his mouth and it looked bad and thought he needs a dental pretty badly. I think… ehh I will get it done in a few weeks when i stop spending so much time outside. Well… i look again last night and he is fighting me and I can tell it hurts. Then OMG his top back molar on both sides are basically disintegrating and will have to come out. WTF it happened sooo fast. So I called the vet last night and made an appointment with the vet for Thursday to have a dental and the extractions. I also took him in this morning to get some antibiotics for the infection before the surgery. I also discussed a little irritable bowel symptoms.

Since his irritable bowel symptoms are somewhat mild and appear to be related to over stimulation (over excitement at the park for instance) she suggested that I dose him with Maalox the night before, the morning of and the night of any dog park visits.  And also to add some probiotocs (plain yogurt usually does the trick for most dogs, but he is very sensitive to yogurt and will flair up a bout of the squits) to his food to ease his stomach and make sure the normal flora of the gut is in balance (especially with antibiotics).  The titered addition of un-flavored musilex with meals will help for diarrhea AND constipation.  Who knew?!  One additional note regarding the maalox, she noted the use of antibiotics and the maalox should not be taken together at the same sitting.  The maalox will prevent the stomach form absorbing the antibiotic and and an intermittent schedule should be set up.  Zeus gets the antibiotics 2x/ day so he will get maalox in between the doses.

She didn’t feel it was an issue of bad breeding that the same teeth on either side were so bad (and none of the others have any plaque at all). And that some dogs just have some teeth that aren’t formed well during development (just like people). Or a matter of neglect, this has literally happened in a matter of a few weeks… I worry about this because obviously Apollo is from the same mother and I kind of gauge whats to come for him off Zeus.

Other than those two teeth.. he is in great shape has lost some weight.. he’s down to 82 pound from 89 (im quite pleased). I saw a new vet too. The one i used to see at the vet hospital has left and gone to a clinic close to her childhood home and they have rehired a vet that practiced there a while ago. She is a bit older and alot more experienced and is a big advocate of a more homeopathic approach.. I couldn’t be more pleased with my windfall. I was a little upset when i found out i was going to have to see someone new, but I am very pleased with her.

Happy 8th Birthday to my girly girl Hera!

It was 5 years ago today that she came into our lives like a tornado and haven’t stopped moving since. The vet at the shelter guessed that she was 2 1/2 to 3 years old and was found as a stray.  We know nothing about her “old life” so we decided to make her gotcha day her “birthday” as well.  Since it truly was the day of her “rebirth.”

Hera on the night she came home in 2003

She started out pretty rough and there was no doubt in my mind how and why she found herself in the shelter.  She was destructive, high energy, a runner and escape artist.  She has not slowed down much over the years and is still a pistol and can go forever.  It is rare that I can get her tired out enough to really sleep in the house other than bed time.  She normally “rests and recharges.”  I try to get her to the park at least once a week and she swims in the pool in addition to walks.  She loves the park and loves to run around, chase dragonflies, swim and play with other dogs.  She is a very happy girl and if she had a bad life before here, one would never know it.

I love my girly girl and am so thankful to have her in my life.  Happy Birthday Hera, and here’s to many more happy years!

Her birthday “party” was held at our new park - Companion Club Dog Park and the Newfies met us there for a fabulous play date.  The weather (70°F and sunny) was perfect and we had a blast. Brutus & Apollo and Gabby & Misty played and enjoyed her company.  It was a perfect birthday for her.

More photos in the Gallery for today - HERE

I have been very busy out and about with the dogs the last few days.  I have been trying to take advantage of the beautiful weather we have been having before it is gone for the winter. I have been spending long hours at the parks and am absolutely exhausted.  I appologize for not visiting blogs in a few days, but I am sure you all understand with winter heading our way.  I will get caught up later this week so please bare with me.  Miss you all and can’t wait to see what mischief you have all been up to.

OMG it was like a reunion at the dog park Saturday.  Several of our friends from Bark Park came by Companion Club to check it out and sign up for membership.  I was so excited to see so many familiar faces, both human and dog and so were Apollo and Hera.  It was like a who’s who from Bark Park - there was:

Greta the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Jack the Great Pryeenese

Bella the GSD

Weaton the Airedale

I just adore this little JRT - sorry can’t remember his name

And we met this awesome Dogue de Bordeaux (French Mastiff) name Rudy

And of Course… My two, Apollo and Hera

Lots more pictures in the Gallery for today - HERE

Brutus and Rufus are gracing the pages of Licked Toys. This is the second time one of my dogs has stared over there!  We love the site and have aspired to put in appearances there! lol  You can submit your toy graveyard photos at lickedtoys.com!