Leary Lady Flame

Well, I have been on crutches since Tuesday, and this has thrown Lady Flame into a tizzy. She truly thinks that the crutches are out to get her. I have only gotten in one fleeting pet as she raced past me last night, and other than that she flees to her crate as I move around the house. 

Why am I using crutches? Would you believe that I was injured in a kick-boxing tournament? No? Ummm...Would you believe that I was injured in an indoor badminton match? Really, no? Ummm... Would you believe that a cutting board threw itself out of the drainboard and landed square on my foot, breaking my second toe? Oh, sure you would...and that is what really happened... Luckily, I think that I will be able to stow the crutches away this weekend.

Toby's Tough Day

Toby had a rough day. His eyesight is getting worse and we are having a hard time adjusting as we just don't know what he does see. Drew took the pups on a walk along the Topsham river trail after their nail clipping. He took his eyes off Toby for one moment, and the next thing he knew, Toby had done a frontal chest slam into a big granite bench. It had to have hurt, but Toby didn't even let out a whimper.

Then, later in the day, Neighbor Carla came over and the pups got so excited that they started running around the yard. Toby was focused on Lady Flame so he wasn't paying attention to where he was running, and he did a shoulder slam into the magnolia tree. He now has a cut above his left eye.

And, over the weekend, he did a Twirly Toby move and slammed his hind end into the side of the wood shed. Our poor boy is a walking disaster.

Toby and the great outdoors

Drew saw this Marmaduke cartoon and thought immediately of "Toby The Stubborn." Toby will only go outside if he thinks that there is a walk involved. Sometimes, we have to bring out the leash to get him to go out for potty, especially if the weather is cold, snowy, or rainy out. Everything has to be just right for our prince to grace the outdoors with his presence.

Toby's eyesight update

Poor Toby...tonight he got up from his nap, walked with the intention of getting a drink, but ended up facing the toy chest and not knowing where to go. I got him turned toward the kitchen, which he walked into, but stopped near the water bowl, still not knowing where he was. I directed him to the water bowl, and then all was well. This is definitely a change from the norm. Lots of dogs with PRA are completely blind by the ages of 3 to 5 years old. Toby will be 5 years old in October.

I need to start researching essential oil scents around the house to let Toby know where he is. We sure as heck don't want him falling down the stairs.

Snoozin' on a rotten winter's day

Snoozin' on our bed

Toby and Lady Flame have not budged an inch all day long, except when forced to go out for potty every 8 hours!

Snoozin' on a dog bed

I think this is all we are going to see of Toby, today.

Toby's snoozy schnozzle

Papermill Trail walk

The trail runs alongside the Sabattus River.

We took the pups out to the Papermill Trail this afternoon. It was absolutely perfect for a walk along the river and through the woods! Although, the outdoor temp. was 19F and the windchill was 9F. Brrr.....

The path is nice and wide.

The trail had been packed down by snowmobiles and provided great footing.

This trail leads off to the right of the main trail, and goes for miles.

We walked along the main trail and then headed up into the woods for awhile.

We crossed a small stream and walked a bit further until we got too cold.

We had the feeder trail all to ourselves and it was a rather uneven and hilly. But, that didn't bother us at all and it was nice to be in the protection of the woods.

Our final descent to the main trail

Due to the cold, we only spent about 20 minutes in the woods before heading back to the riverside trail.

Toby decided to sit while waiting for a treat.

Toby was a bit chilled and decided that he needed sustenance in order to make it all the way to the car;-)

Happy Valentine's Day!

May your day be filled with lots of lovin' from your hounds!

What Breed Is Your Dog?

How do you find out what breed your dog is (or you, for that matter?) Well, it's simple...Just enter a photo onto the website https://www.what-dog.net/ and you'll get your answer! Ummm...I think the program needs a bit of work in the identification department;-) HA! The following breeds were identified from a variety of photos we uploaded. Check it out!

Click on each photo set for a larger view.

LAURIE

My breeds are all a bit wary of strangers, and that sure is right! Although, I don't know that I agree with the werewolf description (but, my students sure would;-)

DREW

Drew's mug shots yielded powerfully strong dogs. I sure do agree with that, but he is also driven and there isn't a lazy bone in his body!

TOBY

Toby...hmmm...I will agree with the guard dog aspect of Toby, but he sure doesn't have a whole lot of drive! Clownish, he is;-)

LADY FLAME set 1

LADY FLAME set 2

Lady Flame is smart and powerful! I'll agree with boundless energy, but courageous? Ummm...not so much;-)

SHANNON AND BILLY

Shannon & Billy are a match for each other! They are both energetic and strong willed!

TROUBLE

Trouble is easily distracted and needs lots of mental stimulation and exercise! Ain't that the truth!

SUGAREE

Sugaree gets along with everyone (except for Toby) and is very smart and sweet!

TROUBLE AND SUGAREE

I just had to include a few more Trouble and Sugaree breeds as they fit so well;-)

BETTINA

And, then there's Bettina -  Never in my wildest imaginings would I have pegged Bettina as a Great Dane! But the description sure does fit her royal highness personality;-) If there's a squirrel intruder...it won't get far!

Swinging Pups on the Topsham Riverwalk

The Swinging Bridge.

Looking towards Brunswick.

Halfway across the Androscoggin River.

Looking downstream towards the dam.

Looking upstream.

Heading home...

"Is there something on my face?"

Walter's Play Date

Walter in all his glory!

We love Walter, and we were so excited to get an e-mail that he was visiting Shannon and Billy with our buddy, Rob. We extended an immediate invitation for Walter to come over for a play session with our hounds. This was the first time that Lady Flame and Toby had ever played with an ungreyhound! I wish I'd been home, but I had to work. Drew got the pleasure of hanging out with Rob and photographing Walter. Fun! (Remember to click on any photo for a larger view;-)

Walter's Play Date - Walter and Toby

Toby and Walter meet and greet each other.

Walter and Toby became fast friends today. They were fascinated by each other and actually did very well together, which is amazing as most dogs do not get along with Tunnel-Vision Toby. It was so nice to see Toby having some fun for a change.

Walter says, "Come on, Toby, what are you waiting for? Let's play!"

They followed each other around, and around, and around, while Walter did play pose...

Walter: "Toby, will you chase me already!"

after play pose...

Walter: "Toby, quit gawking at me and play!"

Until, Toby finally got the hint.

Walter: "Alright, big fella, let's rumble!"

Toby realized that somebody actually wanted to play with him!

Whooooo Hoooo!

Walter's Play Date - Walter and Flame

Walter: "Hi Flame. How's about you chase me!"

Lady Flame was also fascinated with Walter. It didn't take her as long to get into the play groove as it did Toby.

Flame says: "Bring it on, Walter!"

But, Walter still did lots of play posing with her.

Walter: "Whose turn is it to be the chaser?"

Then, it was time to play.

"Catch me if you can, Flame!"

Walter's Play Date - Three Pups Play!

(Click on any photo for a larger view.)

Most of the running around occurred with all three pups full into the chase!

They took turns instigating the play.

And, they had a great time until Lady Flame got a bit too rambunctious and bit Walter's ear! Check out the video, in the post below, for unfortunate footage of the incident which resulted in blood gushing from Walter's ear, and a quick trip to our vet.

First the Play, then the Maiming

Walter says, "I came over for a play date and all I got was a super-glued ear!"

Lady Flame is to blame. Her new name is "Flamer the Maimer". From now on, it is muzzles all around for everyone. 

By the way, Toby was muzzled because after a bit of running around he'd rather eat snow, until he barfs, than play. I wish to heck I hadn't told Drew to leave Flame unmuzzled. But, she has never intentionally bitten another dog before. Who knew!

Cute Greyhound Cartoon

Toby, the Screaming Greyhound

This afternoon, we arrived home from school and found a pile of chewed up papers on the floor, at the bottom of the stairs. Then, we found a small shard of a mechanical pencil as well. Hmmm... Toby had eaten my Yellow-throated Warbler guest book that had been put on a counter, along with the pencil.

Drew took him to the vet, for a 5:30 pm appointment, where Toby was given a shot to make him throw up. Luckily, the appt. was at the end of the day because Toby screamed bloody murder as the shot was administered. The vet tech used a slim syringe to try to minimize the pain, but it took too long to get the fluid into Toby. So, then the vet tech tried a thicker diameter syringe to get the fluid in faster, but Toby screamed even more. Geez....at least all other clients were already gone as this was going on.

When all was said and done, Toby threw up the majority of the composition book and the pencil pieces. Then, he didn't want to leave the vet office because they gave him biscuits. Aughhhh!