EEEEEWWWWWWW! That's disgusting!

This morning, like every morning, the dogs were in the bathroom with me while I was getting ready for work (yes, it is a very small bathroom and they do leave me only a small place to stand) when I noticed something down between them.  Since I’ve been raking leaves and pulling up dead stuff in the yard and throwing it in with the leaves I just thought they had brought in a twisted root.  Until I picked it up and turned it over….it was a petrified frog!

EEEEEWWWWW!  They have brought in sticks to chew on before, but never a dead something or other.  I’ll have to start doing a mouth check when they come through the door and I'll make sure I have my glasses on before I pick up something in the floor!

How does he know?

Most Friday nights my oldest grandson spends the night with me.  I pick him up from school and then we just hang out.  Saturday mornings I usually make him a nice breakfast, unless we are headed out somewhere.  Lately he has wanted bacon and French Toast.  After the toast is done I've been scrambling 4 eggs, one for each dog, since everything is already out and the pan has to be cleaned anyway.  Just to note, scrambled eggs are the only prepared human food these babies get besides raw vegetables and occasional small bites of cheese.

Somehow, Sawyer has figured out this routine.  This morning even before I finished the French Toast he started barking; the bark that he uses every morning when I'm leaving and about to give them their doggie treat.  Bark, bark, bark, this morning.  I knew what he wanted!  As I whisked the eggs I told him to be patient, the eggs had to cook and cool before he got any.  But he just kept barking, barking, barking!

I'm not sure how Sawyer has figured this out, but he has.  The only thing I can figure is that he has associated the smell of the melting butter and the frying toast with his scrambled egg.  Smart dog!

Professional Photos

(If you're a regular reader then you know that I don't recommend products or services, but instead like to share good things that I've found.)

Late in March Bentley and I made a trip to Navasota for a dog show.  Chris Caviness had his photo booth set up by the ring that we showed in.  Unbeknownst to us, he snapped our picture while we were in the ring.  I stayed to watch the rest of the judging and while standing there Chris walked up beside us.  Bentley posed perfectly for him and he started clicking the shutter!

Photo by Chris Caviness, used by permission

A little while later I walked by Chris's booth and guess what he had on the monitor facing the show floor?  Yep, this handsome dachshund was looking at me.  I went to get my glasses and my wallet; I knew I wanted this picture!  This is my dog!

Photo by Chris Caviness, used by permission





Here he is on the table.  This judge totally threw us off because she had the table parallel to the entrance of the ring, rather than perpendicular like we have always had before.  I had groomed him very well after we arrived, but had run out of finishing spray so he looked like a fuzzy chicken, which didn't help us in the ring.

Photo by Chris Caviness, used by permission

Click on the link above and check out Chris's work.  I'll be looking for him at the future shows to make more pictures of the rest of the Wagging Tails!  Maybe Bentley, too.

 

Retractable leash

A while back I had purchased a retractable leash on a shopping trip to PetsMart.  It was one of those unplanned purchases; I had intended to buy one someday, but not that particular day.  Until I got in the store and it seemed like a good idea.

I have used a retractable leash before, so I'm familiar with how they are supposed to be used and how they work.  If you've read all the bad things about them, I have to say that I do not agree.  They work great; however, there are some rules.  First, the human has to be in control of the leash.  You've got to be aware of  your surroundings.  Is there a dog nearby or humans?  Are there a lot of cars?  What about those mailboxes that the dog can wrap the leash around?  I walk with my thumb on the retract button and I try to stay focused on our surroundings.  Second, you can't just turn the dog loose at full leash.  There are those mailboxes and your legs that they tend to tangle up with the leash.  And, unless you are on a deserted trail there are too many distractions around.  Plus if the leash is fully extended and you have to retract quickly there may not be time.  That leads to another rule:  you've got to know how to control the retracting so you can "reel in" the dog quickly if needed.

Shop carefully and make sure that the brand you pick will fit comfortably in your hand.  I tried several in the store (there were boxes open as well as demo ones to try).  I liked the way that this one felt in my hand and the fact that the retract button was placed on top of the device.  The Kong brand was boxed up securely and there was no way to try it, but I didn't like the way it looked anyway and felt it would not be comfortable (they do make one that has a poop-bag dispenser which would be handy).  Another brand had the retract button in a little hole that your finger slipped through; no way that would work for me if I needed to take quick action.  Also, they do come in dog appropriate sizes and lengths.

I only use it on Sawyer when we walk by ourselves.  Most of the time I keep it fairly short as I want him to walk for exercise benefit and not do the hound-dog-nose-to-the-ground snooping routine.  If there is no one around and he wants to run ahead then I let him zoom on.  But I've learned not to give him the lead and then pass him up if he stops to snoop.  That's where he will wrap around a mailbox, fire hydrant, street sign, etc.! I also had an episode last week where I wasn't paying attention and we were charged at by two dogs.  I was trying to quickly get him close to me while telling the two dogs to get away.  Fortunately, they knew commands and their owner (who was several houses away) called them.  Thank goodness for dogs that take commands, they headed home.  A few minutes later a pick-up truck passed us with the dogs hanging out the windows, so I guess they escaped while loading up for a little ride! I suspect that they really just wanted to play and weren't going to attack.

I also advise walking with one of these no matter what kind of leash you use.  I have a nice one that is about 3 feet long that I normally use, but I picked this one up out of the yard several nights ago when I forgot the regular stick.  They come in handy for scaring off other dogs (beat it on the street for a distracting noise) and for giving your own dog a gentle nudge when they need it! Happy Walking!

How to relax

Had to get this with the not so great iphone camera, but the message is still there.  This boy knows how to be a sofa sleeper! (and, yes, that is the nasty oak pollen stuck in his fur!)

There's something wrong here...or is there?

Why am I standing here, under the overhang of the house, in the dark, at 10 o'clock at night?

Because it is lightly raining and the only way I can get the dogs outside to take care of their doggie business is to go outside with them.  So, here I stand.

But, that's okay.  It is peaceful to stand here in the silence of the night and hear the light drip, drip, drip of the rain dripping off the roof and the trees. How different my life was before I had these little ones, I missed out on moments like this.

Sawyer's Sunday Outing

The first full weekend of every April the Starving Artists Show is held downtown on the grounds of historic La Villita. I love our downtown and I love this delightful show that features local artists and artisans.  It is fun to stroll through the little village and shop for treasures.  Today after church I decided that even though it was misting and drizzling a bit that I would head down there for a little while.  Family members were busy elsewhere, so it was just going to be me.  Then I decided to put the doggie stroller in the car and take Baylee.  But that was not to be.  I don't know how he knew what was happening, but as I put up the doggie gate I realized that Sawyer was standing by the door into the garage and was whining very softly.  Looking at me with those sweet loving eyes, wagging his tail.  I knew he had to go instead.

I made today's pictures with my purse camera using basically one hand since the other one was holding the retractable leash with a dog pulling on it!

Sawyer had no problems with the elevator in the parking garage, his first elevator ride.  It wasn't until we were waiting to cross the first street that I realized that this was a very different adventure for him.  He is used to walks in the park or neighborhood or in the State Parks that we've visited.  But Sawyer didn't seem to mind the traffic noise or the different environment.  He just wanted to walk and as soon as the light changed he trotted right across the street!

I did realize how different he is from Bentley.  Bentley is used to shopping at the dog shows and will wait patiently as I look at things.  Sawyer was good, but he was ready to keep moving and I would have to reassure him that we would be soon.  He also kept wanting to walk on either side of me and I would have to turn him around to keep him on my left. 

He made many new friends, too.  So many people stopped me to ask what kind of dog he is, his name, and his age.  Several people commented on how good he was with the children (he did lick them and I always warned the adults!).  I think half of the people I talked to either have a dachshund or had one in the past; several commented that they had never seen a long-haired dachshund!  Everyone thought he was beautiful!

He is a good looking dog, if I do say so!



After I finally finished shopping at the show I slipped into the Arneson River Theater for a few minutes.  I loosened the retractable leash and sat down on the top step of the theater.  It was such a peaceful day and the river was not crowded.  I wished that I wasn't wearing boots (it was wet when I left and didn't want to have wet feet) so we could stroll the river walk for a while.  Instead I opted for a few quiet minutes and a little photo shoot.

This was the only picture I managed to get of both the Arneson River Theater and Sawyer!  Isn't the river beautiful?

 

Sawyer's first trip downtown was a success!  He enjoyed himself, even when he had to wait on me to shop!  He got in a lot of socializing, too.  Plus, he was good publicity for dachshunds and for polite doggie behavior in public places!

We're on Instagram!

Blossom, Sawyer, Bentley, and Baylee are now on Instagram! 

Follow them at TalesofWaggingTails. Only one picture now, but more to come! 

Where have all the doggies gone?

They went to the kennel, of course!  I've been on a short road trip and left the puppies at the kennel for four nights.  When I dropped them off on Saturday morning Sawyer had major separation anxiety; I had to walk with him over to where they check the dogs in as he refused to walk on the lead with the kennel staff person.  Then I stepped around the corner, but peeked around a few minutes later to check on him.  He was looking anxiously around, trying to find me.  Finally, when it was time for him to go he refused again, so the dear staff person had to pick him up and carry him to the kennel area.  Poor doggie!  And, on another topic he weighed in at 19 pounds, so we've got to get serious about weight loss.

This is Douhlie, in the car and ready to ride!

I picked up a little traveling companion along the way.  He was a good companion in some ways; he did not require walks before bedtime or early morning.  He did not bark either and rode cutely in the top of my purse.  He was welcome in restaurants and everywhere I went. But he didn't wag his tail and look at me lovingly.  At night he sat by the computer, he was not warm and cuddly.  Plus, he didn't lick my face!  I was ready to get my real dogs back this morning!

I know they were ready to come home, too.  For one thing they are very tired.  I suspect that it is just a round-the-clock-barking-party at the kennel!  They all keep looking at me like, "Mom, why did you leave us in that place?  Why couldn't we just stay with you?  You kept talking about going bye-bye, but we know that bye-bye means that we get in the car and ride somewhere.  We don't understand why we had to stay there, but are so glad you are back with us and we are at our home!"

**Read about Douhlie and the short road trip at Small Simple Things **

Don't leave your toys outside

This is the zebra, one of the stuffing-less toys that the dogs dearly love.  Bentley is devoted to his Foxie, but seems to favor this one, too.  Tonight he took Zebra outside, somewhat sneaking it by me.  He's done this before, and as in the past, he left the toy outside when we came in.  Then he realized what he had done and wanted back out to retrieve it!  I snapped this picture before I let him out!

When I let him out he grabbed the zebra and gave it a good shake!

 

Then he settled down for a good play session until I called him inside.  He brought the toy with him this time, along with a bunch of leaves!



Doggie Paws

To follow up on the last post, this is why I have to learn how to groom the dogs' paws.  This picture was made with the not-so-great cell phone, but it gets the point across.  It is  the underneath of Baylee's front paw.  The pads are just barely visible, covered over with beautiful long fur.  When the pups go outside these hairs pick up dirt, mud, debris, and I don't know what else.  It is uncomfortable for the dogs to have the underneath of their paws caked up, plus it leaves a mess on the floor. 

Typical of dachshunds they do not like to have their paws messed with.  I suspect they may be a little ticklish!  I've just done a little work on each foot with the idea that I will ease them into a full trim.  I've also started gently massaging their paws while they are sleeping next to me on the sofa at night in hopes that will get them to relax a little when they go on the grooming table for a doggie paw trim.

New things

Here's Bentley yesterday morning, waiting while I unloaded the cart and crate at the local dog show.  He did good in the ring, but there was only one other male dog showing - a gorgeous long haired red with a beautiful coat.  Bentley had serious separation anxiety when I left him in the crate for several hours while I worked.  So today, even though he was registered to show, I left him at home.  I just couldn't bring myself to do that to him again.  From now on it is either show or steward, but not both.

What's in that box, Bentley?

Well, it is a new grooming table for everyone to use!  It is lightweight (#1 requirement!) and it easily folds down.  I tried it out yesterday afternoon and it works great, much better than spreading a towel on the patio table. The nice part is that it leaves both hands free to work on the dog since they are secured with the hanging loop.  I did figure out that since it is low that I need to pull up a chair to sit in while doing their feet.

Blossom was the first to try it out.  I'm not sure if she was a little worried about the new table or if she was envisioning a bad haircut!

I've never seen a dog that loves to be groomed as much as Baylee.  Of course, if I had that much hair I would want it kept combed out, too!

I also bought a slicker brush and scissors.  I like to shop at these shows and support the vendors rather than shopping for things like this online or from big chain retailers.  They usually have good quality products and they are dog people and can answer  your questions.  The guy that sold me the table was extremely busy, but still took time to show me how to set up and break down the table and then he took time to cut a handle in the box so it would be easier for me to carry!

I wasn't sure about the slicker brush until I tried it on Bentley.  It worked great, so I gladly paid the $30 for it. Just as I have found with my sewing and quilting, you have to have the right tools.  The scissors were great, too.  I trimmed up his feet, both top and underneath.  I was careful with the cutting as I didn't really know what I was doing and I didn't want to mess him up!  But he looked fairly good when I was done.  I realized tonight that I did not do a good job on his nail trim, I think my next purchase is going to be a better set of nail trimmers!

Sawyer was the last to give it a try.  He does not like to be brushed or have his nails trimmed, sometimes trying to hide out somewhere when he sees me doing the other dogs.  He was a good sport and let me comb him out real good and also trim his paws. 

As I was working on the dogs I remembered that I had this little tote bag.  I had bought it to put rotary cutters, scissors and quilting tools in, but most of the time it sat empty and the supplies scattered around the room.  It works perfectly for the grooming tools!