Laura's Back

Vicki's back to her barking ways, I guess June may bring some better days. I hope that roaming dog was found. He had no collar and he might have had fleas. I guess we'll see what tomorrow brings.

Dog Roaming the Neighbourhood

There was a dog roaming around Vicki tonight as we took her for a late night walk, here is a picture. He needs to be rescued. I did my part for him now the choice is yours.

Vicki's Changing

We've switched Vicki to raw food and there's a remarkable difference in everything about her.
1. her breath isn't stinky
2. her poops are cleaner, although she is sometimes constipated as with today.
3. She loves eating raw chicken, fish only so-so and I still am working on getting the balance right for her.
4. She even drinks certain kinds of herbal tea in small amounts, mint is good without sugar.
Dogs seem to know what they need and probably we people do too but it is difficult to find the right balance.



for more info:

www.rawlearning.com/rawfaq.html - Cached - Similar
www.rawlearning.com/ - Cached - Similar

Good Morning

Well, I took Vicki for a walk today and decided to go a different route down to MacDonnell Road. It was very hot this morning so I decided to grab a taxi. I paid and walked home. O. Then I realized I didn't have my wallet. I retraced my steps and told others along the way. Then I returned home and there was the wallet. I had also left the back door open last night after staying up all night with all the lights on. Not the most prudent behaviour. A few good hours sleep is really important for me. Being a feisty person is good in some circumstances but I don't know when to temper that fire sometimes.

Vicki is fine, my wallet is fine but I think I'm a little torn. Some of you already knew that.

Have a grrrreat day!

Throwing the Dog a Bone

At long last. A video of Vicki's chase for a brontosaurus bone.

Vicki's Good

Just a quick update on Vicki's weight. She hasn't dropped much lately but she started with us at a mega 33 pounds and now sits at 22.6 pounds (10.25 kilos).

It really wasn't too difficult. We carefully measured her food portions and gave her a couple of walks daily.

People are sometimes impressed or at least somewhat interested in her journey. Now that she is a healthier weight she has more energy, she doesn't snore as loudly and she can just get around with general ease.

She is a much more playful dog these days and having her with us feels good. We take care of her and she takes care of us. Good girl, Vicki.

Mother's Day

Pets to some of us just naturally become part of the family. Today is a special day for anyone who mothers.

To Vicki this is just another day. I stepped in her pee on the kitchen floor this morning and removed a small bit of plastic from her clenched jaw. She nearly bit my finger off as I tried to remove it. She still needs her walk soon and her breakfast..

She doesn't care whether it is Mother's Day and she sure won't be wishing me a happy one either.

It's okay, I still love her. Hug your children, hug your Mom, hug your pets and have a Happy Mother's Day today.

Rolling Thunder and Pouring Rain

Last night was destined to be my first full regular night's sleep in possibly well over a month. Not so because at sometime after 3 am Vicki began barking at each flash of lightning over the next several hours. Where does she get the stamina to just keep barking? Greg had the right idea for a while. Draw the double blinds, close the door and put her in her bed. Problem temporarily solved until the bedroom door flew open and boy did that set her off!

She's not ready and raring to go for that morning walk today, oh no. She's happily snoozing on her pillow and that's fine by me. The rain has stopped and the sun might be peeking out right now.  Maybe tonight will be the night for a proper night's sleep. zzzzz

She Barks, She Begs and She Borrows

Okay, our Vicki gets away with plenty.

For her barking it has been suggested we use aversion therapy, so we have a tin of coins we shake whenever she barks.

If I go into the kitchen for any reason whatsoever, she is front and centre looking for anything to drop. Of course eating of any kind is met with those woeful brown eyes and the curly cue wagging tail. Okay, the odd morsel drops around her and I know this just reinforces the behaviour.

She takes my shoes, my hair bands, notepads, sunglasses or anything else left lying around that she deems chewable.

What can I do to get her to behave better? I've tried placing her in the bedroom for a couple of minutes for begging, dog-proofing the flat or usually firmly but sometimes shrilly shouting "no bark!"

Patience is a virtue that is often lost on me. Having a dog is easy but having a well-behaved one sometimes isn't. Who do I have to blame but myself?