Overcoming Boredom

These days Vicki seems bored. She has a couple of kongs, string, balls, pull toys,etc. and it all seems a little blah for our girl. We always have to change up our walk routes to keep her clipping along otherwise it's all just sniffing around. We got her a new ball that looks like the diagram of an atom or something. The look of it is like that of colourful spaghetti and it is rubber. This ball bounces and stretches and squeaks but the fun factor only lasts so long.

Hang in there, girl, change is a-coming real soon!

Heavier Times

I found a picture of Vicki from her chubbier days. She was still very cute and it looks like she couldn't even make it to the couch, we had to put the pillows on the floor for her. Nowadays she flies around, jumping on my lap to stick her snout in my drink (whatever it may be) and pouncing on the sofa after a nice bath while leaving puddles of wet dog water everywhere. I kinda miss those chubbier days though now she breathes much easier and her snoring levels have been reduced by at least half.

Normal Routines

Some days I just don't want to do the full walk. I have on occasion persuaded Vicki that it was time to head back. Today would not be one of those days. Today Vicki wanted the full walk and then some. She stops and sniffs every little corner or stops and chases her tail. Yesterday, I was running a bit late for walk time and she stood by the door in full pug-stance as if to say, "Okay c'mon lady I'm ready to go here." Routines are an important part of daily life and there is only one other routine that trumps walking for Vicki and that is feeding time. Very little room for deviation of that little routine and anyone listening to me preparing her food would think the poor thing was being pinched or poked. She squeals like a pig sometimes. I'm sure the neighbours know by now it's all part of the routine.

Itchy Vicki

Vicki gets Frontline regularly and flea baths too but lately I've noticed her scratching quite a bit. She'll actually scratch to the point of yelping which I find disturbing. When I mentioned this to the vet he said pugs commonly develop skin irritations and the best treatment is continued use of omega 3's. Vicki now takes a caplet of omega 3 fatty acids. It'll take some time to see the effect it has on her scratchy skin but it can't do her any harm. What with her raw food diet, regular exercise and supplements I estimate she's gonna live longer than us and more comfortably so too with no skin irritations.

Pop Art Vicki

Thanks to Photobucket Vicki is a multi-coloured pop diva!

Happy Anniversary

Yay! Today is Vicki's one year anniversary. It was on this day one year ago that we picked her out of 150 dogs needing homes. We saw a couple of other dogs but as soon I saw Exel I knew she was the one for us. She was big and beautiful and now she's just beautiful and she knows it. She uses that cuteness to get her way with us with so many things from treats, to extra love to using our socks and underwear as her personal chew toys. Our sofa has to have a cover on it always and there must be newspaper down in the kitchen most days but our life here seems a little more interesting with our four-legged furry barker on duty 24/7. She is so spritely that she escaped from our apartment and ran down 3 flights of stairs and out to the parking garage for a little run around before I could chase her back in, she easliy jumps out of the tub and onto our damp laps with no effort whatsoever.

We're so happy to have you with us, Vicki!

Getting Better

Vicki's doing better these days. Nothing has slowed down her want of coffee with Bailey's, chicken noodle soup or fruit (I'm sure she'd love a cracker with peanut butter on it). We still have her on dry kibble but we picked up some canned pumpkin which is supposed to help with the um...binding process. So far no messes today and things in general are binding better. She's off next week to the vet on Tuesday for her vaccination. Her one-year anniversary with us is here already. Ah, good times!

Dog Diarrhea

Poor Vicki is having a bout of some nasty diarrhea since we brought her home from the kennel. 2 days of messes everywhere. We have her eating dry kibble for now but other than that she's still active and happy to be home. I have restricted her walks because it is so hot outside and I don't want to over exert her. She still has an appetite because she just dives for our food whenever she gets an opportunity and she still chews tissues even going into my purse to get them! We've had to cut back her coffee and wine consumption too. I'll keep a close watch on her and see if she needs to go to the vet's in the next couple of days. Hopefully this messy situation will pass soon.

Back Home

Mom says she is tired these days. She calls it jet lag. Doesn't matter to me though I love my walks, need my food and have been remarking my territory in the house. A little pee in the kitchen, bathroom and Mom's favourite, the Persian rug in the bedroom. I'm also very hungry and will go for anything from coffee to pasta to satisfy my cravings. Oh, that cat is still here and we've been scrapping quite a bit. He never stops crying and sometimes i just give him a swipe to keep him in line. I've also resumed my watchdog duties barking whenever I hear a strange noise or someone in the hallway. Mom told me I was doing a great job on the blog and said I could definitely help out every now and then.

Bye for now, I'm tired and ready to go back to my own bed. What a relief!

Not Looking Back

Well I hear Mom and Greg will be springing me from this place shortly. The people here are really great. Don't know why I ever thought of escaping. No one is standing over me as I type this. Really. Thought I'd send a picture along. No doubt Mom'll be taking more when she gets back.

Planning My Escape

Been in this place for 10 days now. The wardens here let me out just twice a day for exercise with others. They've taken away my toys because I'm not sharing. I haven't had a real treat since I've been in here. I still get my two squares and plenty of water. Most are happy here but I've been whispering to a few others about leaving. I'm sure I can find my way back home. If they just gave me a biscuit or something I could jam the door with it. I've been doing my laps and jumps to keep in shape. I know Mom and Greg are trying to do what's best for me but I need my couch, my real bed and my walks.

Any day now I'll be free again.