All posts tagged cropped ears
Kenai alert and ready for run-with-me-fun, 14 mo old
Kenai and those beautiful ears…they’re like his own portable radar instillation. He hears everything. (Sometimes I wonder if he’s actually getting messages from outer space). The snow is boy fun, no question. His jolly ball gets a polar bear pounce, snowballs get smashed with a snow-shoe paw, zoomies zoom so hard he has to go back for this fur…snow is definitely boy fun. And all the better with little bro to romp on the outside of the kennel.
This pic from Friday, he hears the magic sound: the galloping of littermate BB, put out the door for some exercise. The sound of BB coming is impossible not to recognize, 3 1/2 legs flailing away in as close to a gallop as his handicapped bent bottom can get. Beebs, Beebs, the funniest living comic strip ever can’t wait for the run-with-me-fun time!
How could ya not laugh at that face? He just learned snowballs disintegrate when you try to catch them, and he’s backtalking about it! Snows on the nose! Since everything is a game to little brother, we had to do it again…
Friday was a good play day, and Friday night was a quiet one, all the doggie endorphins given them contented snores and stretches. Saturday, my sniffles and sneezes became wheezes and hacks. There was just a short outside time, and lots of trying to nap with no success.
Kenai dutifully hung out, having a sudden problem with reflux in the afternoon. He didn’t feel too much like romping about after that set in. Bless his heart, I don’t know why it appeared. We did some hugging, some puppy massage, and just had ourselves a together day to make it better.
Even BB felt sorry for big bro, not pestering or nipping at him as usual. He stuck his head over a couple times for a sniff and a gentle lick, paybacks for the gentle guarding and good wishing Kenai does when he don’t feel spiffy. They are each other’s chief tormentors, and fuzzy get well cards too. Brothers.
We had just enough melting over the weekend to make the driveway a sheet of ice Saturday night, so Kenai had the stress of not wanting to “go” in the side yard but having no choice. No way was I trying to cross over to the field, 30 yards of hockey rink skidding. He couldn’t hold it any more by Sunday morning, and went in the side yard. I remember being adamant they couldn’t do that when they were puppies. He remembers too.
It’s been a dull time, stuck in the house since Tuesday. Kenai had a big outing day last Monday, and I think it will be next Monday before we get out again. The road up to the highway is almost 1/4 mile uphill, shaded by trees, with 3 nasty corners. It’s a treacherous thing in the winter, our drive.
But Monday, Lord willing we get out, one required stop is the grocery: we need ground beef in the worst way. We’ll be cutting it close, I’m afraid. Any other stops aren’t yet decided on, and I’m hoping to hear from our new SD trainer today, so we might be able to meet Monday. It will be a relief to having another set of eyes and hands on Kenai, evaluating what he and I need to work on (and how to do it).
I finally applied for SSI benefits, going through the application, the work history, and medical history online. It took 3 durn hours, too. Trying to remember past doctor’s names, looking up addresses and the like is what took so long. It’s been six years. Asking someone with a fibro fog to recall doctor’s names and test results 6 years back is like asking a 3rd grader to take an ACT college entrance exam: my results are no doubt frumpy.
But I did it. Soon as I get the automatic denial letter, I call the lawyer back, and let him do all the paper gathering and blood sweating. I don’t have the courage or clarity to swim through all the goverment goofiness. Thankfully, someone else will do that for me. Someone with a brain that actually works!
Having a cold, I’ve been infernally idle, not taking advantage of our home time to practice. The ol blahs got me, poor Kenai. I’ve got all this time, and could be using it to work on his downs in tight spots, holding his heel as I move about, and doing practices in his harness. He’d be happy for the treats, and something interesting to do besides watch me try to nap when I can’t breathe!
We need outta here for awhile, for our mental stimulation. Cross the fingers and paws we make it Monday!
I read a blog that had 5 things their dog does that they laugh at but shouldn’t. BB could triple the list of 5 easy. Kenai is less obvious about his funnies. I actually have to think about his “bad” stuff that’s funny!
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“Sasquatch time”–noisy boy backtalking, play barking, and foot stomping with Mom in the master bath. He runs across the bed to get there and wait for his sassy mouth play. As long as there isn’t vocalizing in public or at strangers, I guess it’s okay.
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“Couch-ate-my-ball game”–he pile drives toys under the cushions, stuffs his head down there to find them, and digs at them until he’s pulled the cover loose. Beating up the soft furnishings probably isn’t a good thing to teach a Dane, but it’s hysterical to watch.
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“Trick-you-taunt-you”–he tricks his brother out of a toy, pretending like he wants to play, then trotting off teasing BB with the stolen trophy. He’ll taunt him until Beebs cries and yowls. Meanie.
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“Come-means-go”–this is bad. Very bad. I don’t like it at all. But he give you that squirrelly face, ears all wonky and attitude…the icky boy face is funny. Still, I refuse to play that way, and walk off leaving him. Sometimes it works.
I know, only four, but really that’s all he does that’s “bad” but funny. His other “bad” stuff isn’t funny, and thankfully the regulars are limited to two. Whining is not nice, and I’d love to break the insecure that causes it. That’s on the fix-it list. The other is the feet. He has never completely stopped with the swatting. It’s not as frequent, but he always gets in trouble for it.
Pretty good, being able to come up short on the not-good companion list. Kenai’s really the most naturally well behaved boy I’ve ever had. Got lucky with him, got very berry lucky. He’s a good boy, with a shorter “bad” list than mine. Bless him, my baby love.
Kenai the bed bug, all of 10 weeks old
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Posted by greatdaneservicedog on February 1, 2009
http://greatdaneservicedog.wordpress.com/2009/02/01/houseboundby-lisa-harmon/
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Kenai enjoying his teddy bear baby
I just keep trying to write a post, and they all keep turning out downers. This is attempt number 3, heavily edited. Somehow, I’m starting to lose the ability to find funny and positive things in my life to talk about. I keep trying, but it’s getting harder.
One positive thing is Kenai was much better behaved Saturday than he has been in a couple weeks: he decided it was fun again to play come and go outside. That was encouraging. I’m feeling generally disheartened here lately, so every little good thing will be deliberately and fantastically blown out of proportion!
Kenai’s been cuddly more than usual, even going so far as to spend most of the night on my bed with me. I don’t remember him getting up there, but we’d managed to arrange ourselves comfortably so I guess it doesn’t matter. I’m starting to think I spend too much of my free time on the computer or sleeping, and not enough just hangin’ with him. Maybe he’s feeling a little lonely.
It’s entirely possible to be lonely, no matter how many people are around causing problems. Ever have that experience? Lonely, with too many people around? I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s feeling a little neglected with me trying to keep the madness to a minimum. If he’s not misbehaving, I don’t have the luxury of giving him much attention: too busy putting out fires, if you know what I mean.
Mom foolishly allowed Emily come here Thursday, despite her being gone during the weekdays. So BB had to face his greatest fear (kids) for 3 solid days without his Mom here for 2 of them. I had to face more than 11 hours alone with the pups in 2 days. Controlling BB’s reactivity to a fit pitching 2 year old by myself doesn’t leave much for Big Brown, poor guy.
I had a mantra: just 5 more weeks and all this is over. Just 5 more weeks. Then I find out Friday night, after 2 horrendous days, that Mom’s decided to postpone my brother’s deadline to leave until he’s had 3 paychecks. I’m looking at a minimum of 2 months, plus however long it takes him to actually get a blasted darn job.
Okay, so now you know why I’m in such low spirits: I despise helplessness, and I’m having enormous quantities of it rammed down my throat with a coal shovel.
Maybe the “Desert Fathers”, the hermits of the pre-Benedictine Church, had an idea: no other people equals no unnecessary crap. If I hit the lotto, I’m buying a 2 bedroom house, and using one bedroom for a quilting room! Just me and toffee tush. BB can come to visit, of course, but any humans will have to be vetted and background checked! I wonder if that attitude will earn me a tiny, ramshackle corner of heaven, populated only by dust bunnies?
ARE there any ramshackle corners in heaven? I don’t believe there’s a purgatory, despite the nun’s best efforts to convert this Protestant child in my Catholic school days. Guess I was stubborn then too. I’m no theologian, but I do have a philosophical bent, so I kick around such considerations during idle times: what heaven would be like. Chronic fatigue gives me lots of idle time, but I have yet to nail down a satisfactory view of it.
“Life me up above the shadows, place my feet on higher ground. Lift me up above my grief Lord, where the pure sunshine is found. Lift me up above my weakness, lift me up into Thy strength. Lift me up above the shadows, ‘till in heaven I stand at length…” –Southern Gospel song. I have no clue who wrote it, but I like it!
♣
Needing so much down time, when I can be emotionally drained too, is part of my problem with Kenai, I think. He is one of those confident pups that requires an assertive, ever steady person to relax and behave as perfectly as he’s capable of. He’s calm (usually), he’s not destructive, he’s not a difficult dog outside of the current puppy phase.
If he had an owner with the vigor to give him more exercise, and a strong energy he could trust wouldn’t wax and wane, Kenai would be a truly outstanding companion. What he’s got is me, and “ever steady” is not an accurate description of me anymore! We are mismatched partners.
Mismatched or not, I completely believe Kenai was meant to be my dog. Easy it ain’t, but preordained all the same. Guess I’d better be more careful what I pray for: ask to become more calm and even-keeled, and what should appear but a puppy who’ll make you pull your hair out if you’re not!
Does that mean the positive method doesn’t train me, so the negative avoidance method does? Hummm.
We seem to have hit a holding pattern with Kenai’s training, waiting out the belligerent stage he’s in, and my strength to return. He’s getting more of a maintenance program than an intensive curriculum. He wouldn’t respond to rigorous right now, even if I had the oomph to try it. So why try it?
What I want from him when we’re out is a loose leash heel, down stays, and ignoring distractions. Those three alone are plenty! He doesn’t need to be a ‘trick pony’, with more commands than he will use. I’ve slowly whittled down the things I need to focus on, tailored now at the “Big Three” that are the foundation behaviors he needs.
If we’re moving, the heel is adequate enough. As he gets older, and cares less about distractions, I’m hoping he won’t need any more leave it or slow commands very much. When we stop and stand, say to look at merchandise or pay at a counter, is when he struggles to just be still and ignore.
Dogs don’t multitask, so if he’s not moving, he’s looking around, and if he’s looking around, he’s getting interested in the presence of other dogs or people that might pet him. Most pups have that difficulty.
His down stays are improving, if I have the sense and wherewithal to get him a good long run before depositing his majesty in the car. When he’s really tired, he’ll give me a solid hour of down if I’m sitting and nobody bothers him. Most days there’ll be a pop up or a whiney, but not always.
That’s closer to the hour and a half for a Tuesday/Thursday college class. Should I be overly ambitious and hope for a 2-2 ½ hour once a week class? Nah. Pushing my luck. But the day he can down until further notice, I’m uncorking a bottle of wine and slapping some lobster on a plate! Won’t that be grand?
Also grand is that the Neosporin is doing the job for Kenai’s acne and sores between his toes. Fiddlyfoo me didn’t put it on him Saturday at all, but the 2-3 times a day was making a noticeable difference. I wipe the webbing and chin with apple cider vinegar then grease them up with ointment. The trick is to swipe and grease when he’s going to do something: if he lays down, the ointment gets wiped off his chin. So ups with the pups and off we go.
And his cropped ears are holding without posts. I can live with a single tiny tippy wilt on those vaulting poles. Yikes they were cropped long. There hasn’t been any piglet ears, or fold flops in a long time. Yay! He still occasionally criss crosses them, or leans one in, but they stand straight practically all the time.
His antler days I believe are done, and the fencepost pokes are a thing of the past. We just had to wait for the adult teeth to finish coming up for the ears to set. I still have a couple of his baby teeth, though. They’re soooooo small! The amazing thing is, those teeny tiny daggers fit him back when he was a little toddles, just a few months ago.
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Tagged
confident puppy,
cropped ears,
heaven,
littermates,
prayer,
puppy acne,
puppy exercise,
puppy moods,
puppy play,
puppy training,
service dog training,
timid puppy
Posted by greatdaneservicedog on August 24, 2008
http://greatdaneservicedog.wordpress.com/2008/08/24/ramshackle-cornersby-lisa-harmon/
I know you got my bone, I know you do! Kenai 32 wks
Here’s a good pic of Kenai, concentrating very hard since I have his squeaky bone in my hand! Any second now, there’ll be a rocket run right to me. The only thing to do is stand still: he likes to see how close he can get without running into me. I usually goose his tush on the way by, which sets off a round of hilarious goober runs, aka, zoomies.
Some pics let you see your dog as others would, and here he looks less like my young buddy than an intimidating dog. He certainly has a presence, very stoic and strong. I know the gentle nature of these Gentle Giants, but Great Danes can be formidable if you’re skittish of large dogs. Kenai looks like he COULD hunt down a bear in this pic! But there’s no bear hunting, no turkey chasing, no rabbit running down. He only gets to look at them, and listen to the foxes play.
I had myself a wonderful weekend, with no yelling, no barking, no tantrums, and no guilt for taking a much needed nap. Didn’t have to worry about BB losing his puppy mind or Kenai getting bent out of shape with my niece carrying on. All I had to do was take my camera up to ship for repairs (idiot-I let it get dropped in water).
I should have gone into Springfield for the boy’s homeopathic pain reliever drops, but decided it could wait. Two falls in one week’s left me hurting and bruised. We have some herbal pills, that don’t work as well, but at least help. Kenai wasn’t satisfied with the quickie outing, and didn’t want to get out of the car when we got home. Spoiled brat!
I made supper, but Brown’s second playtime went down the tubes from one of Mom’s cleaning fits. In fact, so did BB’s only playtime for the day. She has this habit of biting off more than she can finish, then bugs me to get it done. I’ve been bugging her to be more realistic about her capabilities since she isn’t 30 anymore, and neither am I.
A steady “little bit a day” gets more accomplished than spurts and sputters, ya know? Especially if you plan out what has to be done in a prioritized order and work your way down. Tortoise and the Hare rules. Lessons from the land of chronic fatigue, passed along.
While we’re on the topic of spurts and sputters, Kenai’s training has lapsed into a slow crawl. He’s in a phase or something right now where he’s reverted to the ignore-yous, and seems rather anxious/excitable. We’ll stay with 3-4 outings a week, while I wait out the fussies. I still have at least 10 months before his weight bearing tasks can begin, when the growth plates of his bones close.
Once we have our home and lives back in October, and the immense stress my brother brings is gone, I have an inkling that Kenai’s mood swings will stabilize as the household stabilizes. Believe it or not, we had a happy little home with our happy little four-pack before all this lunacy began last April. At least for a few weeks.
I swear I’m going to have the house cleansed and blessed in October, so there won’t be any vestiges of negative energy, or bad juju, or whatever you happen to call it. The only leftovers I want are in the fridge!
It might take a month or two after my brother leaves to regain enough strength, but I WILL get back to my boy’s regular-as-fiber, 2 a day outdoor playtimes. Nothing like sufficient exercise to settle down the puppy difficulties. That will be just in time, too, since his full-out teenage spell will be hitting around the holidays. Or should I say clobbering?
Teenage dogs can be insufferable, to human and canine companions alike! Their intensity requires considerable calmness and determination to manage. Let’s cross our fingers and hope Kenai’s will be a relatively minor period of madness. I know better, but still… I’ve gotten shades of his adolescence, when he gets into a stubborn or harder to manage stage. I have the feeling I’ll be riding herd on a willful bull for a few months. We’ll both be glad when it’s over.
Second on the priority list is returning to his daily obedience practices, at home and in public. And having fun doing it, too. Why do I feel like we’re at another déjà vu moment, always trying to rebuild our rapport after something messes it up? Anyway, it will be back to exercise, play/practice, and affection. Do one thing and do it well…then do it again when Kenai decides he doesn’t feel like it! Puppy moods are something else.
Sunday we had a stop at a gas station, but I was just too tired for more than get-r-done: only the one stop. We stood in line, and the nosey butt was determined to sniff the lady’s behind ahead of us… people aren’t dogs, Kenai! Stay out of the privates, or you’re sergeant stripes will be busted to PFC.
What was really rewarding, was when the lady turned to leave she startled, saying she didn’t even know he was there. A 100+ pound dog, 6 inches from you, not being noticed at all. That’s the point, an unobtrusive service dog. And the glory of it all was he did it without a gentle leader! I had to correct alot more for pulling and sniffing around, but he was managable with just a collar.
I did have a lovely long nap when we got back, then BB’s dip in the pool finished all hopes of a second run for Kenai. Oh, to get my energy back…when I do, you’d better dust off your dancing shoes darling, ‘cause you and me are gonna hit the town!
My tawny toots may finally be nearing the end of trying to stand his great big ears. They’ve been tape free for two weeks, with just one suffering from the tippy wilts. Some days it stands perfectly, though, especially if he’s paying attention to something.
Bat boy hasn’t quite grown into them yet, so when he gives me a long droopy face he’s awfully funny looking. Wombat buddy! Moose Mooch! Those long ears have been a six month challenge. I hope he’s all done with the taping, and oily tape removals that preserve his fur.
I heard some really good news Saturday, that one of the boy’s older “cousins” got her championship! I have a very special place in my heart for Gracie, the shy little girl whose soulful eyes and gentle energy lead me to the Brother’s Grin. Something about her picture on the internet was enchanting, and I clicked a link to her breeder.
There before me was Bennie, the kennel stud, and yowza! He was just exactly what I wanted: calm eyes, gentle spirit, and built like a storm shelter. So sweet Gracie, here’s to ya, lovely girl!
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Posted by greatdaneservicedog on August 18, 2008
http://greatdaneservicedog.wordpress.com/2008/08/18/kenai-the-unobtrustiveby-lisa-harmon/
A little blurry, but still a beautiful shape. Kenai, 29 wks old
So Kenai’s run this morning was fun and productive. All week we’ve been working on come heel command, and it’s likely he is a bored with it as I am. His coming when called has started to slip a little, so I decided to focus instead on his recall, with a really sneaky plan: when he looked up at his name, I threw his ball as a reward for looking. Needless to say, he was king of look at me! A little variety gets alot of results.
I don’t usually take a toy outside with us, so when I do it’s a big, big, wonderful fun change for him. He hasn’t developed much interest in bringing it back, which is why I don’t bring out his toys–too much walking for me when he leaves it in the underbrush… But today’s recall play was fantastic. Even when I hadn’t thrown the ball, he would come running to me, in case I was going to. The morning burn-it-off was a huge booster shot to the recall boot camp of last month.
The three parts of a recall are looking when I call his name, leaving whatever he finds so interesting, and returning to me. I don’t expect an obedience trial response, ie a flying leap into sitting in front of me. What I’m after is that he leaves the critter poop alone. I’m happy if he comes my way, and if I want him to come right to me, I can say come front or come heel. Maybe I shouldn’t let it slide when he runs past me, but my goal is for him to stay out of ickies.
When he does rocket run past me, it’s a game of “touch the tushie”, which can be lots of fun. Get a little closer my sweet, and I’ll goose you… goosing his toffee tush almost inevitably brings on a case of the goober runs, aka zoomies. That’s even more exercise, to wear out the puppy. All the better for his obedience command practice or outing later. A tired pup is a quiet pup.
Unfortunately, most of the pics I took today were blurry. Still have alot of weakness and tremors in my limbs. Typically, I’d just delete the blurry ones, but the pic at the top of the post has such a gorgeous outline of Sir Kenai the Dignified that I had to keep it! Below is a better one of him waiting for me to toss his ball.
C’mon and toss my ball, Mom! I’m watching, I’m watching… Kenai frozen in mid-step, 29 wks
Oh those ears!! The right one simply refuses to stand, wanting to flop over his head or do the piglet droop from the middle. The left one stands, but it wants to lean, too. Lord this is frustrating. I’ve never had so much trouble getting cropped ears to stand. Kenai is becoming more and more fussy about getting taped (and untaped), and I know it’s not the most fun in the world.
I’m breaking down and looking into the quick brace system, expensive or not. I’ll call them Monday, tell them what’s happening, and see what they suggest. They use lightweight forms made to the size of the dog’s ears, with surgical glue and remover on the inside of the ear: no hair lost, no tape to pull the delicate skin. It’s supposed to work very well, but I don’t know how it will do starting this late. Guess I’ll find out.
The lumbering lumberjack wasn’t bored this morning at all. Talk about “lords a leaping’, and I’ve got some pics to show you! The fun isn’t over for today, either. We’ll be going into the smoke shop for some cigarettes, and swing by the vet for another bottle of his pancreatic enzymes. And a long overdue weigh in. I haven’t weighed the stinker for over 2 weeks.
Mom’s pushing me to load up the mower and take it in to get repaired, but that will wait for Monday, when my brother and my neice aren’t here. I hesitate to leave Kenai in this chaotic house, with BB’s attitude of emerging dominance, a 2 year old having tantrums (Kenai gets upset when she screams), and Mom being passive as a marble statue. Not to mention my brother is given to hitting dogs.
So when Monday comes, Mom will put BB in his pen and Kenai will chill out in a calmer house while I’m gone. Oh, I thought about taking him in the truck, but I’m not even trying to get his big brown butt in and out of my half-ton! I’d probably herniate something important. Rupturing is not good. I’d rather not.
I’m hoping today my niece is less fussy and loud, since Kenai gets really bent out of shape when she has fits. Last night’s big tantrum turned him into a puppy pretzel… It all started because she wanted her 4th glass of chocolate milk before supper, and wasn’t getting it. Then when she came into the kitchen to tell me what she wanted for supper, I said sorry, kiddo, I’ve got the spaghetti on.
I’m a little uncomfortable letting a 2 year old tell me what to make. Her mom is willing to be a short order cook, making three different meals for the 3 kids. I’m lucky to be out of bed at suppertime, let alone making this for her, and that for us. Sweet little Emily is getting awfully bossy and demanding, and she stood there and demanded her hot dog.
Now if I go ask what she wants, or I don’t have something on the stove, I’m fine with making something special for her, but that’s not how it was. She was demanding what she wanted, and decided to pitch a hissy when I told her I already had pasta started. When she throws fits at home, she gets her way. When she throws fits with her father, he breaks down after awhile and gives her what she wants. She’s almost 3 now, and I will not be bossed by a toddler.
So Em had an education–you want hot dogs, you ask (not tell), and if I say no, then it’s no hot dogs this time. She screamed for her mom, she stomped her feet, she howled and let it all hang out. She got spaghetti for supper. She only ate it because my brother gave her the chocolate milk she had wanted in the first place. Dumbbutt.
I love my neice, but I don’t like how manipulative and bossy she’s becoming. The saucy attitude is starting to be her standard personality, and the fits are working, at least with her parents. Em decides everything about her life: what she wears, what and when she eats, if she wants a nap or not, even where to sleep. When she wants to sleep on the floor, or under the bed, her parents let her. She is allowed to stay up till midnight or later. If she wants to play with you, she doesn’t ask, she tells you to sit down, with a loud and commanding voice.
That’s normal for a kid to try, but when she gets away with it, the one who really gets hurt is her. Pushing the easy button over hot dogs now has consequences for her later on. I want her to being understanding that she won’t always get what she wants with everyone she meets. She’ll be three in November, so head start and preschool are not so far away. Sweetheart learned Auntie Lisa don’t give in.
Anyway, Em’s spaghetti fit lasted 15 minutes, at least upstairs because Mom had to tell Mike to take her downstairs, she was tired of the noise. When the circus went downstairs, Kenai collapsed on his bed and went to sleep. I was really suprised that BB didn’t go crazy barking at her–he just went to his crate and turned his back. Calming signals. It was Kenai had his whiney panies knotted up.
We’ll see how today goes, and what kind of fun Kenai can get me into. The weather is brutally hot and humid, which disagrees with my constitution appearantly. I may be wearing my bathing suit when big butt goes out for some afternoon play, and I can dip my bigger butt in the pool afterwards. The pool agrees with my constitution. Ha!
I do have to plan out lunch for tomorrow, since Wade and Melba are coming. It’s called make ahead menu, as much as possible! But what the heck, I might take Kenai to another grocery store and get some carrots and stuffing, for a roasted chicken. Kinda sounds good. With coleslaw, sliced tomatoes, and roasted carrots. Might be on to something here…
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Posted by greatdaneservicedog on July 26, 2008
http://greatdaneservicedog.wordpress.com/2008/07/26/a-little-varietyby-lisa-harmon/
Kenai waiting for little brother to come home, 28 wks old
Kenai got himself some playtime yesterday morning, and a ride in the car. We had to do the nasties, and get his ears taped up. Those ears were practicing every incorrect stance in the book, and just needed to be posted again. Sorry buddy, no fun. He set a record, though, as the first pup the vet’s ever needed to use 6 paper towels to post with. We left the posts longer than the ears to help pull them out since they like to cross over his head.
As reward, we stopped next at the puppy store. His stools are still on the loose side, and since he’s getting his pancreatic enzymes, I’m stuck thinking it’s the food again. I don’t want to change his food again. Might have to, so I was looking for a food for him. He gets to go off leash in that store, and while I was checking out bags, 2 moms came in.
Kenai greeted them at the door, running up to say hi. They seemed hesitant, so I called across the store for Kenai to “back” and “sit”. Low and behold, he did! They were really impressed. So was I for that matter! He followed the little girl around, sitting when she stopped walking, and politely mooching her lollipop. He even did a “leave it” when part of the pop fell off the stick. And Kenai did his down, up, and stay commands when the little girl asked him… I guess some of our hard work has actually stuck.
I didn’t get a chance to check out the flea stuff, so I need to go back today since I’m finding a couple of fleas again. Darn it. You’d think a dog training club would have flea and tick control in their property and buildings. Anyway, I have to go back before my head starts up again.
I don’t know for sure what’s going on with me, but I don’t like it. I’m running a fever for three days, and I haven’t hurt like this in years. The upper body is the worst, with the neck pain being out of control. It’s setting off migraines again. Kenai’s been a little short on play time and going places because of it. Sorry buddy. We didn’t last long yesterday, and came home.
Kenai’s legs are hurting too, and I ordered a homeopathic pain/inflammation remedy for dogs Wednesday. Hopefully I’ll get it by Saturday, and it will relieve some of his discomfort. I hate to see him stiff legging around like an old Dane with arthritis. Gotta slow his growth down somehow.
After a good nap, I told Kenai that BB was coming home and he high tailed it to his brother’s bed and camped out at the window. I just emptied my pharmacy and laid down to wait. Then he saw Mom’s car! Happy, happy boys, that’s for sure. Beebs got put in his expen and Kenai laid down right beside it until my neice and her 2 half brothers came in from swimming.
I had tried to time their swimming so that they would be gone before Mom got home with BB, but it didn’t work out that way. So I was really fast with BB’s look at that game to keep him from barking–don’t want to stress those sutures. I’ll be doing that all weekend, God help me.
While I was occupied with BB, I heard the oldest boy Evan, who is 13, blowing on Kenai’s face real hard, and looked around to tell him not to do that. I was just in time to see my toffee tank sit up and slap him with one of his giant paws. Whacked him in right in the back of his head, too, like some Italian Grandma. Kenai got crated, ’cause it was no accident, and not gentle either. Big little Boy meant that. A little grumpy, methinks. Can’t do that, though, grumpy or not.
Evan has ADHD, and refuses now to take his medicine. He also has a nasty streak, and Kenai doesn’t really like to be around him. I make the furry one behave, and watch Evan too, but Evan can get Kenai riled up quick, and I almost thought the paw slapping was deserved. Maybe he’ll learn, but I doubt it. He really can’t control himself with his ADHD.
Those paws are not to be taken lightly. I checked Kenai’s paws the other day to see how they compared with his father’s, the beautiful Bennie. Bennie’s paw covered my hand from the wrist to the tip of my longest finger. Kenai’s go from the wrist to just past the palm of my hand now, at 7 months old. They’re practically snow shoes! He does get good traction with them. Can slap pretty good with them too.
Kenai stayed in the crate until everyone left, then got his supper. He wanted so badly to go run and play, but by then I was severely nauseated. Sorry buddy, again. Back to bed with lots of meds. He’s so good about putting up with my problems, sweet boy, even when he wants to play. So today I’m taking back to the puppy store, for some flea stuff. I can manage one quick outing. No work, though, just regular puppy. Leave the vest.
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Posted by greatdaneservicedog on July 18, 2008
http://greatdaneservicedog.wordpress.com/2008/07/18/kenai-and-his-snowshoesby-lisa-harmon/
Are ya coming? Kenai 25 wks old
Outdoor playtime with Kenai has been outta this world for 3 entire days! Yoohoo…who stole my dog and replaced him with a look alike? Those pesky aliens are at it again. After some loose leash recall practice, and dropped leash recall, Kenai kept it going off leash too.
I didn’t give him much time between recalls and the chicken liver was a real incentive. But wow that was fun, calling him, having him look right up and come chase me. Yipee! Near the end of today’s morning run, though, Kenai seemed to be getting bored by the get interested then disengage and run to Mom thing. I added in a ball to chase for a reward, and he just chased it without bringing it back.
I hope he doesn’t lose interest, because if I let him go very long without a recall, he acts like he never heard the word come. Maybe I can come up with some brilliant plan to shake up the game, huh? It’s like entertaining kids! Only my niece will bug you to do the same thing for hours, and every time she sees you again after that…
I made myself scarce when it was feeding and potty time for BB yesterday, much to Mom’s dislike. I got him outside for one good run around, but the 4 days before it of non stop puppy care in duplicate has kicked my butt. CFS is a vengeful illness. Push it too far and you pay back double.
I’ve held my tongue with the day long drippy of “I’m tired” from Mom, though I did get on her because she’s been an awful crank with the little guy for days. For everything and anything, like not laying down and being still all day, or insisting he actually has to eat this week. It’s the not feeling good, don’t bother me cranks, but still, it’s not BB’s fault, why should he pay for it?
The more she gripes at him the worse he gets, like most dogs. BB’s a bit more touchy than most dogs though. He’s been peeing on stuff again, even after going out. That’s all stress. Emily’s arrival for the 10th weekend in a row is tomorrow night, so you wanna see stress, it’s coming… get the fire hydrant turned off now or the entire house will be wearing vinyl, us included.
I may have been a bit harsh with one comment though. When she complained that he doesn’t get up and follow her when she wants him to, from my mouth came “I wouldn’t either with that short fuse of yours”. If he doesn’t immediately obey, she goes through the atmosphere. Welcome to timid dogs…they need constant patience and encouragement. Loose your cool with one, and you start over rebuilding trust.
So she readjusted the attitude, and low and behold, he didn’t whiz on anything or be a butt… And the moment she brought up the pitch and tone of her voice, stuck a treat in front of his nose, he got up! BB’s not hard, he just needs happy and fun all around him. Even corrections have to be done with a near serene approach. Calm him down, and you get what you want. Get mad and he gives you feral in reply.
Kenai, Kenai, Kenai… I just turned around to find a high heel in his mouth. What the heck is that? He’s chewed up one thing his whole life! Is he so allergic to being good outside he had to get some uh-uh thing in? He’d barely degloved the fabric on the heel, but now it’s 2 things he’s chewed.
He got a huge aaaach and a long low growl for it. His eyes went sad, and he put his head down away from the shoe. I allowed him to sit in his sorrow for a few seconds, then let it go and gave him a chew toy instead. He didn’t do much with it, so I teased him and had a few moments of chomp on the toy play.
If he seems to have gotten off easy, he didn’t. Kenai has a fine line between effective and too severe when it comes to corrections. He gave up the shoe, and chewing in general until I convinced him it was okay to chew the beef chip. I won’t put them away, either: he has to leave it alone.
Kenai just doesn’t need an all out bite your head off. Thankfully. I’ve had dogs like that. They’re tiring.
Kenai and I haven’t gone anywhere since Tuesday night’s puppy class, so today we need to do something someplace sometime today. Oy. I like warmer weather, but summer heat isn’t my favorite. Winter ups my pain, but summer heat and humidity saps my strength pretty bad. Even our nighttime temps are staying up right now, not unexpectedly. It’s almost July. Makes it hard to sleep though. And get the boy out places.
I don’t take my Danes out in the heat of the day. If I can, we’re gone and back again before the mercury tops 85F, 90F max. Being prone to bloat, (the number one killer of Danes by the way), I just hesitate to have them out in heat for more than a potty break. Temperature extremes can drastically increase the incidence of GDV, so why take the chance if I can help it?
Good thing I’m an early morning girl, huh? Evenings…nah. End of the day, not so good. I’d do stuff after dark if I could sleep all afternoon. Oh the dreams of leisure I have! Ha. I’d better stick to mornings: not as likely to step in gum at the store parking lot, or puppy scrap piles outside.
And little big man’s ears are already wilting at the tips, so he has some tape and breathe right strips on them now. Anything to avoid the fencepost ears for him, if possible. He’s put up with 18 weeks of it now, patient pup. I don’t blame him for getting tired of it. Oh, and he has a couple puppy zits.
Pups get acne sometimes, and with all the folds and creases of his chin it’s not a surprise. So he gets a wipe with diluted Ox-E drops after a pretty mouth slobber wipe. Some people use vinegar, but that wouldn’t go over well. At 90 pounds, I’d rather not have to wrestle him to the floor several times a day! Oh, it wouldn’t be that bad, but the Ox-e drops are basically tasteless. Easy when able is my motto.
I’ve been getting my quota of howl at the idiots by watching a show called “World’s Dumbest Criminals”. It’s on Thursday nights, and even the reruns are worth a watch. I’ve taped a couple for crappy days. The clips are funny, but the comedians they have commenting on them can make a continent woman pee her Victoria Secrets.
Tonight had this clip of a woman faking a fall at the grocery so she could sue. The woman sort of slid to her knees, then carefully let herself down using her hands. One of the comedians said, “That was a fall? The woman’s worse than a folding chair at a family reunion—she’s going down in sections.”
The show has everything your village idiot was too smart to even think of, let alone try. Like knocking over a liquor store to steal the cheapest beer brand they carry, or trying to rob a jeweler being dumb enough to wear your work uniform with your name on it and a milk crate on your head. One man said, “just watching that clip makes my IQ drop”.
So if ya can’t find anything to laugh at, watch that. It’ll improve your mood and self-image at the same time!
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Posted by greatdaneservicedog on June 27, 2008
http://greatdaneservicedog.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/what-the-heck-was-thatby-lisa-harmon/
Kenai trotting back to Mom for a treat, 24 wks old
Appearantly, WordPress got the message about their picture uploader! Suddenly a full size pic is the size it was saved at…yay! Big pics again for the blog, even if I am back to barely getting a good one out of 10 tries. Kenai turned 6 months old, yesterday. Happy Birthday, toffee tank!
We’ve had a couple difficult days, Kenai and I, birthday or not. He’s been so hungry, that he begins to misbehave about 4 hours after he eats, and it has gotten much worse since my last post. Our outside playtimes have reflected his frustrated state of mind: NEVER HEARD A WORD, kinda thing. And inside, he’s gnawing on anything, won’t mind, frustrated. Uugh.
I really cracked down on him yesterday afternoon, because I won’t have such pushy and toothy behavior from him, hungry or not. We’re going to the vet tomorrow, for his rabies shot, and whatever else the vet wants to do. We need to find out what’s going on with my boy’s tummy. Something’s just off, as if his digestive system is in turbo drive.
And one of Kenai’s and BB’s internet friends is also having a hard time. Abby is losing weight and not eating. She’s a year old, and the family just moved, the heat is atrocious…let’s all hope and pray she’s only reacting to heat and stress. Great Danes are notorious for not eating when the temps go up or their environment changes.
I went to the first puppy obedience class last night, and it’s going to be a big challenge for Kenai. The first night is just for people, but next Tuesday we see how he does. The dogs that are there, from what their owners say, seem to be sort of problem child types. They range from out of control high energy, to nervous and anxious. Only one of the 10 can do a sit, and only sporadically.
Before I get too arrogant about that (human nature can be stinky, can’t it: my dog is better than your dog…), I always keep in mind that Kenai’s obedience isn’t what it used to be. He picks up on the energy around him, whether it’s a obedient dog going through their commands, or an anxious dog having a fit.
A service dog has to be sensitive enough to pick up on the handler’s energy, but not to get so involved in the environment as Kenai does. His focus is just a bit too much on what’s around him. He’s a puppy still, big as he is, and that’s a very normal thing.
All the same, bit by bit, he’ll learn to focus with exposure, shaping, and practice. And maturing as he grows will help too! Right now he is six months old, which is the equivilent of a human 4 year old child. Puppy class for Kenai is kinda like the Head Start program for children. It’s tough being a youngin!
I am going to spend considerable time this week working on the “Control Unleashed” book’s beginning exercises. Hopefully, the look at me practice will lay the groundwork for the look at that exercises he’ll need for Tuesday’s class. A dog can’t do what you want if they aren’t paying attention to you, right?
I really don’t know how class will go for him, other than I’m going to make it as fun as possible, paying attention to me in the midst of everything. Big, Big, Dane sized challenge for him to pay attention with all that noise and excitement. I’ve got an extra $25, so I’m going to spend it on new and interesting treats. He doesn’t take treats in public, as a rule, so they’ve got to be super duper terrific.
It sounds awful, but I don’t feel the intuitive closeness I have had with a couple dogs before. I know Kenai’s habits, I have tremendous love for him, we’re very tightly bonded, but he is harder to understand. Does that make sense? Kenai is more work for me to “get”.
Maybe it’s just me, being a totally different person than I used to be, with much different capabilities. Maybe he’s just a very different dog than I’ve had before, too. All the same, I love him beyond words, and we’ll keep plugging away!
I’m going to retape his ears today, since the one is starting to fold a little at the crease, and the tips are just too droopy. Poor kiddo, gotta have another week of itchy tape. But we’re getting to the end of it all, which should make him happy–over soon little big guy.
So today is a trip to get his ears done, a trip to my bank, a trip to the puppy store for treats, and a lot of practice at heeling and looking at me! I’m having so much trouble with him in the field the past couple days that his play time will be after we get home. We’ll see how he does!
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Posted by greatdaneservicedog on June 18, 2008
http://greatdaneservicedog.wordpress.com/2008/06/18/big-challenges-for-a-little-boyby-lisa-harmon/
You want pretty? I give you pretty…Kenai 23 wks old.
Okay, I deleted the post I wrote earlier, because I don’t want to hear about the less than fun goings on this weekend anymore than you do. There’s the wild BB behavior, Mom’s depressiveness, Kenai’s tummy troubles, my brother’s garbage… the only thing normal is Emily’s typical 2 year old stuff. Not fun, but normal at least. It’s all a mess, and I’m tired of it, so fooey on it.
There, how’s that for a bugger off to one’s troubles? I’m planning a day of play for Kenai, with as much fun as possible in it. I have no idea what we’ll do, or where we’ll do it, but it will be fun and somewhere else. Maybe a trip to the hardware store, or a run to Walgreens. There’s always a walk in the park. I’ll just make it up as we go, how ’bout that?
Kenai uses our playtimes, massages, and public outings for stress relief: a kind of puppy detox. He’s been a little shy on that this week, with the both of us physically low. I’m looking forward to group obedience classes, just so we can have some fun together. If he acts like a gufus and won’t sit for awhile, I don’t care! It’ll be a new experience for him, having all those other puppies and dogs around. He’ll adjust.
I just hope there aren’t alot of “problem child” pups, because Kenai soaks up whatever energy is around him very easily. With any luck, there’ll be lots of happy and easy going furballs. Tail wagging and kisses are hopefully on the menu, since Kenai enjoys attention. I enjoy his attention too… XXOO
He’s gotten so big on me. He’s pushing 90 pounds now, and almost tall enough for the “Dane couch plop” the breed is so good at: butt on the seat, front feet 
on the floor. Just a couple more inches, buddy, and you’ll have the technique down! As fast as he’s growing, that shouldn’t take long.
His ears have been untaped since Monday, 6 full days now. I stuck a piece of tape on the inside of the ear this morning just to straighten the tippy wilts, and it seems to be doing the job. Yippee! Maybe his days of itchy posts and puppy antlers are done. He’d like that, I’m sure. Me too, little big wumpus!
I let his nails get a little long, so I’m cutting back a little more every few days to move the quick of the nail back. Shorter is better for dogs, being much less likely to split or pull loose a nail. That hurts. I’m even getting him used to a nail file for the heavy duty human acrylic nails. It smooths the cut ends. He doesn’t care for it, but I prefer not having sharp edges hit my skin!
And a half-bath is coming up for Kenai today, at least in the plans. I plan to use a bucket and sponge to lather and rinse his legs. If he handles it well (yeah, right), we do the same for the torso. We have this fancy shmancy doggie shampoo that smells so nice and conditions the coat. He needs to be shiney puppy, not stinky boy…At least he likes getting brushed and dried off.
Well, I hear my neice screaming downstairs, so it’s time to get outta Dodge. We’ll go for a run in the field, and try the puppy bath. Then it’s dry off the rest of the way upstairs and hop in the car. Funner is better…
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Posted by greatdaneservicedog on June 15, 2008
http://greatdaneservicedog.wordpress.com/2008/06/15/a-couple-more-inchesby-lisa-harmon/
Kenai, my gorilla in the mist, 23 wks
Oh dear, Kenai’s back to antibiotics. His pooty problems restarted this week, and aren’t responding to the probiotics, the fiber, plain canned pumpkin… sound familiar? So we give Metronidazole a try, since it can also kill protozoa and other nasties puppies pick up. But after the last antibiotic gave him a bit of colitis, I have to watch out for colitis again. I’m told that the amino acid L-glutamine helps protect and repair the mucosal lining of the bowels. Guess that means a trip to the health food store.
All the cooties Kenai has been treated for are frustrating, but not too surprising really. BB doesn’t have the same tummy troubles, so it can’t be the food or water. Kenai gets exposed to all kinds of environments with his training and socialization, that his brother doesn’t. And living in the country, his field and yard have traffic from innumerable wild beasties. I keep telling myself that it will build a really strong immune system in him.
If only he’d stop eating ickies in the field!! We’ve worked on “leave it” and ‘come”, and he’s much better about it, but still, he’s a puppy: no such thing as perfect obedience from a 23 week old puppy. Kenai’s darn close to it, though. Unfortunately sometimes he ignores the leave it and gets to the critter poop before I get to him. He once even tried to roll in it. Doggie ideas about grooming are not exactly the same as ours…
If he was a human kid, I would wonder if he’s doing this just so he can get his peanut butter more often. He’s a PB fiend, my little big puppy. A spoonful of sugar may do it for Mary Poppins, but peanut butter is the medicine delivery system of choice for Kenai. He knows where it is in the pantry too! Doesn’t matter how awful something tastes, if you put it in peanut butter, he’ll eat it.
Kenai’s also getting the TLC for his sore back legs. We do the Tellington touch, and gentle massage on them. I’ve limited his run time, which he doesn’t like. (I don’t either, since he gets bored and restless without enough exercise). The right hind leg seems the most sore, along the Achilles tendon and hock joint. The coming rain isn’t helping either of us today. Poor kiddo. Growing up is an uncomfortable proposition for Great Danes at times.
Despite the poopy problems and the sore legs, Kenai still enjoys his indoor play, and manages not to be too grumpy about his discomfort. His happy play is so much fun to watch, I can’t help but join in! He decided to play soccer with me yesterday, tapping the tennis ball in my direction so I can roll it back to him a few times. Then it’s pick up the ball in his mouth and leap about. When he’s ready, he’ll toss the ball up in the air, chase it down, and do it all again. Puppy soccer!
Our games of tug have evolved a little too. I still refuse to loose, so I’ve made tug part of a “let go” and fetch game. He’s able to get his feet up to try and knock my arm loose, so I’ve gotten really fast at switching hands! Didn’t work, toffee toodles! And from time to time I do a “puppy stuck” tuggie game, where my hand has the baby from behind and between his front legs: he can’t get either the baby or himself loose. Just a little reminder who’s bigger and stronger. Maybe he won’t notice I’m not!
He has tried returning to the keep away games with me, which means I need to bring out the clicker and treats. No keep away, love. Not when you’re a service dog and need to retrieve things I drop. A lot of it is the competitive stuff between him and his brother. But it’s carrying over, which is normal for puppies. They have to learn there’s different ways to play with different people and dogs, and need reminding of that from time to time.
Kenai’s ears are almost done with the taping! Yay! I took the tape off Monday, and only the tips are drooping now, so instead of a full post taping, I’m going to try using only a strip of tape inside the ear. The base and ever treacherous middle fold are still standing so cross your fingers. I really hope for his sake that’s all we have to do for the remainder of the time it takes for his ears to stand. The posts and wrapped around tape has to be itchy, and getting it all off isn’t much fun for him.
It is unbelievable that next Tuesday, Kenai and BB will be 6 months old. How’d that happen?! He was this tiny little tank of a puppy I could pick up and cart off, now suddenly he’s tall enough to be petted while I’m standing. It doesn’t seem possible that my rhino baby has been here for four months. I’M AGING!! AAAHH! Okay, old lady fit over…
It’s really gotten dark outside, and the trees are blowing around pretty hard. I think our trip to the vet might be postponed until later. I don’t like the way the sky looks, so I’m going to close up here and go downstairs to check the local news. One of the skills you acquire living in Missouri is the ability to recognize wall clouds and the strange green cast of a tornadic storm. Time to go.
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Posted by greatdaneservicedog on June 13, 2008
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Kenai’s favorite ball, 20 weeks old.
My buddy had himself a good day yesterday, once the ear taping was over. Those ears are heavy and loooonnngggg, poor kid. The taping is far from done, but his head will most definitely grow into them, and way before adulthood. Bless his heart, he looks like a fruit bat when they’re untaped and facing forward! When they’re taped, Kenai’s my little spike buck…
His poopy troubles seem to be on the mend. What I’m thinking was the antibiotic took care of the bacterial overgrowth, but then proceeded to give him a case of colitis. I broke down waiting for the vet’s medicine and diet remedy to do the trick and gave Kenai one of my Mom’s pills that slows her gut down.
He was pooping right after meals, which is normal, then again 2 hours or less after eating, and nothing was stopping the jet stream. I mean NOTHING. It takes 2 hours to get the food out of the stomach, but going through the intestines that fast wasn’t normal. There’s no way he was getting much nutrient from it either. I wasn’t going to mess around any longer.
So Mom’ Levbid slowed things down the first dose, some 11 days after the diarrhea started. By today’s dose, the stools were normal and the frequency was too. He’s still getting the vet’s meds, but at $2 a pill, that can’t go on long. Hopefully after a few days he won’t need the meds anymore.
Not having to poop himself silly gave him more playtime, and we enjoyed ourselves until the temps hit 85 F, then came in for a needed nap. Since using the Frontline Plus, I haven’t found a single tick on him. A far cry from 5-10 after each run, and much preferable to both of us! He didn’t have any reaction to the Frontline, thank goodness.
My boy does love his outdoor fun. Can’t imagine why the fresh air and sunshine is so enticing…it’s not like he’s a dog or anything. But then, rhinos live outside too! Kenai is now over 71 pounds, at all of 5 months old. His growth fascinates me, not by its speed but by its evenness.
He has always grown as much in muscle and width as he has height. Not once has Kenai looked lanky or scrawny like most Dane pups. Pictures don’t really do him justice, anymore than they do his sire, Bennie. I can’t wrap my hand around Kenai’s front leg anymore, and haven’t since he was 4 months old. The fingers don’t touch. Those bones are substantial, in ALL CAPS.
We’ve got all day to ourselves, Kenai and I. My big plans are a nap, a little play, and possibly another nap. Mom is heading up to Columbia to see BB and his vets, with our dear friend, Melba. Mike won’t be home until after 4 pm. And everything on the TV tonight is re-runs.
I might be daring enough to watch a movie. But that’s about it, unless Kenai throws a bone in the works, like wanting very much to go someplace. The best he’ll get today though is the nearby mom and pop puppy store for a chew. I refuse to even take a shower. How’s that for lazy?
This holiday weekend is going to be quiet and pleasant, and PEACEFUL for the first time in 5 weeks. Already made up my mind, and I’m ready for the head butting session: Mike and his daughter can leave us alone, in the living room or anywhere else we happen to be, when Mom and I want to be left alone. I will sit in my own recliner, and smoke without having to go outside or hole up in the bathroom and lock the door so Emily doesn’t burst in.
I’ll play with her for awhile, and enjoy it too, but when it’s been long enough, it’s been long enough. That’s why I don’t have children of my own: I can’t physically keep up with them. I can play and have fun for awhile, then I can send them home when it’s not possible or enjoyable anymore.
It’s not that I don’t like kids, I simply can’t withstand long periods with them. Just how it is, whether I like it or not. Whether anyone likes it or not. The day after suffering when I don’t have the option of ending our time together is intense beyond most people’s comprehension. It usually involves blinding headaches, vomiting, severe muscle pain, weakness…you get the idea. Limitations suck, but they’re a reality.
So, as much as I love my neice, and have a ball with her: no more chasing Kenai and I around when her Dad has parked his ass on the couch and doesn’t feel like playing with her. No more howling up the stairs when she’s bored and lonely, waking me up. He’s the parent, not me. Not Mom either. She’s 70, and has a perfect right to say no in her own home.
And I don’t mean I’m hiding upstairs with Kenai for some quiet ever again. They’re the visitors, and when we’ve had enough, Mike gets up and takes her away. Emily’s a normal active 2 year old, and there is no normal 2 year old who can sit quietly on the couch for days at a time. Mike don’t like it, he can get his own place. 5 weeks is long enough for even family to wear holes in a welcome.
Saturday and Sunday Kenai and I can enjoy a couple hours of yard work/chase the ball, and Monday too, unless I need the rest or we hit 90 degrees Farenheit. Nope, after tonight, we’re gonna hole up and wait for the drunks and the crazies to go back to work Tuesday!
It’s Memorial Day Weekend, by the way, for any non-American’s reading. Officially it’s a national holiday to remember our loved ones who have died and military veterans. Unofficially, it’s the kick off to summer. Around this neck of the woods, it’s the start of drink till you’re blind and drown yourself in the lake season. Those that don’t drown, drive home. I don’t get out much on weekends.
Speaking of memorials, I’ve already let Kenai’s breeder know I really want another pup from his dad, Benicio in about 5 years. That’s when it’s time to start raising and training a new pup so Kenai can retire from public life at 7 or so. 7 years old is when even healthy Danes start showing their age and slowing down, sadly enough.
Bennie is 6 now, so fathering another litter in 5 years is going to require a fancy batch of dry ice! I’m thinking a formal name like Shakira’s Tribute, and calling the new baby, Beno. The wonderful Bennie deserves a tribute, and if he could live forever, I’d never want another sire.
In case you’re wondering, Kenai will be nuetered around 18 months old. That’s the contract, and I’d do it anyway: I don’t show my dogs, so I have no business being a breeder. Conformation shows aren’t just beauty pageants–they make certain that a breeder’s dogs measure up to the ideals of the breed.
Teri knows what she’s doing! I really have never, ever, in all my life been so completely amazed and impressed with a puppy, as I am with Kenai. He’s a total package: stunning conformation, ideal temperment, and brains out the wazoo. A perfect copy of his daddy, and I’m in love with Bennie too. He wouldn’t fit in my suitcase, though, so I couldn’t sneak him home with us. Drat.
I don’t recall seeing if Bennie had any white marks, but both our boys do. BB has a tiny little spot on his chest, and Kenai has an arrow. Yes, an arrow. There’s a very thin line about 2 inches long of white on his chest, with an honest to goodness point at the top.
I guess he spends so much time flaked out on his back he needs it to remind him which way’s up. Maybe it’s directions for where to send the food. Perhaps he just lost his “this way to the complaint department” sign. I don’t know, but it is cute having pointy ears and a pointy on his chest too. Uh-oh, I feel a new nickname coming on…”pointy pooch”.
See what a little sleep deprivation can do to a perfectly normal person? Okay, not entirely normal, but close enough…
“You’re just jealous because the voices only talk to me…”
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Posted by greatdaneservicedog on May 23, 2008
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