Jasmine's new collar

Recently, we went to the bridle trails near Kohler Andrae State Park, for a walk.  A while back, the retractable leash had been taken out of the car and never put back.  In our eagerness to get to the walk, we forgot to double-check that we HAD a leash.  Oy.  So, we were at the park with an excited dog and no leash.  PetSmart was closer than going home, so we went there.  It turned out they were having a buy one/get one 50% off with the collars and leashes, so we bought a collar, too.  We ended up buying a Kong Comfort Plaid Collar and a Kong Leash.  The collar and the leash are both soft to the touch and comfortable for the dog and the person holding the leash.  She had a collar, but it was getting faded, so we got her a new one.  The old collar was a Lupine collar with a lighthouse print on it.  We thought it was a fine collar, but since we have the new collar on her, she isn't licking her paws anymore.  She was licking her paws so much, that we had to keep a cone on her most of the time, because she'd lick herself raw.

Hubby was inspecting the old collar and there is a seam that seems kind of poky and uncomfortable.  Since we have the new collar on her, she is a like a different dog.  She isn't licking her paws, doesn't need the cone of shame, and just seems happier.  She'd had the old collar a LONG time, like most of the time that we've had her.  We would never have thought that the collar was bothering her neck and that's why she was licking her paws.  I feel really bad now.  She could have had a more comfortable life the last few years.

At the bridle trails with Sarah, left and Emily, right.

Jasmine hanging out in her crate

Jasmine's new collar

Jasmine's new collar again

Jasmine walking in the yard. Grass is trying to turn green.

We should just throw the other collar away. It's old anyway. So, back to the walk.  She did enjoy her walk and probably would like to go back soon!  For the moment, though, one daughter is working and the other daughter is painting her room, so the house is in turmoil and we don't have much time to get to the bridle trails.

Jasmine Update

I've been ignoring this! Too many other responsibilities! Jasmine has been battling a yeast infection on her belly. We saw the vet a week ago and with the addition of oral ketoconazole and washing her belly with keto-chlor once a day, it's much improved in a week's time. Unfortunately, she needs to wear the cone of shame, because otherwise, she'd lick her belly into flaming redness. Maybe she won't have to wear it for too much longer. I just wanted to post, so we'd could keep a record of this. The vet also said to call in 2 weeks, with an update, so that will be next week Thursday (April 12th, 2012).

She's quite cooperative with the belly scrubbing. Just jumps on our bed and rolls right over, so I can get the job done! A few times, she's gone hiding in her crate, or under my computer desk. Then I just go hang out in my bedroom, until she can't stand it anymore and comes to me! LOL! She does, eventually! (Just like a little kid, I swear!)

Winter's almost over

Maybe I'll get to go to Kohler-Andrae State Park soon. It's been a long time. Sometimes, I think we are driving there, but we are just going to Walmart or Wendy's. Darn it. I miss walking on the beach.

Last night it snowed a little bit. The sidewalks and driveways were all clear of snow and I was even getting some grass back, but now all I see is snow. Mom says we only got about an inch, though, so it probably won't last too long. Mom says she is ready for flowers. Do I tell her it's only February?

I"m ready for spring. That's enough with the snow for now. I do like rolling in it, though, and getting my snout all full of snow. Mom always laughs at me. Also, I'd like the snow to melt around the mugho pine, because I know that rabbits hide under there and it's fun to flush them out. They run so fast to the neighbor's yard. I don't usually chase them, though.

Maybe with warmer weather, someone will get me to the park. I needs me a park fix. Bad.

Walk at Kohler Andrae State Park

We went to the beach yesterday, at Kohler-Andrae State Parkdf, where we've been taking Jasmine, since the fireworks trauma, of the beginning of the month! It's her fireworks-free zone and she has really appreciated that! We've enjoyed lots of sunset light, since we usually go in the evening. This time, we wanted to shake things up a bit, so we went around 11am, yesterday. The sun is sure a lot brighter! LOL! Jasmine loved wading in the water and rolling in the sand. We even met up with another family that had an Australian cattle dog, named Tina. They even recognized Jasmine, from a picture on Google Images, of a previous visit to the park!

On the boardwalk, over the sand dunes, there was so much grass. It was like being on a prarie. You'd never know we were so close to the beach. Jasmine appears to be enjoying this, also. She was standing there, just sniffing the breeze. Doesn't she look happy?


This was Jasmine, after our walk. For some odd reason, my car wouldn't start, and we had to wait for Gary to come. We really should bring our cellphones along, but we'd forgotten. When Gary got there, my car fired right up. Go figure.

We were sitting in the shade with Jasmine. She was panting so hard, but it did ease up a little, as she cooled off.

Our little princess, goes crazy, when we prepare to go to the park. She knows that the Flexi leash is the special "park" leash. I like it, because it gives her more freedom, than a regular leash. She ends up getting twice the walk, since she walks out to the end and then comes back again. I'm so glad we have such a special place, so close to our house! It's definitely worth the price of the park stickers!

Beware of broken glass

My mom had just come home from work and my oldest sis was trying to get taco fixins' out of the fridge for mom to have a snack, when there was a big noise and a big mess! A bowl of pudding had fallen out of the fridge and broken. It's a good thing that I didn't have my nose right up by the fridge, because I could have gotten killed! LOL! (not really.) I was at the other end of the kitchen and my mom put me in my crate quickly, and locked one of the latches. She said she didn't want me to hurt my paws trying to walk through glass. Mom got a little annoyed that right after she got home from work, she had to clean up a big mess. She says to tell you that Anchor Hocking bowls break into a bazillion little pieces! After the glass and pudding was pretty much swept up, she made my oldest sis mop the pudding messes up.

So, beware of things that are precariously placed, in the refrigerator! They could be damaging to human feet and doggie paws! My oldest sis, who was by the fridge when it happened sustained 3 small cuts on her feet and ankles, from the glass, too. Yikes.

Mom was glad my crate was right there in the kitchen, so she could keep me safe.

My crate is naked

I'm so sad. I'm stuck laying on the hard plastic tray in my crate, because mom decided my crate pads and sleeping bag, needed washing. It seems I had dragged a lot of stuff in there, like butter wrappers and fruit bowls, so I could clean them off. In turn, I made my "room" rather messy! So, sadly, my stuff is downstairs in the washing machine. I don't think it's ever coming back.

Sarah and Emily are making cookie frosting and I keep barking at them. Mom isn't sure why. I think they're disturbing my nap. Oh yeah, my crate is naked, so I can't sleep anyway.

Healing nicely

My little owie is all healed up now and the fur is growing back nicely. You would have to look closely now, to see that I'd had anything done. I should have mom take an update picture. The other night I got to take a walk at Kohler Andrae State Park. That was so fun. Although, I didn't get to go in the water. Mom said there were yellow signs around, so she didn't think the water was safe. Once I tried to pull mommy down by the water, though. Otherwise, there were too many other smells to attract my attention, especially poop that other people chose not to pick up. Mom sure didn't like that. She brought along a plastic bag to pick up mine!

Surgery

I had to have surgery yesterday. It seems a long time ago, I must have rolled on a sewing needle, or something. When I was at the vet, about 2 weeks ago, mom asked them to scan my microchip and it was in the right place and still working. So, the funny hard bump on my L side, had to be something else. I got dropped off at the vet's office around 8am and got to go home, around 2pm. The vet removed a sewing needle, from near my ribs. He thinks I must have rolled on it, somehow. After the surgery, mom said I was Jasmine-turned-down-a-notch, because I was so mellow from the sedation and the anesthesia. She said today I'm much better.

It was hard Thursday night, because they couldn't let me eat, after 6pm. I'm used to my bedtime snacks and I wasn't happy! On Friday, after the surgery, then I could eat again and I sure did.

Last night, I was driving mom crazy, because I needed to pee every few minutes. Fortunately, by bedtime, that was better. She even talked to the on-call vet, but she thought it was just from all the IV fluid I must have been given, during surgery.

The Beach

I got to go to my favorite place last night, Kohler Andrae State Park. I love walking on the beach and Sarah always takes really cute pictures of me! There are always many different smells to inspect, too. From the amount of footprints on the beach, it looked like it had been a busy day for humans and pets, alike!

Here's what it looks like, when I first get to the park. Just let me get to the water and don't get in my way! LOL!

Mom was glad that I didn't roll in anything stinky last night, since she just gave me a bath on Tuesday, July 10th! She said my face was stinky. I thought I was just being a dog! I was a good dog, too, because I hopped into the tub, without having to be bribed with a treat!

I haven't forgotten about that hose!

So, mom thought she was smart, getting me ALL wet, with the hose about a month ago! I used to like getting drinks from the hose, but now I don't trust mommy. I swear she is going to get me all wet again. No more hose drinks for me. I'll take my baths in the warm bathtub, thank you very much.

On Sunday, all these people came to our house. Sarah was running around in a funny outfit, with a hard hat and everyone was taking pictures. There was cake, and everything. I remembered, for the most part, not to jump on people, but I did need some reminders. I didn't think it was fair, that the dog got put in the crate, when the food was around. Wasn't that the best part? With all those new people in the house, don't you think someone would have given me a treat? Anyway, mom called it a grad-i-ashun. She said Sarah won't go to school in Sheboygan, anymore. Hmph, and how come I didn't get my picture taken, with the grad in her costume? Aren't I a member of the family, too?

An Outside Bath

What will they think of next? Yesterday, I took a walk with my grandma, mom, and 2 sisters. I found something in a ditch that smelled really good and I rolled in it, a long time because it smelled so good, despite everyone's efforts to get me to stop! When we got home, Mom realized I stunk really bad and that had to be fixed. I still can't believe she washed me outside, with cold water! Brrrr! Then I had to rub against the bushes outside, instead of Grandma's nice couches. Sheesh!

While they went out to eat, after the bath, I got stuck in the crate, to dry off! Fortunately, by the time they got back from eating and watching the sunset, I was dry enough to be out of the crate!

Today, on the way home, my family stopped at the gas station, in Algoma, which is right by the lake! I always get to go potty there and I always know what city we are in, no matter if we are coming or going! Everyone stopped to get a drink, but did anyone ask the dog? So, I try to get drinks, from my sister's drinks, but they don't let me. So, we stop at the next city down from Algoma, so they can give me a drink. I had to drink from a bottle, since no one brought a bowl for me! Sheesh, what is with my family? Did they forget the had a dog? After the drink, I was much happier!

My 3rd Gotcha Day

I got a box, full of replacement squeakies for the intelligence toys, that I have. (Iqube, Hide-a-squirrel, Cagey Cube) I love the toys, but I guess my big teeth are a bit hard on the squeakers! (Oops!) It's my favorite thing, to make my squeakers squeak and I don't like the toys so much, if they don't make noise, so every now and then, mom buys me replacement parts, for those toys! So, I was wondering if it was Christmas, or something.

Then, they took me to the fancy pet store and got me some fancy treats. I didn't get to eat them yet. It was kind of cold to go outside and to dark in the house, to take pictures. Maybe tomorrow. I hope I get them soon.

Anyway, mom says I've been with the family, for 3 years now and that's why I got all the presents! Mom's friends think that she has a pretty spoiled puppy! LOL!

Loud Popping Noises

My neighbors were out on their driveway, with company. Mom said they were having a fire. Then the fire made a popping noise. I was so freaked out, I couldn't go potty. Mom just didn't understand and got so mad at me. She even kept the bedroom door closed all night, so I wouldn't go potty on the living room carpeting.

This morning, mom had to drag me outside, with the leash on, because I still thought I would hear a popping noise. Then later on, she thought to bring a dried sausage treat outside with her, and I can't resist those, so out I went. I was still creeping around, like I was scared to be outside, though. It's gotten better, as the day goes on, and I haven't heard anymore popping noises. Mom also noticed that when going outside meant a car-ride, I wasn't scared at all! It's just when I have to go potty.

She is worried about when firecrackers start, at the end of June, in preparation for 4th of July. I can be enjoying myself, and then when one of those makes a popping noise, I head right for the door. Nothing scares me inside my house! Mom thinks it's going to be a long summer.

Hackles

Mom was just saying the other day, that I don't show my hackles very often. I like barking at other dogs, but usually don't feel threatened by them. Well, the neighbor thinks we have too many wild critters in our neighborhood, so he likes to trap the raccoons and take them out to the woods. Mom thinks the raccoons he moves, are just replaced by new ones and that it's kind of futile to keep catching them and moving them, but that's another topic.

Anyway, mom sees me make a bigger circle out in the yard, than I usually do. My head was down in stalking mode and she also saw hackles of fur, up on my back. So, she comes down to see what is under the tree. She thought it was a big ol' raccoon all scrunched up in the small Hav-a-heart trap. Poor thing had no room to move. So, that was the reason for the hackles. She has no idea if raccoons make any noises, because that one was quiet, even though we were looking at it.

So, there you have it. I do know how to get my hackles up! Oh yeah, she wants you to know that the next time we were outside, the neighbor had taken the trap and gone somewhere with it, so the raccoon wasn't scrunched up all day!

Happy New Year

I had a good Christmas! I got a big bag of compressed rawhides, a cool loofa plush toy, and a stuffed moose, that also squeaks. I have been playing with the loofa toy the most. Although, today, I was most entertained by pulling out some of the stuffing. I don't think this toy is going to last too much longer! LOL! I also got a 4-pronged thingie that looks like tennis ball material. I was chewing on that, today. I loved it!

I don't know if I had such a good New Year's Eve, though. I got left alone while everyone else went to a party. Didn't they know I wanted to party, too? Oh well. They came home eventually, but then wanted to go to bed. I fell asleep, right next to mommy. She has been working so much and then did some roadtrips for shopping, that I have been feeling rather neglected lately. I think she said they were staying home today.

Rainy morning

It was raining so hard, this morning, when mom took me outside to do my business. Twice I told her it was crazy to be outside and ran back to the door, but mom was persistent. Couldn't she see it was raining? So, I made her happy, got soaking wet, and went to the bathroom. Phew. Then she let me back into the house. I hope it doesn't rain all day!