Daily Walks

I've been trying to get back into the routine of a daily walk. I had been getting a bit slack in that area. We take the same general route every day & last year this one house had a "crazy dog" who runs the edge of their lawn & right by continuously until we've passed. They must have an underground fence or something. Anyway, we hadn't seen him all spring until yesterday & considering the circumstances my crew did well. Not so much any barking but more growling & "panic" in their movement. Of course, they weren't sure if the dog was going to come attack them or not so I get that especially since the movement of the other dog was also panic as he was running back & forth.

Today as we turned the corner off our road I see a woman walking her dog. This woman I know & I also know her dog walks off leash (wonderfully I may add). I see the dog watching my crew as we got closer & again, a lot of growling, mostly from little Maxwell and all of them were running around amongst themselves being unsure of the strange aproaching dog but that was about the extent of it! SOOO much better than that first walk this season we met a dog, if you readers probably remember. hehe The dog (which is a yellow lab btw) walked up to my crew & just sort of let us walk passed. I didn't stop until we were just passed him & then I stopped to chat with the woman for a few short moments. Apparently her dog is "terrified" of small dogs because at one point a small dog jumped in his face or something or other. I could never have guessed...he did great & was calm the whole time which in turn helped ease the severity of panic in my pack.

The point of my blog today is I believe, even though we've only had 2 group meet ups, that it is helping! I totally see an improvement & I'm so hoping to continue to do so as we do more & more meet ups & we continue our walks & meet more dogs along the way! There is hope!

Maxwells 1st Annual Appt.

After Maribelle's disruptive behavior the last time we headed to our vets I opted for Maxwell & I to fly solo at this appt. I'm always so nervous about how my pups will react because they're all a bit leary of strangers. Both Matilda & Maxwell have displayed fear aggression at one point or another and Milo & his charging unsure humans. Maribelle, well, as I've said before, just has a lot to say to people/dogs.

Anyway, Maxwell, his harness, collar & tags weighed in at 6lbs even. I mention the "add ons" because being so small they're sure to add on a few oz, kwim? I did have a concern about his ear tips being dry/loosing hair. This has been going on for quite a while. It was nothing that I had major concerns about because it hasn't gotten any worse & doesn't bother him at all so I hadn't brought it to their attention just yet. I've actually noticed Matilda has the same sort of problem as well but hers isn't so bad or maybe we can't notice it because of her darker skin? Anyway, the vet went on about thyroid problems, etc & how we could test him for that, if that didn't come out positive than they could do a biopsy. For a little dry skin & little hair loss I didn't really want to go into that if at all possible. He shows no other symptoms of thyroid problems but of course, if he develops them I'm all for having him tested. She did however, suggest giving him some Welactin on a regular basis. I didn't ask but I'm thinking it could be beneficial to the other pups as well and I have heard many people talk about a fish oil suppliment.

I was very proud of Maxwell though. Besides him trying to continually burry himself in my armpit he did very well. Nervous of the handling/exam? Sure. But he didn't as much as show his teeth or make a peek during his blood test & vacs so I was very happy! And his ole toofers look FANTASTIC which thrilled me since my other 3 all have teeth issues. And his cherry eye, still protruding a tad but as I told the vet it has really improved as it is now in more than out (like it was before) and when it is out it's not sticking out as much as it used to. Perhaps with some more time it will completely resolve on it's own. One can hope anyway. As long as it doesn't get worse so it needs surgery - that's the important part!

I leave this with a cute picture of my little snuggle buddy, Mama's boy. Appropriate for his little "adventure" the other day. This time...he is prepared for a little hike. hehe

Mari & the Memorial Day Parade

Maribelle really never has been around large crowds of people so I figured I'd take her into the first parade solo just in case she decided to put up a stink & bark at everyone she saw like she generally does when she's out. To my surprise she took to the people wonderfully & even allowed pets with out much fuss at all. She was happy to see other dogs but did bark a few times. She "met" one beagle very nicely but the second time she sniffed the same beagle she charged him. Then she charged another medium sized dog & a pomeratian (who I swore could have passed for anothing long coat Chi...except for that pom tushy & tail hehe). Hmmmm.... Is she insecure or being protective of me with the charing??? Saying that she could be in viewing distance of the other dogs & even was relatively close to a few with out any problem at all but as soon as they sniffed was when she had an issue. I SO want to continue with our dog walks/play dates & hope hope hope we get more members join in some meet ups!

At any rate here are a few photos of Miss Maribelle at her first parade. Getting a dose of socialization PLUS.

Matilda & Fort Knox

We had a family day yesterday & headed to Fort Knox in Prospect, ME (a nearly 2 hour ride). We decided to take Matilda with us & being as she doesn't really care for riding it was a bit of a challenge....at first. For the first hour she was shaking, breathing heavily & seemed really hot. Any longer rides we've been on she's done fairly well but with her in my lap I think through her for a loop because usually she has the entire front seat to herself. Anyway, I kept giving her sips of water & wiping her down with a baby wipe (the sun was directly on her & with her dark fur made it worse!). I was getting a little worried but we finally stopped at the Lincolnville beach for a stretch/break & she LOVED it! We walked on the beach for just about 10 minutes & it was just enough to loosen her up & then she willingly got back in the car & was fine for the rest of the riding - even on the way home.

Our first stop at the fort was the observatory in which Matilda wasn't allowed up so I stayed at the base & waited with her. She sat next to me on a rock next to the road & enjoyed watching the people & cars go by. A few motorcycles even went by & Matilda didn't flinch!! If you know Matilda you know she seriously dislikes motorcycles.... So I was very pleased about that!

Onto the actual fort - she had a BLAST. Going through the dark tunnels, up & down the stairs & through the tall grass....she was obviously having a great time. I'm so glad we decided to bring her. The only time she was the least bit nervous was when we saw another dog at the gift shop but she didn't put up too much of a fuss. Just sort of avoided her a little bit.

Our trip did get cut short by our little escapee, Maxwell. Apparently we should have taken him along for the ride as well.

Here are a few photos from the outting....

A Tale of Maxwells (Mis)Adventures

6AM- My day started off normal. I was curled up on moms pillow and she had her head below me on the mattress. She finally rolls out of bed so I figured I'd go lay down with dad. Finally, I had to pee so bad I forced myself out of bed & out the doggy door....

7:30 AM- Something then seems a little off. Dad was still home but the girls were taking showers. I've still not been offered my breakfast (even though I usually refuse it). Mom is still on the couch though so I guess it's okay. Maybe they just forgot to feed us.

8AM- Mom finally hand fed me a bit. Hmm, usually she doesn't care if I don't eat. I know I'll get some snacks in a while anyway...how odd! Now mom is taking a shower.

8:45 AM - OH! A leash? I'm going for a walk?! A ride?! Wait!! Where are they all going? They have Matilda but forgot me!! I tried to go outside to see where they were going but for some reason our play area is much smaller. Now there is only room to potty - what were they thinking?? I guess I'll wait inside - they should be home soon.....

11:45AM- ALERT! The door! CRAP, not my family. I've seen her before but I don't trust her. I'll bark & growl from under the high chair until she goes away like I usually do. But were is my family?? If they don't hurry I'll go find them myself!

NOON- Now wait a minute - that's an idea! I go outside and look for a way out. Something has to be wrong - they never leave me here alone with out Matilda to keep a lid on things for this long. I'll go find them & bring them home. I know I can get over this fence dad put up. It's much shorter than the other side - I'm glad dad hasn't finished it yet or else there is no way I'd be able to climb out! YES!! Freedom!! I know exactly where they are. After all, we go this way all the time on walks. Should be a piece of cake! Wait, why are there people following me? I know those people, I hope they leave me alone because I really need to find my family.

12:05PM (and 1/4 mile from home)- Those people are still following me. What is up with that? Maybe they want to go for a walk too? Hey, here comes a truck, I'll follow that guy since he's going in the right direction. But wait, I can't keep up. I'll keep going anyway. I'm sure they are on the same route we take for walks. I should seem them any time!

12:15PM (and 2/3 of a mile from home)- There they are again following me, I'm going to go hide now - maybe then they'll leave me alone.

12:30PM (and 1 mile from home)- The coast is clear. I keep on my route but what's this?? A DOG! A big dog! Here he comes....I need to hide. Oh were is my family? I'm not leaving this spot. This dead bush will keep me safe for now.

1:30PM (and in the same spot as before)- I'm getting scared now. I'm still all by myself but I have been watching that same lady walk back & forth calling out my name. I can't go yet, I still haven't found my familiy but our walks never last this long. I may never find them after all.

2:20PM (and still in the same spot as before)- Whats this? It sounds like my mom but I don't trust them. I'm not sure if it's really her.

2:25PM- Now that sounds like my dad...and Ivy? No, it can't be. I know it's probably those people again looking for me. I must stay here - I've just GOT to find my family.

2:30PM- I hear them again. The lady that sounds like mom is yelling & I'm sure she's yelling my name. And I hear dad & Ivy talking too!? I stumble in the leaves a little bit in excitement & mom see's me. She asked if it was really me. I look back - I look very close & sniff the air. She tries to come close to me but I'm not possitive it's her just yet so I decide to leave my bush & run a little bit to one side. But not too far. Just enough to keep my distance. I sniff a bit more. I look at what I'm sure is dad & Ivy at this point and then I see her. MATILDA!!! I knew for sure it was my family that I had found. I run up & I just couldn't contain myself. I'm sure they won't mind me peeing all over them - after all they did seem pretty excited about me finding out where they had been all day.

2:45PM- I'm so excited to be home & I can't help but whine yet they throw me in the sink for a bath? Mom said I was covered in black fly bites and a few scratches. She also said a couple of my foot pads were torn. I knew they hadn't felt right since running SO FAST on that pavement. If only they knew how hard I was trying to find them. I'm happy I finally did. I think the night would have been pretty scary out there by myself in the woods being as I am only a small 5 1/2lbs. Especially since mom told me it was supposed to storm tonight with that loud thunder & lots of rain. I found them just in time and can now get back to my nap.

With licks & tail wags,

Maxwell

PS. Mom also told me that they really hadn't gone on a walk but had gone on a "family trip" to Fort Knox or something like that? And that they were almost 2 hours away! Well, I guess it's just a good thing I spoted them after they got home & decided to go for a walk....

Some Light Shed on our House Guest & Our New Website!!

First of all - I'm so glad Lacie went home. I'm saying this not even because of her peeing. Her peeing "problem" made perfect sense when I found a few spots of blood on our floor yeserday & on came that "ah ha" moment! She was going in heat! I say I'm glad she went home because both times yesterday she entered the kitchen (we usually keep the kitchen/living room entry gated) our unneutered Zander was attracted to her like a strong magnet. He nearly plowed over my sister in law & my grandfather when he was carrying Lacie out to leave. YIKES! It gave us a small look at what we have to deal with when Miss Maribelle comes into heat. Good part is he didn't seem to cause too much of a problem until she came into his "area". So hopefully he doesn't put up too much of a fuss when Mari is in heat...as long as we keep her in another room. Wishful thinking? Probably. LOL But at least his overweight rump can't get over the gate....

Secondly - I bit the bullet & made a website for my crew!! It's still a work in progress & I'm really wanting to get a different picture of the crew for the main page but feel free to check it out & leave a comment in the guest book! ;o)

And the Holly Oak Chihuahuas? It's just the name we chose to put on their registration papers in case we ever decided to breed and I didn't want to have to register a second domain in the future. (CRAP! - NOTE TO SELF: Mail out those registration forms today - it's only been over a year for 2 of them & their papers have been filled out since we got the pups. Not to mention they're technically not registered until you send in the papers. ) So with out further adieu....

Holly Oak Chihuahuas

Whoa, it's Thursday Already??

So much for my plan to daily update on our little house guest! This week has flown by! The good news is, the whole entire pack made it through the week w/o any teeth flying or "too" many words. The bad/good news is I've realized just how lucky I am with my crew of Chihuahuas!!! The first few days Lacie was a doll - didn't even realize she was here. Starting Tuesday - she started peeing on our floor. This is a typical Lacie behavior, so I hear. But during last years 3 week visit she had no accidents what so ever - even my grandfather was surprised! This little lady is as spiteful as you get! I know some people say dogs aren't spiteful but I beg to differ. Just to give an example:

I came home with some lunch, took Lacie out to pee & sat down on the couch & proceeded to eat. I don't allow my dogs to beg & Lacie was no exception. So I simply told her to "go" in the next room as I followed her until she was there. She was good - only tried once to come back & then got the hint. So I check on her after 2 minutes & there she sits "smiling" at me with a small pee puddle right next to her. I ignore it/her & finished eating. Went to clean it up & such. Not 30 minutes later I look again & there are 2 more pee spots! I've caught her in the act a couple times but she's so quick, I've more than once soaked my socks. Grrrrr....

Yes, I've taken her out every 2-3 hours (she is almost 4 years old) which is accessive if you ask me but I know that's what my grandfather does so no problem. This little 4yo Pom has whizzed on my floor more in the past 3 days than my entire pack has in the past 6 months!!! Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze!!

So needless to say I'm sort of excited to not have to clean up pee anymore. LOL Otherwise she's been great. Aside of course from being a totally bag to my dogs but hey, I can't say mine would behave the same if they were in Lacie's situation. And I'm sure she misses her "Papa".... But it is good to know my pups can & will accept another dog into their pack w/o much trouble at all. All you need is a nice long walk to start, a little pack leadership & they're good with whatever you want to dish to them! :o)