Geese and swans and sticks oh my!

I think Boone had a pretty darn good day today. It was the first sunny day day in what feels like forever, not a rain cloud in sight. So me and the boyfriend as well as Booney hopped into the car and went off to do some errands before I was shown how to get down to the lake. The first place we got to we couldn't get now to the water, there was a small spot we might have been able to get down but it was pretty gross looking. Boone had to deal with bird watching from afar. Poor guy was quivering wanting to get at them so bad. Boyfriend brought up that he knew another place further down the road where he thought I might be able to get down by the water, so off we went.

Sure enough we were able to get down by the water. The beach was separated by thin groupings of trees and brush in 3-4 different sections. The first one we happened upon had a family with several small kids so I opted to move onto the next when I saw the trail going through the tree grouping. There were a few people there as well so onto the third, no one was at this section but it had a flock of geese, swans and ducks sitting just off shore and on the beach. Boone froze and just watched them, so being the evil woman I am I let him off the leash and he bolted into the flock of birds. The birds either took to the water and swam out to what they thought was a safe distance which was only a few meters off shore or took to the air. Several mostly the geese and a one swan started flapping their wings and honking at him once they were a "safe" distance away. The swan in particular was rather upset, one goose started to come after him at one point.

The water was too gross for myself but I figure Boone could use some fun in the water so finding a stick I started tossing it into the water, the swan was not impressed and got pretty upset several times but didn't come after him, mostly just alot of talk and no action. Boone was unfazed now that he had his stick. We stayed until a couple came down and set up "camp", umbrella, radio, towels, cooler and started stripping down to their swimsuits so I figured they were going to be around awhile may as well head back to the car. So back we went, Boone is passed out in his crate, barking and running in his sleep so I take that as he had a good day. I never thought to bring my camera unfortunately.

Agility hopeful

This new park is such a blast! Boone loves the agility course there, especially the jumps. It didn't take him long to figure out what I wanted him to do, I only had to point and say "over" to a few jumps before he got the hang of it and I could point out a jump and he'd go flying over it unless of course he got distracted by a few other dogs. Silly beast, his focus needs works as do many other things. He loves the A-frame as well, there are two there but he's better at the smaller one and isn't so keen on the larger. I didn't bother with anything besides the jumps and A-frame today, decided to stick with what he liked, we did a couple one overs of the dogwalk though.

I've also decided that he really, seriously needs to see a professional to work out his behavior issues. He is a million times better with strange people now, but I've noticed at the dog park he'll start fights, not much contact is made but there are alot of vocals. usually after he bites the bum of the wrong dog one to many times or gets the tables turned on him and gets chased around which is fun for a bit but he'll suddenly get a fright and start snapping at whatever he can dog wise. So the people issue calmed down but now he's going after dogs. This is why we go early in the morning, but this morning I got out a little late and there were a few people there unlike on Monday where there was no one around for a good hour. Picking a trainer is so hard, I don't want to mess him up any further and I know some trainers shouldn't go about trainer a goldfish let alone a dog and this scares the beejesus out of me. But it has to be done I suppose. For his sake and then after his issues are hopefully dealt with we can find come agility classes and get a little more serious about all of this. I think he really could be a good agility dog, he really does love it but his nervousness gets in the way of alot of things.

A day at the park

I bucked up today, I took Boone to a dog park. The first time since early spring I believe where he was screamed at and chased by a toddler and ran after him then bit the mother when she reached out to him. Never broke the skin though. He did great. He gave a few people funny looks but was distracted enough by the other dogs and I think knew better to not do it. it was around 10:30 in the morning we got there I believe and already had around a dozen people there with dogs. I thought there wouldn't be very many but guess I was wrong, maybe I should head out even earlier next time. Anyways he did great for awhile then started getting to big for his britches and started biting other dogs on the bums and raising his hackles with some growling and showing of teeth. What?! Yeah, my social butterfly (at least with other dogs) went all cujo. NOT ACCEPTABLE! When he got like this I quickly called him over and had him stick by my side in a down position or go to an empty area of the park where he could calm down. This helped. We ended up leaving when they started up the riding lawn mower to cut the grass, Boone will go after it as he goes after the push mower so I figured it was time to leave then.

This park is wonderful! 4 acres, completely fenced off into 5 different sections for the dogs and another section for small children where dogs aren't allowed so there is no fear of them getting hurt and a dog getting frightened. There is the woodlot area that can be separated from the rest of the park, lots of trees, the ground is covered in large wood chips, nice logs to sit on. Beautiful spot. There is a small dogs only area that can be blocked off, an agility course that can be blocked off, the main area and a large open field with a drinking and hose down pad that can be blocked off. I took a few pictures but not many as I was keeping a close eye on Booney.

Totoredaca "Toto" Leash Free Park
http://www.totoredaca.org/


Sniffing around the woodlot.


A small area of the woodlot.


Time to drink a barrel of water and then barf it back up 10 seconds later. Silly dog.


Part of the agility course. It has a couple A-frames, a see saw, weave polls, some jumps, a tunnel, dog walk and a pause box.


part of the field and drinking/hose down pad.


Part of the main area and the boardwalk in and out of the park. The small dog area is behind the large clump of trees to the right.

Planning ahead for the future

Boone has shown that he thrives off other dogs. He loved being with Drifter even if Drifter never showed the same enthusiasm to him. They keep him busy, happy and he gains confidence off them that he otherwise lacks by himself. Of course this can't happen where I am now, as it is we are over the pet limit (one pet per unit unless permission is granted which it has twice by the two cats, the fosters are snuck in, shh don't tell) and even if we did ask permission they aren't fond of having two dogs in one unit. Plus the yard is too small for two dogs to share it properly if I can't walk them for a day or two. it wouldn't be fair. So until that moment arrives I've been window shopping for a companion.

I'd love to adopt an older dog, had always said I would as they are often the last to be considered. But I worry that Boone's level of energy would be too much for most of them. There is always that exception though so for now I won't be canceling out the golden oldies completely.

"Hi....my name is Bandit. I am an older fellow....and I am very much in need of a home where I can live out my final years. I know I am a spaniel mix..so that makes me very friendly. I used to live outdoors...by the side of my owner's house...and I would only have a cardboard box to lay in. This wasn't a very nice way to live. I would love to have a warm blanket and good food to fill my belly. I also have an injury to my right eye. I was hit by a car once upon a time and my injury was not seen to. It doesn't bother me too much now as I am used to it. I can still be your best friend....take long walks with you and love you unconditionally. Please come and meet me..I NEED a family to know what it is like to be loved."

Isn't Bandit adorable?! I love his face. it doesn't give an age so I wonder how old he is but he looks like a nice little fellow. I get the feeling from the text that he's more interested in sleeping at your feet rather then romping with a psycho puppy.

"If you are looking for a sweet loving young dog ( who is smaller too ) to join your family, you are looking for Kiya. She is UNBELIEVEABLY loving and affectionate and would make a super addition to any family. She is only 7 months old and deserves a real family to love and care for her. She was brought in on June 19 when her family decided that they didn't want to take care of her anymore...she is sad now."

She's begging to come play with Booney!

"This gorgeous girl is Kilo. She was brought to the shelter on June 4 to hopefully find a TRUE family to love and care for her. She is a beautiful dog who is also very well behaved. She is sad right now,not sure why she is living in a shelter. Can she be the right doggie to add to your family?? She is only around a year and a half old."

Another gorgeous face that I want to snuggle and kiss. I think she'd be a great pal for Boone.






"Blossom was surrendered by a family who was leaving the province and couldn't take her with them. She is a good dog who is just looking for someone to love her and look after her as she enters her senior years.

Blossom is a 7-year-old (my best estimation) field bred Springer Spaniel who is a real sweetheart. Blossom is energetic, healthy, and spayed.

Blossom is very loving and very well-behaved. She is perhaps one of the most docile dogs you could ever meet. She is good around cats, other dogs, children and adults. She knows how to sit, stay, fetch and a few other tricks and she will pretty much do anything for a treat.

Blossom needs to lose weight; she loves to get out walking. She needs some leash training as she has a tendency to pull, but she will walk off leash with you (well, a few metres ahead but she will come running back for a treat).

Blossom rarely barks, loves being scratched and rubbed, and likes to sleep on the bed if you will let her (She snores like a monster!).

Blossom does like company though - she would not do well being along for long periods. She is very bonded to people, so someone at home, or another dog to keep her company would be best.

Blossom loves riding in the car - so she could come along too on errands.

Overall, she is a lovely companion dog for someone. I hope we can find her a loving new home."

I'm sure once she lost her extra weight she'd be an awesome buddy for Boone and myself. I love everything about her from the text. Oh if only the future could be now I'd snatch her little spotted bum up in a minute!

You make me smile, please stay for awhile now

So wake up this morning and something is off. Boone isn’t in the room! Now he’s moved from his crate to being leashed to the bed beside me. From there he has gone back to his crate to now just being shut in the room with us and sleeps beside me on the floor. He’s done well, not one accident but I put that down to he was there with me, he won’t go if I’m in the room with him. But I wake up this morning and the door that had been closed is now wide open and he isn’t in the room with me. I groan my feelings about it, knowing there is going to be a mess by the front door on the beige carpet. Look over at the clock and its 6:30am why the hell am I up at this hour? I just went to bed at midnight! Decided to face the doo I roll out of bed, Boone comes leaping up the stairs all too excited that I’m awake and moving around. I glare at him accusingly hold my breath as I go down the stairs to face…




NOTHING!
No crap, no pee, no shredded item beyond recognition! The was house was as I left it the night before! Could he be he’s really growing up and growing a brain?! I just about died but I won’t be trying my luck anymore, and the boyfriend will be getting an earful when he gets home as he’s the one who left the damn door open when he went to work this morning.

So this put me in a pretty darn good mood. The feelings for Drifter are there but I’ve managed to talk myself into good thoughts and had a wonderful dream of him the other night that I’m sure was him telling me everything is alright, he’s happy and waiting for me at the bridge. So with my new found good mood I shower, dress, grab Boone’s squeaky tennis ball and out the door I go. He wasn’t up to playing catch today, he’d run after it in the back field and then either drop it half way back or not bring it back at all but run around he did and roll around he did. He had a blast out there with me chasing him around. Now off for a nice walk before things get too warm, maybe I’ll go down to the river so he can romp about down there.

Back from the walk. Found a new way down to the river that’s closer (but sucks compared to the other way) and stupid me wore capris and now my legs are sore from stupid prickly bushes and itchy for who knows what. But Boone had fun, had a short swim, I had planned to kick off my shoes and go in with him but the rocks were covered in slimy brown gunk down there, so it didn’t happen. The whole walk he was off leash he did awesome now we’re home and he’s not moving! What?! Yeah, not moving, why is he not moving? Did I actually tire him out with? No, I refuse to believe he you can’t tire this dog out, it’s impossible. So what’s going on? Well whatever it is I’m not going to complain. So an hour of throwing the ball around/chasing him around, a half an hour walk and then another hour of making him run up and down the stairs for his ball has him a little drowsy? I was planning on another outing later today.

Well, I’m an idiot apparently. I picked up his tennis ball and made it squeak and up he rose from his flaked out pose on the floor. Maybe he was just content since he just had 2 ½ hours of running around. I had to ruin his peaceful, non-moving state and now he’s up and throwing the ball around the house for himself and dropping the ball at my feet while looking at me with giant puppy eyes begging me to play unless I don’t love him enough. So guess who's been suckered into throwing the ball around for him?

All you did was save my life

I've mentioned before on here about Drifter having liver problems, grade 4/5 heart murmur, seizures, arthritis, and losing most of the control with his bowels/bladder. Well the past week he went down hill more so, having them several times, messing in the house 3-4 times a day without having a seizure, his back legs were giving out on him, he could barely walk for more then 5 minutes before they'd start to shake and he'd have to lay down. My mom had banished him to the garage to sleep.

Monday evening we put him down. I've dealt with death before working at a shelter and several vet clinics but its different when its your pet. He was 9 years old, we had each other for 8 years, 8 wonderful, short years. He made every day worth it to me, we were so in tune. Even my mother agreed (who is in no way an animal person) that he was very human in his personality and emotions. Within a month or so we went from being able to go for 2 hour walks through trails and rivers to 30 minute walks(on a very good day) where he had to lay down every few minutes because his legs would shake and get weak.

During his last day he was spoiled, taken up to the Port Dover beach where he sniffed with such enthusiasm I thought his nose might fall off, he marked his claim proudly as if he were still 2 years old and rolled in bird crap all too happily before having a good roll in the salty grass. He loved his car rides and had a few nice long ones during his short few hours left. Sitting in the front seat proudly. He was spoiled with treats that had been forbidden to him for so long as we tried to help him loose weight... pizza, chicken, pork, cookies, cheetos and chips. I even stopped by Tim Hortons so he could have himself his usual plain donut, actually two, I had bought one for Boone so he wouldn't feel left out but he didn't eat his fast enough and Drifter decided it was fair game and stole it from him.

The flast 5 hours before he passed on I took him down to the lakefront, I often took him down there when I still lived at home. He was whining in the car the moment he smelt the air, and tugged at his leash as soon as he was out the door, unable to curb his joy. He trotted about again proudly marking this place as his, mucked about in the lake for a while before having to go and rest in the long grass that grew from the sand, he'd come back over several times to spend some time with me, my brother and Boone before going to rest and rolling in only he knows what, probably crap.

Then it was back home where he was loved on, told he was a good dog, that we loved him, would miss him and wished there was something else we could do for him. Minutes before my dad and I took him out for a hot dog which he inhaled in one bite, so pleased that he was allowed to have it and it was all for him, my dad poured water from a bottle into his hand for him to have a nice cold drink afterward, took him for a quick visit to his old stomping grounds, where he played with a handful of other dogs in his younger years and even found himself a girlfriend. He wondered around, marking his claim and glancing over to his girlfriend's house who used to live just across the field before having a good roll. From there we headed to the vet clinic my dad, instead of putting Drifter in the back seat, went back there himself so Drifter could sit in the front. Drifter has always sat in the front, cries when he can't. He loved riding shotgun with me or my dad, he lived for that. My dad thought he deserved one last ride as co pilot.

As was his nature, he happily and proudly walked into the vet's office without a leash or collar, he listened so well we hardly bothered with them for things like this. he laid down on some blankets they had set up for him, and waited for his fate that I'm sure he knew was coming but didn't let it on at all. He was happy even to the end, his tail wagging even as they gave him that final needle. His eyes looking at me as I held his head so he wouldn't hit it off the floor when it happened. He fought it for a second and then slowly rolled and I laid his head down, petting him while it took affect, gave him a kiss between his eyes like I always did before I left or went to bed and told him it would be OK soon, he'd be healthy again, able to run around without pain, no more scary seizures would touch him, my dad sat beside him as well, crying. I don't remember ever seeing him cry before. In 60 seconds he was gone... my dad laid on him, crying.. "I loved you!" "you were a good boy Drift!" and then left the room. I stayed longer, laying on the floor, resting my head on his side like I used to and stroked his face whispering "I'm sorry, I love you, your were the best dog, a good boy, you didn't do anything to deserve this we just wanted to help you". His body felt cold suddenly, I was sure there was no way he would get cold that fast but he felt cold to me, I fixed his head so it was more on the blanket then covered him "your cold Drifter, we can't have that, let mama cover you up" and I left the room.

He meant the world to me... to the rest of the world he was just a dog to me he was so much more, he was my child, my friend, my protector, a gentlemen, my pillow, my teddy bear, my shoulder to cry on and keeper of my secrets.

Every time I went out to visit on weekends I'd always tell Drifter "next time we'll go to the beach" or "next time I'll take you out for Tim Hortons". I feel awful that I didn't make time for these things then. So make next time this time, you never know how much time you have left. I thought I had a few years left with him, thought I'd have lots of time to make up for things.

RIP my boy, you deserve it.

On a happier note

Trying to see the happy things around me. It's not easy but at least it's something. Boone is pretty handy to have around when you need to smile. I was looking at some pictures of Drifter from a few years ago, so of course I was starting to cry. I heard trampling going on downstairs I head down to see what the heck the animals are doing as none of them are upstairs and this is what I found. My camera happened to be on the table so I was able to catch this. He's done it before and I think its just adorable, but have never been able to catch him doing it as the camera is never close by.



They'll do this for hours and did. He ran up and down the stairs, from room to room for hours until all of them crash out, panting. Once everyone caught their breath it started all over again until Finn got trampled by the the other three and then I called an end to it as they were getting too carried away.

So Boone being who he is doesn't want to stop. I figured it was time to let the kittens have a nap and stuck him outside so they could. I believe I've brought up his circling habits before but now I have it on video, not the best as it was taken from the second floor through the street but you get the idea. He'll do this the whole time he's out there.



What am I going to do with him...

Painted this big ol' smile on my face to hide my broken heart

Drifter is getting worse. He's had a few more seizures, and more accidents in the house that aren't connected to him having a seizure. Loosing control? I think the seizures are taking a toll on his body causing him to have this accidents in the house now even when he's not having a seizure. I noticed on the weekend he's having trouble with his back legs... they move very stiffly and sometimes in a funny gait. His back legs have never given him trouble before. His body is dying while his mind isn't. His body is giving out, worn down, quitting while his mind is still happy, ready to keep going and bright. It's not fair, this would be so much easier if his mind was failing too. I'm heartbroken, depressed, frantic to try and avoid what I know is coming. I try to deny its going to happen, whats happening but it doesn't work very well. My baby is dying, there is no way around it.

I look at Boone and I think of Drifter, how Boone fails so much in comparison. It's not fair to Booney, I know but I can't help it. How do you go from best to second best? How do you lose the most important being in your life and move on? How do you not get angry, not blame those that aren't to blame? I feel so lost, I feel like I've failed in protecting him, told him I'd never let anything hurt him every again but here he is, hurting.

Remember the good times I'm told, well how?! I remember them and then think that those times are gone, he's dying I won't ever see that again.
I'm told he's just a dog. No he's not! He's so much more to me, he means so much more then anyone in my life. It's like loosing a child. Sure you can have more but it won't be the same won't be him.
I'm told I'll get over it. Maybe... someday, maybe not. Maybe the pain will just grow more dull over time but never truly go away. I doubt I'll ever get over it fully. You'll get over the death of you grandfather, your child, your mother won't you? That's what I thought.

I'm so sorry Riffer-roo...

Catch Up

So yes, I’ve been slacking off yet again, not a big surprise. Anyways last Sunday I went out to see the folks as I had planned to get the new furniture and what not but we couldn’t get a truck rented. So we’ll be doing that this Saturday. Either way had a nice day out there with Drifter and Boone. Drifter was overjoyed to see me and even played with Boone like a puppy until he got tired. Boone fell into the pool, poor guy looked like a rat trying to get out after he surfaced. I yanked him out by the collar and he ran for his life to the neighbor’s yard. I took a whole whack of pictures and even a few of Drifter running! –gasp-

In more recent news I decided to ride my bike more as sitting around all day stuffing my mouth is doing very little good for me. I knew Boone needed some good workouts as well as he never gets tired so I figured why not bike and walk Boone at the same time? One problem Boone is afraid of bikes… well not afraid I don’t think but he’s wary and not a big fan of them. If they go past him normally he’ll either get very upset then bite whoever he can or lunges at the bike/runs off after it. I wasn’t sure how he was going to respond, would he try to bite me? Figured the only way to know and to get him used to bikes was to try and keep trying. The first couple minutes he wasn’t too sure, kept giving it the hairy eyeball and then it all came together and he was loping alongside the bike beautifully without a hitch. Well, our turning needs some work but that’ll come along I’m sure. Yay Booney!

Yesterday night we went down to see the Canada Day fireworks. I brought Boone more as a test to see how far he has come and to show him people aren’t bad. He’s never shown fear to loud noises so I didn’t think the fireworks would scare him. It was pretty crowded once we got down there but he didn’t act up too bad a few little scurries to run away from an ice cream truck and some screaming 14 year old girls. He had his muzzle on just in case however, I sat on the ground with him once the fireworks started and he climbed into my lap watching the light show, there were a few moments were he started to shake but the last firework was the worst, I scared the crud out of me when it went off, it was so loud and long. A lot of people were covering their ears and Boone attempted to run backing up and starting to panic. I pulled him in covered him with my sweater and snuggled into his head which seemed to help. Once that was over I sprang up and darted into gaps in the crowd to try and get the heck out of dodge as fast as possible. Boone did well, he was all to eager to leave but we managed to get out of the crowd pretty quick and Boone was trotting ahead of me tail wagging and nose held high inhaling the smell of the pubs and Tim Horton’s that we parked beside. My only complaint with the night was the amount of people that stepped on him, kicked him, and hit him in the head when they were moving their lawn chairs around to find a good spot, not only did no one except for one guy say sorry but they all turned and gave me dirty looks! I was ready to start screaming at them, and the little 14 year old girls that kept screaming at the top of their lungs right behind us.

So that was the last week in a brief overview. Saturday we head out to Hamilton and collect the new furniture. Yay!