Going to Extremes
Isrisira tweeted about her obsession with her dogs and wondered if it was normal. It got me to thinking about the various extremes I’ve gone to in the last 13-1/2 months since we adopted our first dog. These types of things tend to garner eye rolls from friends, family and co-workers, but I don’t care, I love my dogs and will do anything for them. Here are just a few examples.
The raw diet. When I first decided to feed raw, I was going to butchers and grocery stores, searching for good deals on chicken legs, thighs, ground beef, chicken feet, organ meat and fun oddities like raw pigs’ ears and feets. After several months of a whole lot of time and effort I finally found the coop I’m a part of now and buy in bulk every 3 months and save tons of cash and time (since I’m no longer scouting Hannaford and PC for meat deals). I also bought a second freezer – one of those big ass ones with five or six shelves in it.
Our visit to a Tuft’s behaviorist. When we first got Wrigley we had two incidents where she attacked me. Anyone who has met Wrigley might think this is crazy; she’s about the most laid-back dog on the planet. Because there was no obvious trigger, our trainer and vet recommended seeing a professional dog behaviorist at Tuft’s University which we did and we had a good visit there and long discussion with the specialist who worked out a course of training and leadership exercises for me and Wrigs. Some people would have given up on a dog after that sort of incident, but I knew it wasn’t part of her personality and that more had to be going on and I was going to get to the bottom of it.
Car Snuggles the day after the last attack.
Vacations. Yeah, I don’t really want to leave the dogs for more than a day so these are now planned around dog-friendly cities and accommodations.
Who strolls through a cemetery on vacation? We do!
The minivan. Well there’s that. We bought a goddamned minivan and we don’t even have kids (which is ok since dogs are better). I can’t tell you how much we love the van, it is SO convenient.
Traveling in style
The big squeeze. Coop started scooting around the yard and house last month. We had him with in June when we took Wrigley for her Lyme vaccine. I mentioned to the doc that I thought Coop’s anal sacs might need to be expressed. Not being a shy gal I asked him to show me how to do it. Boy, he’s a good sport (the vet – Coop, on the other hand did not like being a guinea pig). The doc drew me a diagram, gave me a pair of gloves and lubed me up. Let me tell you, that’s not the easiest thing to do right off the bat – he said it might take some practice. Best. Homework. Ever.
Sharing and Caring
I love my dogs and they love me. They are the best and I’d do anything for them.
“13 1/2 months ago” Um, you sound like one of those people who, when asked how old their kid is, will say “26 months” instead of “2″ ;-)
Having the vet tech do Elvy’s anal glands is the best $19 I can spend every few months.I always said I’d need a wetsuit and a suit of armor and rubber gloves if I had to do it. Of course now the laser therapist lady does it for free as needed and also puts his dick back in every week. :-/
Oh here is my favorite interactive website EVER
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/anal_sacs.html
make sure you scroll down so you can play along.
Wait, isn’t Tufts in Boston?
The Tufts Vet school is just outside of Worcester.
I have seen some online videos of how to squeeze. I haven’t had the opportunity to give it a go again, but it’ll definitely be in the bathtub with latex gloves and some ky jelly!
As for 13-1/2 months…I could’ve said a year, but I felt like I’d be shortchanging Wrigs. Every day is a treasure. harhar.
oh no I think they took down the part where you grab the rag and express the anal glands on the site! poo!
I love how my tweet inspired this post. :) I said it, because I found myself gazing and smiling at the photos I took of Finnegan yesterday, swimming in the pool. I was thinking, “What is WRONG with me, anyway?!” :)
We’ve considered a behaviorist among other things for Finnegan, to see if we can get him to be less nervous around people.
Did Finnegan have a rough past or has he always just been nervous? Is he nervous around other dogs too or is it just people? Poor guy – especially with his surgery coming up…he’s going to have to deal with the vets a lot more. At least you guys are going to Parkside they are so wonderful.
And there is nothing wrong with you…I laugh at the same photos and videos I took months ago all the dang time.