Let Sleeping Dogs...

As far as I know there are two camps of dog caregivers (dare I say owners...there's another ethical argument with that concept).  One camp is strongly against dogs sleeping with their caregivers and the other is all over that like white on rice.

After purchasing a king sized bed, along with the Japanese style panel bed frame that is just low enough for Pete to jump on, I am siding with the sleep-with-your-dog camp.  In fact, just last week, Pete and I shared a pillow.  OMG....so fricking cute and dysfunctional at the same time.

I don't care what people say, it's worth the kicking and squirming and snorting and snotting just to feel that little warm body literally attached to mine (but it is important to note that he stays on top of the covers...I'm not some icky pug perve.....just to be clear.

That's all I got.

K

Ode to the Bully Stick

What can keep Pete occupied for the entire duration of my workout? What, when he appears to have no energy, can wake him up and generate a firestorm of excitement and desperation? What, when chewed up and gooey, can stink up the room and promote the dry heaves just by looking at it?

Answer:  The Bully Stick (a.k.a. a bull's penis)

This brilliant invention in canine entertainment was born, I am sure, from the meat industry.  I can just imagine the talk around the slaughter house, "Hey, Bob! What do you want to do with these bull's penises?"  Who knew they would make such amazing chew toys for woman's best friend?

It's a gross thought and it's an even grosser image, but if it makes my Pete happy, I'll put up with the little bits of chewed connective tissue lying around the house.

What my bebe wants, my bebe gets.

That's all I got..

K

Osteoarthritis at the Age of Six!

Poor Pete. It started with a limp and turned into two weeks of rehabilitation following a diagnosis of early onset osteoarthritis. I was mortified and very sad knowing that he is only six and my hopes are to ensure his health and safety for a long life.  I realize osteoarthritis is not a death sentence, but it can change how Pete lives into his older age.

Another problem I am faced with is how to alter the personality of such a outdoorsy, risk taking pug that lives like a border collie? How do I stop him from leaping off furniture and running like a bat out of hell on the trails? I have now installed dog steps that lead from the couch to the floor and have carried him down the stairs on more than one occasion.

He is now eating a diet of fish and taking supplements to aid in joint health.  He is also on a weight loss problem with the goal of achieving a five pound weight loss (and he isn't happy with that).

I look back on my exercise regime with Pete and I realize that I may have contributed to his diagnosis.  In addition to some of his unfortunate genetics, it looks like we will have to re address his walks and reduce them to no more than 30 minutes each....at least until he is out of the woods.

The problem is that osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that doesn't recede. I believe there are things I can do to stave off the effects, but it is what it is.

Meanwhile, Pete is a trooper and continues to enjoy the times he does get to explore the woods (and that's is most of the time).  It's just not as long as we used to spend, but I'll take it if it means his happiness, health, and comfort.

K

No One Body Shames My Pug!

As a health promoter I am very well versed in all the ways my profession body shames people through the messages of weight loss, "healthy" eating, and exercise.  I'm ashamed of my profession because of this.  However, I didn't expect that this public shaming would transfer to the dog world.

A pic of Pete enjoying some thinking time in a field of flowers with his many friends.

Over the course of the last six months, I have experienced strangers body shaming my dear sweet dog in public! The first came from what I can only describe as a crazy pug lady who felt Pete was so overweight "I was killing my dog" (direct quote from Crazy Pug Lady).  It didn't take me long to explain health and fat were not causal, Pete's diet was whole and limited, and his exercise regime active and off leash.  The next came from a woman at the dog park and the final one came from a man that Pete took a disliking to anyway.

Now I realize Pete may enjoy the odd snake in between meals (i.e. a bit of salmon, pork, or veggie) but he certainly doesn't eat processed junk food.  I also realize that even a tiny portion can add pounds on a pug...that's why we see so many "overweight"pugs around.  I just find it interesting that not only do people feel it's okay to body shame a person, but this shame is now moving into the dog world.

At any rate, I know Pete eats the healthiest meals, gets 2-3 walks per day and time to run in the forest.  He is loved, massaged, praised, cuddled, and adored by me and my family....so all you body shamers out there can stick that in your reduced calorie, fat free, sugar free, gluten free dog treat and suck it!

K

Pete hanging with his peeps (and dog walker) in the van.  He gets three pack walks a week and a lot of time to socialize with his buddies.  His dog walker, Scott, is a true dog whisperer!

The Morning Ritual

Like all dogs, and many humans, schedules (a.k.a. rituals) maintain a health balance and piece of mind.  Pete and I have a definite ritual that includes getting up before any human should get up (5am), go for a morning walk, sit on the porch after returning and proceeding to give Pete a back massage before going into the house for breakfast.  After his meal, we head upstairs and Pete gets up on the bed and messes up all the pillows before settling into place and watching me get ready for the workday.

There are many pictures I have of Pete in the pillows, but this one takes the cake.  It's an award winner and makes it so hard to go to work.

Poster boy for staying at home under the covers.

This one is a "pre walk" pic.  Sometimes it takes Pete a bit of coaxing before he actually gets up.

To Wear a Sweater or Not Wear a Sweater?

When I was dreaming of become a caregiver to a pug, I have to admit that the thought of dressing him in cute little outfits was exciting.  From his Halloween customs to down filled jackets, the options were endless when I finally met the pug of my dreams, Pete.  It didn't occur to me that he wouldn't be as excited as I was when I bought him his first sweater.  It was a hand knitted grey pull over with a huge heart in the middle with the word "Mom" in it.  I was near tears when I first squeezed him in it, and so was he. He didn't look too happy to say the least.  So ended my dreams of dressing him like the real baby I never hand *(don't feel sorry for me...I am self-defined as "childless by choice"...I'm just saying').

That didn't stop me from trying new outfits as I came across them.  Maybe this one would be the one he liked or that one.  I stopped once I saw that he had more of a wardrobe than I did.  So now it is snowing like a son-of-a-bitch outside and the temperature is dropping below zero (this is traumatic for those living on Vancouver Island...we aren't used to this extreme cold).  As I prepare to walk him I wonder...should I force him to use his sweater or not?

Many vets suggest that if the breed of dog has an undercoat and a layer of protective fat he should be fine. Pete definitely has an undercoat and, not to body shame him, he has that layer of fat to keep him warm.  But when I go walking I notice many other dogs wearing their parkas or their booties and I get a little concerned....am I not taking into account the needs of my beloved Pete? Am I torturing the poor guy by allowing him to go out into the snow naked? These are questions that remained unanswered and will hopefully work themselves out as we go out this afternoon in the snow for another walk.

In the meantime...check out his cute outfit!

Although you can't really get the true beauty of this sweater by looking at this pic, you may be able to note a hint of anxiety in Pete's little face.  He was in and out of this one in no time.

The Fart That Could Kill a Moose!

Although we try not to fart-shame in our family,
there are times when I believe Pete does feel our
judgements. 

Picture this...the family is all together enjoying a night in watching a movie in total peace and tranquility...when all of a sudden that sense of relaxation is shattered like a fastball hitting the picture window as the aroma of a fart so powerful and precise the entire room is cleared within a minute.  Okay, maybe not cleared, I appear to be the only one in the room who can take it (but then I love the smell of horse shit).

Before you assume I feed Pete junk food and the sort of processed crap that may produce such emotionally upsetting omissions, he eats a very clean and whole diet of manly dry, a little whole meat, and veggies (no processed food for him). HOWEVER...should he capture a fallen morsel or someone shares their dessert with him, we are all in for a bumpy night (and, quite literally, all hell breaks loose).

In my youth, I spent much time with large animals like cows and horses and loved mucking out the stalls while  breathing in the pungent stench that goes with it.  If they could bottle up the smell of horse poop on a hot summer day (along with freshly cut grass and gasoline on the water just as you are about to yell "hit it" before water skiing) I would be the first in line to buy a bottle (no judgement please).  Even with my experiences with animal excrement, nothing prepared me for the farts that come out of my beloved.

I can't be sure if this is the breed or this is Pete specific, but I wouldn't be doing my duty if I didn't at least warn you of the potential.  Even with all the dramatics that follow, including the potential for light headedness, stomach turning, and a loss of appetite (I may or may not be kidding)...it's all good when it's coming out of your own sweet little pug.