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Does Storm have any other web pages?: Storm has a photo gallery where I keep his big photos.
Does Storm have any titles?: Storm's full name is When The Levee Breaks CD RA. He has his CGC, but this title is not typically added onto the dog's official name. Currently working on: RE, NAJ, CDX, HT (once in a while).
How long does it take to groom Storm?: I do all of Storm's grooming and bathing. I give him Big Brush (1.5 hours) around twice a week. We do a light brush at least once a day - he really likes it! A full grooming (brush, nails, bath, post-bath grooming) takes about 4 hours. Yes, he sheds - hair and whatever he picks up in his coat!
How does he see through all that hair?: Fairly well, thank you! When he walks his hair blows out of his eyes, and he has a little cowlick that usually keeps one eye uncovered. When we go out I sometimes tie it up in a ponytail; around the apartment, I'll put a clip in his hair. Beardies are a "soft-eyed" herding breed, which means that they work upright and do not keep eye contact with their flock at all times. I think, then, that Storm's behavior is based more on movement, which he can see just fine through his white hair.
He knows so many tricks - he's so smart!: Storm is extremely intelligent, but his "tricks" (I prefer "behaviors", myself) are often taught in spite of his intelligence! Smart dogs like Storm are usually very good at pushing the envelope and seeing just how much they can get away with. Storm is well-behaved because I am patient, stubborn, and consistent. We work together as a team, but he knows that I'm the one to follow. He is also my best buddy. Those three factors are far more important than the amount of training experience I have.
At first it looked like it was going to be an awesome night. My Sarah got home and left her shoes on - always a sign of Good Things. Instead of just taking me out as is our usual pattern of behavior, she asked whether I'd like to go on a Ride.
Well, duh.
We hopped in the car and My Sarah drove to the dog park. We haven't been there in a while, and I was having fun running around...
...until I felt a sharp pain in my leg!
I stopped mid-romp and, to my embarassment, whined audibly. Fortunately, I was right next to My Sarah and didn't have to limp far in order to get to her. I waited, whining, while she examined my foot. I don't think that she immediately figured out what was wrong - but, man, she hit this One Tender Spot a couple of times!
We went home after that and, upon arrival, The Sarah made me get into the tub. She started spraying the mud off of my legs - and found that One Tender Spot again with her sprayer! She got that confused look on her face, but opted to soap up my three good legs and save my tender one for last.
She started (gently) soaping up my sore leg and carefully examined my joint. She must've seen something that she couldn't initially see through the mud, because she gasped and put my foot down. She rinsed me without conditioning and dried off my feet.
We went into the living room and My Sarah made a quick phone call - which was kind of odd, given the lateness of the hour. Suddenly we were back in the car again, driving to an unknown destination. As we pulled into the strange driveway, the smell of desparation, pain, and fright was unmistakable - she took me to a vet's office!
We walked in, sat down, and waited. I was very preoccupied with some cats in a crate a few seats away from us, but I was good and stuck by My Sarah's side. Eventually we got our own little room and a tall man in blue walked in. He and My Sarah chatted for a moment - something about my dewclaw being ripped off and the root being exposed - and then she handed over my lead!
I went with the Man In Blue (not willingly, mind you) and left My Sarah behind. He ended up taking me into another room where they shaved off some of my beautiful (and freshly washed) hair and removed the entire nail, leaving me with a fully exposed quick. With both my pride and my leg hurting, I looked around for My Sarah and wondered what she would think of me after an evening of whining and unfortunate grooming procedures.
I soon felt a bit better, however, when one of the techs put a spiffy red bandage on my leg and walked me out to the waiting room - where My Sarah was sitting, waiting for me. {0P
I apparently just have to wait for the nail to grow back over the quick. I've got some pills to take now, and tonight I'm just taking it easy.
My Sarah just put a huge batch of my toys in the Washing Machine.
The last time she did that they came out smelling all naked - I had to stink 'em up again. Additionally, Sheepie's butt stopped honking.
I hope that this batch fares better. I saw Yellow Frog go in, and I'd hate for him to lose his Butt Honk. {0(
...although it would be kind of nice for him to be yellow again. My Sarah is usually the color sensitive one, but even I can tell that his hue has gotten a bit duller as time has gone by.
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