This year I went to the vet with McLovin. I have been busy this year going to the park every day almost. I am starting to get a little fat and had to go on a diet. That was the worst! I felt I was starving! Barbie and I were both miserable about the whole thing. She then got me another food other than Origen which is hard because it has to be grain free and no yeast or salmon. I lost a little weight but, have plateaued although I still supposedly look fat. I am also on doggy steroids now because I itch all over and shed like crazy. At least now I can eat Go! or Taste of the wild and we are now both happier about the situation.
I found out that I am basically healthy. Barbie pointed out what she thought was my sun bleached fur on my face since I am out everyday only to find out that I have gone gray. Maybe she coul post a picture. Dr. McDonnel said the way I was standing during exam reminded her of Eyore. I barely moved and only looked with my eyes when I got my needle. I was glad to get out of there and run in the park. Yes, things are looking better as the year progresses.
The last week of fall camping, Barbie, Pebbles and I went to Nutimik Lake and Otter Falls. Beavis couldn't come as he stepped on something and hurt his foot.
Firstly, the trip down wasn't much as Pebs and I slept all the way down. I have to say that it was very windy! We got to the campsite and were staked down as Barbie got dinner ready. Both of us dogs had beef tenderloin that evening. What a great start!
There was another couple in the next site and I was allowed off leash to go swimming! No one else was around. Our site was right next to the water! Barbie pulled out the throwing ball thing and I played fetch getting an orange ball out of the water. Pebbles kept crying until Barbie let her come to the water too. She didn't go in like me but, had fun at the shore. We are on youtube listed as Nutimik Lake.
We had a couple of walks and I got to creep Barbie out by staring at the water once it was dark. I just wanted to let Barbie know I was protecting her. Barbie took us to the water near the boat launch so I could have a swim at the beach. She thought I would listen to her so I didn't have a leash.
Before we got to the water, we passed by some sites that were closed down. We will soon find out why. There was a terrible smell and Barbie called me. I wanted to just look to see where that smell came from. I jumped back from the ditch because I came into contact with a skunk! I immediately went to Barbie and lay down in the road. I think I am in big trouble now! It sprayed me!
No swimming for me at all. Back to camp for a face shampoo. It was a good thing that our site had a water hook up. Barbie had to let me sleep in the motor home because I couldn't be outside with skunks around. I also slept on the bed with Barbie and she complained about the reek. Pebbles kept well away from me except for a quick sniff. I kept trying to rub my face on the ground, leaves or whatever as I also could not stand the smell.
The next day, we moved on to Otter Falls. Barbie bought some tomato juice on the way and from now on will keep that in the motor home for camping. Tomato juice actually works! Now that this has happened, Barbie has vowed that she will keep strictly for us dogs the following: Tweezers (great for ticks/leeches), tomato juice (obviously), scissors and vinegar (if heaven forbid, I find a porcupine). Barbie says a porcupine is the only thing left for me to see. I sure hope I don't find one or any other bad stuff that might be out there.
Otter Falls was so much fun too! There were about 4 sites other than ours that were occupied. It was like having a great big wide private campground. We all went to the beach which was at the end of the campsite and I got to play fetch with some driftwood and go swimming. Later, we had a big fire and Barbie made us all some roasted Winnipeg Old Country Wieners. All of us had a really great time.
The next morning, we piled into the motor home and I slept all the way home. I get so tired at the end of camping and I tend to learn a lot each time.
I don't think that I will be so curious about skunks anymore! Camping still rules!
For Labour Day long weekend we went to Grand Beach. What a fun time! Lots of running, other dogs to meet, playing, swimming, fire and all around good stuff. Need I say more for camping?!
Now Barbie has noticed that I am a 'bad stuff' magnet. My first year, there were such bad wood ticks that the collar didn't even help. Allergies plague me still. I was attacked by the burdocks in Hecla Island. What was my malady in Grand Beach? Leeches!
Yup. Barbie found a floating dock because for some reason dogs aren't allowed on the sand dunes, boardwalk and beach including the water. What is a water loving retriever supposed to do? Just off the East Beach at the end of the parking lot is a place that has no signs regarding dogs. Beavis and I were swimming and just LOVED the water. Two women and 2 girls came by and saw us swim. Daisy was there too and she just wet herself a little. Some kind of waterfowl was swimming near us. I tried to catch it, but it swam underwater and ended up somewhere else. It ended up escaping me. We all had a great time.
That night Barbie flicked something black off me. It was too dark for her to know what it really was. Since Beavis had nothing on him, no one thought anything of it.
During our bay area walks we met a man and his daughter who loved to pet me, as well as two sisters who liked to pet me but, found Beavis' licking their faces more interesting. I don't lick, I mouth. I happen to be a purebred and therefore predictable.
Last day at Grand Beach, we went one more time in the water. I slept on the bed all the way home. Upon arriving at home and my fur hitting the sunlight, Barbie discovered no less than 5 leeches stuck to me. Beavis had none. Barbie had to try to take a stick and knock the leeches off me while both Beavis and I wanted to take the stick and play.
I am fine now and resting because I am exhausted from my swim, the walks and the sheer joy of meeting other people and dogs. More camping! The season isn't over until Canadian Thanksgiving!
Dogster Obsessions: The Starter Kit for Dogs by Wildebeest
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