I'm On the IRL

A few weeks ago, I began episodically favoring my left, hind leg. Mom thought I'd suffered a minor sprain so she minimized my running. Some days I would be fine, others I wouldn't.

I don't know about every other pup, but I have only one trigger and that's having my nails clipped, paws touched and yes, sometimes even LOOKED at. Luckily I run my nails down, but I won't let Mom look at my paw if it's injured. She tried, but - uh, uh, uh - no peaking at the paws, Mom grrrrrrr! So, it was off to the vet's for me.

I was wonderful during the exam, except when I was violated by the thermometer! I told her, "Hey Lady! I'm here for my paw!" Geeze!! Anywho, I received A LOT of compliments about how calm I was with the other patients in the waiting room, and my Mom BEAMED!! But Mom had to leave me, as I required sedation to receive a more detailed paw examination. Believe it or not, my dogtor found NOTHING in my left paw but removed a sharp, short thorn from my right paw! Despite the thorn's removal, I walked out of the vet's office continuing to favor my left paw.

Within a few days, I would occasionally refuse to weight bear with my left paw only after my run. I had x-rays run, too, none of which were abnormal. I was relegated to the dreaded leash while out with my family. Within a few days, a digit appeared swollen. Finally, a visual clue!!!! Apparently, the microscopically-sized thorn/splinter migrated from its entrance site without leaving a discernable puncture.

Our dogtor decided to try an anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and warm soaks with Epsom salt in hopes of bringing the nasty foreign body to the surface. Not too bad, except the worst part of the above "anti" regiment is "anti-RUNNING" till I'm healed. I've begun acclimating to the warm soaks. While I won't admit to enjoy them - I do love when Mom rubs my ears and tells me happy Tucker stories during the soak:)

So the good is.....following two days of soaks and meds, my toe is noticeably less inflamed. I'm thinkin' pretty soon - I'll be back to my old hunting tricks again!!! Watch out critters - here I come - with all four paws soaring!!!!

The bad is the dogtor showed Mom the location of my lymph nodes. Needless to say, she can't STOP checking all of our nodes :) And if I hear "Who's next to get their lymph nodes checked?" one more time - I'm outta here!!!

The Story of a Dogster Named Buddy

This diary entry is about a very special girl and her very special dog, G and Buddy, respectively, as below. I think once you see them, your heart will melt as you read our (their) story.

Buddy and G

Mom received a very special package in the mail today from a very special Dogster pal named Buddy.

To begin, Buddy was an amazingly smart, Border Collie mix who, over the course of his short life, would learn over 25 commands and hand signals. He loved playing fetch with his family and lived to please. He was a fun-loving, happy pup:)

I learned of Buddy through a pawsome pal, K10. K10's Dad encouraged me to take a look at Buddy. Apparently, three months prior, Buddy began to lose weight and had considerable dysenterry. He wasn't eating earerly and was lathargic. Buddy's Mommy, whom we'll refer to as G, was reaching out to Dogsters for information and advice, since despite a battery of tests and various treatments, Buddy could not rebound.

Despite various veternarian treatments and a lion's fight, Buddy grew sicker. On September 21, 2009, Buddy was far too weak and impaired and the family regrettably decided Buddy could no longer manage. Surrounded by all he loved, held in G's arms; the last words before journeying to the Bridge were whispered softly in his ear, "I love you, Buddy". The family returned Buddy home where he was carefully inturned on the property he loved most. His resting site, now adorned with flowers and a cross handcrafted from tree branches, is visited daily by G. She leaves flowers at his grave that she's picked from the yard.

In today's mail our Mom was suprised to receive a package sent by G. Contained within the meticulously-wrapped envelope was a clipping of beautiful thick, black fur secured in a plastic blag. Also enclosed was a photo, seemingly laminated with Scotch tape. Mom knew instantly - it's Buddy. Also enclosed was a handwritten letter to Mom by G. On the back of the picture, the following words are written "The Buddy I Remember".

I'm (Lisa) is very emotional and continue to fight back tears as I type. But I'm honored to be entrusted with pieces of Buddy's fur. I'll forever treasure these offerings. So much so that the fur will be placed right next to my beloved Alex's urn, on the mantle within my home.

I've posted Buddy's page below for those inclined to offer this young girl some much needed solace and support.

Buddy's Page

I've Been Tagged!!

I've been tagged by TWO of my pawsome pals, Pocono and Sophie Claire!

Here are the RULES of the game:

Answer all questions, post them in your diary, then tag 5 friends by sending a rosette or PawMail.

Questions and Answers:

1. What color is your collar? - Red or orange.

2. What kind of food do you eat?
I eat Wellnes kibble, but not too much, mixed with lots of Core wet or Mom cooks chicken, potatoes and kale for us a few times a week. I always get one to two dollops of plain yogurt mixed in along with frozen blueberries and brussel sprouts. I also like when Mom buys us cod, Bumblebee canned Salmon or Spot's Stew :)

3. What are your favorite treats?
Frozen beef bones. chicken skewers or Eagle's Salmon nuggets :)

4. Do you have a Valentine or significant other?
Nope - still single and LOVING it :)

5. Do you get table scraps?
I love bread, but otherwise no, because Mom doesn't eat as healthy as we do :) BOL!!!!

6. What is your favorite toy?
Mom's bed pillows :)

7. When is your Birthday? October 3, 2003

8. How many times a day do you get to eat?
Two.

9. Do you have a favorite color?
Whatever color the critter at the moment happens to be is my FAVORITE color :)

10. Do you hope all your pals put this in their diary?
Absolutely!! I would enjoy learning a little bit more about my pawsome pals.

Hope to see your answers soon!

Hugs from your pal,
Tucker

Now I'm off to tag:

Millie
Riley
Remington
Emma
Zoe

The Noun Hound Game

Hi Pals!!

I recently played a great new game provided by three of my pawsome pals: Wyoming, Riley and Austin. The game is called the Noun Hound. Here’s how it works:

Below are four clues to the secret animal. If you know the answer, pawmail me. The first four pals to answer correctly will win a rosette :)

1. I reside in the desert.
2. I weigh up to 3 lbs.
3. My ears may be as long as 6 inches and are essential to dissipate heat.
4. My extraorindary hearing allows me to locate prey underground or insects traveling on the surface of the desert sand.

Good luck pals!!!

Pay It Forward Tag :)

I've been tagged by my Sharpei pal, Tucker, who was tagged by Bella, who was tagged by Lola, who was tagged by Sadie, who was tagged by Crystal, Who was tagged by Shiloh in a neat sort of way!

Shiloh is celebrating his 20th diary entry and has given tree rosettes to 10 of his pals. He is asking us to "pay it forward" and keep on giving.

He is asking us to send rosettes to 10 of our pals (5 if you can't do 10) and to keep on giving!

Okay - here are my five tags - let's keep this going for Shiloh!

Millie
Emma
Riley
Sophie Claire
Dusty

Sometimes, I'm Just a Scaredy Cat!

Yes, it's true. I have a major fear..... thunderstorms and fireworks. They cause both me and my brother, Max, considerable anxiety. Fortunately for Joey and Vayla, they're unreactive to the noise.

Today, the meteorologist predicted extensive thunderstorms within our region; and unfortunately he was correct. Mom was at work, but worried that we would become overly stressed. Fortunately, we never get destructive. Unfortunately, our panic manifests with rapid panting and trembling uncontrollably. Max also whines and presses himself against Mom for safety and reassurance.

Mom came home early today; and we were so relieved, we almost knocked her down when we saw her :) We refused to go out in the yard and relieve ourselves, so Mom changed and in the car and off to the woods we went - earlier than usual.

The woods are beautiful when it rains, and we love running in the rain. The ponds are fuller, the streams are more robust and the critters are everywhere. We love running through the puddles on the trails, too. Sometimes while we run past Mom, we kick up water and it hits her! We swam after ducks, flushed a few birds, Joey played with a snake (yuck!!) and Vayla enjoyed a few hunts with us, as she was able to tear herself away from Mom for a little bit. We didn't blink when it thundered, during which Mom became concerned and looked for Max & me. She noticed I'd run down a ravine and was rolling in, well you know, just a little something special! Pfffft, thunder!! THIS time, the rolling seemed to make Mom smile!!

Joey and I needed a bath when we arrived home, but other than THAT horrific experience, this thunderstorm was a piece of cake!

I've been Ice Cream Tagged!!

Ohhhh......that most handsome & sweet Shar Pei pal of mine, Tucker, ice cream tagged me :)

I'm mint chocolate chip with hot fudge and nuts. Why, you ask? Well, I get my coolness from the mint, the chocolate chip ice cream is perfect coloring for GSPs & Mom's favorite, hot fudge because I'm sooo sweet and nuts because, well, I am!!!

OK - I'm off to tag five pals. After they determine what flavor they are, they can tell their pals their flavor in a pmail and tag em!!

Here I come for .........
Jake
Milo
Emma
Davey Dog
Sadie

A Beautiful Story!!

Last week was very sad for many of us Dogsters having lost Nari, Joey and Jake. So, to cheer all of our pup pals up - she found and posted a video of committment, loyalty and just plain LOVE!!

Take a peek at this You Tube video. We think you'll see the beauty, too!

Cooper - An inspiration

Tucker's Mysterious Adventure

Now that the dust has settled, and Mom and I have patched up our little misunderstanding of yesterday - I think it's time to tell you what happened.

Yesterday, the weather was very hot and exceptionally humid in our part of the world. We headed out to the woods in the morning. The further in we hiked, the more humid it became. The sun was streaming through the trees; and the nats, mosquitoes and moths played havoc with Mom.

As usual, the moment the leash is unhooked I run to my favorite pond for a swim around, in search of ducks. I then run off the trails to check out the other ponds where my buddies, the ducks, and I like to play 'catch me if you can'.

Our hikes are usually two hours - and that's two hours of shear dog joy! I'm always far beyond and off the trails. I routinely run back so Mom can see me - or she starts calling my name and embarrasing me in front of our friends! I am very obedient and will turn on a dime when called. Late in yesterday's hike, I abandoned my usual routine. I didn't answer Mom's repeated calls and was disobedient.

Mom thinks this is what happened.....
I happened upon a new pond, an even bigger pond than all the other ponds. She thinks this because while she was looking and calling for me - she heard geese honking. She also heard men, within the vicinity of the geese honking, say "Good dog" several times. Really, really odd! They could have been speaking with their dog - Mom just wasn't sure.

Mom and my furmily headed in that direction but couldn't see anything. While they heard the geese honking - they couldn't see them - their were no people. At this point, Mom is questioning what's she's hearing - are they geese or could it be a dog bark? It had been going on for over 20 mns, if it were geese and I was chasing them, wouldn't they fly away? Mom was sooooo confused and worried. She convinced herself I couldn't be there, because I'd come when she called me. The trees, thickets and brush are vast, thick and impenetrable - well, for Mom anyway.

Mom and my furmily continued to walk and call for me, they searched for an hour and half. When she was literally at her breaking point - I saw her! I came running down the trail. Not a scratch on me, soaking wet with a big, tired smile! Mom grabbed my face and gave me the biggest kiss! She was so happy. Vayla, Max and Joey were happy, too. They each spent time smelling me. Joey licked my belly and enjoyed the goose droppings I brought back from my adventure!!! And that qualified all of what Mom heard and initially thought - I was chasing the geese.

Today, our hike was like nothing happened. We ran together, played together and I swam a lot - but couldn't find the geese. Luckily I didn't need the geese today, me and my duck friends had a lot to catch up on and A LOT of play time!!

A Piece of Euphoria

We went to our most favorite place last night.

Our place is full of countless, precious memories. It's where we soar like eagles. Every breeze is an antagonist accompanied by crashing waves and sprays of mist.

We lived entirely in the moment. Never compromised, always eurphoric, focused and ageless. There's no determinable end. Birds soar faster there, as do we. Our pace is interrupted briefly by the pressure of churning walls of water.
.....

We went to the beach and will cherrish every, single sand-filled moment! :)