Life With Our Dogs

Konrad's Tan Line

2010-07-13T15:50:00.001-07:00

Last week we found quite the tan line on the tail of our dog.
Silly pup. We're still trying to figure out how it happened.

Easter Hunt

2010-04-06T06:04:00.000-07:00

One tradition that I brought from my childhood to our family is the Dog Easter Egg Hunt. This year in planning for the baby's first Easter I neglected to get special treats to fill the dog's eggs with, so I resorted to just regular kibble. I felt bad for only a moment because I had also gotten them stuffed toys to destroy. We have a stuffed animal ban now in our home as hours have been spent rounding up the fluff in the backyard. Thankfully I snuck in this purchase before Brad could make the rule official.

I took the dogs up into our room and placed kibble filled eggs throughout the main level. Angela watched the action from her Dad's shoulders and Brad had the video camera ready as both dogs barreled out of our room. Konrad was the first to see an egg and instantly turned into an egg hunter. Sammie soon realized what was going on and resorted to the same tactic as last year : stuff as many whole eggs in your mouth as you can ... eat later.

Konrad went egg by egg opening them and eating the treats. Sammie got four in her mouth and then couldn't fit anymore. After several failed attempts to squeeze in a fifth she gave up and dropped them all. Konrad was more than happy to help her eat its contents.

After all the kibble was consumed we gave them their stuffed toys. Sammie took hers and methodically bit it from end to end looking for a squeaker. When she was unable to search it out she did the same to Konrad's toy. After some prodding I was able to locate the squeakers. Both dogs became excited and destroyed the toy within minutes. Thankfully the fluff balls were centralized in our living room for easy cleanup.

After all the excitement we were all ready for bed. It was a very eventful Easter weekend! I love my Life With Our Dogs.

Sammie Ate Butt Paste (UPDATED)

2010-04-03T16:33:00.000-07:00

Our incredibly intelligent dog ate a full 1 1/2 oz tube of Desitin intended for use on my baby's bum. She came in the house, the tube completely empty, wearing little smudges of cream on her face. Feeling slightly inclined to worry, my husband suggested we call the ASPCA Poison hot-line. I did, and after hearing something about a $65 fee I hung up. I then called our veterinarian's office which of course closed the hour earlier. I called the "nicer" of the two Emergency Vet locations and the man couldn't find any information on Desitin, suggesting instead I call another Pet Poison Line. I did, but after hearing about their $35 fee I hung up. My last shot was our "less nice" Urgent Care location. To my total surprise the woman was incredibly helpful.

It turns out that Zinc Oxide is poisonous to dogs, of course, and that it is imperative to get the dog to vomit. If not, many horrible things including kidney and liver failure can occur. She suggested two tablespoons of Hydrogen Peroxide. She said if Sammie did not vomit, if she started to bleed or became lethargic we should bring her in right away.

So my husband, baby and I wrapped up in warm clothes and headed outside. Thankfully our incredibly intelligent dog who will eat a tube of Desitin will also gladly drink Hydrogen Peroxide from a measuring spoon.

We waited and waited. Nothing happened. Sammie ran around the yard chasing her ball, pausing for nothing. We tried giving her a little more and again no response. My husband and I thought perhaps we were just being too impatient. So we waited. But nothing happened. She started to slow down a little and began to look like she wasn't feeling well, but did not vomit.

Now my husband and I have never wanted our dog to get sick before, but man were we praying for it then! Facing a huge vet bill in order to pump out her stomach, we became desperate. So I thought maybe if I start making vomiting noises she will throw up. So I did. My husband laughed, and nothing happened.

His next idea was to "scare the vomit out of her." When that didn't work he resorted to vomiting noises. Still nothing. Needless to say several hours passed and there was nothing. We even gave her several more tablespoons with an oral syringe and nothing happened. We made her feel worse, but no vomiting.

I ended up having to cancel my plans of dinner with the girls of Brad's family and stay home to watch Sammie. It's been many many hours and she has perked up and is back to her old self. Lesson learned: don't doubt the dog, she can eat anything. It has been just another day in the Life With Our Dogs.

UPDATE: Later that night at 9pm Sammie threw up. I walked in my room to see she had done so on our bed. I called for Brad and he ran upstairs so concerned for her. He then ran downstairs got the cleaning supplies and then cleaned up the whole mess by himself! He has never done that! He was so worried about her and so relieved that she finally threw up. He is such a great daddy to all of our kids :)

Where Do I Sleep?

2010-03-17T05:10:00.000-07:00

Life With Our Dogs :)

Springtime

2010-03-10T16:09:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was in my bedroom when Sammie came running in burrowing her head in my bed. I was quite dense as it took several minutes to realize that she was rubbing her face. When I finally stopped her to look at her this is what I found. The poor girl's face had swollen up to the size of a softball! I ran down stairs and gave her some Benadryl cleverly disguised in a glob of peanut butter. A half hour later she had stopped itching but her face was still very swollen. An hour later she was running around the house frantically searching for the best scratching surface. I called the Emergency Vet and was informed that due to her large girth, the amount of Benadryl I gave her was insufficient.

What do you do when you realize half way through the medications' duration that gave too small a dosage? I decided that she couldn't wait another 2 hours to get a full dose so I gave her one more tablet. This meant that for the remainder of the night we had to give her medicine every 2 hours. And like clockwork she reminded us. The frantic scratching and whining let us know it was time for more.

When I left for work this morning Sammie barely got out of bed, and did not come downstairs so I didn't get a look at her face. I gave the dogs a treat and left (yes I took it up to her in bed). An hour later Brad texted me asking if I'd given Sammie medicine because she was scratching again.

Poor girl! He said her face wasn't as swollen but she was definitely as itchy. We'll have to see how she is when I get home today. Sounds like it'll be another crazy day in Life With Our Dogs!

How They Ended Up On The Bed

2010-03-09T05:56:00.000-08:00

My husband and I both had dogs growing up. My husband's mother recounts several nights where Brad would say "Sorry Mom I have to go! I have to beat Hunter to bed!"

Our decision to have no dogs on the bed was unanimous. So how did this happen?When we got the puppies we bought them an adorable blue bed to sleep in. With how tiny there were, they could easily share.So we put that in one corner of our room, a puppy pad in another and hoped they would sleep. But puppies, like babies, wake up every few hours. We would wake up to the sound of someone chewing through the boards of our bed, whimpers of Konrad needing to go potty, and cries from a Sammie stuck behind my nightstand.

I was excited to care for the puppies. Their late night awakenings were quite cute for the first couple of weeks, but sleep deprivation was beginning to set in. We had made a strict "No Dogs on The Bed" rule. It was perfect because the dogs were too small to jump up on the bed, and even though that meant me hanging my arm over the bed so Sammie could fall asleep, it was worth it. Or so we thought.

One particular morning Brad refused to get up. It was a Sunday and due to an active night of puppy-ness he claimed refuge in bed. He was ignoring the whines and whimpers of the dogs, as well as his wife, needing him to get up. So in an effort to get him up quickly I put the dogs on the bed, and this is what happened .... They magically quieted down and fell right to sleep! I was absolutely shocked. So I too joined in the party welcoming the extra sleep.

The next night we tried desperately to hold out but as the pups got more and more active they were eventually plopped on the bed. We gave in. We broke our big rule and now this is what we have ...

It seemed like an okay thing to do at the time. Sometimes we regret that decision. Usually it is when Konrad stretches and kicks us, or we roll over to find one of Sammie's bones jabbing us in the back, or someone pretends to be asleep so they don't have to move to the end of the bed. But mostly when a large fur ball plops down asleep directly on top of you, it's amazing how I have become accustomed to the encased feeling, the jabbing elbows and immovable head. In fact I occasionally miss it when it is not there ..all 77lbs of Sammie and Konrad at 87lbs! Just another story in Life With Our Dogs.

Animal Sacrifice

2010-03-02T08:20:00.000-08:00

One night, while my husband and I knelt to pray together before bed, I looked up to see Sammie. Asleep on the bed she had rolled onto her back, legs high in the air, with her head to the side. Had she not been snoring I could have thought she might be dead.

Of course it was my turn to pray and with out realizing what was being said I began the prayer:

"Our Dearest Heavenly Father we thank thee this night for this animal sacrifice ..."

The laughter could not be stifled.

It was just another night in our Life With Our Dogs.

Conspiracy Theory

2010-02-26T09:05:00.000-08:00

This is what I caught Angela doing ...

Sammie has been well known to sneak into the pantry and steal milk bones. At one point, due to my neglecting to close the pantry door completely, half of the biscuit box disappeared within three days!

I became more diligent and have made it harder for her to retrieve her special treat. Now it looks as though she may be getting some help on the inside. Hmmm.

But I Can't See

2010-02-19T15:47:00.000-08:00

Sammie spent the whole day on her pillow. With her lack of energy and interest it was apparent she was not feeling well. I kept an eye on her and let her rest. At 1:30 AM I learned why she wasn't feeling well.

Since having the dogs as puppies, my husband and my reaction time to events such as a dog being sick, have gotten quicker and quicker. We have our designated roles ... Dad: Official herder of animals and calmer of the sick, Mom: Official cleaner-upper and disposal expert. But this night was different.

Sammie after getting sick moved off the bed and laid with her brother on the dog bed, both falling back asleep. They too had learned the routine and had eliminated the herder's position. My husband and I became confused. Now who does what?

Brad went and got the cleaning supplies while I tried to remove the bedding as quick as possible. When Brad came upstairs with a trash bag, paper towels and cleanser he promptly set down all of the supplies and looked at what remained of the mess.

While grouping up the bedding I looked at him and said: "You could use the supplies you brought up to clean it before it soaks in."

BRAD: "Yes, but I can't see."

HAILEY: "You can't see?"

It is true. In the haste of our movement to action he did not put on his glasses.

HAILEY: "But you can fix that."

BRAD: "But I can't see."

I handed him an armful of bedding and I picked up the paper towels. Somethings are just not worth "discussing" in the middle of the night.

And what had made Sammie sick? Swallowing the last 4 inches of her bone whole. Yep, that will do it. Just another night in the Life With Our Dogs.

He Was Out Of Town Part 2

2010-02-16T10:02:00.000-08:00

After my horrible morning, described here, I came home late from work hoping to relax and go to bed early. I was not prepared for the night that was ahead of me. It was the first time Brad had been away overnight from the dogs and they both didn't take it very well.

About 10pm I slid under the covers, still somehow fighting for space even though we were a Brad short. I turned out the lights and took a deep sigh of relief looking forward to sleeping in the next morning.

Sammie began to whine. It was a worried, high pitched, whine that would not end. I mentally counted to ten hoping she would miraculously stop. But she didn't.

"Sammie hush!"

She just cried louder. I felt bad for the little girl as she sounded very stressed out. Why were all the lights off is Dad wasn't home? I turned my light back on. She just sat staring at me with wide, worried eyes crying.

I got out of bed and headed downstairs turning lights on as we went. Finally when all the lights were on and we were in the family room she stopped crying. So I curled up on the couch and tried to sleep, with all the lights on.

That's when Konrad began to bark. He was upstairs on my bed barking. He didn't want to come downstairs. He wanted to go to bed. But he can't go to bed unless everyone is in bed.

At 12:30am we all fell asleep on my bed with all the lights on. A brief compromise as at 2:30am Sammie was back downstairs crying.

Needless to say I was relieved when Brad came home! Thankfully the next time Brad left town we all were able to make it through the night in my bed in the dark. It's my Life With Our Dogs.

He Was Out of Town

2010-02-12T08:33:00.000-08:00

Soon after getting our puppies, my husband left for his annual golf trip with his brothers and dad. His departure was celebrated by Konrad jumping up on the bed and throwing up all over me. I guess it was time to get up.

I stripped the bed and started one big load of laundry. Everything from the comforter to the pillow itself had to be washed. I called work to say I would be late and then jumped in the shower.

I left my bathroom door open so the dogs could go in and out as they pleased. As soon as I filled my hair with shampoo Konrad began to whine. It was a wine that I recognized very quickly from a few days earlier. It is his "I have to go potty and I have to go now" whine. Last time I heard this whine I finished my shower and then went to take him out. By that time it was too late, and it was my fault. So this time I took a few seconds to quickly rinse out the soap, and wrap up in a towel so I could grab him.

But I couldn't find him. Soaking the carpet as I searched my room for the boy I ended up following my nose out into the hall. He had needed to poop. And for some reason rather than go on his puppy pad, or even in one spot, he went while walking down two flights of stairs.

Dripping wet I sobbed. I decided to clean up the mess and then finish my shower. It was one of the worst days and Brad had only been gone for an hour.

Thankfully I can laugh about the story, now two years later, and I frequently use it as motivation in overcoming whatever trials may suddenly attack in a day. Lucky for me this was only the first half of my day long adventure in my Life With Our Dogs.

Pillow Dog

2010-02-10T10:22:00.001-08:00

Konrad can get a little nervous at times, especially after having a bad dream. While I was pregnant it was almost every night that he would wake up startled in the night. Once scared, only one thing could make him feel better.

His comfort is not a one word answer like biscuit, hug or toy, it is a location. What comforts him is curling up on your pillow around your, well my, head.

One night I woke up thinking I was being run over by a car. A dark object straddled my body at full speed straight for my head. I had to lie back down so my head wasn't taken off! I realized what it was when the 80 pound furball collapsed a little too soon covering my face with his body. After I was able to free my face he comfortably rested his chin on my forehead.

I am happy to say that this happens much less frequently then it used to, but when it does it is quite the wake up call! My husband does love it though when he wakes up to see me wearing Konrad like a hat. This is Life With Our Dogs.

Kiss Goodnight

2010-02-10T09:30:00.000-08:00

After our evening prayer, my husband and I climbed into bed trying to find some space amongst the large dog bodies strewn across it. Sammie had thankfully fallen asleep right in the middle, lengthwise, providing a furry separation between mine and my husband's sides of the bed. Konrad on the other hand was at an angle in the rectangle that was mine.

After some not so gentle nudging of the 80 pound boy and some not so dainty pulling of blankets, I had comfortably settled in. My husband and I leaned across our furry barrier to give each other one quick kiss goodnight when suddenly we both pulled back crinkling our noses.

The lights were shut off and we resulted to quiet goodnights instead. Nothing else had to be said, it was just another night in our Life With Our Dogs.

A Bathroom Solution?

2010-02-08T05:30:00.000-08:00

My dogs love routing through our bathroom trash. Due to the tiny size of our bathroom, finding a trashcan that fits with a lid to close is very difficult. The other night Brad came to me with a solution.

BRAD: "Did I tell you I found the perfect trashcan for our bathroom"

HAILEY: "Oh yeah?"

BRAD: "It was at Costco .... it actually comes in a two pack."

HAILEY: "I'm sure we could find another bathroom to place one in."

That's the price you pay for shopping at Costco, you're probably going to get more than you need.

BRAD: "Well it's actually a kitchen can and a smaller one."

HAILEY: "K ..."

I was becoming slightly concerned as to how much trouble and money we were going to go through in order to get the perfect dog-proof trashcan.

BRAD: "I didn't tell you the best part! It's automatic!"

HAILEY: "What do you mean? How does it open?"

BRAD: "You wave your hand over it and it opens."

He demonstrated its unique operation with his hands.

I have been trying hard not to outright squash Brad's excitement, as I have been told I do this on occasion, so I tried a different approach ...

HAILEY: "Now does it need to be your hand to wave at it, or is it just motion?"

BRAD: "Motion. But wouldn't that be perfect?"

I tried. I even took a deep breath, but in the end ...

HAILEY: "Yeah, if we were getting a trashcan FOR the dogs."

Just another night in our Life With Our Dogs.

Fake Snoring

2010-02-04T09:39:00.000-08:00

Sammie loves to go to bed early. While Konrad lays on the floor beneath your feet always hoping you are going to bed soon, Sammie takes herself when she is ready. One night I walked into my room to find a familiar situation, Sammie curled up at the top of the bed, in my spot. Once she saw me her head moved to rest on my pillow and her eyes quickly shut. She was not going to give up the prized spot without a fight.

Konrad jumped up on the bed and after assessing the situation curled up at the very end. I prepared myself for bed while keeping a peripheral lock on Sammie, who in turn kept one eye cracked open on me. Once I completed all I needed to, so that I would not void the spot once it was reacquired, I walked to the bed. Sammie's partially opened eye closed. She too was ready.

I stifled a laugh and firmly stated: "Sammie move." No response.

Brad walked into the room offering only a slight smirk as he slid into his completely uninhabited side of the bed.

"SAMMIE move." Nothing.

I tried a different tactic. I grabbed a hold of the blanket corner and pulled 65 pounds of dog weight, which was not shifting in the slightest and said: "SAMMIE MOVE!"

That's the moment the game completely changed and I realized I was out of my league. She began to snore. A forced, resonating snore sounded from my dog. Even Konrad looked up surprised.

My husband laughed "Is she fake snoring?"

"Yes."

That's when I called in reinforcements. It was cheating, but I was not going to let Sammie win the prized spot, my spot. So with lots of laughter and a few pushes from me and Brad, Sammie relinquished. She made her way next to Konrad, falling extra hard to the mattress.

Yes, she technically won our little battle. I admit I was outmatched and totally caught off guard with her secret weapon. But I did win the war. I got my spot back. This was just another night in our life with our dogs.

An Introduction

2010-02-04T06:53:00.000-08:00

I have always loved animals and and I am always ready to defend them. Anyone who has loved a pet and allowed them to love them back, knows that animals have individual personalities and souls.

When I married my husband I knew that I needed animals in my life. What he didn't know is that he needed me to have animals in my life. Soon after we were married we added two Labrador Retrievers to our family: Sammie and Konrad.

Brother and sister these two were our first children and are now big brother and big sister to our daughter Angela.

This has been especially wonderful since Angela has some health issues that have kept her house bound so far. Her best friends are Sammie and Konrad.

I wanted a place where I could record the humorous experiences that we have as a family and share our stories with other animal lovers as we continue on in our Life With Our Dogs. So feel free to comment and share your own stories.