Togetherness

Shelties are like potato chips, no one should have just one.  😊

Yin and Yang Dogs

Spending Time with Indy and Blue

Been enjoying getting to know Blue.   He is good for Indigo as she benefits from his confident personality.

Christmas jammies

Introducing Blue

This is Blue.   He is a 7 year old (?), blue merle Sheltie.   He is quite the lover.  He comes from a backyard breeder via Rocky Mountain Collie Sheltie Rescue. As his photos show, he has a lot of personality and is fairly well adjusted.   We are his first house he has lived in but much less fearful than Indy.  I think boy breeder dogs have it easier than girl dogs.

Blue has a happy go-lucky face.  Indy still looks worried.

Trip to Bring Blue Home

The day (9/30/17) we went to pick up Blue was of course exciting and a bit complicated by a major highway shut down.   He was work the effort 😊    These are some favorite photos of our 1st days...

Whose this?

Are you sure this is the one we should get?

smiley boy

Wow dad, that's a big dog to live up to.  (park statue on the ride home)

Sleep arrangements for the 1st night.

OK, I think this place will work.

Indy is loving her summer

Our beautiful girl is enjoying the dog days of summer!

Especially the garden tomatoes!

Candle Ceremony for Scout

On Monday nights there is a pet loss candle ceremony.  When Scout's ashes came home, we participated in the ceremony.  It has been a month now since Scout crossed the bridge.  He is greatly missed and thought of often.

The Litany of Lasts...

We've come to the very difficult decision that we need to release Scout from our care back into the hands of his Creator.  And so with a very heavy heart we being the litany of lasts:

• last massage to ease his muscles and arthritis
• last Saturday walk at the rec. center
• last awkward gallop across the wood floor to the backdoor to go outside
• last dinner
• last Bison pot roast leftovers
• last before bed walk
• last bedtime treats
• last Pawbender icecream
• last pills / medicine
• last large head in my hands
• last soft fur in my fingers

Rest now my pup.  Run on again with strong legs and a playful trot.  Enjoy all the smells and take your time.  There will be lots of wagging tails at the Rainbow Bridge.

You were a good boy Scout...  Rest in peace. You are home.

Feeding An Old Dog

Scout turned 14 in May.  He has been eating less - it seems like he forgets or loses his focus.  I was worried about him making it thru the month - but he continues on into July.    Over the year, he has lost about 10 pounds, which is a lot for a dog.  Other than his mobility issues and "doggie dementia", his blood work is good and he maintains a happy, interested attitude.

He pretty much gave up on his kibble, so I used a blender to grind the kibble into a "powder" and mixed that with some of his canned food.  That was successful for a while, but nothing is consistent for too long.  Much like being a caretaker for a human with dementia, patience and flexibility is required.  It varies from day to day what he will agree to eat.

My goal is to somehow include some dog food to try and keep a quality diet.   We've learned not to stress about when he eats.  2 out of the 4 times we offer his food, he will eat - so he is taking in calories and quality protein.  I wish it were more - but he only maintains his interest in eating for so long and then he wanders off.  Trying to tempting with more or different food is useless at that point. I will change up where we put his bowl and I will include treats with his dish.   That can help entice him.

This is one of his favorite flavors but I have 4 or 5 others on hand for when he loses interest in this one.   Science Diet ID Chicken Stew has also proven interesting to him.

Sometimes, he wants an Arbys roast beef sandwich (hold the bun) or a Firehouse Turkey & Cheese sub (minus the bun)

We are doing whatever it takes to help him eat for as long as he wants to be around on this planet.   Sometimes that means feeding him by hand.

Paw Print Ornament Memories

We always get a paw print of our dog when they pass away, but this time, thanks to a thoughtful gift from a good friend, we made paw prints while the furkids are around to make that memory with us.
I can't say they were excited because 1) they don't like the camera focused on them and 2) they aren't keen on getting their paws wet.  But still, it will be a nice memory.   Happy Memorial Day.

Caricature of Scout and Indy

This wonderful caricature of Indy and Scout makes me smile.

Happy 14th Birthday Scout!

Celebrating Scout's 14th birthday with a GoodTimes Paw Bender

Scout's Pills and Wishing for a Walk

Scout's supplements and pills

I feel fine.  Can we go for a walk?

Walk after Massage

Filming Scout walking at the Rec Center after his massage.

February Dog Pictures

Some favorite photos of the furkids in February.

Chewbie for the Dogs

After lunch, the furkids get a chewbie.