Back to Barkin' Springs and Poison Ivy Update

So yesterday, as promised, Apple and I went back to Barkin' Springs.

It was a different experience trying to swim with him, since the terrain is really rough and the water doesn't get really deep. it was knee level-waist level most of the time...but I'd recommend humans do the doggy paddle as well to make their way through the water, because the ground is rough and slippery. I slipped on a boulder and fell right on my butt.

The dorky water shoes were quite a necessity. I'm glad I remembered to get some.

It was great to be able to swim with Apple, but he found it quite confusing! We went out a little too far in my hopes of finding a better swimming area, and when I was doggy paddling next to him to get back to where we were, he started squeaking because I think he was getting tired and he didn't know when we would be able to stop. I was worried he was tired so I picked up that big 75 lb dog, and as soon as I held him he got brave enough to keep going. I think he was worried since he didn't have Steven or me to look at on the shore as a "target."

He squeaked again when I was "racing" him for a ball, and after he got it he swam around in a very confused circle and squeaked...once again because I think he was just so confused by having me swim with him.

And of course, since I was out alone with my very attractive dog, I had to deal with "Dog Dating" once again. In fact, I actually got ASKED OUT at the park by a guy on a bicycle. He told me my dog was cute, I said thank you, and after he had ridden about 15 feet he turned around and asked if I wanted to get dinner with him and my dog sometime. He was not at all swayed by the fact that I was married either. 

Guys, I've heard this kind of stuff from some of you before. If I'm married...I will not go out with you or hook up with you, and yes, my ring does mean something to ME even if it doesn't to you.

Also, I can now update you on the poison ivy. Apple has no reactions, as expected, but I managed to break out on the back of my upper arm. The oil causes itchy blisters on your skin and they often occur in a straight line. I have two main blisters with a few smaller ones scattered around the area, and if I don't scratch it,  it doesn't itch, which is good. Last summer, I had a dangerous reaction to Sulfanomides and I thought I would EXPLODE from the itching. 

The two main blisters are easy to see, but the smaller ones are hard to notice in the picture

I want to wait until Steven comes home to take Apple swimming again, so we can work as a team swimming with him and being a "target." Also, I prefer going out with my man to dog parks so other men don't use my dog as a "cool" pick-up line!

Apple's Annual Exam!

Apple had his first yearly vet exam today, and for some blasted reason I was really nervous about it.

However, I am very happy to say that he is very healthy!

Today, he got 3 shots (Rabies, DHPP, and Leptospirosis), had a heartworm test, and a physical examination. It is important to take your dogs in yearly to get their shots up to date, and vets also recommend testing them for heartworms every year even if they are on preventatives because they aren't always 100% effective.

I was so nervous about the heartworm test, even though I give him monthy preventatives, because my parent's dog, Macintosh, had heartworms when I was 7. In order for dogs to recover, they have to undergo difficult and expensive treatments and must be confined with no exercise for 2 months. I remember having to listen to her scream that entire time. Apple could never do that.

Fortunately, his test was negative. I saw the test and it's almost like a pregnancy test, except the vet draws blood and puts it on the plastic test. Then, if you get one line, it's negative, and two lines means positive.

This one uses dots, but you get the idea

If you aren't familiar with the shots he got, I will give you some information about them!

Rabies is obviously a pretty common vaccine. It is the only one required by law, but rabies in dogs is extremely rare these days (due, of course, to years of stringent vaccination.) It is important though, since it cannot be treated once the symptoms begin. According to the CDC, 90% of all rabies cases are in wild animals; only about 80 dogs are discovered to have rabies in the United States every year (as opposed to 300 cats!)

DHPP is arguably a much more important vaccine, although it is not required. This vaccine prevents Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and most importantly, Parvovirus. It is a highly contagious gastrointestinal virus and a dog can catch Parvo from walking on a sidewalk that an infected dog walked on a year ago. When we first got Apple, we had to carry him through the clinic at Emancipet to reduce his risk of catching Parvo. This disease is especially dangerous to young puppies. Distemper is also serious, and is incurable, so it is very important to get this vaccine regularly.

Those are the two most important vaccines to give your dog. I also have given Apple Leptospirosis and Bordetella (which isn't due until August.) Lepto is recommended for dogs who play in dirty water sources in urban areas, which Apple does quite often. Bordetella is required when boarding your dogs, and is similar to the common cold in humans.

After Apple got his shots, the vet examined him and said that his teeth and coat were beautiful, his heart sounded great, and he was in excellent body condition. That was very nice to hear since Apple had to make many trips to the vet for various infections early on in our owning him. He had to go to the vet once a month for four months due to infections he had as a result of being a stray. I am so happy to know that he is much healthier now and that we are doing a good job!

Peeing in Poison Ivy

As you might have read in my previous blog post, Barkin' Springs, my dog peed in poison ivy today while at a swimming hole that did not have ample space for the dogs to do their business. Apple got a bit frantic at the end of our swimming trip and started to run off in hopes of finding a place to pee, but didn't have much luck. After I wrangled him and put on my shoes, I walked him to a grassy spot that wasn't as grown up as other areas that had obvious poison ivy, and didn't notice the plant until he was already squatting.

Fortunately, I work for the City of Austin (I was a camp counselor last year and this year I'm a sub since I'm working some other theatre camps as well) and I just went through training on outdoor safety and poison ivy, so I know what it looks like and I know what to do if you come into contact with it. I read some interesting information about poison ivy and dogs, so I wanted to share that information as well.



This is exactly what the poison ivy I saw today looked like:

Leaves of Three, Let them Be

At my trainings I learned a cool way to identify it. They described the leaves as looking like two hands put together: a big point in the middle with two thumbs. Also, it grows with three leaves together, so that is important to look for as well.

How to identify poison ivy with your hands

I also learned that the best thing to do if you come into contact with poison ivy is to rinse the area very well with COLD water. The reaction is caused by an oil called Urushiol and it is important to get it off. Hot water opens your pores and allows the oil to sink into your skin. Soap can also help the oil spread. Urushiol can also get into fabrics and affect people who come into contact with them.

After I rinsed Apple in cold water, I did some research on dogs and poison ivy and actually found that it is unlikely for dogs to be affected by the oil because of their fur. However, the oil can stick to their fur and affect people who touch them. I read on a website that I should bathe Apple in dish soap because it breaks down oils, which is exactly how rescuers save animals after oil spills. 

I washed Apple in the soap, but unfortunately, I didn't have any rubber gloves, so I might break out with a reaction. It can take hours or even days for the rash to appear. My finger was burning earlier, but I think it is fine. I have a really itchy area on my chest, but I'm not sure if that is related to poison ivy or not. Let's hope it will be fine...and I hope to avoid further contact with this plant tomorrow, as I am planning to go back and swim at the exact same spot.

I also learned at the City trainings that I can call 311 to report poison ivy. Maybe I should do that...

I'll keep you posted if Apple or I have any adverse reactions to the poison ivy.

Barkin' Springs!

Today was such a momentous day.

My husband left for E3 (the big video game convention) in Los Angeles today, and my family is also at Disney World, leaving me all alone and not on a super awesome vacation. 

I wanted to take Apple somewhere fun today, and it was hot, so I decided to take him for a swim at our old standby, Auditorium Shores.

Auditorium Shores on a good day

Now you know how much I love Auditorium Shores, but today, it was seriously disgusting. The Austin area has been experiencing much more rainfall than we are used to (which is a great thing, since we are in a severe drought,) but the increased rainfall and the heat caused a lot of nasty algae and bacteria to grow in the water. It was disgusting, green, smelly, warm, and basically un-swimmable. I let Apple get in it once to fetch a ball, and then I saw a "Swim at Your Own Risk" sign warning people that the bacteria levels were high and posed an increased risk for infection. 

I then promptly leashed up my dog and took him out of the park, and set off on a new mission: to find "Barkin' Springs."

In Austin, there is a popular natural swimming pool known as Barton Springs. It is 3 acres in size, 68 degrees year round (according to the website, I've always heard 62,) and home to a unique species of salamander known as the Barton Springs Salamander. 

Barton Springs Pool

Barton Springs Salamander

 It is a great Austin landmark, and it is with deep regret that I admit to you that in my 5 years of living here I have NEVER been to Barton Springs. I have always wanted to, but with good reason I avoid it; I have a condition known as Raynaud's Phenomenon that requires me to keep warm, and I thought the water would be too cold for me.

Downstream of Barton Springs is another swimming hole known literally as "Barton Springs Downstream" or colloquially, "Barkin' Springs." It is a free section of the springs that is blocked from the main part of the pool by a fence and a dam, and dogs and humans can swim there. I planned on just sitting and watching and testing the water with my feet while I let him swim, but I was pleasantly surprised that the water was very nice looking and it was not too cold for me! I got in with him! I couldn't go very far because I didn't bring my swimsuit, but we're going back tomorrow and I'll wear one then.

Barton Springs Downstream, or Barkin' Springs

 It was so much fun! I was talking to so many other Dog Moms there who couldn't believe I had never been. Of course, it wasn't all free of downsides...I actually witnessed a dog mauling further up the shore, we lost a ball due to the uneven terrain and my lack of a swimsuit, and there's nowhere for the dogs to go potty. Apple hopped out of the water after an hour or so and started to run off because he had to pee...he didn't get lost and he doesn't often run off, but he's such a good boy he wanted to find some grass! I had to chase him down and leave all my stuff, but a nice man helped me out and brought my stuff to me.

Then, when he finally peed, it was near some POISON IVY. I feel like an ass because I told him to pee there (it wasn't as grown over with poison ivy as the other areas) but as soon as he started peeing I spotted a bit of it. I don't know if he came into contact with it or not, and I'll detail my preventative measures in the next blog post.

Despite that, it was ridiculously fun and I plan on going back tomorrow. I will wear a swimsuit and I should probably see if I can find some water shoes or something, so I can walk through the rocks and traverse the terrain if my dog suddenly needs to pee. When Steven comes back we totally have to come back again too!

Whiskey for My Men, Beer for My Dogs

Recently, I have gone from detesting and avoiding beer in all forms to preferring certain types of beer (Dos Equis and Hefeweissens to be specific) over all other alcoholic drinks. And with the end of the school year upon me (I'm an afterschool teacher) I recently bought a six-pack to celebrate.

As one would expect, Apple wanted to join in this celebration. Apple likes all types of food (and non-foods) with the strange exception of bananas, so it shouldn't surprise me that he was intrigued by (and tried to steal) my beer. He kept trying to lick the bottle and my face and was begging for it as he so often does. Today, my parents and brother came over and he was knocking over their empty bottles and trying to enjoy any last bit that he could.

Obviously, I know not to let my dog drink beer. I think it's funny and kind of cute how he likes it, though, which leaves me feeling slightly disturbed, as I remember pictures I have seen of friends' children posing with alcohol paraphernalia...I hope I never think that is funny or cute.

Aside from giving him a few licks off of my fingers or an empty bottle, I'm not going to let Apple drink beer. It's bad for their brain, liver, and kidneys (like humans) and dogs are allergic to hops. But, I wondered if there was anything to Apple's attraction to beer. So I Googled it.

I found that many people had posted about their dogs enjoying the taste of beer, and it was actually pretty common. So common in fact, that multiple companies have sprouted up creating non-alcoholic beer for dogs. I kid you not.

One Australian company, simply named "Dog Beer," offers beef-flavored beer for dogs. The ingredients are all human grade, so they claim you could drink one alongside your dog, but seeing as how I'm a vegetarian, I don't think I would join him in that.

 One US variety, Dawg Grog, is similar, but made with vegetable broth! It is made in Oregon and can be shipped to all 50 states.

 Another meaty dog beer, Bowser Beer, is available from local vendors all across the United States, and can be purchased at Dogadillo and Healthy Pet in Austin, TX!

Maybe beer for dogs isn't such a strange concept, but I was surprised when I found out it actually existed. I don't know why beer is so attractive to dogs, but it must be a pretty big deal if so many companies have already come up with the idea to make specific varieties for dogs!

Maybe Apple can get some for his 2nd birthday. By then he'll be a responsible adult! ;)

DIY Dog Mom: Soda Bottle Sprinkler!

Recently on Facebook, I saw a fun post circulating called "27 Creative and Inexpensive Ways to Keep Kids Busy this Summer." While all the ideas were pretty great, there was one that stood out to me as something I wanted to do NOW, with my dog.

So, what better way to kick off the start of June than by playing in our own DIY sprinkler?

You can find the original directions here, but it's a very easy process, and all you have to do is drink a 2 liter bottle of soda, poke holes in it (you only want to do it on the top and sides) and tape it to a hose. The website recommends duct tape, but not having any I just used plain old Scotch tape, and while it didn't hold up super well, it lasted the entire amount of time that we played!

Here are some pictures of Apple playing in it:

He mostly wanted to drink the water!

It worked just like a real sprinkler and it was so much fun! I put on my swimsuit and played in it too. 

Then we took some more pictures when we were drying off in the grass:

I just love my dog.

It was really fun, and it only costs as much as the soda bottle itself (unless of course, I invest in some duct tape for next time,) so it really is creative and inexpensive!

Our Appleversary Cake!

For our Apple-versary, I baked the same cake that I made for Apple's birthday, and he must have remembered it, because he freaked out and wanted to eat it so badly! I am glad he likes this cake so much.

I cut the hole in the ziploc bag a little too big on this one!

Apple's birthday cake

I found this cake recipe on a website called Dog Health Guide. I chose this one because it contains no baking soda and is made with APPLEsauce!  It also calls for no sugar, but I confess I do add some to make it more palatable to us humans.

Cake Recipe:
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce 
2/3 cup hot water
1 cup whole rolled oats
3 eggs (I only used two and it worked.  Lower in cholesterol!)
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 cups unbleached flour
1/2 cup granola 

First, you combine the applesauce, oats, and hot water, mix it, and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then, you combine all other ingredients, put it into a greased pan, and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. 

For the icing, I mix 16 oz of Neufchatel Cheese (like cream cheese with lower fat content) with 1/2 vegetable shortening, some sugar and a bit of oil. I put food coloring in it to make different colors to decorate the cake with as well.

Making these cakes has been very fun and Apple loves this cake so much. He eats so much of it and always comes back for more, and I do let him gorge himself a bit on this cake. We have already eaten the whole thing, and I think Apple had 10 slices of it!

Eating the  cake!

To My Dog's Previous Owners

To my dog's previous owners,

I wish I could read my dog's brain, or see a movie of what his life was like before that day we found him, so I'd know exactly what he'd been through. Because I can't do that, I can only take the pieces of what I know about him from the day we found him to form a picture of what you were like.

I know you existed because he knew how to sit on command. He was friendly around humans, but terrified of us when he had accidents in the house.

He had no collar or microchip. He wasn't neutered. He had fleas and an eye infection...and he was young, energetic, and very needy.

We never saw posters of him saying he was lost, and nobody responded to the found report we did online through the city, so we assumed you abandoned him because he was too big or difficult to handle.

Why? What would possess you to leave such a young puppy alone in the street? Did you take him to our apartment complex, or did he find his own way there? Why couldn't you just take him to a shelter where he would be safe?

I ask these questions, and then I realize, that as awful and horrible I think it is to abandon a puppy, if you wouldn't have taken that course of action, he never would have been ours. We weren't looking to get a dog. But we found him and we shaped our lives around HIM. We changed our home and our lifestyle FOR HIM. We eventually moved to a new house JUST FOR HIM. We didn't get a dog on a whim and decide to get rid of him if he didn't fit our specifications.

But then again, what we did might be considered illegal in some interpretations of the law. I didn't realize until a few months after we kept Apple that we "stole" him. And if you came back looking for him, we might be expected to just hand him back to you. But we'd never give him up without a fight. (And I think the fact that we've had him for a year now, and put in a found report would put the law on our side.)

All in all, I might feel very angry about what might have happened to our dog, but in the end I almost have to be thankful that it happened the way it did. It seems sick and twisted to want to thank you for getting rid of him, but I have to. If any one little thing would have happened differently, we never would have gotten Apple. It was fate for us to have this dog, and your treatment of him was part of that plan. I am just so thankful that he found his way to our apartment and chose my husband to wander up to. I can't imagine if it would have happened any differently.

One year later, I don't know if Apple remembers anything about his previous life. I wish I could ask him. I hope that this never happens again, and that you take better care of any other dogs you might have...but for now, for today, I have to let go of what makes me angry and just revel in the happiness that everything worked out the way it did.

Apple is much better for it. So are we.

Let's Play Catch (Up!)

Hello blog universe!

Sorry I have been away for so long. Like I told my team lead at my end-of-the-year job chat today, I've just had so many things going on in my personal life that it has been hard to keep up with everything (like this!)

However, it is a great time to get back into my blog, because tomorrow is a big day...

Tomorrow is our Apple-versary...aka the anniversary of the day we found and kept our wonderful, beautiful dog, Apple. There will be many posts to come about this :).

Since I last posted, we did manage to find a house that would take Apple and our application was accepted!

In our front yard!

The houses that we looked at the day after I posted Moving When a Family Member is Four-Legged were a bit interesting. The first one was decent enough, but it had a tiny yard, some cleanliness issues, and it just didn't seem right. 

The second one was like something out of a nightmare. There were cracks in the walls, dirt and grass all over the floor, brown smudges, holes in the ceiling, and it reeked of drugs. It was awful. I was so worried we would never find a place, and I desperately hoped the last house would be better.

The last house was much better, and although Steven had to leave to go to a temp job, I went ahead and put the money down on it. We had a few security issues when we first moved in, but since then, everything has been fine and great!

The yard is awesome.

The Google Maps satellite picture of our house

 We painted the majority of the interior of the house, and it took 3 weeks to get our stuff settled in, but now we are quite established here. :)

Me painting the kitchen

Our living room

Our bedroom

I am so glad they accepted Apple, but I had hoped to foster dogs for Austin Dog Rescue after moving, and I have been too "chicken" to try to clear this with my landlord....we'll see if anything ever comes of this.

Apple has been really enjoying the yard, but has unfortunately been digging, and misses the company of other dogs at the dog park, so we still try to take him somewhat often. 

Tomorrow, I really promise that I will post blogs! I will have to show you his cake, and I plan on posting "To My Dog's Previous Owners," a blog similar in style to To My Dog's Mother, On His Birthday. It should be a great day!

Empathy!

For many weeks, I have been contemplating posting a blog about my dog's lack of empathy.

Many dog owners and dog enthusiasts love to tell stories of their dog whining and laying near them when they cry, protecting them when they are sick, or treating them more gently when they are hurt or tired. However, my dog is simply too energetic to care if I don't feel up to playing. A few weeks ago, I was sick and confined to the couch for a few days, and he barked and licked my face repeatedly trying to get me up...

I looked up some information about dogs and empathy and read that, as I suspected, young puppies don't have the capacity to empathize as an older dog would. Recent studies show that dogs begin to empathize when they can "catch yawns" from humans (you yawn and they yawn right after you.) I tried the yawning test with Apple, and it only worked once....and I think it was an accident!

So, I felt it was safe to say that Apple had not yet grown into his empathy. Unfortunately, the article I read concluded that dogs began developing empathy after 7 months...and Apple was already 13 months at this time.

But Apple is a large breed, and they take twice the time to mature as small/medium breeds. Today, I have more hope for Apple's empathy, because I woke up with some intense muscle spasms in my neck that were putting me on the verge of tears when trying to sit up or breathe. Steven helped me out of bed and brought me into the living room, but warned that Apple would probably jump on me and hurt me more. 

However, every minute Apple has spent at home today, he has been sitting very close to me, and being very still. His behavior is completely different from when I was sick a few weeks ago, and it isn't just because he went out to play this morning, because he was behaving the same way before he went out for his Friday morning playtime.

Right now he is curled up on the couch sleeping next to me and he is so cute...I am so happy that my dog is learning how to treat his owners gently when something is wrong!

This isn't from today, but it's still cute!

Moving When a Family Member is Four-Legged

Lately, I've been having to deal with many "grown-up" financial issues that have baffled professionals. My husband and I had a lovely time trying to do our taxes (which are thankfully done now) due to issues with unemployment, independent contracting, and what to do when your company is shut down and doesn't actually send you a W-2...all compounded by the fact that I'm going to grad school soon and I need financial aid!

So, it's oh-so-convenient that we also need to move right now. 

Steven and I moved in together into our current apartment in late April/early May of 2012, and had only been here for about a month when our four-legged bundle of joy came bounding out of a parking lot and into our lives. Luckily, neither of us were thinking rationally when we found him, so we brushed off thoughts of the challenges of apartment living with Apple in anticipation of getting a place with a yard as soon as our lease was up...11 months later.

Well, our lease is up very soon, and we had to put in 60 days notice...which of course means that we put in the notice well before we had a place secured. Before we put in the notice, we contacted a locator that we thought we could trust, who told us that we would start a thorough search in late March.

Then, late March came, and he hadn't responded to our emails...

When he finally did contact us, he was really stand-offish and sent us four properties...but only one would actually accommodate our dog. The others required the dog to be under 35 or even 20 pounds! 

That's when I realized this wouldn't be easy. 

We started a search on our own and came across a house in Southeast Austin that we really liked, so we emailed the locator, and when he didn't respond, we called the realtor who was listing the house. He told us that he would accommodate a 70 pound dog, but then he asked his age...at only 14 months, the realtor wouldn't take him. He said he wouldn't accept a puppy.

It was difficult to realize just how hard this moving process would be. Obviously, we can't stay here because we already put in our notice. We are moving for Apple, not for ourselves, and the landlords don't want to take him. We gave him a home, but we still need someone to look at our big puppy and be willing to give us a HOUSE. 

However, it gets better. We found an agent who responds very quickly to us and is taking us out to see some properties tomorrow. I really hope that we can apply for one after we see them! She checked in advance to make sure they would take Apple, so everything should be okay on that front.

The moral of this story is that apartment living with a dog is hard, but trying to find a rental home for your dog is MUCH harder! Most apartments accept dogs, while houses don't, because the landlords are individuals who don't want to have to deal with the liability that a dog brings. (Hey, kids can destroy homes, too.) Dog ownership in a good home environment seems to be limited to those who can afford to buy a house...just another issue of doggie social justice that favors wealthy dog parents who have the credit and stability to be accepted for a mortgage. It's simply not an option for us.

I personally think that people who provide good homes for their dogs (and treat them like children) should be able to claim them as a "dependent pet" on their tax returns. Obviously, the deduction would be less than for a child, but if you could provide documentation of regular vet appointments, training, health, etc, you could claim them. It would probably help get dogs out of shelters! But maybe it would invite too much more bureaucracy into our lives.

I guess I just have to accept that I have to pay taxes and that moving is hard. The joys of being an adult.

I'll make sure to keep this series running, as we are sure to encounter more challenges along the way of moving with Apple in tow! (Packing will be FUN)

We're a great family! Please give us a home!

 

Doggies of Silicon Valley

I had Apple's name picked out years before he ever came into my life. Apple is named after the dog I grew up with, a Cocker Spaniel named Macintosh who was named after the computer. After she died, I said that the first dog I would get as an adult would be black and I would name him Apple.

Even though Apple is much bigger than Mac was, he has always reminded me of her. So, when I was visiting my family in Victoria over spring break, I collected some pictures of Mac to post on the blog and compare to Apple.

Mac giving me a kiss!

Apple about to give me a kiss!

I love this picture of me and Mac in the grass. Her face looks so much like Apple!

Apple chewing on something on the ground

Mac helping me sniff out Easter eggs

Apple is on the trail!

Mac sneaking around the snack table...

Apple loves to be near the table

Mac and my cat Shadow (best friends) checking in on Flopsie the bunny

Apple loves to check on the mice!

Mac in her old age with my younger brother Rhett

New Pope Takes the Name of the Patron of Animals!

I was fortunate enough to come home from a fun hiking trip with Apple to witness the live coverage of the election of the new Pope! I am a Catholic and I am very pleased so far with the new selection, as I prioritize love and compassion and respect for all people in my personal faith, and the new Pope is the first from Latin America, a very humble man who has been described as a "man of the poor."

While this might not seem related to dogs in any way, many newscasters have been pointing to his selection of a name--Francis I, as very telling of his humble and loving spirit.

St. Francis is best known as the Patron Saint of Animals. He called for "simplicity of life, poverty, and humility before God." He worked to care for the poor and lepers, who were outcast from society. He cared for the vulnerable in society, and that care was not limited to humans, but given to animals and nature as well. 

I think this quote speaks to St. Francis' love of all creatures:

"Not to hurt the creatures brethren is our first duty to them,

but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission -

to be of service to them wherever they require it."

Saint Francis

Many churches will hold blessings of animals on October 4, St. Francis' feast day. Apple got blessed at St. Ed's very first blessing of the animals in October!

Apple at the blessing ceremony

This is the first Pope to be from the "New World," the first from Latin America, and the first to ever take the name of the beloved patron of animals, St. Francis of Assisi.

Apple's First Haircut!

Yesterday, Steven and I finally gave Apple a much-needed haircut! 

Apple's coat had gotten pretty disgusting. Because he is (basically) a Labradoodle, he doesn't shed his coat, and it continues to grow even longer. In the 9 1/2 months that we have had Apple, we have never had him groomed outside of bathing him and brushing him ourselves. Lately, his long curls started turning into dreadlocks, and they could not be brushed out, so I knew a haircut was unavoidable.

See those nasty dreadlocks on his legs?

Experts and breeders suggest that Labradoodles be professionally groomed every 4-6 weeks. Topics like this make me feel guilty and sad, because we simply cannot afford that kind of lifestyle for our dog. It would cost $70-$100 to have Apple groomed only once, which would have been an investment for us. Luckily for us, Steven's dad has his own do-it-yourself dog clippers, which we used to groom Apple ourselves for free!

I was afraid to groom Apple myself for a few reasons. I didn't know if he would sit still, or if it would be hard, or if his coat would look terrible when I was done. Luckily, Apple was very good and did exactly what I needed him to do! His coat did look a little choppy right after I was done, but after I bathed him, it was much less obvious.

He looks a little choppy, but he feels really nice!

 He is so much softer now and I am sure that he feels better as well.  I didn't realize that Apple is at the stage in life where he is losing his puppy coat, so it was really important to groom him and get rid of the dead coat! I hope to keep up with brushing more often to prevent him from getting matted, but I know it will be a while before we clip him again for a few reasons: his hair is so short now that it needs time to grow out, and my amateur grooming is really for starting over, not for maintaining a longer coat. I realize that Apple will not look like a "breed standard" Labradoodle, but that is okay with me.

I plan on posting more about the challenges of raising a dog in a difficult financial situation, although it is a hard topic to address. Although Apple doesn't have all of the things a dog in a wealthy family might, he is definitely in a home full of love and attention, and I like to think that is what matters the most!

Discomfort-is

It's the end of the month, which marks many things in our life with Apple. Since we found him on May 29 and declared his estimated birthday to be January 29, at the end of each month we celebrate having him in our lives and on this earth a little bit longer. We also give him his monthly medications to prevent fleas and heartworms.

Apple takes Tri-Heart as his heartworm preventative and Comfortis to ward off fleas. Don't get me wrong by the name of this blog: I love Comfortis! It is a chewable, so it is easy to give, your dog doesn't have to avoid water for any period of time, and it kills any fleas on your dog in 30 minutes. However, it is important to give it with a meal, and if you don't, it may not be so easy to give in the future!

Last month, Apple weighed in at 66 lbs, heavy enough to move up to the large size of Comfortis for 60-120 lb. dogs. I brought him in to Emancipet in the morning, and I was a couple of days late in giving him the flea medicine, so I wanted to give it to him right away. Since it was the morning, I had already fed him, and I hoped I was giving him the medicine close enough to his breakfast for it to be okay. I also gave him lots of treats so that he wouldn't be taking it on an empty stomach....but he threw up anyway.

Today, I tried to give him both his heartworm and flea medications and he must have remembered throwing up, because he did NOT want to take the Comfortis! He took the Tri-Heart just fine, but he repeatedly tried to throw the Comfortis out of his bowl and spit it out every time I tried to give it to him!

The bowls are empty...did he take it?

No, he's hiding it in his blanket...

You can clearly see how horrified he is

Steven suggested I cover it in peanut butter and he finally took it!