What a Week Update 1

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

Well, things didn't go much better last week. I finally got Finn in to see the vet that I wanted to see. He had two hotspots in his armpits that I hadn't noticed. So he's on antibiotics and I was told to give Benadryl for 3 days to see if it helped. It didn't really help. When I go back, we will try again to see if we can figure out why he is so itchy. She suggested I get him groomed after his hotspots clear up. I have to find a groomer that doesn't crate the dogs. I know Petsmart now has express grooming so I may try that.

I decided to buy the dogs a treat so I bought a package of those large basted bones. I figured it would keep them busy & happy for a while. Yankee chewed his into pieces and when I checked to see what the dogs were doing, I was shocked. The bone had broken into extremely sharp pieces. They were worse than chicken bones because the pieces were thicker, harder and sharper. I took the remaining bones and pieces into Petsmart to show them. I got a refund and they told me to watch for blood in the stools. I was really worried about Yankee and kept a close eye on him. The next day, Finn started to vomit and there were pieces of the bone in the vomit. I didn't realize that he had gotten into it and now I had to keep an eye on him. It seems like both dogs are OK. No serious damage I hope.

It has been raining here for the last 3 days and the dogs are going crazy. It's supposed to rain for most of the week. The rain stopped for a bit this afternoon so I took a chance and went to the dog park despite my migraine. Finn discovered the joy of mud puddles. I just tell Yankee to go around the puddles and he does. I almost got past the first puddle with Finn when he decided to stick one paw in it on the way by. Well that was all it took. Before I could react, he was dancing up a storm in the mud. I really didn't want a muddy dog but it was so cute to watch him prancing and splashing with his paws. Of course he found several more puddles on the way and danced in every one. My car needs a good cleaning now but I'll deal with that when I feel better.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Linda...so sorry about all of this %^&! I know it must be extremely frustrating. The bone thing would have scared me too :(
As for the groomer, we are going to start using the groomer at our Doggy Daycare. She has great experience with doodles, plus, Peri won't be in a crate. They will take her to the groomer, then put her back in play group when she is done. Don't know if you have anything similar near you.

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

Petsmart removed those bones from the shelf. That is what I wanted. I also have other bones that have lasted 2 years plus. These were lamb bones I believe.

I have kept Finn out of the pool for more than 2 weeks now and his skin does not look dry at all. He did find a mud puddle yesterday and loved it.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Sorry to hear you have had another hard week. Hope Finn is doing much better with the hot spots and they find out what is up with his itching. Could his itchyness be from the pool and his love for water...drying out his skin, do you use any sunblock on him. Glad you alerted Petsmart about these bones and hope they go back to the manufacture and do something so another dog does not become injured, or possible loose it's life over a bone. I hope Yankee and Finn are okay and no problems from them. Rain is horrible around here also and now they want it over the weekend again. We are suppose to have the Blessing of the Animals Saturday and Sunday, but it will be a mess if its outside. Hope this coming week is much better for you, and not as stressfull.

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

Hello!! I feel bad for what you are going through :-( I am not sure if they have them in your area but here there are groomers that come to your house. My mom has one that comes for her shih-tzu because he just could not handle going to the groomers and the cages. It has worked out wonderful, and they really don't charge much more than the groomer did. I have had great luck with the natural bones in the freezer section at the pet store. I got to Pet Supplies plus and get the bison hoves - gross sounding I know but they last, they don't splinter and she goes back to them over and over. I have one she has had for over 3 weeks and its only half gone. They are a lot less expensive than the bully sticks. Good Luck!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I use the express grooming at our local Petco, and it works out really well. No crates except a few minutes when they are drying him. I did bring a picture and give very specific instructions, and they did a good job. Hope you start feeling better...

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I also tried those bones. I gt Samantha the big one - it took all of 5 minutes when I heard that snap. I didn't g back for a refund, I just through them out I was so upset. Samantha vomited also the next day with a huge piece coming up. No way that would have made it through the other end - I dread thinking about what would have happened if she didn't get that one out!
I have been washing my kitchen floor for a week now with the mud in my yard. I am grateful DH bought the Shark and it 'came with' a steam clearer for the floors, he is in charge!!!

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

I have been thinking about trying to groom myself. I have tried several groomers with Yankee and haven't found one I like yet. I want to get a proper bathtub first. I like the one from Costco. I got to buy the grooming tools etc etc. Not ready yet.
It is freezing here today. Winter coat weather.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

When it rains, it pours?
Rain here for 3 days too. Cold, Cold, Cold Rain. Still we had to walk. I skipped yesterday, and I am still cleaning up the puppy zoom mess. I guess we must get used to 6 more months of nasty weather. :(
My white dog has black feet and a black beard tonight, but at least he is calmer.

Sorry about the chews! I used to buy bully sticks to chew, Linda, but it got so expensive. So tonight I went back to a cardboard box. It is my lifesaver. I place them in the attached garage and sit out there while he tears the heck out of them.
You always seemed resourceful to me. Did you ever think of just shaving down the dogs yourself? I was afraid, but more afraid to leave him with a groomer. I did it and the cut came out fine. It took me 2 days to finish the whole grooming. If the cut looks bad take some pictures and let us see them. We can laugh with you. We have all been there. The hair always grows back.