April 24, 2013

Orthopedic Specialist Time

Riley has been limping worse and worse as each month passes and refusing to put any weight on her injured leg. I can pick up her right hind leg and she absolutely collapses if I make her use the other leg as support. A few days ago she sat on the floor and stared up at me, crying, because she couldn't jump onto the bed. I knew it was time to schedule an appointment with a vet at UC Davis. We are going to see an orthopedic specialist (translation: very expensive vet for leg injuries) on May 15th. The hubby and I are hopeful they can give us some answers and possibly some solutions for our poor little girl. Hunt training has been put on hold (yet again) until she's better. 1st appointment is going to cost us $140 just for them to look at her leg, not to mention the cost of gas for the 4 hour round trip drive. I'd better bid my meager savings account farewell.


Sweet Riley has a hard time getting comfortable these days. She likes to lay on the back of our couch because this way it relieves some of the pressure on her leg. <3 It's hard to see a family member you love in so much pain.

Cuddling with her brother
 Cooper is her best buddy and they do everything together. We are so blessed to have 2 of the best dog breed in the world! (We are a bit biased, of course!)

Cooper is getting so big! Almost 70lbs :)

April 19, 2013

Vizsla - A LONG TERM Commitment

I read this on the Vizsla facebook page today and it made me feel sick:


"Cedar is a seven year old owner surrender. He is being surrendered because he does not get along with other dogs and there is a new puppy in the home. Cedar is WONDEFRFUL with people- a total sweetie with no issues and has had training. He enjoys lots of time playing and cuddling with his family, daily runs, and sleeping in bed. Cedar likes playing in his fenced yard, so a fenced yard would be great. He is an active boy, so a family with older children would be fine, but he may be too much for young kids. He truly loves everyone, so take him home!! MUST be only dog."


I found it hard to believe that someone could do this to a Vizsla! A little more investigating and I found the owner's response to the situation:


"For those of you judging me without knowing the whole story, perhaps I can enlighten you. This dog came into my home at 10 mos. of age, and I have spent a lot of time working with him over the past 6 yrs. He won my heart almost immediately, and I will always be in love with him. Cedar is the most affectionate dog I have ever owned, and I love him to pieces. He will stay with me until I find a home good enough for him, and I will be very picky about who that is. The puppy is not here with me now, and will not come here until Cedar has found a new home. The puppy is with the breeder, and will stay there until I can have her. Cedar has always been reactive to other dogs. I was hoping I could work through this, and show him in obedience, rally, and agility. I now realize that that's not going to happen, so I have found a dog that I can compete with. You will never know how many tears I've shed over this decision. Perhaps you shouldn't judge people until you have the whole story..........."


The situation is appalling. I don't understand how you can own a Vizsla for 6 years and decide that you want to dump your family member for a new puppy. People reading this on facebook are all stunned and I'm frankly shocked that this idiot of a woman was brave enough to try and defend her actions. The whole situation has made me livid.

Here is the link to the facebook page and a picture of the sweet boy if you're interested:


Poor Cedar :(


I guess there are people in this world who see dogs as tools. Some hunt trainers see them as ladders to winning ribbons, looking good in front of their peers, and making more money from training. If you have to step on some dogs along the way (ruin their legs by inadequate supervision while with other dogs, etc.) it won't bother you because you're not doing it for the dogs, you're only doing it for your own self-centered interests. This woman doesn't care about her dog. She just wants a pup for the things she wants to pursue in life. What pisses me off the most is that her dog probably only has 6 years (tops) left of his own life. Would it KILL her to wait that long for a new puppy?

My Riley's leg is ruined by a bad trainer who couldn't care less about destroying some dogs along the way. As a result, I am left with a pup who can't do anything I planned to do with her. To me, it doesn't matter. I love the pup, not her abilities. I made a long-term commitment to love her no matter what happens. If you can't commit to a dog long-term, you have no business owning one.

/rant

April 10, 2013

Ear Infections & Cuddles

Poor Cooper had been shaking his ears and scratching at them for a few weeks, so I decided it was time to take him in to the vet. We'd been regularly cleaning brown gunk out of his ears and he started crying when we touched them. I realized that he must have an infection of some sort. Turns out he had a very bad yeast infection in both ears (it was worse in the right ear). $160 later and we have a tiny bottle of drops for his ears. They said dogs who have long ears that retain moisture have a tendency to get ear infections. Cooper's ears started bothering him right after a weekend of swimming! From now on, we are going to dry out his ears after he swims. I'm convinced this is what caused the infection.

I highly recommend Virbac Ear Cleaner for regular ear cleaning. It does a great job of cleaning out gunk and dries quickly.

If you're reading my blog, please be aware there is a reason why Vizslas are referred to as "velcro" dogs. They wan to be with you ALL the time. We have 2 couches in our house, but the pups choose the couch we are on every time... which can lead to some pretty hysterical cuddle arrangements...

When you run out of room, lay on the human!

Riley is the best work-from-home buddy!

April 5, 2013

Random Musings

Chester kisses for auntie <3

My youngest sister just left for culinary school, so her chihuhua pup Chester is missing her lots (as are we)! He is such a sweet little boy and he loves to give kisses!


Love those cute little Vizzie bottoms <3

I decided to go on a nice long walk with the pups for Easter and we had a blast. Riley's leg has really been bothering her even on the shortest of walks. I don't think we hardly walked over a mile and she was limping severely that evening. :(



Dancing pup!

Riley decided that Zumba looked like lots of fun, so she joined my mom! I was impressed with her dance moves.


"Mom! Can we take one of THESE toys home?!?"

We took a trip to the pet store to see what different types of collars/leads they had available to help us with Cooper's pulling. We've tried multiple different methods and nothing has worked. I finally decided to try the prong collar and OH EM GEE, it works! Cooper walks like a dream at a perfect heel and we hardly even need to correct him. Reuben's started running with him every day and it's been great for both of them. Reuben is losing weight and Cooper is much more laid-back. Of course, Riley stares out the window and cries until they come home. Poor girl. :(