June 20, 2013

Referer Spam - WARNING

WARNING for all my fellow bloggers!

 If you check your traffic sources (as I often do) you may notice the following URLs/Sites come up in your lists:

r-e-f-e-r-e-r.com

blogsrating.pw

yandex.ru

PLEASE do not click on any of these links. It's a new method of advertising called "referer spam". Here is a good explanation from Matt Cutts at WebProNews.com:

“A referer is just a simple HTTP header that is passed along when a browser goes from one page to another page, and it normally is used to indicate where the user’s coming from. Now, people can use that, and change the referer to be anything that they want. They can make it empty, or there are some people who will set the referer to a page they want to promote, and then they will just visit tons of pages around the web. All the people that look at the referers see that, and say, ‘Oh, maybe I should go and check that out.’ And the link – whenever there’s a referer – it doesn’t mean that there was necessarily a link, because you can make that referer anything you want, so there are some people who try to drive traffic by visiting a ton of websites, even with an automated script, and setting the referer to be the URL that they want to promote."

 There is nothing you can do (unless you are a computer whiz) to get rid of it, so please just ignore it and don't follow the links. :)

June 19, 2013

Top 10 Favorite Vizsla Blogs

Riley & friends!

I love reading about other Vizslas online and I'm always on the lookout for other Vizsla blogs, so I thought it was about time to compile a list of my top 10 favorite Vizsla blogs that I frequent. I hope this saves you some time searching for some good ones yourself!

1. It's A Vizsla Thing - My go-to blog for fun stories, gorgeous pictures, and a constant source of humorous Vizsla antics!

2. Life with Louie - Cutest. Vizsla pup. EVER. His owners love taking him on off-leash adventures and they've visited some great spots in the Bay Area.

3. Life with Riley & Stella - How could I NOT love a blog with a pup who has the same name as my girl? :) This blog is about the adventures of a Vizsla named Stella and her Labrador pal, Riley. It has lots of beautiful pictures and great articles about dog training.

4. Red Bird Dog - Great posts on topics ranging from Bay Area parks (search "hidden treasure" to find lots of good spots) to hunting with your Vizsla. Blog author has two of the sweetest pups I've ever met and regularly goes on long walks/hikes with his redheads. He's always open to having well-behaved Vizslas to join him on walks!

5. Aussie Vizsla Diaries - Vizslas and their GSP sister living in the "land down under"! I love all the posts about training and hunting with your Vizsla the natural way. Blog author does not use any harsh training methods, only time, patience, and consistency!

6. The Good Dog Blog - Life with Bodi, Oliver, and the human they own. "...is there anything more beautiful then a Vizsla full of excitement, let off leash to just run and romp.  These are the moments where all four paws rarely are on the grass at the same time – spinning and jumping."

7. Vizsla Inspiration - Photos, photos, and more photos! Blog author does not write much, but if a picture truly is "worth a thousand words" you won't miss the text. :)

8. Denis's Diary of Destruction - Hilarious and adorable! Lots of pictures with funny captions.

9. Varazs Vizslas - A breeder/blogger who regularly updates with show results and pictures of her lovely pups and their offspring.

10. Fusion Vizslas - Blog with a myriad of different topics and beautifully laid out for easy perusing.

June 14, 2013

TPLO Surgery Recovery - Week 3

My pretty Riley girl! <3
Today officially marks the 3 week point since Riley's TPLO knee surgery. We were very worried last week because she formed a pocket of fluid (called a "seroma") under her sutures. The vet was very hesitant to drain it due to the danger of introducing bacteria through a needle. We made the decision to wait and see if it would resolve itself. I've been taking pictures of the knee each day so I can track the progress of the seroma and it has already decreased in size by at least 1/2. I think it's safe to say we don't need to have it drained. :)

Seroma last week...

... & seroma this week - much smaller! :)
She is completely off the pain meds now, so she has been hesitating a bit to put her weight on the leg when she is standing still. When she walks around the yard, however, she forgets about the pain and uses the leg 100%. Riley is a tough little cookie!

Here is a video of her walking this week:


An editor from CountryLiving.com contacted me yesterday about writing a small section for a story she's doing on the best places in the country to visit with your dog. I was thrilled to tell her about my favorite park, Sunol Regional Wilderness. I can't wait to see the story! :)

June 8, 2013

Vizsla Puppies - Örökké Vizslas

Sébastien Bouchard, the owner of  Örökké Vizslas located in beautiful Quebec, Canada graciously has given me permission to use pictures on my blog from his latest litter: Vesper x Hudson. I've been enjoying all the pictures posted on facebook, so I wanted to share a few with all of you!

Mr. red who is "always moving!"
Mama is already teaching pups important lessons...
... such as the proper use of pillows!

Nothing like a good stretch after a day of napping!
Vizsla cuddles <3
Mama Vesper hard at work feeding her babies!
Perfectly adorable
"Enough with the pictures!"

If you enjoyed these pictures, please check out the Örökké Vizslas facebook page! 

June 7, 2013

TPLO Surgery Recovery - Day 14

Happy girl waiting to get her stitches removed!
I can't believe it's already been 2 weeks since her surgery! This morning she had her stitches removed at Adobe Animal Hospital. She did so well and was very patient as the vet tech took them out. The incisions have all healed up beautifully. There is a large scar on her leg from where they opened it up to install the plate and screws. She's still my beautiful girl, no matter what! <3

Here is a video of her walking at 12 days... it's amazing how much she's using that leg now! :D



The vet noticed the fluid buildup under her TPLO sutures (called a "seroma"). We discussed the pros/cons of draining it and decided to wait and see if it would resolve on its own. Due to Riley's past history of major knee infection from the attack we're all very hesitant to introduce any kind of bacteria into her knee and this is always a possibility when you stick a needle into the surgery site. My husband has the fun task of keeping a hot pack on her today along with some gentle massage to see if we can coax the fluid out of her knee. We put a hot pack on it last night with some massage and this morning it was already looking better. I'm hopeful if we continue it will resolve itself!

Stitches are gone! Nice-sized scar & seroma
 Also, Riley FINALLY gets to have a bath today! Vizlsas are not supposed to have a bad odor, but with the mix of surgery smells + sweat + dirt + not being able to lick herself clean due to the ProCollar we have a very stinky dog on our hands! :) I think we'll give her a nice soak in an oatmeal bath with some epsom salts. The oatmeal soothes itchy skin, the milk is a nice moisturizer, and the epsom salts will help to further heal her knee and hopefully draw out some of the fluids in her seroma.

Here is my recipe:

1 cup oatmeal finely ground in a food processor
4 cups whole milk
1 cup epsom salts

Most people like to put the oatmeal in a sock or some other type of bag and run the water through the ground oats. I simply pour them in the water and let them soak for a bit before I put Riley in the bath. After about 30 minutes of soaking, I wash her lightly with a mild puppy shampoo. Yes, my pup is a little bit spoiled. ;)