Still learning, after all these years

Last night there was some wild and woolly weather in the Chicago area. My phone kept announcing weather alerts, watches, warnings, etc. The thunder was almost continuous for a couple of hours. We've been lucky that none of our current crew of dogs cares about loud noises - thunder and fireworks don't usually bother this bunch.
So I was at my wit's end last night - Roc couldn't settle. He was panting, restless, and shaking. I didn't know what to do. I took him out for a potty break. We got a little wet in the rain, but it didn't solve his discomfort. I took away the cooling mat he usually lies on in the evening. That wasn't it. I held him close, that didn't help.
Finally, feeling like a really bad dog-mom, I put him on the floor (he can't get on or off the furniture himself any more) and basically threw my hands up.
He went over to the bed that was his favorite for years before his back problems. Climbed in and went to sleep. Napped comfortably there until bedtime.
Sorry, dude. I know you've never really been much of a lap dog/cuddler. There are times when a guy needs some "me" time.
-Hope

Living with a little old dog

Roc on his 12th birthday in December, 2013

I went into the vet's office this morning to pick up some medicine refills for Roc. My little old man isn't doing all that great these days - something happened to his back in December and he's losing the use of his back legs.
In all honesty, neither the vet nor I really expected him to still be here in June - if we hadn't been able to control his pain, he wouldn't be. He has trouble getting up from a sit or from lying down, his back legs don't always turn when he does, and he doesn't always realize that his right, rear paw is upside down. I fix it for him.
And because of the medication he's on, he gets really warm. So I bought a bunch of flexible cooler sheets that rotate in and out of the freezer and under his towel on the couch. So he's cool enough to enjoy watching his beloved television.

Teddy and I wanted to
go walking on vacation.
 Roc came along strapped
to my front in his Pooch Pack.

And he's lost feeling and control of his back end, he doesn't always know when he has to poop and doesn't always make it outside anymore. But he still yells for his dinner (and breakfast, and snacks), and he still likes to play with his toys (even if "fetch" is just a few inches in front of him), and he still likes it when I hold him and give him big, smacky kisses. And he still loves barking at the lawn service, the mail carrier, the UPS guy, and his brother.
Today the vet gave me "the talk." She was acting as Roc's advocate - she's known him since I brought him home as a four-month-old puppy. She wants to make sure that Roc is still here because he's happy, not because I need him to be. I was able to reassure her - according to her own rules, which she told me years ago, it's not time. It's a good way to know - think of your dog's three favorite things. When two of them are gone, it's probably time.
I've let my friends know that vacations I've planned probably won't be happening - Roc can't travel and I won't leave him now. Having a little old dog restricts the time I can be away from home - he needs his medicine twice a day, and really can't "hold it" for more than a few hours anymore.
Non-dog people might think it's not worth it. But they'd be wrong. Roc is still my best little buddy, my first obedience dog, and my responsibility. And the day I brought him home I made a promise to him that I'd always be there for him. And I will.
-Hope

Brave little flower

Every spring I buy a pot of pansies for the back yard at home - pansies are Hope's favorites. Plus, the shape of the flower resembles a rough Brussels Griffon face! Well, maybe when Tango's not so scruffy. Most years the rabbits eat the pansies, or they get too much water, or not enough water, or something else happens so that they don't last very long. But this year we were good about watering just enough through the hottest summer we can remember. We weren't going to let those bunnies chew up the results of our hard work, either! So we put the pot on a table where Dax's nemeses couldn't get at the pansies. And here in September, the plant's not looking great, but it's still blooming! - Fran

Dynamite (T and T)

Teddy and Tango were being unbelievably cute this morning. Teddy's chomping on a Nylabone, and Tango waited his turn. Because, of course, there's only one good toy in the house. And it's the one the other guy has. - Hope

Roc's day

Thursday used to be "no dog day" here at Golly Gear. But we've amended that policy. We used to bring only our "working" dogs - the ones currently in training for competition in either agility or obedience. So there's usually a good excuse to take a break from actual work and go play with the dogs - we can alway justify "taking 10" to work on some aspect of training.
Then we realized that our "old" pups, Fran's Ceilidh and my Roc, were getting shortchanged! Just because they're retired doesn't mean they don't enjoy an outing. We do have to keep things rather low-key, both Roc and Ceilidh have serious heart conditions. But I think Roc's enjoying himself. - Hope

Non-stop Tango

Poor guy. No rest for Tango. Work on Monday, lesson on Wednesday, class on Thursday and work again on Friday with the addition of a trip to the groomer! He's pictured at the shop, in his crate with the door wide open. The snazzy pawprint thing is a disc we heat up in the microwave when it's chilly. Yes! the calendar says April 22 and it's about 45 degrees F. We still need to heat up the disc for the pups. Anyway, Tango's had a big day. After I brought him back from the groomer (where he was a very good boy!) we practiced weaves and other fun stuff. So now he's pooped. Tango's saying, "Close the door. Leave me alone. I'm sleeping."

The non-skid Pause that refreshes!

We finished putting the rubberized skin on the Pause Table today and Tango was nice enough to give it a test run. He tells us we did a pretty good job!
-Hope

Dax and Tango hard at work

It's really hard to get any work done at the office when the dogs are being so darn cute. Dax (French Bulldog) and Tango (Brussels Griffon) were being particularly adorable today. - Hope

Teflon Coat

Tango has an incredible coat - he's a VERY rough-coated Brussels Griffon. This is the coat that most griff breeders dream of. It's very hard and coarse. As you may be able to see in the picture, Tango loves to get into stuff. Outside he loves checking out dead (and living) leaves and grass, dead bugs, dirt, sand, mulch - you name it! And as a consequence it all ends up in his beard. You might think that he'd be filthy until we wash his face with soap and water, but Tango has a teflon coat. Nothing sticks to it. One drink of water and it's in the water bowl, not in his beard. We change the water a lot ... - Fran

Hard at work

Tango came to work today and we actually caught him in the act of just "hanging out!" Good boy!

Tango's First Haircut

I feel a little guilty (just a little). Tango is at the groomer's for the very first time. (Pictures to come!) For the conformation show ring, rough-coated Brussels Griffons are hand-stripped to achieve that short, scruffy ragamuffin look. That means the dead hair is ripped out using your fingers. Sounds painful to me. Tango was stripped for the first 10 months because he was shown a few times. But since conformation is not in Tango's future, and I don't have the inclination to learn how to strip him, Tango's getting a haircut today. I'm a little nervous too - not about the cut since CY's the best around - but because we're still working the bad behavior out of Tango's system. He's been much better around people lately, but Tango's a little jerk around other non-family dogs. I have to say, though, that when I handed the little knucklehead to CY this morning he was a good boy! Didn't try to bite her face off at all! (Let's hope that continues...) - Fran

I'd forgotten...

how much work it is to train a puppy. And how exhausted you get after constantly being on the watch when he gets into something he shouldn't. Tango has his leash on today out of his crate. He'd been an angel all week in his crate so it was time to let him explore a little. But of course any time he's out of sight I have to make sure he's not getting in trouble. He's been pretty good about not barking at every noise today. And it's so much fun filling orders and putting new stock away with Tango "helping." But the thing that Tango most wants to do, aside from climb into my lap (not gonna happen at my desk, little guy!) is play in the ring with his Froggie (Bow Wow Beanies Legs). One day soon there'll be pictures, but for now I'm just having too much fun watching little Tango run around squeaking his Froggie. - Fran

Tango's here!

Tango

Easy, dude!

I've mentioned more than once how much Roc enjoys watching TV. And he's one of those guys who talks back to it. Saturday afternoon and evening he managed to scare me spitless when he charged to the TV barking at some skier/luger/curler on the Olympics and then suddenly collapsed. Then popped right back up and continued barking, like nothing ever happened. A visit to the vet this morning has him scheduled for a cardiac workup tomorrow. We have high hopes that whatever it is isn't too serious. But a friend, wanting to lighten the mood, asked me if perhaps he was part-Fainting Goat. I know it's not really funny - but it is.

Tango loves the snow!

Lorene emailed me these pictures of Tango enjoying the latest snowfall in Michigan. Tango is the black rough Brussels Griffon with snow all over his face! - Fran

Cutest ever!

There was some sun coming in the living room yesterday afternoon landing on the dogs' bed. I managerd to take the cutest ever picture of Roc. I think it's the paw. Paws next to faces are adorable.

Tango's coming home soon!

We're counting down to Tango's arrival (on the right). That's me (Fran) and Tango to the left. Tango's an 8 1/2 month-old Brussels Griffon (Black Rough). The breeder's not quite done showing him yet, so I have to wait a bit. I wasn't planning on going to the Brussels Griffon Specialty Shows in Louisville this year, but I am now! I can bring Tango home Sunday, March 21 and we're all excited about the prospect. Roc, Dax and Ceilidh all met Tango on Wednesday and they all got along (mostly). Roc accepted him as a fellow Griff. Dax wanted to play with him. And Ceilidh was more interested than anything (whew!). Since Tango is a little older, I can start training right away. I'm looking forward to it - he seems to be really smart and ready for anything! - Fran

We miss you, Golly

It wasn't a tummy upset. It was very sudden and complete kidney failure. We lost our beloved Golly yesterday. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers. We'll always remember and love her.

Hoping for an upset stomach

Distressing day today - Golly wouldn't eat her dinner last night and was messy from both ends. It's been a running joke in our house forever - if Golly doesn't eat, go directly to the vet. Do not Pass Go. Do not collect two hundred dollars.

So Fran took her last night and after injections and medication, she's worse this morning and Fran took her back to the vet. I'm waiting to hear.

We're all very hopeful she just had waaaaaayy too many treats at our dog club picnic on Sunday. Golly, even though she doesn't see too well any more and doesn't hear too well any more, can still unerringly find the soft touch holding the hot dog or hamburger.

The mooching has never bothered her before - she's been doing the same thing at the picnic her entire life. The vet said that perhaps Golly can't do the things at almost-14 that she's done up to now. Keep your fingers crossed it's just a tummy upset.

Pitiful pup

Our Griffies are such one-person dogs. Golly spent all of last evening sitting in the dining room, watching the door, waiting for Fran to appear. We told her Fran's away for 10 days. But Griffs are really, really good at guilt.