Just another Tripawds weblog
The party went well, there were about 50 doggies there. Chuy got alot of compliments on his costume and even won a tennis ball! He spent most of his time barking at other dogs or trying to play with the little ones. He thinks anyone smaller than he is, is a puppy and he LOVES puppies!! We were there for about an hour, got his picture taken and Chuy even had some doggy ice cream and cookies. Fun was had by all.
Another week has gone by, or has it been longer? Time is passing so quickly, seems like one can never keep up with things. Besides being busy with the house and trying to keep us critters happy, Mom hasn’t had much time for her painting or crafts. Chuy is still swimming every 2 weeks, but that may end next month as the weather is getting cool and a wet dog in cool weather isn’t a good idea. He has been going to the park once a week and walking up and down hills. Good muscle and co-ordination building therapy.
We went to PetSmart on Saturday and Mom bought 4 Ger. Shep. puppies. There was a family selling them in the parking lot at the PetSmart. When we got there to visit the rescue that saved Chuy, one of the rescues had already bought 3 pups from them. They told mom that there was one left and that they wanted it at the shelter, but the family wouldn’t sell it to them. So, silly mom, left Chuy with the rescue and went out to see if she could get it. They had 4 pups! She called the rescue and they said she would take them all, so mom bought all 4 and brought them to the rescue at PetSmart. These pups were about 8 wks. old and covered with ticks. So, now the shelter has 7 Ger. Shep. puppies. Just couldn’t see them winding up with tick fever and I know the shelter will take care of them. Mom felt so bad and yet good at the same time. Chuy wanted to play with them, he loves puppies, but with the ticks and no vaccines, we couldn’t let him. He did get to play with his friends Rosie and Dusty though. They still remember Chuy from when he lived at the rescue. It’s so amazing what they can remember!
That same night Mom got an e-mail from the rescue telling her that all 7 puppies were bathed, fed and vaccinated. Sleeping in a big furball pile. It was probably the first time they had ever been indoors and warm. We really wanted to keep one, but we’re dealing with enough here.
Tomorrow we’re going back to PetSmart for a Halloween party. Chuy’s dressing up as a Lifeguard. I’ll try to post pictures when I can.
September 22 and Chuy is still going to therapy swimming. I takes him just for fun, the PT says he doesn’t really need it anymore, but he loves the water and it’s good for him to get out. Chuy swam for 1/2 hour today and was totally worn out when his pool time was up. He’s such a trooper! The PT kept throwing the water wubba and Chuy would dive off the lift, swim to the other end of the pool, grab it and bring it back to him. This went on for at least 20 minutes before he started to tire out.
We are also walking him around the block a few times a week, taking him to the local park and going up and down hill and going to PetSmart one day on the weekend so he can socialize a little bit. He’s getting to where everytime I head for the door, he heads there too.
Now that the weather here is starting to cool down, I’ll be able to take him with me when I run out for a quick errand or decide to go to Taco Bell for lunch. I’m not sure how he will do at the dog park as he’s never had a chance to go there. Do I dare try it? I would have to bring his sister Gretchen along too and hope that the first few times, there are no small dogs in the small dog area, so Chuy has time to acclimate himself. It would be great to have him play with some new kids. Next month the weather will be cool enough to try it. I may start at a park where not too many go anymore. That way, they will have the freedom, but not the possible conflict.
The FHO surgery and summer in the desert makes it hard to get enough exercise for Chuy. The best we have been able to do is put him in his water tank for therapy early in the morning and again in the late afternoon. It has gotten to the point of all he wants to do is go in to cool off, no more of that exercise stuff! Thinking about exercise, the sidewalks are too hot to go for even a short walk, so hot you can actually fry an egg on them. Being a Tripawd and having the FHO surgery, taking Chuy to Petsmart or another store where dogs are allowed in out of the question. The floors are slick and he falls down frequently. We want to avoid having another surgery at this point. What do we do?
He likes to try to run in the backyard, so we get out the laser pointer. WALAAA! He chases the dot all over the lawn. If we use it, only after dark, it is cooler out and he still gets some exercise. He still falls on occasion, but at least it is on the lawn (softer surface) and he will get up and try again.
Can’t wait until the weather cools off.
9/7/09
Yay! The weather is finally cool enough to go for a walk in the early morning. Mom put my ruffwear harness on me and I started running around the house like a nutcase. When she finally got her stuff together, (keys, leash, water), I was already waiting at the door. We got outside and I thought we were going for a ride, so I stopped at the car door I usually climb into. Mom said “No Chuy, let’s walk!” Off we went.
Now, this is the first long walk I’ve been on since my FHO surgery in May. Before my surgery, I could go about 2 blocks and then I would need to rest. Today we all the way around the block! I stopped once to bark at a man in his driveway and once to rest. The only other time I stopped was to read my pee-mail or leave pee-mail for a furriend. 🙂 Mom gave me water to drink as we walked or when I would stop to sniff something. All in all, it’s been a grrreat day!
When we got home, I jumped on Daddy and then took a nice long nap! It’s evening now and I’m just full of energy again. I can’t wait until tomorrow. I get to go see my PT Jeff and go swimming!!!!!