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Topics - shine

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16
Bodhi is still in his Wussy Baby stage...he likes things just so in his home.  If you bring a new item in or move an old item, he gets upset and will bark and bark at the offending item, lol.  So as you can imagine, Christmas time is tough for him!  He is okay with the tree....but the stockings hanging from the mantle drive him nuts.  He barks at them for 10 minutes....lea ves the room...then apparently forgets they are there and when he comes back in and sees them again he starts barking again!  We've taken them down and showed them to him several times....he smells them and seems okay....then as soon as we hang them back up he doesn't like them again.  What a retard. LOL! 

Last night was the worst: one of my husbands agents got us this cute little fiber optic snowman.  It's really sparkly, and changes color every few seconds.  I sat it on the mantle and forgot about it....then Bodhi walked into the room, took one look at it, and went nuts.  ROO-ROO-ROO-ROO-ROOOOOOOOOOO-ROOOOOOOOOOO!!!  WOOF WOOF WOOOOOOOOFFF!  ROO-ROO-ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!  I took the snowman down and tried to show him that it is harmless....he gave me this "What, are you crazy?! Those things kill Newfies!!" look and ran away.  I put it back on the mantle.  Two minutes later....ROO-ROO-ROO-ROO-ROOOOOOOOOOO!!!  I finally turned it off so it didn't change colors....that seemed to make it less dangerous, because Bodhi went from ROO-ROO-ROOOOOOOOOOO to WOOF-WUF-WUFFFFFFF.  Still, he keeps a close eye on it when he is in the living room.  He seems to think it may fly off the mantle at any moment and attack (makes me think of the rabbit in Monty Python's Holy Grail....they say "It's just a harmless bunny!" right before it flies through the air and rips their throats out, lol!)

Anyone else have a Big Wussy Baby who is afraid of their Christmas Decorations??

17
Behavior, Housebreaking, Obedience / Major Destructive Separation Anxiety!!
« on: December 22, 2007, 02:57:49 pm »
Over Thanksgiving I posted about the "Dogs From h*ll" I was sitting for.  Two labs, and one of them has serious separation anxiety and tears things to shreds.  She destroyed several books, DVDs, a $400 pair of snowboard bindings, and ate her entire bottle of incontinence meds...requiri ng a late emergency call to the vet and an entire night of trying to comfort her as she rode out the aggitation side effects. 

At the time I didn't think I would ever sit for these dogs again....but their owners called and asked if I would give them "another chance"....and they are rapidly becoming very regular clients.  The owners travel alot, so I've had these dogs 4 times in a month.  Onnie is a black lab who I call "Unflappable Onnie" because she is so laid back that nothing ever phases her.  It is the yellow lab, Lucy, that has all the issues.  She is so very sweet and comical.  She just freaks out when she is left alone.  During the Thanksgiving debacle I called her owners several times and they finally had me drag a giant kennel in from their back garage.  I now keep her in it between my daytime visits, with plenty of towels, toys, and "teddies" (washcloths.... Lucy's favorite thing!). 

However, they still want me to leave her out loose in the house overnight.  This is always stressful....#1 because I am concerned about her tearing up their stuff...#2 because I am even more concerned about her getting into something dangerous.  The owners never seem to put things away before they leave....this past week I went over for my first visit and found a bowl of Hershey Kisses and a bag of chocolate chips on the kitchen counter!  I don't know why they would leave those out knowing that Lucy goes on a tear when left alone and could easily eat them.  Maybe they don't know chocolate can be toxic to dogs.  In any case.....every evening before I leave I make my rounds of the house looking for potential dangers.  I put away all cleaners, soaps and lotions....tak e the lava lamp out of the laundry room so she can't knock that over and break it and eat the contents....pu t away all remote controls and laptop cords and try to hide other cords under the rugs to keep prevent her from chewing on anything that could shock her.  Per the owners instructions I leave out magazines and papers and make sure there are rolls of paper towels on the table and counter (the idea being that these will keep her busy so she doesn't start gnawing on the couch). Still, she always manages to find something else to shred overnight.  I arrive every morning to a mess on the floor.

Lucy has been on Clomicalm since Thanksgiving.  It may be helping somewhat, since the messes of "Hurricane Lucy" are now more Category 1 than Category 4, lol....but there are still messes, so she must still be anxious when left alone.  I don't know what to do about it.  If the owners don't mind their stuff being ripped up that is their business...but I worry that one night she will find something toxic that I missed and could get very sick or even go into organ failure.   

I really am very fond of sweet, goofy Lucy in spite of the extra work and stress she causes me.  She obviously feels very bad when I show up and see her messes...she hangs her head and brings me a toy to apologize, lol. I just want to keep her safe, and help her with her separation anxiety if I can.  The owners are very nice people who adore these dogs.  They are also at a loss as to how to help Lucy.  If anyone has any tips, advice, suggestions, etc....please share them!


BTW...here is a photo of Onnie & Lucy.  Aren't they cute?  Picture that sweet yellow lab standing in the middle of a pile of shredded paper, looking hilariously guilty and wagging her entire butt to say "I'm sorry...."! LOL!

18
This is the first day in almost 3 weeks that I have not had a petsitting gig.  Between my own crew of six and all my clients, I have been up to my eyeballs in dogs, LOL! Here is an example of my days...this was my schedule last Friday:

6 a.m. - Out of bed and rushing out the door
6:40 - Arrive at the house of Max & Chugach & China the cat, who live waaaaay out in the boonies....I feed them all and take Max & Chugach out for a walk, taking great care not to let China out....she is NOT happy about being kept inside while her owners are gone and serenades me with yowling the whole time I am there, lol
7:15-7:45 - Drive back out of the boonies to my next client
7:45 - Arrive at the house of Onnie & Lucy for breakfast, medications, and a 20 minute walk
8:30 - Arrive at the house of Mac & Gitchi (the Cairn Terrier Wonder Twins, lol. They are my "VIP" clients...Very Important Puppers!) for breakfast, walk, tummy scratching and serious spoiling
9:30 - Back home for a couple hours to take care of my own dogs
11:30 - Back to Chugach & Max for last visit before owners come home....so I do once over of the house, run the vacumn cleaner, leave them my Visit Log, and listen to China the cat yowl some more
12:45 - Back to Onnie & Lucy for their long lunch walk, about 40 minutes
1:45 - Back to Mac & Gitchi for a short lunch walk
2:15 - Home again for a couple hours
4:30 -Back to Onnie & Lucy for dinner, meds, and another 20 minute walk
5:00 - Back to Mac & Gitchi for dinner and walk
6:00 - Home again for my own dinner
8:00 - Back to Mac & Gitchi for bedtime walk and Snuggle Time on the couch (they are so cute...I call "Snuggles!!" and they run to the couch and sit up and wave their front paws at me, then jump in my lap and roll around with glee!)
9:00 - Back to Onnie & Lucy for bedtime walk...and since the owners make me leave Lucy out of her kennel at night in spite of her horrendous separation anxiety and never put anything away, I must go through the house and lock up all potentially dangerous items....clean ers, lotions, soaps, glass, etc
10:00 - Home and ready to drop....get to catch about 6 hours of sleep before I start all over again!

And the worst part is, I've had Bronchitis for 2 weeks and have been coughing and sniffling and am really worn down.  I feel like I've been pulled through a wringer....lol ol...

19
I am posting this to the general board because I want it to be seen by as many people as possible. 

The other day I was going through my pictures on my computer and weeding out the ones I didn't want any more....and I think I accidentally wiped out all my pet pictures!!!  I didn't realize it until yesterday...by which time I had already emptied my Recycle Bin. 

I got one of those programs that claims it can retrieve deleted files....but it seems to just be coming up with bullsh!t temporary internet files. 

I am sooooooooooo upset.  This was a folder in My Documents that had 4 subfolders...D ogs, Cats, Pigs,and Other Animals.  Almost EVERY picture taken of my pets in the past 4 years was in it.  Many pictures of my beloved Samson, my Malamute that I lost last year.  These pictures are very dear to me.  I feel like such a schmuck for not having more of them backed up on disk....just another one of those things I always mean to get around to but didn't. 

Does anyone here know any way that I can retrieve these files???

20
Anything Non-Dog Related / WHY MEN ARE NEVER DEPRESSED
« on: December 20, 2007, 01:46:50 pm »
My husband sent me this email this morning.  Some of the things on the list are relevant, some are just silly.  But it got me to thinking....so I added some to the list.  Feel free to add your own....maybe we should send this to all the husbands! LOL!!

Men Are Just Happier People...
What do you expect from such simple creatures?

Your keep your last name all your life

The garage is all yours

Wedding/party/holiday plans take care of themselves

Chocolate is just another snack, not something you need to survive

You can be President

You can never be pregnant

You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park

You can wear NO shirt to a water park.

Car mechanics tell you the truth

The world is your urinal

Same work, more pay

Wrinkles add character

Wedding dress $5000 - Tux rental $100

People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them

New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet

One mood all the time

Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat

A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase

You can open all your own jars

You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness
.
Your underwear is $8.95 for a 3 pack

Three pairs of shoes are more than enough

You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes

Everything on your face stays its original color

The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades

You only have to shave your face and neck

You can play with toys all your life

One wallet and one pair of shoes for all seasons

You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look

You can do your nails with a pocket knife

You have freedom of choice concerning growing a moustache

You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes

No wonder men are happier!!

*********************************

Here are some that I am adding:

No one expects you to remember birthdays and/or holidays, much less buy cards and/or gifts

Don't have to wear a tight, pinching, stiff, uncomfortable bra

You don't have to keep track of every item in your home...not being constantly asked, "Do we have...?"..."Where is......?"...."Have you seen my.....?"

Don't know or care if outfit matches

Don't know or care if kid's outfit matches, is dirty, is appropriate for the occasion, etc.

No yeast infections
or vaginitis
or cramps
or bloating
or breast exams
or 14 different kinds of reproductive cancer

No one expects you to be a patient, nurturing parent

The decor and condition of your home is no reflection on you as a person

No deep thoughts

No need for meaningful conversation (because of reason above!)


21
Anything Non-Dog Related / Anyone have a TempurPedic mattress?
« on: December 16, 2007, 12:33:02 pm »
I had a petsitting job with overnight visits during Thanksgiving week, and got to sleep on a TempurPedic mattress.  I am now obsessed, lol.  I have major back problems (3 herniated discs and stenosis/narrowing of my spinal column)...and the two mornings I woke up in that bed are the only pain-free mornings I have had in a long time. 

I immediately got online to learn more about them and possibly purchase one....and found out that they are prohibitively expensive.  About $3,000 for a King size mattress and foundation!  I've been looking into cheaper kinds....altho ugh so far most of the info I find says that TempurPedic is worth the extra money.  I thought I'd see if anyone here has one and if they are happy with it!

22
Mixed Breed Pictures / My husband's "other woman"....lol...
« on: December 16, 2007, 12:26:30 pm »
Here is a picture of my husband John and our Dolly, who I call his "other woman", lol.  These two are such a trip.  Dolly was a rescue who we were supposed to re-home....but they fell madly in love in less than 48 hours, and 6 years later that love is still going strong.  Dolly worships the ground John walks on....when he comes home every day she squeaks and squeals with glee.  She spends most evenings lying on his lap and looking up at him adoringly.  When he talks to her she jumps up and down in ecstasy.  He seems to feel the same way about her.  He talks baby talk and sings to her and calls her many ridiculously affectionate nicknames.  Every night when he goes up to bed he takes her with him...where she spends the rest of the night snuggled up against him (MUST be touching Daddy in the bed at all times, you know). 

Dolly is a big smiler...I've never seen a dog smile quite like her (we don't know what she is so we jokingly call her our "Rare West Virginia Smiling Hound", lol)....and all you have to do is say the word 'Daddy' and she breaks out in a giant grin.  I'm tellin ya, this is one of the World's Greatest Love Stories....hah aha...... 

23
Newfoundland Discussions / Does Bodhi look like other Newfies??
« on: December 14, 2007, 12:49:08 pm »
I've noticed a few times when I've seen pics of other Newfies....inc luding some here, like Fumble and Bear...that Bodhi looks a little different.  It seems like his fur and ears are shorter and his face not quite as jowly and his lips not quite as saggy.  Is that because he is only 17 months old?  How long does it take Newfies to mature physically?  I think he is adorable just as he is....but am wondering if he will continue to change?

24
Newfoundland Pictures / Merry Christmas from Bodhi!
« on: December 13, 2007, 04:37:00 pm »
These are a few pictures of Bodhi from last Christmas.  He wasn't nearly as fuzzy then, lol.  It was hard to get a good picture, all he wanted to do was roll around and chew on everything...b ut the outtakes are pretty funny....

25
Anything Non-Dog Related / Kid with gun fixation...would this worry you??
« on: December 12, 2007, 08:10:48 pm »
My cousin has a 10 year old son who is just a monster.  I hate to say it....but we groan when we find out he will be at a family function, and always talk about what a brat he is on the way home.  He whines and cries and screams (literally) if he doesn't get his way about everything.  He completely ignores everything he is told.  He is spoiled rotten and wants the focus to be on him every minute.  He bullies other kids.  He's just unpleasant in pretty much every way! 

His latest stunts, however, go beyond Annoying and into Creepy.  A few months ago we were at brunch at my aunt's house and the kids (she has 5 grandkids....t his monster and 4 girls, all very sweet) put on a "play" in the rec room.  All the adults gathered to watch....it started out pleasantly enough, but quickly became apparent that the play was about a serial killer!  Monster Boy was the killer and the girls were his victims....he took great joy in putting his toy gun to their heads and "shooting" them.  Most of the adults chuckled....bu t it was unsettling.

A few weeks later, my cousin said she found him playing a game with some of his friends.....th e game was "School Shooting".  Monster Boy was ordering them all to "act like they were hiding under their desks" and once again walking up and putting a gun to their heads and shooting them.  She took his toy guns away for a week.

Two weeks ago we were having brunch at my aunt's again...and as usual, Monster Boy had a toy gun tucked into his waistband.  Occasionally he would walk up to a family member and whip out his gun and put it to their head and tell them he was going to blow their brains out.  By this point I'd had enough.  I don't think this is appropriate for any kid...and this kid already has some serious issues.  When he came at me with the gun I told him to get it out of my face, and suggested to my cousin that his fascination with shooting people was not good. 

What do you think?  Would this creep you out?  Do you think it's inappropriate?  Would you let your child do this?

26
Newfoundland Pictures / A few new pictures of Bodhi!
« on: December 12, 2007, 12:25:33 pm »
Nothing fancy, just a few pics I took when I was bored....but I can never resist showing off my baby!  He always looks so delightfully stupid in photos....I can almost hear him saying, "DUH, Mommy...."! LOL!  Isn't he handsome, though?  *SIGH*....it's amazing how much you can love a big ball of brown fuzz.....hahah a

27
Holiday Things / Our Christmas card this year
« on: December 05, 2007, 07:49:18 pm »
I do all my business printing with Vista Print...their quality is great and their prices amazing.  This year I had them print our Christmas cards...here they are...



On the back it says, "Hope Yours Go Smoothly"

I thought this was pretty clever, and assumed most people would get it...the pictures indicating that we had tried to get Christmas photos of our animals and it didn't go smoothly, so I was telling everyone I hoped theirs did.  But my husband didn't get it!!  Is he just a dope?  I don't want to send these out and have people go "HUH? How come she sent us a card with these screwed up pictures of her pets?"!  What do you think?

28
Anything Non-Dog Related / Dear Alcohol...lol!
« on: December 05, 2007, 07:36:17 pm »
Got this in an email this morning and thought it was funny....

Dear Alcohol,

First and foremost, let me tell you that I'm a huge fan of yours. As my friend, you always seem to be there when needed. The perfect post-work cocktail, a beer at the game, and you're even around at the holidays (hidden inside chocolates as you warm us when we're stuck inthe midst of endless family gatherings.

However, lately I've been wondering about your intentions. While I want to believe that you have my best interests at heart, I feel that your influence has led to some unwise consequences:

1. Phone calls and text messages: While I agree with you that communication is important, I question the suggestion that any conversation after 2 a.m. can have much substance or necessity. And why would you make me call my ex's when I know, for a fact, they DO NOT want to hear from me during the day, let alone all hours of the night.

2. Eating: Now, you know I love a good meal. But, why do you suggest that I eat a taco with chili sauce along with a big Italian meatball and some stale chips (washed down with wine & topped off with a Kit Kat AFTER a few cheese curls & chili cheese fries)? I'm an eclectic eater, but I think you went too far this time.

3. Clumsiness: Unless you're subtly trying to tell me that I need to do more yoga to improve my balance, I see NO need to hammer this issue home by causing me to fall down. It's completely unnecessary, and the black & blue marks that appear on my body mysteriously the next day are beyond me. Similarly, it should never take me more than 45 seconds to get the front door key into the lock.

4. Furthermore: The hangovers have GOT to stop! This is getting ridiculous. I know a little penance for our previous evening's debauchery may be in order. But, the 3 p.m. hangover immobility is completely unacceptable. My entire day is shot. I ask that if the proper precautions(water, vitamin B, bread products, aspirin) are taken prior to going to sleep or passing out face down on the kitchen floor with a bag of popcorn, the hangover shouldbe minimal and in no way interfere with my daily activities.

4. Finally...Plea se take a moment or two and note the following items belowthat I think may be of some interest to you.

THINGS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:
1. Innovative
2. Preliminary
3. Proliferation
4. Cinnamon

THINGS THAT ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:
1. Specificity
2. British Constitution
3. Passive-Aggressive Disorder

THINGS THAT ARE DOWNRIGHT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:
1. Thanks, but I don't want to have sex.
2. Nope, no more beer for me.
3. Sorry, but you're not really my type.
4. Good evening, officer. Isn't it lovely out tonight?
5. Oh, I couldn't. No one wants to hear me sing.


Alcohol, I have enjoyed our friendship for some years now and would like to ensure that we remain on good terms. You've been the invoker of great stories, the provocation for much laughter and the needed companion when I just don't know what to do with the extra money in my pockets.

In order to continue this friendship, I ask that you carefully review my grievances above and address them immediately. I will look for an answer no later than Friday 3 p.m. (pre happy hour) on your possible solutions. And hopefully we can continue this fruitful partnership.

Thank you,

Your Biggest Fan



29
Behavior, Housebreaking, Obedience / Another fight!
« on: December 04, 2007, 06:19:36 pm »
Bodhi and Ribbit got into a fight last night....over a glove!  They have fought in the past...it always seemed to be over food...we made some changes in how and where we feed them and have been much more vigilant when they are together.  Things have been going well, we haven't had any problems in quite awhile.  Then last night my husband came home from skiing and left his gloves on the kitchen table.  Bodhi *adores* gloves.  He stole one off the table and took it into the living room to shred it.  The other one must have fallen on the floor, and Ribbit went over to sniff it.  I'm not sure.  All I know is that Bodhi went flying across the room and pounced on Ribbit. This pissed Ribbit off, and he attacked Bodhi.  We had a helluva time getting them apart...by the time we did, Ribbit was crying and Bodhi had a bite on his lip that was bleeding like crazy!

Bodhi definitely has issues with this...he will chase the other dogs away from things that he wants.  He usually jumps on them growling and pushing them away with his head and paws, but not biting....this is enough to scare most of them off.  But not Ribbit.  Because he is part Cocker he is testy and scrappy, so he goes into full-out attack when Bodhi does this.  Even after my husband got ahold of Bodhi last night, Ribbit attacked his face. 

We had called a trainer when the fights first started a few months ago...he gave us some basic ideas, but I would really like some *specific* ideas for working with Bodhi and Ribbit.  Any suggestions?  It scares me to death when this happens, I am a nervous wreck for a week afterward!

30
Group Discussions & Photos / Sure doesn't look comfortable!
« on: November 29, 2007, 08:16:06 pm »
Some pictures of the weird positions my dogs sleep in!  I can't believe they are comfortable... but they sleep like this all the time!

The one in the chair with his head upside down is Stubby...and that is his position almost every night.  The two dogs together are Zildjian (dalmatian) and Dolly...they insist on sleeping intwined like that.  And of course the Big Brown Boy is Bodhi!

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