Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Green Eyed Monster

Right now I am seeing green. Everywhere I visit online I see greyhounds living it up in the snow. Whether I'm catching up on my usual greyhound blogs or wasting time on Facebook, all I seem to see are adorable pictures of greys frolicking in white powder, having the time of their lives.  I'm certain these photos are taunting me - sticking out a virtual tongue and saying "nanny nanny boo boo."

It's not be cause we didn't get any snow here in South Georgia. Oh, we got some. And plenty of ice to boot. But my snobby girls wouldn't even get off of the deck to go potty, much less run and play. I had to drag them out of the "safety zone" aka the covered deck, and make them go into the yard. So while everyone else was enjoying capturing their dogs loving the cold life, all I got to see was two cold wuss-hounds, wrapped up in blankets, sleeping on the sofa.

I guess they were just following the example that I set. I'm not getting out in that crazy-cold either.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Cruel & Unusual?

Greyhound torture at its finest.




-- Post From My iPhone

Monday, January 3, 2011

Dog Friendly

Growing up a Girl Scout in Georgia means one thing - numerous trips to the birthplace of the organization's founder, Juliette Gordon Lowe, in Savannah. I cannot tell you how many times my GS troop decided to spend the money that we earned hocking cookies to take a trip to the Georgia coast. While our leaders did their best to make the old house, its architecture and the story of why Sherman didn't burn it down on his march through Georgia, exciting to a seven-year-old girl, all I really wanted was the special pin to wear on our uniform that said I had been to the birthplace. To me, that pin was just another accomplishment to wear on my badge-laden sash.
So when it was suggested we go to Savannah to ring in the new year with old friends, all I could think about was that big old house and even older women that guarded the antiques and gave the tours. But come to find out, Savannah is a very dog-friendly town - which now makes it one of my favorite places. Between the squares, parks, fountains, and outdoor cafes, there were tons of things for four-legged friends to do. Including, a 90-minute trolley tour of the city. 



As you can imagine, there aren't a lot of trolley riding opportunities in the middle of the country. Tractors, yes. Trolleys, no. So this was a first for my girls. Seka could care less. She loves to ride. I think she would ride a skateboard if I could teach her how. She is so happy to be moving and going somewhere, anywhere, that it really doesn't matter the final destination. In fact, I have to be careful when talking about "going on a trip," or getting something out of the "car." Seriously, I'm spelling so my dog doesn't go bananas. I'm sure she knows how to spell now too. It was no shock to us that she slept in the center aisle on a blanket on the trolley like it was the back seat of her car.

Roxy is another story all together. Anything new is scary to her. Walking on cobblestone streets is scary. Walking on the docks is scary. Seeing boats are scary. So you can imagine that getting on a trolley with lots of other strangers is scary too. Surprisingly enough, she did pretty well, if you ignore the shaking, shedding and a small amount of drooling that occurred for about 20 minutes. She even decided that for the last hour of the 90-minute tour that she would sit on the seat next to me and eventually fell asleep. 

So, add trolley rides to the lists of things to do with your dog if you go to Savannah. The trolley drivers were really nice and they loved our big girls. Oh, and we did go by the Birthplace of Girl Scouts on our tour.  I wish I had remembered to wear my sash. 

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Be Prepared

After cutting myself in a freak coffee cup accident on Monday night, I turned to the dogs' first aid kit to clean, control, and wrap the wound. When I updated my status on Facebook with the news of my trauma and the supplies I used, I received several emails about what I kept in the girls' first aid kit. So here's the list of stuff that is piled into tackle box:

The Basics: to me these are the items that should be in every greyhound/dog first aid kit

  • No burn wound cleaner
  • Q-tips
  • Cotton disks - these are easier to use than cotton balls IMHO
  • Non-stick gauze pads in assorted sizes 
  • Vet wrap - get a couple of widths (and colors)
  • Bandage tape - stick it on the floor or your pants first before applying to skin
  • Baby Socks - the 0-3 month baby socks work great for covering pad/toe injuries
  • Antibacterial Salve
  • Bag balm - good for conditioning pads
  • Peroxide - for inducing vomiting if needed 

Medication: you need a supply of these on hand, especially when you travel

  • Benadryl
  • Baby aspirin
  • Imodium 
  • Dramamine
  • Melatonin - good for nervous dogs in new places
  • Papaya tablets - you can find these in the vitamin section, good for soothing tummies and nausea
  • DMSO - this is a horse-lovers trick for soreness, purchase at tack store
  • Capstar - if you travel with your dog, you never know where you'll pick up a flea, or 10
  • Pain medication - talk to your vet about buying one or two pills to keep on hand

Tools: these will make your life easier if you have them

  • Ice/heat pack - they make the kind that your shake and get cold/hot instantly
  • Sandwich bags - good to cover bandaged feet to keep them dry
  • Rubber bands
  • Bandage scissors - you can order these from any medical supply and you'll be happy you have them
  • Medical gloves 
  • Zip lock bags
  • Bottle of water
Extras: these are more for OCD people like me

  • Canine first aid/cpr book - they have these on amazon
  • Pepper - I steal borrow these packs from McDonalds. Good to help stop bleeding.
  • Canned pumpkin - always good to have one on hand
  • Honey - in the event a dog's blood sugar drops
  • Ace bandage - this can help cover large wounds
  • Sunscreen - especially if you have a white dog
This list is far from a perfect. I know that you guys have other things you keep in your dogs' first aid kits. Or better yet, stuff you wish you had when you had an emergency. Share your ideas in the comments section. I'm always looking for tools to add to the ole' tackle box!

Monday, December 27, 2010

Beware of Blueberries

Kev: Why didn't you tell me we had blueberries?

Me: We don't.

Kev: Yes we do. I just found one next to my chair, see...

(holds out hand with fat, blue-ish, round thing with legs)

Me: That's not a blueberry.

Kev: Looks like one.

Me: It's an engorged tick. Probably thanks to Walter.

Kev: No it isn't.

Me: Look closer. It has legs.

Kev: Really?

Me: Yep, but if you still think it's a blueberry, go ahead and take a bite.

Kev: I'll pass.

Me: Smart boy.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Greyt Reindeer

Eventually all advertisers will realize that greyhounds/whippets/igs/sighthounds are the supermodels of the dog world. Until then, they will wear antlers at Christmas.