Doggie Orthodontia and Carpet Cleaning

In the ongoing saga of Doggie Orthodontia, Nana had her gums sort of "shaved" back in an effort to create a passage for the stubborn lower canines that are coming in too straight and not flaring outward enough.  This involved her being put under anesthesia last Friday.  This made for a very calm and groggy Briard.  I, in my infinite wisdom, thought this mental state would be a perfect opportunity to take her to Meadowfarm Yarn Studio. It was a great idea right up to the point that her bowels decided to have a post op anesthesia fiesta all over the carpet at the Yarn Studio.  I have to wonder where my brain was that day.  I know that she reacts this way, I was just so lost in the - look what a calm puppy euphoria, I forgot about the rest.  Needless to say this did not endear either one of us to my favorite Yarn Shop.  So, I am on the floor trying to scrub the seven to eight "oopses" off the floor of the shop, before driving home and spending the rest of the day taking Nana outside every ten minutes. 

Of course I offered to pay to have the carpets cleaned which Ellen has taken me up on, or more accurately I am paying for half of the cost of the carpet cleaning since Ellen was getting about ready to do that anyway, I just hurried the process.  But more importantly I think I also precipitated the "no pet" policy that is going into place at Meadowfarm.  Sigh.....it was not my intention and Nana isn't the only dog that has "oopsied" there.  I know of another that has graced the carpet.  In addition someone's dog picked out a lovely cashmere ball of yarn for their owner to purchase.  Nana has been guilty of helping me pick a skein of yarn.

Personally, I wouldn't ban dogs - instead I would do a once a year "Dogs Run Amok" sale.  Something that would benefit the local "No Kill" animal shelter with a 10% of purchase donation.  It would work something like this.  Dogs get to pick your yarns off the shelf, which they would be more than happy to do.  Ellen would sell half her stock and there would be some mechanism in place for the owners not to murder their pets at the end of the free for all.  I think it would beat the heck out of the boring "year end sale", "going out of business sale", or "fire sale".

In the mean time I will keep Nana in the car when I visit.  However, in a couple of months I won't be able to visit the shop - summer is brutal here and I will have to fulfill my fiber addiction elsewhere until late in the year when temperatures abate.  Meadowfarm won't notice any big decline in sales, I'm not there biggest customer by a long shot - but hey at least I know their carpets will be clean for those customers who are.

Glorious Hissy Toys



Doggy Yoga

 There are squeaky toys and then there are glorious Hissy Toys.  Hissy toys are self animating objects that live on beds, under beds, on the backs of chairs and in closets.  Every once in a while you can catch one in the hall way and then it is really fun.  If you find a Hissy toy on the bed and you poke your nose at it, it begins that wonderful hissing sound.  If you poke your nose at it more than once you can make the hissing sound undulate.  The hissy toy doesn't actually move or do anything it just sounds like a tea kettle about to implode. 

Resident Hissy Toy

The particular hissy toy that lives around here is black with gold eyes.  It isn't afraid of Nana and will be happy to walk right by her crate knowing full well that the evil dog is safely contained.  She will lay on the bed ignoring the dog unless provoked in which case, she still won't move - but will begin to emit that glorious hissing sound that is just hard to resist if you are only 6 months old and think the world is your playground. 

No doubt about it Hissy toys are sooooo much more interesting then squeaky toys.

The Briard

Nana at five and a half months of age

The Briard is commonly described as a "heart wrapped in fur".  This is apparently a quote from an actress that owned one.  I agree, they are an extremely intellegent old working breed that is naturally protective and very affectionate. 

The AKC Standard states that the Briard is " a dog of heart, with spirit and initiative, wise and fearless with no trace of timidity. Intelligent, easily trained, faithful, gentle, and obedient, the Briard possesses an excellent memory and an ardent desire to please his master. He retains a high degree of his ancestral instinct to guard home and master. Although he is reserved with strangers, he is loving and loyal to those he knows. Some will display a certain independence." 

It should also be added that they have a huge enthusiasm about life.  They are not a hyper dog - just very, very busy.  They are also velcro dogs, wanting to be near those they care for.  They are also a touchy-feely kind of dog and I don't mean "oh let me lay my head on your lap and gaze with adoration at you".  They are touchy-feely the way a defensive line backer is.  Go to the bathroom and shut the door for three minutes and you will be greeted with a full body tackle of affection when you come out.  "OMG...there you are!".  At three months Nana had mastered: sit, down, go potty, and shake, but is completely oblivious to the command "Off" meaning stop launching yourself at me as a sign of affection.  Because we walk in a large regional park and it is winter with all the muddy red dirt of the Sierra Nevada's I generally look like a homeless person with the dirt I have acquired from our walks and all the full body signs of affection that are directed my way by Nana.  I have a vague memory of what good clothes look like and have great hopes of wearing them again in the future.

They are also a breed that requires a lot of socialization to dampen the guarding instinct.  I apparently have done a good job since she has yet to meet anyone she doesn't think is just wonderful and a "fuss over me fest" about to happen.  I have decided to postpone formal obedience classes for a while.  I think she needs to just be a dog and grow up.  Oh, she is getting some schooling.  She is being socialized, overcoming her fear of cows, has good recall when off leash, long distance traveling and how to behave when in a store, plus which things she can play with in the house and which she should not touch. 

The Briard is a wonderful dog, but I can see why they might not be for everyone.  I love mine and would not trade her for the world, even if people stop me and direct me to the nearest homeless shelter based on how I look after a day hiking with the tawny tornado. 

Doggie Orthodontia part 3

Nana at approximately 8 weeks

Last Friday we went to the Doggie Orthodontist for a recheck.  Two weeks of constant supervision, being a human chew toy and lots of walking at Hidden Falls Regional Park had paid off.  She had managed to break the side covering of the retainer, exposing the wires, but all in all it was good.  The exposed wires required the appliance be removed.  Personally I think had it still been intact, he would have told us one more week and I would be a crazy person (okay, crazier than I already am).  I say this because one side is good the other is a little questionable.  However, the new therapy involves the smallest Kong stuffed with peanut butter and chew, chew, chew! Nana gives two paws up to this therapy.  The more she chews the more the teeth will be encouraged to move outward.

Want a stick?  Go for it!
Bite that rubber frisbee! 
Liquid Amber seed pods are a favorite chew delight.

She has certainly gotten easier to live with and it has opened the way to more places I can go and not worry about what she might grab.  So life has gotten a whole lot easier.  And of course the pet insurance has declined to pay.  Hmmm.....and I am paying them why?????