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Wolves in Dogs’ Clothing

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While they may appear sweet and innocent, don’t let their cute looks fool you. Capone and Cosmo have surpassed Moose and Red in one aspect of doggie behavior. Just when small animals thought it was safe to venture into the yard . . .

I’ve always said that Moose and Red were little gentlemen, so to see them dispatch another living creature would have been shocking. My memory may be incorrect, but I don’t recall either of them killing a critter. Maybe I’m in denial, because they were the perfect Italian Greyhounds to me.

I remember getting a phone call from my mom when I was out at a concert. Red wanted to come in from the yard and blew past her with a bird in his mouth when she opened the door. I thought she said it was a dead baby bird, but I had a hard time hearing between concert noise and her excitement over the situation. We had a tree out back at the time that was popular with avian families. Surely it must have fallen out of the nest, and Red sought to bring his grandmom a gift. I can’t imagine my perfect angel boy doing anything else. My mom was justly grossed out, and this escapade earned Red the nickname of birdface for a time.

The only incident I can remember of Moose confronting something in the yard was when he had a standoff with a vole. Of course, he was all bark and no bite, he never did anything worse than growl and refuse to come in until after he scared off the intruder. I wasn’t home for this incident either. Maybe that’s to preserve the illusion of Moose’s absolute perfection in my eyes.

When it comes to Capone and Cosmo, anything that moves is fair game. I’m convinced they dig up the yard because they hear something moving below the surface. I’ve caught them with mice and voles, the sad outcome the same every time for their targets. I’m careful to scan the yard for movement before letting the boys out (something I never needed to do with Moose and Red).

Fortunately, our yard is small, with just enough room for two exuberant iggies to run. I’ve never seen anything large in our yard; however, I do suspect I caught the tail end of a skunk exiting into the neighbor’s yard via a gap below the back fence. All I saw was something scooting along the fenceline when I turned on the floodlights. It was quick, and the scent was unmistakable. I’m just relieved I saw it before I released the hounds, because dealing with sprayed dogs is an issue I could do without.

To say Capone and Cosmo have more of a prey drive than Moose and Red is an understatement. As I mentioned, I have never seen a large critter in our yard, but if one bird flies a tad too low, or a squirrel falls from a tree or fence, the pups will take their misfortune for an invitation to pounce. I just hope I luck out again to not be home for the aftermath if this ever happened. 

Tummy Trouble Times Two

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When Bram first came to live with us, we noticed that he had a litterbox issue during his quarantine from the rest of the fur family. His stools were soft and bloody, which we thought might be from worms or some kind of parasite, since he was a stray. We had a similar experience with Barnabas when he came home, and his problem was the result of a parasite, which quickly resolved with medication. When Bram’s condition failed to improve on its own, we brought him to the vet. A special veterinary dry food diet of hydrolyzed protein was prescribed. We’ve been following this protocol since it was recommended, and it works well for him. Because he is the only cat in the house who eats this food, we are careful that he never gets into the other cats’ food, and treats are given sparingly. To date there have been no recurrences of his tummy trouble.

Capone has been to the vet for his own digestive issues. One day we noticed that his stool was similar to Bram’s when he was ill, and he was refusing food. His apparent rapid weight loss was concerning, as he has aways been thinner than his brother Cosmo. Our vet felt he was suffering from a bout of HGE (hemorragatic gastroenteritis). It was something I never experienced with neither Moose nor Red, and I had never heard of this condition.

We spent a couple days going back and forth to the vet. Capone was hooked up to IVs, as keeping him hydrated was important when fighting HGE. The vet was able to get him interested in food and eating again. Capone recovered from HGE, but I believe it’s something that could recur. Unlike Moose and Red, Capone and Cosmo do not eat table food, and I am particular about the treats that I give them, more so now than ever. It’s a shame that I am unable to indulge Capone with whipped cream from the coffee shop or special treats from places we visit. That was something I enjoyed doing for my previous boys, who had no food sensitivities. However, because we don’t know what triggered Capone’s tummy trouble, I’m careful not to trigger it again. His diet may be boring, but so far we have had no HGE recurrences. Perhaps he will be allowed special treats on occasion in the future. As for Cosmo, he seems to have no issues with his stomach at all. Fortunately, he is able to eat the same food as his brother to make mealtimes easier, and that has worked out well. The boys eat a formula for sensitive stomachs and skin that can be found at any pet supply store, while feline brother Bram is the only critter in the house on a prescription diet.

The tummy trouble for both Bram and Capone was caught early. Bram’s condition requires lifelong maintenance, while Capone’s requires lifelong monitoring. Hopefully they aren’t aware of all the goodies they miss out on due to their conditions. As for me, I’m just happy that there are diets that can maintain their digestive health and keep further flareups at bay.

Tooth Trouble

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Capone and Cosmo had an uneventful routine vet visit, the first since their neuter. They are considered biggie iggies, weighing an impressive 19 pounds each. They received their necessary vaccines, including for Bordetella which was administered orally. Although this is considered optional, I operate on a worst-case scenario basis. The boys will likely never need to be boarded anywhere, but what if there was some disaster in which we had to flee to a place that required the vaccine? I’d rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Cosmo was examined and passed with a clean bill of health. Next was Capone, who passed scrutiny, or so it seemed. An unexpected broken tooth in the back of his mouth surprised us. How did that happen?

We’re not exactly sure what made Capone break a tooth, but I can only guess that it happened when he returned from the yard one evening with two cuts on the side of his face. Other than the visible marks, he seemed no worse for the wear, and it certainly didn’t change the way he approached the food in his dish.

We had two options, either a root canal or an extraction. Knowing that one day he will likely be relieved of this tooth in true iggy fashion, we opted for an extraction. The procedure was scheduled, and we were given some antibiotics and pain meds to take home. It was good that his exam occurred when it did, otherwise we wouldn’t have discovered the tooth issue.

I had tears in my eyes when we dropped Capone off for the extraction. It seemed like forever since we were in this situation, as Moose and Red stopped getting dentals when they reached advanced age. I’m sure he would do just fine given his youth, but it’s still nerve wracking. Apart from that, it was the first time he and Cosmo would be separated. How would Cosmo do without his brother’s company for a day?

It turned out that he did just fine, but he did miss his twin. Cosmo looked for his buddy in the house and in the yard. He seemed to realize Capone was missing, but he settled and didn’t appear anxious or ill at ease. He ate his breakfast in his brother’s absence, food having been withheld until Capone was dropped off. Cosmo didn’t whine or howl, which was a relief.

We received a call in the late afternoon that the dental had gone easier than expected, and we could pick up our boy in a few hours. We made the time we had to wait to retrieve Capone pass quickly by attending a local food truck event. We were able to eat some dinner before arriving at the vet, feeling a bit guilty as our pup was surely starving by now.

It always seems like an eternity waiting to pick up your fur kid from the vet after a procedure. When Capone padded into the waiting room, he was happy to see us but wasn’t up to jumping. He whined his greeting and was happy to get out of that place and go home, even if his annoying brother was there. He ate a bit once he arrived, and his recovery and follow up went smoothly. We have our energetic pup again, missing a tooth but otherwise unscathed.

(The tooth issue occurred in July 2023)

Door Darting Diva

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It was a rare, beautiful Saturday, an afternoon devoid of extreme heat and torrential rain. I took advantage of the comfortable temperature and blue sky by reading a book under the patio umbrella. Capone and Cosmo joined me in the yard, playing with toys and chasing each other, enjoying the day as much as I was. I bought them a larger water bowl for outside, and they lapped up the cool water in the shade.

I guess it’s because they’re a bit older now, but the pups don’t linger in the yard nearly as much as they did when they first came home. Last year it was tough to get them in from outside, but now they ask to go in more often. I chalk that up to the discovery of couches and air conditioning. When they stood outside the back door, I let them in and continued my book in relative peace.

The boys would appear at the door to come back out, then quickly want to go back in. I think they would have preferred it if I stayed in with them, but sorry boys, the good weather awaited me outside. I acted as the canine doorman a few times, and I couldn’t get into my book for fear of what the dogs were up to in the house left to their own devices. They are still too young to be left alone unsupervised.

Up the back steps I went to check on them. They were at the door looking out into the yard. Joining them were Bram and Tiki. The cats are no strangers to hanging out by the door, enjoying sunbathing on nice days and watching the birds. We often let the dogs in and out with assorted cats in the threshold without issue. On this day that changed.

The pups looked eager to charge outside, but they didn’t move when the door opened. They appeared as stunned as I was to see Tiki go out the open door. She made it only a few steps to the landing before the stairs before I got her back into the safety of the house, using my left hand to gently push her back through the door. I was fortunate that it worked out how it did, as I am not left-handed.

Tiki is a frail lady of about 16 years old. She was formerly outside but has been inside with us for around 11 years. This is a reminder that you cannot trust a cat to never dart out the door if given the opportunity, no matter how long they have been inside.

Since it’s the dogs’ belief that no one, including them, should wear collars, Tiki was relieved of hers by her canine brothers when she went out the door. With no external identification, I cannot stress enough the importance of microchips registered to a pet recovery service. I have my critters scanned periodically to be sure the chip can still be read, usually at their annual vet appointment. Cats may have nine lives, but Tiki’s escapade took as many off mine!

End of An Era

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It was inevitable given their ages, so I was somewhat prepared. Although it’s been over a year, my heart remains broken. It hurts more than I ever thought possible to announce that both Moose and Red have passed away.

Moose lost his battle with kidney failure on February 9, 2022. Sadly, it was also his Gotcha Day, having brought him home that day in 2003. He was in the end stages of the disease for a year and a half before succumbing to it at age 19. He remained status quo for quite some time, but he declined rapidly and the decision to let him go became obvious. I was the first person to hold Moose so long ago, and as I promised him, I was the last to hold him when the time came.

We worried about how Red would react to losing his buddy of almost 17 years. Red did better than we expected. In fact, for a while it looked like he was on track to outlive his brother. His appetite increased, and he even gained a bit of weight. His mobility had been more limited, but it was improving. His senior bloodwork was fine. We believed we had more time with Red, so it came as a shock when he passed away in his sleep at home. Maybe it was a broken heart, not wanting to go on after the loss of his brother. Red passed on April 6, 2022, exactly eight weeks after Moose.

It was one thing to lose Moose. Even though we anticipated it, we were still devastated when it finally happened. I had hoped he would see his 20th birthday, and for a long time it seemed possible.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be, as he left us nine months before.

Just when we were beginning to resign ourselves to a one-dog household, as awful as it was, we lost our beloved Red. Losing one was terrible, but two in such a short time frame, after so many years, was devastating. It all played out how we assumed it would, when one passed, the other would soon follow. I had hoped there would be more time in between, however.

I’ve titled this post End of An Era, because in a way it is. Moose and Red lived far longer than I ever would have expected. Eighteen and 19 is impressive for any dog. I miss them both every day. There are no more pills to cut up, no acupuncture appointments to keep. Yoga mats no longer line slick floors. The bumpers to keep the boys safely in bed are now stowed away.

My heart breaks every day. I cry for my boys, wishing we had more time, yet knowing we had longer than most pet parents are afforded, and for that I am grateful. I only hope they knew how much we loved them. They meant more to us than they’ll ever know, or that I can express in words. As I held Moose for the last time, I told him it wasn’t “goodbye.” It was just “until next time.” Goodnight, sweet princes.

Miracle Moose

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Almost a year has passed since my last post, and that is unfortunate. I intended to scale down from two posts a month to one, but never did I anticipate life events would have me stop altogether. 2020 was rife with personal tragedy, affecting both humans and animals in my life.

In October 2020 Moose was diagnosed with advanced kidney failure following a routine wellness exam that included a senior blood panel. I shouldn’t have been as shocked as I was. After all, he was a month away from turning 18, with a degenerative heart condition. Still, his bloodwork earlier in the year was normal, but a few months later that would change. Moose’s kidney values were off the charts. He was given several weeks to several months left with us. Even when you are somewhat mentally prepared for the inevitable, bad news still comes as a surprise.

We’re approaching October 2021 and Moose’s condition is status quo. We’ve heard that some dogs can live up to a year with Moose’s diagnosis. We’ve had to make some household adjustments given his new health issue, and I’m guardedly optimistic that he may see 19 in November.

Now more than ever before, Moose needs to have access to water at all times. This means that the dogs are no longer crated during the day while we are at work. They still eat their meals in their crates as a matter of habit, but food aggression on Moose’s part is no longer an issue as they are both elderly. There is a water bowl in the family room, which has been there for years since their mobility started declining. Our family room is sunken, and we didn’t want them troubled going upstairs into the kitchen with its slippery linoleum for water, even though yoga mats now line the floor for traction.

As for food, we have switched Moose from his prescription stomach food to a prescription kidney food. His appetite remains healthy so getting him to eat it isn’t a problem. He’s also fine with taking heart and thyroid meds in just about anything.

The biggest concession now is allowing the dogs free roam of the family and dining rooms when we’re gone. This means old blankets cover the couch. Even though the pups wear their man pants, accidents still happen. The coffee table is away from the couch, and a blanket is on the floor in the empty space between the furniture. Old pillows lay against the coffee table, buffering fragile dogs in the event they fall from the couch. Moose and Red can get down from the couch for water, but once they are down, they are not able to climb back up. The blanket on the floor cushions any falls plus acts as a place to snuggle since jumping on the couch isn’t an option for them anymore.

Last Christmas we took what we assume will be Moose’s last photos with Santa. It remains to be seen if he will see Christmas 2021 or his 19th birthday in November. While I’m optimistic, I’m not delusional. They are both very old dogs. While I would like to see Moose reach these milestones, I will not let him suffer to do so. The vet told us what to watch for when our time together is nearing a close. Until then I will savor our remaining days together.

The Fur in Furniture

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The Fur in Furniture (2)

The New Recliner is Feline Approved

Whether or not you allow pets on the furniture is often the subject of debate. It’s best to make a decision before bringing the furry family member into your home, so everyone in the household is on the same page. Of course, all decisions can go out the window when the new animal arrives.

Our pets are allowed everywhere except the basement and second floor rooms, which consist of a library, office, and spare bedroom. That wasn’t always the case; the doors upstairs were open until there was destruction. Annie managed to tear an office chair down to the foam, which is impressive considering that she was front declawed. Ozzy and Tiger left their mark in the corner of the spare bedroom, which was bizarre because they had impeccable litterbox habits. (I think this was likely due to scents left by the previous owner’s pets). As a result, the second-floor rooms became off limits.

With four cats and two dogs, I don’t have the time or energy to police every surface for out of bounds critters. There are methods to try to keep cats off certain places, but at the end of the day, you’re dealing with a cat. Therefore, we agreed that as long as nothing is getting ruined, we’re fine with it. Of course, stuff has gotten ruined, but it wasn’t because of fur, that’s for sure.

The cat furniture, as well as the people furniture, is often coated with a thin layer of fur. The cats are always the culprits, as the dogs’ fur resembles eyelashes when shed. The couch and loveseat are leather, but we use furniture covers, so the hair accumulates.

In anticipation of hubby’s impending surgery, we bought a recliner. I’m told he will need it for his recovery. While that may be true, did we really need a new chair table and lamp as well? I’m suspicious. Anyway, we had a recliner years ago that was destroyed by Annie and Moose and was never replaced. However, this new addition is memory foam and soft material, not leather.

For now, it is covered with a recliner protector, beneath a throw blanket that does not reach the bottom of the chair. I have not yet found an actual recliner cover (that stretches to cover the entire piece) because this recliner is over-sized. Hopefully any fur will be contained to the throw blanket. It looks like I will be purchasing a large blanket to cover the recliner, as it will be used as a bed for a little while.

All four of the cats have been on the chair, but only Moose has jumped in it. It doesn’t hold much interest for Red, as he has yet to check it out and we have had it over a month. He prefers to stretch out on the couch. The kitties are even more attracted to the recliner if someone is sitting on it. Because it is so big, there is more room on the arm rests for our larger cats, and the wider back can accommodate a third feline. Three out of four of our cats have lounged on it together.

I’m sure my hubby will be surrounded by fur kids as he convalesces. It stinks that he will be in the recliner more often than not, but maybe that means less cat hair left in other places. I hope he has a speedy recovery; his furry nurses will see to that.

The Fur in Furniture (1)

Moose Giving the Canine Seal of Approval on the New Purchase

 

Car Sick Canine

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Car Sick Canine (1)

Snoozing After a Playdate (2006)

Moose and Red had an active social life when they were younger. They enjoyed play dates with other Italian greyhounds, and we found lots of dog-friendly activities and events for them to attend. Unfortunately, most of the time these fun outings involved a trip in the car.

Moose vomited once in the car when he was a puppy, but that was the lone occurrence. His issue was speed, not car sickness. As long as we were cruising along, he was fine. Stopped in traffic, or even for a light, Moose would bring on the whining. He would start low, increasing in volume to an ear-splitting level. Could you imagine explaining to an officer that the reason for speeding was because your dog has a need for speed? Thankfully I have never had this happen.

Both Moose and Red travel in soft-sided crates when we are in the car. At first we used a single crate, but Red’s penchant for car sickness made it necessary to crate them separately. If Moose could talk, I’m sure he would tell us how gross his brother was. He couldn’t understand why Red was getting sick yet he was fine.

As for Red, it didn’t matter if we traveled a short distance to a dog park, or hours to a play date a couple states away. He still got sick in the car. We were meticulous about his food intake close to car trips, but that didn’t matter. He could be sound asleep and wake up long enough to vomit.

We tried specialized medications for car sickness, together with his normal anxiety drug to no avail. We were at a loss as to what to do, because once we got where we were going, he was fine. I think he tended to get sick more often going somewhere rather than coming home. Maybe he suffered from anticipatory anxiety like I do now.

The pups’ grandmom usually accompanied us on play date excursions. She always rode in the back between the boys. We learned that she was fast with a plastic bag whenever Red started retching. There was no mess in the vehicle and disposal was a snap. Thank goodness for grandmom’s willingness to catch her granddog’s vomit. Whenever we road tripped with Moose and Red, we were sure plastic grocery bags were added to their bye bye bag.

Red was an adult when he had car sickness, but he has since stopped. Maybe he outgrew it, who knows. We no longer have to monitor food intake. In fact, he gets treats at the acupuncture vet and can enjoy a puppacino on the way home with no problems. Moose and Red can even share one crate now without fear of messes.

While the car sick dog no longer gets sick, old age has brought another issue to replace it. I’m not sure there’s a technical term for it, but it’s peeing in the car. Both dogs wear bellybands to prevent any accidents during their travels. It looks like I traded one leaky end for the other!

Car Sick Canine (2)

Plastic Bag for Sick Dog

Holy Voley!

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Holy Voley 2

Young Moose Spots Birds

A few years ago in October, we spent a few days in Massachusetts. We left our beloved fur family in the care of our dear friend and pet sitter extraordinaire, who has watched our kids several times in the past. The critters are for the most part well behaved, but one of them had a surprise in store for her.

We were spending our favorite holiday in Salem, but we had plans to meet some friends in a nearby town prior to the Halloween festivities. Dinner was arranged at a local bar/restaurant that they had chosen. It was so nice to see them again, enthusiastic hugs exchanged in the restaurant’s waiting area. After we were seated, we got down to the business of ordering and catching up.

I believe the phone call came before the meal arrived. I never get calls from my pet sitter, as she usually keeps in touch via text, sending me a photo or two when I am missing the kiddos. I thought it was odd when her contact info came across my phone, so I answered right away.

She had a situation with Moose. The dogs were let out into the yard to take care of their evening business. While Red returned to the house, Moose refused to come in. Our yard is postage-stamp sized, and it can be viewed entirely from the house, with the exception of behind the garage.

But Moose wasn’t behind the garage. He was in plain sight, laser focused on something near the vinyl privacy fence. When he wouldn’t answer his sitter’s calls, she went out to investigate. He wasn’t paying much attention to her, but when she tried to get him in the house, he growled and continued to stare at something in the distance. My 20-pound Italian greyhound turned into a watch dog; it must have been a bit comical to see. I was on hold on the phone when she was trying to convince him to come in from the yard.

Defeated and likely annoyed, she picked up the receiver and told me that Moose was being stubborn and growling at her. We were both at a loss as to what to do, so she decided to watch television until the standoff in the yard ended. I hung up and continued with my night, wondering if Moose was going to square off against an intruding critter. Moose was always a lover and not a fighter, so I had my doubts that he would get into a confrontation with anything. Whatever it was should be thankful it wasn’t Red in the yard instead.

Moose at long last did return to the house unscathed. It appeared that he didn’t do battle with anything in the yard, as he bore no scars or brought any trophies into the house. We still don’t know what he saw that night, but my pet sitter believes it may have been a vole.

Of course this episode took place a few years ago when Moose was younger and had better vision. Now I don’t think he could see the intruder, his skinny frame not so intimidating anymore. I’m just glad that he wasn’t hurt, and was up to date on his vaccines in the unlikely event that he did get ahold of something. In case you were wondering, yes, we still have the same pet sitter, even after this unexpected adventure.

Holy Voley

The Long Arm of the Lawless Moose

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The Long Arm of the Lawless Moose (2)

Hmm . . . I Didn’t Open This

Happy 2020! I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays. The most wonderful time of the year involves family, friends, and food. Lots and lots of food. Tempting treats abound, and not just for the humans.

We ordered a two-pound cookie tray from the decades-old bakery located in town, just down the street from our house. Their delicious gingerbread men, chocolate chips, and cherry cookies have become somewhat of a holiday staple for us. While they were intended for Christmas Eve, no one had any room for dessert after enjoying the rest of the substantial holiday spread.

Because we had more food than people and places to put it, the kitchen table became host to a variety of treats, including the unopened cookie tray. This table is small and round, so space to put things is limited. I put the treats closer to the edge than I should have, assuming that the dogs were too old to be interested. You know what they say when you assume.

We were getting ready to go out one day during the Christmas break. I knew the dogs were roaming free from the confines of the baby gates, and I thought I heard them go into the bedroom. I didn’t see them walking around, so I figured they burrowed under the bed covers, hiding out until it was time for us to leave.

I didn’t think anything of the stillness of the house until I walked into the kitchen. The pups hadn’t gone back to bed at all. They were quiet because they were eating the cookies that had mysteriously made their way to the floor. Moose and Red were helping themselves to the treats. They were taught the “leave it” command, which saved them from potential disaster one time when chocolate fell on the floor, but I doubted that they would remember it from their puppy classes. Even if they did, they couldn’t hear me anyway. Instead, I swooped in and removed their bounty, now in pieces, from the floor. The aftermath looked worse than it was. They don’t have a full set of teeth between them, so I doubted that they ate much before I intervened.

How did the cookie tray end up on the floor? I didn’t have to see it to know what happened. I have no doubt that Moose was responsible for procuring the cookies. He is a notorious chow hound, with special skill. He will stand on his back legs at any surface containing food, stretching a front leg to paw at anything edible that he can knock to the floor. My guess is that Red was innocent in this debacle, but stood by to share the fruits of his brother’s labor.

The moral of the story is never underestimate blind, deaf dogs. While those senses diminish with age, the power of scent remains as strong as ever. I should have known they could locate and get into the treats left too close to the edge of the table. I did order a replacement tray, and that one is out of the way from the old men that still have some puppy in them. ♥

The Long Arm of the Lawless Moose (1)

Crime Scene