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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. 

Little Free Library Has Gone to the Dogs

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What do you do when you have a dream of owning a bookstore, zero business acumen, and even less money? You become a steward of a little free library. I named mine after my beloved pups, both past and present.

If I had the means, I would own my own bookstore, providing new and used titles to customers. In addition to selling curated gifts and hosting book clubs and events, there’d also be pets available for adoption from local shelters and rescues; and let’s not forget the resident bookstore cats! How wonderful this would be!

Unfortunately, this is a dream and not a reality. I don’t remember when I first heard about little free libraries, but I think they are a great idea. They can serve anyone in the community at any time, as most are accessible 24/7, available for any early morning/late night book cravings. This may be what motivated me to purchase and steward my own little library. Not only would it somewhat fulfill my bookstore dream, but it would accommodate patrons’ busy schedules. Some libraries have very limited hours for people who enjoy browsing physical books. As someone who works a traditional 9-5 with a commute, I have found this to be true. That is where the little free libraries come in handy, not as a replacement for the local library, but rather as an enhancement when it is not available. Some areas may not be fortunate to have a local library, and the little free libraries can provide books to those locations.

Our little free library is located between a ball field and an elementary school, an excellent spot for foot traffic. There are several people who walk their dogs in the neighborhood; perhaps their owners read. The library has stood for a couple years now, but it occurred to me that I should accommodate any four-legged visitors as well.

In the warm months, I will set out a water bowl for furry passers-by. Even if their owners aren’t encouraged to browse the offerings, the pups can cool off with a drink. There are dog-friendly items that can be added to the library, and I may be inspired to integrate them into my front lawn setup the future.

One item is a dog leash holder that attaches to the library post. While I love the idea of having a place to park your pup (while they enjoy their aforementioned beverage), I’m not so sure it would work in my situation. I do not have concrete anchoring my library, so I fear wear and tear may loosen the post that secures the library.

However, doggie visitors could enjoy a treat or two, if I installed a treat container to the post. I see this being added in lieu of the leash hook, as I view this being much more sturdy and less detrimental to the library’s stability. I don’t think I would get a complaint from the dogs.

By now you may be wondering what this post has to do with my furry family members. It doesn’t, other than it was named for Moose and Red, Capone and Cosmo. The former may be gone, but they will never be forgotten. I am proud to present Two Hounds Little Free Library.

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)

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.

The Integration

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Since his first vet appointment, Bram has been microchipped and registered, and an appointment has been made for his neuter. The office has been turned into a makeshift room for Bram. He’s been in seclusion from the other pets until his two week quarantine following his initial vet visit is over. Don’t feel too sorry for him, he’s in a climate-controlled environment and has all the feline necessities including a bed, scratching post, and litterbox. He even has a new flatscreen!

We have been keeping him company in his room and occupied with a variety of toys. He is friendly but has too much interest in playing with human hands. That is something we’ll need to address. The resident cats have patrolled the hallway outside of his door a few times. They know he is in the room, but at least no one is incessantly hanging out by the door. They all know the drill, whatever is in the room will come out eventually. Bram has seen Tiger twice. The first time was when we carried Bram into the room by way of cat carrier. Bram hissed at Tiger from behind the metal door, but that was it. They also saw each other briefly when the office door was opened.

After the isolation period, it was time to start the integration process. This can take a while considering the number of critters residing in the house. As long as this process takes all the time it needs, and isn’t rushed, things tend to work out. Before we added any animals to the mix, we let Bram have the run of the house solo so he could get the lay of the land before meeting his housemates. He was able to locate the bowls, litterboxes, and scratching posts.

From there we continued integration in stages, from the easiest pet to the most difficult. We decided to let Bram out only when the dogs were out. Once he was acclimated to them, we introduced him to Vlad and Barnabas, and then finally the oldest cats Tiger and Tiki. It took a few weeks, but it seems to be going well.

When Moose and Red were younger and prone to chasing, we crated them when introducing new cats. In Bram’s case, we left him out when the dogs were sleeping on the couch. He jumped on the couch with the boys and sniffed them. No problems there. On another occasion, we let Bram out with the boys when they were awake. They were walking around, and Red was barking. Bram wasn’t bothered by them. The dogs don’t see well, but I’m sure Bram has a different scent from the other cats.

After a couple weeks we added Vlad and Barnes. Barnes hissed and wasn’t the welcoming brother I expected him to be. Vlad wanted to play with Bram, but he was unsure at first. I’m happy that both seem to get along with him now.

Finally, we added the two older cats. Tiger took to him right away, which surprised me because he was the one I was most worried about. Tiki isn’t thrilled but tolerates him as long as he doesn’t get too close. She is like that with the others anyway, so it’s good to see she treats her new brother like the others.

Bram is now out of his room full time. He’s happy to have the run of the house, and I am happy to have my office back. Training cats to stay away from doors is an ongoing process when you have one that has previously been outside. So far Bram has shown little interest in being a door darter. Everyone gets along reasonably well. There is no hissing or chasing, which are all signs that the integration is heading in the right direction. We’re happy we decided to take a chance with the little guy.

I’m pleased to report that since the above was written, Bram has been neutered and there is household harmony among the fur kids. (Human hands are safe, too).

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.

Quarantine Canines

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Quarantine Canines

Can Someone Post Bail?

My heart goes out to everyone dealing with the pandemic. My state was locked down in May, when life as we know it changed. The hubby and I both found ourselves at home (fortunately still working), and to pass the sudden surplus of time, I read, rekindled my love of jigsaw puzzles, and found a new hobby in adult coloring books. Writing took a backseat; I just didn’t have the desire with the barrage of doom and gloom from the television and internet. My furry friends, of course, were the glue that held my fractured world together.

Cats are known to be fiercely independent. Three out of my four are real snugglers. Tiger cuddles on his terms. Still, I think even the cranky orange tabby enjoyed having us around more. I know the dogs enjoyed the bonus time. In fact, I don’t know who enjoyed it more, me or them.

I’m a natural homebody, and as such, there is no greater feeling than the comfort and security of home. I always say that the best part of my day is bedtime, when I am surrounded by my partner and best friend, with two dogs nestled beside me, and a revolving door of felines waiting their turn for affection. Truth be told, if it weren’t for the pandemic requiring the stay at home orders in the first place, I was happy with the arrangement.

When it comes to Moose and Red, time marches on whether we want it to or not. They have surpassed the average life expectancy for most dogs, and I have witnessed their decline. It is sad to see my once robust, playful puppies turn into shadows of their former selves. Therefore, I appreciated the quarantine, if only to spend more time with them.

Other than just hanging out and having the ability to share a midday snack with them, I was thankful that they were able to have more couch time. Normally they are crated during our workday. When they were younger, we worried about leg breaks while we were gone, now we worry about injury due to their blindness and mobility issues. With us home far more, they were able to lounge peacefully on the couch in their blanket for hours on end, getting up only for potty breaks and meal times. It was fun while it lasted.

As soon as restrictions were lifted, I was back at work five days. Hubby is a teacher, so his schedule was unknown until the school year started in September. He is virtual until October 13, but he had to attend in-person meetings the week prior to the students returning. This change in the household meant that the boys would be crated again, if only for a week.

Rousing them from the couch when leaving for work can be a challenge, each dog with a different degree of crankiness. I carry them out to do their business, most of the time Moose returning to the back door while Red waits patiently at the bottom of the stairs to be carried in. Once they were wise to the fact that they were going into their crates, they started wandering the yard, forcing me to retrieve them. As they say boys, all good things must come to an end.

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