Shadow got to meet his extended family this week. The occasion was the 90th birthday celebration of Virginia Wentzel, the matriarch of the Wentzel Family. Day by day, last week, people would arrive in the household and Shadow was a very well behaved puppy. One evening, the day before the celebration, there were ten folks for dinner and he was cordial and enthusiastic to each guest. Several were from the Kroeker family and they carried the scent of "Ruby" a chocolate lab of 12 years who lives in Massachusetts. Anyone with a "dog smell" is infinitely more interesting than those without, but Shadow is way too polite to mention the omission.
The party for the birthday was celebrated at the Plantation Inn, specifically (in the Savannah Room), but alas, dogs are not permitted at this picturesque hotel in Crystal River, Florida. So he stayed home to guard the house. I had a young woman come visit him for an hour during the hours we all went north, so he wasn't too lonely. She is a dog person, too and he had a good time in our absence.
One our of guests presented Shadow with a 12 inch (and three pound) marrow bone and that kept him fascinated. Shadow is a beautiful looking dog and everyone who meets him usually finds a gift for him.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
A BREAK IN THE HEAT
The notorious summer heat in Florida took a break the last few days and I have been able to get the dog more exercise than just a walk. In the high humidity, the heat seems intensified and a walk is all I want to put Shadow through.
We had a fall morning where the outside air temperature was positively delightful and Shadow seemed more animated than usual. When he saw me roll up the garage door and wheel out the scooter, he was a happy dog. When we began, he pulled at the leash harder then ever. He was ready to run. He kept looking back at me to say "com'on, can't you keep up?" I ran the scooter at full bore and puppy was running faster than it goes. What is going to happen when he grows bigger?
Today, I used my bicycle to exercise him, it had to be in the high sixties and chilly enough for me to wear a hoody. If it were any cooler, I'd of put on a pair of gloves. Shadow was quite happy in his fur coat and tossed off the temperature as if it were nothing. I pedaled as fast as I could, but he was out front the whole way
We had a fall morning where the outside air temperature was positively delightful and Shadow seemed more animated than usual. When he saw me roll up the garage door and wheel out the scooter, he was a happy dog. When we began, he pulled at the leash harder then ever. He was ready to run. He kept looking back at me to say "com'on, can't you keep up?" I ran the scooter at full bore and puppy was running faster than it goes. What is going to happen when he grows bigger?
Today, I used my bicycle to exercise him, it had to be in the high sixties and chilly enough for me to wear a hoody. If it were any cooler, I'd of put on a pair of gloves. Shadow was quite happy in his fur coat and tossed off the temperature as if it were nothing. I pedaled as fast as I could, but he was out front the whole way
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
THE VET THEN THE POUND
Yesterday Shadow needed to get his next rabies shot. Time had really flown by since my tiny little puppy had gotten his shots. Today he weighed in at 70 pounds and was the happiest dog at the vet. Dr. McCoy remembered my dog and his name. I was impressed. The business at the vet was handled pretty quickly and we got the desired rabies vaccination certificate in our paws and were off to the County Animal office. I paid the annual $30 fee and got his new tag. Shadow was the only dog in the lobby and he behaved. Two clerks looked at the dog, then at each other and said, "You are not here to give him up are you?" "NO", I said, "Why do you ask?"
Another "Blue" weimaraner had just been "dropped off" at the pound. The lady said she just couldn't take care of him any more. Well, Shadow and I just had to see this dog so we followed the Animal Control guy through a series of winding turns and a maze of corridors to the dog's cell. Now in my mind, when like breeds see each other they should show recognition and familiarity. Not so in the canine world. The jail cell held the mirror image of my dog. He was about the same size, the identical color of dark gray and had ghostly yellow eyes. These two could have been litter mates.
The differences broke my heart. Where my dog is a little thin because he gets to work out, this guy was down right skinny from not being fed. I put him on a leash and wanted to examine him more closely. The control guy was amazed while I went through a check list with this dog. I believe his name was Skye. In addition to being malnourished, he desperately needed a bath and some medical attention. He had a few lesions on his snout and a few sore spots on his body; he winced as I examined him. My heart went out to this beautiful dog.
I asked what the procedure was for adopting a dog in Hernando County. The guy said the fee would be $60 and I was thinking that maybe I could make a case for doggy rescue until I heard the next constraint: All adopted dogs in this county must be neutered. That wasn't acceptable to me. I MAY have to eventually have Shadow fixed, but we aren't at that decision point yet. I wouldn't want SKYE cut right off the bat. But then again, to see such a beautiful animal neglected was painful. It was so obvious what love, affection and proper care does for a pet. Shadow was healthy and brimming with vigor. Skye was dismal looking. Part of his dismay was being rejected by his former owner, maybe. I don't know how long the previous owner had kept Skye, but to send him to dog jail was sad.
I had a lot on my mind as I drove back home and I gave Shadow an extra squeeze though he didn't realize just how much more I loved him after seeing the effect of neglect and abandonment. I hope I can always take care of Shadow with love.
Another "Blue" weimaraner had just been "dropped off" at the pound. The lady said she just couldn't take care of him any more. Well, Shadow and I just had to see this dog so we followed the Animal Control guy through a series of winding turns and a maze of corridors to the dog's cell. Now in my mind, when like breeds see each other they should show recognition and familiarity. Not so in the canine world. The jail cell held the mirror image of my dog. He was about the same size, the identical color of dark gray and had ghostly yellow eyes. These two could have been litter mates.
The differences broke my heart. Where my dog is a little thin because he gets to work out, this guy was down right skinny from not being fed. I put him on a leash and wanted to examine him more closely. The control guy was amazed while I went through a check list with this dog. I believe his name was Skye. In addition to being malnourished, he desperately needed a bath and some medical attention. He had a few lesions on his snout and a few sore spots on his body; he winced as I examined him. My heart went out to this beautiful dog.
I asked what the procedure was for adopting a dog in Hernando County. The guy said the fee would be $60 and I was thinking that maybe I could make a case for doggy rescue until I heard the next constraint: All adopted dogs in this county must be neutered. That wasn't acceptable to me. I MAY have to eventually have Shadow fixed, but we aren't at that decision point yet. I wouldn't want SKYE cut right off the bat. But then again, to see such a beautiful animal neglected was painful. It was so obvious what love, affection and proper care does for a pet. Shadow was healthy and brimming with vigor. Skye was dismal looking. Part of his dismay was being rejected by his former owner, maybe. I don't know how long the previous owner had kept Skye, but to send him to dog jail was sad.
I had a lot on my mind as I drove back home and I gave Shadow an extra squeeze though he didn't realize just how much more I loved him after seeing the effect of neglect and abandonment. I hope I can always take care of Shadow with love.
MORE BONES
I had some time to kill while my Mom was being tortured at the dentist, so I drove to several stores out of my immediate neighborhood in search of more and larger beef bones. I tried a Sweetbay market but their butcher said we only sell what the warehouse delivers and we don't think our customers want large cow bones. Hmmmm, who can argue with logic like that? On to the next store. It was a Publix in Brooksville and these guys were in tune with their customers wants and needs. "Big Bones for dogs? Yeah, we have quite a selection, hold on, I'll bring out a tray for you to choose". Now that's the ticket. I love it when someone understands the premise. The customer IS always right and if you cater to him, he'll come back.
The tray was full of packs of large beef bones and one package jumped right off the tray and into my basket. I knew Shadow would enjoy these. Two of them even had a little beef still attached. I thanked the butcher profusely and he said to stop by anytime, he keeps the bones in stock. His older clientele use them to make soup and the younger folks keep their dogs happy. I know where to go when I want to get Shadow a treat.
After his evening meal, I brought one of the bones to my dog and he could smell it on its way to him. When I came out the side door of the garage, he began jumping high in the air and yelping. He doesn't hide his emotions and I am gratified to reward him. Shadow deserves all the goodness that comes his way. He is a happy creature and he shares that happiness with everyone around him.
The tray was full of packs of large beef bones and one package jumped right off the tray and into my basket. I knew Shadow would enjoy these. Two of them even had a little beef still attached. I thanked the butcher profusely and he said to stop by anytime, he keeps the bones in stock. His older clientele use them to make soup and the younger folks keep their dogs happy. I know where to go when I want to get Shadow a treat.
After his evening meal, I brought one of the bones to my dog and he could smell it on its way to him. When I came out the side door of the garage, he began jumping high in the air and yelping. He doesn't hide his emotions and I am gratified to reward him. Shadow deserves all the goodness that comes his way. He is a happy creature and he shares that happiness with everyone around him.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
The Big Dig
They had to dig up the side yard to put in a new septic drain field. Shadow was positive it was for his personal amusement. A huge hole! and full of new smells. I asked the workers if they would like the puppy to help. They said thanks but, no thanks. (And please keep the dog out of the hole; he could tear off the protective covering on the plastic and make the side walls uneven for the inspector.
So we walked all around the big dig and Shadow got his nose full of fresh new dirt smells. He was amazing to watch. He could smell every little nuance of this hole in the ground.
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