Miss Hailey Bug of Ottawa, is having some trouble adjusting to the temporary state of not having a pack. After nearly 5 days of having 2 labs to play with, as well as her constant companion Gemi, she seems lost. It is further complicated by the Man's absence in the house.
Since "the incident" as those of the house are calling it, she has been sort of avoiding her Lady (although she did sleep with her, she is not coming and demanding lover and attention). Lady was very angry with her after the incident (but since has been very loving and kind and tried to go about their lives as normally as possible). Lady realizes that she also was the one who took the other pack members away and the one who took her to get her nails cut yesterday (which didn't go very well. Perhaps given her agitated state as well as the fact that a dog in the store tried to attack her 2 times prior she shouldn't have done it, but she did get through it).
Lee is being super calm and quiet. She has not pulled any of her antics. She is being rather dull. When asked Lady said "She is finally the dog of my dreams, but I don't like the cost of getting her there. Hopefully when Gemi recovers and life gets back to normal she will become herself. Or at least a happier version of this calm dog."
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Goldilocks
Last night I decided for sleeping Gemi might be the most comfortable on her bed on the floor. Apparently this was too hard. She carried on. So I picked the bed up and put it on the bed. Apparently this was too soft. She carried on. So I lifted her out of the bed, kicked it on the floor and had her sleep just on the bed, apparently this was just right. We had a decent night's sleep, from 11 until Gemi had to go pee at 5:30.
After talking to the wonderfully kind vet at our clinic, Ottawa Vet Hospital, (my vet of course is on holidays), we decided to admit her for 24-48 hours. The main reason being the pain meds she can have at home aren't enough for her, and they can give her good drugs there. (He says like people, some dogs just respond better or worse to some meds and not to worry too much that she needs stronger drugs). He hopes once the pain is under control she will start eating and drinking on her own. She is very bruised and the air is still between the skin and muscles. This will last 10-14 days. As for the leg, still can't tell about the damage given the pain. However, he was hopeful that there was no lasting damage as she would retract it when he squeezed it. He said we really won't know until the pain is under control. The good things are she does not have a temperature and her gums are not too pale.
In many ways I feel better that she is there. I know she will get the best medical care on the planet and I love that there is a vet on sight 24 hours a day.
This leaves Hailey and I crazy single ladies as the Man would be away with his brother. Hailey is very stressed, but has never been as well behaved as she has been in last 36 hours.
Thank you all for your well wishes for Gemi, I am cautiously optimistic that she will be ok!
After talking to the wonderfully kind vet at our clinic, Ottawa Vet Hospital, (my vet of course is on holidays), we decided to admit her for 24-48 hours. The main reason being the pain meds she can have at home aren't enough for her, and they can give her good drugs there. (He says like people, some dogs just respond better or worse to some meds and not to worry too much that she needs stronger drugs). He hopes once the pain is under control she will start eating and drinking on her own. She is very bruised and the air is still between the skin and muscles. This will last 10-14 days. As for the leg, still can't tell about the damage given the pain. However, he was hopeful that there was no lasting damage as she would retract it when he squeezed it. He said we really won't know until the pain is under control. The good things are she does not have a temperature and her gums are not too pale.
In many ways I feel better that she is there. I know she will get the best medical care on the planet and I love that there is a vet on sight 24 hours a day.
This leaves Hailey and I crazy single ladies as the Man would be away with his brother. Hailey is very stressed, but has never been as well behaved as she has been in last 36 hours.
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| Gemi waiting for the estimate for her stay. (The irony is that the Lady doesn't even really look at it, she just hands over the card!) |
Thursday, July 28, 2011
It is all fun and games until . . . .
I have thought of many humours ways I could write this blog, but the truth is, there it is not funny, so I decided not to go that root.
Yesterday, I am not sure what happened although I was in the room, 2 of the 3 big dogs played too rough with Gemi and she is now in serious but stable condition at the local vet clinic. I don't know the technical name for the problem, but they shook her and she has shaken Gemi syndrome. The vet seemed to be leaning toward no permanent damage last night, but said we would know more this morning. So I need to wait until about 9 to know. The vet, who went to high school with my sister, had messaged her last night that when she went to check on Gemi before bed and said Gemi wagged her tail when she came in. That sounds promising, there were no wags when I dropped her off.
I was suppose to be going home today, but now I will have to see if Gemi is stable enough to travel with.
I am racked with guilt about things I could have done differently to prevent this. The dogs had been getting along smashingly but then it went all wrong.
All I asked for on this trip was that no one needed medical attention. Last year I was here the same week and I was swimming in the lake and I cut my foot open. I should have gone and got stitches but I refused. It was my right foot that was cut, so I couldn't drive myself home, my mom had to. This year it is Gemi. I think next year I won't come to the beach this week.
Will keep everyone posted on Gemi's condition.
A very sad me
Yesterday, I am not sure what happened although I was in the room, 2 of the 3 big dogs played too rough with Gemi and she is now in serious but stable condition at the local vet clinic. I don't know the technical name for the problem, but they shook her and she has shaken Gemi syndrome. The vet seemed to be leaning toward no permanent damage last night, but said we would know more this morning. So I need to wait until about 9 to know. The vet, who went to high school with my sister, had messaged her last night that when she went to check on Gemi before bed and said Gemi wagged her tail when she came in. That sounds promising, there were no wags when I dropped her off.
I was suppose to be going home today, but now I will have to see if Gemi is stable enough to travel with.
I am racked with guilt about things I could have done differently to prevent this. The dogs had been getting along smashingly but then it went all wrong.
All I asked for on this trip was that no one needed medical attention. Last year I was here the same week and I was swimming in the lake and I cut my foot open. I should have gone and got stitches but I refused. It was my right foot that was cut, so I couldn't drive myself home, my mom had to. This year it is Gemi. I think next year I won't come to the beach this week.
Will keep everyone posted on Gemi's condition.
A very sad me
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Day 4 - Who needs TV
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Day 3 - Hailey loves life
I think it is best to describe Hailey as having an amazing love for life. That is what we all keep telling ourselves this morning as she is being very annoying. She had us up too early doing her pup things. I tried to get her to settle this morning, but she would not have any of it. After I took the four for their morning business I was delusional that I may actually get to go back to sleep. I crawled in the bed, but then Max and Tendra came with me and Lee would have none of that and started barking at them. We got up, so did my parents.
This morning Lee has already had several adventures. One, as always, she knows at feeding time my parents are going to open the door to the magic cupboard that leads to the land of food. She knows if she waits out of sight they will forget about her and not sit/stay her (a skill she is getting a lot of practice doing). Then at the right moment she leaps and gets her whole head and upper body in the bag. She knows if she plays her cards right she can do this 2 times at every meal, when they first open the cupboard to get the dishes and food and when they put them away. Scolding her has no effect, she has her food, she was a wild hunter!
Because clearly we don't feed her, she was forced to help herself to some human food. My mom made the mistake of leaving her bagel on the counter within puppy reach and she left the room. In her stealth mode we didn't hear her get up and eat half of it. When my mother returned to the room, she immediately fled from the scene (she knows it is bad), leaving a few scraps that Gemi hoovered up. Eliminating counter surfing will be goal number 1. (FYI because Gemi now has a taste for bagel, she is sat beside me making puppy moaning sounds to beg for some).
With a very full belly, my girl is now sleeping peacefully. She has been up for 45 minutes and I guess accomplished all her goals for before 7:15. Can't wait to see what other adventures she gets into today!
This morning Lee has already had several adventures. One, as always, she knows at feeding time my parents are going to open the door to the magic cupboard that leads to the land of food. She knows if she waits out of sight they will forget about her and not sit/stay her (a skill she is getting a lot of practice doing). Then at the right moment she leaps and gets her whole head and upper body in the bag. She knows if she plays her cards right she can do this 2 times at every meal, when they first open the cupboard to get the dishes and food and when they put them away. Scolding her has no effect, she has her food, she was a wild hunter!
Because clearly we don't feed her, she was forced to help herself to some human food. My mom made the mistake of leaving her bagel on the counter within puppy reach and she left the room. In her stealth mode we didn't hear her get up and eat half of it. When my mother returned to the room, she immediately fled from the scene (she knows it is bad), leaving a few scraps that Gemi hoovered up. Eliminating counter surfing will be goal number 1. (FYI because Gemi now has a taste for bagel, she is sat beside me making puppy moaning sounds to beg for some).
With a very full belly, my girl is now sleeping peacefully. She has been up for 45 minutes and I guess accomplished all her goals for before 7:15. Can't wait to see what other adventures she gets into today!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Day 2: In the Lake
Well she did it, Hailey plunged right into the lake after the labs, and the look on her face was "What the F**k was that!" She only plunged in once, the rest of the time she stayed on the shore playing in the waves. She seems to like that. At least my part water dog is not terrified of the water.
Gemi, not to be left out, even went ankle deep in the water (Princesses don't swim she told us).
The only casualty of yesterday was her collar, which was fraying, it really coming apart and her tag with her name broke. Both will be replaced when we get home. Overall it was a great day!
Gemi, not to be left out, even went ankle deep in the water (Princesses don't swim she told us).
The only casualty of yesterday was her collar, which was fraying, it really coming apart and her tag with her name broke. Both will be replaced when we get home. Overall it was a great day!
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| Hailey, centre, testing out the lake |
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| The leap |
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| Lee, right, plays in the waves |
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| Gemi and Lee digging for dead things to eat |
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Beach Day 1
The trip yesterday went something like this:
5:20 - up and feed the dogs and get dressed etc.
6-6:30 - at the dog park letting them run (how cool it is at 6 am)
6:30-2:15 on the road. We had 3 rest stops.
Lee engaged in some minor whining on and off between 9:30-12 (who can blame her)
2:15 - arrive at the beach!
The 4 dogs have had no problems all being together. They have played nicely. I have been feeding mine in the bedroom at the same time my parent's dogs get to eat. I don't think there would be food issues, there hasn't been issues with sharing bones etc, but since Max is still new, we thought we would play it safe.
Highlights from day 1:
My father has built gates on his deck so you can sit out and the dogs can sit out. I am guessing that from the top railing to the ground is between 7-8 feet. Hailey got on a bench and jumped off the deck and went next door to visit the neighbours. Now we know she can't just go on the deck and we will have to be careful how we tie her so she doesn't jump off an hang herself.
The four dogs can all be walked at the same time by one person. The only real challenges occur when one of the dogs poops and you have to pick it up.
When visiting the neighbours (we were invited this time) Hailey figured out how to get out of her harness. I was able to grab her. Since she couldn't settle, I ended up just bringing her home and leaving her with my parents dog. Gemi stayed with us. All were fine when I came back 2 hours later (we were next door and outside, we would have heard them barking if there had been a problem).
If you lick a toad (yes, I had all 4 dogs by myself in the dark when Hailey met Mr. Toad, she was very scared at first and then was trying to hunt him), you get a bad taste in your mouth that apparently lasts about 10 minutes. (Today first thing she went to the 2 places she had seen toads last night to look for them, so the experience must not be too traumatizing).
I was smart enough and got my parents to push the twin beds together, so there was a little bit of room for me. I think at any time I had 3 dogs, I think one of the labs always stayed off the bed. I had to keep the door open because Hailey was just not going to settle knowing Max and Tendra were free in the next room. They all actually did great until the sun started to rise around 5, but I was able to convince them all to stay in the bed until 7.
Hailey is really struggling just to relax. We were up for nearly 2 hours before I could get her to pee this morning. She is very stressed right now (even though we just came in from a big walk). I wonder if some of it has to do with the fact that Tendra and Max are out for their walks (we all went our own ways this morning, I am sure there will be lots of group walks in the coming days). She is a much easier dog at home when I can just put her in the backyard and leave her! Hopefully it will get easier as she adjusts. She is not being bad per say, she is just busy.
Gemi is having no problems with relaxing. I think all the fresh air and exercise is just tiring her out!
This afternoon will be time to see if Hailey will swim!
5:20 - up and feed the dogs and get dressed etc.
6-6:30 - at the dog park letting them run (how cool it is at 6 am)
6:30-2:15 on the road. We had 3 rest stops.
Lee engaged in some minor whining on and off between 9:30-12 (who can blame her)
2:15 - arrive at the beach!
The 4 dogs have had no problems all being together. They have played nicely. I have been feeding mine in the bedroom at the same time my parent's dogs get to eat. I don't think there would be food issues, there hasn't been issues with sharing bones etc, but since Max is still new, we thought we would play it safe.
Highlights from day 1:
My father has built gates on his deck so you can sit out and the dogs can sit out. I am guessing that from the top railing to the ground is between 7-8 feet. Hailey got on a bench and jumped off the deck and went next door to visit the neighbours. Now we know she can't just go on the deck and we will have to be careful how we tie her so she doesn't jump off an hang herself.
The four dogs can all be walked at the same time by one person. The only real challenges occur when one of the dogs poops and you have to pick it up.
When visiting the neighbours (we were invited this time) Hailey figured out how to get out of her harness. I was able to grab her. Since she couldn't settle, I ended up just bringing her home and leaving her with my parents dog. Gemi stayed with us. All were fine when I came back 2 hours later (we were next door and outside, we would have heard them barking if there had been a problem).
If you lick a toad (yes, I had all 4 dogs by myself in the dark when Hailey met Mr. Toad, she was very scared at first and then was trying to hunt him), you get a bad taste in your mouth that apparently lasts about 10 minutes. (Today first thing she went to the 2 places she had seen toads last night to look for them, so the experience must not be too traumatizing).
I was smart enough and got my parents to push the twin beds together, so there was a little bit of room for me. I think at any time I had 3 dogs, I think one of the labs always stayed off the bed. I had to keep the door open because Hailey was just not going to settle knowing Max and Tendra were free in the next room. They all actually did great until the sun started to rise around 5, but I was able to convince them all to stay in the bed until 7.
Hailey is really struggling just to relax. We were up for nearly 2 hours before I could get her to pee this morning. She is very stressed right now (even though we just came in from a big walk). I wonder if some of it has to do with the fact that Tendra and Max are out for their walks (we all went our own ways this morning, I am sure there will be lots of group walks in the coming days). She is a much easier dog at home when I can just put her in the backyard and leave her! Hopefully it will get easier as she adjusts. She is not being bad per say, she is just busy.
Gemi is having no problems with relaxing. I think all the fresh air and exercise is just tiring her out!
This afternoon will be time to see if Hailey will swim!
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| The corner of the deck Lee jumped from |
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| Me with Gemi, Max, Lee and Tendra going on our first group walk |
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