We have "company" at the Ranch ...

Take dogs to see fireworks? No Way Jose! This crew here are a bunch of crazies. Ever seen a 120 lb black and white horse try to hid under a small computer desk --- or behind a chair? Dakota is very much afraid of firecracker noise! Taggert barks every time one goes off. Sierra and Destiny hide but they head for the bathroom with no windows or try to become of whatever person will allow them to. Poor Jack doesn't care much for those loud noises (and now we know why). Tucker isn't too sure of the noise which leaves Dazzi - I haven't noticed any reaction from her but ....

This was Dominic's first year to see the fireworks and he liked seeing the pretty colors but not so much the noise especially with other people setting off fire crackers close enough to hear.

Yes, we, too, will be glad when the 4th is over - it started last weekend here but hopefully last night was the last of it.

Glad Heidi is getting along so well with the gang. Always nice to have "well-behaved" extras around (did I really say that)? Since I don't remember Heidi and the pictures from the first thread are no longer available , could we get a picture of Heidi? And the duo?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 4 Dog Mother

Take dogs to see fireworks? No Way Jose!
This crew here are a bunch of crazies.
Ever seen a 120 lb black and white horse try to hid under a small computer desk --- or behind a chair?
Dakota is very much afraid of firecracker noise!

Glad Heidi is getting along so well with the gang.
Always nice to have "well-behaved" extras around (did I really say that)?

Since I don't remember Heidi and
the pictures from the first thread are no longer available ,
could we get a picture of Heidi? And the duo?

---

But your "Visitors" are "FAMILY" - they're always "good". :p

Since I've *sprained* my left wrist, taking *snappies* whilst herding three Mutts
is a bit of a *pain* ...
I went back and replaced all those 2005 ImageStation snappies with the
similar ShutterFly photos, so you can see what Heidi looks like.
Recheck the posts on the first few pages of this thread.

We'll try to get some fresh ones before the week is over.

And just, may I ask, how did you sprain your left wrist????? Taking care of 3 dogs with a bad wrist can be diffciult you know! Mom, the worry wart




Just got done looking at the first pages again - Heidi is very cute - and it looks like the whole crew had a good time that first sleep over! A little bittersweet seeing pictures of Bowser however. Sure miss our RIP pups, Bowser and Snoopy!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 4 Dog Mother

And just, may I ask, how did you sprain your left wrist?????
(Mom, the worry wart.)

---

I shudda kept quiet ... I stove or sprained it a MONTH ago whilst we were out on the BigLake
practicing with the "new Fire/Rescue Boat". The shifter got mounted too close to the wheel,
so steering with the dominant right handpaw is almost impossible :mad:
So the DUMMpaw 'forgot' where the wheel was more than once - and ran it up against
the motor stops a few times ... at least one time too many. :rolleyes:

I gave up after two weeks and went to the ER Clinic ...
"Not broke; 'just' a sprain" the WhiteCoat said gleefully after glancing at the X-rays.
I've been icing, wrapping & splinting ever since; it feels good for a day or three,
then starts to ache or throb for a while. We're in an 'ache cycle' right now.

Quote:

---

Just got done looking at the first pages again - Heidi is very cute ...

A little bittersweet seeing pictures of Bowser, however.
Sure miss our RIP pups, Bowser and Snoopy!

---

I though about leaving Bowz out ... but as much as I *miss* the lil FluffBall;
I really enjoy remembering all the crazy antics he pulled off and how WELL he got along
with every Dawg, Kat, and Hoomin he ever met! :) His snappies bring tears, every time;
but they're slowly becoming tears of fond memories.
**Miss** ya, Bowz!! ;)

Please ~ NO Scolding or 'I told ya so's' ...

Quote:

---

Oh gee, if I were watching someone else's dog,
I'd have that pupper leashed up tight;
the responsibility would worry me too much!

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cinder & Smoke

We only "accept" reasonably well-behaved and somewhat obedient Mutts for
Sleep-overs at Phred's Place. And for the First Visit, the newcomers are assigned to
a Resident Mutt who escorts by being TIED to the new kid's collar.

But Heidi, the Mini-Mutt, HAS been here before and has been (mostly) cooperative in
staying on the Ranch property. We won't mention the *Froggin* at and IN the pond ...
but the pond IS "ON" the property.

---

Words to regret! :(

Sunday (7/06/2008) should have been the tip-off of things to come ...
Mini-Mutt had been good about staying in the front yard whilst under a sharp eye
and constant reminders of 'Heidi, stay CLOSE!" Sunday afternoon the Hiking Ferrie
beckoned for her attention ... I looked away for a moment and like a shot she was
rounding the back of the pond and headed east ... HEIDI!!!!!
She paused at the front corner of the neighbor's house ... slowly turned and trotted back.
GOOOOOD Girl!!

Monday we started out *tethered* to the Big Mutt - MUCH to Cinder's dismay. Since I
wasn't sure either of them had paused long enough for a pooh, Monday afternoon
I sent them out UNtethered ... and dual Pooh-Stops were soon accomplished.
Cinder trotted back to the porch ... Mini-Mutt turned towards the pond and quickly beat-feet
east to the neighbor's house. HOLLERIN did nothing to slow her down ...
She circled their house and *vanished*! :eek:

I threw on enough clothes to not get arrested if I had to get out of the car,
threw the Search Dawgs in the Bus, and we headed east ... to find NOTHING! :(

We put a couple hundred miles on the Search Bus Monday evening, knocked on doors,
drove the Church Camp, and visited Heidi's House a dozen times.
Pat & Joan hopped in their truck and did road patrols for a few hours.
I *hollered* out the front door every hour, all night.
By noon Tuesday we had a hundred 2-photo Lost Dog fliers printed and were passing
them out to houses, businesses and gas stations, 2 Post Offices, and had the Sheriff and
County Dawg Pound alerted. Wednesday we dropped fliers at three Vets and the Dog Pound.
Heidi's older Skin Brudder came home every night and either drove or walked our block.
We all searched for SEVEN Days ...
On Monday, the WEEK after she vanished, the Horse Guy charged up our drive on his
lawn mowin tractor ... and told me "I think I know where 'that dog' you're looking for is!"
WHERE, Peter?
"Back our driveway, where it turns into the woods. She's hurt ... tried to bite me."
I tossed the Search Dawgs in the Bus and we flew up Peter's drive ... he was sitting
on his tractor *pointing* towards the woods where his lil Muutt was sort of circling ...
And THERE was HEIDI!! :)

She was shaking, hold up her left rear leg, but the paw was drooping and limp. She was
covered in something semi-white ... I gently called her name ...
She seemed to panic and acted like she'd take off, then thought better of it.
I got close enough to touch her head ... then scooped her up and dashed back to the Bus.
I blurted out a heartfelt Thank You to Peter, who just returned a HUGE GRINN!
I had the Fancy Clinic on the phone before we cleared the driveway --- a fast summary
of what I saw and that she was a Doc Mike's patient got me a "Bring her Right IN!"

I dumped the Mutts at the Ranch and streaked towards the Crago Clinic.
Called Doc Mike on the way; Debbie answered and said she'd call Crago and Fax Heidi's
records over before we got there.
Called her Mom - no answer. Called Skin Brudder Adam ... "I FOUND HER!!
Call your Mom - we're on the way to Crago's - she's pretty sick."

I scooped her up and carried her into an empty waiting room (lunch time).
The Girls took one look and ushered us into an exam room.
I sat on the docs' roller stool and gave her a good look ... :eek:

Heidi was in shock - a blank stare was all I got. She lay on the bad leg (her choice),
showing me her back ... where the lil white crawly things bagan to appear from nowhere.
I began gently flicking them off with tissues into a pile, spraying the pile with table disinfectant,
and moving them off with more tissues. UGGH!
I was gaining on the lil crawly things when Doctor Jamie D. came in ...
"What ARE these things??"

"Those are *Maggots* and blood - she's been attacked by flies.
She has a broken paw for sure - we need X-rays to see if her hips are damaged.
I'll start cleaning her up (she'll have to be shaved and bathed) and get the X-rays.
Be back in a while."

Doc D. came back and offered "good news" = "only" her paw was broken and her back
would take a while to heal, but she'd recover with few problems. She'd be staying a night
or two to stabalize things; but she'd already *perked up* just a bit.
I was allowed a quick visit - she had a large Lower Bunk with piles of blankies.
I told myself she recognized me ... but I'm not so sure. She dozed off ... Bye, Kiddo.

I paid off the estimate and hundred or so more.
I called Mom (Tami) for the third or forth time and headed home.

I picked her up a couple days later (Mommy had a last-minute Dawter Crisis).
She appeared with her paw in half-leg cast/bandage, and a Body Wrap covering
the front half of her back where the worst skin damage was.

Better 'save' this ... more in a minute ....

Now there's a scary story, Phred!! Oh my gosh. How awful. Through the whole thing I'm worrying about you with heart trouble on top of everything else:( I'll read the next part after this but right now, thoughts and prayers going out to Heidi and you and everybody else.:eek::(

Edit: I just read the Labor Day Gathering thread. Stupid me, I thought this just happened. I guess I scanned too fast.

Believe me Phred, this could have happened to anybody. When pups feel like running, that's what they do. I hope all of you are better now. Heidi is a cute little doggie.

She was going back every few days for a Bandage Change on her back and
eventually her paw wrap.
I had the Vet Call one day because Tami had to go somewhere ...
I handed Heidi off to one of her now MANY Vet Tech Fans in the waiting room and she'd
either *prance off* beside the girl or *Hop UP* and "Ride" back for treatment. As they'd
pass into the treatment areas, I could always hear multiple "Hey, it's Heidi", Heidi's here",
HI Ya, Heidi"! They did their thing, filled her up with threat, and she pranced back
across the waiting room to go home. I was going to keep her overnight if Tami was late.

About 8:00pm I felt her brush past and flop down under the 'puter.
A lil later I moved my foot and stepped on something "squisshie" ... ???
I looked under the desk --- :eek:
The "something squisshie" was Heidi's brandy new BODY WRAP - with a Neeked Dawg
laying beside it! OMG! Tami will never believe this!
Heidi had managed to CRAWL OUT of the Vet Wrap bandage - almost like a turtle
'walking out' of it's shell.

I took her home ... yuppers, Tami did NOT believe she "crawled out"!
We tried to *stuff* her back in ... no go.
Tami tied the wound dressing down with surgical tape and gave her a stern
"GO to BED, Right NOW!"
I took he back to the Vets' Place the next morning ... NObody believed she had
"crawled out" of The Wrap. OFF she trotted for a RE-wrap.

Heidi returned a lil while later --- sportin a Monster Wrap from in front of her front arms,
arm holes, and then extending the length of her body.
"She won't get outta THAT One!" said the Tech!
Heidi mumbled something about it fitting a lil *snug*!

She improved to NO wrap on her back and side, and a smaller cast / bandage on
her leg, exposing more of the toes. (BAD Idea!)
She appeared after the body UN-wrap and promptly began *licking* her back. I said we
NEED a Cone, please. She was whisked off and returned with a normally-sized cone.

All was well for the week (other than Heidi terrorizing the House Kats and Big Brudder Amos,
the White Shepherd, with her *bonking* of everyone with her cone).
BIG Trouble developed over the weekend --- she managed to kick her bum paw INSIDE
the cone ... and started a destructive licking & chewing when no one was watching.
By Sunday night she had raw bones exposed and had lick off her paw pads.
Tami called me in hysterics ... I said I'd take her in on Monday, not knowing how
BAD it really was.
Tami called Monday to say she had an appointment after lunch ... and that SHE'd
take her in, "Probably for the last time." :eek:
I said I'd be over at 1:00 and I'D take her in.

I didn't really get an argument, and managed to leave with Heidi and withOUT Tami.
I never *looked* at the paw closely --- but it did look gross!

We were seen by Doc B - the Head Guy. Doc D. was off ...
It's a Bad Sign when the Vet takes one look and lets out a >>GASP<<!

He looked some more, touched it, and said "We're going to have a hard time saving
that foot. We'll TRY; but I'm really not sure it can be saved. She'll for certain loose
the two outer / opposite toes - there's just nothing left of them.
She'll have to stay here for several days --- probably the week.
Who should I call?"

I told him to call her Mom, but not to listen if she said to pull the plug ...
I said this is Paid Up to whatever it takes.

Jumping ahead ... PROGRESS was made all week - HydroTherapy on her back AND
her chewed up foot did wonders. Doc Jamie bagan to tell Tami that Heidi's foot was
actually Looking Better!
Tami visited Heidi twice during the week; and asked if *I* wanted to ride in with her
for a Saturday visit? YEAH!!
Heidi about crawled through the apartment bars when she heard us ...
I asked for a leash ... "What for?" asked Tami.
We're going for a hike out back, sez I.
"We can't take her outside, can we?"
SURE ya can, sez the Tech ... she was out this morning!

... more in a minute ...

Goodness me Phred - what action at your ranch ......

We headed for the back door ... Heidi pranced out and PULLED us toward
the grassy patch ... she needed to be there!
She bounced around with her shorty tail *waggin* in a blurr.
Tami said "She hasn't been this happy in a month!"

Back inside, Doc D met with us and for the first time hinted that The Foot
just might be OK! Doc D was coming in HERself to feed, water, walk, and
bandage change Heidi - once again Saturday night, and twice on Sunday.
If all went well, she'd go HOME on Monday.

Tami called on Monday --- come over before 2:00 and I could ride in to
pick her up and hold her on the ride home! :cool:

We had to schedule DAILY Clinic visits for Hydrotherapy on her back and
on The Foot; with a bandage change every day.
The Girls started bringing her back with reports from Doc D that The Foot
"REALLY looks GREAT! It's actually growing new flesh!"
I got Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and kept her straight through. Heck,
Monday is so close, I'll just hang onto her for the weekend.

I DID take her "home" for frequent visits with Mom and the Kids.
Monday, I asked Doc about a Road Trip to Findlay and the Dawg Park.
"Sure - just keep it DRY!"
I asked Tami ... "She LIKES other dogs ... Oh, go ahead and take her!" :)

We were scheduled for Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday ... guess
where she stayed all week?
Doc said to "Have Phunn at the Dog Park tomorrow!"
We went back on Tuesday - "Almost Healed" was the observation.
Her Tech said that Doc said this (Tuesday's) bandage would probably be
the LAST one!! :D

We're due back at 3:00 pm tomorrow (Thursday) for a check-up.
I'm going to ask for a light-weight "protective wrap" rather than NOTHING;
and Miss Licker IS going to be wearing that ole Hood for a few more days ...
I can't afford to let her make a meal out the New Foot again!

And now "You know the REST of the Tail!"

good luck at the white coats today Miss heidi and Smokey.


what happened to Heidi could happen to any one of us. Trust is a thing we take for granted when it comes to our dogs.
I would like to see anyone and I mean any one pipe up and say - "this wouldn't happen to me b/c I'm a perfect pet owner" b/c there is no such thing.
PERIOD.

;) THANKS, Staci !!!

http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/smile.gif

THANKS, God!!!
&
THANKS, PTers!!!

Those PT Prayers did their Magic
and God musta been lissnin!!

Bipp & MiniBipp (who looked like Mutt & Jeff when they pranced in to
the Clinic), pigged out on bisquits from the office staff during check-in.
We all crowded into the powder room for a minute, then soaked up more
attention at the counter. Doc D brought a chart to the counter, then
began to fawn over her 'favorite' mini-patient. SmokeMutt was NOT to be
ignored, and Doc raved about how 'soft' his fur was. I said Fish Oil Pills did it, and it became obvious SHE was a Fish Oil Fan, too.

I took the opportunity to suggest I wouldn't be unhappy if Heidi got
another bandage to protect the tender spots on her "new paw". Doc D
admitted she'd tought about that, too. She promised to give the paw a
very close exam before deciding on NO bandage. "Here, I'll take her back!"
And off trotted Heidi with her Favorite Doc!

Heidi returned with a >grinning< Doc B in tow ... and MiniMutt did have a
bright new wrapper on the foot. Doc said till she builds up a callus where
tha pad is missing at the base of her toes, we'd better protect the new
skin. OK by me! We return on Wednesday IF we keep it dry till then.

Twenty minutes later Doc B came back and said Smokey was OK except
for a bad case of Arthritis in that knee - NO TUMOR!! http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/biggrin.gif
He's now OFF the Rimadyl unless he has a relapse of knee pain ... then he
gets a few days of Rimadyl until the pain stops.

We bought a few more shares of Vet Stock at the counter, made a 10:30
am Appointment on Wednesday for MiniMutt, and we ALL pranced out!

So tender-foot Heidi is making GOOD progress;
and Gimpy SmokeMutts has his trick knee back - but it won't kill him.
I'd say it was a GREAT DAY at the Vets!!

http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/smile.gif
http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/biggrin.gif

THANKS to One & ALL
for your thoughts, Prayers, & Well-Wishes!!

/s/ Smokey, Heidi, DAD, & Cinder, too! http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/wink.gif<!-- / message -->

Great Update :D:D

So happy to hear that Smokey is in no danger of losing a leg and that with a little help, now and then;), can be moving right along:D

And poor little Heidi what an ordeal for such a little cutie; good thing she has Uncle Phred to take care of business;)

Well done! It's all GOOD:D:love::D

What a great update!!! So glad it was a good trip to the vet!!!

Phred, sorry but I'm just now getting all caught up on Heidi & the problems
she's been having. Sounds like you both have come a long way. I'm so glad
her paw & leg recovered so well. better than anyone thought was possible.:)

Praying that she and Smokey are both doing so much better.

Hooray! That's great news for both pups! :D

Great, Phred. That's the news we want to hear.:D

Here we are at Thursday, September 18, 2008 ...
And NO major crisiseze since the last one! :)

The first two weeks post-Findlay were rather quiet ... Heidi's been at the
Ranch the whole time, and the New Foot has been doing quite well.
She's been good about not bothering it - so the cone has been OFF since
the Findlay Gathurin. Too soon ...

Monday, the 8th, she 'bothered' the wrapper - Big Time!
The New Foot seemed to survive the attack ... we did a Tuesday PM
Vet Visit instead of our scheduled Wednesday morning appointment.
Doc D. gave her a re-wrap, but hinted it was about time for her to start
bare-footin it ... I look at that idea with some misgivings ...
That's now become a VERY Expensive New Foot - and I keep thinking that
it's "safe" inside the wrapper! Maybe she should get 'training wheels'?

This last week has been a Trial of many Tribulations ... the New Wrap was
*shreded* on last Thursday ... Cone ON! and I did a re-wrap myself.
She *IS* a good lil patient - stands on the puter desk and lets me work
with The Paw without much of a flinch or a wiggle.

DUMM me - I'd let her go coneLESS for meals and if I was *watchin her*.
:rolleyes:
Ever try to *watch* a lil Min Pin? :p

On Saturday evening I was re-wrappin for the THIRD time ...
I did a *super job* with Wally's imitation Vet Wrap ... she'll NEVER get
this one off! Then I worried I made it too tight ...

She pranced in (coneLESS) to see Doc D. on Wednesday (yesterday).
I saw the Tech parading MiniMutt in the hall while Doc D. observed ...
Doc appeared a few minutes later (in surgical scrubs) - my heart
fluttered. Tell me I didn't ruin her paw!

"NO more Bandages!" announced Doc D! We're doing more harm than
good to keep it wrapped up ... it needs air to finish healing.
"BUT - she cannot be allowed to lick it!!)

In came Heidi leading her Tech Buddie ... and BARE FOOTIN it!
She had a new collar - WAAAY too short to keep her away from the foot!
Tech said the next size would be way too big ... OK - I didn't argue. Her
BIG collar was at the Ranch - I'd refit her as soon as we got home.
Doc suggested we stop at the Pets Supplies Plus and grab a bottle of
"Bitter Apple" - use it on her toes, not the raw spots.
And we got a pill bottle of "Novalsan paste" to smear on The Foot.
"Oh, you can use the "Preparatioh H", too. Alternate that with the
Novalsan. And ... DON't let her lick that foot!"

Doc's last words - "Call me tomorrow --- I'm going to worry until I know
she's OK with The Foot."
(I just called Doc --- I think I could feel her *smiling* over the phone!) :D

Since yesterday, Heidi has been "using" the New Paw a little more every
hour. Yesterday it was usually "tucked & stored" up tight to her body.
By evening, it was partially lowered and occasionally "touched down".
Today, she's almost always on all FOUR when she's standing; and I've
seen her both walking and running with all FOUR a few times.
Wish us luck with wearing it in without any more problems!

I hope we're 'ready' for Sunday ... Unka Pat & Miz Joan are headed West
to celebrate Daughter Leslie's Birfday on Sunday and return on Monday.
THAT means we're Dawg Sittin for Miz Cali (the easy one) ANNND ...
Miz MOLLY - the rather Ruff & Tumble Houndy Girl I helped get adopted
at Cali's Howze. (Wonder if Pat & Joan will ever forgive me for that!??) :p

It's going to be a *challenge* to keep Molly from using poor lil Heidi as a
soccer ball / Squeekie Toy ... but we dropped in at Cali/Molly's Place
yesterday on the way home; and lil Heidi stood up and gave Molly a
faceful of Cone + Attitude after Molly got way too rough with MiniMutt.

Hopefully, by keeping Molly either leashed to ME or my chair, we'll be able
to prevent any TOO ruff playing with the Smallest Rancher.

As always, Wish us Luck; and whisper a Prayer if you can.

;)

Aww, Phred, I won't whisper a few prayers, I think I might shout a few - you need a break!!!

God Love you for all that you do for your pupsters.

There is a bench and some trees waiting for you in Heaven, I am sure!!
And sitting there waiting for you will be a few that you will immediately recognize - but that's a while off - so be patient.:love:

Prayers being whispered in God's ear every morning from me for you and the pups too! :love:

Wow, never a dull day?

Glad things are "bettur"!

MiniMutt (aka Heidi) has been a GOOD Kid all day!

I took pity on her about noonish and ditched the Lampshade ...
she traded it for the long 2-way Y-thingie clipped between her and the
puter desk. I figured 4 feet to wander is better than *smackin* your cone
into everything in the Ranch, including the poor BigMutts and ME!
(I hope nobody *tattles* to Dr. D. about this!)

She's been practicing her Lap Jumpin; the New Paw has increased her
success rate to about 50% of all attempts ... two or three tries and she
can make a Lap Landing; she's got the Up Onna Furniture Leaps down to
almost 100% on the first attempt. ;)

So Far (knocks on wood) she has made NO attempt to lick, chew upon,
wash, gnaw, or otherwise *molest* the New Paw. :D
I just coned her and sent her out with Cinder ... let's not have wunna
'those' accidents, either.

In case anyone wonders - sleeping with THREE Mutts inna BigBed is a
real treat - ESPECIALLY when one of the lil Darlings is sporting a rather
largely 'oversized' Lamppy Shade - and she insists on being one of the
two approved Under-the-Covers members of the BigBed Crew!

Loading the BigBed is interesting - the BigKids flee in panic ...
Cone-Head bounces up & down till she either makes it up or gets a
butt-grab from above & leaps on with assistance. I try to slide in / under.
*Watch* the flying cone ... she wants the "knee-spot" - and flounces
around till she's happy. Never mind the leg gouging that's involved.
SmokeMutt is next - he leaps into his spot mid-thigh up to my lower
shoulder (he makes a great extra pillow).
Cinder is last aboard - she's a No Covers, Please, sleeper and demands
about the lower third of the BigBed, begrudgingly allowing space along the
edge of the bed for my two feet.

Last night Heidi churned around till she had the cone stuffed OVER poor
Smokey's butt & tail ... not sure how she managed to breathe.
This morning I awoke while all three of 'em were still in SlumberLand ...
I always try to *wiggle* my pieces & parts to see what's had it's
circulation cut off by dog parts laying on top ...

* MY feet were hangin off the side - Cinder had her full 1/3 of the
bottom. I convinced her to get UP, please; and whilst she was doing her
required 3 Spins before Laying Down, I got my feet back on the bed.

* Smokey was in good shape - pinning down my underside arm, back of
his head tucked into my face, his body spooned into my chest & tummy.

* Where's ConeHead?
She had the cone pointing off the side of the bed, tucked up tight to
Smokey's butt. Her back against his butt and my knees.
HUH? What's these two extra FEETS doing??
(Fumble, feel, pick up covers & LOOK!)
:eek:
Smokey musta felt the need to *stretch out* - his back legs & feet were
laying on TOP of Heidi's back and against her cone. She didn't mind.

We should really get a bigger BigBed!

:rolleyes:

Sunday Morning - The Dinger >dinged< with Miz Joan saying they were
on the way to Leslies's Howze. The Kids were in the kitchen - ready to GO

I sent the Local Tribe out and then fed 'em; gave the "Be Rite Back" fib
and headed out to fetch the Visitors. Waited in their kitchen for a lil while
till Miz Molly finally managed to keep all FOR feet on the floor for longer
than 2 seconds; grabbed their 'stuff', and took a spin around the block.

Miz Joan had mentioned that BigFoot, aka The Mouth, had been through
one of her go out, come back in, and then BARK her fool head off for 20
minutes periods this morning. She'd been given the "Mom's GLARE" and
finally caught on and shut up. I said we'd try Cinder's NO-Bark collar.
I pulled it out of the glove box and set it for the lowest #1 setting.
*Zipp* and it was on --- no adjustment required.

We were greeted from the dining room window with two visible and one
unseen but quite well heard "Greeters". We stumbled up the stairs to
a hallway cluster of the Welcome Wagon.

Other than an initial attempt in the hall to 'Reach Out & PAW Her',
BigFoot Molly has been *really mellow* with MiniMutt! :D (Wonder if the
Power Steering (Pinch) collar and the tightly held leash had anyting to do
with that?) I'll take success any way I can get it.

I have to admit we "lost" the MiniMutt ... somehow she wound up on
the cellar side of the door whilst we were having the Meet & Greet at the
top of the stairs. I was calling her to de-cone her - and thought she was
Yipp Yappin from the bunkroom. Went in thinking she became stuck under
the BigBed with the cone ... NOPE, not under there. Another Yipp Yapp -
sounds like she's in the living room ... NOPE. Another YippYapp ...
I just LOOKED in the bunkroom ... is she throwing her voice?

Molly & I had just RE-searched the bunkroom and were in the hall when
Mini YippYapped again ... I opened the cellar door and the Lost became
the Found. :rolleyes:

Since she's been de-coned, Mini has seemed to accept that BigFoot is
going to be here for a while, and the two of them appear to have agreed
to co-habitate without any major phuss or bother. I hope this continues
when I *don't* have a handpaw on Molly's leash! Mini has skipped past
Molly's nose a dozen times; leaped off my lap and landed among Molly's
outstretched feet; and in general taunted the BigFoot a few times.
Molly's Mom will never believe these tails!

Soooo Far, I don't think she's pushed the NO-Bark collar to the firing
point. She's made about every sound known to man & dog, but never
guite *BARKED* yet. I hope she doesn't panic when it finally happens!

Now, if I can manage to feed this herd without anyone getting overly
stressed with the serving order ... this may turn out to be a Good Gig!

Maybe wish us a lil bitta Luck!

;)

/s Dawg Watcher

I snuck out on 'em - NASCAR on ABC has a less-louzy signal on the
bunkroom TV. The finish was gonna be good ...

* Cinder found me first - and hopped up on the BigBed
* Smokey wandered in next --- "Whatch doin, Dad?" He joined us.
* MiniMutt dashed in and FLEW up onto the BigBed pile - *Cozzie* bunch.
* Cali sauntered in - not a bed-jumper, she piled up beside the bed
* "WOOOF*! from the den ... BigFoot realized she was alone!
* Jingle-Jangle - BigFoot's here. She decided there wasn't room.

Later, I was in the puter/den when I heard THUNDERING PAWZ in the
living room. I assumed it was Cinder & Smokey doing a game of chase.
THEN I hea rd an excited small-voice "YippYapp" ... looked down and found
Cinder & SmokeMutt both at my FEET - THUNDER PAWZ still thundering!
Maybe we better *Look*!

:eek:
MiniMutt was sprinting around the living/dining room with BigFoot not all
that far behind ... I HOPE they're havin PHUNN with this!
I guess they were - Mini dove under the table for a breather and Molly
didn't attack ... so I'll assume it was a mutually agreed upon play romp.

Will Molly's Mom EVER believe this?

Still not *BARKING* except one short one ... and I heard no "reaction" to
that one. Would be really nice if Molly accepts a NO-BArk as well as Miz
Cinners has. I can put it on Cinder and leave it *OFF* and she won't bark.

/s/ The :) Watcher

Phred, is Heidi a permanent resident now? :confused:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Freckles

Phred, is Heidi a permanent resident now? :confused:

---

Is Mini~Mutt (aka Heidi) the new #3 Member of the Herd?

Well, I guess so ... she's now wearing a County License Plate that has The Ranch
as the registered address; and her new Name Tag says "HEIDI M." and
shows the Ranch address ...
She's got her own box of Heartworm Chewables on the shelf ...
and her Mom asks if I'll bring her over for a "visit" ...

So I guess this is HOME!

:)