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April 18, 2003 - Volume 42 Materials in this newsletter are the sole possession of the authors and Dog Company. Please do not copy or use in any fashion without written permission |
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From the Editor's Paw Last Spring Emmy and her parents came to see us for special lessons. Emmy was losing her eye sight quite quickly, and they had heard we do special lessons for dogs with all kinds of different problems. So we struck out to teach Emmy all the things a healthy, blind dog would need to know and how she would be able to function after the fact, both mentally and physically. It all depended on what we could do to create the best positive mental stimulation and all the physical stuff, too. Emmy learned where the stairs start and end by the changes in the floor surface; this goes for any place she is not allowed. She learned how to chase the ball (it makes a sound and lights up as it goes)..... the one that just lit up didn't do anything for her... I personally loved it! There were lots of other things for her to relearn too, and she never missed a beat. Emmy also learned Agility! She could see out of one eye when she first started, so she knows what everything looks like in her mind's eye now. She can do all the equipment "on leash" of course. The trust she has in her mom's directions is truly amazing. Emmy is a dog of and she is always happy! You might have seen her on "The Pet Guys" when they were here filming us in September. She'll hopefully be completely recovered from her last eye surgery and be in our club demo this 24th of May. Emmy, is of course, still doing her "Paintings." I got one for Christmas this year - really beautifully done by her own paw! As you all know, my sister, Poutine, is also partially blind and she is deaf (from birth.) Let me tell you, these two dogs have no idea that they have a handicap. When we're playing ball together, I have to put out just as much effort to try and get to the ball first as I do with any of my "normal" dog friends. I am proud to be part of the training for these great dogs! woof...Sweep ^..^~~!
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Emmy's Story A year ago February, I noticed my eye was a bit red and funny feeling. Mom waited over the weekend to see if it would clear up; it didn't, so I was marched in to the vet's office. After a good look, the doctor got out a tiny mechanical device to measure the pressure in my eye. She thought it was probably Glaucoma. We then went to another vet who had experience with glaucoma and he used a digital 'tonometer' to measure the pressure. By this time my eye was quite bulgy and red and the pressure was definitely up there - I had a headache all the time. The eye would have to come out and be biopsied, so we would know if it was primary or secondary. It was primary, and that meant the other eye would be affected. I was very brave through it all; I just took it as it came, and didn't dwell on it. I was happy to get eye drops three times a day 'cause I knew I would get a treat right after! Thank goodness for Pet Plan insurance, and also the internet, where Mom found out all she could about Glaucoma and blind dogs. We ordered a book called "Living with Blind Dogs," and we found great solace in the stories from other owners of blind dogs. They were encouraging because they all said it wasn't as bad as you would expect; we dogs get through it far easier than our owners. That made me feel a lot better; I knew that I wouldn't have too much trouble cause I can see with my nose and ears, but I was worried for Mom and Dad. Well, it's exactly a year later, and the second eye has just been removed. Piece of cake! And, just as I thought, I get around really well! I go up and down the stairs and around my little fenced yard all by myself. I go with my Gramma Jane and visit the old folks at Resthaven Lodge and Mt. Newton Centre. All by myself I go down the stairs, open the door to Gramma Jane's suite, get the paper, and bring it back upstairs to Mom and Dad. Out for a walk on a leash you wouldn't know I was blind. I can even chase the ball and catch toys that get tossed to my nose. Usually I forget I'm blind. I wonder why I keep bumping into things though. Sometimes I will get disoriented and lose my direction, but Mom, Dad or Gramma is always there to help me out. Now we just have to deal with the OCD arthritis I have in my back legs. My vet said that if I was a car, I would have been built on a Monday morning or Friday afternoon! We will deal with it the best we can and I guess I'm going to have to slow down a bit when I get back to agility club. Emmy, artist and athlete of the special kind
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Classified (To our advertisers: we'd love to hear if your ad in the Woof was successful. Please drop us a line and let us know.) For Sale: Keep Fido in the back! - Adjustable dog barrier for vehicle; we used it in our Ford Taurus station wagon, but it will fit other vehicles. $50.00 Call (250) 704-1233 and ask for Diane. |
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Wanted: Island Boy looking for home! Wanted: A Scottish Terrier that needs a good home! Charlie and I have some friends who would really love to give a "wee laddie or lassie" a loving home. If you know of a Scottie that is looking to relocate, give us a call. If you don't know of a Scottie, these folks would gladly welcome into their home a Cockapoo instead... (Do you hear "dog lovers" here? Woof!) |
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Wanted: A home for a gal who's agile, full of energy, loves to be worked and loves to chase a ball. Mica is a 3 year old Border Collie mix who's presently living with a large family who have other obligations and cannot make full use of her talents. She is spayed and tattooed, and very healthy, with no bad behaviour problems. She is a wonderful dog and would make the right owner very happy at a limited cost (which would include her kennel.) We are located in Maple Ridge; Tim.Bonner@bcunity.ca or call (604) 463-0741 and ask for Tim or Lisa. Wanted: Your 'articles', your 'For Sales', your 'Want Ads', your birthday wishes, your letters to Mam'selle, your names, your ......... ????? (Disclaimer: Advertisements posted by the Woof are done as a service, not as an endorsement. Please communicate directly with the ad contact for further information on any items.)
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ASK MAM'SELLE Dear Mam'selle Poutine, Hi Teddy! We stay over when we're doing sports demos or are competing in events. We, I mean our teams, have in all 12 dogs. We share with our own parents and of course, we leave the rooms the way we found them. One of the other reasons we use the Accent Inn exclusively is there is always a friendliness about the place. If we're going to a place where there is no Accent Inn, they tell us the name and how to get to another inn that is like a sister Inn to them. The Accent Inn is family owned and operated. They are very big on family and do a lot of community work as well. Geesh, us dogs just can't say enough about this place....You know what I mean? If the folks are happy, we're all happy! Just last month one of my human granddaughters (otherwise know as the little people) had to go to the U.S.A. for a medical exam (and will be going back for surgery at the Shriners Hospital in Portland.) The Accent Inn gave them a room in Vancouver for the overnight layover and got them set up with an Inn in Portland. They were wonderful to make all the arrangements. There are also dog magazines, like "Fido Friendly" my favourite. ( www.fidofriendly.com ) It tells all about places all over the country. Great dog stories too. Peni writes stories for them about all the sports and adventure stuff we do! Having great parents who trained you so you would be welcome anywhere is not left to chance. Remember you're a dog ... Brillant, Lovely, Trusting and True ........ humans never had it so good.
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Phydeau Phun TOP 10 DOG PET PEEVES ABOUT HUMANS
(thanks to Judy T & Mindy)
Woofs of Wisdom "The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue." - Anonymous
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Tips and Tales by Miss Trouble I'm a fortunate pup. Not only have I people who love me and look after me, but also I've made friends with some special furfaces. One of the very first friends I ever made was Tawny. She's a beautiful, furry dog, with lovely eyes and a plume of a tail; me, I'm sleek and my tail is thin, so I was a bit envious of her to start with. She introduced me to swimming - she pushed me off a log. I was sort of shocked at the time, but I've since come to appreciate the help she gave me that day. Tawny and I played well right from the first time we met and it didn't matter if we went for weeks without seeing each other - we picked up right where we left off. Tawny lived on a boat, and tried to show me that it wasn't anything to be afraid of to walk down a dock or go on board. I think she was pleased to hear that I have my own boat now, and that I go out with Mom in it. She's moved away. she went to Gander, Newfoundland. I keep hoping that she'll write and tell us all about her new life ashore (she's living in a house). She did write a bit once. something about a "border" and a "Custom's woman", but that was just in a letter to Mom. I'd like her to write a whole article we could put in the Woof. I'm sure life "on the rock" must be different. I bet she barks with a Newfie accent by now. Before she left, she introduced me to Charlotte. She lives on a boat where Tawny used to live. Come to think of it, I haven't seen her for awhile either. I thought she was going to write a "boat dog" article for us, too. I met Breagh about the same time as I met Tawny and we played together a bit. She'd come over for a visit with her Dad, but she was more interested in my food than in playing a lot of the time. Sometimes when we were out for a walk, we'd meet up with her and then we'd get to play. We see her around Brentwood at things like Music in the Park but those aren't times we're allowed to play. too many people around. Tofino is another pup I met; he and his Dad like to walk at Tod Inlet and that's where we met them. He's a border collie cross, but quite furry and small. We discovered that we both loved swimming so played "get the stick" in the water. I don't see him very often, but we know each other right away when we do meet. I've made a bunch of new acquaintances on the trail walks, and in Flyball and Agility clubs; with time, I'm sure some of them will become friends like Tawny and Tofino. Of course, the fabulous threesome, Sweep, Poutine and Slick are very tolerant and allow me to greet them, and walk with them; I have to work hard in order to earn their respect and be allowed to call them friend. I need to mention someone new I've met and that's Nikki. She's a lovely shade of black and is probably part lab because she does love the water and lives on a boat. She had a bad accident awhile ago - she was hit by a car (I always knew those things were dangerous) but she got looked after by a doctor and her shoulder has mended just fine. The day she came to visit, she had no trouble playing on the beach. I was a bit afraid of her at first, because she plays with a lot of noise, but we got along just fine. She's moved away again, but I'll know her if I ever see her again. Yeah, like I said. I'm a fortunate pup. Friends of all kinds are important to all of us..people and furfaces both.
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Did You Know? A memorial bench has been placed in Avril Peter's honour on the grounds of Camosun College, in Victoria, B.C., just outside the Young Building. The plaque on it reads, ' In loving memory of Avril Peters "Her take on life could always make us laugh...." 1941 - 2002 '
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Sick Call Now Finnegan is on the disabled list for a month. His doctor says he needs bedrest and very limited activity; he's not allowed to do stairs, not allowed to go for walks and not allowed -- of course -- to do agility. For a month - minimum!! Poor Finnegan - we'll be thinking of you, pal.
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Slick's Flicks GRRR ... Wuff! Yep, it's time to pop the popcorn ( I like mine with a bit of butter and a big bowl of water.) (These are all available at the video store) Family Flicks Adult Movies Geeesh.......... I can smell the popcorn now! REMEMBER TO LICK UP ALL THE CRUMBS OFF THE FLOOR!
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The Purrrrrrr Felines of the world ---- UNITE!! Look what those dastardly dogs have come up with now. I'd heard of something like this circulating around the 'net, but one of those canines actually had the nerve to send it to the Woof so that they all could try it! Can you imagine??? I decided to grab it and run it here, so that I could warn you all to never, ever, allow yourself to be carried into the bathroom. Use every trick you have, but don't go in there! Somehow, somewhere, we will get our revenge for this type of torture. How To Wash The Cat!
Sincerely, The DOG Cleocatra (Cats rule... dogs drool!) (Thanks to Wendy T & Amie for sending this in)
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Creative Captions Last week's picture and captions are: |
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And this week...... Captions please!
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