Spring forward to 2016

It's more. than a year since most post.  Goldie became my weekend pet.  I only see her on weekends.  She comes with Ratty with her mini luggage.  However, do I miss the morning walk with dogs?  Probably not.   I enjoy the quiet time after I wake up every morning,   So how is Goldie?  

Goldie turns 5 years old this year,  thus is a blind guess.  We never know her birthday nor her parents.   When we rescued her, the shelter said she was about 2 years old.  After 3 years of living in condo.  She seems to be fine with it.   On weekends, she has a lot of time to stay at the balcony and looks over the dogs in the park.   And Toronto seems to have a very short summer and long winter.  During winter, she mostly curl up is on the sofa.  To our surprise, she now curls up with grump old cat Tinky.  Tinky was very nasty few years ago when she first saw a dog around her.  Now they sleep side by side.     Sometimes I would hope human can do the same thing.   No matter how you hate each other, after a while, we can all live under the same roof 

You winterize your cottage we summerize our Goldie

Its the time of the year.  Dogs need vaccination.  A lot of owners will take their dogs to the vet and get annual check up.   Sometimes  I wonder why some street kids or homeless keeping their dogs not knowing they can afford to pay the vet bill.

Similar to many parents,  they don't believe in vaccination.  But hey, it's the law and it helps you avoid your dogs catching  rabies.  KENNEL COUGH or Bordertella is optional because if you dog don't go to off leash park nor day camps. Don't even bother.

There is another thing vet would talk you into. "The blood test".  Vet would give you a choice to skip the blood test before your dogs get the heartworm medication.  The logic here is if you did first blood test and get greenlight to take heart worm pills or drops.  Then the next year I personally wouldn't bother to to get another blood test.  And we should be able to get the same medication with signing the waiver.

Anyway. Goldie is now summerized.  A dent in the wallet and hope she enjoy the summer

Upset Stomach diarrhea

Last week I came home.  I saw a bit pile on the floor.  I was so upset. And at the same time I need to hold my breath and clean the shit up

Dogs have sensitive stomach. You changed dog food from A to B.  Immediately you will see them having diarrhea next day.

What's wrong with Goldie?  I don't know.  The last good poo was the time before she caught a squirrel and killed it at the off leash park.  She had solid nice poo.   After that afternoon, she started to have diarrhea.  Maybe it was squirrel related.  Not sure.  But she definitely got herself into trouble somehow.

What should we do? Experienced dog owners would stop feeding their dog with dog food  for 24 to 36 hours.  They might feed them steam rice but normally dog won't eat them.  Some netizen recommends pumpkin paste.  I think dog don't eat pumpkin in the wild.  So they also skip that.   Just make sure a bowl filled with clean water.  That makes more sense.

So I didn't recommend to take the dog to the vet until Goldie started vomiting and had bloody stool or shit. 

Called the vet.  Ratty walked her to the vet.  Goldie looks pale and she had another bloody shit inside the clinic.  She was then escorted tp the back of the clinic and started getting IV

There is a list the vet recommends

1) Xray. 1 set of 3 Xrays. Stomach, mid abdominal xray and bowel area
2) IV
3) Hospitalization
4)Blood test
5) in clinic treatment

The number 5 was very vague. Not sure what that was and later i found out it's about giving the dog Zantac.  You heard me right Zantac.  Now we know it would work for Goldie next time.

A day later we saw the Xray.  Thank goodness there is not foreign objects ingested
The blood test looks normal. No pancreatic issue
She was in super good mood and she jumped up and down and yelled inside the kennel.  And we spent CAD 1300 for 1 night. And we found nothing but just stomach and intestinal inflammation.  Ouch!

Hope we all learn a lesson
1) no squirrel killing
2) rice and pumpkin paste not recommended
3) a lot of water
4) Zantac

Goldie and new home

I was very busy in the last few months.  It's because I am selling my apartment.   When I was ready to sell, I invited my real estate agent to come to my unit to gave me some advice.  First thing she said to me "No dog is allowed to stay while selling your place".   I know where she is coming from but it's hard to believe that potential buyers are lethally allergic to pets.  She also said Men usually don't want to see pets during home shopping.  Really???

I did not argue with her. Goldie can move to Ratty's unit.  Not a problem at all.  At first Ratty was a bit upset because Goldie would change his lifestyle.  But I offered to give him a hand.  So I can walk over to his place and walk the dog based on our schedule.  It works out quite well because Spring is here.

In May, I finally received a conditional offer for my current place and I also submitted a conditional offer for future place.  It's amazing how things can be done in parallel at difference pace.

What about the future of Goldie?  It reminds uncertain.  I try my best to persuade Ratty to re-home Goldie to someone's house.  But it's not an easy decision for him to make.  So, right now, Goldie stays with Ratty and we take on step at a time.  

I don't go out and campaign people should crate their dogs at home.  I found it's sad.  Imagine our parents left us home whole day by ourselves.  It's so cruel.  But under certain circumstances like me, Goldie stays in the crate whole day for now. 

Goldie....  If I can turn back the time, I wouldn't adopt you.  I should let the LV bag lady take you home.  They seem to be living in a bigger place.   :)   

Daisy the cat

Daisy met Goldie before.  They didn't met face to face.  When I took Goldie into Ratty's condo, cats went hiding or taking high ground.    So Daisy knew Goldie. 

Funny how dogs reacts to smell.   They hold their head high and then they sniff the ground.   They are all the same.  Cats?  I don't know much about them.     However cats are much sensitive than dogs.  A lot of online videos shows dogs and cats show down.  A lot of time cats won.

Back to Daisy,  she was a very sweet cat.  She is the sweetest among Ratty's cats.  When she sensed Goldie marching in the condo.  She didn't freak out.  She jumped up places where Goldie cant reach nor see. And she then sat quietly and observed.  I only remembered she peeked when Goldie was sniffing around like snoring drugs on the floor.   I wonder Daisy would think Goldie was a dummy. 

Today Daisy left us.  That's why I want to remember by writing a blog about her.   She was drifting away.  We took her to the vet and she only struggled once.  When we walked pass the clinic restricted area, she meowed and clawed the edge of the door.  She was so weak and then she was slowly going downhill.  The scene reminded me Petty last visit.   It was quite sad to see animal passing.   The vet was trying to find the vein for euthanasia.   It was very difficult. Even though he found it but no blood was dripping out.  Her blood pressure was very low   Her breathing was quite shallow..    After almost 30 mins, she was put down. But that 30 mins she didn't struggle a bit.  

If Goldie ever met face to face before, I wonder they would be friends.   Daisy is gone now. No more formal introduction can be done. RIP Daisy.  I told your doggy friend that you are gone.  After the talk, goldie gave me a big kiss.  Not sure if she understands, its the kiss Daisy you won't like.

Dog training class is done. Now what?!

Awww! They are sniffing at each others. So here is what happened next..

They chased each other, they jumped up and down, they wrestled and barked. It's very unsettling to watch Goldie playing with new dogs now. We are avoiding the park when there are more than a handful of unknown dogs. That's the advice from the dog trainer

Even though I know the other dog owners, I will leave the park as soon as another playful dog is ready to come. Apparently, Goldie doesn't like the idea of other dogs ganged up on her. At the same time, she doesn't like the idea of sharing playmates.

If I know other dogs are only playing fetch with the others, Goldie is totally fine with their existence. As soon as new dog coming in at the gate, she will run towards them. Imagine I dont know you and I run to you for attention. Would you be scared? Most of the time, I will leave right after this 'RUN TO YOU' behavior. From time to time, Goldie gets hackle. That's a sign of getting too excited. I will stop her before any misunderstanding situation happened.

In general, dog owners have their own schedule. Goldie schedule is based on mine most of the time. So I know other dog owners and their dogs are fine with her. Otherwise, I don't even bother to get close to the park

The trainer told us an interesting theory. What is a 'PACK'? A pack of dogs mean they sleep, eat and play with each other all days. If you go to the park and not knowing other dogs, you are not socializing your dogs with others. You are causing stress of your dogs. It depends on your dog behavior. If your dog is a very submissive one, they might have their tails close and heads down, they won't enjoy being left alone with other dogs. If your dog is a very outgoing one like Golide, just be careful. That's because other dogs might not like to play with yours. Any altercation happened..!!! Whose fault is that?

Being at the right place at the right time. Everyone would enjoy their space and their company. Happy new year, Goldie

Look down look down 24601. Happy Halloween

Do dogs need clothes?  My answer is no.  They are hairy and they take care of themselves.  Or I would said it depends.  Some dogs are not as hairy as the others.    Does Goldie need to wear anything.  Hell no except Halloween.   Haha 

Guilty. That's her costume.  Actually Ratty bought her a few pieces.   One is a bunny with a carrot.  The other one is Winnie the Pooh.  No matter how cute they are.  Hell no. I ain't going to walk her in cartoon costume.