Puppy Wisdom
Puppy burps are cute…
Puppy farts are not.
Posts tagged ‘Pets’
Jun 28
Dear God…Sometimes Life Just Kinda Stinks
Today was one of those days, and no, this is NOT an April Fool’s Day joke.
We’ve been dealing with anger issues with Motzy lately. He would do really well…and then suddenly snarl at one of us.
We tried everything…reprimanding him, putting him in his kennel for a timeout, and anything else you can imagine. We even had our own private Veterinary advisor Jen – the daycare baby’s Mom. She talked us through many ideas for training and disciplining him.
But today we had to say goodbye.
He went after Gabi last Thursday night when she was doing nothing more than snuggling with him – like they had every night for the past 7 months. He left 8 indents on her hands along with a couple scrapes. He didn’t break skin, but she froze in fear. Motzy was immediately put in his kennel where we didn’t hear a peep from him until morning.
Today he went after me twice. This morning leaving a few teeth indents on my hand and this afternoon I was saved by his cone. He has snarled at us before and had attempted to bite but hadn’t connected. We had him neutered on Friday with the hope that it might help things. Unfortunately it didn’t, he actually was worse.
We had to make the decision today, and even though we knew we absolutely couldn’t have a dog that snapped at any of us or the two little daycare babies, it was still hard to say goodbye. He was the sweetest dog 95% of the time. But we couldn’t take a chance on the other 5%, especially with his episodes escalating.
I told Gabi before we left that maybe this was just all part of God’s plan. Maybe Motzy has a wonderful new home to go to where he’ll be able to do all the things English Setters are supposed to do – go bird hunting and get lots of exercise each day. Maybe that owner wouldn’t have been able to take him when he was a pup. Maybe we were supposed to give him lots of love for 7 months so that he could eventually meet up with his permanent owner.
For now Jen was able to find a foster home. She’s hoping to find him a permanent home soon. I imagine a farm where maybe he could live in a barn and run free.
But for today, we kissed him goodbye and told him how much we loved him. He’s spending the night at the Vet Clinic awaiting his ride.
Whatever God’s plan may be for Motzy, or for us…
Sometimes life just kinda stinks.
Patty O
A Touch of Spring!
I’ve decided that I’m not waiting for Mother Nature to change the seasons. I swear the old broad is on vacation and left Jack Frost in charge. Although, I admit, we are finally in somewhat of a warm up. We actually hit 50 degrees ABOVE zero the other day (instead of 50 BELOW)! Most of our days are above zero now…20’s and 30’s. This has been the coldest winter here since 1917!
A couple of weeks ago I decided that I needed at least one bright sunshiny spot in my house that would brighten up our moods…so, coupon in hand, I visited TJ Maxx. I found a fantastic set of towels in what I would call Spring Green, and of course, I had to buy one for each of us (5), plus two hand towels, and two wash cloths. I’m a bit of towel snob, I have to admit it. I LOVE big plush towels! Now here’s the deal…TJ’s is the best place to get a deal on them! The total for everything was approx. $47. But hold on…I also had $20 of TJ cash (which they send you when you use their credit card to pay)…So I only paid $27! Whoohoo! Now don’t forget if you get a TJ card – pay it off the same month so you’re not paying any extra fees! Win-win!
I only took a couple of pictures of my Spring bathroom as the other side of the room isn’t nearly as exciting. Here’s one with the towels:
The big bright floral picture was another TJ find from a couple of years ago – $9.99. It’s traveled all around the house, now landing here.
The sign is one I usually put by the entry in the garage in a cute little vignette, but this is one of the Spring highlights. Do you remember playing this game with your friend when you were little? We’d sing and do a clapping game: ‘See see oh playmate, come out and play with me, and bring your dollies three, climb up my apple tree, slide down my rain barrel, climb up my cellar door, and we’ll be jolly friends, forevermore, more, more, more, more, more!’ This is one of my sweetest childhood memories!
On to the colorful candles in the candle holders, these have been up for many years, I just keep changing out the candles in different colors (watch for sales). I bought some chain from the local hardware store and spray painted it so it would blend in with the wall – giving the ‘floating candle effect’. Then I added a little bucket of faux daisies to the windowsill (we received this as a wedding present 14 years ago) and Waalaa! I love it!
Sunshine, flowers and bright colors – even when there’s still dirty snow outside! 🙂
Treat yourself to something bright – even if it’s a single bright-colored flower in a vase! It’s amazing what a mood boost it can be!
Patty O
ps…I know you all noticed the garbage can in the bathtub…that’s the only place we can put it so Motzy won’t it eat. AND, yes there’s dirty laundry in the basket too. I’m really trying to make sure you feel at home (hahaha). Yes, thankfully imperfect.
“Why’s His Head Out There?”
Best almost-4-year-old quote ever.
I bought these little hangers a couple of years ago at IKEA. At the time I thought they’d be cute little person hangers for their coats, and since the little people I watch have 88 sled dogs, what better hangers than doggie butts?
It wasn’t until I cleared them off yesterday (of extra scarves, mitten, hats) that Elena really noticed them.
And yes, that was her first question. “Why’s his head out there?”
Of course it was said with all the cuteness you can imagine in a sarcastic almost-4-year-old tone…insinuating that I was doing something wrong, or obviously stupid as I put their heads outside.
{sigh}
I just love a little person’s perspective.
As I told her Mom the story after work, I was told another funny story involving Miss E. Her Dad had taken her and her sister on a road trip to visit their cousins (and to pick up his deer head mount). You can see it coming right? On the way home, the little Miss says “Dad, he’s lookin’ at me!”
Then a few moments later adds “Dad, can he blink?”
😉
Have a good day! And if you’re not – make it better by looking at things through the eyes of a child!
Patty O
ps…Now remember when you look at this picture…I AM a thankfully imperfect woman, so NO I did not clean the door or wall before taking the picture, and YES that’s weather-stripping in the door, and YES it ends before it hits the floor…don’t ask me…I don’t have a clue. That’s my husband’s department!
A Dirty Diaper, 4 Pens, and 2 Christmas Ornaments
Add in a cell phone, a pair of Crocs, a pair of fleece slippers, multiple dog toys, baby toys, a brand new baby sippy cup and a Lip Balm…and you have the cumulative list of what Motzy has eaten to date.
Motzy (short for Motzaball) for those of you who haven’t met him, is our 7 month old English Setter.
He’s a beautiful boy who can be very sweet; laying on my feet, snuggling and laying on my computer keyboard (while I work on it – yeah, love that one).
OK but back to the eating thing…
Let’s talk about a few…
Christmas ornament #1: Remember those huge Christmas sales I told you about? Well, I hit another one last week and found the most beautiful red cloth cardinals to put in the tree or use as décor…I put them on the counter – far enough back – or so I thought. I had to run pickup Gabi and you can guess what I found when I got back. Beautiful red cardinal parts throughout the house. More than a few expletives may have escaped my mouth at that moment (poor Gabi and her sweet little ears).
Next…
We swore that he’d eaten an entire lip balm and a pen (cases and all). Thankfully we found the pen case pushed into the couch (he’d hidden the evidence) and then a day later we found the lip balm case in the driveway. A breathed a sigh of relief as I had been a little concerned about how these items might escape him, if you know what I mean.
Then…
Christmas ornament #2: There was a day after Christmas that Miss Sam was left with Motzy. Let’s just say he’s not her favorite dog. I arrived home to her telling me “Your stupid dog ate a Christmas ornament…a GLASS one!!!” I looked at her with a smirk and said “Well, he’ll be shittin’ shards!” OK, I was kidding, and that’s not the type of thing that flies out of my mouth. Thankfully he didn’t actually eat it – we found the pieces later, but it was a funny moment…darn that quirky sense of humor.
OK, now for the really gross item.
Yes, he ate a dirty diaper…and I mean a REALLY dirty diaper – a 20 month old’s poo.
{sigh}
OK…I have to say this first – THIS WAS NOT MY FAULT! The Baby Mama (the daycare babies Momma) had been here for lunch, changed the babies diaper and put it on the garage floor.
OK…now before you wonder why on earth she’d put it there, remember I live in the tundra. -22 today with the wind chill. I reuse a plastic grocery bag and place it on the workshop’s door (which is just outside our man door to the garage). This is where I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I put the dirty diapers. And Baby Mama knows that, but there was a sled and skates (donation for a local auction) hiding it. So, she put it on the floor.
OK, here’s my bad…I didn’t see it there…and I let Motzy out to go potty…and I still didn’t see it there when he ran in and I saw him grab ‘something’ on his way in. I thought nothing of it, thinking it was a leaf, or piece of paper, who knows?
Well…he went running for the dining room with his ‘treasure’ and I went back to reading books to the babies. (We were having a major reading fest – I think we went through almost a dozen books.) I finished with one book and started into the next one when I smelled poop. I looked at the baby and said “Pe-uuu – you stink” (in a silly voice). Went on reading and finally stopped and said “Holy cow are you ninky!” She just silently looked up at me and smiled (which she usually does when she’s pooped). So…we finished the last book and I looked in her diaper and realized she hadn’t……….at that same moment I realized Motzy had not shown his face this entire time…….and that sinking feeling hit.
We start for the dining room as I say “MOTZYYYYYYYY – what do you have?” And it still hadn’t dawned on me that he might have a dirty diaper.
We arrive in the dining room and I see him laying on the floor with a piece of something in his mouth. I reach down and take it from him, along with about 5 other small scraps (we’re talking maybe 2″x4″ size) and I say “what on earth do you have?”
{huge sigh – which turns into a MOTZYYYYYY – OH GROSS – YOU ATE A DIRTY DIAPER!!!}
And I mean a WHOLE dirty diaper…with the exception of 6 small scraps. Those of you who have had babies know just how big and full those diapers can get. Those little beads inside that soak up all the babies messes. And my dog has just eaten it all… {gag}
Picture this, the babies are behind me watching intently as this scene unfolds. Motzy is looking up at me while he lays in the little bit of baby poop and few beads of diaper that are left on my dining room floor. I can feel my head about to explode with disgust – my stomach churns – and the smell of baby poo is now burned into my nose.
{sigh}
I shepherd the babies into the living room and tell them to “STAY!” Motzy is thrown (ok, wishful thinking) – put outside. And I head back to the dining room with Clorox wipes and paper towels. I think the silent words ‘damn dog, damn dog, damn dog’ ran through my mind.
A little while later, Baby Mama called me to say she was on her way to pick up the girls…we talked for a little bit and I said “Oh, by the way, you’re FIRED!” (said jokingly). She said “What?” laughing. So I told her what Motzy had done…what does she say next? NOTHING! She was laughing too hard! She laughed…and laughed…and laughed. And when she stopped laughing she said “That’s a new one, I’ve never had to deal with that before!” Silently I think “Oh, I’m so glad I can provide you with a first” as my eyes rolled. She said “we can make him throw up”. Do I need to even write my response? OK, here it is: “Ohhh, I think I’ll let you take care of that!” Which she did…poor Motzy…POOR Baby Mama! Again, GROSSSSSS! (ps…remember she’s a Veterinarian.)
Oh…I almost forgot…the baby did give me a superior little look throughout this with a devilish smirk on her face. I could see her thoughts going through her head…”And you thought it was me…hahahaha (small little evil laugh while throwing her head back).”
We’re not even going to discuss the other items. These four are bad enough.
If you have or have ever had a puppy, you may be able to relate. I love my puppy…90% of the time. The other 10% of the time you can find me pulling my hair out and swearing silently while cleaning up or throwing away his latest victim.
{sigh}
Patty O
ps…doesn’t he look just so sweet and innocent in this picture? (Grrrr…)
A Thankfully Imperfect Woman 