Strange Bedfellows

Yes, yes, this is a re-run (and it's not even Summer yet ;-) But I wanted to play fair for those
gathering sticks.......


Those of you with more than one hound are probably used to seeing scenes such as these:

Pepsi still swears that they are NOT friends ;-)

But last month Hero decided that Will was also part of his pack, thus fair game for the customary "dog pile" napping position. Will obviously does not mind.

But as they say: "turnabout is fair play".

Speaking of strange bedfellows:

Virginia 2007

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Ok, I can tell I have probably lost some of you.

Well, it all started with our friends over at Life with Dogs

http://lifewithdogs.blogspot.com/2009/03/best-served-cold.html

And like all great ideas, it took on a life of it's own:

http://misterstick.blogspot.com/

My theory- wherever dogs are being harmed Mr. Stick has probably had a hand in it-(well ok, he doesn't actually have hands), but he has been involved in some way.

And that includes the Michael Vick dog fighting ring.

So keep an eye out for Mr. Stick where ever he may be lurking.

Round 2

For those of you who have missed the background story, I will try to relay it as briefly and succinctly as possible (for me).

We adopted Pepsi, our beagle /Jack Russell mix, when she was about 8 weeks old. When she was approximately thirteen weeks of age, my daughter Alaina (who was 9 at the time), was walking her (on a leash), when a neighbor's Shepherd mix got loose, ran across the street, and attacked Pepsi - injuring her badly enough to require surgery. The day before the stitches were due to come out,we finally gave Alaina the all clear to take her for a SHORT walk- (say down to the corner and back), when the SAME dog got loose and attacked Pepsi again. (the result of the second attack was only a few torn exterior stitches).

Now, Alaina was not harmed in either attack, and the neighbor did pay all the vet bills. (We reported the attacks to animal control anyway, because while no action was ever taken, we thought that they should at least have the attacks on record). The offending neighbors (and their dog) moved away soon after. The problem is that both Alaina and Pepsi were permanently "scarred" by the attacks. Alaina has been much better at overcoming her fear of other dogs than Pepsi. Whom we have spent untold time and money trying to rehabilitate- to no avail.

So why this rehashing of ancient history?

Today, Alaina (now 14) was out walking Hero, when another neighbor's dog, a boxer this time, charged right through their electric "fence" and attacked Hero. Once again, Alaina was not harmed, and to be truthful I think it was a more even fight this time (Hero was not muzzled) and he seems to have come away with only one small tooth mark (it hardly bled at all- and seems more like a scrape/bruise- than a puncture) on his chest near his front leg. We will be watching it carefully for infection/ additional tearing, but it seems fine. The owner did come out to pull the dog away and apologise, (and to make sure that everyone was "O.K.")-, NO actually, it is NOT OK!!

Alaina spent most of the afternoon in tears. More trauma- more drama.

I don't even know how to end this post.

Why does this keep happening? Is this corner of Virginia especially backwards when it comes to it's canines or does this sort of thing really happen everywhere? How do I keep Alaina from being permanently traumatized? Should I really never let her walk her dogs again?

How do I keep Hero from being traumatized and ending up as psychotic and anti-social as the rest of these dogs (my beautiful Pepsi included)? How long can my luck hold out before one of these Cujos actually attacks Alaina? I am sure one or more of you kind and wise bloggers, have some sage advice for me.....(help)

The crazy pup gets a straight jacket

As has been alluded to before in this blog , our terrier/beagle mix named Pepsi is nuts. No need to candy-coat it.
We have been through Bark Busters as well as the local Petco obedience classes. She can: sit, stay, lay down, come, heel, beg, cover her nose with her paw, and play dead- all on command- as long as there are no unfamiliar people or canines in the vicinity.
Regardless of all the throwing of small bits of chain, and growls of bah, ehh, etc (oh, and use of the spray bottle too). She continues to charge the door, barking like a maniac, whenever anyone knocks or rings the doorbell. (Of course given the opportunity to actually greet the person she quickly accepts them, (people- NOT dogs). The same goes for walks on the leash.
Unfortunately all the reassuring in the world (to the people not her) doesn't cut it with the deliverymen and repairmen. She has been prescribed drugs by our vet, and we have tried those plug in pheromone emitters, in hopes of taking "the edge" off. We have walked her while wearing a cloth muzzle (her not us) but she scratched and pawed at her face until it was raw and bleeding. So, now I have found a new product to try-

Yes, it does say "end thunderstorm fear" which she does NOT have at all- she will happily sleep through thunderstorms, fireworks, etc. But it also says to lessen aggression, so hey- I will give it a go...

Pepsi "stylin" in her new "anxiety wrap"
So, of course everyone comes home and says "Oh, Pepsi has a new coat, She looks so cute, but does she like it? Will she wear it?" that sort of thing.
The last being a fair question because past coats have fared only as well as the muzzle- and were quickly chewed up/ removed. I pulled out the package to show them the claims that come with this new improved jacket- and it is immediately dubbed "Pepsi's Straight jacket"
Well, she seems to wear it happily enough which is a step in the right direction- if nothing else it is a coat she will be willing to wear in the cold weather. As far as actually "calming" her, I will keep you posted.