Raising Addie, Lucie and Hailey

Lucie Update

2009-11-07T06:33:00.000-06:00

We took Lucie to see Dr. Johnson yesterday. He said the bumps on her ears are improving! Right now the skin is falling off of the bumps. He is just not sure why she is having issues getting up from a down position or why she is just not feeling well. He took blood again for some additional testing. Her ear problem and the issue with her back legs may not be related at all. To be honest I would be a lot less freaked out if she only had the bumps on her ears. Thursday night it seemed like she was glued to my side. I gave her lots of pets and belly rubs. Then she nearly broke my heart. I asked her to go outside and it was a horrible struggle for her to get up which left me scared that she is getting worse. Her energy level is just not the same either. Little Hailey is missing playing with her buddy but has been keeping her company snuggling with her during all the sleeping that she has been doing.

Because she is still feeling bad and struggling to getting up, Dr. Johnson wanted to start her on some meds to help in the mean time until he determines the cause. She is on:

Doxycycline which is a bacteriostatic antibiotic used for the treatment of infections such as Lyme disease, chlamydia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and bacterial infections caused by susceptible organisms. By placing her on this he is not meaning that she has these but this is a place for us to start to try to get her feeling better.

Niacinamide which is used in combination with other medications to treat a host of diseases that afflict dogs. This is like a B12 vitamin.

Time to feed the pups and give Lucie her meds. I'll keep you posted on her progress.

Thank you very much for all of your kind words and support!

Ears

2009-11-03T22:41:00.002-06:00

Vasculitis – inflammation of blood vessels

Vasculitis is inflammation of the vascular wall and can occur as a primary disease, but is more commonly secondary to another concurrent disease (infections, neoplasia, connective tissue diseases, drug reactions). Vasculitis may involve only one organ system, such as the skin or may involve multiple organ systems. Cutaneous vasculitis typically results from small vessel vasculitis. Vasculitis is more often seen in dogs than in cats.

I noticed this morning that another lump on Lucie's right ear is now hard and crusty. She really does not like to have these looked at or touched. They must be uncomfortable.

I woke up early this morning at about 4:30 a.m. I took the dogs out and Lucie fell into the large hole that she dug with her sisters. I was surprised at this. She just looked up at me from in the hole, which is only about half the size of her and shallow, with the expression of "what just happened?" She then pulled herself up and went back to the house. Getting up from a down position still takes effort. But she had fun playing with the girls today and enjoyed a little white meat chicken breast mixed with her regular food.

Here are all of the girls napping this evening. Typically Hailey sleeps on a pillow on the floor but tonight she wanted to be with her big sister. I covered Lucie's love seat with a fitted bed sheet to try to keep the dirt off of it. I know it doesn't look good but oh well. The girls looked too sweet together not to take their picture.

I love Lucie's pink and spotted paws!

Below are some pictures that I took Monday morning. I was getting ready for work and saw Hailey sleeping with Addie. Hailey spends most of her time with Lucie so this was a real treat for me. As usual, by the time I got the camera they were up but they still looked adorable together.

Update

Lucie sleeps on the bed with us. For four days now my husband has needed to help her get down off of the bed. She jumps up on it fine but after she has been sleeping it is difficult for her to get up from the rear and to jump down.

Lucie

2009-11-02T20:24:00.000-06:00

I talked to Dr. Johnson today and he said that all of her blood work looks good! Everything is at normal levels. Big relief! He basically said to keep an eye on her and check in with him on Thursday or Friday.

Lucie had training tonight with Matt. She is the smartest and sweetest dog EVER! Seriously though, she is a natural. They worked on heeling, sit and started down for the first time. She catches on real quick and was rewarded with belly rubs for a good down. She LOVED that! Dr. Johnson had asked me at the end of the lesson to ask Matt if he noticed anything different in how she was acting. Matt said he noticed that she was lagging behind a bit during heels and that when she would go into a down that she would favor one side. I noticed near the end of the lesson that it took more effort for her to get up from a down. Then while I was petting her ears I noticed the lump on her right ear that was losing some skin seemed much harder than it had previously been. When we got home I took a look at it as best I could, she doesn't like me messing with the lumps. It looked a little discolored. I'll keep an eye on it.

Right now all three girls are enjoying their own Nylabone. Switching every so often and enjoying themselves.

Tails and Trails Dog Park

2009-11-02T07:04:00.000-06:00

On Sunday morning we went to a dog park located in South Arlington called Tails and Trails.

At first it looked real small, but the neat thing about this dog park is all of the trees!

This may not be the biggest park but it sure was fun to explore. They have a small dog park as well that is wooded too. We will have to go back with Hailey. Both girls also enjoyed their ride in the FJ.

A little drool and fur never hurts anything. :)

Addie really likes her new SUV.

Nom, nom, nom...

The Gimp

2009-11-01T22:25:00.000-06:00

My husband was playing with the big girls in the yard on Thursday and Hailey got smooshed! She hurt her front right leg. After a visit to Dr. Johnson at Neighborhood Pet Health Center she is on the mend.

Be sure to turn the volume up to get the full effect.

Worrisome

2009-11-01T22:01:00.000-06:00

Lucie has not been herself lately. Last Tuesday I notice some flaky skin on her right ear. Dr. Johnson said that was normal with Vasculitis. Thursday night we noticed that Lucie was having trouble getting up from a down position. Friday we went to see Dr. Johnson. Thankfully, he did not find anything wrong with her hips. Movement is good. The bumps on her ears are flattening out some and causing some redness on the inside of her ears. During the appointment she was noticeably not feeling well. When she was not being examined, she was sleeping on the floor which is not like her. Blood tests were done and from the first report that I received things look good. (small sigh of relief) So what is going on with our Lucie?

This evening she seems to be a little edgy, growling at Addie and Hailey while she chews on a bone. Again, very unlike Lucie. Dr. Johnson said he would call tomorrow with the rest of the results.

Here are some picks from earlier in the day.

These two are the best of friends.

Addie felt a little left out.

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Our friend Eduardo the Snuggle Puggle is not feeling well.

If you have not already, please stop over show him some love.

http://eduardothesnugglepuggle.blogspot.com/

Hailey is 9 months old!

2009-11-01T17:10:00.000-06:00

9 months old

8 months old

7 months

6 months

5 months

4 months

3 months

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Outtakes

Addie's 2nd Annual K-9 Costume Contest - Winners!

2009-10-31T07:36:00.000-05:00

And the winners are...

Funniest

Sagira

Scariest

Aladdin and Phoenix

Cutest

Pebbles "Sophie" Flinstone

Best Theme

Starr

Best Digital Editing

Mr. Scout Holmes

Our bonus winner is...

Fred

Thank you very much for your participation!

Happy Halloween!

Addie's 2nd Annual K-9 Costume Contest - Last Chance to Vote

2009-10-30T22:27:00.001-05:00

We will present the winners on October 31 so that they can be announced on Halloween.

Online Surveys & Market Research

Lucie, Vasculitis and Poop in my Brand New SUV

2009-10-25T08:30:00.000-05:00

Last Tuesday evening on October 20th, I was rubbing Lucie's ears and noticed lumps that started at the tips of her ears and ran up both sides of her ears. She was not scratching her ears or acting like she was not feeling well. Since Zoe had lots of lumps and bumps as she aged that we needed to keep an eye on, I got in the habit of thoroughly checking our dogs. To place my mind at ease I scheduled an appointment with our favorite Vet Dr. Johnson.

Lucie was the first to ride in my new FJ Cruiser SUV. On the ride out there I noticed a smell in the car. My husband said he didn't smell anything so I thought it was just my over-active nose at work. Once we arrived at the Neighborhood Pet Health Center and were waiting in the examination room I noticed the smell again. I immediately looked at the bottom of my shoes, nothing there. My husband looked at his shoes and BINGO there was dog poop on the bottom of his shoe! Oh well, I wanted this SUV as my fun dog car so what better way to break it in.

It was great to see Dr. Johnson! He got down on the floor with Lucie so they could get reacquainted. Lucie made sure she gave him lots and lots of kisses. She is a sucker for a good belly rub! Then he started examining her and started asking many questions. From this preliminary examination without any blood tests or biopsies, Dr. Johnson believes that she may have Vasculitis. He said he does not see this very often and that it can be related to other underlying conditions. He mentioned something about immune mediated something or other at this point I started to get concerned.

Don't know what it is? Neither did I, but I am learning now.

Besides hair loss, there are lesions, which can be cluster like and then the skin on the ear margins can begin to die (looking like an injury with a scab) and slough off.
The only definitive way to know is with an ear biopsy.
Vasculitis is not common in dogs, but can occur most frequently in short haired dogs and can be found in the Dachshund breed.

I was not ready to hear the words, "I don't see this very often and immune medated" from Dr. Johnson. The last time I heard these words was when K-8 was diagnosed with Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia and Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia. Dr. Johnson reassured me that Lucie's condition is different than what K-8 had and that a "normal" person probably would not have even caught these lumps on Lucie's ears. This made me laugh, he knows me very well at this point. I pay close attention to any changes in our dogs. I believe if I can catch an issue early enough, the better off my pups will be.

So where do we go from here? It is possible that Lucie will grow out of this, but we need to keep an eye on her for any changes. We will watch for any sores in or around her mouth and eyes. We will make sure she is eating and playing like she should. If the lumps don't go away or show changes of any kind within the next three weeks, Dr. Johnson wants to see Lucie back to re-evaluate her.

What is Lucie doing right now? She is sprinting around outside after Hailey, rolling her in the dirt in the yard!

Addie's 2nd Annual K-9 Costume Contest - Cast Your Vote Now!

2009-10-24T21:35:00.002-05:00

Online Surveys & Market Research

One of the pictures from this category was stuck in my spam folder. I have added it but if it is not displayed above please click the link below to view it.
http://www.vizu.com/res/Grab-bag/Hobbies/dog/puppy/costume+contest/poll-results.html?n=186775&cId=

Online Surveys & Market Research

Addie's 2nd Annual K-9 Costume Contest - Last Chance to Enter!

2009-10-23T22:59:00.000-05:00

Time is running out! Email your photo today!

Check out our contest entries that we have received!

Funniest

Abby

Sagira

Keri, Clayton, and Savannah

Fred

Scariest

Aladdin and Phoenix

Mattie the Spellbinding Witch

Cutest

Oksar, Schatzi & Xena

Fred

Pebbles "Sophie" Flinstone

Mona and her Team

Best Theme

Chloe

Aladdin and Phoenix

Echo

Keri, Clayton, and Savannah

Starr

Best Digital Editing

Freyja Poppins

Mr. Scout Holmes

Sugar

Submit your picture today.

Entering Addie's K-9 Costume Contest is easy!

1. Take a picture of your dog (cat, hammie or other pet) in their Halloween costume.

2. Choose the category that best suits your pets costume.

Scariest
Cutest
Funniest
Best Theme
Best Digital Editing

3. Email your photo to addiesk9costumecontest(at)gmail(dot)com. Please make sure to specify which category you are submitting the photo for. One photo per pet, per category.

4. Your photo(s) may be submitted up to October 24.

Viewers will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite photos between October 25 and October 31 at the contest blog. Winners will be announced on November 1.

Bonus Prize!!

Create a post on your blog with your submitted Halloween picture and a link to Addie's Costume Contest. Leave a comment at the contest blog letting us know that your post is up and you will be entered into a drawing for a bonus prize of a custom pet gift package!

Don't have a blog? You can post your submitted Halloween picture on your Facebook or Twitter account and link to Addie's Costume Contest. Leave a comment at the contest blog letting us know that your post is up and you will be entered into the bonus prize drawing!

Please visit the costume contest blog at
http://addiesk9costumecontest.blogspot.com/

If you would like a button for your blog, please help your self.

Lucie is 11 months old!!!

2009-10-18T19:38:00.001-05:00

10/18/09

09/18/09

08/18/09

7/18/09

06/18/09

05/18/09

04/18/09

3/18/09

2/18/09

1/18/09

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Adorable Outtakes

Joanie Needs Our Prayers and Good Vibes

2009-10-16T21:38:00.000-05:00

Joanie is the strongest Doxie that I have ever known. Her website has been updated and I thought I would share a little bit in case some friends have not viewed it yet.

(From her foster mom) For all you wonderful people out there who have been keeping up with, contributing to, and praying for Joanie's recovery, we have an update for you. We wish with all our hearts it could be a more positive update, but it simply isn't. Joanie is going to need all the contributions, healing rays and prayers you can possibly send her way. She is now in an even more dire fight for her life, but Fighting She Is.

Please visit her site

http://www.atdr.org/info/display?PageID=6597

for more information. We will be praying for this sweet girl.

Addie's 2nd Annual K-9 Costume Contest - Check out our entries!

2009-10-15T19:38:00.003-05:00

Check out our contest entries that we have received!

Funniest

Abby

Sagira

Keri, Clayton, and Savannah

Scariest

Aladdin and Phoenix

Cutest

Oksar, Schatzi & Xena

Best Theme

Chloe

Aladdin and Phoenix

Echo

Keri, Clayton, and Savannah

Starr

Submit your picture today.

Entering Addie's K-9 Costume Contest is easy!

1. Take a picture of your dog (cat, hammie or other pet) in their Halloween costume.

2. Choose the category that best suits your pets costume.

Scariest
Cutest
Funniest
Best Theme
Best Digital Editing

3. Email your photo to addiesk9costumecontest(at)gmail(dot)com. Please make sure to specify which category you are submitting the photo for. One photo per pet, per category.

4. Your photo(s) may be submitted up to October 24.

Viewers will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite photos between October 25 and October 31 at the contest blog. Winners will be announced on November 1.

Please visit the costume contest blog at
http://addiesk9costumecontest.blogspot.com/

If you would like a button for your blog, please help your self.

Training Lucie: Session #1

2009-10-14T20:22:00.002-05:00

Lucie is a natural! She was brilliant in her first lesson.

Addie also was showing off her skills this evening at the dog park. I am very pleased with her progress around lots of dogs and people.

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Dog Parks

Before we started working with our trainer Matt, we had only been to a public dog park once. I'll be honest, the horror stories have made me fearful of them. I love giving Addie and Lucie the chance to stretch their legs and play in such a large area. Addie is the one that really enjoys it and sprints all over. Lucie simply prances around visiting.

It is safe to say that almost on a weekly basis we have experienced a dog fight and in the last two fights people were bitten (one being this evening). Tonight there were just too many dogs at the park. It is the first day that the sun has come out and the rain has stopped in a while so everyone was out. Our dogs have never been involved in any of the fights. When we see them happening we immediately call Addie and Lucie to us.

The fight that stands out most in my mind happened a few weeks ago. A lady was headed to the gate to leave the park with her large sporting dog on its leash (I don't remember the breed). Another large dog simply walked up to her dog and started circling them. The lady got scared, started screaming and pulling her dog close to her. The attacking dog started lunging in their direction. A bystander stepped in and removed the dog from the park placing him in the gated area to leave so he would be confined. The lady released her dog and fell flat on the ground clutching her chest. We noticed that no one was going over to help her that was near her so we headed over, but by the time we got there a few people had gathered. The lady had been bitten by the attacking dog. A dog park regular starts yelling at the lady on the ground, "You never scream like that in a dog park!" Some choice words were exchanged and the lady left with her dog. Where was the owner of the attacking dog? Good question. The owner showed up after her dog had been removed from the park. She was on the other end of the park not paying attention to what her dog was doing.

I don't believe that I will ever be comfortable at the dog park. Either someone is not paying attention to their dog or their dog starts fights and they don't remove the dog from the park for the day. I wonder if this many fights is normal at a dog park. For our blogging friends that frequent dog parks, do you experience a lot of dog fights?

Sharing

2009-10-13T19:32:00.002-05:00

RAIN...

It's the new four letter word around here. I was told by some friends at work that it has rained something like 10 out of the 13 days in this month. We have had one day with sun shine and 2 overcast days or something like that. I look forward to a day without rain and a reduction of muddy paw prints in our house.

How to Make a Stick

2009-10-11T20:14:00.004-05:00

We received an award form Dozer and Star! Thank you so much friends!

It took us some time but we have a picture to share!

Here are some rules that came with the award:

Put the award on your blog and link to who gave it to you.

Give a nod to Purple Hatter who made the award

Share a picture or story of how you ‘Showed Some Love’ lately

Give the award to at least 5 (or more) of your blogging buddies who you believe have showed some love and ask them to share their picture or story too!!

Hailey's big sisters showed their love for her by helping her turn this little tree into a stick!

And here are five lovely, loving blog buddies who deserve this award!

1. Mona and the Mommy

2. Abby

3. Huskee and Hershey

4. Paco, Milo and Maya

5. Mango the Maltese Kiddo

Addie and Lucie's Commercial Debut!

2009-10-10T15:36:00.001-05:00

If the video above does not load, please try this link

http://www.yellowpages.com/info-22945761/Family-Pet-Care

I have tested it in Firefox and Internet Explorer with no troubles on my end but you never know.

Thank you for viewing!

Friends

2009-10-08T20:04:00.000-05:00

Addie's 2nd Annual K-9 Costume Contest - Send Your Photo Today!

2009-10-07T06:36:00.000-05:00

We have received some entries and they are all wonderful!
Here is a sneak peak at our favorite Doxie friends submission.

Oksar, Schatzi & Xena

Check all of the entries out at the Costume Contest Blog.

Your chances of winning are really great!

Entering Addie's K-9 Costume Contest is easy!

1. Take a picture of your dog (cat, hammie or other pet) in their Halloween costume.

2. Choose the category that best suits your pets costume.

Scariest
Cutest
Funniest
Best Theme
Best Digital Editing

3. Email your photo to addiesk9costumecontest(at)gmail(dot)com. Please make sure to specify which category you are submitting the photo for. One photo per pet, per category.

4. Your photo(s) may be submitted up to October 24.

Viewers will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite photos between October 25 and October 31 at the contest blog. Winners will be announced on November 1.

Please visit the costume contest blog at
http://addiesk9costumecontest.blogspot.com/

Hailey is 8 months old!

2009-10-04T07:43:00.003-05:00

This post is a little late due to the unexpected events this week.

8 months old

7 months

6 months

5 months

4 months

3 months

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Outtakes

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We took Addie and Lucie to Barktoberfest on Saturday. There were a bunch of rescues there with some adorable pups. A few vendors and a booth set up to take a fall picture of your pups. We were hoping that the caricature artist was going to be there from last year, but they were not. :(

The event was held in half of the large dog park at Fort Woof. I believe the girls were confused being in the park but not being off the leash. Addie pulled me the entire time. This was the first pet event that she has been to so I didn't know what to expect. We really need to work on that more. It's like she completely forgot the word heel.

At one point Lucie attacked a giant bag of dog food that one of the vendors had displayed. Not sure what that was about.

The girls did have a beautiful morning playing outside on Saturday.

Since about 3 p.m. yesterday it has been raining non stop it seems. It will make for an interesting day!

Mud...

here we come!

Visit lots of furry creatures at Camera Critters and join in on the fun!

Oh my...

2009-10-02T22:18:00.000-05:00

On Thursday Addie and Hailey visited Dr. Johnson at his new office at Neighborhood Pet Health Center. Most dogs don't like going to the vet, but our dogs LOVE going to see Dr. Johnson. They were extra spoiled by his staff with a freeze dried treat that is one of Addie's favorites! But this visit wasn't all fun and petting, both had their own issues going on.

Addie has conjunctivitis which can be seen by the gross stuff next to her eye.

Hailey has a yeast infection in her ear. She wouldn't stand still for a picture. Too many new smells to explore.

What did the diagnosis mean for me? Eye drops and ear drops. This is the first ear infection for Hailey so it was her first time for ear drops. They didn't go so well for the first set of drops. I tried a treat she loves for her second set of drops and by the third set of drops we had found our winner of how to give Hailey ear drops in a calm manor.

Then there is Addie. Addie has never had a problem with us giving her eye drops or even cutting her nails but for some reason now these things infuriate her. So far treats are working for the eye drops although I am missing more than I am getting in. Nails... those are a work in progress. I am simply at a loss with them. We have been desensitising her since she was a pup on her nails and she was in a good place but now it's a no go. Any tips that our pup friends can offer would be greatly appreciated!

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Friday

The moon is 97% full but with my luck today, last week, this month, it feels like a full moon tonight!

See this adorable little Hailey face...

She nearly gave me a heart attack this evening!

I was filling the dishwasher in the kitchen with Addie laying at my side. Lucie and Hailey were sprinting around the house playing as they always do. I was watching them play out of the corner of my eye. And then there was a scream like you would not believe. It was a Hailey scream that could have literally raised the dead!

Addie and I ran in to find Hailey laying on her side refusing it get up just screaming. A quick once over of Hailey and I didn't notice any blood or visibly broken limbs. She was breathing fine, everything looked in tact. When I reached down to pick her up she started screaming again. I'll tell you, little dogs have a scream that is unimaginable! I have feared an injury occurring between Lucie and Hailey just because of their size difference and it looks like we got our first one out of the way. After several minutes of screaming I grabbed her up and headed out to have her checked out. Dr. Johnson's office was closed since it was nearly 6 p.m. so we headed to Family Pet Care.

At first look they could find no cuts or marks. Her right front leg was tender so they said they would do an x-ray. By the time they had the x-ray set up I could tell that Hailey was already feeling better. When they brought her back to me after the x-ray Hailey was 100% back to normal. The x-ray was perfectly fine. After we checked out, for a moment I felt like I was back in Vegas. In 45 minutes I was down $200 with nothing to show for it. Well, I did received piece of mind that she was ok.

Tonight I felt like a new parent with their child's first injury. That scream... my brain just knew that she had to be dying to make a sound like that! I will know a little better next time. Crazy insane scream doesn't always equal major injury!

Addie's 2nd Annual K-9 Costume Contest

2009-10-01T21:28:00.001-05:00

Have you picked out your costume yet?

Entering Addie's K-9 Costume Contest is easy!

1. Take a picture of your dog (cat, hammie or other pet) in their Halloween costume.

2. Choose the category that best suits your pets costume.

Scariest
Cutest
Funniest
Best Theme
Best Digital Editing

3. Email your photo to addiesk9costumecontest(at)gmail(dot)com. Please make sure to specify which category you are submitting the photo for. One photo per pet, per category.

4. Your photo(s) may be submitted up to October 24.

Viewers will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite photos between October 25 and October 31 at the contest blog. Winners will be announced on November 1.

Please visit the costume contest blog at
http://addiesk9costumecontest.blogspot.com/

Help find Kuma the Border Collie/ Aussie Shepherd Lost in Bellevue, WA

2009-09-29T21:45:00.000-05:00

This sweet little girl is lost!

I came across a post about this sweet girl and wanted to share her with our blogging friends who might live in her area. Kuma is 4 months old. She is a very sweet, loving puppy, who managed to escape her owner's enclosed back yard. They live in the Lake Hills area of Bellevue, WA. Since she has not been surrendered to the humane society or Animal Control, they are now speculating that someone has been keeping her.

Please view this video about Kuma.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IDICGTab5E

Please visit the links below for more information.
http://findkumanow.chipin.com/kuma-bears-reward

http://www.kvi.com/younews/62567312.html

If you have any information about Kuma,

please contact her family at

email: colicookie23(at)gmail(dot)com

or call

Matt: 425-753-6775

Ayla: 206-409-8845

Coli: 206-619-8059

If you know anyone that lives in her area, please forward this information and let's help bring this furbaby home!