More Delvis

I haven't been walking Della and Elvis lately because of Della's wounds, but they were looking better and both dogs were looking bored as we went today. I removed the cone, washed it, and left it at home for the hike. Della was very glad about that. I found a harness that fit her pretty well and I thought it would be easier on her than the rope harness that I usually use. 

We had a great hike, 3.5 miles, ending as it was getting pretty dark. When we got home, I mixed up some antiseptic wound cleaner and washed Della's wounds. They are still open but they look clean and appear to be healing, no signs of infection. The cone went back on, probably for another week. 

Elvis was very happy to out walking again.

He had quite a bounce in his step today.

I found this nice black harness among my dog supplies.

It fits her well and looks good on her.

Best of all, the part on her chest is padded.

3.5 miles

Della and Serena used to share this crate without any problem.

Somehow Elvis seems to be more of an intrusion.

They always seem to work things out.

New routine

I still feel like I might have forgotten something I should have been doing. The puppies being gone definitely left a void in my day. It's not exactly "free time" because I still have more than enough to do, but there's not quite the same frenzied pace. 

Today had a definite wintry feel to it - cloudy, damp, and rather breezing, with some occasional drizzle. Not a pretty day but I got Della, Maya, Paisley, and Elvis out to the pasture for a little run time. Max wasn't interested in coming downstairs and I didn't push it. We weren't out there long but they chased something, real or imagined, and had about as much outdoor time as the day warranted. 

Later I took Chico up to Pleasant Grove for a three mile hike. I may get to the point where I trust him outside in the pasture again if I'm around, but we aren't there yet.

Everyone is going to notice that Della is wearing a cone in these pictures so I might as well address that. It was result of a fight with Kaiya, the second altercation she's now had with Kaiya. Kaiya has also had problems with Paisley (twice) and Maya. The only female she didn't fight with around here was Holly, but that's because I just never let that happen. Della had a couple of wounds on her chest, torn skin, but not too deep fortunately, and some on one of her legs. I didn't take her in for stitches because I wasn't sure they would hold anyway. She's healing up quickly and has tolerated the cone far better than I ever expected.

We are a good and suitable foster home for many dogs, but not all. Kaiya is very loving towards me, but insanely jealous and protective too. She's a bitch. We had some issues with Paisley in the beginning too, but she seems to have settled down quite a bit, at least she's not challenging Della or Maya any more. Kaiya is great with male dogs. She and Elvis spent an afternoon together hunting through tall grass in the pasture. She and Chico play together pretty roughly in the a/c yard, which is the only place I trust Chico these days. But I don't think she's ever going to co-exist with another female dog and we have three of them around here.

Kaiya is going off to reform school very soon, with a trainer to work with her and evaluate her. She could work in a home as an only dog, or only with male dogs, but only with an owner who would be vigilant. 

My own dogs sacrifice a quite a bit by sharing their home and their humans with so many foster dogs. I hope something can be done for her, but I know that we can't do it here and I'm not willing to put my girls at risk any more. 

Paisley

Maya

Paisley

Elvis

Chico out on the trails this afternoon.

A very large fairy ring at Pleasant Grove, the first to green.

Our three mile route today.

Final puppy partings, etc.

Holly went to the vet for her spay surgery on Wednesday and went home with her adopter that same day. On Friday Boomer and Dizzy went to their new homes. The last two pups, Camilla and Adina, left for their new homes on Saturday morning. Adina had a fairly long drive to Maryland and Camilla set out for Florida. Everyone is home now and seems to be doing well. 

Here are my last two puppy videos, taken Saturday morning, Adina and Camilla playing with a two liter plastic bottle.

I was cleaning up the blankets and toys from the puppy shed and Daneland early Saturday morning while the last two pups were still here so I wouldn't have to be out there alone doing it after they left. I did experience that inevitable feeling of emptiness after they were gone. I made a trip to the dump with the last of the puppy trash and then grabbed Elvis and went to town. We did a few errands, visited Clay's mother, and then went to Decipher for beer with the day drinkers. Saturday was wet and chilly so here wasn't much incentive to hike or work outdoors. 

Sunday was better and I took Chico for a three mile hike and then drove him and Kaiya over to meet Erika for a little training and evaluation.