The Sparky Four Miler

The streams were flowing but had some ice.

It was warmer today and we were bored with being stuck at home huddling inside away from the cold even though we've only had two days of this.  

Sparky and I went out this afternoon for a fast four miler.  We did just over four miles in just over an hour, averaging 15 minutes per mile, which is pretty fast for me.  That was a good length hike.  I can do longer but not at that pace.  I don't have to go at that pace but I wanted four miles today and I only had about an hour so we did it.  

Sparky was here.

A frozen puddle

This is the end of the trail near the dog park.
We don't  usually walk around here because I
prefer to avoid the people, but we had it all
to ourselves today.

Sparky is fine with moving fast but we were on parts of the trail that were new to him so he was wanting to stop and pee a lot.  I kept him moving and in turn he wasn't too cooperative when I wanted to stop for pictures.  We compromised a bit and we both enjoyed it.  I liked the distance but I don't plan to do them all at that pace.  

There's a small poorly maintained cemetery
just down the hill from the dog park.

Our route today:  4.16 miles

Sparky did a lot of rolling in the grass
whenever we stopped today.

Sparky is such a good looking dog, and he
looks great in a leather harness.

All in

Today wasn't bad but it got colder as the day went on and sharply colder with a strong wind this evening.

Frank has a new home this evening, however, so I'm sure he's warm and cozy and loving all the attention he's getting.  I had an email from someone a couple days ago but we weren't able to get together until today.  This connection came about as a result of my blog posts about Frank so I'm very happy and I'm grateful to everyone who reads and shares when they see a dog that might be good for someone they know.

It is a great home and I think Frank will be a great fit there.  They want a sweet and loving companion, Frank wants loving companions with access to food.  I kissed him on his head and wished him the best and I think he will have it there.




Frank's departure comes at a good time too, because we have a house full already and with the bitter cold approaching I'm bringing everyone in.  Ochie has been coming inside anyway, but I've generally been leaving Max in one shed and Sparky in the other.  Last night I brought Max in and gave his shed to Sparky because it's tighter, more snuggly, and full of straw.  Tonight, however, I'm bringing Max in and Sparky too.  Sparky has never been in here because he's really not good with other dogs.  He'd be all right in the warmer shed, but I've set up a crate for him in the kitchen for the night.  Everyone else will be upstairs just in case he decides the crate isn't for him, but I think he'll be fine in there. 

Maya in a crate after I had washed the beds.

Daphne and Vince competing for Clay's
attention. The competition is reduced a
bit with Frank being adopted.

With Daphne here until Thursday our head count is nine as of tonight and all nine are indoors.  I think that's a first for us, and we are in single digits too.

Sparky in a crate in the kitchen.  He's been quiet
in there so far this evening.

Our little girl

I'm sending in the adoption contract on Maya, a formality really as she's been "our dog" for quite a while now.  I don't know what it is about me, but I'm a sucker for these problematic female dogs.  I've said before that she combines traits of our Gypsy, Emmylou, and Molly, so how could I not fall for her?



Maya on our hike today. I'm wearing
the blaze orange Ruffler as a headband.
It was great for keeping my ears warm.

I took her on my trail hike today.  I needed to get back out for a walk but I still couldn't handle a strong puller.  That eliminated Max from the start.  Sparky will take it easy on me if I ask him, but I have to ask repeatedly, and I just needed an easier dog today.  Maya was perfect, no pulling at all, in fact I had to encourage her to walk ahead of me at times.  She's not nearly as confident when you take her out of her element as she is here at home.

We had a good walk, over 4.5 miles, on a cold but sunny day.  That's the best walking weather as far as I'm concerned--no bugs, no mud, and no people.  We saw a few deer and she was interested but she didn't proceed to drag me along running after them as Max would have done.

Saturday evening we took Maya down to Scottsville to the James River Brewery.  She's been there a number of times but tonight's crowd was the largest, and friendliest, she's encountered.  Everyone wanted to meet and greet her and she was better with strangers than she's ever been.  She even kissed a baby who very much wanted to meet her.














Maya and Trooper: 
she adores him and he likes her
more than he cares to admit.

Tired, in the back of the car on the ride home.

Boxer Frank

Here's my web write up and pics for Frank:

Frank is a young male boxer, maybe three years old.  He's brindle and white, neutered, and up to date on vaccines.  Frank is house-trained and crate-trained, although as with any dog, you should expect him to mark a new home a time or two in the beginning, particularly if other dogs are around.  He is not good with cats, don't even think about it.  He's living with eight other dogs in his foster home and he can learn to live with other dogs although he'd be perfectly happy as the only dog.  Frank is very people oriented and will follow you everywhere you go around the house.  Frank was taught some basic commands, sit, down, and shake, and he seems very willing and even eager to please, either for a treat or just attention.  Frank gives a nice boxer-style hug if you let him but will stay down if you don't invite it.  He's not a big boxer and he's underweight right now, but all he needs is about 5-10 pounds to be lean boxer in his prime.  You can reach Frank's foster home at vadogrescue@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like to meet him. 

First vet visit of the new year, Gigi

Gigi barfed in the bed or bedroom for three nights in a row, seeming to have a full stomach late at night although she had been fed only in the mornings.  I stopped a couple supplements I had recently started and switched her to cooked chicken and rice only.  No vomiting last night and she pooped today which told me that things were moving through at least.  Still, I took her to the vet today.  She was somewhat dehydrated and got fluids.  And she had lost weight, which she didn't need to do.  I'll continue the chicken and rice diet and with a dose of Pepsid for the next few days.

Her coat has never been really good and she had been licking herself again, which is why I had started her on Benedryl and fish oil.  When she's back to digesting food normally I'll try her on coconut oil instead and maybe Zyrtec as an antihistamine.  If her coat doesn't improve and the itching and licking continues, I'll need to try her on a different food. 

Basically she's fine, but she's going to require a little extra pampering.  She got her nails done while we were at the vet too. 

Daphne was scheduled to check in at the camp and spa tomorrow morning, but the nasty weather started this afternoon so she met us at the vet's office and came with me today instead.  She'll be here until next Wednesday.  Toquima should be going back home tomorrow. 

I've been exchanging emails with someone who is interested in Ochie but he's in Arlington and I'm not sure when we'll be able to meet.  It sounds like a good prospect for Ochie. 

No hikes today because of work, the vet visit, and the weather.  Plus, my body needs a day off.  I got on the scale at the vet's office and wasn't happy with the numbers that came up.  It's time to give up diet soda again and see if that makes a difference.  I've been reading stuff that says although it's zero calories, the artificial sweetener tricks the body into producing fat because it thinks it's the real thing.  I had sworn off it when I dropped weight before and now I'm exercising more and not losing the weight so I'm looking for something to blame. 

As you can see from the pictures, although Gigi isn't feeling her best, she still looks fabulous. 

New Year's Fashions

A friend of mine makes these neck scarfs and sends them to me for the dogs.  She sent some at Valentine's Day last year, I think, and a new batch arrived just before Christmas.  Today I finally got around to getting them on some of the dogs for pictures.  They are called "Rufflers" and if you are interested, her email is dogparty10@gmail.com 

Sparky

Cabell

Vince

Frank

Trooper

Toquima

And of course, Gigi.  Maya wasn't around when we did pictures.