The dogs give it Two Tongues Up.
The "dry" off leash area was all sandy, so no mud!! (Big improvement over, say, my own property) And it had dogs for Wootie to play with.
He was so excited he used his magical powers to transform his Flamboyance (tm) into the back end of a cattle dog.
It even kindly provided a puppy for Dexter to play with (when Wootie would let him). And by "play with" I am of course referring to "bite on the nose."
He got a little pouty when the bitee retaliated by squashing him.
The off leash area also had these cute little jungle paths for exploring
Thank you for letting me run again!!
(Piper is on a program of gradually reintroduced exercise. No limping at all so far, so I think we're doing okay! *fingers crossed*)
But do you wanna know what the best thing about Blackie Spit is? Do you?
What is it?
It's this:
ZOMG!! Ocean-induced Mad Teeth (tm)!!!
Oh ocean! How I have missed you so! Moving out to the sticks meant leaving the ocean far behind, and I thought we'd never see it again.
There was much rejoicing.
Hallelujah!
Although some members of the family were less than impressed with this large body of water, because some members of the family don't "do" water.
I feel pretty 'meh' about this whole ocean thing.
Mr. Woo tried to show him how it was done.
If you stick your face underwater, you can pick up cool stuff!
But Dex wasn't falling for it.
Stick my face where? Nuh uh, brutha, youz on the crack!
But Dexter wasn't going to ruin Wootie's fun! He was so happy he even fetched the ball. Oh yes he did!
Americans have Thanksgiving; I have Wootie Fetched A Ball Day.
Mr. Woo was exceptionally pleased with Blackie Spit because in no time at all he figured out that if he wanted to, he could just ... leave (reoccurring theme with him, or what?)
Oh hai! I snuck out of the fenced area.
Tee hee! Catch me if you can!
What a little porker. Oops, I mean, what a little STINKER.
Nooooo, I definitely mean what a little PORKER.
I mean, look at him:
I don't understand how Wootie gets so fat! I feed him next to nothing - seriously, he eats less than a 1/3rd of what my other (skinny) dogs eat, and his morning meal looks so pathetic I add beans, canned pumpkin and warm water to it so that it appears more like a meal and less like a POW ration system.
Why is he so fat? I mean, I guess it could be because most of the time on our outings, he can be found like this:
... which is Wootie with his face in a hole. And I am not exaggerating - he can spend HOURS with his face in a hole. Turns out what he's doing is sucking on dirt clumps. Is it because he's hungry? He's hungry because I don't feed him enough, but I don't feed him enough because all he does is lie around eating dirt!!! He's like the chicken-and-egg riddle!!!!
Oh well. I guess the Mystery of Wootie Fat will never be solved.
Hai! Talk about me for a minute! Woo is boring. And fat.
Okay, Tweed, let's brag on you for a second.
Although I had to scratch Piper from the trial last weekend, I did run His Silliness, Mr. T. And he went 3 for 3 - 3 Qs, two 1st places and one 2nd place. That's my boy!!!
I will leave you with this one thought, dear readers ... if you want to see something very, very amusing, give your dog a salt and vinegar potato chip. A big one. In fact, photodocument it if you can. The face-making is HILARIOUS!
The "dry" off leash area was all sandy, so no mud!! (Big improvement over, say, my own property) And it had dogs for Wootie to play with.
He was so excited he used his magical powers to transform his Flamboyance (tm) into the back end of a cattle dog.
It even kindly provided a puppy for Dexter to play with (when Wootie would let him). And by "play with" I am of course referring to "bite on the nose."
He got a little pouty when the bitee retaliated by squashing him.
The off leash area also had these cute little jungle paths for exploring
Thank you for letting me run again!!
(Piper is on a program of gradually reintroduced exercise. No limping at all so far, so I think we're doing okay! *fingers crossed*)
But do you wanna know what the best thing about Blackie Spit is? Do you?
What is it?
It's this:
ZOMG!! Ocean-induced Mad Teeth (tm)!!!
Oh ocean! How I have missed you so! Moving out to the sticks meant leaving the ocean far behind, and I thought we'd never see it again.
There was much rejoicing.
Hallelujah!
Although some members of the family were less than impressed with this large body of water, because some members of the family don't "do" water.
I feel pretty 'meh' about this whole ocean thing.
Mr. Woo tried to show him how it was done.
If you stick your face underwater, you can pick up cool stuff!
But Dex wasn't falling for it.
Stick my face where? Nuh uh, brutha, youz on the crack!
But Dexter wasn't going to ruin Wootie's fun! He was so happy he even fetched the ball. Oh yes he did!
Americans have Thanksgiving; I have Wootie Fetched A Ball Day.
Mr. Woo was exceptionally pleased with Blackie Spit because in no time at all he figured out that if he wanted to, he could just ... leave (reoccurring theme with him, or what?)
Oh hai! I snuck out of the fenced area.
Tee hee! Catch me if you can!
What a little porker. Oops, I mean, what a little STINKER.
Nooooo, I definitely mean what a little PORKER.
I mean, look at him:
I don't understand how Wootie gets so fat! I feed him next to nothing - seriously, he eats less than a 1/3rd of what my other (skinny) dogs eat, and his morning meal looks so pathetic I add beans, canned pumpkin and warm water to it so that it appears more like a meal and less like a POW ration system.
Why is he so fat? I mean, I guess it could be because most of the time on our outings, he can be found like this:
... which is Wootie with his face in a hole. And I am not exaggerating - he can spend HOURS with his face in a hole. Turns out what he's doing is sucking on dirt clumps. Is it because he's hungry? He's hungry because I don't feed him enough, but I don't feed him enough because all he does is lie around eating dirt!!! He's like the chicken-and-egg riddle!!!!
Oh well. I guess the Mystery of Wootie Fat will never be solved.
Hai! Talk about me for a minute! Woo is boring. And fat.
Okay, Tweed, let's brag on you for a second.
Although I had to scratch Piper from the trial last weekend, I did run His Silliness, Mr. T. And he went 3 for 3 - 3 Qs, two 1st places and one 2nd place. That's my boy!!!
I will leave you with this one thought, dear readers ... if you want to see something very, very amusing, give your dog a salt and vinegar potato chip. A big one. In fact, photodocument it if you can. The face-making is HILARIOUS!
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20 comments:
If Woo IS part Sheltie, as the Flamboyance (TM) would suggest, he may have weight issues because as a breed Shelties have signifiacntly more than their fair share of thyroid issues... specifically hypo-thyroidism.
HOWEVER, that having been said, he would not appear to be displaying some of the other symptoms typically associated with hypo-thyroidism such as bi-lateral hair loss and lethargy to some degree or another. But hypothyroidism is a major player in Sheltie weight gains. "reputable breeders" test potential parents for it but BYBs, as we all know, test for nada. As I'm sure you know, it's auto-immune and it's an easy/relatively inexpensive blood test for the T-4 and T-3 levels. Since you are feeding him next to nothing and he is still "fluffy", it might be worth a look.
I love all of the pictures..they are great!!!!
Awesome pictures. I think someone had a chunk taken out of their cute little nose! BOL
Benny & Lily
Tweed, Piper, Woo, and Dex - I'm glad no one gives an unsuspecting ME a SAV tato chip. Yeee-UCK. Photographing me would bring on just the face FL laughs at! And, dare I say, RETRIBUTION.
I'm glad you all are doing so well in the sticks. And, Dex, cutie pie, swimming is awesome once you get the hang of it. Too bad its winter now and not summer!
Wishing you and yours the most blessed of days as we break bread with friends and family or spend our time as a volunteer with any one of the numerous charities in need of our time and talents.
Peace, plenty, prosperity - my wish for the United States of America.
Maybe Woo is fat because he's part GOLDEN. *ducking*
Sheltie related hypothyroidism would be my other suggestion.
Nice pictures:) I walked past that dog park on Sunday with my elderly mother, and wished I had brought a dog along. Don't know if you know, but Semiahmoo park at the east end of White Rock beach is First Nations land. Haven't been there for a while, but last time I was there the big playing field at the east end of the park was off leash. From there you can cross over the tracks and onto the beach, and if the tide is out, there is loads of sand. Your dogs would love it!
Aw... Tweed with the head tilt is too sweet.
I've never done it myself, but I hear that adding canned green beans to your dog's food makes them feel full without adding many calories. Might be worth a shot?
Sadly I don't have a dog, so I'm hoping to get to see your photos of a dog getting a salt and vinegar crisp :-)
So how come you didn't give us pictures of your dogs eating salt and vinegar potato chips? I don't allow chips in my house (because I eat them) but I will buy a small bag today to test my dogs and my cats.
Great pictures as always. And congratulations on Tweed's great agility runs.
I feel guilty at my complete love of Dexter. I adore my new pup, Solo and got him because he's NOT a handful dog (I have one of those already)....but I really enjoy Dexter shots. Those eyes!
I have to major water border collies-and right now, since it's cold and he's a pup-Solo isn't feeling it either.
Molly, on the other hand, just splashed all the water out of the water tub again, and Moondog is now pushing it around the backyard at breakneck speed.
HOWEVER, that having been said, he would not appear to be displaying some of the other symptoms typically associated with hypo-thyroidism such as bi-lateral hair loss and lethargy to some degree or another.
Which is exactly why the vet doesn't think Woo is hypothyroid. He has a (ridiculously) lush haircoat and he's not so much lethargic as he is, you know, lazy ;-)
So how come you didn't give us pictures of your dogs eating salt and vinegar potato chips?
Oh, there will ...
Maybe Woo is fat because he's part GOLDEN. *ducking*
*pokes nickelsmum in the eye* (!!!)
I've never done it myself, but I hear that adding canned green beans to your dog's food makes them feel full without adding many calories.
Actually, if you re-read the post, you'll see I already do that. Green beans, pumpkin, warm water - the problem is not so much how hungry he is, but rather how fat he is ...
I feel guilty at my complete love of Dexter.
You shouldn't. Dexter is amazing! ;-)
there is a plethora of info on Sheltie hypothyroidism on both Second Chance Sheltie Rescue and Central Illinois Sheltie rescue, including an article by W. Jean Dodds DVM who is the guru of Sheltie thyroids, describing optimal test ranges, typical onset ages and how your Sheltie can be hypothyroid for a while before any symptoms manifest themselves.
There is also info on the newest Sheltie health issue which is the MDR1 gene which renders them unable to process certain drugs out of their brains... the primary culprit being Ivermectin. More specifics on that at Washington State Univ. website including list of no-no drugs and percentages for the breeds most affected... collies 75%, shelties 15%, bcs <5%, aussies 50% etc.
[Actually, if you re-read the post, you'll see I already do that. Green beans, pumpkin, warm water - the problem is not so much how hungry he is, but rather how fat he is ...]
Oops, sorry! I read beans and thought pinto beans/black beans, green beans are in the veggie catagory in my head :)
Ow, ow! My eye hurts!
Your dog could be borderline hypo, and not show the poor coat etc. Recent studies point to treatment for bordrline dogs, which is why it is important to do a full panel for specific results. Only dogs with really low numbers will be lethargic. I would test.
We are constantly feeling like terrible parents for how little we feed miss Zoe, but I swears, any more and she gets chunky. And my cats too, for that matter. They act like they are STARVING - and in fact have recently started eating my loaves of bread, which I don't really understand. But they tend to FAT. They're on diets. They do not agree with this.
I am very glad you had a good Wootie Fetched A Ball day. ;)
I am the first two anonymous posts... not the third. I would not presume to tell you what to do with your dog. I simply wish to share my experiences in this particular arena so you can decide for yourself.
I currently have 3 shelties ages 2 3, and 4. Over the last 20 years I have had 6 other shelties... the first three from pet stores before I knew better (translate puppy mills), three others from Rescue (translate probably puppy mills) and three from breeders (two ethical and one most assuredly not).
Of my fabulous nine, FOUR have been hypothyroid.
With three of them, it was pretty cut and dried... symptoms etc and confirmation with bloods. The one I have now had symptoms but extremely ambiguous bloods... fine one day, way down 3 weeks later... back up three weeks after that etc. Sheltie thyroids are very complicated and unless your particular vet has REALLY studied this rampant problem a thyroid issue could easily be missed which is why I sent you the names of places you could go to read up on it for yourself. Shelties should be in the highest 1/3 of the normal range. The range is 1-4 for the T-4 so if you have a sheltie with a T-4 of 2 the dog is hypothyroid even though the value is in the middle of normal. A sheltie's T-4 should be not less than 3 and optimally at 3.5.
This problem is so prevalent in the breed that the usa vet schools (specifically Michigan and Cornell) have multiple position papers on treating these dogs e.g. dogs with symptoms and OK bloods, dogs with no symptoms but marginal bloods etc.
Happy hunting.
Love your dogs!
Just a thought, the carbs in Wootie's diet (beans, pumpkin, dirt) might be piling on those extra pounds...
the carbs in Wootie's diet (beans, pumpkin, dirt) might be piling on those extra pounds...
Well pumpkin has virtually no calories or carbs, and green beans are very low in carbs. He was already fat on a diet of mainly meat when I started adding those (as I reduced his meat meal amount) so I don't think he got fat because of them.
The dirt I can do little about - I definitely don't add it to his meal! LOL!
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