OK so we left off with the chocolate incident but like I said that was just the beginning. Sookie suddenly developed a very sensitive stomach. I shouldn't say suddenly as I indicated before it's breed related; however I started noticing her having increasingly more problems. She has always been a fickle eater when it came to her food but generally she did ok with Iams. After a while though she was having difficulty going to the bathroom and she was having unproductive attempts at vomiting. I was scared as this could be a sign of bloat which is usually a fatal issue that involves the dogs stomach being twisted. I am not really sure of all the details and am really not ambitious enough to google them to give the readers more at the moment. If you're curious Google! So I got her straight in to see out vet and the vet examined the dog and indicated that she was fine from a bloat prospective. She took a stool sample (literally she took it right from the dog I was so shocked!) and got it tested for worms and recommended either prescription dog food, the natural brands or to cook for her. She didn't have worms, she just has the doggie version of IBS as I like to say!
So first I tried the super expensive prescription dog food. I got to spend $50.00 to attempt to feed the dog for about a week. She hated the food and I literally had to mix in a not so healthy flavoring from the pet store. It seemed to me that it defeated the purpose so prescription food abandoned for the Vet's next suggestion. I went to the local doggie speciality store. They sold a line of dehydrated raw food that I had read about being great for dogs. Also super expensive but still a step down from the prescription food. I invested in a small box for approximately 25 dollars and she loved it. The small box got us through about a week and a half. I went back and got the large box for $56 dollars (Oh and this is the cheapest of the flavors mind you) and it lasted a little bit longer but by the third week it was getting increasingly harder to get the dog to eat the food. Her digestive system had been somewhat regulated and I didn't want to give that up. I tried mixing in other proteins occasionally to entice her to eat it but again it was defeating the purpose of the ease of just buying food. The brand of the food was Honest Kitchen and if your dog has problems and cost isn't an issue I do recommend it. It helped her tremendously. She almost immediately was regulated and the vomiting stopped completely. The food itself claims to be tested on humans however being human I can't see anyone willingly eating it. You added warm water to rehydrate it and honestly it looked like baby food mixed with soap scum. It was disgusting looking, but like I said it did work until Sookie just refused to eat it. Sookie is spoiled so she got her way.
On to the 3rd suggestion. Cooking for the dog. Now this dog eats better than most people. I researched cooking for dogs and talked to the vet more about it since it appeared to be the last chance at regulating the dogs freaking digestive system. It worked and Sookie has been going on 5 months now and not getting tired of her food. It is a huge pain in the butt, but it saves me from cleaning up her mess. Oddly enough I have found cooking for her although hugely time consuming to be the most cost effective way to deal with her digestive issues. Generally she gets a lean protein and rice and then green beans or carrots. Although the vet recommended carrots I try to stay away from them. They tend to make her go, I mean go go and it's usually an emergency. They do seem to clean out the digestive tract but when crating a dog during the day you may not like what you come home to find. I come home at lunch now to spend time with the dog, let her out and give her a snack. I usually give her snacks of either and egg, a slice of cheese or a spoonful of plain yogurt. If I know that I am home all day for a couple days to ensure that she gets out in time I may mix it up with a carrot dipped in peanut butter.
It may seem slightly indulgent to feed an take care of the dog in this manner; however I am a firm believer in treating your dogs as well as you would treat your children. She is a huge pain in the butt. She now thinks she is entitled to all people food which is a large problem and I am still learning effective ways to discipline her. Yesterday she jumped up on the stove and took a bite of the red velvet cake I just made! Which could have easily spelled the type of disaster the cookie incident did if I hadn't gotten there in time to stop her. I have taken to taping the lid of the garbage can shut as well. This dog has an sense of entitlement that just drives everyone nuts myself included. I don't understand how a dog who was so finicky about what kind of dog food she ate will literally eat anything out of the garbage and I do mean anything!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Sookie and her Digestive Drama
As I first mentioned when I introduced Sookie that she is a Doberman. Anyone who is slightly familiar with the breed may also know that the breed is prone to digestive issues including bloat. This being the case it makes for very nervous parents whenever you see the dog in any sort of digestive distress. Like any dog she always had boughts of discomfort and "icky" BM's when her food changed but otherwise she seemed to have a generally healthy digestive system. This of course all ended the day she ate a box of double chocolate chip cookies...
I was at a Patriots game in November of last year. The dog was home all day but in the crate I had someone coming over to let out and make sure she got fed and exercises as I anticipated being gone for more than 4 hours. I got a message the she went out and was put back in the crate for when I got home. When I strolled into the house about 3 hours later I immediately notice that there were some things amiss. The first and major clue was that the unattended dog greeted me at the door. Yes something definitely was not right. It was most definitely a crime scene.
The now tired dog had now gotten into the love seat (by that I mean ate it) and green fluff was strewn about the downstairs den. As I made my way threw the house and Sookie's path of destructive I found the most disturbing evidence of all an empty plastic container of Double Chocolate chip cookies on the floor of the kitchen. When I had left the house it had been full and on the counter. I could only deduce from the evidence that Sookie had consumed the entire container. The dog had most definitely escaped from her jail and did pretty much what anyone would have done to their jailers. Eat what was forbidden and destroy their favorite toys. Oh she is a smart one.
I was not angry with her though I was borderline hysterical over the amount of chocolate that the dog had consumed. I called the emergency line at the Vet and got a call back. The vet asked some questions to determine the damage. The consensus was it was to late to induce vomiting and bringing her in would just be costly (she should have mentioned it might be worth it to save the carpet!). She gave further instructions to keep her from any food for 24 hours and ensure she doesn't get dehydrated.
The dog seemed fine for the time being so I did as the Vet said and we all went to bed. I was jolted awake at 3 am by the cries of the dog. The nightmare had started. I would take her outside she would vomit and pee out her butt, then come right back in the house and do it again. I would make sure she had water and then the cycle would start over. I missed work that day to literally ensure the dog survived the drama. It was a long long day. Of course if she saw a box of unattended cookies she would still eat them without any lesson learned. She may not have learned a lesson but I sure did. Food is never left on the counter. EVER. I wish I could say this was the end of her digestive drama.. Unfortunately this was just the beginning..........
TO BE CONTINUED.
I was at a Patriots game in November of last year. The dog was home all day but in the crate I had someone coming over to let out and make sure she got fed and exercises as I anticipated being gone for more than 4 hours. I got a message the she went out and was put back in the crate for when I got home. When I strolled into the house about 3 hours later I immediately notice that there were some things amiss. The first and major clue was that the unattended dog greeted me at the door. Yes something definitely was not right. It was most definitely a crime scene.
The now tired dog had now gotten into the love seat (by that I mean ate it) and green fluff was strewn about the downstairs den. As I made my way threw the house and Sookie's path of destructive I found the most disturbing evidence of all an empty plastic container of Double Chocolate chip cookies on the floor of the kitchen. When I had left the house it had been full and on the counter. I could only deduce from the evidence that Sookie had consumed the entire container. The dog had most definitely escaped from her jail and did pretty much what anyone would have done to their jailers. Eat what was forbidden and destroy their favorite toys. Oh she is a smart one.
I was not angry with her though I was borderline hysterical over the amount of chocolate that the dog had consumed. I called the emergency line at the Vet and got a call back. The vet asked some questions to determine the damage. The consensus was it was to late to induce vomiting and bringing her in would just be costly (she should have mentioned it might be worth it to save the carpet!). She gave further instructions to keep her from any food for 24 hours and ensure she doesn't get dehydrated.
The dog seemed fine for the time being so I did as the Vet said and we all went to bed. I was jolted awake at 3 am by the cries of the dog. The nightmare had started. I would take her outside she would vomit and pee out her butt, then come right back in the house and do it again. I would make sure she had water and then the cycle would start over. I missed work that day to literally ensure the dog survived the drama. It was a long long day. Of course if she saw a box of unattended cookies she would still eat them without any lesson learned. She may not have learned a lesson but I sure did. Food is never left on the counter. EVER. I wish I could say this was the end of her digestive drama.. Unfortunately this was just the beginning..........
TO BE CONTINUED.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Sookie and the couches....
Sookie is a smart creature with an eye for destruction...Ok really she just has separation anxiety and a compulsive need to chew. Prior to the vet's instruction on crating the dog we had made every attempt to slowly let her free during the day from the crate. I love the dog and really wanted to see her enjoy freedom. Growing up my dog always had free roam of the house. Then again she was mellow and well Sookie is not.
In addition to anxiety I have a sneaking suspicion that the dog may have an undiagnosed case of OCD because there is literally no hole, snag or thread that she can not resist pawing or chewing at. When she was first a puppy she was crated off into an area of the downstairs den. She saw a snag in the carpet and she dug a hole, maybe even two, and that started her appetite for textiles.
She wasn't ready to roam free; however the thought was that she could be trusted for 5 minutes alone. Not so much! In the meantime one of the two responsible people living in the home may have sat down on one of the leather couches with a key that possibly made a small hole in the couch. If only we have called Bob's and enacted the goof proof protection at that moment! Fast forward a bit. Sookie is left unattended while I go grab something from the mail box. I maybe was gone 5 minutes tops. I came in to find the back of the couch shredded and her pretty little nose covered in green stuffing. Oh yes she was in trouble, but so was I. In an attempt to hide said couch from other responsible person in the home I grabbed a blanket and placed it over the couch like I was making a fashion statement. No one not even Sookie bought into that deception. Evidence of such was experienced everyday until the couches were replaced! Daily we would find her with a snout full of green stuffing. You would think that a lesson would have been learned there, not so much. Not until she at the love seat as well.
Sad but true... we have new couches. She hasn't eaten them but I kind of miss her covered in green stuffing.
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In addition to anxiety I have a sneaking suspicion that the dog may have an undiagnosed case of OCD because there is literally no hole, snag or thread that she can not resist pawing or chewing at. When she was first a puppy she was crated off into an area of the downstairs den. She saw a snag in the carpet and she dug a hole, maybe even two, and that started her appetite for textiles.
She wasn't ready to roam free; however the thought was that she could be trusted for 5 minutes alone. Not so much! In the meantime one of the two responsible people living in the home may have sat down on one of the leather couches with a key that possibly made a small hole in the couch. If only we have called Bob's and enacted the goof proof protection at that moment! Fast forward a bit. Sookie is left unattended while I go grab something from the mail box. I maybe was gone 5 minutes tops. I came in to find the back of the couch shredded and her pretty little nose covered in green stuffing. Oh yes she was in trouble, but so was I. In an attempt to hide said couch from other responsible person in the home I grabbed a blanket and placed it over the couch like I was making a fashion statement. No one not even Sookie bought into that deception. Evidence of such was experienced everyday until the couches were replaced! Daily we would find her with a snout full of green stuffing. You would think that a lesson would have been learned there, not so much. Not until she at the love seat as well.
So yes now the dog is medicated. Doggie downers are an amazing thing, and she has not seen more than a minute to roam free in the house unattended. Fool me once shame on you fool me twice it's time for doggie downers!
Sad but true... we have new couches. She hasn't eaten them but I kind of miss her covered in green stuffing.
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Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Sookie the camp reject...
Sookie has always had a tendency to gravitate more towards people then other dogs. She is a precocious 2 year old who loves to sniff people and give them kisses when the opportunity arises. This usually works out fine but every so often I have heart palpitations as she goes to kiss a child who barely stands at her level. Luckily as of yet we have not been kicked out of Petsmart for knocking down little kids, but who knows there is always next time.
Working my previous job meant long hours that Sookie was alone at home. After several incidents of excessive couch chewing the vet suggested maybe Sookie just wasn't ready to be left out. She said that we should consider going back to crated her while we were out or enrolling her in daycare. The vet suggested this as my anxiety ridden dog paced the exam room in an obsessive manner. The vet also made a comment with a soft laugh "I can see lack of exercise isn't the problem." So with that suggestion I tried to enroll Sookie at Camp Bow Wow. The brochure looked awesome and I figured for a hyper dog she would love to run around with other dogs.
Camp Bow Wow's brochure states there is a trial day for the dog. You get to drop the dog off free of charge while they observe how the dog does with the other dogs and then lets you know at the end of the day whether he/she passes the test.
I woke up one day for my appointment and brought Sookie down. The first sign this was going bad should have been when the dog refused to get out of the car and I had to drag her. I finally coerced the dog into the lobby of the camp and she found her way to the staff who was to judge my dogs suitability and manners. My dog apparently from the start seemed submissive and the staffer was concerned. She asked me not to leave yet as she was going to do a short test run in the back to see how she did with a puppy.
Well 10 minutes later she came back and informed me that this wasn't going to work as Sookie cowered in fear of a puppy who barely came up to her knees. Oh great! She suggested behavior therapy and I suggested we never come back.
Working my previous job meant long hours that Sookie was alone at home. After several incidents of excessive couch chewing the vet suggested maybe Sookie just wasn't ready to be left out. She said that we should consider going back to crated her while we were out or enrolling her in daycare. The vet suggested this as my anxiety ridden dog paced the exam room in an obsessive manner. The vet also made a comment with a soft laugh "I can see lack of exercise isn't the problem." So with that suggestion I tried to enroll Sookie at Camp Bow Wow. The brochure looked awesome and I figured for a hyper dog she would love to run around with other dogs.
Camp Bow Wow's brochure states there is a trial day for the dog. You get to drop the dog off free of charge while they observe how the dog does with the other dogs and then lets you know at the end of the day whether he/she passes the test.
I woke up one day for my appointment and brought Sookie down. The first sign this was going bad should have been when the dog refused to get out of the car and I had to drag her. I finally coerced the dog into the lobby of the camp and she found her way to the staff who was to judge my dogs suitability and manners. My dog apparently from the start seemed submissive and the staffer was concerned. She asked me not to leave yet as she was going to do a short test run in the back to see how she did with a puppy.
Well 10 minutes later she came back and informed me that this wasn't going to work as Sookie cowered in fear of a puppy who barely came up to her knees. Oh great! She suggested behavior therapy and I suggested we never come back.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Let me Introduce Sookie
Those of you who know me well have at one time or another heard and amusing anecdote about Sookie the Dog. Those of you who are gluttons for punishment or boredom actually seek out Sookie stories. To oblige my caring friends who for some reason find Sookie fascinating this blog is for you.
Sookie is 2 years old (her birthday was October 13th for those of you who didn't send cards and gifts!). She is a purebred Red Doberman. Sookie was a gift from a breeder who happened to be a member of my extended family; after reading stories about Sookie you may think the breeder is psychic and that's why she found her way to me free of charge. My belief is that she was just being generous and Sookie is a special creature. Either way you look at it the dogs extraordinary nature brings a smile or the desire to commit inhumane acts to those who meet her. I will let you be the judge of which. My sister will personally tell you that Sookie is a Soulless Ginger when she is being nice and Satan when she is not.
Sookie was named after Sookie Stackhouse for those of you who are fans. Like her namesake this Sookie is prone to dramatic flair and neurosis to a high degree. Sookie has been banned from my parents home for any extended period of time, she has been denied a place at the local Camp for dogs and often tries the patient of her very caring vet.
Sookie has a diagnosed anxiety disorder, and digestive issues. I also believe she may suffer from some unnamed disease in which a dog believes they are a person. To combat the person issue I have taken her to a local dog park to try to engage her in activities with other dogs. This has not worked. I will save the stories from the dog park and many others for a different day.
Today is to introduce you this funny creature who brightens my day most of the time and tries my patience 100% of the time. Sookie and her special diet, her desire to watch TV and sing along to music all make me laugh and cry on a regular basis. I will say that she is now a spoiled creature she wasn't always that way but as I started to see her "special" nature I unfortunately compensated with letting her get away with murder.
Sookie is 2 years old (her birthday was October 13th for those of you who didn't send cards and gifts!). She is a purebred Red Doberman. Sookie was a gift from a breeder who happened to be a member of my extended family; after reading stories about Sookie you may think the breeder is psychic and that's why she found her way to me free of charge. My belief is that she was just being generous and Sookie is a special creature. Either way you look at it the dogs extraordinary nature brings a smile or the desire to commit inhumane acts to those who meet her. I will let you be the judge of which. My sister will personally tell you that Sookie is a Soulless Ginger when she is being nice and Satan when she is not.
Sookie was named after Sookie Stackhouse for those of you who are fans. Like her namesake this Sookie is prone to dramatic flair and neurosis to a high degree. Sookie has been banned from my parents home for any extended period of time, she has been denied a place at the local Camp for dogs and often tries the patient of her very caring vet.
Sookie has a diagnosed anxiety disorder, and digestive issues. I also believe she may suffer from some unnamed disease in which a dog believes they are a person. To combat the person issue I have taken her to a local dog park to try to engage her in activities with other dogs. This has not worked. I will save the stories from the dog park and many others for a different day.
Today is to introduce you this funny creature who brightens my day most of the time and tries my patience 100% of the time. Sookie and her special diet, her desire to watch TV and sing along to music all make me laugh and cry on a regular basis. I will say that she is now a spoiled creature she wasn't always that way but as I started to see her "special" nature I unfortunately compensated with letting her get away with murder.
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