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My poor carpets!

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Didn’t have a chance to steam clean them after the mud from our massive rainstorm, and now they’re not only taking a beating because it’s “that time” for Jayda, but to make things worse Bryce’s digestive tract is still messed up after his dental procedures! VERY unusual for him – looks like either he’s having side effects from the antibiotic or he was a little “off” from the anesthesia and the antibiotic just made things worse. He was better for one day, then things fell apart again. He’s been eating a bland diet since the dental but it isn’t helping much. Fortunately it’s (knock on wood) not the “frequent urges” sort of problem, and he’s been able to do everything outside, but I feel so bad for the little guy. Spoke to his vet this AM and she had me add Flagyl and Pepto Bismal to the mix – hoping that helps and I don’t just end up with a bright PINK mess in the potty area next time!

Other than that, he’s eating well and acting like himself – thank goodness for that.

Adding to my stress, I just started a full-time temp contract so I can’t be home watching him all day as usual (though I am running home at lunchtime). And there’s Skyline’s trial next weekend – if he isn’t himself by mid-week I will probably scratch him. Jayda’s already going to be sitting this out but at least her entries are refundable!

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Cassie

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I finally got a few photos of one of my other feral kitties, Cassie. Here she is at the feeding station:

Cassie

Cassie was mother of the 2nd litter of feral babies (born under my neighbor’s deck 3 years ago) – 4 little black kitties. Kit was probably the father. The family was trapped, the kittens were placed and Cassie was spayed, vaccinated and released. Sadly two of the kittens had a genetic heart defect and died young, but the other two are well-loved and thoroughly spoiled by their owners.

I’ve grown especially fond of Cassie – she’s bolder around me than the other ferals, seems more willing to interact with me. She IMMEDIATELY follows me when she sees me put food in the dish and I can get within about 1 – 2 feet of her. If my presence overwhelms her, she responds passively – freezing and closing her eyes. Unlike Kit who flattens his ears and tries to look scary (I have to admit, it works!). I didn’t see her from October until April and had been very worried about her. She mysteriously re-appeared right after the floods – I’m glad she’s back.

She’s doubtlessly related to my ‘Bika (from feral litter #1) – probably either a half-sister or a full sibling from an earlier litter. Bika has bigger eyes and a more petite build, but you can easily see the resemblance:

bika - face

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That time of the … decade?

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I was planning to finally get the lovely but unfortunately-large Jayda spayed this summer. Previously, she had only come in season ONCE (at 15 months) so it wasn’t an issue as far as trial entries were concerned. So guess what she did a few days after our last trial? Yep – came in season for only the second time in her 3 years. Just poorly-timed enough that I’ll have to cancel her entry for Skyline’s NADAC trial – darn!

Both times she came in were after a visit to her “family” in the Albany area. Now it MAY have been that she got the idea from being around other intact girls, but if you’re not planning a family, you may not wanna drink the water up there! Or maybe it was a sign of empathy with her cousins in the UK ?

Here is a somewhat embarassed Jayda modeling her lovely blue gingham panties (note the beige carpet!). They are on much more securely than it looks – she has a very slopey croup, hence the fashionably urban “low rise” look.

Jayda's urban fashion

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Teeth!

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Bryce went in for a dental yesterday and came back minus 3 teeth. Two we suspected – both his upper carnassials had slab fractures. How he could have done that and never let on or missed a meal is simply amazing! The 3rd was a tiny molar in the back that was loose and yucky. I think that was a gesture of empathy – I just had to have a wisdom tooth in the exact same spot removed!

So far he seems to be recovering nicely – they said he was standing up looking around just a half hour after they stopped the anesthesia and he’s been eating well (“ravenous” is a good term). He’s still pretty subdued and “loopy”, and the other end of his digestive tract isn’t doing well – poor guy has “the runs” for only the 3rd time in almost 9 years.

It could have been worse – his litter brother had to have TWELVE teeth removed last week!

Here’s a pretty (if somewhat hairy-eared) picture I took of him the other day (pre-dental)

Bryce's handsome face

Next, tomorrow I go back to my dentist for part 2 of a miserable root canal … ugh!

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This and that …

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I’ve decorated! Like it? The cartoon and favicon were imported from my old website.

Concerned about the Pet Food contamination recalls in the USA? The bloggers at Pet Connection and Itchmo.com have been doing an awesome job keeping on top of things, with reliable, up-to-date info and posting product recall alerts BEFORE the FDA!! Kudos to them both!

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Jumping styles

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I love looking at pictures to see how different dogs use their bodies in agility, especially when they jump. Styles can vary so much even within the same breed.

This was my beautiful Sally (1991-2006). Sally used to tuck her rear feet up very tightly behind her. She sometimes tucked her carpals on takeoff and she usually kept her head low.

Sally jumping

If she was feeling especially happy the head came up a bit and the front paws stretched out, but those back feet were always right up under her tail (as you can see in the photo below). She was light as a feather on her feet, and so pretty to watch!

Sally - triple

Bryce has a more moderate rear tuck. He always carries his head high which makes him land rather heavily on his front, and he never, ever, EVER, bends his wrists – it’s just not “manly” :)! He also jumps somewhat flatter. No matter what the jump height there’s rarely much air between him and the top bar – he’s efficient.

Bryce jumping

Jayda jumps with her head low. Not only are her carpals always tucked, I’ve noticed they’re often CROSSED besides! And she doesn’t tuck up her legs in the rear, just lifts them as high as she has to. She has such long “landing gear”, maybe its too much of a bother to fold and unfold it completely? I wouldn’t call her a “pretty” jumper, but she gets the job done. She’s also very “green”, so it will be interesting to see if her style changes with experience.

Jayda jumping

All 3 of these dogs are (and were) VERY clean jumpers who rarely, if ever, take down a bar, so it seems to be mostly a case of finding what works for you and using it!

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