Christmas With Ralphie

We had a wonderful Christmas holiday!  Yes, yes Santa spoiled Ralphie even though he was quite naughty this past month with the Christmas tree.   What is it that dogs love Christmas ornaments?

Returning home from work one day Ralphie destroyed about 8 ornaments which included a couple treasured ones...my son's ornament he made as a child in 1986 and an antique ornament from my childhood days.  So the next day I blocked the tree with my coffee table and two chairs.  I come home from work...another 6 ornaments smashed!  He must of jumped on the table to reach the higher ornaments. Overall Ralphie attacked and destroyed about 20-25 ornaments!

I'll have to come up with an idea for next year to keep him away from the tree...maybe a giant baby gate to wrap around the tree.

My little "Christmas Tree"

Handsome boy.

So excited!

"What's this...more gifts for ME?!"

"Yay, another ball but this time with treats in it!"

Loves that ball! The elf no longer has a head and one arm is missing. :(

Helping my little old Ollie unwrap his gift.

All tuckered out...the end of our Christmas celebration.

Doggie Hall of Shame

I'm beginning to see why Ralphie is 5 pounds overweight!!  I now have my eye on him during meal times.  

Ollie knows when to stop eating and will walk away from his food when he's full.  After Ralphie is done devouring his own food, sneakingly Ralphie strolls over to Ollie's bowl of leftovers and eats his food!  Oh yeah, Ralphie is very sneaky!  Ralphie doesn't care if he's stealing from his old, blind, deaf brother!  It's all about his tum-tum!  LOL

With this naughty behavior I think Ralphie needs to be entered in the Doggie Hall of Shame...LOL

Here's my boy.....

Look at that guilty mug shot!

Ralphie Visits Santa Claus

"*Smooch* Yes, I was a good boy this year...but we won't talk about the ornaments I ate!"

"Santa Claus is my best friend...okay, how many toys and treats am I going to get?"

Thankful

Just some random pictures of our Thanksgiving Day today.  Both Ralphie and Ollie enjoyed the turkey and much as we all did.  Ralphie had fun with his pug cousins, running, chasing each other, tug-a-war, and wrestling.  I am so thankful for daughter and son...they are the BEST!!  Of course, I am very thankful for Ralphie and Ollie.  I feel so fortunate to still have Ollie at almost 15 years old. I couldn't be any luckier to have Ralphie in my life...he's added so much love and laughter to my once whirlwind life.

"Yum yum Thanksgiving dinner."

"Mama is sooo silly...but I'll do anything for her."

"Kisses for my mama."

Isn't my boy handsome?

Happy Thanksgiving from Ralphie!

Today is Thanksgiving Day, but not the typical Thanksgiving Day.  No big turkey dinner here.  Well at least for today.  My daughter had to work all day and evening...the life of a nurse!  So we postponed our Thanksgiving turkey feast until Saturday.  But that doesn't say we had a boring day.

Today's Thanksgiving dinner was grilled italian sausage with peppers and onions, spicy fries, salad and pumpkin pie for dessert with my son, Ralphie, and Ollie.  Then we went hiking on the nature trail at Starkey Wilderness Park.  It was quite wet from the rains we had a few days ago, but that didn't hold us back to a couple of hours in Mother Nature.  Ralphie LOVED it!  It was the first time I let his leash loose to run free.  I was so impressed.  He stayed right by us and when he would wander off too far, he came back to us when we called.  He had a BLAST!  He ran and explored like a Vizsla does.  By golly, I think I have the best hiking partner anyone can ask for ... now I just need to get some good hiking boots to be able to dredge through the elements!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sniff, sniff...what do I smell?

Enjoying his freedom!

Me and my BIG boy!

Ralphie...my BEST friend!

Oh, we had such a beautiful day!

Love this picture!

My handsome boy! 

We ALL Need Prayers

The other evening I was walking Ralphie.  It was a beautiful, slightly cool evening.  I was in a great mood, chatting on the phone with my daughter as Ralphie and I enjoy our walk.  As usual Ralphie was sniffing all the scents in the air and ground.  A street away from my house, Ralphie stopped near the curb by the street in my neighbor's yard.  He did his business and afterwards Ralphie kicked back the dirt a couple times as a natural instinct of a dog does.  As a responsible pet owner I took a poop bag from my pocket to pick up what Ralphie left behind.  Does this sound all normal?  I think so.

Well the owners of this home were outside in their yard.  Mom was raking and Dad was sitting with their daughter who was a little over a year old.  Mom yells over to me that my Ralphie was messing their grass (FYI...sadly the major part of their lawn is browned out and mostly dirt than grass).  I said to her, "Oh, I picked up his mess (holding up the poop bag) and Ralphie just kicked up a little dirt by the curb."
Oh my, that's when the fireworks started ... Dad stands up with his chest puffed out, pointing his finger at me with their little daughter by his side, yelling every nasty, foul, cuss word at me.  He went berserk!  I was appalled by such nastiness.  How can anyone get that angry over something so small? I kept walking, but shouted back he shouldn't be acting like that in front of his little daughter.  My daughter heard the whole ordeal over the phone as I was talking with her.  She couldn't believe her ears.  I couldn't believe such a small harmless act of Ralphie can make a young couple so distraught.

After returning home from our walk I couldn't stop thinking of what happened.  How can anyone be so upset over something so small?  This incident actually kept me up that night losing hours of sleep. Truly I was worried for their daughter being exposed to such madness.  If this is what happens outside their home with a stranger, my goodness what is happening behind closed doors?

I had to write a letter to this young couple to tell them how I feel.  That would be the only way I can let this whole situation go.  I wrote my letter that night using a little humor but getting my point across.  In the morning Ralphie and I took our walk and I tied the letter with a big pink bow to their mailbox.  After I left the letter, not knowing Mom was outside, here comes Mom and baby girl from the side of their house and she said, "oh, it's not you again."  I said, "oh, I just left you a letter on your mailbox."  Calmly she came up to me with her daughter on her side and we talked. Talked a lot.  I gave her some words of wisdom.  She seemed very sad.  In my head I knew there was more going on in that home behind those closed doors.  After talking for about 15 minutes I felt the conversation was going nowhere.  I wrapped up our conversation by saying,  "Have a nice Sunday and I'll keep you and your family in my prayers." She said, "we don't need prayers."  I said, "we ALL need prayers" and walked away.

My letter to my neighbor.

Vizsla Staycation

I took off this week from work ... a staycation.  Just hung out with Ralphie and my daughter with her pugs.  Ollie pretty much wants to be left alone...a quiet house is ideal for him.

Sadly, the week is winding down.  Ralphie had a fun-filled, active week.  We walked a lot in the neighborhood, walked the beach, we hung out in the back yard poolside relaxing, we visited a few pet stores, we hiked a 13 mile nature trail, we went to different dog parks, we went to my daughter's house for fun with Bubba plus we still have three more days of fun together!   Life has been exceptionally busy for Ralphie this week.

There's nothing like being able to spend so much time with your pup that means the world to you.  Next week it's back to my normal work routine.  However, now we will have to rush to the dog park right when I get home from work due to the time change.  I really hate this time change!  It's crazy that it gets dark so early!  I have no idea of the purpose to move our clocks ahead, but it really puts a damper on a lot of people's lives.  LOL

Anyway, I'm going to enjoy these last three days to the fullest with my Ralphie...more hiking, doggie fairs, and more doggie parks.  Fun!

Ralphie's new toy that he got when visiting the pet store.

Please, please can I have some!

Hiking the trail.

Cooler weather is here...all snuggled up!

My Beauty!

Vizsla Owner's Rule

The past few weeks I met a couple of Vizsla owners at the dog parks.  Their pups were beautiful.  All much younger than Ralphie, between 9 months and a year old.  All our Vs looked quite different which I found fascinating that I had to do some research on the Vizsla background.  I've discovered Vizslas from their country, Hungary are a little different from U.S. Vizslas.

At the dog park last week I met a breeder with a male pup...a handsome good-looking guy.  After admiring her sweet boy, she stated boldly that Ralphie was FAT!  Yes, I know he's about 5 pounds overweight.  She said it's because he's neutered.  Hmmm, maybe, maybe not.  I don't know if there's any truth in that, but I do know he does get way too many treats.  It makes sense that treats are the fat culprit!  But I found her dog's appearance intriguing...I actually really liked the differences in her V compared to Ralphie.  She then told me she breeds her dogs with a Vizsla from Hungary, giving her pups that Hungarian look.  The color seemed a little lighter red, more brownish red.  I really liked the head formation, more boxy than U.S. Vizslas.  I may consider getting my next pup from her.  But what through me off is she was using one of those prongy collars on her little 9 month old pup.  I was surprised to see a breeder use one of those.  I always thought V breeders were not fond of those torture looking collars.  However, I kept my opinion and thought to myself.

Then yesterday I went to an event called Woofstock.  This is an event where a lot of dog owners gather together and mingle and where different rescues and other dog organizations promoting their cause or service.  It was a fun-filled day for the dogs!  I met a young couple who was a guest that had two Vizslas, one about 9 months old and the other a year old.  Very beautiful girls.  They saw Ralphie, and the guy gasped and said, "WOW, I've never seen a Vizsla that BIG! That's the BIGGEST Vizsla I've ever seen!"  Okay, yes I admit Ralphie is a big boy at about 70 pounds (should be 65).  He looked like a giant next to their petite females.  Then he started telling me he's going to start breeding Vs and will have their first litter available early next year.  He started pitching the champion bloodline his pups will have to show the dog, on and on.  Then I said I wouldn't be looking for a show dog, my dogs are pets only.  Then he went on how SMART his Vs are, after all they know 30 tricks!  Blah, blah, blah.  His sales pitch was an over-kill and unfortunately quite a turn-off,

There should be a rule for all Vizlsa owners...Keep your thoughts about another Vizsla to yourself. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all!  

No one wants to hear their dog is FAT or their dog is a GIANT.  In any pet owner's eyes their pup is flawless and the very best-looking dog around.
 
My Ralphie is PERFECT!  Love.

Fun times at Woofstock!

Having fun with a new buddy!

My HANDSOME boy!

All tired out after Woofstock...on our way home.

More On Vizsla Allergies

Well today is the last day for Ralphie's antibiotics.  It's also been over a month on different food.  And  it's also October 25th and the weather is cooling.  Ralphie's hair is growing back and no crusty skin lesions. Yay!!!  Was it the antibiotics, the food change, or weather change that healed his summertime skin problem.  This is what I believe...

It was not the antibiotics because last year exactly at this time, Ralphie's skin cleared up.  It was last year on 10/26/13 that I wrote about him overcoming his skin and loss of hair problem.  And last year I did not give him any antibiotics.

It's not the change in food either.  Last year I never changed his food and he cleared up.  This year I changed his food and I've been mixing in different kibble samples that I got at the local dog store open house.  So he's been eating all different kinds of food this past month.  What I did find out though...Ralphie gets bored with his food.  He needs a change, a variety, not the same food every day.  He's a finicky eat and when he gets bored with his food, he won't eat it.  He's loving the variety that I've been feeding him.

My diagnosis on Ralphie's skin problem ... SUMMERTIME!  It's definitely a seasonal allergy.  Could be the annoying summer bugs, humidity, heat, fertilizers, grass, environment.  Unfortunately, this may be an ongoing problem each summer.  I will be looking into vitamins that may help these allergies and start him on them and hopefully build his immunity that will make him more tolerant to summertime.

But what I know for sure ... both Ralphie and I are loving the cooler weather ... a nice little break from our Florida's hot summer.

Vizsla Skin Allergy Obsession

Poor Ralphie is still suffering with skin allergies.  I wrote in my October 5th blog of all the things I'm doing to help his allergies.  Nothing is working.  I caved in and started him on the antibiotics today.  I really didn't want to put him on them but now I feel I have no choice.

I looked back in my blog from last year, and at this time his allergies were cleared up.  When he saw the vet last year in September he was having hair loss problems.  My Oct. 23, 2013 blog stated his hair grew back and he was looking great.  So I didn't give him the antibiotics at that time.  Our summer this year seemed extended, we've been having hot days just up until a few days ago.  Possibly that's why Ralphie still has hair loss and bumps.  Last year it cooled down sooner.

I'm honestly becoming obsessed with this problem.  That's all I talk about, I'm googling away every day for "thee answer".  I've read numerous blogs and forums.  It seems like it's different for every V.  Some say its food, some say its bugs, some say its environment, some say its grass or weeds, some say its laundry detergent, it goes on and on.  Very mind-boggling and frustrating.  For Ralphie, I think its our Florida bugs and maybe grass.  He seems to flair up a little more after the dog park.  Last year I didn't change his food and his skin did clear up by the end of October.  Truly this is making me insane!  Luckily Ralphie doesn't seem like he's in any discomfort...he's not chewing, scratching or itching.  It just looks really bad and it's not normal!  I need to get my boy all shiny and red again!  Love him!

Vizsla Love

So do you think Ralphie loves his mama? Hahah  Love him!

Allergies Continue

Ralphie has been battling allergies all summer and now that fall is here...he STILL has problems with hair loss along his back.

Picture taken today.  Ralphie's spotted back.

I'm at wits end trying to figure this out.  I've tried shampoos and creams (NuStock) and at times I felt that it was getting better...and then it flairs up again.  (Sigh)

The vet doc looked at it, but didn't have much to say.  Last year he gave me some antibiotics which I didn't need to use because it eventually cleared.  But now I'm thinking I should use them.  I read that other Vizslas used antibiotics which cleared it temporarily but then the problem came back.  

The doc never mentioned changing food.  But I read that can be the problem.  I had Ralphie on Natures Domain, grain free, from Costco.  On dogfoodavisor.com it's rated quite high, almost 5 stars. But Ralphie was losing interest in his food, which concerned me.  So I changed to Zignature Duck, a limited ingredient kibble.  Ralphie loves it.  If it's a food allergy that he has, this food should help.

I'm also trying coconut oil.  I've been reading this oil is supposed to help with pet's skin allergies.  Today I'm starting him out slow, a half teaspoon twice a day.  I've also made a coconut oil rinse for external use.

I'm so frustrated! I'll give this two weeks, if this doesn't work I'll have to use the antibiotics.  But I really want a permanent fix.  Someone mentioned steroid shots ... but no way ... that can't be good, it doesn't even sound good.  

I pray that my boy would just kick this allergy.  (Sigh)

St. Francis Vizsla Blessing

Today was a whole day of Ralphie.  This morning we started with a short 3-mile run/walk.  Then he had some fun chasing lizards and digging holes in the backyard while I did some outdoor chores.

In the afternoon we went to St. Francis Pet Care Center for the celebration of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

People gathered to have their pets blessed with holy water.  Ralphie really enjoyed himself mingling with all of the other dogs.  They had raffles, fall photo shoots, food for the humans, goodies for the animals.  I didn't think it would be a good idea for Ollie to go at his age, but I did bring his picture for the blessing.

Waiting for the animal blessing.

Everyone gathered outside while the priest did the blessing.

Then in the evening we went to the park hiked the trail and walked along the water.  Yes, it was a Ralphie day!  A most enjoyable day with my best friend.

Vet Visit - Good New - Bad News

Ralphie had his 2 year wellness check at the veterinarian this past week.  I really like his doc because he actually sits down and discusses with me my concerns and gives me his recommendations and suggestions without rushing me through the appointment.

Everything checked out good ... well, almost everything.  Ralphie had his yearly heart worm check...all good.  Then he had a Bordetella shot that I opted for since he's around a lot of different dogs at the dog park.  This prevents Ralphie catching kennel cough.  The doc and I had a long conversation about Ralphie's allergies.  It seems like it's flared up more so recently.  His hair is thinning along his back and he has a few bumps which appear to be bug bites.  I started the NuStock cream again.  If that doesn't clear it up, I'll have to give him the antibiotics that the doctor gave me.  Sometimes I wonder if it's a food allergy.  I'm feeding Ralphie a no-grain salmon kibble.  I may research different foods and try something different.  Talking about food ... the doc gave Ralphie and me some bad news ... Ralphie is CHUBBY ... he's overweight!!  We discussed Ralphie's diet.   Yes, I'm guilty of giving him too many treats and too much human food.  Ralphie needs to lose 5-6 pounds!  He's 71 pounds and should be 65 pounds.

So I started Ralphie's new diet.  It was suggested to me 2/3 kibble and 1/3 green beans or broccoli.  Replace his fattening treats with carrots and apples.  I haven't changed his kibble yet.  I'm still researching a good kibble to help allergies.  But I did start adding the vegetables to his food and changing his treats.  The broccoli was success, he seemed to like it; but forget about the green beans.   He picked them all out of his food.  I gave him a carrot...he ate it, but not the way he eats a milkbone.  He didn't go crazy over it.   He seemed to really like the apple.
Slowly but surely I will get my boy buff and toned! (Actually I can afford to lose 5-6 pounds myself!)

Munching on his new healthy snack ... wasn't all that thrilled with it.

This picture says it all ... Ralphie HATES green beans!

When It's Time - RIP Stewart

My sister had to make a big decision yesterday to put her most loving Great Dane, Stewart to sleep.  Stewart was 9 years, 8 months old...quite a long life for a giant breed.  When do you know it's that time?  I'm sure my sister struggled making this decision.  But she had to make this decision with her head and set aside her heartfelt feelings.  Stewart was her favorite.  What is best for him?  Of course my sister would of loved to keep him for a week, a month, a year longer.  But is it fair for your pet when their quality of life has diminished.  Stewart simply grew old, ate well but losing weight rapidly, unable to walk, no control of his bodily functions.  It was time.

Right now I have a young whipper-snapper Ralphie, with his youth, energy, the prime of his lifetime.  I'm enjoying his youth!  I also have Ralphie's older brother, Ollie, my Yorkie who is pushing 15 years old.  I'm have my struggles with his aging.  Ollie eats well, still has control of bodily functions, however he just does what he wants.  If he wants to pee and poo outside like a good boy, he does.  But he can be stubborn and lazy and just does his business in the house.  His eyesight and hearing is failing him.  He's becoming a little senile prancing, bumping into things, whining, and panting in the middle of the night.  So I wake up and hold him, cuddle him, rub his ears to soothe and calm him. He falls asleep.  It's been rough for me with interrupted sleep, but that's what love is all about.  I feel Ollie still has life in him; he can be quite feisty at times.  But I know one day I will need to make that decision like my sister did yesterday...is it that time?  But until then, I will cuddle him, comfort him, LOVE him.

Rest In Peace Sweet Stewart

Vizsla Swimming, Running, Hiking

The summer is winding down although here in Florida the warm weather is here for most of the year.  Even though Florida has the warm tropical weather, you can still feel the weather changing.  With that said, I thought of one thing Ralphie and I didn't do this summer ... is spending a whole day at the beach.  We went to the beaches for a short leash walks many times this year, but we didn't have a full beach day.  I really wanted to go to Ft. Desoto beach in St. Petersburg where they have a free run dog beach.  Maybe writing this will motivate me to take a ride out there with Ralphie before the chill rolls in.

Another thing that I didn't do this year yet is to run in a race that allows dogs.  How fun would that be running through the finish line with my boy!  I just can't find a race in the area that permits dogs.  :(

As fall approaches I really would like to go on a few short hikes with Ralphie.  A new experience.  How I would love to find a hiking area to see the colorful fall leaves.  A few years back I hiked in the Highlands, NC ... it was simply awesome, something I would like to do again, but this time with Ralphie.  I have a week off at the beginning of November, maybe just maybe we'll head out there and do some hiking.    All I can remember are the beautiful breathtaking colors and the gorgeous mountains ... so, so different from Florida.

Single Dog Parent

I read an article on Facebook about signs knowing you are a single dog parent.  This article made me laugh, but oh, so true.  Some of the signs that I was really able to relate to are:

* 98% of the photos in my IPhone are of Ralphie and Ollie!!  Yep, I show everyone my pics, just like someone showing pics of their kids.

* I post photos of Ralphie on Facebook maybe well...a tad too often.  But I can't help myself.  He's just too cute.

* Singing songs with their name in it.  Yes, every morning I sing, "Good morning to Ralphie and Ollie"...they love it!  Ralphie rolls on his back for a belly rub as I sing.  He loves me singing especially when his name is in the song.

* Yes, my holiday cards will include my boys ... me, Ralphie, and Ollie in our holiday attire.  Maybe this year will be the year for pics on Santa's lap.  And of course, I dress up Ralphie for Halloween!

* I have separation anxiety when I'm gone too long from my pups.  I rush home from work each day...no stops in between.  Plus I think of them all day long!  Did I mention my desk area has many pics of my pups?

* Ralphie and I have an unspoken agreement about whose side of the bed is whose.  Ohhh, he knows my side although he tries to hog my side...LOL

* My guilty pleasure is stretching out on the couch with Ralphie and watching reality shows. Ralphie doesn't judge me, the remotes is all mine, and the shows seem to relax him as well.

* I enjoy every minute with my pups, they never bore me, they entertain me, they make me laugh, they make me smile, the make me happy.

"...some people might say...I'm too reliant on my pups or even a little bit crazy...but I much prefer to be a single, happy dog parent instead of stuck with someone who doesn't understand the unique bond I have with my dogs."

One Year Ago Today

Exactly one year ago today......

It's amazing how Ralphie matured and so well-behaved in just one year!  Oh, at times he has a mind of his own, but he does try to please most of the time.  I can't imagine life without him.  Love.