Vizsla Bumpies & Hair Loss

Ralphie continues to have his bumpies and losing hair that's along his back and some on his head.   I'm figuring it's seasonal allergies because he's had this for the past 3 summers and in late September he's back to his beautiful coat again.  I know they bother me more than they bother him.  He's not itching or scratching, but boy it just doesn't look very nice.

I did some more research and I came across a condition called Sebaceous Adenitis, which is an inflammatory disease in dogs.  I really don't think Ralphie has this.  Sebaceous Adenitis is more of a scaly condition rather than bumps, but there is hair loss nevertheless.    I am considering in taking him back to the vet (a new vet) to have him tested for this disease.  But I believe it's treated with steroids which I'm not so keen on.  I did read about a natural way to treat this condition as follows:

• Omega 3-6-9 Oil Pills
• Cod Liver Oil Pills
• Evening Primrose Oil Pills
• Give pills 2x a day (400mg each pill)
• Use Almond Oil and literally slathered his head and bare spots with this oil.
• With his food, give him an entire can of Tuna in Oil every day, and on Sundays give him a full can of Sardines in Oil.
• Lastly, 1x a week give him a bath with Quistel Dog Shampoo/Conditioner.

I'm not sure where to get the shampoo. I'll just use the medicated shampoo that I have. But the rest of the regimen probably can all be purchased at the health food store. The one thing I'm worried about with all those oil pills and tuna and sardines in oil...will it get my Ralphie FAT? He's already 5 pounds overweight. Gosh, that will be another problem to deal with. 

I think I'm going to try this and monitor his weight and bumps.
It's worth a try.

Dog Park Unity

Ralphie and I just returned from our morning walk.  It was a little different today...I didn't pick up cans that littered the roadside.  We've become can-pickers to give these cans to Richard, the man at the dog park who collects cans for added income.  I won't be seeing Richard for a long time now, if ever again.

Richard is an older man who sits on the bench at the dog park with his black dog, Baby.  He's there every day.  The other day Richard was telling me how Baby's health was failing and needs surgery.  He was concerned about her health, the cost, and the diagnosis.  I referred him to a more reasonable vet to see what they would say.  To make a long story short, a few days ago I learned Richard had an accident and needed surgery and his loyal companion, Baby had to be put to sleep because it was determined she had cancer.  What amazed me was how our dog park community helped Richard, who is alone, through his hardships.  I understand that a couple from the dog park took Richard to the hospital and another man from the park took Baby to the vet for Richard while he was in the hospital to put Baby asleep. How wonderful is it when you're alone with only your dog, you have these caring people who are merely acquaintances that are there to help.  That's unity, that's caring.

Recently there was another terrible event that happened at the dog park...a man's dog just fell over and died suddenly.  Again, these dog park people came to the rescue.  The poor man didn't know what to do...his beloved pet just died, no longer with him, how horrible!   One girl ran to the dog and tried to administer CPR, unfortunately it did revive her.  Knowing how devastated this pet owner is, another man wrapped the dog in a blanket and carried her to the car for him.  That's unity, that's caring.

Yes, all of us dog park people have our own story... some are struggling through loss of love or loss of health or loss of work or loss of youth or loss of family.  But we all have one thing in common...our love for our pup...the one that gives us unconditional love, the one that comforts us when we're not feeling well, the one who makes us feel worthy and accepts us no matter what our income is, the one that makes you feel young when they play with you like a child...yes... a true, loyal, loving family member.

Ralphie discovered the new dog park bridge over the tunnel.

"Look Mama, I'm walking over the bridge!"

Rescue Search

It's been about 3 weeks since Ollie left me and Ralphie.  Maybe I'm over-analyzing Ralphie's behavior, as I've been told but it just seems like Ralphie is so sad now when I leave for work.  Maybe I never noticed before when Ollie and Ralphie were together.  They kept each other company.

Yesterday when I put Ralphie's breakfast down, he just sat at a distance and stared at it.  Is he depressed or is he just not ready to eat or too tired?  After I added a dollop of peanut butter to it, he gobbled it all up.  He's also very stand-offish at the dog park.  He hardly plays with the other dogs.  Is he depressed or is he hot?  When I'm sitting outside talking on the phone, sometimes he just sits in front of me and stares, not hunting lizards.  Is he depressed or does he just want to play and wants attention?  These are things that he's never done until Ollie passed.

Is a playmate the answer to my questions?   I've decided to begin a search for a rescue.   I was thinking small.   I have no idea what small breed would click with Ralphie.  I've had many suggestions...Boston Terrier, Chinese-Crested, Rat Terrier, so many breeds!  But none appeal to me right now.  I'm thinking if all the stars line up ... I would love a small, female, younger Vizsla!  I don't want a puppy, prefer a house-broken pooch.   What I know for sure,  I'm not going to jump into another dog, it's got to be the perfect playmate for my Ralphie.