Sugar-Face Vizsla

Ralphie is now about 4 years 3 months old which is 35 years old in human years.

A normal early morning wake up call from Ralphie is resting his heavy head on my shoulder, cheek to cheek with me in bed, with an occasional nudge in my face.  I turn to give him a big huge hug and looked at his face.  We're nose to nose.  Holy moly my big boy is turning white already!  Ralphie is white under his mouth with a sprinkle of white hairs along the side of his face!  How did this happen so fast??!!  It reminds me how time flies...everything young becomes old ... if we're so lucky.

Yes my Ralphie's sugar-face definitely makes him look like a distinguished gent ... I'm so loving every stage of his life!  My Big Boy!  Love.

Look at that sugar under his mouth!  

My Big Handsome Boy!

When You Can't Exercise Your Vizsla

Late November I will be adding to my visits to the hospital this year.  This time I have a scheduled foot surgery.  I'm starting to think of a game plan to exercise Ralphie and Lucy.  I definitely will not be able to take them on their long daily walks during my healing time.  Plus I'll be wearing a boot.

My options...

* Put them in a doggie daycare for the day.  But I'm not sure if Lucy will be good in that type of setting.  She is very selective with the dogs she somewhat likes.  She can be snarly and I don't want them to crate her for bad behavior.  I'm not sure if Ralphie needs an all-day daycare.  He's not as active as his younger years.  The active dogs may be fun at first for him, but after hours there I think they may be too much for my lazy boy.

* I thought of hiring a dog walker...which is a really good option.  My concern is for the cost of $25 for 30 minutes a day ... is that really enough exercise for a Vizsla?  I know it isn't and who knows at what pace they'll be walking.  I looked into a dog walker on Rover.com and found someone that may work however I have to commit to the days and  I'm not sure if I'll need her every day.  My daughter and son may be able to help out between their working hours.  I may post on my Facebook to see if any of my friends know anyone in the area that's able to help out for some extra money.

* Then I thought about buying one of those bicycle dog runners.  I'm not sure if I'll be able to peddle with a boot, but I wouldn't be going that fast.  My daughter nixed that idea saying it's too dangerous for me and I really can hurt my foot if I fell.

* Of course the good 'ol dog park is an option.  I might be able to drive to the local dog park with my boot even though it's my right driving foot.  If I can get myself there I can take Ralphie and Lucy during the slow time and they would have to run and exercise themselves while I sit on the bench.  This option may work post 3 weeks after surgery.

* Toss the ball and pool time in the backyard is a given.  This will happen every day during my healing process.  Although I don't have a big backyard, it's enough for them to run after a ball and Lucy can swim each day.

Nevertheless, whatever option I go with, they will not be getting the exercise like they're used to, but on the positive side I will be home with my babies for a solid 2 -3 weeks!