Meet Lucy!

Ralphie has a new little sister!!  Meet Lucy!

Lucy is 6 months old who had to be re-homed and we were the lucky ones to get her.  My inspiration for Lucy's name is the famous red-head Lucille Ball.  I loved her ... perfect name for my little red girl.

Lucy is 36 pounds and Ralphie is 70 pounds.  At 6 months old Ralphie was 50 pounds.
I'm thinking Lucy will be about 45 pounds as an adult.

And the adventures begin...

A Sister??

Recently I've been thinking of getting a sister for Ralphie.   I'm not sure if it's my imagination or not, but Ralphie seems lonely since Ollie passed.  He never played with Ollie, but just having the company of another pup in the house seemed to make him happy and amused at the same time.  So I've been on a search for the perfect breed for me and Ralphie.  Recently, I've been on Petfinders and other adoption sites almost every day.  I've been watching the different breeds, big and small at the dog park.  What breed would be best for us?  Sometimes I think another small dog like Ollie, a Yorkie or maybe Pomeranian or maybe Chihuahua.  Then I think about medium size dogs like a Brussels Griffon or maybe Wheaton Terrior or maybe a Bull Terrior.  I never looked at giant breeds like a Great Dane though.  I know a giant breed would not be a good fit for Ralphie.  So after looking and looking, I always find something "wrong" with that breed.  I've come to realize no breed can match the Vizsla!

So yesterday I was on the phone with my son discussing my second dog dilemma.  We talked about all the different breeds that I considered.  As I'm talking, he says, "OMG Mom, there is a 6 month female Vizsla on Craigslist that needs to be re-homed."  Rarely do you see a Vizsla on Craigslist!  It's only 6 months old...it's female...Ralphie would love a sister...she needs a good home.  How perfect!  I sent a text to the owner immediately and we were texting all day yesterday with questions and answers and cost.  By mid-afternoon we both agreed I can pick her up today. But.....I sent my last text to her around 8pm yesterday evening to confirm the time with a couple of additional questions.  No response.  No text this morning yet either.

Maybe she's had second thoughts or waiting for a better offer.  The owner has three children, maybe she's thinking twice about selling her children's puppy.  I'm sure it would be sad for the kids to see their puppy go.  I think about it and it makes me feel guilty that I'm taking away their puppy.  But the owner tells me she feels they're not giving the time to the pup as they should.  She's busy with the 3 kids, let alone a pup.  She says they're busy and not home a lot.  The Vizsla breed is not for everyone.  

With all that said, I think this little girl will get so much attention with me and Ralphie and will be a much happier pup.  Today is a big day... we will see if this little girl is meant to be.  Will Ralphie get a little sister today?  If it's meant to be, it will be.

Good Bone Hunt

I've been on the hunt for the healthiest, safest, most delicious bones for Ralphie.  Although Ralphie loved rawhide bones, I stopped giving them to him because I've heard some many bad things about them, choking and not digestible.   So what do I give him that he would love just as much?

The Nylabone was highly suggested because it's safe.  Ralphie loses interest in this bone probably because it's not natural and not tasty.  He'll chew it for a few minutes and then pushes it aside.  This is not the bone for Ralphie.

 Ralphie loves this smoked flat bone, but I just heard that it's not safe because it has sharp splinters which can be dangerous when swallowed.

Ralphie likes the marrow bones sometimes, but the marrow is too rich for him and throws up.  The last time I gave him this type of bone, he turned up his nose and walked away from it.  I'm always scared to give him this kind of bone as I remember our family pet, Sandy, a Springer Spaniel-Irish Setter mix got this type of bone stuck on her jaw.  My dad had to take her to the vet to get it sawed off.  With that said,  I stopped buying these kind of bones for Ralphie.

The raw lamb shank bone was highly recommended by the guy at the Dog Lovers store.  He promised me that Ralphie would absolutely love this bone.  It's fresh frozen and raw, just what dogs love.  Not Ralphie.  I gave Ralphie this bone raw, he sniffed it and walked away.  He had no interest in this bone.  So I thought I would cook it a little to bring out the flavor...again sniff and walk away.  He didn't even try to chew it.  I guess Ralphie isn't like the other dogs who love these.  This one is a no-go.

Then I got this one...a hoof dog bone.  He likes it!  And they're actually cheap too!  I have no idea if they are safe or not.  I haven't heard much about them, but I do know they're natural.  Ralphie chews and chews this bone like a crazy dog.  LOL  This one is a "yes".
However, I still need to find more options.  I will keep buying these bones, but I don't want him to get bored with just one kind of bone.  I need to find more options.   So the hunt continues.

Happy 3rd Birthday Ralphie

It was an amazing day with my big boy Ralphie!  The added plus is I had today off from work to spend the whole day with my birthday boy.  Today was all about Ralphie!  He's one remarkable boy who's always there for me, loves me unconditionally, and most loving.  He deserved to have an incredible day of birthday fun!

I started the day by baking him a cake.  Then I packed some treats and lunch and we headed to the beach for some swimming and ball fetching.  We took a walk around the park and then more swimming.  Afterwards we went to the Dog Lovers store to pick up some treats and bones.  Came home and took a nap.  Then we headed to the dog park and all of Ralphie's friends were there, although he didn't play much with them.  He did have fun running and fetching the ball again.  We stayed for about an hour, came home and it was spa time for Ralphie.  I bathe him and he just loved all that pampering.  Afterwards he had birthday cake, chewed his new bone and now he's out cold.  What a fun-filled day!

Happy Birthday Ralphie!!  You are the BEST!!!

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.