We're Back....

Gosh, I haven't been here in quite some time.  Life, life, life how busy we get!  As busy as I am there is no doubt my Ralphie and Lucy are the biggest part of my life.

Just a few updates on what's happening with my big boy and little girl...Ralphie is now 4 1/2 years old and Lucy is almost 2 years old...

Good news, Ralphie's weight is where it should be at.  He was peaking at 70 pounds and he's now 62.5.  I'm still feeding him pretty much the same (Taste of the Wild) but our long daily walks probably really helped.  He seems so much more active now.

Lucy is not liking dogs more and more these days.  I only take them to the less active dog park in the neighborhood.  If there are dogs in the park, we walk the hiking path until the other dogs leave.  I actually like it better this way.  Dog parks were stressing me out, not only the unpredictable dogs but some of the owners were scary.  LOL

Ralphie and Lucy have been picking up each other's habits.  Ralphie has been copying my vocal Lucy.  Yes, Ralphie at times can get a bit noisy like his sister.   Ralphie also picked up Lucy's bad habit of jumping up on me with excitement.  And Lucy picked up Ralphie's bad habit of eating twigs.  Lucy has full reign of the house now...no more crate.  She's learned Ralphie's good behavior which gained her more freedom.  However I do catch her in her crate now and then.  Their crates are their safety haven.  But gosh they do love each other bunches.

I feel so lucky to have Ralphie and Lucy.  They make my life complete.  Everything about them makes me happy, makes me smile, makes me laugh.  Simply said...Unconditional Love.

Time Change

So it's been a couple weeks since turning our clocks back an hour.  Sadly Ralphie and Lucy don't get it.  Their normal wakeup time is 5am, now for them.....4am or if I'm lucky 4:30am.  It's killing me. That hour makes a big difference.

Instead of popping out of bed and get ready for our morning walk I've changed our morning ritual.  They are still pouncing on me at 4am and I still need to get up, but I let them out in the fenced backyard and I crawl back into bed.  They don't like it ... of course, they want me outside with them.  So 5 minutes later after they do their duty, I hear scratch, scratch on the glass door.  Yep, I have to get up again to let them in.  They come in the house all frisky and frantic ready for their walk.  I crawl back into bed, they hop in the bed, I curl up in the opposite direction of them, and they start wrestling on top of me until I get up.  Needless to say I've been very tired with this time change.  They haven't adapted to it yet and who knows if they will.  In the meantime, I will adapt.  -yawn-

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!

My Motivation

It's been a challenging year health wise for me.  In the past I rarely would see a doctor, maybe for just a wellness check-up.  I was able to do about anything...run miles and miles, heavy yard work, lift weights, cycle miles and miles, but so far this years it's been different for me.  Nothing life threatening but seeing doctors regularly, in and out of the hospital several times created low energy and fatigued.  Right now I just can't do what I used to do.  Hopefully in time it will change.

Ralphie and Lucy have been my rock.  If it weren't for them I would probably just veg on the sofa, doing nothing, feeling sorry for myself.  Nope, every day Ralphie and Lucy tell me to get up and start moving.  They insist I walk them at 5am before work and then after work.  Oh no, I'm not allowed to sit around even though I'm dead tired.   No matter how I feel they push me to get outside and walk them 3 or 4 miles each evening.  If we go to the dog park, oh I'm not allowed to sit on the bench.  They insist that I get up and play with them, chasing them, throwing the ball and frisbee, and walking the park.  No sitting around for me!!

In reality, Ralphie and Lucy are getting me healthy again.  There's nothing like having two 4-legged physical therapists.  I truly appreciate their insistence to get me off my butt and start doing something.  I know exercise makes you heal and keeps you healthy.  Thank you Ralphie and Lucy for keeping me moving and for your silly antics which keeps me laughing...you are both my ROCK!

Our walk.

Tropical Storm Hermine Woes

We've went through a few days of rain, wind, rain, and more rain.  Tropical Storm Hermine visited Florida.

Ralphie and Lucy have been bewildered with Tropical Storm Hermine, "Mom, where is all this water coming from?"  "I'm not going to pee and poo in this rain!"  Well, not alone that is.  Yes, I had to get my rain gear on and WALK them in this tropical storm so they would go their duty along with some exercise.  I'm sure my neighbors think I'm a crazy dog lady, but you gotta do what you gotta do to keep the doggies happy.  But I should say I managed to try to walk between the drops most of the time, but we did get caught at times in some wind and heavy rains.  Then we get home.  Ohhhh, Ralphie absolutely loves to be rubbed down with a dry towel.  Lucy ... well Lucy, crazy Lucy all excited she's wet.  This morning there was a moment of no rain, so off to the dog park we go.  Lucy was in her snarly mood, just didn't get along with any of the dogs.  Then another storm came rolling in.  The thunder scared everyone out of the dog park except us and there we were alone.  Ralphie and Lucy played and played, ran and ran until the rain downpour.  We stayed to the very last moment to get every bit of exercise.  Gosh they needed it so badly.

Rain Rain Go Away.

Now this evening, life is back to normal.  No rain, dry dogs, and ready to take our long evening walk.

Happy 4th Birthday Ralphie!!!

We celebrated Ralphie's 4th birthday this past Thursday, August 4th with hugs, singing, cupcakes, yummy bones, long walk and more hugs.  I can't believe it's already 4 years since my big boy came into my life!!  He is the BEST!!  Ralphie has given me four years of happiness, unconditional love, and many laughs.  There's nothing like hugging  that big 'ol boy.  He just molds right into me with his head on my shoulder.  Love.  I've never had such a special bond with a dog as I do with Ralphie.  I am so blessed to have four wonderful years with him and looking forward to many, many more.

Happy Birthday Ralphie ... My Big Boy!!!