Gosh I haven't posted a blog in a long time. A lot of things happening in life. But the biggest change in my life is I became a Gigi! Yes, a first-time grandma! My daughter and her husband had a sweet baby girl.
I have to confess during my daughter's pregnancy I wondered, or let's say concerned how Ralphie and Lucy will act with baby Peyton's arrival. Ralphie is pretty laid back so I wasn't too worried about him...but Lucy...my persnickety Lucy. She's never been snarly with humans as she is with dogs. But who knows if she may think Peyton is a 7 pound puppy. Lucy does not like puppies. So throughout the 9 months I kept thinking, more like worrying about Lucy's reaction to the baby. Prior to Peyton's arrival I already had a plan... if Lucy can't accept Peyton, then my son will need to take her. That would be the last alternative. I would hate to separate Ralphie and Lucy. They love each other.
Baby Peyton arrived! Peyton's first visit to Gigi's home went well!! Both Ralphie and Lucy were very curious but pretty much stayed their distance. It is amazing how they knew that little baby was not a puppy or animal. Lucy wasn't snarly, she was a lady and naturally knew her boundaries. However, I always remember my mom's words of wisdom..."No matter how good your dog is, never trust a dog with a baby/child."
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Monday, April 3, 2017
Ralphie & Lucy's Evening
Gosh, I haven't blogged about my two fur babies in a long time. I sure can tell you they do keep me busy. Vizslas are not for a couch potato human. Sometimes I'm so exhausted after a day's work and while driving home I'm thinking how am I going to find the energy to play and walk Ralphie and Lucy. They need more than around the block walk, 3 or more miles each day. But I do it. They look forward to their walk after playing, running and swimming in the backyard. Deep down I know it's healthy for me too. Thanks Ralphie and Lucy for getting me out there.
Today on our walk, right in my neighborhood, a guy stops his pickup truck and yells out, "What kind of dogs are those?" "I always see you walking them and they are just so beautiful." "Do you breed them?" I love the uniqueness of a Vizsla. They are real head-turners. And it almost seems like it's always a guy in a pickup truck in aww over their beauty. LOL
We come home after our walk, then another jaunt in the backyard and in the house for their evening treat. Their treat can be a rib bone or a frozen loaded peanut butter bong. Tonight it's the bong.
Then cuddle time.
Today on our walk, right in my neighborhood, a guy stops his pickup truck and yells out, "What kind of dogs are those?" "I always see you walking them and they are just so beautiful." "Do you breed them?" I love the uniqueness of a Vizsla. They are real head-turners. And it almost seems like it's always a guy in a pickup truck in aww over their beauty. LOL
We come home after our walk, then another jaunt in the backyard and in the house for their evening treat. Their treat can be a rib bone or a frozen loaded peanut butter bong. Tonight it's the bong.
Then cuddle time.
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| Ralphie & Lucy ... enjoying their evening treat. |
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| Lucy...say cheese. Love that face. |
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Happy #2 Birthday To Lucy
This past week we celebrated Lucy's 2nd birthday on February 21st. She's been quite a special pup. I knew she was meant for me the way I accidentally found her on craigslist and she's born on my favorite lucky number, 21. She went from a place where they couldn't love her to a home where she's the love of my life. She's a very quirky girl, unpredictable with other dogs, but loves her humans and loves her Ralphie. She's such a tease too. Her new thing now is to snag my slipper knowing she's not supposed to have it, but just sits there with it in her mouth, staring at me. "Haha look what I have." She makes me laugh everyday. She's very animated, having the most adorable expressions. I couldn't be so lucky to have this crazy little girl in my life. Happy Birthday Sweet Lucy. Love you so much!
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| The little tease. |
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| That look. |
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| A Real Beauty. |
Saturday, February 4, 2017
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.
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.
Sunday, November 20, 2016
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-
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-
Saturday, October 22, 2016
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.
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.
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| Look at that sugar under his mouth! |
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| My Big Handsome Boy! |
Sunday, October 16, 2016
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 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!
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