Florida Morning

It's a cold Florida morning...41 degrees!  On mornings like this I love to snuggle under a blanket, enjoy a hot cup of coffee and watch some TV.  But it's a sunny morning, so off to the dog park I'll go to enjoy the nice crisp air with Ralphie.

I wanted to share these pictures that I took this morning...keep in mind, Ollie isn't all that fond of Ralphie...but when it's cold, it doesn't matter...

Love.

Run Ralphie Run

It's been months and I'm still suffering with plantar fasciitis which is putting a huge damper on my running.  I was so looking forward to running with Ralphie but right now I'm not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  I thought after three months of no running, my heel pain would be gone.  But it's the same. :(

I realize as a puppy Ralphie can't run any long distances yet, as his bones are maturing.  So between my problem with my heel and Ralphie's growing body, we have been doing short 2 mile interval run/walks.  My gosh, Ralphie is fast!  Even at the dog park, I noticed Ralphie is doing less wrestling and more running.  I  look forward to the day I'm up to par and Ralphie is a big boy to possibly run a race together.  But in the meantime, I will continue to soak my foot in ice water, do foot stretches, try to find comfortable shoes and enjoy our short puppy runs.  Run Ralphie Run.

Last Christmas Memory

I have to share this last Christmas memory of Ralphie's first Christmas.  He's been a little frisky today...

What's this...a broken Christmas ornament?!?  Who is the culprit??

"Oh boy, I love playing with sparkly things that roll around!"

"Oh, Oh...it's Ollie's fault!

"Mama, truly I'm innocent!'

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas!!  Ralphie really enjoyed his first Christmas.  He definitely needs to learn proper etiquette and not hang, lick, and jump on my guests.  He has a lot to learn for sure.  I will be spending more training time with him after the holidays.  But overall, he's a great, smart puppy who I love so much!

Me, Ollie, and Ralphie...my two boys just hate having their photo taken. Haha

Lovin' my Ralphie!

Ralphie snagged one of his gift bags, ran under the table to open and eat!

Under the table enjoying his Christmas gift making sure Ollie has no chance on getting it.

Ralphie opening another gift...more treats!!

And another gift...a new toy bird. He destroyed his last one.

Playtime at the Dog Park

 Playtime at the dog park...

Ralphie meets a new friend at the dog park!

Oh boy, tug 'o war ..who's going to get it?

Tug, pull, tug, pull

.Ralphie gets his way again!! Tough little guy!

Let's Talk About Ralphie

I had many kinds dogs in my lifetime.  I've had several mixed breeds, English Bulldogs, Dachshund, Basset Hound, Poodle, Yorkie, and Vizslas.  I loved and enjoyed all my pets and enjoyed their personalities. But the Vizsla breed stands out with their most unusual characteristics.  Let's talk about Ralphie...

Life has changed for me since Ralphie.  Ralphie follows me everywhere.  He will follow me to the bathroom and sits and stares waiting patiently...talk about the lack of privacy.  It never fails when I take a shower, his little nose is peeking around the shower curtain.  I get out of the shower, he'll lick my ankles dry.  While relaxing on the couch, Ralphie needs to lay on the back of the couch resting his paw or head on my shoulder. Of course he needs to sleep in my bed. It never fails after brushing my teeth...there he is laying on my side of the bed with his head resting so comfortably on my pillow. So I move him over to the other side, turn off the light to go to sleep.  It doesn't end there, Ralphie starts to nudge over to my side again, tucks his head under my chin and snuggles up closer than ever and starts snoring away.  Along comes 3am or so, I feel a cold nose in my ear, then a lick, and more cold nose...I wake up.  Time for his potty break.  Back to bed all nuzzled up against me again. He needs to be touching me in some way even when it's not the most convenient situation.  For example, yesterday I spent hours in the kitchen baking Christmas cookies...Ralphie was there every minute.  He sat watching every move I made. When he had a chance he would lean against my leg...truly a Velcro dog.  Do I mind this abnormally clingy dog...absolutely not!  Vizslas are definitely a unique breed that no one would understand until having one of their own.  I LOVE every little thing about my squirrel chaser, my lizard hunter, my Vizsla puppy named Ralphie!!

Here's proof...hogging my side of the bed!  LOL

 Having fun today with his new Dalmatian puppy friend.

Mange Update #2

Ralphie is on week 3 of his medication for the mange.  Each week the medication is increased, now it's up to .5ml.  He seems to be handling the meds pretty well.  I don't see any difference in his behavior or appetite.  I just wish his hair would grow in faster.  He's very splotchy and very thin hair along the sides of his back.  Here are a few pictures I took today...

 The hair that Ralphie lost around his eyes seems to be growing in.

 You can see his neck and chest are bald, well actually it was worse. His hair is growing back very slowly.

 This picture shows his thin hair and some bald spots on his top neck. (sigh)

His legs are very splotchy, doesn't seem to be growing in yet.  :-(

 But Ralphie is a beauty no matter what!!! So sweet.