When I am not home and there is a thunderstorm, Sofie tends to eat through the laundry room door. I have rebuilt the door 3X now. You would think I would just remember to leave it ajar when I go out so this doesn’t keep happening. But, No! I close the door because the cat litter is in there and I don’t want the dogs playing in it. That is why the laundry room door HAD a cat door; which is where I think this eating that particular door all started for Sofie. She first ate the cat door.
Anyway, I have gotten very expert at hollow core door repair, so I made you this video to share my fixing magic, including adding back a cat door. Hope it helps any of you that have to repair a similar chewed situation.
Turn on closed captions in video to read instructions.
You know the look. When your dog gives you that ‘side eye.’ Looking at you like ‘what could you be thinking, human?’ or ‘you want me to do what?’ Hahahahaha. Charles is the master of the look. Maybe it’s a PomChi thing.
Have a great Black and White Sunday.
This is part of the Black and White Sunday Blog Hop. Thanks to Dachshund Nola and Sugar for hosting.
Yesterday was 4th of July and you know what that means – FIREWORKS! Not only was it going to be a stressful evening but when Mom was walking us to get us tired before dinner THUNDER rolled in. Mom was not sure how we were going to do this evening with all the rumbles from Mother Nature and the crackers used to honor our Forefathers (a double whammy). It didn’t start well because Louise didn’t want to eat all her dinner because of the thunder (though Sofie decided it was OK to finish it for her before Mom caught her).
Mom played nice smooth jazz music for us during the storm. It always helps distract us from the noise. She thinks it is more soothing than classical (which can get quite raucous). And after the storm, we played our evening games. She tried to take us out to potty before it got dark, but as soon as we got in the yard we heard pop pop pop and ran back inside.
Once it got dark, everyone was watching TV and it drowned out most of the crackers and, as you can see from the pictures, Louise and Sofie were able to snooze right through the ‘1812 Overture.’ I was a little concerned but managed to see myself through until I could go ‘night night’ in my downstairs kennel, with the curtain down, and the music up, and some extra treats.
We hope your celebration was quiet and peaceful and full of treats. – Charles, the Mugwump
This is a Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop. Thanks to BlogPaws for the hop. Head over there and see what they are blogging about.
I am not sure Mini knew that she was the focus of attention when she chose to hide behind the front door this morning. Sometimes I wonder if the cats know that their tails are sticking out under things when they hide. At first, when I saw the group hovering, I freaked. On occasion, Black Rat Snakes have found their way into the foyer and I thought that was what they were all looking at. On closer observation, it was too fluffy and moved slowly (which the snakes don’t do when they are in the house).
Mini must have felt all these eyes on her tail because she started to pull it back behind the door with the rest of her.
No animals, or tails, were hurt in the moment. Thank goodness.
A 2015 capture of Nine fast asleep in the dark. Babies, Kitties, and Puppies are the most incredible sleepers. They exude peace and quiet. Have a wonderful Black and White Sunday!
This is part of the Black and White Sunday Blog Hop. Thanks to Dachshund Nola and Sugar for hosting.
Since I have been living in the den while recuperating, my piano can be accessed from the couch-bed or the temporary table that I have set up. So the piano has now become a stepping stone for Charles and the cats to see out the window. I kept hearing “thunk thunk thunk” on the keys (it’s electric so at least I can keep the sound off).
At first, I thought it was a cat trying to play with the blinds (which they love to do). Mini has been sleeping on a blanket I put there for her for awhile, but then I caught Charlie sleeping on the keyboard the other day. I have even seen Louise step on it to look out.
I am not sure that is good for the keys?
This is a Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop. Thanks to BlogPaws for the hop. Head over there and see what they are blogging about.
Charles loves a good chew. Every night I gather up all the dog toys and put them in the toy basket and every day he takes them out one by one. He is very partial to anything that Louise prefers. I think it is important for all dogs to have time each day for a good toy chew. Charles’ daily gathering of soft toys to chew on isn’t a problem but marrow bones, antlers, nylon bones, high-value treats, and of course, dinner, needs to be carefully orchestrated or things get snappy and dangerous very fast. Keeping the peace when you have multiple animals and multiple resources guarders* is a challenge.
*”Resource guarding refers to a dog displaying behavior (growling, snapping, etc.) intended to convince other dogs or humans to stay away from a particular treasure or “resource.” The resource can be food, treats, toys, a place (a bed or favorite chair), or occasionally a person. Basically, a resource is anything that is considered by the dog to be of high value.” –YourDogsFriend
Separation is the key with 7 animals. The cats and dogs have always been separated at the zoo when it comes to where they eat but now it is more important than ever. Sofie charges cats near her toys or food, but it never got dangerous until Charles came. The cats usually just laughed at Sofie and jumped up on the counter where they eat. Since Charles and Sofie get into scary dogs fights over resources the cat charging has escalated. This is a concern and something I am dealing with.
Louise has no problem around food or other resources (she’s so easygoing in the house). And, in almost 7 years together, Louise and Sofie never fought over food, toys, or bones (though Sofie has been known to stare/whine at Louise until she gives up just to shut Sofie up). I can pick up the food bowl while they are eating or take any toy or bone from them without any trouble. I trained them this way since they were puppies. But Charles is new here (and almost 9 years old) and he came with some bad habits so now dog separation is a must.
Both Sofie and Charles have resource guarding issues. Sofie has attacked him several times around dinner or treat time, even before I started preparing anything. I think she starts it, but he won’t back down either and fur flies.
My answer – keep as much distance between them when food or treats are involved.
Charles only gets his meals and his snacks in his exercise pen. He is not allowed out until the other animals finish eating or having their treats. Charles has charged the cats from the other side of the room, especially if a human is eating and he is in proximity. I now have strict rules about feeding him outside of his pen because he is just too unpredictable.
As I said, separation is the key around here. As long as there is space, gates, and doors, everyone can have a good chew.
Day 58 of Mom’s recovery from foot surgery. She went out to get the newspaper and the mail. That is a big walk for her. We anxiously waiting at the door in hopes that maybe she was ready to take us for a walk. But no! She just went inside and lied down again. Mom says that taking pictures of us at the front door is the only way she gets the three of us looking forward. Have a wonderful Sunday.
This is part of the Black and White Sunday Blog Hop. Thanks to Dachshund Nola and Sugar for hosting.
Summer time, summer time, sum sum summer time. Summer time and the living is easy. Have a wonderful day whichever way your solstice takes you. Summer or Fall, we love them all.
This is a Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop. Thanks to BlogPaws for the hop. Head over there and see what they are blogging about.
As the days go by with Mommy stuck in bed because of her foot surgery, I amass a larger and larger stash of cat toys next to her. I love all my little toys. Mom says that I like ‘catnip’ tea, because I suck on every cat toy in the house. Sucking on things makes me feel much better and I figure since it makes me feel better, I will bring them to Mom to make her better.
The Zoo is kind of funny when it comes to toys. Charles steals the biggest toys in the dogbox to play with (sometimes they are bigger than him). Louise likes Charles little tiny tennis balls to chew on (which freaks Mommy out so she watches very carefully to make sure nothing is swallowed). I prefer small soft toys – the smaller the better. Mom says “to each their own,” whatever that means.
DogDaz Zoo 