I was unhappy last week when Mom took me to the Vet for yet another major dental cleaning. This time the Vet pulled the incisors I had left and a pre-molar or 2. She told Mom that my bad teeth are probably genetic, but that little dogs also tend toward dental issues.
When I first came to rescue Mom 2 years ago (see picture below), my teeth were so rotten that the Vet had to remove a fractured molar and 5 or 6 teeth immediately. Remember that I lived in a cage for my first 6-1/2 years, and Mom suspects I got no healthcare. It’s a good thing that dogs have 42 permanent teeth (unlike humans with 32). Originally my upper jaw had 20 and my lower had 22. But as you can see in the picture when I first came (below), there were big gaps and crookedness.
Every tooth I have had a purpose – incisor, canine, pre-molar, and molar. Now I have no incisors, the little teeth that helped me scrape at meat and groom my coat. What will I ever do if I have to catch my own dinner? But Mom says that will never happen; I will never live in the wild and have to tear things apart. Let’s hope so.
Well, at least I have my fangs!
I must say that the pain drugs worked fine. And I got a lot of apple sauce and pumpkin.
What kind of mischief did you get into today? Remember to BRUSH YOUR TEETH!
Bearnard here. I want to tell you the story of our vacation. Someone thought it might be a good idea to take us on vacation with the family this year. Mom had been training us for months to ride nicely in the car with seat belts in the back seat (the blue straps). The first leg of the trip was from Annapolis, Maryland to Raleigh, North Carolina. That was about 5 hours. We did great. It was not Mom’s fault that Hurricane Debby was traveling with us. It rained 80% of the way. But we finally took a break in the drizzle and smelled some new stuff in a picnic area. Then we got to Aunt B in Raleigh and met her and her cat, Gracie (who did not like us much). It was our first time in a hotel and Jolie was terrified of the elevator. Mom had to carry her in and out.
We also hated all the noise in the hotel and I especially went crazy when people were making noise in the hall late at night. Mom did not get much sleep because she had to leave the TV on all night to try and keep me calm. We really liked being on the back of the couch in the hotel room and we took turns looking out the window at the parking lot.
The next day we got back in the car for another 3-hour drive to Sunset Beach in North Carolina. Mom had a nice apartment for all of us to stay in and we took lots of walks around the property. However, Jolie started to get really sick after a day or 2. Mom emailed the vet who said to put her on the usual rice and chicken tummy diet and try some CBD chews. She thought it was stress. She had already planned for me to take more of my stress medicine (which I live on anyway) but she thought Jolie would be ok. Then V figured out it was the WATER. Mom drinks bottled water all the time, so why not us! Once we switched to bottled water, in 48 hours she was much better. Mom never brought us to the ocean beach because we were having so much trouble just on land.
After a week we were back in the car but this time for a 9-hour drive: it was horrible. About 5 hours in, I could not deal with being in the back seat any longer and needed to be upfront with Mom. Finally, Mom gave in and let me be in the front (against her better judgment). She always has the passenger front airbag turned off because she worries about us being in the front if there is a car accident. The airbags would kill us instantly she thinks.
Did you know humans cannot pee at the rest stops along the highway with their animals. They actually have guards sitting there to make sure that people don’t bring their animals in with them even in the 100-degree weather. So Mom has special signs for the car. She carries 2 car keys with her and locks us in with the air conditioning and radio on. She puts signs on the windows because she drives a hybrid and people can’t hear the engine and figure we are in trouble. (DO NOT LEAVE YOUR DOG IN A HOT CAR – EVER!!!!)
Mom also downloaded an app for her iPhone called ‘iEXIT.’ This tells her where stores are off exits on major roads. This way she was prepared to stop at a PET STORE or HARDWARE STORE because they allow animals to be inside (so we could go to the potty with her). It is terrible that she can’t just go under a tree like we do.
Truthfully, we love being with the family, but can you leave us with a pet sitter next year. It was exhausting!
Here is Bearnard splooting (with one of my socks-LOL).
According to the internet, there are various types of sploots: a one-legged sploot, a side sploot, and a full sploot.
Here is Louise in a classic sploot with one leg remaining beneath her body and the other leg kicked out.
Charles was a big splooter (I couldn’t find a picture, sorry). I thought it was mostly a thing that little male dogs did. But now I know even cats sploot.
You may not be able to tell, but we are bored. Mommy works too much and we always have to ‘hang out.’ We want to play more, run more, eat more, do more things, but nooooooo. We have to wait. Life as a dog can be very boring.
But we forget all about being bored when Mom finally takes us for a walk.
Did you ever notice how everyone wants a piece of Mom’s lap? It is hard to get any space to get comfortable. Don’t they know that she is mine and I should have priority?
Mini Cooper is so rude. She has the nerve to sit on me because she wants the whole lap to herself. Cats can be so pushy, don’t you think?
Sometimes, Bearnard doesn’t mind being close to Mini Cooper as long as she lets him stay on Mom’s lap. I don’t know about you but she looks scary to me.
I give up. I am going to go into my kennel and let Bearnard and Mini Cooper figure it out. Nite Nite – Jolie Olie
Over the years Big Tree, the giant maple in the backyard, has seen many animals. It watched the kids grow up. It shadowed many a pool party. Now it has a new group of protectors.
Jolie and Bearnard are the keepers of the watch in 2024.
Sofie & big tree 2010
Louise & big tree 2009
The Trio 2019
Sofie & big tree 2014
Lulu & big tree 2009
Squash & Louise big tree 2011
Squash E Bear 2007
Charles & big tree 2022
Nikkolette 2001
In 2023, it was Charles and Jolie.
In 2022, it was Charles, Louise, and Sofie.
In 2013, it was Louise and Sofie.
In 2012, it was Squash and Louise.
In 2011, it was just Squash.
In 2002, it was Nikki and Squash.
They have seen a lot of squirrels come and go and think about all those birds. There was a year (about 3 years ago) that the Cedar Waxwings stayed in Big Tree for a month.
While the dogs were out for a walk, Mini Cooper was happily resting in the sunspot on the stairs.
But, then we came home.
And poor little Mini Cooper was rudely pushed out of her spot by the dogs.
Sometimes life is just not fair. But Mini can get up by the windows if she wants and the fluffballs can’t, so I guess it all works out in the end. Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Happy 8th Birthday, Miss Jolie Olie. You are a crazy, silly, bundle of fluff. Though you have only been with us 1-1/2 years, it seems like much longer. We love you tons!!! Stay forever sweet girl.
DogDaz Zoo 