Miss Dixie ~ and Mr. Morris

Just because I am writing about Dixie, doesn't mean I love Mr. Morris any less or that he is not wanted!

After all, he spent the past weekend basking in glory on the couch with some of his favorite people.

He is the essential lap dog and commanders the couch most of the time these days.
He went out to play with Scout on one of the subzero days and the two dogs chased each other until suddenly Morris couldn't move. Scout's feet got cold and Morris could barely walk.
Since then Morris has been quick to do his outdoor business and back to his perch on the couch with the polartech fleece blankets.

Dixie is my black and tan hound dog that was never trained to hunt. She does have a nice cozy outdoor house that is bedded deep.
I thought she would like to accompany on a hike to go get the mail yesterday.

At first I was afraid it would be too cold for her, however she rarely stops moving long enough to get cold. ...Well, except for digging for mouse nests in the meadow grasses!

Now there has to be a classic Dixie 'Ears Flappin' shot in any hike we go on. I just adore those hound dog ears.

After checking around for mouse nests and digging one or two up, we went up through the woods towards the road. This is often how I get the mail in the winter. I can incorporate a hike up the to the ridge through the woods and effectively stay out of the cold winds.

I must say, Dixie sure does a lot of running and joyful leaping on our hikes. She is always the happy hound. It is very hard to get a good shot of her with the snow and bright sunlight too.
We went up the trail and onto the road.

Deer hunting season is over in our area so Dixie and I can resume some of our longer hikes. I don't want to go very far right now as the median temperatures are hovering just below zero.
I would hate to have Dixie injure her feet in this cold.

We made it to the road. I had forgotten how much I converse with my hiking partners when they are dogs. I keep a running commentary with Dixie.

"Good girl Dixie! You are the best!"
"Come here let me hug you!"
"Oh dear Dixie, you could use a nice bath!"

I must admit, she is a stunning dog. Every time she hears my voice she wags her tail even if she is concentrating on something she scents in the woods.
Note the green collar. It is a training collar. I only use it if she takes off chasing deer. However I discovered on this dead end road that hunters had been tossing deer carcasses into the woods.

Dixie couldn't contain herself with all that dead stuff piled under the snow. She raced down into the woods and started digging up deer bones. I only had to 'touch' her once when I yelled "NO! Dixie!" and she dropped the bones and came back to my side.
I hate it when people use dead end roads to dump things.

However, I do love having her company. Who wouldn't love having this charmer walking with them?

She really helps complete the beautiful scene.

We leashed up when walking back towards home. She is one of the easiest dogs to walk on leash.
She never pulls. Ever.

Here I just stopped walking and asked for a 'sit'. I must say that she has been one of my best students for dog obedience.

Dixie is my 'velcro' dog when we are on leash. And she is very huggable.

Just look at her face.

Yes, we did get the mail and Dixie spent time with me while I was choring and watering the stock tanks.

Morris? He is doing pretty good. His health is slowly declining. I can't wait for a warm up so we can take some walks together with Dixie like the old days.
Although, probably not the running and chasing they used to do together...

Vet Visit

I thought after the last post that I'd best update how Mr. Morris is doing. First, thank you for the concerned comments and yes it is hard to have aging pets. I've had dogs as pets since I was a kid. The fact that our pets age faster than us has always been tough for me.
I have loved each dog that I've had so fiercely and totally...

Anway I called the vet's office and got a message that he was closed until Tuesday. I decided I wouldn't wait another day for Morris to see someone. So I called another office. At first the secretary said that she couldn't fit Morris in, then she asked what was going on and then after I told her she said she'd call me right back.

I paced the living room after hanging up. Morris was on his blanket on the floor and stared painfully at nothing.
The phone rang again. Can you come right now?

I was out the door with Morris's crate, leash and Morris. Off we went.
I met Chip a beautiful young and mild mannered German Shepard when I entered the office. He nosed Morris and stood politely back giving us space.
Dr. Grimm examined Morris quietly and with very gentle hands.
Blood work was in order.
She whisked Morris off to the back room for blood work and to subQ him with some fluids.
The blood work told us a lot. Morris had an infection and he had an issue with his kidneys. Kidney failure. Well, kidney issues, kidney problems, and dehydration along with a high white cell count.
Morris was indeed pretty sick.

Dr. Grimm went through the test results with me and then we went through some things that might help. He received an antibiotic and a medication to help with nausea and stomach cramps. We talked about his diet and she recommended some special Kidney Diet dog food.

I've always poo pooed this sort of thing, but holding Morris in my arms and listening to this doctor quietly explain what we may be able to do to help Morris feel better, I decided that indeed if I had to buy special prescription dog food I would.

So Morris and I left with medications and a case of Kidney Diet dog food. Dr. Grimm was careful to point out that the prognosis could go either way with kidney disease. I was painfully aware that Morris may not get better. However we live with hope. Right?
Dr. Grimm expressed that many dogs don't 'tell' you what is wrong until it is a serious issue. She calmed my feelings of guilt a bit. However as I drove home with Morris silent in his crate [he who usually protests loudly about not being able to ride shotgun], I still felt bad.

Rich, the ever tough hearted fellow has been extra attentive to Morris. He helps Morris onto the couch and pets him gently and speaks softly to him.

Morris has always affected our lives in a positive manner. He has made us laugh, made us angry, made us frustrated...and in general has done his job as a pet.
Now we care for him.

This morning he is has more life in his eyes. He has taken his meds and had plenty of water. He has so far ignored the new delicious food I put in his bowl. But it is early yet.

We have to leave for a day of appointments for Rich at the VA. My wonderful neighbor will come down and take Morris out and check on him. Her 3 year old son loves to take him out to go potty. She said she'll visit a couple of times to check on him.
I am amazed by the outpouring of love both on the internet and from those around my small farming community for Morris.
Indeed, I am so lucky to have had this amazing little fellow in my life for so long.

His prognosis is guarded. He will more than likely show improvement. The Dr. did say that some dogs do well for quite a while and some go down hill very fast. We don't know where Mr. Morris falls in that scenario.
But we continue to hope for some more time with this funny little guy.

Adventures still await us.

I got company by Morris

She changes her habits a bit when we are expecting company or guests...or visitors.

Sometimes it is Uncle Ed and Joy and my gal pal Teslin that is coming.

Sometimes it is one of my favorite kids coming to visit, or a whole pile of kids coming to visit.

I just know that all kids belong to me. The big people are okay, but I like little people the best.

And sometimes they even bring a dog for me to fuss over.

Well. Sometimes I snarl and try and put the young dog in its place. I usually end up in my crate for that.

So the house was cleaned up and fresh sheets were put on the beds. Even the new funny looking bed was all tidied up.

I like the bed cover, it is fuzzy and just right for me to lay on.

Pretty soon I heard her leave and then heard two cars come. Oh I was ecstatic! Car noises meant people. People meant new laps to try out and faces to lick if I could manage it.

Imagine my horror when this black fuzzy dog walked in with the young people. 

Oh. NO!

My house. Ugh. Young dog came up to me and we sniffed noses.

"I'm Morris. I rule this house. Your people are now my people. Your young people now belong to me." Well really, I had to straighten him out right off the bat and give him the rules. 

"Oh boy, oh boy Hi! HI! Oh hello. Did you say something? Can I sniff you all over. You have a short tail and almost no ears! Oh boy, want to wrestle and play? I can jump right over you! The people call me Scout. Wanna play? Huh? Huh?"

I was crestfallen. Another young dog. Why couldn't people visit with an ancient old codger dog that doesn't move. Or better yet. Just ...sigh.

"No. I rule the house. I am top dog." I tried to reason with Scout.

"Okay! Boy that is nice! What is a Top Dog! You look like a little baby dog! Wanna sniff each other?" With that Scout stuck his nose on my hind end.

I lost all of my manners and snarled. Immediately I was scooped up and put in my crate. Scout went to bed in his crate too. Upstairs with the very nice young people. I was heartbroken. I wanted to claim them as my own.

Sigh.

However the next morning Scout and I were let outside together. We ran hard up and down the yard before we went with the visiting people on a hike. 

"Come Scout. Let me show you cool stuff." Dang the dog was gullible. I thought I'd make his people freak out.

"Oh what Morris? What is cool?"

I pointed. "That! Take some bites of those pies, very good." I winked at him.

His people started yelling..."Scout no!"

And I waited for it...wait. "Wait!" I told Scout. 

Shouts of "ICKY!" Came out of all the people mouths. 

I winked at Scout. "I told you buddy. Eat some cow pie and the people go nuts!"

I showed Scout where to find some 'Smart Pellets' and he thanked me profusely. Of course I think She just laughed and Scout's people were a bit grossed out.

Scout is a bit weird, but he said he is part water dog. He played and ran in the creek, biting the water and going after sticks that his people tossed into it. After a while we decided we were so tired out that we just walked along and kept an eye on the people.

"You know the way back to the house, Morris? Because there is food at the house and I am getting hungry."

"Yes Scout. I am Morris. I am an older dog. I know just about everything there is to know."

"Wow. Can I come and play with you more often?"

I didn't give him an answer right away because I wasn't sure that I wanted to share his youngun's with him.

Eventually we decided it was best to get along. 

He is a youngun' himself and after all, we had all of these people to look after.

Maybe it would be nice to have a younger dog to help keep track of these people.

And I am sure they thought they were keeping track of us.

Hahhhhrumph.

I'm sorta guessing that what they don't know, won't harm them too much. I was pretty impressed. Scout showed me how to use a Smart Phone.

I hope he comes back. 

I don't even mind sharing my couch with him.

Okay. I do mind. But not as long as I get the little bed upstairs.