Divot

Picked up Divot's prescription for Phenobarbital at CVS so that means he has been with us for a month now. He has settled in quite nicely even going into his crate in the mornings without being asked. Because of his epilepsy and the heat he cannot stay outside during these hot days. A couple of weeks ago he had 6 seizures on a Sunday. It was awful to witness as there was nothing I could do for him. After each one he would wander restlessly and aimlessly for a while before falling asleep. After the 4th one he acted blind bumping into the walls and furniture. I forced him into his crate so he was at least safe from harming himself. I did let him come to bed with us as he had not had a seizure in many hours and seemed needy. He came up and slept between my legs instead of down in the corner he usually claimed as his own. During his 6th seizure it was interesting to watch the other animals reactions. Sam came up to see what was going on. Oreck moved to a far corner of the bed to get out of the way and watch. The cats left the bed and got far away. I crated Divot for the rest of the night as his "mother" suggested. By morning he seemed fine but listless. When I got home after work and let him loose he was a crazy dog-running indoors and out, on the furniture and off, knocking any dog or cat that got in his way. The cats quickly moved up to high ground and watched him in horror. Oreck barked and chased him having a great time as long as he didn't follow too close and get knocked on a sharp turn. Sam just watched indignantly that a dog should act so undignified. Since then he has been a happy and healthy dog. We don't miss a pill, which he gobbles down with peanut butter. Of course, whatever other dogs are there insist on their twice daily dose of peanut butter also.

We had Jackson again while Saundra went off to deaf camp. He was just getting relaxed enough to not beg to be held or stare at me constantly when she came to pick him up. He seemed to have a good time and it didn't even seem to bother him when he got in the way of Divot's wild runs. He would go spinning off but come back like nothing had happened. Wonder, one of the big boys, would watch in disdain from his perch.

People think it must be lonely living alone but I can assure you all, it is never boring.

Fostering and pet sitting

I've been yearning for another pet for quite a while now. But I just can't justify getting another. The cats have settled into their routines, rarely bothering each. Wonder and Goldy, the big boys, don't like cats in the studio and I have doubts they would adjust well to another cat in the household. Oreck could really use a playmate but it just isn't the right time for it.





So instead I volunteered to foster Divot, a dachshund mix (looks like he is mixed with rottweiler, but who knows?) for 3 months while his family relocates. We picked him up after class on Monday. He is a mellow, fat boy, with a very crooked front leg, that doesn't bother him a bit, and epilepsy. He didn't give Oreck or the cats a second look. He just wandered around the house either checking it out or trying to find a way back home. At bedtime he jumped right up on the bed and made himself at home.





Last night, I picked up Jackson, Saundra's rescued, intact, white, 5 pound Pomeranian to pet sit through the weekend. He is a hyper little guy always wanting to be picked up and held. When he gets excited he jumps straight up in the air like a bouncing ball. He can't quite jump onto the bed. His jumping seems more vertical than horizontal. He and Oreck seem to have a contest going to see who can mark the most spots and who can do it last. Since he is not thoroughly house-broken either, I take them out periodically and let them go dry before bringing the back in. Divot just ignores him, too, even when he is the object of Jackson's lust.



Tonight Sheila brought Sam, her intact Jack Russell rescue, over for pet sitting. He immediately fell in lust with Divot. Poor Divot had the two dogs lusting whatever part of him they could reach. Sam is apparently jealous of Jackson and showed the first aggression I have ever seen out of him.



Next day-Because Jackson is so small and I didn't want to take any chances with Sam's aggression, Sam was crated for the night. Because Jackson cannot control his lust he was crated, too. Divot seemed more relaxed and slept well until he rolled off of the bed. He looked so befuddled as he stood on the floor trying to figure out what had happened. Then he just shook it off, crossed the room for a running start and came up on the bed and fell back asleep.