From the desk of Bindi

Well, my little old mate Tuppy really amazed us all a couple of days ago.

Tuppy is very old, is almost totally deaf, is lame and is also overweight. He spends most of his days just lazing around like a fat slug. He sleeps most of the day when he is not trying to remember where everyone is... hard for him to figure out as he is deaf and I'm quite certain he has memory problems as well. However he has the sweetest personality ever. He is always doing such thoughtful little things. If he makes an "error" he tried to fix it himself, he shares everything without any complaint.

So it was a TOTAL surprise when this old dog started running like crazy around and around inside the house. I wondered if he was going crazy or having some funny sort of "fit"?  He'd dart outside and run in circles, then dash madly back inside. He was running flat out as though he was an energetic puppy! Total amazement!! I mean.... this was lame old Tuppy who only moved very slowly at the best of times.

It was a bit strange that one of his back legs was constantly slipping out to one side on the kitchen floor as he darted past... but I put that down to the slippery surface. He got better traction on the carpet. But after he continued this running for about 10 - 15 minutes with a few (very) brief rests to catch his breath,.

I was becoming rather worried. After all this was my normally fat, sleepy, slug of a dog. (Yes, I know he should be on a diet, but he doesn't have much else in life to enjoy except food.)

A call to the vet - the sweet lass said that sometimes dogs run when they are in pain. They think they can run away from the pain.

Nope! He didn't seem in pain. He almost looked like he was having fun! But all this running was not normal. Then I had an idea... the foot thing?

Well, it was past vet consulting hours by now, so I gave him a bath. My idea was to go back to basics and do the simplest thing first. It was a struggle to keep the little wriggler in the tub but at least he had a quick bath.

Guess what? He then started to calm down and lick his leg and foot. He continued to calm down some more and then finally went to sleep.

My guess is that he had something on his feet that was making them itchy. Running was his way of "scratching" the itch. And as we all know, scratching an itch feels mighty good!

Maybe it was because of a small section of grass which I had sprayed and not covered up as I normally do? I don't really know. But wrote this as I thought it might help some other pet owner who has a dog that goes as beserk as Tuppy did. He has been normal since.

Saved a vet bill but more than that... dear old Tuppy had almost instant relief and no drugs.

Cheers for now..... 

Separation anxiety, also known in the dog training world as owner absent misbehavior, is one of the most frequently encountered problems in the world of dog training.

Separation anxiety can manifest itself in many different ways, including chewing, destroying the owner’s property, excessive barking, self destructive behavior and inappropriate urination and defecation. Dogs suffering from separation anxiety often whine, bark, cry, howl, dig, chew and scratch at the door the entire time their family members are away.

Well meaning owners often unwittingly encourage this misbehavior by rushing home to reassure the dog, but it is important for the well being of both dog and owner that the dog learn to deal with extended periods of separation. How the owner leaves the house can often contribute to separation anxiety issues.

A long and drawn out period of farewell can make matters worse by making the dog feel even more isolated when the owner finally leaves. These long types of farewells can get the dog excited, and then leave him with lots of excess energy and no way to work it off. These excited, isolated dogs often work off their excess energy in the most destructive of ways, such as chewing up a favorite rug or piece of furniture. Excess energy is often mistaken for separation anxiety, since results are often the same. If you think that excess amounts of energy may be the problem, try giving your dog more exercise to see if that eliminates the problem.

If separation anxiety is truly the problem, it is important to address the root causes of that anxiety. In order to prevent separation anxiety from occurring, it is important for the dog to feel happy, safe, secure and comfortable while the owner is away for the day. It is important, for instance, to give the dog plenty of things to keep it busy while you are away. This means providing it with lots of toys, such as balls or chew toys.

A pet companion is often effective at relieving separation anxiety as well. Giving the dog a playmate, such as another dog or a cat, is a great way for busy pet parents and pets alike to cope with the stress of being left alone.

 Setting aside scheduled play times, during which the pet is given your undivided attention, is another great way to alleviate boredom and separation anxiety. Playing with the dog, and providing it with sufficient attention and exercise, is a proven way to avoid a stressed and anxious dog.

A happy dog that has been well exercised and well conditioned will generally sleep the day away happily and patiently wait for the return of its owner. It is important to schedule one of these daily play sessions before you leave the house each day. It is important to give the dog a few minutes to settle down after playtime before you leave.

For dogs that are already experiencing separation anxiety and associated misbehaviors, it is important to get him accustomed to your leaving gradually. Be sure to practice leaving and returning at irregular intervals, several times during the day. Doing so will get your dog accustomed to your deparartures and help him realize that you are not leaving him forever.

Dogs that have been previously lost, or those that have been surrendered to shelters and readopted, often have the worst problems with separation anxiety. Part of treating this problem is teaching the dog that your leaving is not permanent. Copyright ©

Cats can be very understanding when it comes to separation anxiety in dogs!

More of those special moments that pet owners know only too well!!!

City officials come to your home and say "Your dogs are barking." And you can't figure out what the problem is.

Complete strangers call you on the phone to ask questions because they heard you were a" dog person"

You cut your vacations to 3 day weekends only.

Dog crates double as chairs and/or tables in your family room

Everyone at the office is eager to know if the dogs are all right because you were late for the meeting

First time visitors wonder aloud: "Do you smell something?" and you really don't

When holidaying you say, "let's get out the map and see what else is interesting in that area..." or "Let's go on a walking tour or Savannah so we can bring the dogs along" and "now what hotel chains allow dogs?"

You introduce your dog to the photographer and ask "would you like to kiss Fido also?"

It takes an entirely separate garbage can to handle the poop

It's easier to get a hairdresser's appointment for yourself than it is to get one for your dog.

You are on an email list with other dog people and each one of them feels like more than family.

Lintwheels are on your shopping list every week.

More than half your grocery money goes to dog food and treats

Most of your social life is with other dog people.

Most of your vacation pictures are of dogs around the world.

No matter how large your bed is, it is not large enough for you and your dog(s).

No one wants to ride in your car because they know they'll get dog hair on their clothes.

Nobody's feet are allowed on the furniture, but your dogs are welcome to sleep on any piece they so choose

On your 1040 form all your charitable donations are to Humane Societies, Shelters and Rescue groups.

On your Christmas list to 'Santa' you only want crooks, whistles, jumps, doggie sweater, doggie 'gum ball machine', a place to have sheep, and oh yes, the sheep.

One of your vet files is labeled "Other"

You order 250 Xmas photos of just the dog, no family in photos.

You order 5x7 photos of the kids and order 16 x20 of SPOT.

Overnight guests (who share your bed) are offended by having to sleep with you and the dog(s)

Poop has become a source of conversation for you and your significant other.

Relative solidity of dog excrement is a suitable topic for discussion in mixed company.

Tax rebates go to "the dog fund" or a spending spree through the supply catalogs.

The cost of boarding your furkids equals that of your entire vacation

The dog's kibble is stored in 45 gallon garbage cans, and the water is kept in a bucket with it's own drip tray under it. (Score extra if you have had a water tap installed over the bucket to save time, or [for longhaired breeds] if you keep a towel lying permanently on the floor to soak up drips and squeegee around with your foot.)

Olny srmat poelpe can.

Cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty
uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg.
The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid,
aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde
Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr
the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt
tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in
the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses
and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm.
Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not
raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a
wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas
tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

 

Part 1.....

All "dates" must pass your dog's inspection.

All of your clothes have dog hair on them, even when they come back from the laundromat or dry cleaners.

You get birthday cards for each of your dogs from family, friends, and the vet. (Bonus if you keep them on the refrigerator for more than a month.)

Every gift you ever get has something to do with dogs.

You kiss your dog more than 10 times per greeting.

All your non-dog friends know to dress down when visiting your house.

Books and movies are ruined for you if the dog references are incorrect.

Onlookers grimace at the sight of you sharing your sandwich with your four-legged pal, bite for bite.

You call long distance and talk with your dog.

Dog hair in food is just another spice.

If you are cold, you put a sweater on your dog.

Any conversation you're having is effortlessly directed back to the topic of dogs 90 percent of your time.

Internet connection time goes to the dogs (seeing what's new when you enter your breed into the browser, reading up on multiple lists, checking out photos, sounds and faqs, etc.).

All kinds of things around the house are in need of repair, but the injured dog you rescued by the side of the road requires immediate surgery and out comes the checkbook

All of your charitable donations go to dog-related and humane society groups.

All of your furniture came to you second hand or via curbside discard, but your dog crates are top of the line, industry premium.

All your social activities revolve around other dog people.

Your voice is recognized by your vet's receptionist

After 3 and a half hours of grooming you let that beautiful creature out to go potty before bedtime and he turns and looks back at you, all clean and pretty, he smiles a little smile that warms your heart so deeply that words can never say. A picture you will remember forever. When the dog comes back in you realize he has been rolling in the dead bird/squirrel you thought you carefully buried that morning.

Anyone can look at your (pick all that apply) --- T-shirt - sweatshirt - coffee mug - keychain - beach towel - cooking apron -! couch throw - tote bag - computer screen saver/wallpaper/mousepad/wristpad/monitor frame - gift wrapping paper - photographic displays - calendars - refrigerator magnets - weather vane - door mat - bumper stickers - umbrella - Christmas sweater - socks - embroidery project - child's collection of stuffed animals - sheets and bedspread - checks - checkbook covers - throw pillows - Home Pages --- and know immediately that you are a dog lover, AND probably what particular breed you favor.

At least three of your five weeks vacation are scheduled around grooming, vaccinations and dental cleaning...all for the dogs!