Dognomics: the Comparative Advantage

     We've written before about comparative advantage [here].  In other words, why dogs are the best things in the world.  Last time, we talked about how well they snuggle.  This time, I'd like to talk about how they're better than kids.  (Please note: This is being written in a joking manner (sort of).)

     If you've read Friday's post, you realize I'm a public school teacher.  I love my students.  Each and every one of them, even when they're driving me NUTS.  However, about once a day, some one does something that my first thought is, "This is why I have dogs."

   I've shocked and created speechless kids when I tell them, "I'm not like this at home."  They simply can't fathom what I'm like on my own time.   While yes, I realize I'm one of 2 people that can be held accountable for A&P's actions, I'm never worried when curse words fly from my lips, I have a glass of an adult beverage with dinner, or what I wear in public with them.  

   
     I went to go on a bike ride by myself after school a few weeks ago.  The kids left for the day and I ran down the hall to change into bike shorts, quick dry shorts over top (Zipper pockets and concealing my butt in bike shorts), long sleeve shirt, t-shirt, sweat shirt, striped wool knee socks, and tennis shoes.  I know I was soooo styling.  
 
     And then, I heard kids near by.  I made the quickest exit I could out a side door.  While there are many things I'm willing to have the kids see me say or do, my styling outfit wasn't one of them.

     But, this is one of the reason's I love A&P, they don't care what I'm wearing.  I got home, and we went for a walk, picked up poo, and sat down for dinner.  Never once did any of them roll their eyes at my stunning outfit.  Nor did either of they say anything rude when I changed into my favorite blogging attire an hour latter.

What to say?

     If you've read the blog for any length of time, you know I'm a public school teacher in Virginia.  If you look back to the story of how we got Paul, you'll see lots of references to the Michael Vick trial that was going on at the time.  While all of Paul's paperwork says "All American Mixed Breed" it takes one look at Paul to realize he's got some pitt bull in him.

     A few weeks ago, I was talking to one of my favorite students who owns a pitt bull and a doberman. He doesn't live in the nicest part of town, and I was afraid of what he was going to say when asked about taking care of the dogs.  I was totally relieved an proud to hear both of his dogs are fixed, up to date on rabies, and faithful house pets.  They live indoors.  And when asked about dog fighting, he said, "I ain't Michael Vick!  I don't want to hurt the pretty pitties!"  (Great way to end my last class on a Friday!).

     Why am I asking about dog fighting from one of my students?  While I don't teach in the exact area of the Bad Newz Kennels, I'm very close to it.  The Vick family has ties to some of the students in my building.  While all of my students see our family picture as the desktop of my computer, and I talk about owning a pitt bull and not fighting him openly, I don't know how much of it has hit home and clicked in the brains of these kids.
     I guess at the end of it all, what do I say to these kids who have ties to one of the most famous dog fighters in the country?  No one's ever come right out and asked, but still, I wonder, what do you say?

Wordless Wednesday: April 24th

We all take them.  Just when you think you've got the perfect shot, something happens and it's bad.  So here are 2 bad pics of Annie and Paul

Upset Puppy Tummy

     A few weeks ago, we were dealing with upset stomaches.  Somewhere along the line, Paul picked up a stomach bug.  So far, he hasn't shared with Annie.  But for us, it's been a week of boiled chicken and rice.

I took this while cleaning out the crate outside.

The first time Paul had the stomach bug was a month after he joined our family.  How bad was it?  Bad enough it stained the carpet under the crates and we threw out everything in both crates.  (That's right, it was so bad it went out of Paul's create and into Annie's next to him!)  Paul did what I've learned is his standard response to not feeling well: went outside and dug a hole to lay in.  As The Hubbs said, he looked too pittiful to be mad at him.  Annie had a look on her face that said, "Get me away from him!"

     The vet was closed by the time we discovered all of this, and their Aunt Karen said to take up their food for the night, gave me over the phone instructions on how to make bland food, and calmed me down.  I had never dealt with a sick pup before and I was freaking out.  She pointed out that until that morning, he had had a normal appetite, he had gained a few pounds since coming home with us, and that this was probably a bug he had picked up somewhere.  She came over and hung out for a bit with us and said to just make a vet appointment for the next day.  I called in the sub, made the first apointment, packed both Annie and Paul into the car (share and share alike is what I feared) and headed in.
   
     Paul got antibiotics of some type and I got a hand written copy of the bland diet from our vet that I've stuck to ever since.  Any time someone has an upset tummy, we try a few days of the bland diet before I go charging into the vet.  If things haven't improved by day 3, we pack up and head in.  

Oh, tummy not happy

Warning: I'm not a vet, not by any stretch of the imagination.  This is just what works for us.

Dice up plain chicken and drop it into plain boiling water (don't add anything other than chicken and water).  Mix in plain white rice and wait for the rice to absorb the water.

Day 1:  1 table spoon of boiled chicken with plain rice 4 times a day.  (be prepared for the sad and hungry look.)

Day 2: 2 tablespoons of boiled chicken with plain rice 4 times a day.  (More of the sad and hungry look)

Day 3: 3 table spoons of boiled chicken with plain rice 4 times a day (Maybe the first day of "normal output")

Day 4: 4 table spoons of boiled chicken with plain rice 4 times a day.  Start adding in a few pieces of kibble with each serving (and by few I mean 5 or fewer pieces).

Day 5: 4 table spoons of boiled chicken with plain rice 4 times a day.  Add in a little more kibble.  Slowly shift your dog back to eating at their normal times/amounts.  IF at any point over these 5 days, the output goes back to upset tummy, it's back to the vet and day 1 of the food.

Like I said, I'm not a vet, but this has been what we've done for every upset tummy we've had since.  With in the first 2 days, usually things start looking and smelling much better.  

Tux instead of Kongs

     A few weeks ago, I talked about how to wash your dogs Kong collection to help clean during a run of the stomach bug.  If you look at the first picture of the kong washing below, you'll notice 2 not even close to kong looking treat dispensers.

         They're made by West Paw and I have to admit, I like them more than the Kongs.  For one thing, they're dishwasher safe.  (The Kongs fade in color, and I've had to throw a few out over the years when they get gewey in the dishwasher.)  They also come with a guarantee that if your dog demolishes it, they'll replace it!  They bounce and float (if you're dogs into water, Annie and Paul only like it in their water dishes) and come in 4 different colors.

     I usually put a Milk Bone in the bottom and peanut butter on top.  It's defiantly easier to do it with a spatula (lets face it, I'm such a dork in the kitchen that I even buy certain spatulas to use just for the dogs stuff.)  Over spring break, I took the time to blend together yogurt, peanut butter, cream cheese, canned pumpkin, and apple sauce to last a week and freeze inside of the tuxes that we've got already.  I think Annie and Paul will be ok when I go back to work at the end of the week!

Wordless Wednesday: April 17th

Vintage Annie.

Don't forget we're on facebook too!  Join us there for daily mini posts of funny things from our world.  

Meet Lola

     A few months ago, I wrote a good by to Cooper.  Fast forward a few months, and Foster, the basset beagle mix (aka, a bagel) has been missing his friends.  It's no fun to go from a pack of 3 to only child status in the course of a year.
     One day, when his Mom went to the store to get him treats to cheer him up, they were holding an adoption event.  Into her lap lept Lola.

      Lola's a little under a year old and still has boundless energy.  Annie tried lending Lola her Thundershirt to see if it would help at all.  While Lola looks the same size as Annie, Annie's got a few pounds on Lola.  The end result is an over sized TS.  

     

We went on a walk a few nights ago so every one could hang out.  It was nice to see all 4 friends getting along.  But we discovered that she gives lots of hugs and good kisses.

Spring Break: Annie's View

     I enjoy spring break with Mom.  She spent the first day walking around the house collecting all the soft spots to lay on and she washed them.  It’s not soo bad, the house doesn’t smell as much of Paul now. 

    I spend most of my days chilling on the couch watching the neighborhood and enjoying naps (I love naps!) 

    She took us to the mall the other night.  And we got to walk around a lot!  We did 2 laps with our friends Foster and Lola!  Lola’s still a puppy (she’s only a year old) but it was nice to have another girl on the walk.  She’s tall like me, so while our brothers are closer to the ground, we get first dibs on the treats!!  She’s like me where she just wants to play all the time.  

Wordless Wednesday: April 10th

Vintage Paul.

We're Back!

     I'm actually writing this post almost as soon as I posted the Hiatus one.  I'm excited to get back to blogging even when there are times it seems I have nothing more to say.  I can't help but think of different posts to do while I'm on the evening walk.  But when I sit down at the computer, I blank.  Nothing comes to mind.

Don't look at me, I have no ideas!

     How do some of you do it day in and day out year after year?  Some of my favorite blogs are almost old enough to be Kindergarteners in my classroom!

Two Pitties in the City

New Dress A Day

How do you do this?  I'm working on typing up blog posts while on the hiatus while my brain is kicking into creative gear (for once).  But about once a month, I have nothing new to say, nothing new that I've done with the dogs, I'm totally lost.  Any ideas from the other bloggers out there?  How do you keep it fresh?

Spring Break: Paul's View

     I love spring break!  Mommy is home, and I get to snuggle with her!  She watches stuff on the silver box thing.  And I lay right nest next to her! 

     She decided to open the windows today, and it’s cold.  (Mommy says the house needs fresh air.)  So I’m nesting even closer.  Mommy covered me up in blankets and let me play submarine on the bed!    Here I am hiding under the blankets.  Can you find the Paulie?

Spring Break: Day 1

      I must admit, my brother will read this post and comment how I'm just like my mother.  I'm taking the short vacation I have and cleaning.

2 loads down 15 more to go!

     When I read Yellow Brick Home, Two Pitties, Oh Melvin, or any other blog, I get nervous picturing our home.  It'm not living in a dilapidated house, but I'm defiantly not a great house keeper.  Our corners are a mixture of cobwebs and dog hair.  Most of the rooms smell like Annie and Paul, and stuff is everywhere.  (Oh boy, do I need to do a yard sale!)

NO!  Mommy, don't sell the yard!

     Hahahaha.....that brings me to the next point of cleaning: the yard!  While the Hubbs grew up where very few things grow (And when they grow, you leave them alone and be thankful for something that grows there!)  So the yard needs to be tended to, grass should be cut, dog poo from the winter months needs to be picked up, and flowers need to be planted.  (Welcome Spring!!)

Perhaps something to sniff in the yard for Annie.

     Paul, in all of this, is following me room to room constantly trying to figure out, "What way will mom go next?"  Presently he's happy that I've sat down long enough to blog that he's found a nice soft place to chillax.  (Please ignore the load of laundry in the background)