New (to us) furniture

We recently were very fortunate and received a love seat and matching chair from a new friend at work.  Since all our furniture was left behind when we moved, we've been getting by with the thrift store chair and a couple of camping chairs.  Now though, we have real furniture!

As you can see, it has been approved.

Forest

Brook and Hiker

Bill, Azule and Breeze

Copying the big dog.

I've mentioned a few times how Breeze loves to lean on furniture and I have asked people we know who have bigger dogs and they all say the same thing, "ours do that too!"  Then a few days ago, Breeze was leaning on the new(ish) dog bed that I made.

Then, yesterday, Brook tried out something similar with a dog bed which is actually a cardboard box and a sleeping bag..

Breeze is around 60 pounds and Brook is only 32 pounds but obviously wanted to pretend that she was a big dog too.  As I watched her my first thought was that she was copying what Breeze had done a few days previously.  Now, if you have been following our adventures you likely are thinking but they are both blind.  You are right, neither Breeze nor Brook can see.  

So, no, Brook wasn't copying but I couldn't help but think that as I watched her then I chuckled to myself as I realized how silly that thought was.  But that is just another example of how I don't really think of the dogs in terms of their handicaps. They're just normal, fun loving dogs!

Ready or not....

A few days ago, we awoke to winter!

This was the view to our 30 acres of forested land.

The dogs? Of course they enjoyed it!

Look closely at the above photo, near the fence. Yes, that is Breeze blending in with the snow again this year!

Throughout the day the snow began to melt and the following day was rainy and windy. Since overnight temperatures are now below freezing, ready or not, winter is almost here,. (I'm not quite ready, I need new winter boots!)

Wordless Wednesday

Monday Mischief

Today's Monday Mischief post is being brought to you by the pack.  I didn't think that this was worth blogging about but they think you will enjoy it.

Hi everybody!  It's the pack here, we want you to know about a recent incident that happened at our home.  

Somebody spilled the water dish.

It made a big mess on the floor and The Mom was annoyed.  We didn't really care too much. These things happen, especially when there are three of us that are blind.  The Mom always says that since the water dish is always in the same place we should know where it is by now and not walk into it.

So, who spilled the dish?  Let us show you the feet that knocked the dish over....

Yup - The Mom's feet!!!

Okay, okay, yes it was me that knocked over the dish. I must tell you that it has been many weeks since any of the dogs have knocked over the dish. I suppose I should listen to myself and keep in mind that since the dish is always in the same place I should know here it is by now!

Not too big

Even though she is blind, Breeze knows her limitations regarding her size.  She is cautious about where she goes and (most times) about what she does.

Yesterday, she decided to check out the raised dog bed that I made. It has been around for a couple of weeks but since I moved it to a different location, she seemed to notice it and decided to try it out as best she could.

She had an antler and the dog bed made a good platform for chewing.  She must have heard me chuckling at her while I was taking the above photo. This is the "look" I got right after.

"I'm not too big!"

Wordless Wednesday

Breeze's discovery

The other day I was rearranging and tidying up. Since our space is small, I often put things up on the dog crates while I am sweeping the floor. I had put the one dog bed on Breeze's crate and put a sleeping bag and some blankets in that I just haven't figured out yet where to store. As is typical when there is something going on, all the dogs are checking on the progress and honestly more often than not, getting in the way.

Breeze was very interested in the dog bed that was on her crate. She kept reaching up and putting her paws on the crate for a good sniff. 

I assumed that since some of the items were from a recent trip to our former home she was interested in the familiar scent. Well, there was a familiar scent there, just not the one I thought.

As I walked by and viewed the dog bed from a different angle, I saw what had her attention.

It was Gerrard.  Seems that he had discovered a toasty warm and cozy place for a nap!

Beach weather

I didn't have to work yesterday and the weather was just right for a trip to the beach. It was sunny with a temperature of 12C/53F. Okay, not the type of weather that most people would consider ideal when planning an afternoon at the beach but a) the dogs don't really care too much about the cool temperatures and b) we're Canadians eh.  We're a hardy bunch (and possibly a little crazy too!)

So, I selected Forest and Azule to go to the beach.

The road to the beach was a bit rough so we had to walk run as fast as possible.

Once we were on the beach, the running continued.

Neither of them went in the water but we sure had a great time.

A new dog bed!

I decided that the pack could use a new dog bed. Part of the reason for that was the fact that I was able to get a skid (or pallet as I am constantly reminded here on the east coast) from work. Rather than have dog bedding directly on the floor, a raised bed would be nicer for them. So, out came the tools and of course the helpers were excited.

Forest

Azule

Since we live in such a small space, there isn't much room to be doing projects like this. I had to be extra careful of the blind trio. Blind and partly deaf Brook was especially interested, as she is with most anything out of the ordinary.

Brook

Forest, as usual, was right in the midst of things and couldn't wait to try it out.

Forest: "Is it going to be this big?"
The Mom: "No. I'm not done yet. Move your butt."

Here is the finished product -

Brook approved

Inspected by Bill

Forest approved and inspected by Hiker.

Wordless Wednesday

Monday mischief

The pack all enjoy chewing and there are always a good selection of things to chew. Whenever I purchase antlers or hooves I always make sure to get one for each of them. It wouldn't be fair to bring in tasty new chew things without everyone having their own.

Recently I bought hooves. Seven hooves, one for each member of the pack.  You can imagine their delight as the bag opened and the scent wafted through. Each of them had to sit and take their hoof nicely then they were off to find a comfy spot to chew.

For Bill and Azule it was, as always, the bed. (I put down an extra blanket and/or a sheet to keep the bedding as clean as possible. We don't want hoof juices on the bedding!)

Notice anything wrong with that picture?

That is Azule with two hooves.  She has a very bad habit of always taking Bill's. He isn't one to resist, he simply turns his head and allows her to casually take it. Azule can only chew on one at a time so she often will just leave the second one within easy reach, just close enough to her that Bill won't take it back.  Then Bill comes to me, head down, looking sad and stares at me until I clue in.  I get his hoof back and a few minutes later, the process is repeated. After about five or six times, Azule gives up and shares. Until the next time we get new hooves or antlers.

Mermaids and waterfront

We had a bit of a mermaid theme going the other day. It wasn't intentional, just one of those things that happens!

First, Azule and I were heading into town and I stopped to take her picture by the sign for the little hamlet of Mermaid.

Typical of Azule, she was more interested in the passing vehicles than having her picture taken.

Then Callie and I visited the waterfront. This is the harbour that is about a three minute drive from where I work. It is a nice place to sit at lunch time and watch the boats. 

There is also an access point to the Confederation Trail.  The trail is 470 km long and is tip to tip on the island.

While at the waterfront, we saw another mermaid. This one is a wood carving and is a bit weather worn.

The other wood carving at the waterfront is a fisherman.

We are still extremely happy with our new home here on the island and as I keep telling everyone who asks - no regrets, not at all.  

Wordless Wednesday - goodnight.

Wordless Wednesday

Mischief Monday/Tasty Tuesday

I was thinking. "I'll just be a few minutes...I don't need to crate everybody. Nothing will happen." Wrong! (again)  Not to worry, this isn't a post about a horrible accident or even some disaster, unless the lack of breakfast items will bring forth some sympathy from you! Let me explain.

I was leaving home for a few minutes to head over to the tap to fill our water buckets. Return trip takes about five minutes or so. It's a bit of a hassle to crate all the dogs and as you can imagine, they aren't really thrilled with it, especially in the midst of playing. So, I left them all loose except for Callie who was in her large penned area.

Upon my return, the sewing machine had been knocked off the table (I was making curtains) and blind and mostly deaf Brook was on the table. I suppose that the sewing machine was in her way. In the way of what you ask?

In the way of these.

On the left is the remains of a package of flour tortillas and the white paper is from half a sleeve of soda crackers.

Then I found this:

Brook went through the loaf of bread and each slice had some missing except for the crust at the bottom of the bag. Picky little thing. 

The bread was 12 grain and let me just say that the extra fibre was evident the next day.

Someday I will learn and take the time to crate all the dogs when I leave, even if it is only for a few minutes!

AVC - The Atlantic Veterinary College

Ever since I adopted Breeze as a tiny little puppy with almost no spots,

I've often wondered if there was any chance of vision in her left eye. That is the side with what appears to be a fully formed eye with a thick covering and a spot near the centre.  She does very well without vision and it was never really a pressing issue.  

Now that we are (somewhat) settled here and have found a fantastic veterinary clinic I asked about a referral. One suggestion from our new veterinarian was to take her to the Atlantic Veterinary College.  Luckily for us, the same veterinary ophthalmologist that Brook has seen at the OVC - Ontario Veterinary College, was here teaching and seeing patients.

Breeze was her usual charming self and really good with all the sitting still so her eye could be checked. There were so many things to check out.

After all the testing, they determined that it is likely that Breeze experienced a penetrating injury to her eye when she was very young and the injury caused severe damage that has resulted in permanent blindness. The other side has no visible eye. Not surprising news but still, I was just a teeny bit disappointed.  Not overly though, I adopted her knowing she was blind and she is a happy and well adjusted dog!

The following day, I received a telephone call from one of the fourth year students we saw, asking if Breeze could return to AVC.  The student was very interested in Breeze's condition and had arranged for a (free) ultrasound of her eyes if I could bring her back in.  

I was impressed with the student's ambition and told her so and readily agreed to return. So, Breeze had some topical freezing applied and an ultrasound performed to assist the students with their learning. When I picked her up, the student told me that they have to do a presentation based on a patient and she might want to use Breeze if that was okay with me. Absolutely!

The best part of the visits to AVC, according to Breeze was this -

they got treats!

Wordless Wednesday - sunrise!

We built a bed!

We didn't have a bed. We were all sleeping on the floor, no air mattress or anything like that, just a couple of sleeping bags on the floor.  So, rather than continue to do that, I decided that I should build a bed.

It's nothing fancy, just some utility grade 2X4s, some nails and a whole lot of determination. (I always say that what I lack in skill I make up for in determination!)  I think it turned out quite well. I am basing that on the fact that it hasn't collapsed yet!

The dogs like it. They like it a lot.

Brook, Azule, Bill, Breeze and Forest

I thought about building an elevated bed with lots of storage room underneath but with three blind dogs I knew I would have to also build a barrier around it to prevent them from falling off (adult sized crib?!) and of course a set of stairs for them to be able to get on the bed. Seemed like too much to tackle so I kept it simple.

That open space underneath is more popular than I ever imagined it would be.

Hiker

It's a fun place to hang out.

Also a great place to play.

Wordless Wednesday

We're thinking of Wrigs today on his surgery day. 

Slow feed bowl how-to

For a couple of years now, (blind and mostly deaf) Brook has been eating from a slow feed type of bowl. She has always been food obsessed and developed quite a bit of gas and some minor bloating since she ate so fast.  

The slow feed bowl has been working great until recently.  Brook has figured out a way to make it not such a slow feed.

That is her in the process of tipping the bowl over so that the kibble falls out onto the floor. 

I suppose that it is still a slow feed since she has to find the kibbles that have scattered on the floor. I of course have to keep watch because there is always one or two who have finished theirs and try to snatch the kibbles since they can see.