Avalanche...What a Guy!

Being handicapped as a dog I can definitely see some advantages. Avalanche our almost 5 year old Siberian Husky who is handicapped has become so in-tune with me that it is almost scary. A few days ago while on a walk, Avalanche comes to a stop and starts his talking routine. Rarararararara! Well, what's up guy? He repeats himself this time pointing his nose up in the air and looking up. Well, I look up and there on the street light is a beautiful hawk! Avalanche knows that I love to watch the hawks, so he was letting me know that there was one to watch. He spoke a couple of more times and I praised him and then the hawk got annoyed and took off, so back to our walk. It's strange how he knew there was a hawk up there. He never stops to talk to the crows, or doves or other birds. Dogs can truly be amazing creatures. I just adore this handicapped Siberian Husky...he is such a guy!

What A Guy...Avalanche

Avalanche, our almost 5 year old handicapped Siberian Husky is such a sensitive awesome guy. Last week I had a bad head cold and felt horrible. Rain or shine, in sickness or in health...my dogs go out for their morning walks. Well, I felt bad, but they sick need their morning ritual. Avalanche who often leads the pack (two dobermans, Diva and Deon), what totally awesome; he headed us out in the direction of a simple easy walk that was also very short. For two days, he was the most cooperative, easy going guy. He set the standard for the other two who followed. We had easy short walks, hardly any potty accidents, he cooperated with meals, etc. Come day number 3 when I started to feel better, he was instantly back to his old self. Dogs can be truly amazing creatures that can be so in tune with us, their humans; while maintaining their own doggy lives. I just love that dog, Avalanche you are AWESOME!

THESE ARE THE BOOTS!

These Boots Are Made For Walking...and That's Just What They'll Do

When I was in Las Vegas this past November, I discovered this awesome dog boutique in the shops at the Mandalay Bay Resort, Lush Puppy. It really has some very different items and I found Avalanche, my handicapped Siberian Husky some really fabulous shoes. I have tried other types of dog shoes for his, most of which are the mukluk type. But these boots! They have a hard rubber sole and have a center zipper and a velcro strap around the ankle. They are very easy to put on and take off but they don't have very much padding so I have to use double infant socks that I tape on his fee under the shoes. The shoes are great in that they are letting his toenails grow out since he drags his rear legs. These shoes would also work well for dogs with hip dyplasia since they tend to also drag their rear feet. Nike please take note, Air Nikes for dogs would be awesome!

Miss Diva

Here is a photo of our Miss Diva! We really gave her an appropriate name. She is now 11 months old and continues to raise as much hell as a dobie pup can. This poor couch is really ready for the trash. She plays a game where she jumps onto it against the back pillows with such force that she literally bounces off - flies across the room to where the big dog bed is (a twin mattress on the floor with dog beds on top), then flies back again. When she lands on the dog bed, she will play with either brother that happens to be laying there, either Deon her dobie brother or Avalanche her husky brother. She really doesn't care. When her brothers get tired of her and her tricks, they head out to the garage where their "condos" are for a little peace and quiet. We call her an "equal opportunity terrorizer". When not bothering her brothers or sleeping she is lying in wait for one of our two cats to come into her domain (she is confined to a part of the house via a baby gate).

Dogs Can Be So Sensitive

Recently, my 90 year old mother-in-law was staying with us for about two month until we got her into assisted living. Having three dogs (2 dobies and one husky) plus 2 cats, can keep our house very busy. Well, my mother-in-law is not a cat person (whatever that is) and so the cats avoided her and the area she stayed in the house. Now, who isn't a dog person? Well, even house guests can be too much for the mildest of dogs. Over the past couple of weeks I have been noticing how the dogs want out into the garage for more and more time. Even my handicapped dog, Avalanche wanted out of the house. She is now gone and what a difference it makes for the animals. They could pick up on her negative energy and were cranky like the humans that also live in this house. It is like a deep dark winter has turned into a fabulous spring.

It was hard managing an older person with a puppy. Our floor is always cluttered with dog toys and chewy items. Besides, having a handicapped dog, there can always be accidents left on the floor. One morning she did manage to step right in the middle of a nice big pile. You would think a persons nose could detect something amiss. We were always worried of her falling and breaking a hip or something. Having a puppy who literally flies through the air with the greatest of ease along with a 90 year old is an interesting combination. Our puppy, Diva loves to jump over the arm of the couch and land right in the middle of the couch to start playing. Up until the last day our Mary was here, we had to remind her that it was dangerous to sit on that end of the couch. I really think it might have been easier to train my puppy versus my mother-in-law.

Our house is now back to its normal crazy dog and cat oriented self and it feels so good to have a long term house guest gone. Having pets helps minimize the stresses of life, but some stresses are too great to overcome with pets along.

Diva As A Pup Playing With Her Handicapped Big Brother

They continue to play very well together. Diva quickly learned what Avalanche could and could not do and so she takes advantage of his handicapp frequently. Avalanche remains quick on the front end and he plays ruthless! It is hard for her to hurt him with her mouth since his fur is so thick. However, if he happens to snag one of her ears or nips her for real, she cries like the biggest baby! She is now probably almost the same size and weight, but she jumps on his back and grabs onto the back of his neck and with his backend not working very well, she definitely has the advantage.