Saturday, July 28, 2018

There Be Puppies in Texas...

I had had my hands full with three dogs again, two of them being puppies that pee everywhere. Thank goodness for a full grown dog who knows how to get outside quick!  



The routine in the morning was for me to open up the back door and the outside garage back door. Lizzy would wait by the puppies crate as I opened their crate, then I would tell her to take them outside! And she did, on the double, without hesitation! I think I only had one accident while they learned what outside meant. 

At first as soon as Han's little feet hit the concrete on the patio he peed, Ugh! I had to get him to understand that he had to go on grass to which he then thought carpet in the house was grass. Noooo! Then he decided that he had to poop on the patio, Noooo again!

The purchased puppy pads were placed about the kitchen. It was a 50/50 proposition for sure as half the time they were peed on and half the time chewed up by you know who! 


Lizzie was not warming up to the puppies very well. She really didn't bite them but would bare her teeth and snarl. Once in a while she would get a nip in to let them know she didn't like them crawling all over her as they would mob her while playing in the back yard. Most of the time she would ignore them. 

It was time to leave for Texas and the 4th of July weekend. I had the car loaded and was putting puppies in the car, the final thing to do. This was a Friday, Christie was already in Texas, as she arrived on Thursday. I was going to go down Thursday, but needed one more adjustment from my Chiropractor. Lizzy was in the car, Han was in the car and as I was carrying Chewie out to the car, I stepped out the back door and my shoe caught the carpet and twisted sideways causing me to fall backwards.  I reached backwards with my right arm trying to catch a shelf, hyperextending my shoulder. I twisted my lower back landing on my right (bad) side. Sent the puppy flying and he landed next to the car, scurrying underneath. I had to lay there for a few minutes before trying to move, assessing my injuries. Any broken bones...no. Now to try and get up. That is my biggest problem, getting up. Ever since having artificial knees you can't get on them as they hurt like hell! I looked around and realized I had moved the dryer in front of the back door during the fall, not good. I scooched over to the back door and grabbed the door handle and pulled myself up to a position to where I could get one leg up under myself and get up on one knee then up to the other knee then stand up. Whew! I knew the drive ahead was not going to be a fun one now as I was starting to hurt.  I went into the house and took two Tylenol, went back out to the garage and recovered Chewie and got him into his crate. I finished locking up the house and proceeded toward Texas. Light sabers ready!

My trip had already been long, as I had been dealing with a medical problem on this little journey that I had an appointment for on the following Tuesday. It was hot and having to stop for any amount of time was not fun. Dogs, however do have to take potty breaks, especially puppies.  I was warned not to let them take breaks in public areas, so we would have to take breaks in the off beaten areas. Thankfully they were quick about it. 

You never know what you will find out on the highway. As I am traveling at 75mph as I spy a large purple sack on the side of the road. I say to myself "Nah, it cant be".  What do I do? Yep you guessed it. I went to the next exit got off, went back to the following exit and then went back to the large purple sack. 50 lbs. of Red Onions! Where they were located, I was actually taking my very life in my hands, I was parked on a bridge. I put on my emergency blinkers and went for it.  I had to drag them back to my car, unload about 5 lbs. into the floorboard of the car before I could find enough sacking to grab and lift the sucker up into the front seat of the car. Then I had to walk to the front of my car and wait for a break in the truck line to get my door open and in the car.  Boy those truckers don't give you an inch! But I got my onions! 

I arrived at the house and the kids were all excited to see the puppies. Especially Maggie. She just loves dogs. One of the first things Christie and I did after we unloaded the car was to go to Walmart and get a portable dog pen. This way we could set up a pen inside the house for the pups. Then Christie would have a place to coral Chewie at home.   

I was not feeling well enough to go to Jefferson to watch the fireworks, besides I didn't want the local fireworks to upset the pups, so I stayed home and kept them company. The rest of the family went and enjoyed the festivities. I watched season 2 of The Handmaids Tale on Hulu. 

Some of J's great photography shots of fireworks



Miss Maggie all decked out for the 4th

We noticed blood in Han's stool and had to take him to our Vet in Texas and found out that he had Hookworm, Roundworm, and Tapeworm. Poor baby! So both of the puppies were de-wormed again. At this Vet visit Han weighed 20 lbs. and Chewie 18 lbs. Shows how fast they are growing. 
Han waiting for results
Christie left with Lizzy and Chewie to go back to Kansas City on Thursday as she had a class to teach on Friday. I left on Saturday with Andy and Han. I had put Han in the front seat...big mistake. He chewed through the audio cable and the power cable to Andy's DVD player. So into the crate he went for the ride home. 

Maggie loved on the puppies so much that I know she will miss them. She calls them both Chewie.
Maggie Loving on Han

Scroll up

The Vet Visit...Oops Wrong Vet...

When we got Chewie and Han I asked Rodney their former owner who he used as their veterinarian. He told me Westwood Veterinarian Services on Mercedes in Norman.  As it was time for their next set of shots, I called and made their appointment. 

Christie had to go back home to and get things ready there for Chewie in Kansas City before she could take him up there. So I was taking care of two puppies and Lizzie until we were to meet up in Texas for the 4th of July. 

I must have had a severe brain fart, you know, one of those senior moments,  for when it came time for the puppies vet visit, I went to the wrong Veterinarian! I went to Rose Rock Veterinarian Hospital on 24th. They came out and got the puppies and took them into their puppy room. They looked and looked for their record and it was then I realized my mistake and called Westwood and had their records transferred over to Rose Rock. Oh Bother! The Dr., attendants and staff there at Rose Rock were wonderful and understanding and so great with the pups. They got their shots, de-worming and nails clipped.  One tip to clipping nails is to put a bead of cheese whiz from a can down for the pup to lick while you clips its nails.  Great distraction!

Han was up to 16 lbs. and Chewie 14 lbs.  When we got them Han was 10 lbs. and Chewie 8 lbs. Han is going to be more like the Great Pyrenees and Chewie like the Blue Heeler.




Puppy play after puppy shots at the Vet!

All tuckered out after hard puppy play!


Friday, July 27, 2018

Han Solo...Did you say HAN SOLO...And CHEWBACCA

When Bear crossed the Rainbow Bridge



I said I would not get another dog. Then two months later Christie lost our most beloved Fitzwilliam Darcy most unexpectedly.


He died on a Saturday without warning and she had him cremated on a Sunday. She lives in an area where there is no place to bury him. Several days later on Facebook a dear friend posted the most adorable picture of this little fellow. I instantly fell in love with that little face. I don't know why, but I did. Again I reminded myself I did not want another dog but the irresistible pull of this little fellows face was too much!
Han Solo at 4 weeks

Christie was coming into town later in the week for a work related thing and would be staying for a bit. So I made arrangements on Thursday with the owner to meet at Lions Park after she got into town on Friday and dropped her car off at Firestone to be worked on, to meet this little fellow. I also asked for him to bring another puppy. He had just the perfect little fellow in mind.  We got there and she took her big dog Lizzy for a walk and I waited for the puppies. They arrived! Christie put Lizzy up and came over to the car to meet the puppy and was shocked to see two! I told her I had a surprised for her. She was expecting to see only one, the one for me. However I had the gentleman bring one for her. I knew she was heartbroken over Fitz and I knew a new puppy would not only help her, but help Lizzy as well. This little guy was precious.

Chewie at 8 weeks
We took them both! Besides, they were free and already had their first puppy shots.  Their parents are...Daddy, full blood Queensland Blue Heeler...Mother, Half Great Pyrenees-Half Labrador.

We brought them home. Christie got out Fitz's old wire crate and cleaned it up for the puppies to stay in (That is why you never throw anything away even after 10 years). We washed bedding and towels. Purchased puppy food and new toys and treats. Cleaned out past dog dishes and water bowls and made them comfortable.

The next thing to do was to name them. We are big Marvel Fans and Started to Name them Bucky and Steve. I would have Bucky and Christie would have Steve, but as the evening wore on the names didn't fit the personality of the dogs. Her dog chewed everything including my hands and arms (I looked like a pin cushion) and my dog was a complete little rogue. Hmmm, who did we know that fit that combination other than Chewbacca and Han Solo! It just fit! And so they were named! Han and Chewie!
Two Rouges of a Galaxy Far, Far Away



Our two rouges