So after yesterday's undignified run for my life, my mom commented that Lilah was slightly limping. Lilah being as active as she is, sometimes gets hurt like any athlete. And like any athlete though, she typically walks it off. She continued to run around and play soccer with my brother like normal.
However later that evening, Lilah was noticeably limping, putting as little pressure as possible on her front right paw. My mom has always been kind and nurturing towards me and my brothers, and just as much so towards the dogs. She immediately told me to comfort Lilah as she herself sat down at the floor to scratch and soothe Lilah. So there we both sat on the ground, with Lilah comfortably resting in my lap while my mom gently stroked her and cooed at her.
Where was my sympathy a couple days ago when Lilah's demon speed caused me to injure my knee and limp around the house? My mom certainly didn't order Lilah to lick my wound! Even on the run earlier, I had gotten cut from some brush Lilah ran me past. Injustice I say!
All kidding aside though, I'll have to keep my eye on her because if it persists or gets worse the next couple of days, we'll have to visit the vet. Lilah isn't one to make a big fuss over an injury. She's tough as nails. So it's possible she could cause further damage to herself. Guess I'll have some time to let my injury heal too.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Dog Jogging Pt. 1
Ritter is going to have his first dog training class on Saturday! (Which of course I'll write about) In order to help quell Ritter's innate anxiety, my mom's been given the task of getting Ritter accustomed to exercising sans Lilah as she usually prevents him from doing so. So while my mom takes him out on her own to play in a "fenced in meadow," I've been taking Lilah on run/walks.
Lilah, despite having gone through basic training, isn't the best walker. She does, however, love to run. So for the past few days, I've put on my running shoes and taken her on run/walks. For the most part she does remarkably well. Once she finally stops squealing and yipping in excitement. And I finally convince her that no, we're not going to the car. And she finally stops trying to backpedal to the front porch. And I finally get her past our property line.
Aside from all that it takes to get her started, she's actually quite pleasant to jog with. I slowly jog while she keeps a quick trot. Every now and then I have to suddenly halt when she decides a spot of grass needs to be marked. Or when she decides to poop. And then poops again a few blocks later. After I've already used and thrown away the one poop bag I brought along...I have since learned to tie on three bags to her leash, just in case.
The only problem is once we reach the home stretch, that straight shot of two blocks to home, Lilah takes off at a full sprint. Now I can run pretty fast, my bow-legged-ness giving me a springy-quick stride, but Lilah has a body meant for speed. You know how a running cheetah has a spine that allows it to flex and bow? Yeah, Lilah's long back does that. Her mad dash for home requires that I stomp down hard to maintain my balance and to kind of rein her in.
So down the two blocks we go, Lilah wild-eyed and foaming at the mouth, panting so hard it sounds like a warthog on the rampage. And me, with my loud stomping, ugly form and silent plea for her to trot back home on a loose leash like a normal, tired dog.
Somehow I find myself at home, nearly collapsing on the front steps as Lilah's spittle covers her muzzle and her drool starts to pool at her feet. Zero dignity.
Lilah, despite having gone through basic training, isn't the best walker. She does, however, love to run. So for the past few days, I've put on my running shoes and taken her on run/walks. For the most part she does remarkably well. Once she finally stops squealing and yipping in excitement. And I finally convince her that no, we're not going to the car. And she finally stops trying to backpedal to the front porch. And I finally get her past our property line.
Aside from all that it takes to get her started, she's actually quite pleasant to jog with. I slowly jog while she keeps a quick trot. Every now and then I have to suddenly halt when she decides a spot of grass needs to be marked. Or when she decides to poop. And then poops again a few blocks later. After I've already used and thrown away the one poop bag I brought along...I have since learned to tie on three bags to her leash, just in case.
The only problem is once we reach the home stretch, that straight shot of two blocks to home, Lilah takes off at a full sprint. Now I can run pretty fast, my bow-legged-ness giving me a springy-quick stride, but Lilah has a body meant for speed. You know how a running cheetah has a spine that allows it to flex and bow? Yeah, Lilah's long back does that. Her mad dash for home requires that I stomp down hard to maintain my balance and to kind of rein her in.
So down the two blocks we go, Lilah wild-eyed and foaming at the mouth, panting so hard it sounds like a warthog on the rampage. And me, with my loud stomping, ugly form and silent plea for her to trot back home on a loose leash like a normal, tired dog.
Somehow I find myself at home, nearly collapsing on the front steps as Lilah's spittle covers her muzzle and her drool starts to pool at her feet. Zero dignity.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Another Water Day!
Hot weather + dirty dogs = water day!Lilah loves anything that shoots water. She's like that kid that spends hours on a slip and slide. Or better yet, the kid that sits right in front of the shooting sprinkler head, laughing with the goofiest grin.
Knowing this about Lilah, I purchased some new SuperSoakers with which to shoot her. My brother enjoyed aiming his shots at her open mouth, much like that carnival game where you shoot the clowns mouth to fill the balloon. Maybe it was the constant refilling of the water reservoirs and the pumping action required or just my brother's drive for excessiveness, but he dumped the guns and straight picked up the hose.
My absolute favorite picture of the day. In yo' face!!!
She gets pretty into it. You constantly hear the frightening snap of teeth.
Lilah truly looks happy when she's playing with water or a soccer ball.
Here, listen for the snapping:One thing we noticed about Ritter, after a certain point he didn't want to play with the pools anymore. My mom suggested we drag the pools to the shady part of the yard. Ritter began to play once again.
See, we started in the sun.
Ultimately, this is why the dogs can only play with water right before getting a bath:
Bonus Footage! Get ready to be jealous of Rolling Ritter!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
An Evening Snack
"The hot summer sun had descended and made way for the cool night with its gentle breeze. Well, the young possum, dubbed Pat, crawled forth from his hiding spot and popped his head out from the garage. Raising his moist, pink nose and gazing up at the stars with his black, beady eyes, Pat deemed it a most pleasant evening for a stroll.
At first, he quenched his thirst at a small pool of hose water that had collected in an old clay pot. But then the scent of ripe blueberries wafted towards him on an easy breeze. He did feel a bit peckish and those blueberries were looking quite plump and delicious.
He gracefully waddled to the nearest cluster of blueberry bushes. Not being one to waste time and energy, Pat dined on the finest berries that had already fallen to the ground. And if he happened to come across a tasty bug or two, even better.
In the distance, he was aware or something going schnick but paid no mind to it and continued to nose around for delicacies. Pat did, however, notice the skittering of nails followed by the thundering of paws. He recalled the feeling of being carried in large jaws and the unpleasantness of being stepped on and confined.
With the speed of a fat cat, Pat climbed his way up into one of the blueberry pots. The familiar scent of a big grayish thing with a black nose and large teeth was getting stronger. He could hear it searching for him. "I'd like to see it try this time!" Pat gleefully thought to himself as he dove between a set of v-shaped stems.
Pat tucked his head down and slowed his breathing just in time to feel a very blunt and wet nose jab into his side, inhaling deeply. For a moment his heart stopped.
But just as soon as the nose had arrived, it was gone, preceded by a call and followed with a resounding schnick.
"Guess I better get this meal to go," Pat said to no one."
Really, what other story could you come up with when you come upon a possum tucked into a ball in branching base stems of a blueberry plant, making itself difficult to get a mouth around, let alone be pulled free from the bush?
At first, he quenched his thirst at a small pool of hose water that had collected in an old clay pot. But then the scent of ripe blueberries wafted towards him on an easy breeze. He did feel a bit peckish and those blueberries were looking quite plump and delicious.
He gracefully waddled to the nearest cluster of blueberry bushes. Not being one to waste time and energy, Pat dined on the finest berries that had already fallen to the ground. And if he happened to come across a tasty bug or two, even better.
In the distance, he was aware or something going schnick but paid no mind to it and continued to nose around for delicacies. Pat did, however, notice the skittering of nails followed by the thundering of paws. He recalled the feeling of being carried in large jaws and the unpleasantness of being stepped on and confined.
With the speed of a fat cat, Pat climbed his way up into one of the blueberry pots. The familiar scent of a big grayish thing with a black nose and large teeth was getting stronger. He could hear it searching for him. "I'd like to see it try this time!" Pat gleefully thought to himself as he dove between a set of v-shaped stems.
Pat tucked his head down and slowed his breathing just in time to feel a very blunt and wet nose jab into his side, inhaling deeply. For a moment his heart stopped.
But just as soon as the nose had arrived, it was gone, preceded by a call and followed with a resounding schnick.
"Guess I better get this meal to go," Pat said to no one."
Really, what other story could you come up with when you come upon a possum tucked into a ball in branching base stems of a blueberry plant, making itself difficult to get a mouth around, let alone be pulled free from the bush?
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Twist Them Hips!
When Ritter first arrived at our home, he was reserved and quiet. Due to Lilah's obnoxious behavior, he was essentially confined to his crate. He's come a long way since then.
One thing that always makes me happy to see is Ritter rolling around on the grass or the rugs inside. He does it with such pure joy and derives such pleasure from it that it kind of makes me jealous. Okay, not kind of, I'm definitely jealous every time.
Something so simple as rubbing your face into the ground and then rolling onto your back to twist your hips and shoulders back and forth can make you that happy? I long for that easy life! And he always finishes his rolling session with a very satisfied snort/sneeze. It's like a 15 second pick me up that never fails.
I once witnessed Ritter twist on his back a distance of 10 feet down the slight incline of our dying backyard lawn. He must have been in seventh heaven!
Captured this roll session long distance (15-20ft) with my cellphone.
ENHANCE. Look at the expression on that super pixelated face!
One thing that always makes me happy to see is Ritter rolling around on the grass or the rugs inside. He does it with such pure joy and derives such pleasure from it that it kind of makes me jealous. Okay, not kind of, I'm definitely jealous every time.
Something so simple as rubbing your face into the ground and then rolling onto your back to twist your hips and shoulders back and forth can make you that happy? I long for that easy life! And he always finishes his rolling session with a very satisfied snort/sneeze. It's like a 15 second pick me up that never fails.
I once witnessed Ritter twist on his back a distance of 10 feet down the slight incline of our dying backyard lawn. He must have been in seventh heaven!
Captured this roll session long distance (15-20ft) with my cellphone.
ENHANCE. Look at the expression on that super pixelated face!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Solar Powered Puppy
Living in sunny Southern California means that majority of days are blue sky and bright sun. I don't mind it, running on the cold side and having only lived here. Apparently Lilah also doesn't mind it, because most mornings she dashes outside just to settle down for a good sunbathing session. Then she's all set and ready to play for the rest of the day.
However, on the few occasions that it's dreary or overcast outside, Lilah just lies around. Maybe she's depressed or maybe she's suffering from astigmatism (light bouncing off clouds can cause headaches for people with astigmatism). Either way, she's got no juice until the clouds either drift away or burn up.
Which leads me to believe that Lilah is solar powered. A solar powered puppy.
Now Ritter on the other hand, he travels from shady spot to shady spot, until he ends up running inside the house. He was born in snow country. I've nicknamed him Vampire Pup and imagine him coming from Transylvania.
However, on the few occasions that it's dreary or overcast outside, Lilah just lies around. Maybe she's depressed or maybe she's suffering from astigmatism (light bouncing off clouds can cause headaches for people with astigmatism). Either way, she's got no juice until the clouds either drift away or burn up.
Which leads me to believe that Lilah is solar powered. A solar powered puppy.
Now Ritter on the other hand, he travels from shady spot to shady spot, until he ends up running inside the house. He was born in snow country. I've nicknamed him Vampire Pup and imagine him coming from Transylvania.
Friday, May 6, 2011
The Importance of "Drop It"
It's been pretty hot here in Los Angeles this past week. In fact, it's been so hot that it has actually woken nocturnal animals up during the day due to the fact that they're so hot and thirsty. Case in point: Monday's Possum.
My mom and I, along with my brother let the dogs out around early afternoon. Like normal they raced out the door, Lilah to the back of the yard behind the garage to hunt for lizards (I'll address this in another post) and Ritter to the blueberry bushes on the patio where my mom likes to hang out and admire her hard work.
Except instead of hanging around her legs, Ritter darted into a tightly clustered grouping of blueberry bushes adjacent to the open garage. He was nosing after something, but I just figured it was a lizard that he wouldn't be able to catch. So I headed on back to where Lilah was to check on her progress when Ritter emerged from the bushes with something in his mouth.
"Aaaah! Drop it Ritter!" I said in that freaked out kind of tone.
Ritter did the equivalent of "ptooey" and ran in excitement to the back where Lilah was.
I had been quite wrong. Not only had he caught what he had been nosing after, but it was no lizard. Ritter had managed to catch a young possum, no bigger than a huge rat. He must have a soft mouth because he didn't puncture the possum, nor did it look injured. It did however look dead, as possums are known to do in the face of opposition.
In all the commotion of trying to round up the dogs, my mom yelling for Ritter and my brother trying to corral Lilah, Lilah zoomed past and actually stepped on the poor possum. I still believe that she had no idea what was going on and was just running around in the frenzy. She's really not the type to help a situation. Me, being the calm collected one of the group, ran off to fetch a container to cover the possum with until we got the dogs settled inside.
If you're imagining this scene in all its frantic glory, you can understand why my neighbor actually stuck his head out of his second story window to stare at us. I tried to ignore him.
Once we had it secured in a container in the shade with some water and a little fruit, we decided to let it go at dusk in my grandma's backyard (no dogs). After about an hour it too, had calmed down and was actually sleeping from all the stress and daylight. Up until that point I had stayed outside with it to make sure it didn't go anywhere. It mostly just hissed at me and opened its mouth. Well, no harm in going inside for a moment to get a drink and check on the dogs.
I got back outside just in time to see it climbing out of the container and wandering back into the garage. So much for that plan of releasing it at my grandma's. Hopefully though it learned its lesson to only wander outside at night.
My mom and I, along with my brother let the dogs out around early afternoon. Like normal they raced out the door, Lilah to the back of the yard behind the garage to hunt for lizards (I'll address this in another post) and Ritter to the blueberry bushes on the patio where my mom likes to hang out and admire her hard work.
Except instead of hanging around her legs, Ritter darted into a tightly clustered grouping of blueberry bushes adjacent to the open garage. He was nosing after something, but I just figured it was a lizard that he wouldn't be able to catch. So I headed on back to where Lilah was to check on her progress when Ritter emerged from the bushes with something in his mouth.
"Aaaah! Drop it Ritter!" I said in that freaked out kind of tone.
Ritter did the equivalent of "ptooey" and ran in excitement to the back where Lilah was.
I had been quite wrong. Not only had he caught what he had been nosing after, but it was no lizard. Ritter had managed to catch a young possum, no bigger than a huge rat. He must have a soft mouth because he didn't puncture the possum, nor did it look injured. It did however look dead, as possums are known to do in the face of opposition.
In all the commotion of trying to round up the dogs, my mom yelling for Ritter and my brother trying to corral Lilah, Lilah zoomed past and actually stepped on the poor possum. I still believe that she had no idea what was going on and was just running around in the frenzy. She's really not the type to help a situation. Me, being the calm collected one of the group, ran off to fetch a container to cover the possum with until we got the dogs settled inside.
If you're imagining this scene in all its frantic glory, you can understand why my neighbor actually stuck his head out of his second story window to stare at us. I tried to ignore him.
Once we had it secured in a container in the shade with some water and a little fruit, we decided to let it go at dusk in my grandma's backyard (no dogs). After about an hour it too, had calmed down and was actually sleeping from all the stress and daylight. Up until that point I had stayed outside with it to make sure it didn't go anywhere. It mostly just hissed at me and opened its mouth. Well, no harm in going inside for a moment to get a drink and check on the dogs.
I got back outside just in time to see it climbing out of the container and wandering back into the garage. So much for that plan of releasing it at my grandma's. Hopefully though it learned its lesson to only wander outside at night.
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