Episode 9: 16 weeks: Dog Fight

Bonnie

Staffordshire Terrior

Color: white with brown spots

Red Nose

Expected size: about 70-80 lbs

Current weight: 31 lbs

Clyde

Staffordshire Terrior

Color: Lilac

Red Nose

Expected size: about 80 lbs

Current Weight 37 lbs

DOG FIGHT

While Moxie and Penny were out on a walk, a Great Dane came running out of his opening garage. At first, he ran to the sidewalk and they sniffed each other like normal. Then suddenly, the Great Dane picked Moxie up around the neck and started slinging her back and forth. Even as large and strong as Moxie is, she was no match for the Herculean dog. He got several good bites in before they could be separated.

Penny, innocent by-stander, was not happy that she was being held back with great force. She wanted to help Moxie with everything in her. But three dogs fighting, even if it would have given us better odds, would have been even harder to get under control than two.

Moxie was taken to the vet right away, drugged, shaved (in spots), treated and sent home. There were ten spots in all around her neck and shoulders. They were piercing wounds but superficial. The rest of that day, and part of the next, we kept the puppies away from her so that the wounds could close with as little irritation as possible.

She wouldn’t drink or eat (even her favorite human snacks). She whined for hours but never snapped or became aggressive! We knew she was in tremendous pain, even walking with a limp, but she NEVER took it out on any of us.

She spent most of the remaining day in the formal living room looking out the window. She didn’t want you to pet her. She wanted you in the room, which Bradley did for hours, but only wanted very little physical contact.

The hardest part was trying to walk her when any unintentional tug could cause more pain. We finally loosely put a harness on her a let her out long enough to go to the bathroom in the front yard, but because she wasn’t eating or drinking, this was not to severe.

The next day, this tough old broad began to seek out the puppies and play. We were amazed that she would be in the mood for ANY play, especially with puppies. There were a few yipes, but she was choosing to play. When she had had enough, she growled at them to stop, went upstairs, and rested. She totally took care of herself. She has been getting better everyday and acting more and more like her old, snooty self.

There is a reason Moxie is the “OG” (Original Gangster). She is as tough as nails and has always fought through her personal limitations with class and determination. She sets a high standard for the others to follow but demands nothing less of herself. I will be very proud if the other dogs handle their adversities with that much moxie! Gotta love that Moxie girl!

FIRST SNOW

Clyde sniffed a little and then did his thing. It didn't seem to phase him much at all. But Bonnie wasn't having it. It was cold and wet so she went back in the house.

NEW TAGS

Clyde didn’t seem to pay any attention to the new shiny piece of metal jingling from his collar, but Bonnie kept trying to bite at hers. Of course, she couldn’t reach it but it didn’t deter her. The more she tried to stretch and reach it, the more it touched her and made noise against her collar. She tried and tried unsuccessfully. I guess she finally realized it was hopeless (but cute), so she turned and started biting on Clyde’s. What a goof ball!

MOMENT TO REMEMBER: Clyde playing defense!

Bonnie was upstairs with Bradley and me, and Clyde was downstairs resting on a blanket (or some version of chillin). All of a sudden, we heard Clyde barking his cute little puppy bark over and over.

Curious to what had set him off, Bradley went to see if it was another dog or a leaf… turns out, the handy man had returned to fix a section of the door as he had promised. Clyde immediately went into protection mode. Even though he could not have done much, he didn’t see it that way. We are so proud of him. He proved that his timid, sensitive side would take a back seat when he needed to get the job done!

PUPPY PAD UPDATE: 95% accuracy

Bonnie actually waited for me one morning to get my coat and shoes on so that she could go out to the bathroom!!! Huge leap forward. She is normally the one to rush to the pad first thing every morning. This doesm't happen every morning, but there is hope.

OUTDOORS: 60% accuracy

CUTEST MOMENT

Clyde literally chased his tail! Bless his heart. He did circles for several seconds but the bend of his body always prevented him from catching it. What was he going to do if he caught it? Yipe, then run and hide from himself? Nevertheless, it was adorable!

WHY... JUST WHY MOMENT

The house was getting that “dogs live here” smell. We never want that. So today, we bathed both pups, Bradley changed the pads, shampooed the carpets, and washed all their blankets. As the kids came home from work, one at a time, we asked if they smelled “dog” when they came in the house. “NO,” was a great answer. All that work paid off… that is until Clyde decided, a few hours later to randomly pee on the floor!!! Why… just why?

Firsts

1. Clyde chasing his own taiL

2. First Snow

3. Too big to fit under the couch (sad for them)

Training Commands

1. Watch

2. Sit

3. Sit before opening front door

4. Shake (offers paw)

5. Walking on leash (much better)

6. Wait for their name before reacting (pretty good)

7. Down

8. Spin

Nicknames

Bonnie: Bon Bon, Bean, Bonster

Clyde: Clyyyde (full hick accent), Ferdinand the Bull, Roscoe