Episode #34: IT'S DONE

Bonnie

Clyde

So Bonnie got spayed this past week. The Humane Society took her that morning and we picked her up that afternoon. She was very sluggish and didn’t have a lot of control of her bowels; but we were excited to have her home.

She slept a lot for the first two days with small bursts of energy, but she was well received as a lap dog. We all took turns cuddling with her when we could distract Clyde long enough to separate them.

We had to separate the dogs a lot because of Bonnie’s incision. We didn’t want them to accidently play too hard or scratch the wrong spot. Clyde missed her and wanted to watch over her. He sensed she was in pain and would not leave her side unless we forced him. If we crated her, he stood outside it; if we approached her, he came to oversee. When she didn’t eat, he didn’t eat. He licked her face, her ears, her torso; he tried to lick her incision (she wasn’t having that). He whined when he wasn’t right beside her. The only time he would leave her side peacefully was when he was distracted by Moxie and Penny (thank you girls).

Thankfully, each day Bonnie reverted a little more to her playful self. Clyde finally got the playmate back that he has been missing.

We have an e-cone to put around a dog’s neck to prevent further injury, but Ashley wasn’t going to let “her” Bonnie suffer any more than she already had to. She bought her a pretty, soft, pink, inflatable neck pillow. It reminded me of the pillows you would see being used on an airplane. She blew it up and had it ready for the day Bonnie came home.

At first, Bonnie reacted the same way she did when we put a diaper on her for the first time. She stood frozen, mentally calculating if she could maneuver with this contraption around her neck. She finally began to walk around but couldn’t figure out how to lie down. It took her some time, but she got it.

The largest hurdle was getting into the crate. The pillow stuck out past her body on both sides, throwing her for a loop. She would stand at the door of the crate, unable to get the top of the donut past the top lip of the crate. I had to coax her several times before she learned.

Bonnie is a pro now; and it almost seems like she welcomes the built in pillow a times.

When we went to pick up Bonnie from the Humane Society, after being spayed, we received the normal instructions and warnings. Then the worker adds, “We saw the blog address on the harness and had to check it out. We all thought it was cute. All the patients get a small tattoo after the procedure, so we made Bonnie’s a heart with a “B” in it. I hope you done mind.” I loved it! “Also, we got a really good picture for your blog, too.”

She is tagged forever!

Allowing Bonnie and Clyde upstairs more, so that the upstairs is NOT their bathroom, is working so far. They have had a few accidents earlier in the week, but it’s getting better. I will admit that I keep all the doors closed (all 4) so that Clyde doesn’t wander into the bathroom (his nemesis), or Bonnie doesn’t feel the liberty to poop in the guest bedroom (her own private “litter box”).

They only venture upstairs when one of us is up there (steps remain blocked); and they can only go into one room, our bedroom (where we are). We will have to broaden these perimeters eventually…baby steps.

Sometimes we eat at the table (rare, but happening more), and sometimes we entertain guests. Not all people have dogs or want them giving the “puppy dog eyes” all through their meal. Most of them do not want to have the dog hovering beside their chair or “nosing’ them under the table. So we decided to teach them to ONLY come to the table when invited.

Thanks to Penny, and her willing obedience, there is a clear territory that is marked at mealtime. There is a trim piece between the rooms, changing from carpet to hardwood. Penny, during her training, began to stay behind the line (on the carpet). Ever since then, that has become the standard.

While we are sitting at the table, if any of the dogs try to approach, I get up and motion them to the carpet, and say “back… back…back.” They do understand the concept quickly and obey.

Penny is great at this. Bonnie is following Penny’s lead (which is awesome); but Clyde is taking after Moxie. Moxie knows the rule, knows the clear line, knows what it looks like to be invited, AND knows how to stealth fully sneak closer to the table like a game of red light, green light where the reward is the crumbs that fall. As soon as we are not looking, eating our dinner, she slowly makes her move. Before you know it she is perched by the table waiting for one the first one to give in and slip her some food.

I am trying to prevent Clyde from mastering this technique, like Moxie. It is causing me to be stricter with Moxie so that Clyde only sees good habits.

Latest discovery… the pups love popsicles! I have been trying out different fruit flavors as a substitute for ice cream (one of my weaknesses). So far they like passion fruit, mango, grape, peach, and watermelon.

At first, Clyde was the only one interested, so he enjoyed the treat alone. But Bonnie soon discovered what she was missing. They only get the last few bites, but they patiently wait for me to get done so that they lick, and lick, and lick all of the color off the wooden stick.

Unfortunately, Bonnie must sleep in her neck pillow (e-cone). Even though it is soft like a pillow, she tries to move around at night (just like us). I don’t know if she is adjusting or trying to maneuver out of the pillow, but several mornings we help a three-legged dog out of the crate because the fourth leg is caught in the Velcro! You would think that she would have learned by now to stop; why Bonnie… just why?

PENNY and CLYDE

Penny has finally accepted that the pups can handle rough play. She let go of some of her hesitancy and began playing rough with Clyde. They look like Simba and Scar in the final scenes of The Lion King. They lunge, sprint, and chest bump as they take turns being dominant over the other. They growl and bark, the hair stands on their back as one challenges the other. They are wrestled or knocked to the ground regularly, but they keep coming back for more!

EXTRAS

Look at those beautiful eyes!

Squirrel watch!!!