Old Dogs and New Tricks

Louie and Dupree

As many of you may know, Chris and I have five dogs.  These dogs are all firmly suburban dogs. They are smushed nose breeds, so air conditioning is just as important to them as it is to me. Coli and Louie are the oldies, both out-living their breed expectations. Dupree is our bratty middle child, then Petey our special needs girl, and finally, our baby is Winston. We planned on stopping when we had two dogs, then when we had three, and again when we had four. Now I promise we are stopping.

Our engagement photo with Louie

When you have a really old dog, specifically one who everyone says should be long gone, there is a constant nagging worry. It doesn't help that the old dogs start losing their hearing and can be pretty difficult to wake up at times. Even when you think you've prepared yourself, things can hit from out of the blue. Louie starting having accidents in the house, which isn't like him. I figured that he was losing control of himself and would need some medication, and planned on taking him to the vet. I took him in this Saturday, only to find that he wasn't losing control, he was completely blocked, his bladder was on the verge of bursting. He needed surgery.

Baby Winston

Old pugs don't typically survive anesthesia, but we didn't really have a choice, so we took the risk. Since it was the weekend, we had to have the surgery done at the emergency vet. Luckily, he made it through the first procedure, but on Monday we'll have to take him in to discuss further surgeries. At the youngest, he is 16 years old, possibly even 18. He's survived seizures with medication, arthritis with medication and cancer with surgery. It seems like an easy choice to just let him go, but it really isn't. Louie's lab work shows he is strong. His quality of life is great. He is happy and still doing well. These costly surgeries could kill him, or buy him time. Who knows how much time or if the time would be good time.

Winston

On the other end of the spectrum, we've got Winston. He's only a year and a half, by far the youngest and healthiest dog Chris and I have had together. He's learning the ways of our family, and getting away with more than the other dogs do in the process. I'm glad he is here now, because he reminds us how much joy dogs bring to us and that even though there are tough decisions to be made, and the endings are brutal, owning a dog is a wonderful thing. They give us so much, that even with the pain and sadness, it is totally worth it.

We'll probably take another risk with Louie tomorrow, knowing that if we lose him, at least we tried. If the time comes when he is hurting, or suffering, we'll have to make the hardest decision of all. Wish me luck in these complicated times.

Dog Update

After posting the blog about my dogs fighting, I was lucky enough to find another blogger out there who has even more dogs than me. They have a pack of pugs and bulldogs just like I have, the major difference is that their pack gets along. I asked for some advice and they were happy to help.

Together we decided that my close bond with Dupree, and my lack of leadership at feeding time was causing the problems. I immediately adopted a new feeding plan and stopped giving Dupree free passes because of her cute facial expressions. Since that day there hasn't been a single fight. Coli is happy as can be and I'm sure Dupree with get over it eventually.

Coli meets Morrissey

Today we took Coli to meet Morrissey. Despite the fact that Coli is not even the alpha at our house when the only things she is up against are pugs, she still decided she could take on 1100 lb Morrissey. Poor delusional Coli, I don't think Morrissey was worried.

In other news, my American Dairy Goat Association Herd Name has been made official.  My herd name is Gray Stables. All of the goats I breed with have this included in their names. Hopefully, one day Gray Stables will be synonymous with the very best nubian goats available in Texas!

Two of the possible goat mama's are due this month. The rest are due in April and May. I'll keep you updated when my kids are born! Of course I'll post pictures as well.

Dog Fights

I'm having dog issues. Dupree, my female pug has hated my female bulldog Coli since they met. 99.9% of the time they tolerate each other, but on occasion, usually when I'm alone with them both, she decides that Coli has committed some serious crime and should be punished.

I pull them off each other and separate them instantly they aren't seriously hurting each other, but it has to stop. I usually see the warning signs and try to prevent the fights, but it almost seems to escalate things. I think the problem is that they have been in a battle for dominance since they met, and it never gets sorted out. 

I have a strong suspicion that I'm the cause of all of this. Dupree is very bonded with me. I think I've been marked as her property. Coli is hesitant to come when I call. I think she's afraid of getting in trouble from Dupree. Both of them usually listen to my commands, but when they are about to fight, it is like I'm not there. They both ignore me. I've tried to "Cesar" them. For small misbehavior it works, but not for the fights. I don't really walk them. They are both older and have the typical smooshed-face dog illnesses. They don't seem to have excess energy. I have tried walking them together in the past to promote bonding, but it never made a difference.

I totally love my dogs but I'm starting to consider finding a new home for one of them. I've had Coli since she was a puppy, for 11 years now. I can't imagine not seeing her every day. Dupree is a pain, nobody who knew her would want to deal with her, and I love her to pieces. Anyone with any experience in multiple dog households please share!

Did Someone Say Cliché?

They insisted on doing this... really.

Happy New Year! I know that this blog has been almost entirely about plans and goals, but what better time to make a nice, neat bullet point list that I can refer back to later?

This year I would like to...

• Ride Morrissey without being afraid.
• Continue with Morrissey's training
• Blog more about the dogs, (even the blind one who won't look at the camera).
• Draw a nice large portrait of Morrissey to hang in the house.
• Earn a dry champion leg for at least one of my goats. 
• Teach the goats to drive a cart.
• Start making and perhaps selling goat-milk soap.
• Learn more about nutrition for each of my farmish pets and provide them with the best food possible.
• Make solid plans about looking for a new (horse and goat friendly) home. 
• I know I said no more farm animals for two years, but perhaps a donkey or LGD for my goats?
• Hold on tight to my positive suburban attributes while adding some nice farmish ones as well.