Taken with my PlayBook.
I was working in the backyard this afternoon and Achilles came outside. As he was laying down surveying his world he looked so regal, dignified, calm, attuned. Every time I tried to pose him, Chili Dog confounded me by doing something I did not ask for – getting up, coming towards me. Then he luxuriantly stretched his head and neck up and out, and that unexpected act turned into a good shot.
. . . a yummy dog treat!
Faye and I are pondering switching the dogs to a raw diet. She went to the market yesterday, saw the chicken feet in the butcher case, and decided they would make just such a treat for the dogs.
Raw bones are OK for dogs as opposed to cooked ones, and feet/toe bones are very unlikely to damage stomachs or intestines. All are fine tonight.
Kendal inhaled two, possibly sensing they were food as they passed through his mouth. Stella worked on hers for a while before finishing. Achilles, interestingly, took the most time to savour his, possibly because he has bad teeth and the foot may have been uncomfortable to chew and crunch up. Here are some photos. You have been warned. 🙂
The cattle dogs. Kendal had already made his disappear.
Faye used the rest of the feet to make a stock, which is nearly solid and will probably need to be diluted.
My walks with the dogs are good ways to begin interacting with the world, to accept that I have to go to work to continue having and enjoying these walks. We often see, smell, hear interesting things. This morning the first sense to hit me was that it’s breezy this morning, which is a harbinger of today’s rain and the approach of tonights’ cooler weather. the second thing to hot me was the smell of onions. Whether of our green onions or the ones on someone’s farm, I don’t know.
Robins are still here, I hear them calling when we walk. While walking Achilles and Stella in the half light this morning one almost swooped in to land on a yard within Stella’s reach. It quickly swerved away. As I opened the door to head out with Kendal we saw a bird, some species of raptor, trying to make headway against the south breeze. On opening the gate as we got home the first few raindrops hit us.
Time to head to work.
I invited Achilles inside and he declined. Chili dog is by and large a very good boy in the back yard. He very rarely digs, does not bark without reason, is content to watch, listen, and smell the world. Achilles is generally welcome to be outside unsupervised as long as he wishes.
Chili dog turned my way when I clicked my tongue as when you would call a horse. He is no horse of course.
Even now, seven years after adopting him I am still astounded that he languished at the shelter for a year. I am so fortunate, so blessed, that a friend thought to let me know about him. He has been a gift, a blessing. He was the dog I needed.
Not only has it been so hot the past few days, we have had very little rain for several weeks. We had a nice little shower about an hour ago. It abated earlier than I hoped, but more is definitely on the way.
Because strong downburst winds were – are possible I cruised the yard looking for and picking up things that might blow away or be tumped over. A gust capsized the gold dust dracaena which broke the pot. It needed repotting anyway.
Probably a good idea to shut down, lightning dancing, thunder crumping, Achilles uneasy.
It’s a spectacular morning, calm, clear, the sunrise is gorgeous.
Only got down to 8 degrees so all the plants are fine. Achilles and Stella are romping , , , in the freshly dug up vegetable garden expansion. Every time I try to take a photo they stop and I don’t have time to wait, so here is an old shot of the two playing.
You may have wondered how Achillles is.
He seems to be fine, He spent more time in the laundry room than typical. His appetite, energy level, and so on were fine, but little if any pooping. We fasted him for a day then put him on a chicken and rice diet.
Faye took him to the vet yesterday. His temperature is normal, no unusual reaction to palpations. Perhaps he picked up a bug during a recent stay at a kennel we have never used. The vet prescribed a short change to Hills Prescription Diet and seven
days of metronidazole (antibiotic).
We are talking about switching all three dogs to a home made diet. We spend around $80 every three weeks on one of the Acana kibbles. While Acana is a good quality food it may be as cost effective, and healthier, to feed a home made diet.
Our vet is very, very good and we like him quite a bit. Faye has taken her dogs to him since well before we met.
Chilidog seems fine. He spent most of last night next to the laundry room door, which is most unusual for him. Appetite was fine this morning. He was eager to go for a car ride a short time ago. Right now he’s outside on his own.
I am a little concerned about Achilles. During the past few days he has had loose bowels and puked several times. In addition he has spent a little more time off by himself than is usual. His energy level is normal (for example racing around the yard Thursday evening) as is his appetite. Chili is drinking a normal amount of water; does not appear uncomfortable; and has no unusual reaction when stroked, patted, and palpated.
A bland diet may be a good idea so I am thawing some chicken and will make chicken and rice for his dinner this evening and tomorrow’s meals.
I’m not panicking or Freaking Out. Almost all dogs occasionally get sick. This has gone on a little longer than is good so I will keep an eye on him. If it continues to Monday a vet visit may be in order.
previouslytexan 