January, 2012

  1. Thundershirt — Amazing!

    January 29, 2012 by myeye

    I ordered a Thundershirt.  Cardis need a medium size.  My dogs love thunder, lightning, fireworks, hot air balloons.  They run out the dog door to bark until they chase whatever it is out of our yard.  What they really, really hate is having their nails done.  If they would hold still, with the Dremel Stylus that I use, the process would take fewer than five minutes per dog.  It is, however, usually a ten to fifteen minute ordeal.  Holmes is big and strong.  Since he stopped being a puppy, I’ve had to lie across him on the grooming table to hold him down.  It is miserable for both of us.  So, enter the Thundershirt.

    I put Holmes’ shirt on and lifted him up on the grooming table.  I picked up the Dremel and HE HELD HIS PAW OUT TO ME.  he wasn’t that cooperative during the entire process, he jerked away a few times, but it took me about three minutes to do his nails.  Whatever the Thundershirt does for him, I love it.  It must feel as if he is being gently hugged.  While I bent over him to do the nails, he licked my ear and chin, but never tried to spring off the table (normal) or to suck his feet up into his underside (normal).  He left his legs out where I could pick up each foot, separate the toes and grind the nails down.

    I tell you, it’s a miracle!  No one paid me to say this — it is simply a product that will make a huge difference in my dog-care life.  Thank you, Thundershirt people!  I’m going to send this first one with Holmes to Anne’s house — he can wear it on the airplane to ensure a pleasant trip.  I’m going to order a second one to keep here for toe nail time.


  2. A Cold Day In . . .

    January 29, 2012 by myeye

    Susan herded with all the dogs today.  Cheryl took photos with her frozen stiff fingers.  I am, as always, very grateful for the in absentia glimpse of Chase doing what he loves.


  3. Have You Met Stout?

    January 27, 2012 by myeye

    Chase had a rendezvous with Vivian Moran’s Ziva.  Unfortunately, it was a day or so late in her season and the result was one dark brindle boy puppy.  He has gone to live with Merinda Tiffany.  He’s going to do it all — Merinda is a wonderful Cardi trainer in Agility and Obedience and Herding.  Vivian will show the little guy in conformation.  Merinda and her husband John mircobrew at home so the puppy is named “Stout”.  Merinda has started a blog for Stout and his older Cardi brother Porter.  I hope you’ll stop in to visit it.


  4. Windy City Here He Comes

    January 26, 2012 by myeye

    Our Holmes will be heading to Chicago on February 11th.  He will have Anne, her firefighter husband, his very own boy AND his very own baby girl (just 5 months old).  He will also have a Cardi sister named Zoe.  Anne was a former Junior Handler who had Cardis.  She’s excited about Specialing Holmes occasionally and training and trialing him in Obedience.  I could not be happier with this placement.  I know that our freckle-faced boy will have a wonderful life there.  Anne promises photos and stories about the adventures of Holmes.

    As an aside, I received my Thundershirt for Holmes.  He wore it last night — didn’t bother him at all while he sprawled on the bed.  The true test will come when I warm up that Dremel.  I will let you all know how that goes.


  5. The Weather Dude Said Rain

    January 24, 2012 by myeye