It's True What They Say...Dogs Are Expensive

I was naive. I figured after I bought the puppy (Alabama Westies are MUCH cheaper than Atlanta Westies, FYI), and spent some $$ at the vet for shots, etc., I'd be good to go....Oh, was I wrong! I do think I chose the area's most expensive vet, so that is my own fault (I've recently switched because of that fact!).

After shots, spaying (it NEVER costs what they say because there is always some shot, or procedure they need to do) and various weird ailments, year one was pretty pricey.

So early on I signed up for pet insurance....yes, pet insurance. Not sure if I'm getting my money's worth but I do like getting a check back in the mail. It makes me feel like I'm MAKING money on my terrier's sickness, (twisted, I know).

Recently, she was diagnosed with some sort of bacterial something or another--rough, dark, scaly spots on her tummy--and was prescribed an antibiotic. Westie owners, please help me out here! These dogs are notorious for skin conditions--are there any tricks of the trade to keep me from spending my children's college funds on our cute Westie's future skin problems?

Here is the one bright spot in this saga: a tip for my Southern readers who visit Publix. Coconut was prescribed a drug that is a people drug...the vet front office lady told me (after my probing) that I could probably get it filled at Publix FOR FREE! Publix offers free generics...very cool. So I called, they confirmed, and I went to Publix, filled out a pharmacy form for Coconut Quirk (very funny), and got my FREE generic antibiotic! Saved $9.

Yes, dogs are expensive, but maybe, slowly, I am cracking the code.

Pampered Pooch at the Spa

Ahh...the joys of getting your dog groomed! Especially if he/she is a white dog, like our Westie. I never thought I'd want a white dog since I grew up with many brown poodles; it might be just what you're used to....like Coke or Pepsi. You stick with what you know. So, surprisingly we got a white dog. But Westies are soooooo cute, it's hard not to become a convert. And unlike other not-to-be-named fluffy white pooches, Westies are not prissy, or wimpy or fragile little lap dogs. If you think this, my condolences in advance.

Back to grooming. By the time I take the dog to the groomer, she is VERY ready to become white again...not that the grayish tinge isn't becoming, or anything. So I relish in the grooming day (doggy gone for about 5 HOURS!) and I bask in the post-groom bliss of a stylish doggy that everyone fawns over. I never thought I'd be one of those doggy mommas who doesn't want her dog to get dirty! But I am, at least for 2-3 days post-groom. Then, it's back to normal. Digging in the backyard, decimating large pine cones, rolling wildly in the wet grass...

And the cycle continues, with my gray dog by my side, patiently waiting for the next doggy spa day. Ah, bliss.

Why Can't We All Just Get Along? Opposites Can Be Friends

It's hard when you go on vacation and need to leave your dog somewhere--neighbor, vet, breeder, kennel--if you're like me, it's easier to just bring the dog. Not always possible so we try to help out others and watch their dogs when needed.

We just had our male Shitzu-friend, Fenway (this is the name you get when you promise your kids you'll get a dog when the Red Sox win a world series...who knew?) over for a few days while his people family was on a very cool European trip. Now Fenway is an easy dog--actually, quite like a cat. He likes to curl up in the sun, doesn't like or get the meaning of ball chasing, doesn't really seem to be interested in food. But he is a good walker, follows commands--actually, follows me around endlessly--basically, not a bad house guest.

Our Westie, Coconut, is also a very good dog. She is VERY spirited, LOVES to chase balls (if she could talk, you'd hear "throw me the ball...throw me the ball...throw me the ball...), LOVES to eat, especially Fenway's special Shitzu food (what's IN that stuff?) and follows many commands. Coconut unfortunately hasn't mastered the art of leash walking--I swear I have tennis elbow from walking that dog. These two dogs are EXTREME opposites, but they get along! They are "doggy friends", as much as dogs can have buddies.

So, it struck me that, just like in the people world, opposite personalities can find some middle ground and coexist, even become "friends". It's a good lesson for all--young kids, teenagers, adults, leaders of different countries, etc. Hang out with someone/thing very different from you for awhile and you will find common ground. Hmmm...should I send this to the world leaders now?

A Terrier in the Sun...and Not the Sand

Much ado about nothing! The long car trip with our Westie, Coconut, was not so bad. Would have been a lot better except for the long stretch of construction traffic in middle Georgia. The dog did fine...me, not so much. I have to confess; I did rely on the little white pills--there and back--so I'll never know what she really would have been like in the car!

Coconut loved Florida! What dog wouldn't? Beautiful landscape, warm weather, sunny skies. Unfortunately, our terrier didn't ever come face-to-face with the beach. Gale force winds and a dog with longish WHITE hair doesn't mix well on a wet, windy, chilly beach. So we skipped the beach.

And my consternation about taking care of doggy bathroom issues while staying on the 8th floor of a condo building also was for not. Dogs are smart! Or at least our terrier is. She quickly learned which door to wait at, and then what elevator door to prance in front of, and then to run to the main door, and then to scamper quickly down the large front drive to finally find the small patch of thick, prickly Florida grass to do her doggy business. It is no small feat. I absolutely do not know how people train puppies while living in high rises. Getting to the grass in a few minutes--or seconds--is CRITICAL!

So the good news is that Grandma...and even Granddad...liked the dog. She was a very polite house guest and has been invited back to visit. I'll just make sure to save my stash of the little white pills--just in case.

Terrier Time Travels--in a Car

So...we are planning a looooong trip in the car with our Westie. She/we survived a 4 hour trip when she was 9 months old. It was a bit rough (ruff!?!). We had visions of her quietly sitting in her cage while we blissfully drove the family to our vacation destination. Again, I feel like a new parent. Really out of touch with reality.

But now our crazy terrier is over a year old (HUGE milestone, I might add), and a lot calmer. Did I mention that it will just be me driving with the two kids? No extra adult. I drove such long distances alone when the kids were little that I must feel that if I can do that (miraculously reaching back, securing fallen sippy cups, changing diapers on car mats--not while driving...), then how hard can a dog be for 8-9 hours?

A good website for doggy traveling info is http://www.thepetcenter.com. They even explain that your vet can prescribe some type of "medicine" to help Fido enjoy the ride. Would that medicine be anything like the costly doggy antihistamines our terrier was given when she had the world's most expensive cold? Those little white pills made her VERY sleepy...I have quite a few left, hmmmm....

Well, time to get mentally and physically prepared for this journey. Coconut really loves the car, thankfully; let's just hope we all can co-exist for 9 HOURS! Now where are those little pills....

Wet Dog....Smelly Dog

Wow, wet dogs sure do smell. We finally had snow (then LOTS of rain) and as much as we need it here in the deserts of Atlanta, it is a pain with a dog. Am I right?

Coconut is an outside kind of dog. Loves perching on her deck, chasing a ball, barking at a squirrel, digging under the stairs. But when it rains, she is stuck inside. Unless of course, you leave her outside for awhile (I thought it had STOPPED raining for good) and it begins to pour again and you are busy working on the computer and forget about her! Now that was a very wet, soggy dog that my son let in! But I digress...

So, I stocked up on chewy bones and snacks to keep her busy while she has been quarantined inside. Not only is the rain inconvenient for dog owners, but expensive too...who knew?

Back to the smell---why do wet dogs smell so bad? Anybody know? I believe it has something to do with the amount of oil they secrete to protect their skin. And it seems to vary by dog and breed. Some dogs just smell...doggy. Our dog, God love her, seems to have a bit of body odor. Smells like a rose for about 2 days after a bath, then the aroma starts to transform. So maybe she has a lot of oils and then when she gets wet, she smells even that much better? I'm going to keep researching this dog smell issue. Stay tuned and if you have any tips...

Networking Tips...From My Terrier

In these tough economic times, I'm finding myself doing a lot of networking versus working, unfortunately. As a marketing consultant, it can be feast or famine, and many of us are feeling the hunger pangs. So it is important to continue to build connections, network, join groups, be sociable (even when you don't feel like it). And the funny thing is, I find that following the lead of my dog (she rarely follows my lead) has it's advantages. Let me explain.

Coconut, our Westie, just wants to be included. She is very attentive and wants to be helpful.

Tip #1: Be attentive to your audience. Listen to them like your next meal depends on it. They will feel very important and may remember you when the next project comes along (because you made them feel good).

Coconut can be extremely funny, goofy and silly, but seems to know when to chill out.

Tip #2: Humor works, but keep it to safe, small doses. Get their attention, but then make sure you quickly revert back to Tip #1.

Being a Terrier, our dog is smart, quick, and doesn't back down, much.

Tip #3: Say smart, intelligent things, add to the conversation, disagree if you have to. This shows you have your own mind and would bring new ideas to the party.

Coconut is CUTE! Especially when she wears some adorable bandana.

Tip #4: Dress like you mean it. Even though the evening networking event encourages casual dress, your sweat pants and old school t-shirt are a bad look. Dress like you may get hired....and not as the gardener (unless that is your aim).

Coconut is very loving and attentive, but knows when to turn it off.

Tip #5: Don't try TOO hard. Don't look desperate. Chat, smile, add your pithy comments, but don't hang on their every word. Go get a drink, a cheese cube, whatever, and seek him/her out later in the evening. You'll look more in control.

So there you have it. Tips from the Terrier Front. Hope they serve you well in navigating the tricky networking waters.