My New Job

  I've been remiss in regular postings as I now have a job!  I'm a dog walker for Belly Rubs Pet Care and it's a perfect fit for me.
  I had been looking for something part time since I retired two years ago but couldn't find a position I could get excited about.  Every job ad I looked at had some fault--the schedule, the pay, the job duties.  I wasn't sure if I was too picky or had just become lazy.  After all, doing crossword puzzles over a cup of coffee and then spending time with my dogs is a very appealing lifestyle!  But, my husband isn't getting the overtime like he did in his old job and while I can get creative and stretch food dollars, the budget didn't have space for dog shows.  I needed to be less picky about employment and just get some income.
   After my working interview at the kennel, I didn't have high hopes that I could find a job that was truly part time and didn't involve nights or week-ends.  I thought dog showing might have to be put off for a few more months as I applied for a sales position at Yankee Candle.  I applied for a substitute position with the school system and thought working full days wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.  I saw the position as a dog walker and thought, "Monday through Friday, a schedule of late morning to early afternoon, no nights, no week-ends, working with dogs, working on my own and getting exercise. What's the downside"?  Of course, the downside is walking dogs outside in the rain, the heat and the cold.  I have to be outside to take care of my own dogs and it doesn't bother me too much so I decided to apply for the position.
  I was surprised when I was quickly called for an interview and even more surprised to be offered the job during the interview.  I couldn't start until my background check came back but then it was two days of on the job training and I started solo on the third.
  There is so much more to this job than I thought there would be!  I've learned all the quirks and likes of my individual clients (this one doesn't like to be scratched on his side, that one likes to carry a stuffed toy outside). I've learned how to walk the client, give treats, freshen water bowls and write daily reports  all during the time allotted and not run over too much ('cause there is no time limit for belly rubs and snuggling!).  I've established a rapport with all my dogs and they know that when I'm walking them, they have to behave like dogs, even if they are a spoiled princess with their owners.
  My concern about walking dogs in bad weather turned out to be something I can easily work around.  I do have some discretion on how long the dogs are out during hot days and inclement weather.  I only need to have them outside long enough to relieve themselves then we can go back inside and play the remainder of their visit time.  I've been fortunate so far and we've only had one really rainy day.  The dogs seemed to know they wouldn't be outside long and quickly took care of business to enjoy play sessions.  The company doesn't offer dog walks on snowy days when the federal government is closed, so I won't need to worry if we get the winter weather some forecasters are predicting.
  The best part about my job is that my collies are not affected by my working.  I'm still spending quality time with them, both morning and afternoon.  They still get to spend days in the play yards and we have our games of tug of war and with Dixie, fetch.  I'm able to keep up with their grooming needs and my kennel chores.  Sometimes they are puzzled by the scent of other dogs on my clothes when I come home in the afternoon but only Gibson seems a bit jealous by it.
  I'll be subbing for a couple other dog walkers during the next two weeks. The paycheck from the extra work should probably cover the costs of some new dog toys.  Then my guys will be really happy I'm working again!

Another Weapon in the Arsenal?

  Years ago, I gave the dogs brewer's yeast with garlic to help combat fleas.  My vet at the time said it was an old wives tale that it worked and that I was just wasting my money.  Since we weren't battling  fleas then , I stopped the supplements but still kept the idea in the back of my mind.
  With the severe problem we've had this year, I've been willing to try just about everything and anything to get rid of these pests.  A recent column in the paper by Dr. Fox made me reconsider the garlic.  I bought garlic supplements from Costco and started adding one pill to each of the dogs' breakfast bowls.
    The dogs were a week or so away from their monthly topical flea treatment and had started scratching and I was seeing fleas here and there when I started the garlic. Within a couple of days, the dogs stopped scratching!  I looked on bellies and legs and didn't see one pesky flea.  I think the garlic is working!  Coats are growing in nicely and everybody is happy.  Lauren will often spit her garlic pill out and I did find a few fleas on her the other day.  But, a dose of K9 Advantix and she's flea free once again.  I'll keep the topical treatment in readiness, but a bottle of garlic pills is much cheaper than several doses of Advantix!
  Our annual fall pest, the stink bug, has taken up residence in the kennel this year.  The outside walls are covered, dead stink bugs are always in the dogs' water buckets and I'm being dive-bombed as I feed the dogs their dinners.  I was going to keep the shop vac outside and try to reduce the numbers by vacuuming each evening (stink bugs congregate at the end of the day) but then learned about a spray called Talstar when I attended a Barktoberfest yesterday.  The vendor said she had used it her farm last year and it was so effective that she only needed one application.  It also kills fleas which is a very nice bonus!
  I had planned on working in the kennel today, fixing some fencing and painting door ways.  I'll add spraying this treatment to my chore list and hope the vendor is right!  The weather is forecast to be beautiful today.  The dogs will get to play all day in the yards and have a tidy and pest free home by the end of the day!
 

Phoebe

  As Facebook fans of Hillcroft Collies already know, we have lost another dog.  It was too soon for Phoebe to leave us, and her death has us hurting more than usual after a dog dies.
  Phoebe was diagnosed with severe arthritis in her spine about three weeks ago.  It was very painful for her but she managed to hide it from us for quite a while.
  In late spring, she started dragging one hind foot every so often.  This usually happened after she had been laying down for a long period and once she took a step or two, would be fine.  On rare occasions, she would be slow to get up, but we thought it was normal aging as she was going on 9 years old.
  By July, she was loathe to play or move too much.  This was during the heat wave and she was never a big fan of hot weather, so again, we were not overly concerned.  At the end of July, though, I got a feeling that something was not quite right but couldn't put my finger on it.  Phoebe wasn't exhibiting any consistent symptoms or troubles and she had just received a clean bill of health in April. I wasn't sure my vet would be able to diagnose anything when I myself couldn't give a reason for a visit!
  In the middle of August, though, Phoebe did not want to play with the other dogs and would just sleep behind a bush near the fence.  I had to encourage her to eat that week-end, which definitely was not the norm for her.  I made an appointment first thing Monday.  By the time of our appointment, she was running a high fever and could barely walk.  I carried her into the vet office and feared the worse.
  An x-ray showed the arthritis and we quickly had a course of action.  Phoebe received a metacam shot and we had prescriptions for additional metacam and clavamox.  The injection worked quickly--Phoebe was able to walk by the time we got home!  Her fever was down by the afternoon and gone the next day.  Each day, she was steadier on her feet and enjoyed her new status of permanent house dog.  I could tell when she had walked too much or the time or two of trying to trot as she seemed to slip back a bit in her progress, but it was always temporary.
  At her re-check the following week, Phoebe was moving almost normally!  Her weight had increased quite a bit and she was almost the happy girl we knew and loved.  We went home with more metacam and more clavamox with the goal of weaning her off the metacam and only using it when she needed it. 
  Just four days later, Phoebe couldn't stand up without help.  When I boosted her up, her legs couldn't support her and I could tell the pain had returned with a vengeance.  We made a quick trip to the vet, Phoebe frequently crying softly. 
  Phoebe had lost all the weight she had just gained, plus a little more.  During the exam, she blew her cheeks out, then pushed her head against the tech's arm.  I knew she had to be in unbearable pain as she would never show when something bothered her. 
  The vet recommended a course of steroids and heavy sedatives for the pain, then re-check her in two days.  If she did not have improvement, she would need to be euthanized. 
  David and I discussed the hard decision before us.  If the steroids worked, we could expect another episode that Phoebe was enduring.  The steroids may not work at all, could last six months or as long as two years.  We both felt that another episode would be much worse than what Phoebe was experiencing.  We didn't have high hopes that the steroids would work at all since this downturn had happened so suddenly.  We didn't want Phoebe to live her life in a heavy medicated state and most important, I had promised Phoebe that her pain would end.  We made the painful decision to have her euthanized rather than more treatments.As she slipped away, we saw the pain leave her eyes and then she smiled before closing her eyes. As hard as the decision was, and as much as we hurt, we knew we had done the right thing for our beautiful girl.

 Phoebe as a young adult, this is one of my favorite pictures of her!

 Phoebe's championship photo.

  Phoebe and I did a library program  about a posh puppy--she had a matching tiara to mine!

 Another favorite picture!

Phoebe was clearly a fair weather dog--impatiently waiting for the door to open!

A Pretty Good Life

  My husband changed jobs in May.  He's much happier in his new job, however, the pay isn't quite as much as his old job.  I'd rather he be happy over money, but it will put a pinch on dog showing so I've been looking for a part time job.  I'm not looking for a new career, benefits or a lot of hours, just something flexible so I can have week-ends off when needed.  Apparently, that's a tall order!  I've inquired/applied for several jobs but only four have led to interviews or some type of follow up and I haven't been hired yet.  I'm trying to not let this bother my ego!  In my former life, I managed the circulation department for a public library and now I'm applying for entry level jobs.  I'm sure when hiring personnel see my resume that they consider me over qualified and think I won't stay in the position for very long.  I'm also competing with much younger applicants who don't have husband, household and dog obligations.
  Last week, I had a working interview for a kennel assistant.  I thought this would be an ideal job as I could do it early in the morning, be with dogs and I'm certainly accustomed to scooping poop!  It was an eye opening experience.  Within a few minutes, I decided it was not the position for me.  The work itself was fine, but the facility and atmosphere was not.
  Of course, I was the oldest one so I didn't think the other assistants would want someone old enough to be their mother joining them!  I pretty much worked solo, cleaning and disinfecting the crates.  When it was time for group play, I played with the dogs while they checked their phone and texted.  I thought the staff and other applicants would be vet tech students, junior dog handlers or dog lovers but no.  One person said she didn't even have dogs, she thought they were a lot of work!
  What I really didn't like was the facility.  I'm fairly familiar with the county code on kennels and of course the facility would have been inspected before being allowed to open.  However, the crates and outdoor area all seemed to be of minimum size allowed.  If the dogs didn't get group play, they stayed in their crates all day and exercise was going to the other side of their run to relieve themselves.  One poor dog appears to have been abandoned by its owner.  He's been there for over a month, never gets walked, brushed or pet by the staff.
  The group play is letting the dogs in a yard for fifteen minutes in the morning and fifteen minutes in the afternoon.  There was only one toy in the yard for them.  Inside, the dogs only have toys if their owners bring them from home.
  The facility itself was immaculate, twice daily cleaning of crates and runs, bowls washed after every meal and bedding washed daily.  But the bedding was flimsy, many of the mats full of holes.  If a dog had a water bucket instead of a bowl, that indicated they would chew their bedding and couldn't have a mat.  They had to sleep on the concrete floor, not that the bedding made it much softer.
  Other than playtime for the lucky few, there wasn't much else to stimulate the dogs.  The staff didn't seem to pet the dogs much when they were being fed, no radio, no toys.  As I worked, I kept thinking about my own dogs and the life they have.
  While I don't have concrete runs so I don't hose down the kennel twice a day, I still spend a lot of time outside.  Their indoor kennels and outside runs are at least twice the size of county code.  The indoor kennels are lined with  rubber mats and have a cot if the dog will use it instead of treating it like a giant chew toy.  Everybody gets a good morning hug and kiss when they get breakfast.  More hugs and kisses when I clean their run or a little bit of playing if they are in the mood.  Each dog gets a misting and brushing when I pick up their bowls.  When the weather is nice, they have their group play--but it's all day long!  Their play yards have a lot of toys and they also have the stimulation of watching the horses at an adjacent farm, joggers, bikers or the wildlife.  All in all, a pretty good life!
  I didn't get the kennel assistant position but I knew that day I wouldn't accept it if it was offered.  Even though most of the dogs were there for boarding and would be home after their owners' vacations, I felt it was a routine that was very foreign to them.  I wondered what my dogs would think if they suddenly went to a kennel for a week (not that we could afford boarding for that many dogs!).
  I know the general perception is that our dog are "kennel dogs" because they are housed outside.  People think they don't get much attention or interaction with us but that isn't true at all.  Our dogs pretty much dictate to us our schedules, vacations and now employment.  If I had taken that job, or something like it, it will impact my dog time too much.  And, we can't have something like that!

Individual Personalities

  Last week, we had our gutters cleaned.  After the crew was finished, one asked if he could visit the dogs.  Of course I said yes and gave him a tour.  As I introduced him to each of the dogs, he commented that I knew each by name and seemed very surprised about it!
  I know many people perceive those of us with multiple dogs to consider them a business and are surprised that we love our dogs with the same intensity that they have for their one house dog.  For us, the kennel is a practical way to house the collies.  I can't imagine what our house would look like if we had nine large dogs running through it all the time!
  I'm equally baffled though, by people who are surprised that I can tell the dogs apart.  I've heard that comment ever since we had more than one dog.  Besides the obvious differences--coat color, coat length, markings--each dog has distinct personalities and quirks.
  For instance, Jackson won't eat until he's had his "love fest".  He practically quivers as I'm distributing the food bowls, then races outside to greet me at his gate as he's the first to have his kennel cleaned.  He greets me as if I haven't just seen him and given him his hug.  He leans against my leg, his head and ears get a thorough scratching, then he walks with me while I clean his kennel.  He watches me as I clean the next kennel, and only after that goes inside to eat.
  His grandmother, Lauren, is the opposite.  Meal time is the best time of day for her and nothing will stop her from getting to her bowl!  She jumps up and down in anticipation of eating, sometimes so high I'm afraid she'll go over the gate!  Lauren doesn't even notice when I scratch her back as she eats, her enjoyment of breakfast or dinner is so great.
  Lauren is also our "town crier".  I said she was a tattle-tale but our handler had the more flattering term for her.  She lets us know when deer are in the yard (sometimes waaaaay back in the yard but she thinks it's important to let us know), when one of the dogs is mis-behaving or she thinks breakfast is late.
  Phoebe and Claire also enjoy their meals and do a synchronized jump as I give them their bowls.  They are not as athletic as Lauren and don't jump as high.  Phoebe likes to conserve her energy and will find her bed as soon as she finishes eating.  Her biggest pet peeve is cats.  She doesn't like them at all, objecting to the semi-feral cat that visits us or the house cats that are peacefully sleeping by the wood stove.
  Claire is quiet and can get overlooked when she's by her more dominant sister.  Phoebe pushes her aside for attention, the cot, the daily brushing and Claire readily gives way.  Usually, this works to Claire's advantage as we try to make up for it with extra hugs.
  Dixie is the opposite of her mother and aunt in many ways.  Besides being smooth, while they are rough coated, she can be hard headed and determined to have her way.  When I tell her "no, you can't nip at my shoes" she'll sneak behind me and nip my backside!  Dixie is very athletic and our only dog that likes to play fetch.  She will chase after a toy until my arm gets tired and is disappointed when I stop playing (which is when the nipping starts, I think she's trying to keep me playing).
  Mosby is the old man but doesn't realize it.  He thinks he's the pack leader but the girls put him in his place!  He pushes himself into any activity they are doing, often clumsily knocking into someone.  Sometimes, they gang up on him, knocking him down and rolling him about.  Mosby always gets back up, covered in leaves and grass clippings, sometimes a little stiff, then goes right back to whatever behavior earned him the put-down!  I often have to separate him from the others on play days as even I can see he's annoying, although he just wants to be part of the gang.
  Ref looks big and dominate, but he's a marshmallow.  He doesn't like Jackson or Mosby and will posture if they are near him.  When I call him out on it, he immediately flattens his ears and leans against my leg, with a "I don't really mean it" look on his face.  I call him my delicate flower as he refuses to leave his kennel when it rains.  Even on cloudy days, he stays inside, only poking his nose out and looking anxious as I clean his kennel.  If he does have to walk in the rain, he almost cringes, as if he expects the raindrops to weigh a ton!
  In looks, Gemma is a female version of Ref but her personality is completely different.  She can be most stubborn and dismissive of things she's not interested in.  It could be a toy or the show ring.  She's actually looked a judge up and down, gave like a "phhttt" sound, clearly decided he wasn't worth her time and that she was bored.  But when she wants something, I can practically see the wheels turning as she tries to figure out how to get it.  She has a very sweet face, which she uses to get me to relax my guard, then quickly tries to stick her nose in my pocket, grab the brush out of my hand, knock a water bottler off the grooming table...
  Gibson is the smartest one of the group.  He's a fast learner, picking up on how to do something after seeing it once or twice.  Unfortunately, he watches Gemma and can figure out how to accomplish whatever mischief she's attempting.
  While I try not to have favorites, Gibson is my special love, filling the space that Ben left.  Gibson is always sensitive to my moods, knowing when to act like a clown or when to snuggle.  He has expressive, brown eyes that look like melted chocolate.  Sometimes, I see him sitting in his yard, watching the house and of course I have to run outside to spend extra time with him.  But since I try not to play favorites, everyone ends up with a hug and a pet!

Doing Battle

  I know one reason why the dogs want out of the kennel---fleas!  We've been doing battle since the beginning of July.  My vet's office says this has been the worst summer for fleas that they have seen, and I can attest to that!
  I saw a few fleas on Ref when I was getting him ready for the shows in July.  I bathed him in a citrusy shampoo, which usual takes care of the stray flea or two that start to show up at the end of the Frontline cycle.  This time, it did nothing, and to my horror, I was finding more fleas on Ref at the show site.  A friend told me about Capstar, a great pill that kills all the fleas on a dog within half an hour.  I stopped at the vets on the way home that day and bought Capstar for all the dogs.  It worked!  But, unfortunately, it doesn't repel fleas so my problem came right back and worse.
  I gave the dogs their monthly Frontline but I was still finding fleas on the dogs and they were still scratching.  I tried treating the kennel yards with a spray but couldn't seem to completely eradicate those pests.
  Unfortunately, I came down with a summer cold that went into a sinus infection, knocking me out of commission for a couple of days.  Of course, that was all the fleas needed!  Just that fast, they were everywhere.  Dixie, Lauren and Phoebe started scratching so bad that they had bare patches on their legs.  I knew I had to draw up a battle plan!
  The weather cooperated that the dogs could be in the yards while I fought the war.  Over the course of two days, all the dogs got flea baths.  I closed up the windows and doors in the kennel, stuffed cracks with newspapers and flea bombed the building.  While the bombs were working inside, I sprayed the outside with a strong insecticide that we had bought from the farm supply store.  All the dog mats, towels and soft toys were washed in hot, hot water.  After the dogs came inside for their baths, I vacuumed the area rugs and every crevice of our downstairs, not wanting to transfer the flea problem to  our house.  At the end of the week, the dogs were due for their topical flea preventive but this time I used K-9 Advantix instead of Frontline.  Finally, the fleas were gone!
  I'm not saying we've won the war but I think we have the upper hand (although I say that with my fingers and toes crossed!).  One of my vets said that Frontline is just not effective this year and to keep up with the K-9 Advantix.  I'm glad to have Capstar in our arsenal now, too.  I can buy that through Amazon, which makes it much more affordable.
  I don't like that I had to use so many pesticides on and around the dogs to get rid of these fleas.  We had spread lime in the kennel in late spring in an attempt to not have fleas start.  I think next year we'll do that again, but as soon as the weather starts to warm, probably in March.  I also want to plant lavender, a natural repellant, around the kennel and play yards.  I'll need to stick with the K-9 Advantix applications, not all year, but start those in the spring, too, instead of early summer.  We have so much wildlife that come near and through the yards that I know I can never prevent fleas completely.
  It 's good to see the dogs comfortable again, even though we are still dealing with some 90+ degree days and August humidity.  I think they'd agree with me, though, that a killing frost would be welcome at any time!

Mass Exodus

  With Lauren and Mosby now having their storm phobias, they readily escape their kennel when a storm is nearby.  Or, sometimes, they get out when it's just raining...or it's windy..or, who knows???  We moved them to the puppy/senior yard which is escape proof (we think) but frequently bring them inside at night.
  But then, Phoebe started barking at several periods during the night for no apparent reason.  So now she also comes inside.  And, because Claire thinks she needs to go wherever her sister goes, she sleeps in the house, too.
  Then, Dixie discovered her kennel door has an opening that she could squeeze through and started to leave her kennel at various times.  She doesn't have a storm phobia, doesn't bark at the wildlife or even try to get out of the main gate.  My husband says Dix is only getting out because she knows she can!
  For the others--what is going on???  Why don't the dogs like their kennel house anymore???  Obviously we need to repair some fences, which we are hesitant to do until the storm season is over as we don't want to take a chance that the dogs will hurt themselves trying to escape during an electrical storm.  I don't mind dashing outside (or sending David) to bring in the dogs when we see the clouds coming up from the valley.
  Actually, I don't mind having half the dogs in the house at night!  Phoebe though, has let me know that she is now house dog status and I've complied.  Her time in the kennel is a couple of hours in the morning and a couple of hours in the evening.  The other dogs have not picked up on the fact that I readily acquiesce to what they want so we currently have the upper hand.  But...stay tuned!