March 2023

March 1, 2023

When I had cats, it was a major feat to get them to a vet appointment. (I would start strategizing 24 hours prior on how to get them in the carrier.) With Keiko, one of my cats, I would have to allow a good half-hour cushion of time just to catch her.

With Gracie, it’s the polar opposite. Gracie loves going to see Dr. Walker. She’ll happily jump in the car, then pull on her leash when we arrive at the office. In the office, the techs fawn over her (which she relishes) and frequently there is another dog there for her to greet. When Dr. Walker opens the door to the exam room, Gracie is beyond excited and races to him. The two of them will lavish each other with attention. Dr. Walker sits on the floor, hugs and pets Gracie and rubs her belly. Gracie, with her tail wagging her whole body, cuddles with him and licks his face.

Dr. Walker has this nifty exam table that sits low to the floor. He puts Gracie on top, presses a button, and Gracie gets a ride as the table slowly rises to a standard level. What fun! As the exam finishes up, Dr. Walker gives her several yummy treats.

Yesterday’s vet appointment was a follow-up after Gracie’s recent illness. Her white cell count is back to normal, and she received a clean bill of health!

And it was a jolly visit!

Gracie at vet….

March 4, 2023

Fred has graciously offered to do needed work on my car. He’s an awesome mechanic, and I have happily taken him up on his kind proposal. So, Gracie and I are enjoying this weekend at Uncle Fred’s house in Etters, PA. With 3 cats, new rooms to explore, a spacious basement workshop, and a large yard with an abundance of sticks, Fred’s home provides lots of entertainment for my golden noodle!

March 10, 2023

March 12, 2023

I thought Gracie and I would be on the road this past Thursday to central PA to visit Mom, Tom, and Jan for the weekend, but Gracie got “the trots” again. I didn’t want to start out with her in that condition. To nip it in the bud, I called the vet to start her on medication and a prescription diet again. She was better by later that day. But then on Friday, the forecast for Centre County predicted impending snow. So, we postponed the trip.

It appears many of my life decisions now seem to be dictated by my doggy’s digestive system!

With an empty slate for the next few days, I searched online for possible activities. I discovered a Pet Expo was being held in nearby Oaks this weekend! It was only a $13 entry fee and dogs were allowed on leash! Inexpensive entertainment for both of us! Yeah!

The Expo was packed with people and their dogs. If featured pigs, alpacas, a petting zoo, reptiles, cats, rabbits, a Brahman steer, and many more creatures. There was something for everyone – humans and canines. A highlight for Gracie was participating in the DOGLOVERSDAYS Lure Course where she could be the star as she ran, hopped over obstacles, and chased a decoy around a track. (I followed behind to film her and to keep her on course.) Here’s the video: https://share.icloud.com/photos/0dfJqsAGO9Keb37znJ2exkOsw.

With additional photo ops, the lure course, and other purchases, our “inexpensive” entertainment turned out to cost me about $70. Oh well. Still well worth it! It was a fun day! More pictures below.

Gracie on the lure course…

Alpacas! (I didn’t notice the sign until after I snapped the picture. Whoops.)

Doggie riding in remote car….I think Gracie wants to try it…

Can’t resist a fire hydrant! (Someone was brave to set this up indoors.)

Gracie gets a hug from a fan…

Gracie with the Easter Bunny!

March 16, 2023

Tuesdays are especially busy for me. I take Gracie to daycare, go to work in the morning (to support my dog), eat a packed lunch, then go directly to my botanical illustration class for the afternoon. The sessions are really enjoyable. They’re taught by Marylyn Waltzer, a renowned botanical artist. Marylyn is a lovely woman. And she employs and teaches a careful process for creating her art.

But Marylyn sure is a stickler for using the RIGHT tools for the craft. Our class supplies list itemized highly specific materials we needed to obtain for our lessons. (A few examples from the list: Graphite pencils – 3 only – MUST be sizes 2H, HB, 2B; Watercolor round brushes – #1, #5, # 6 – Winsor & Newton Sceptre gold w/orange handles and must have plastic tubes over the hairs of brush; Strathmore series 400 drawing pad regular surface “medium” 9” x 12” or 14” x 17” only with the girl’s face on it).

Marylyn is swift to spot an incorrect tool being applied, or to hastily adjust a student’s technique. This week, she walked around the classroom observing her apprentices as we worked. As she approached me, I knew I was drawing with the “wrong” pencil. Before she had a chance call me on it, I blurted, “I know this isn’t the right pencil to use, but my dog chewed up my 2B this morning.” She laughed and mumbled something like “uh-huh – sure – the proverbial ‘my dog ate my homework’ excuse.” I don’t think she believed me, but it’s the TRUTH. Before I left for doggie daycare that morning, I found my newly purchased 2B pencil in splinters beside my bag of art supplies. Gracie shredded it. Yup, Marylyn, my dog ate my homework.

March 20, 2023

March 24 , 2023

In the dog parks, from time to time, it’s the dog OWNERS who exhibit the more problematic behavior.

MORE DOG PARK HAIKU

We have encounters

With poor owner conduct. More..

Of the dog park blues…

Teeth, biting my dog.

Your dog is NOT “just playing”!

Grrrr…STUPID human!

I know that guy is

Pretending he does not see

His dog is pooping.

Dog does number two.

Owner ignores steaming mess.

Grrrr…bad human, bad!

“Do this with your dog!”

Dog park people sometimes give

Way too much advice!

“My dog is the best!”

Dog park people often have

Inflated egos.

Surrounded, crazed dogs!

She shouted, “In my pocket,

“I have some bacon.”

She cried, “Stop jumping!”

Dumb, dumb, dumb. In a dog park

Bacon always wins.

“Which dog’s yours?” I asked.

She said, “My dog’s the one who

Just peed on your dog!”

March 26, 2023

Gracie got a serious haircut yesterday. She was overdue for a trim, and had lots of matting, so the groomer (with my permission) sheared most of her fur to about half an inch. In doing so, most of Gracie’s remaining red color was shaved away, except for her ears and tail. My golden noodle is now “golden,” I guess. Evidently, getting lighter in color is a very typical occurrence with goldendoodles. According to the experts at www.loverdoodles.com, “Goldendoodles typically take after their Poodle lineage and get lighter as they age.”

I thought maybe the groomer was handing over a different dog to me! But I think she still looks adorable! (An unbiased opinion, of course!)