Dog Show

Okay, so what am I, chopped liver?

We went to a dog show competition and agility demonstration last weekend. Sure, there were some fine looking pampered pooches and some very good four- footed athletes.

I don't mind telling you that I hate to take a back seat to anyone, dog or human, but Bones and I were relegated to a bench where neither of us could cause a problem with an outburst of some sort. I sat quietly while the assorted Border Collies, Aussies and  a couple of Heelers ran around doing what ever it was they were doing. 

Oh yea over in a corner of the field were a bunch of my brethren herding sheep into enclosures of some sort. Now that looked like a blast.

The frisbee catch made sense and looked very fun.  There was also a bunch of red cones set up with tunnels and ramps and squirrely poles that the performers ran through, up, around, and under. I wanted to pee on the cones and knock the other stuff over. I guess that's why I was not entered. But you know what? Give me half a chance and some clue as to what this was all about and I would beat them all. Well, actually, I would still pee on all the cones, dominate all the males, and stoke the females dumb with my astounding good looks.

Still, Deb took photo after photo of these young bloods and, heck, I must admit they looked downright dashing. One of her friends had a dog entered in the agility competition.  He was a handsome Australian Shepherd that really, in my book, needed some herding.  But, hey, that's just me. All-in-all, a fun time and I was on my best behavior.  

Almost for got the costume contest, boy did I want to mess with those guys.

So about a month ago, before the big road trip, my ear was bugging me. I did all I could to let Bones and Deb know. I scratched it. I shook my head. I made it quite obvious something was in there.

Bones wanted to get some ear wash but neglected to do so. The day we left the women that takes care of Deb’s cats mentioned I had something in my ear and suggested we have it checked. Once again Bones chose not to go to a vet and spend a bunch of money. I guess he figured I spent my quota. We went on the trip and I had a great time, which I have not reported on yet but my ear bugged me the whole time.

Finally, after we had been back for a week or so, I had enough. I let them know I was in pain. It had gone from an irritation to discomfort to very painful. Deb said that's it and made an appointment at the vet.

 

We lucked out got a really nice doctor.  I have been to a bunch of them so I know the difference. This guy liked animals. He looked in my ear and sure enough I had a foxtail so deep in my ear they had to knock me out with drugs to get to it. Turns out it had pierced my ear drum and was exposed just enough so he could get ahold of it with one of the special tools and pull it out before it worked it's way through and might have deafened me or, worse yet, worked it's way to my amazing brain and lights out.

Thank you, Deb. If your furry buddies – canine, feline, or equine, are telling you something is wrong please listen to them.

Hugs from the valley  Cash Fargo Bellinger

Road Dog

First day itinerary called for us to leave at 8 in the morning and drive straight through to Redding, arriving at 6 pm.

We hit the road and drove for a very long time. At first I was excited, although a little afraid of being abandoned. When I realized I had my blankie with me and the back seat was all mine I relaxed and got in the groove.

I have developed a method of traveling. I stand on the center console with my two front feet and my back feet on the back seat. This angle is very conducive to sight- seeing. I have a 360 degree view and people in the other cars can see how incredibly good looking I am. If I get tired I simply lay down and take a siesta in the air conditioned car. By the way, it turns out air conditioning is mighty nice on a road trip. It was 128 degrees by the time we hit Redding, California. I now knew we were going a long distance. 

We spent the night in a hotel. Bones got in big trouble the first night. He trashed the hotel bathroom. He didn't do it to be mean but just fell into his old ways. Deb had to remind him even though they were on vacation he was still sharing the spaces they were going to occupy on their journey.    

So, first day 10 hours on the road or 70 hours in dog time. First stop, the La Quinta Inn where dogs stay for free. I went for a walk and let all the other tourist dogs know I am Cash and I am a force to be reckoned with. Deb told the clerk at the counter that Bones is an invalid so we got a room very close to the outside door making things much easier. 

Well, we were close to the itinerary and the following morning got going about 8:30—not bad really, considering Bones gets up about 9, okay 10, on most days. Like I said, I was glad to be going since my buddies Purrcy, Murphy, and JuJu were staying home and I was on the coolest trip of my life. I have ridden in a lot of cars but this was different. Deb works hard for these vacations and the fact I got to come along made me love her all the more.

Bones and Deb brought a lot of cloths shoes and jackets. The funny thing is they only needed about a fifth of what they were lugging around. I brought my collar, my food,my leash, and a wide eyed lust to experience this once in a lifetime journey. End of day 1.

 Bones says Deb has a lead foot. I don't know what that means.

 Hugs from the valley. Cash Fargo Bellinger