Bedtime for Petey

It got late, very late (like 9:00 PM) and Petey could not wait up for the night owls any longer. He had to put himself to bed. This is how we can tell...





He takes very good care of himself.

Petey Went to the Vet

Petey went to the vet today for a six month check up. She wanted to see him again after finding the heart murmur at his annual exam. Much to our delight, she said the murmur has actually diminished since last time. So, there is nothing we have to do with regard to that.

She was concerned though that he has lost weight. It wasn't surprising to us, since Petey is the pickiest eater we've ever seen in a dog. She suggested getting some high calorie, but not high protein treats for him. Since we don't have any of that right now, we gave him some cheez-its. Hey, he ate them. Don't judge. We've learned that with Pete we feed him when he's in the mood to eat. One day he will eat all of whatever we give him for as long as we give it to him, and the next, he'll turn his nose up and act offended that we even thought he'd eat such as that. Anyway, putting a few pounds on a dog shouldn't be that hard to do. We'll find out.

The weight loss did make her a little concerned that he is losing muscle mass. That could be a sign of arthritis. So, he's supposed to take glucosamine/chondrotin for that. We'll get some and mix them in a little peanut butter for a lovely Petey treat. That should help with the weigh issue to.

All in all, particularly considering he's knocking on the door of 100 years old according to her, he's in great shape. He ought to be as pampered as he is!!

Petey is Mad at John

It isn't unusual for Petey to get mad at one or the other of us. We've grown used to the pouting and what we call power shifts in the house. It is a way of life with Petey. Most of the time he'll shun the one that is out of favor by making a big show of being with the favored one. The term favor is used loosely in this situation. It does not necessarily mean 'liked' just not the one he's mad at currently. Once he's established that he'd made at one of us and we know it, he'll make up.

This morning when Petey wouldn't look at John. He wasn't too worried. Lori was still in the bed, since she likes to take advantage of Saturdays to sleep in. Petey had to make do with walking the long way around to avoid John and going in to the bedroom to see if Lori was awake yet. Apparently, it is important for the unfavored one to witness the attention lavished on the favored one. This time the cold shoulder continued well past that point once Lori got up. John tried to make up with Petey by giving him a bacon treat. Petey took it because he can't turn down treats, but Lori found it in the floor a bit later.

They chuckled about how Petey had kicked it up a notch, and moved on with their day, which included going to the store for flea treatments for Petey. It was time for the dreaded monthly flea treatment, but also the much anticipated heart worm treat. On the way home from the store, it was agreed that Lori would give Petey the flea treatment and John would give him the heart worm treat. Perhaps equalizing the balance of power a bit. It is difficult to be both the favored and the unfavored. It is best when both are on a more equal footing with Petey.

Unfortunately it took both to get the flea treatment on Pete, so that part of the plan didn't go so well. John still gave Petey the heart worm treatment and found it in the floor moments later.

We don't know what John did to make Petey so mad that he would not take even the beloved heart worm treatment from him, but it is serious indeed. It could be that John is secretly enjoying his new found freedom, but Lori is about ready to call the vet! She's hoping balance is restored soon. Being the favorite is sometimes hard work.

Petey's Mellowing?!?

Petey's new friend. Most unlike Petey when this child came to our house he allowed her to pet him. He even rolled over and went for the belly rub!!

Petey, The Nearsighted Protector?

Monday was John's first day out of school on the break between spring and summer semesters. I knew this, John knew this, but sadly no one told Petey. Monday morning, I got up as usual since I have real job that does not give extended breaks every few months. Petey, as usual, hopped up in the bed in my spot. John was already up, so nothing seemed any different to him. I left for work, leaving Petey in the bed as usual.

Sometime later in the morning John decided to work in the yard. He left the door propped open in case Petey decided to wander out at some point. And at some point he did. He immediately realized that an unknown interloper was in the back yard. He went on full alert, puffing himself up as much as his little 12 lb body would allow, and barking his best 'I'll rip your head off' bark and set off at a full charge against this imminent danger in the back yard.

John turned to see what had caused Petey such distress, but saw nothing between the two of them. As Petey rushed ever nearer, John asked what the problem was. Petey paused for only the briefest of moments and charged past John in to the neighboring yard continuing to bark his fiercest bark and puffing his body to its most terrifying size, after a danger John never saw.

After a bit, he came trotting back the conquering hero. Now we are left with the dilemma -
* Was John in very serious danger which was invisible to him and Petey saved his life?
* Did Petey try to cover his mistake, and maybe embarrassment, of barking at John by barking at nothing in another yard, thereby covering up?

We're taking a vote. What do you think?
Real danger
Real clever

Here Comes the Sun!

In the neighbor's driveway because it is black top and holds the heat!

Sorry about the shot, I was trying to use telephoto so as not to disturb him. I need more practice with that.

Leaving

Last night John & I had to go to a graduation banquet like we do every spring. We came home from work as usual and followed our typical routine and all was well.

Then we started changing in to our extra nice clothes for the evening and all was not well. Petey noticed John changing clothes and came rushing to tell me and saw me changing clothes. That was more than he could take. I tried to explain that we'd be home about bedtime but he skulked out of the room all dejected.

I walked in to the living room later and found this:
It is his position when someone is gone. From this vantage point he can see the driveway and easily meet the wayward one at the door upon their return. He knew what was happening and decided to be prepared, or maybe make us feel bad for leaving!

IDK if he stayed there the whole time we were gone or not. He met us at the door when we came home.