Petey and the Vet

Petey went to the vet yesterday for his annual physical. He didn't care. He didn't really like it, but he was good by Petey standards. He is also in very good health for a dog. The vet commended us on taking such good care of him.

He got a battery of tests designed for the geriatric pooch, including both blood & urine tests. The vet called back this morning to say that all his tests came back fine.

While at the vet, John noticed a poster on the wall with estimated dog ages on it. It said that Petey was 72. The vet suggested that was a little on the low side for ole Pete, but didn't give a better estimate. She told John that Petey had at least two more good healthy years left. He's been so healthy that I was a little surprised to hear only two years. Who knows though, really. I'm not going to spend any time worrying about that.

The only cause for concern, is that he's developed a heart murmur. The vet said that 'at his age' it was not unexpected. Even dogs get the "at your age" speech from their doctors!! As of now, it is mild enough that all we need to do is take him back in 6 months for a recheck. Apparently, this issue will progress to a point where medication is needed. In the meantime we are to watch for him to get lethargic. If so, we are to bring him in right away.

Petey's had a day or two where he's laid around and acted like he just didn't feel well. But most of the time Petey's running around commanding to be let out or something. Right now he's outside 'helping' John work on the car. You'd never know he was in his mid 70's with a heart condition!!

Share and Share Alike

...ummm...not with Petey. Petey knows what is his and has no qualms about staking a claim on it. John and I know what most of his stuff is because we gave it to him and he keeps it near the fireplace. Every once in a while we discover something that Petey deems to be his, that we thought was ours, such as my snuggi. We can protest and fight back all we want. Petey is persistent and undeterred. Petey always wins in the turf wars. It is a fact of life with Petey that we have come to understand.


Last night, however, Petey kicked it up a notch. Apparently, the heat in the house is his and his alone as well. Petey knows where all of the heating vents are in the floor and will lay on the nearest one when the heat kicks in. His favorite being the one in the living room floor. Long time readers may remember pictures like the one to the left. This is one of Petey's favorite winter time places.
So on to last night...

John and I had watched a DVD. Petey was in another of his favorite spots, snuggled up with me under the snuggi while we watched the DVD. Once it was over, I got up as I generally do, and Petey stayed under the snuggi like he usually does. We had the fire going in the fire place and I walked over to warm myself by it while John got the DVD from the player. Petey somehow sensed that I was close to the fire and immediately got up from the couch and got in is ring bed which stays in front of the fireplace. He gave me a look that communicated in no uncertain terms that the fireplace and heat were his and not mine. I tried to explain that there was enough heat for both of us, but I knew even before I started that the battle was lost. I went back to the couch.

Petey Treats Part 2

Scroll down and read the previous entry before reading this one...

I just offered Petey a bacon treat. He sniffed it and walked away. I may get my wish after all - this could be a lifetime supply. When will I learn???

Petey Treats

On of our local grocery stores was running a super double coupon special this week. That means that all coupons up to $1.98 in face value would be doubled. Being one of those individuals that loves a good deal, I sorted through my coupons for those in the highest value to rush out there and double their usefulness.

What does this have to do with Petey? I got the dog what to any ordinary pooch would be a lifetime supply of bacon treats. I'm hoping this will last a month. I had coupons that made the treats less than half of their usual price. I came home with seven bags of his favorite treats and three bags of 'experimental' treats. I don't know if he likes those or not. He also got a bag of dog food for about a third of the usual cost. Of course, he really doesn't like dog food, but will eat it when he has to.

It will be interesting to see how long these treats will last...

Merry Christmas from Petey

Here's a clip of Petey opening his gifts this year.






He hopes that everyone had as good a Christmas as he did!

Sorry, the video is not showing up. I don't know where the problem is. It could be the file is just too large.

Petey got a box of doggie Christmas cookies, that are even more repulsive than those things he gets at the bank. If I ever get the video clip installed you'll be able to see how he carries them in his teeth without his lips touching. He was quite excited about them until he got the first taste, and he has not messed with them even though they've been left in the floor near his ring bed.

He also got some stairs to help him get on the couch. That was the dog equivalent of socks & underwear apparently. Even after we got them put together and in front of the couch he'd have nothing to do with them. We think maybe he's insulted.

He also got three bacon treats, and was able to assist us in opening our gifts. That made him a happy boy.

I'll keep working on the clip.

A Moment for Misha

On Monday, my good friend from work Linda presented me & Petey this lovely Christmas gift. Linda and her dog Misha had made it for us over the weekend. Isn't it adorable!

Linda's job was to tie the treats on in a artful way. Misha's job was to sit patiently and wait for Linda to give her the broken or otherwise unsuitable treats. Much like what I am required to do when I'm baking and have a broken cookie. Someone has to eat it. It was a very sweet gift and one the both Petey and I appreciate very much. Petey appreciated it so much he actually ate several of the treats!

The gift was made even more special after sweet Misha died Monday afternoon. She fell down the steps Sunday night at home, and was unable to get up Monday morning. The vet thinks that maybe she punctured a lung in the fall. The vet put her to sleep and she went very peacefully. Misha was 15 years old. She'd been a faithful companion and was a lovable dog. I only got to see her a few times during her life, but she was always glad to see me.

Take a moment for Misha, and remind those that you love just how much you love them.

It is COLD

Some of long term readers may remember that Petey got a snuggi for Christmas last year and hated it. We tried various things like laying it in his bed trying to get him acclimated to it. He was quite resistant and still wanted mine no matter what. It has turned very, very cold and Petey does not tolerate cold well at all. We really do want Petey to be comfortable, so we've been searching for ways for him to keep warm knowing that it is a long way until spring.

We got the snuggi back out several days ago, and have been putting it in strategic areas that we know Petey frequents like his ring bed by the fireplace and the heating vent in the living room. We were hoping once again to desensitize him to the offending garment. Our thinking was that we might get him a sweater for Christmas, but the last time we tried that it was about as welcome as the snuggi. We were hoping that once he got used the the garment he already had we could move on to the sweater.


Yesterday, John decided was the day to actually put the snuggi on Petey. I was out shopping and came home to find Petey wearing the snuggi but it looked odd somehow. It was all bunched up around his neck, more like a scarf than a wearable blanket. I asked John if Petey had done that or had he. John said he did it. He knew it didn't look right, but he was having a hard time getting the thing on Petey since he was so resistant. We ganged up on Petey then, and put the snuggi on him properly. Boy was he mad.

He pouted and grumped around the house. He scratched at the bedding and flung himself around. You have not lived until you have seen a dog throw a temper tantrum. We were undaunted and left the snuggi on Petey. In a bit, Petey got under the covers on the master bed. He was scratching under the covers like a mad dog. He sometimes scratches around while he's under the cover because he doesn't like the fitted sheet too smooth. This, however, seemed much more excessive than typical. By the time I got to him to see what in the world was going on the snuggi came flying up, out from underneath the covers. That little goof had hidden under the cover and taken the thing off! Not only had he taken it off, he flung it. He FLUNG IT!!!

It is pouring snow & ice right now, and Petey is naked. He's having to brave the elements au natural. It is his own silly fault.