MS Walk 2013

My team "Brandy's Bandits" walked again this year in my local chapter of the Walk to end Multiple Sclerosis. As usual, there was plaid everywhere, Cowboy hats and bandannas but this year we had our new mascot Washburn!

He looks super cute in the Bandanna and Hat my sister provided him.

This year with close to 30 team members we raised over $2,500!!! This money will not only go towards Research into the Disease, and Research for a Drug but the MS Society uses part of the money raised to support Canadians living with this disease, whether it's in the form of free vitamins, cheaper drug plans, accessible drug plans and home care etc...

There is still time to donated to my team if you feel so inclined!

Visit my team page!

http://mssoc.convio.net/site/TR/Walk/OntarioDivision?px=1228615&pg=personal&fr_id=1906&s_locale=en_CA

In the "Personal Blog" Section I have linked a couple of my short stories that can be found on my other Blog "A Drop of Brandy" about living with Multiple Sclerosis. 

My other Blog (in case you've never visited it) is http://adropofbrandy.blogspot.ca/

Now Wash and I are still recovering from the excitement of the weekend. Time for another siesta. 

A HUGE Thank You to all my friends and family who made it out, who walked, who donated and who supported the cause! I love you all!

-Brandolyn and Washburn

MS WALK

I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the end of High School. 

Since then I've been jumping drug to drug, diet to diet, trying to get this disease under control. 

Lately my symptoms have been in remission, but I will be participating in my local MS Walk which raises money for Research for a cure AND to support those who are suffering from the disease. This year will be my 7th year Walking with my team Brandy's Bandits. It will also be Wash's first year joining us. 

Wash and I have been training really hard. At the walk there are Lots of people, Lots of dogs and LOTS of distractions, so we`ve been socialising a lot with adults, kids, seniors and other dogs. We`ve also been biking quite a bit to try something new and to keep fit. 

Wash and I are taking it really slowly; he`s still growing so I don`t want to `push him too hard, and I'm tentative on a bike anyway so we're both learning how to ride together safely. So far, it's great and we both love it! 

I'll post a bit about learning to bike with Wash later when I have pictures. 

But if you can, please support myself and Wash in the MS Walk. Click the link to get to my donation page: http://mssoc.convio.net/site/TR/Walk/OntarioDivision?px=1228615&pg=personal&fr_id=1906&s_locale=en_CA

Any and all support (whether it's a donation, nice thoughts or a prayer) is greatly appreciated! 

Thank you all!

-Brandolyn & Washburn

Thanks for all your Love and Support!

Squashburn!

By combining two of my passions; Washburn and Squash, I have created SQUASHBURN!

He's the world's cutest Squash playing dog. 

Ok, so he can't play and is not allowed on the courts, but he looks ready to play! 

It took about 2 minutes before he would stop tossing the glasses off of his head, but I'm impressed he let me do this. Good Boy Wash!

-Brandolyn

Baffled

OK, I am stumped, and looking for advice from other pet owners.

Wash got a new toy today. A well built, plush toy with squeakers (no stuffing). It's a great toy, and he loves it BUT every time he plays with it he whines like a baby.

My first reaction was "Well shoot, he must have an issue with his teeth. There goes all my $$." But he still chews on his chew bones, he plays tug of war with his rope, I checked out his teeth and mouth, no issue, no sensitivity.

Next I thought "Well, maybe he's constipated and it's uncomfortable to play." I touched his belly and felt no swelling, no bloating, and he had no sensitivity. Also, his next bowel movement was regular and right on schedule.

Now I'm completely stumped. I've done a complete tour of his body. He seems fine. When he plays with his other toys, he's silent. When he sees this one, he whines. He LOVES it and waves it around, chomps on it, drags it  across the apartment, but he whines the whole time.

Any idea why?

-Brandolyn

More dogs!

Today there were more of Wash's buddies at the Dog Park and I'm going to show off these pretty things. Sadie and Spencer were there too but they didn't come by for a picture.

Here are some familiar faces, and some new ones.

Dali the Shepherd cross with Gromit frolicking in  the background

A dopey looking Washburn

Snoopy the Basset hound giving Dali a sniff

Tucker the big Golden Retriever

And last to arrive at the park was Tag, I think he's a Shelti mix

One of the girls was missing; Abby the Chocolate Lab, but most of the other dogs were present which gave Wash a lot of dogs to choose from. He went dog to dog bothering and playing like the silly pup he is. Gromit and Tag are still his best buddies. And believe it or not, Washburn is as tall as Tucker the full grown Retriever, and Wash isn't even done growing.

Tucker saying a nice "Glad you could make it buddy!" to Tag

Wash avoided me when I had the camera out, so I don't have any more new pictures of him, but his friends list keeps growing!

-Brandolyn

Washburn Update:

-6.5 months
-50lbs
-all of his adult teeth
-he's still not sexually mature, so he's not ready to be neutered yet
-he's stopped crying when I leave
-He's in Intermediate Training Puppy classes
-He's big, he's fast and he's STRONG. I'm really glad I started training him when he was really little
-easily distracted by birds and squirrels

Next up:
-learning to walk/run beside a bicycle... Cross your fingers that we don't end up with any broken bones! Any tips and tricks from Pet owners about learning to bike with your dog?

Another friend!

Introducing.... Gromit!

Washburn and Gromit playing tag

Gromit is another of the "blondes" I mentioned in one of my previous posts. Wash has several doggy friends, but there is an abundance of white/ golden dogs in my neighbourhood. Gromit is a beautiful mix, he's a rescue so his parentage is uncertain, but my guess is Corgi mixed with an Eskimo dog. He's energetic, friendly and FAST! Almost every picture I took, I only caught his back end as he whipped by. 

Like many of the dogs in my neighbourhood, Gromit is a rescue. Actually 6 of the 9 dogs Wash sees on a regular basis are rescues, and they wonderful dogs! And we have a new puppy on the block, a little brown Australian Sheppard named Thor. Only 9 weeks old and already a handful :P  

(I'll snag a picture when I can).

Washburn is obsessed with Gromit :) loves him to bits!

Happy Wednesday!

-Brandolyn and Washburn

How I feed Washburn

In an attempt to train my dog that he only eats what I give him (not scraps that fall to the floor), Wash has to sit, and watch as I prepare his food at every meal. He watches me get his food ready, I put it down and he has to wait for me to give him a signal before he can go eat it.

He is very patient, and now will not eat without the signal. Good boy! But lately I've been pushing how long he has to wait. He doesn't move, he doesn't twitch but this is what has started happening. The longer he waits, the more he drools. Look closely.... ewwwwwwww. 

He's cute, but gross. I guess I won't make him wait so long anymore.

The reason I started this way of feeding has 2 reasons: 

1- avoids food aggression: He has to be in a calm, relaxed state before he eats, and he eats when I say so, not when he does.

2- avoids mooching/ food stealing: All food is mine. He can only have what I give him. 

Simple enough.

It works wonderfully for Washburn. Sometimes I take the food away for a moment during the meal to make sure he isn't possessive, or I'll touch him while he eats, or even put my hand in the food bowl. I am very confident that Washburn will be fine, BUT these are all risky, many dogs are territorial about their food, so be careful, start slow, start small. 

:) 

Any questions? 

-Brandolyn and the Drooly Dog