The Fast and the Furiest

Today Wash and I got up early and drove out to Hamilton where we registered for an owner and dog 5K run. I completed a 5K run last fall and loved it, and thought it would be a great experience with the dog. So, when I heard about this race from Wash's trainer I was all too eager to enter.

Washburn and I hadn't trained very well prior to the race, and are both feeling a little out of shape after the harsh winter, but this gave us the excuse to get out and give it all we had!

We were thrilled that Jason joined us. He didn't run, but he was a valuable member of the team. He was our driver, our cheerleader, our photographer and the one that kept reminding us to stay hydrated. I'm so glad he could be there with us.

The race was tough. Not because of the length, but because of all the distractions. There were dogs EVERYWHERE. It was really hard for Washburn to focus on running. Instead, I found that he focused on chasing the dogs in front of us. He practically pulled me through the first Kilometre, then he was so exhausted from chasing other dogs that he slowed to a walk! It was all I could do to keep him going.

We stopped at every watering station but kept trucking along. I had to laugh as we approached Kilometre 4 and Wash started to do the poop waddle. I stopped briefly, only to realize he was staling for time! So I pulled him along and we raced ahead of 3 dogs in front of us and finished the race in 32 minutes (we think). I was so focused on the finish line that I didn't even see our photographer, Jason, waiting by the finish line. Apparently I ruined all the shots by running behind other runners and dogs. But the race wasn't about the pictures, it was about the time and experience with our dog.

I think, despite his exhaustion, that he really enjoyed himself. I know I did.

The weather was sunny, warm and windy. A perfect combination for a run.

We hope to do more of these events in the near future.

Exhausted and passed out on the car ride home

-Brandolyn

Catching up

Washburn is doing really well. Here's a fast overview of the past several months.

This summer Wash learned a lot: he can run beside me as I walk, run or bike. He's learned how to walk with me as I learn to roller blade. He learned to swim. He went camping. He went to a paintball competition, and a Triathlon (as a spectator; we were cheering as my husband competed). He went on a boat, in different cars and in a truck. He met TONS of people and made lots of dog friends.

We learned that there is one dog park near us that we don't like (unfriendly dogs and a pond that I'm convinced is being poisoned by an angry neighbour; it's made Wash violently ill twice.)

I had no idea it would be difficult to train a Doodle to like water. It took a lot of play time, examples set by other water dogs and falling into a pool before he learned that he really likes water!

My husband and I got married in October, and Wash went to stay with a friend for 2 weeks while we were on our Honeymoon. He had a great time. He loves that family, and adores their Great Dane. She's a beautiful girl named Fiona. On top of all that, before the wedding, Wash moved from my apartment to the place we would be living after the wedding and learned how to live in the new house with my husband before I moved in.

He's had a rough winter though, with days so cold his nose was cracking and he didn't want to go on his full walk, to ice storms that made walking so dangerous we had to go for our walks at Petsmart instead of outside. Actually the ice storm knocked out our power and Wash ended up coming to work with me where we still had heat so he didn't freeze at home.

To prevent his nose from cracking in the cold I got a vaseline based lip balm for him and applied in before letting him outside.

Christmas was hard; for all involved. As out first Christmas as a married couple Jason and I had 8 Christmases to attend, (back to back). So Wash did a lot of travelling and was on his best behaviour around all of our grandparents, some of whom are occasionally unsteady on their feet.

It's been a crazy several months and it seems to have helped shape Washburn into the wonderful, gentle and fun loving animal he is. I am so grateful for the patience he has learned.

He's just the sweetest thing. Here are some pictures to catch you up on the cuteness!

Allowed up on the bed to cuddle me during my latest recover from a relapse of my MS symptoms

At our friend's cottage with his friend Merry!

ON A BOAT!

Completely relaxed on the boat

exhausted after a long weekend

this is how he sleeps. Silly goose!

He fell in the pool :P 

At the OSPCA waiting to go in and get neutered

Even after surgery I can't go to the bathroom without being followed

He eventually figured out how to chew his stick while wearing the cone of shame

Learning patience!

After cooling down in a mud puddle

Christmas photo!

Christmas Dog! in his special occasions bowtie

on one of our many freezing walks

"What do you mean I'm muddy?"

Hair of the dog

Irresistible 

Washburn is currently 1 1/2 years old.
Was neutered at 9 months.
He weighs 65 lbs
Has completed all of his training at Petsmart.
We are currently training for a 5 K dog/ owner Run

He's a happy poochy! and we couldn't be happier with him.

-Brandolyn

Neuter Recovery

While at the Ontario SPCA before I picked up Washburn they told me that most dogs will be a little lethargic after the surgery and some dogs don't change at all and behave as though nothing has happened. Wash is definitely the latter. He has so much energy and just wants to run around. He has no interest in sleeping most of the day, which he should do.

During his recovery Wash has to take it slow. No running, no jumping, limited use of stairs and minimal exercise. It's very difficult for him. He's resulted to chasing his tail because he's been cooped up so long, and it's day 6 of 10-14 of his recovery. 

Yesterday while unsure of how to release pent up energy Wash ran headfirst into  a bookshelf. It really wasn't that hard, or bad but the angle was such that he snapped a large portion of his e-collar. 

This week, as long as his incision site keeps healing properly, Wash will be able to start longer walks. Wednesday he should be able to go back to socializing with other dogs (at day 10 of recovery) but I have to keep an eye out to make sure the other dogs don`t lick his wound and either agravate it, or infect it. 

He will be returning to his training on Friday, and Sunday he`s back to normal! (as long as his recovery is consistent)

Wash is doing well despite the cone!

So close, but not quite right...

closer...

It took him a long time, but he finally figured out how to chew on the stick

-Brandolyn

Neutering

Today Wash had an appointment with the Ontario SPCA to have him neutered. Everything went really well, he's home now and resting but I thought I could walk my readers through the whole process.

When I was first talking about getting a dog I went to many different Vets to price out Shots, Check ups and especially the Neutering. The cheapest cost I had found for Neutering was $350. Ouch.

Then I had a friend mention that the SPCA does Spays and Neuters for much cheaper (they also do vaccines and micro chips). For a dog Wash's size the SPCA was going to charge $105. HUGE SAVINGS.

I called the SPCA to set up a date, and normally there is a 2-3 month waiting list for neuters and spays. During the booking phone call they asked for Wash's medical history, his Vet's information (so they could get a copy of the shots he'd received) and they had me pay over the phone. It was very convenient and fast. They even went through the procedure and post operation care. It was great!

The day before there was a little bit of prep before hand: Wash wasn't allowed to eat anything from 6:00 pm the night before the surgery (since he was going under general anaesthetic, food makes it very dangerous because he could vomit and choke on the vomit). He couldn't eat ANYTHING! No bugs, no sticks, no treats, no grass... quite the challenge whenever I took him for a pee walk.

In the car at the SPCA waiting for the doors to open. (He has no idea what's about to happen)

Today at 8:00 am it started with registration, and unfortunately throughout everything they told me and prepared me for, they didn't tell me that the dogs were required to stay in our cars until we had finished registration and it would be a good idea to have 2 people at the start of the day, 1- to stay in the car with the dog, the other to register the dog.)

I was so much more nervous about leaving Wash in the car than I was about the surgery. Even with the windows open, it was so hot!

Unbelievably this sign was right beside me in the registration line up.

Wash was ok, but yeeesh it made me nervous! He was in the car for a little over 20 minutes... faaaar too long. 

Then he got his coloured collar with his name- kind of like a wristband at a concert or theme park and I had to leave him and pick him up at 4:00 pm. 

When I got to the SPCA a little before 4 I could hear Wash's lamenting cries. He didn't sound like he was in pain, he sounded lonely. It was the same cry he does when I leave the house. I knew he was ok when I could hear him from outside the building. If he was sick or sore, he would have been silent. 

He's now at home, in his e-collar and resting. 

The SPCA suggested lots of rest, and recovery time from 7-14 days. 

-No running

-Lots of rest

-No big walks

-Keep the collar on to discourage biting and licking of his surgery site

-Keep him isolated from other dogs to discourage rough housing, or the other dog licking the surgery site

-Avoid stairs. If stairs are unavoidable pick up the dog. If the dog is too big to be carried up or down stairs take them by the collar and slowly lead them step by step up or down the stairs to avoid pulling the stitches

I was given 2 days worth of pain medication for Wash. 2 syringes of medication to be spread over his food, or given orally at breakfast for the next 2 days, as well as some reading about the surgery and what to expect, and what to look for as "bad signs". For example: Swelling is expected, oozing is not and must be treated by a Veterinarian. 

Curled up at my side getting love and affection.

Wash will have a very boring next 2 weeks, but by the end of it he'll be fit to prance and run around to his hearts' content. I'll take him to many dog parks to make up for the slow, boring recovery weeks. 

If I've missed any steps, or if you have any questions please ask!!!

-Brandolyn and Washburn

Also: For those who love other fuzzy creatures: This is Steve. He wanted to come home with me.

It took every ounce of my willpower not to take him home!

Happy Canada Day!

Wash and I were away with the family for the Holiday weekend, but Wash was showing his patriotic side and I had to share!

More New Friends!

Wash keeps meeting more and more dogs, but recently he met two pups (6 months old each) who were a bit more his speed.

Meet Molly the Pembrooke Welsh Corgi, and Dakota the Malamute Husky Shepherd mix.

The rest of the gang was there too!

 Gromit and Wash ran their hearts out!

 I managed to take this adorable picture of Gromit. 

 Wash being the best buddy for a new friend. He was so calm and friendly with Dakota and made her feel safe when the other dogs were being a little too pushy and noisy. Here he is saying "Why are you lying down? Let's run!" She and Wash got along really well. 

 Tucker with Spencer in the background.

 Snoopy enjoying a rub down at the kids spa.

And Dakota enjoying some love from myself.

Even in the chaos of the new dog I got Wash to come to me (A HUGE accomplishment for us) "Come" with distractions has always been a very difficult thing for Wash and I in our training and one of the kids managed to get it with my camera!

 I called him from a loooooooong way away. 

AND HE CAME TO ME!

-Brandolyn

A Present for Wash

A little while ago the brilliant ZW, surprised Wash and I with a handmade gift for the pooch.

 If you can't tell by the first picture, it's a hand made leather collar cut, stained, fit to his size perfectly and stamped with Wash's signature line from the show Firefly.

 "I am a leaf,"

 "on the wind."

ZW asked for a good picture of Wash and his collar but the pooch was too fluffy to see the collar well, I'll have to get another one now that he's been trimmed up a bit. This was as good as I could get at the time.

THANKS A MILLION ZW!!! We love it and he wears it everyday!!!


-Brandolyn