Good Bloggie!

Hum, maybe we’ve let Rocksie watch one too many episodes of “Heros”?

Wishing you lots of fun and may your treat jars be filled to the brim!

As if you didn’t have enough to worry about, now Poochie is susceptible to the contagious H3N8 strain of dog flu.

We’ve heard of this before. This strain started as an equine (horse) flu and mutated to a canine flu. The canine version was first documented around 2003, and this may be good news as Poochie could have contracted it already and developed antibodies. The other good news is that neither the canine or the horse strain is contagious to humans.

We have to wonder if this is was going through the dog shows earlier this year. Our Rocksie picked up something at a spring show, but her symptoms didn’t exactly match the list for this flu. Fortunately, after a vet visit and a round of meds, she was fine and no one else in the house seemed to get what she had. (Perhaps because they are older?) Did hear of several show dogs this spring and summer who got sick, some with tragic results.

If your dog or pup goes to doggie daycare, a groomer, public parks, dog shows, or other public venues, you might keep an eye out for these symptoms:

• Cough (sounds like the dog has something stuck in its throat);
• Runny nose;
• Discharge from the eyes;
• Fever (hot ears are often a sign of fever);
• Loss of appetite;
• Weakness and lethargy.

And just like humans, if your dog is exhibiting any of these symptoms, do other dogs a favor. Keep your guys home until they are well.

There is a flu vaccine for your dog. It won’t keep your pooch from getting the flu, but can reduce its severity. To read more about the vaccination, visit this link: Dog Flu Vaccine

For much more about this flu, visit the links below:

Fox News
WFAA Dallas
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Some of you may know by now, our Monty went to live on the West Coast. What you may not know is that he’s become…a biker! Not that kind of biker – a touring bike biker.

That's 24 pounds of Frenchie muscle in that basket, in case you are wondering how your Frenchie might fare.

One of his owners recently bought a special bike basket so he can share the road and the ride with her. He really seems to like it. They have taken a few mile-long rides and they plan to up the distance. Especially those trips with a lunch spot being the destination.

Want one of these baskets for your travel pal? You can order them from Cynthia’s Twigs. She has various bike baskets and accessories to go with them. Choose your basket liner and pooch cushion fabric, a harness to keep him or her from bailing and chasing the ice cream man, your bike rack, and some flowers to really do up your basket! (Note: no flowers on Monty’s basket. He’s a dapper dude. More into Pirates than flowers. In fact, he’s probably wondering if he can get that liner fabric in a Jolly Roger pattern.)

Links to site:
www.cynthiastwigs.com
Accessory page

In this photo you can see the basket harness.

Many thanks to Mark Peterson for permission to use his Monty and His Basket photos.

And she did!

On Sunday, October 18th she won the coveted purple ribbon at the Bell County Kennel Club show. She took both it, and the Best of Opposite ribbon, out of the ring under judge Rodney Merry. Many thanks to him for recognizing our girl’s merits.

And of note, all the point-winning Frenchies on Saturday and Sunday were owner-handled dogs. Congrats to all those hardy souls who got up so early to show their dogs. Rocksie and I even got to see one boy earn his final points to finish!

How did Rocksie celebrate? By picking out a post-win toy, then going home to for a long, well-deserved nap. zzzzzzzzz…