(197) And Now Its Time to Say Good Bye

And now its time to say good bye. I’ve enjoyed writing for much longer than I thought possible. Sometimes it was a struggle to write something coherent and sometimes it was a struggle to think of something worthwhile to say. But I want to say thank you to those of you who did read the blog once in a while and also to those who took the time out of their busy schedules to drop a few lines in the comment section, thank you even more. We (Beeks and I ) had fun expressing some of the dog ideas we thought up and it is always an adventure getting Beeks to express himself through pictures. Now that this old dog has learned the art of blogging it is time to say good bye. Writing everyday is the best part. It encourages my brain to work hard, figuring out how best to express the ideas that constantly run through it. Now it has become difficult to think up new ideas. I truly thought finding new things to write about would not be so difficult. It is.


I love my dog, enjoy spending time with him and I think he is a naturally silly animal. He’s a player and he is determined to find others that love to play. He keeps me smiling all the time. I love our other big boy, Maxie. He’s like the under developed big kid that is naively going through life not knowing his size. There isn’t a mean bone in his body. He’s so willing to please. I just love the big wookie.

So, after 197 posts, Beeker and I say good bye, we hope you have great dog days ahead.

Thank you

(196) Dogs World Views

While Beeker played with a number of different breeds of dogs this past weekend at the dog park, I began to think about dogs and dog breeds. I watched as Beeker worked to engage with different dogs by bowing as he approached them or by siding up to them but not looking directly at them. I thought his approach was the same one that I have seen him use while playing with Maxie. It seemed to work for him. I also noticed that he developed a new approach, the cattle dog herding crouch which I had not observed previously. No other dog in the park was crouching as others approached. The Golden Retriever was only concerned with fetching the ball that its owner was throwing. The intact male mixed breed was semi curious about Beeker but mostly just wanted to claim everything including the female greyhound.


Here’s my point of curiosity. I wonder what would happen if the park were full of just cattle dogs. Would they all run around trying to herd each other? If the park were full of all Golden’s would they just run after thrown balls? Allowing for individual differences, I wonder if like breeds of dogs know that they are the same breed? Or do they individually approach the world with a certain way of approaching and playing with other dogs? Does Maxie know (understand) that he is a different breed of dog than Beeker? Does he know that he is different breed and species than Chez? Does he think that he is just a member of this family and that we are all the same? I do know that Max doesn’t bark at Chez but he will bark incessantly at the black cat that walks in our neighbor’s back yard. We often joke that Maxie doesn’t know his own size. He thinks he;s a small dog. I’ve heard others say that their little dogs think they are huge and don’t know they are little. Maybe it’s the same with breeds. Maybe they are all lumped together to them into “dog” category, or into prey and predator category.

I would love to watch one of the dog meet ups that some large cities have at dog parks. In Seattle my nephew takes his Italian Greyhound to an IG Meet Up at their park where Iggies will all meet to interact. This would be a hoot to see. All one breed together doing what the breed does. Do they look into the eyes of another Iggy and think, “Oh look it’s a dog that looks just like me!” Or do they look at another and think, “Oh Goody, a small fast dog that likes to run like me!” I know dogs probably just enjoy the company of another dog that likes to pay in a similar fashion and most dogs are able to adapt to other dogs style of play but how cool would it be to play with 50 herding dogs all chasing and nipping at each other’s tails and heels? I’d love for Beeks to be outrun when he plays. He’s so quick in his maneuvering I’d love to see another Texas Heeler playing with him to see if his quickness is an individual trait or a breed trait. Can you imagine a Meet Up of 50 Beagles? Yea, that would be a quiet time in the park!

I wonder if it makes the world less interesting to play with your own breed. I mean, herding dogs like to herd but do they like to herded? And Golden’s love to retrieve balls but what if you never get to retrieve one because the demand is so great? The fun is in the actual doing. I think it would be extremely exciting to watch a breed Meet Up but for the dogs I wonder if it is just as true for them as it is for humans. Variety really is the spice of life isn’t it?

(195) Bang the Drums and Queue the Thunder

When we came to my folks house to visit my dad we didn’t know we were going to have such a big bang time, with so much excitement. For one, we didn’t anticipate the late night thunderstorm with the loud thunder and bright lightening during the night. It was such a storm that the storm warning sirens blew to let us know that a storm was headed our direction. We didn’t need no stinking sirens to let us know that! The wind and thunder were amazing, but the continual lightning strikes were what threw Beeks into a tizzy. At first he just snuggled up closer to me but soon he would bolt upright with his whole body shaking as he panted. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to get down from the bed or stay near me where he was safe. Then in a panic he jumped off the bed and tried to hide under it. When he couldn’t get under he jumped back up to the top of the bed with the next zap of lightning. When I sat up trying to figure out what would calm him best without causing him further panic I thought about opening the door but I admit I thought I might get electrocuted by touching the metal door latch. I also figured that if I opened the door Beeker would run and hide somewhere in the house (in the basement maybe) and I would not be able to find him. So I kept the door closed and when he lay down next to me, I patted him calmly to let him know I was near and that I was calm. Midwestern thunderstorms can be incredibly powerful and at the same time a beautiful lightshow. Last night or rather this morning’s thunderstorm was one of the most powerful storms I can remember. I felt sorry for Beeker who didn’t understand how wonderful it is to see the lightning and then count until the thunder booms to see how far away the lightening is. Some of them were pretty close and scared us both with its closeness. They must have hurt his ears and I know he was suffering something awful.


This morning, when we finally woke the storm was still in the area and although we didn’t have the lightning we still had some distant thunder with some associated rain. We were planning on attending the local Labor Day parade and after some deliberation we decided to go. Whenever we are in town during Labor Day we always go to this parade, it’s simple and has all the necessary makings of a parade, candy is tossed, bands play, and there are lots of cars, trucks and floats. As is typical of a Labor Day parade in an election year, there are the politicians and beauty queens. So even though we were threatened by rain we went. How could we not allow Beeks the pleasure of a parade? What I had not anticipated was how loud the Drum Corp would be in the opening act. This was not just some kids learning to walk in a line and bang drums; this was a coordinated effort that we love to watch since it brings kids of all ages together to express their “soul” and attitude. They’re Great! Beeks didn’t think so. To say he wigged out is a gross understatement. He was so frantic and we were right up close and personal just on the sidewalk next to the road. Beeks was so frantic that he backed up under my chair and twisted himself into a knot. The man sitting next to me tried to help calm Beeker but ended up only getting his thumb also caught up in his collar. From that point on, I got up and walked him away from our area to a further area each time a band or loud drum sound would come around the corner. This worked much better. See… even an old lady can learn something new. Each time the loud sound would pass; Beeker was interested in going back to our seats, to see what the next act was. He was interested and curious to see the dogs and kids walking down the street throwing candy. Even the animal shelter was in attendance walking dogs, passing out dog treats. I think the parade and the storm were especially unique experiences for Beeker. He’s exhausted now that we are back to Papa’s. He went outside and ran a bit with my brother but now he’s a typical CD (cashed dog). Life’s good when you’re a happy dog.

(194) Beeker's Day Out

Beeks and I are on a little road trip today. Brad had to work and so we decided to drive to spend the night with my dad. My mom is visiting her sister in Florida this week so this was a perfect time to take a drive and to spend some quality time together. It isn’t often that Beeks is away from Maxie and I think it is important for him to do some independent traveling and activities. Beeks is very attached to Maxie and looks to him for approval and confidence when he’s in a new situation. I want Beeks to get more confident with being on his own in new situations. We had the chance to practice this today after we arrived at my parent’s house and dad and I decided we should take a drive to the local dog park so Beeker could get a little run in before dinner.


When we arrived at the park there were no other dogs there and my dad asked if I had a ball o throw for Beeks. I did and gave a big ball to dad saying that Beeks doesn’t really go for fetching.

Indeed, he will chase the ball only so far and then run off in another direction. He’s no retriever. Dad threw the ball trying to get Beeker to cooperate but he was much more interested in the new smells and the new environment than fetching a big round ball. Soon a Golden retriever and his owner arrived to step things up a bit. The golden was interested in fetching and went for the ball right away. Beeks went for the golden, trying desperately to get him to play. The golden was focused on the ball, not Beeker. The golden’s owner threw the ball repetedly trying to get Beeker and the golden to play together but instead as the Golden ran for the ball, Beeker crouched like a cattle dog in the field, waiting for the prey to arrive just close enough to jump up and surprise it. This happened repeatedly. This is the first time I have seen Beeker display the cattle dog herding crouch on his own, waiting for the prey to arrive. It was a hoot. There is some instinct inside him for herding, he loves going for Max’s tail, and pulling Max down, and now this instinctual behavior to crouch facing the herd to wait patiently for the exact moment of pouncing. I couldn’t have taught him this. A little while later another dog, just about the same size as Beeker arrived. The dogs looked like a cross between a cattle dog and a Bernese mountain dog. It was an intact male who went around the whole area marking it and claiming everything as its own. Beeker did interact with this dog somewhat more that the Golden and although this dog interacted with Beeker by playing appropriately (sniffing and smelling, and parallel play) it was much more interested in urinating on everything. Beeks got tired of following this dog and walked around on his own. Then the excitement began. A female Greyhound appeared who obviously had some issue (in heat) going because she also urinated constantly. Beeks at first tried to engage with her and the cattle dog /Bernese MD but soon figured out that they were working on a different level than he was and went back to stalking the BMD. I was proud of how Beeker interacted with these dogs, he did engage and yet was not a pest to them. He engaged them and yet he wasn’t persuaded to act like a bully. He was so appropriate and well behaved that when he came and layed down by us we figured that was our hint that he was ready to leave. And so we did. Back at Papa’s house he got fed and watered (boy was he thirsty) and now he’s stretched out by my feet asleep, tired out by his full day. Occasionally he raises his head or gets up to look out the window when he hears a local dog barking, or he’s listen for Max maybe?

(193) The Rock and the Worm

Last night was the best sleep I can remember. We slept with the windows open and the breeze was fantastic. The temps got down to the low 50’s and tonight promises to be just as cool, down into the 40’s. Autumn has officially arrived in town. All day it smelled like Fall and we have turned off the air conditioner and kept the windows open. We stayed in bed even after waking and had a “family reunion” with the dogs. Brad called Maxie up on the bed and up he came. Once on the bed, Max settles right down, taking up his half of the King size bed. I can’t blame him, he’s big and he really doesn’t like the unstable feeling he gets from the movement of walking on it. So down he goes. He’s like a rock, he doesn’t move. When I call Beeks up, he looks at me, not moving, looks at Max’s position then jumps up in a delayed reaction. When he arrives he moves right to the middle of the bed, between Brad and me, which ends up moving the cat out of his space. Chez moves to the bottom of the bed and settles for third place. (Don’t feel sorry for Chez, he gets his space back soon enough when the dogs can’t stand all of the quiet and calm, and get down from the bed.) However, for the time being, we are all snug as bugs in a rug.


We’re all quiet, calm and happy that today is Saturday and we don’t have to work, a “free” day finally. Quiet and calm until…Beeks just can’t stand it. He starts to nuzzle up to me with his nose, trying to get me to pet him. When I do, he’s satisfied, quiets down again, until I quit petting, trying to get just one more minute of shut eye. He starts nuzzling again, and we repeat the whole process until I just won’t play, so he starts in on Brad. Brad is clearly more asleep than I and Beeks has to work harder to get his point across, but he does. He flips Brad’s hand, his arm, then puts his cold little nose right on Brad’s cheek. That did it. After Brad spits awake, he pets Beeker to keep him quiet, not knowing that I have just spent the last fifteen minutes doing the same routine with him. HE’s like a worm, constantly moving. I can’t help but to think that we named him correctly, he truly is the Beeker! His nose has talent. This is a classic little kid behavior. I read somewhere that our pet dogs have the maturity of a two year old. Here is an example of how true it is. When my oldest was two, and very active, he use to get up early and I was still so tired that I would not have the energy to go into his room continually trying to get him to be quiet and go back to sleep until it was light out, so I would go and get him, bring him into my bed and tell him that we weren’t allowed to get up until it was light out. I would tell him that he had to go back to sleep and I would try everything possible to get him to be still and quiet, so that I could get a few more minutes of sleep. I would pat his back until I thought he was again asleep, or I would pretend that I was asleep so that he would follow suit. But, just as I was almost asleep myself or right when I thought he was again asleep he would touch my eye, or start bouncing on the bed. Oh, I hated not having enough sleep. I would start patting his back again, and we would go through the whole routine once more. By the third round I would be awake, and he would be ready to rock and roll again for the day. He was always a happy kid. Always ready for a new day, just like Beeker is each morning. He wakes up with extra energy. And he never slows down. We took the dogs on another long walk this morning and you can’t tell Beeker ever had one. He’s got the energy of a roadrunner! Not me, I think I could sleep for 10 hours every night AND take a nap every afternoon.

(192) A Cool Day for a Visit to the Vet

We have received the most beautiful breezy sunny day yet. The temps are in the 70’s and it is just the perfect day to let us know that autumn is here. I didn’t have to work today so got up and took Beeker for a walk. We walked the large figure eight and although it was not as humid as it has been we both came home panting. Good exercise for both of us. When we got back, I opened the window to let the cool air in. Fresh air smells so sweet. This is the most comfortable day we have had in three months.


This afternoon I took Maxie back to see the Veterinarian. He still has stool issues and we are concerned that he isn’t getting the nutrition he needs with the home cooked meals we’ve been cooking, although he eats them like they’re his favorite. Once we met with the Med tech, she took Max with her to run another stool sample to see if the “bacteria” they found previously was still there or gone. Although all dogs have some of this bacteria, Maxie had so much in his last sample (month ago) he was put on an antibacterial medication. This time the test came back lower but still present in larger quantities than normal so we will again put him on the antibacterial to decrease his levels. Dr. Hadley also gave Maxie a rectal exam to see if she could spot any blockages. When she met with us, she shared that although she didn’t find any blockages by her exam, she did pull a plant from his rear, a “tree” was her word for it. Since Max has had issues we haven’t allowed him out front unless he’s supervised. Last night we were so excited that the temps had dropped and that Brad was home that we let him out front with Beeks to take a romp out front. That’s where he gobbled down his tree. The doctor also recommended that we stop giving him our homemade dinners and start giving him a special Intestinal diet formula by Hill Science Diet. She wanted us to feed Maxie this kibble for a month to try to get him more solid. She also said that we should not give him ANY sweet potato or green beans or carrots. She said that these are fibrous and encourage “going” instead of solidifying it. Opps. Well, maybe the sweet potatoes are the reason he got the runny diarrhea. So this is the next step in our poop trauma/drama. We will feed Maxie the special id/, and the antibacterial, then in two weeks we will take Max back to be weighed (Max weighed in about 17 pounds less than lasts month’s weigh in). If Max hasn’t gotten more solid then we will have blood tests run to determine if he has an abdominal disorder. This is a slow process and is not only frustrating but also expensive. This hour trip to the Vet cost us $ 150. Aghhhh!

Oh, as a side note, I left Beeker at home for our little trip to the Vet. He was so sad eyed when we left. Much like Max is when Beeker and I leave him home. When we returned home, Beeks was so anxious to get the update from Max he smelled him all over. Do you think he figured out where Maxie had been?

(191) Rain and Ruggedness

Hallelujah! Its finally raining here! We have not had a significant amount of rain for a month! It started raining during the night and will continue on I suspect all day. This is a drenching rain, the kind that farmers love to have come down on their fields. I hope this rain can save my bushes. They were starting to lose their leaves. I hope they aren’t dying.


This morning I did my regular morning routine and while I got my breakfast ready Beeks looked at me with anticipation of our walkabout. He had already been outside once earlier before his breakfast feeding but he is always ready for his run. I wasn’t about to go outside and get soaked in the downpour but I thought , “what the heck, if he wants to go, I’ll let him”. I opened the front door and Beeks shot out with his typical bullet excitement. He headed right for the ornamental grass around the light pole that is always his first stop on the freedom train. Then it hit him. The rain was coming down so hard and he was out there and I had not followed him. He looked up, saw that I was nowhere near him but standing inside the door in the comfort of my home. He turned tail and ran straight back to the door looking like a drowned rat. His ears were down, his tail was down and he was soaked to the bone. Some cattle dog he is! Not exactly the breed standard for fearlessness. This whole scene took less than one minute. I had to laugh at my champion.

Now, seven hours later, I’m home again and the sun is out, shining like it never rained. The heat and humidity have returned but with a slight wind that masquerades as a tropical breeze. This evening when the heat has subsided somewhat we will take our first walk in a long time. Brad expects to be home at a “reasonable time”(wink wink) so we are hoping to get at least a short figure eight walk in. I have tomorrow off, the first in a long time and am looking forward to starting back up with walks. I need them and so does Beeker. I can tell he is bored by the way he keeps at Maxie. Poor Maxie has to almost hide to get away from Beeker nipping at his heels and tail. Maxie hasn’t been outside on a walk in a long time. I know he will love spending time with the love of his life… Brad.

(190) He's Happy in the Morning and I Know It (so stomp your feet!)

The second article that inspired me from the Bark Magazine was one that expressed that all dogs wake up happy. The essay suggested that dogs wake up happy because they are carnivores and are eager for the new day of hunting. While it is true that Max and especially Beeker are excited to get outside and to eat their breakfast I think Beeker wakes up happy because he has had wonderful doggy dreams (legs moving and whimpering included) and he hasn’t seen his buddy Maxie all night and he is anticipating playing and getting to go outside for a walkabout. Beeker is by nature a happy dog. He twirls his tail around in a circle and if he is extremely happy to see me in the morning he will even let out a Beeker Howl which is not like a bark with a sharp start and abrupt ending, but rather a low start with a vertical arcing volume and an ending that is sometimes so high I think he is going to continue with a song. His howl is only a one note vocalization but it gets his happiness point across. I know a dog that is so happy to see people in the morning that he actually grins. The corners of each side of his mouth go up and he show all of his teeth when he first greets people. At no other times of the day does he do this, only the first greeting of the morning. It is such a hoot to see and I actually didn’t believe it the first time and asked others if I had seen what I thought I saw. Yep. He’s the original smiling dog in the morning. Max is more subtle with his morning excitement. I think this is due to his master’s morning temperament. Max’s master likes to have a while to wake up and doesn’t really understand why people talk for the first three hours of the day. It could be that dogs reflect their owner’s morning attitude. All I know is that Beeker greets the day like he’s late for a birthday party and it’s his birthday. He’s just a happy dog. He’s so happy he’s infectious (Even to Max’s owner! Shhhh, don’t tell Max’s owner).

On the other hand, I’ve been noticing that I’TS COMING! It is still hot outside, with temperatures in the high 80’s and 90’s but it’s coming anyway. I noticed this morning on our walkabout that the grass is drying and the leaves are starting to fall on our deck. If you’re patient and take in a slow deep breath you might even be able to smell it. If you have to drive the back roads or through the country you will definitely be able to tell it is on its way. The dried beans and corn stocks are a dead giveaway. Another unmistakable way to tell is to look at the calendar. But that is really cheating so you may just want to use your eyes and ears and nose to tell that it is on its way. I have to admit that this is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the changing colors of the leaves, the crunch of my shoes on the leaves, and the cooler nights. The dryness is in the air. A friend and I try to take a trip each September or October to the Corn Maze just to act like kids and get lost in the corn. It smells so wonderful while we are trying to find our way out. But just to let you know, autumn is on its way and coming fast.