Beatrice's Blog - following the daily activities of a Chow Chow on her adventures
Yes, it’s that time again … not my favorite holiday.
So as you can see, the peeps decided to pumpkinize me this year.
I finally understand what Mom keeps saying about clothes sizes not being accurate (it bugs her that sometimes she has to get size XL in t-shirts) … would you believe I had to get a size XL myself?! What do those larger dogs do for costumes ??
Have a safe one and no snatching chocolate from the treat bowl.
It’s been a month now since my operations to inject stem cells into my joints (shoulder and hips). Over the last week Mom has finally been noticing definite improvement … she was starting to think it wasn’t going to work since she had read on some web sites that results start to appear after a single week. Guess I’m a slow healer 
Here’s what she’s noticed:
Of course, I still have that stiff ‘Chow Chow walk’ and I still sometimes limp a bit – but Mom figures that the muscles and tendons are less inflamed — so I’m in less pain. She says that she can tell I’m happier and that my ‘expression’ is more relaxed. She’s right! Let’s hope there is continued improvement … so many bunnies and squirrels, so little time.
Some of you may know about my arthritis and hip problems. Well, as I’m getting older, it’s really limiting my ability to do all the activities I want.
When stem cell therapy was suggested by our Vet as a possible treatment, we read up on it and discussed it thoroughly. And decided it was worth a try.
So the first step was to harvest the cells. That involves an abdominal operation and fat cells are removed. The cells are then activated/grown. Here’s a link telling you all about the Stem Cell Therapy.
For the pain from the operation, a got a narcotics patch, but I really don’t do well on narcotics. Some dogs enjoy the drugged out sensation, but I fight it all the way, and get twitchy and anxious. I had to wear a neck ring made out of a towel to stop me from licking the incision … it was this or a plastic cone, and I really hate those. It took a few days for me to get back to normal after the operation.
Then 3 days after the op, the stem cells were injected into both my hips and elbows, while I was under anaesthetic.
Now it’s ‘wait and see’. Many dogs have had exceptional results, most have some improvement and some don’t experience any benefit.
Let’s hope I’m in the first category!
And what do you think about the lousy trim job they had to do on me? It looks like Edward Scissorhands was starting to do a poodle cut
Hi all! Sorry that my Blog has been stagnant … I discovered Facebook and have been using my paws there. But … I’m a long-winded girl and FB isn’t really my cup of kibble … so I’ll be back on my Blog with new posts every week to 10 days.
This year’s Paws for a Cause was held on Sept 11th. We went to the Coquitlam location and walked around Lafarge lake with about 200 other dogs. We were asked to go around twice, but many of us only went once. It was really hot! Some dogs needed to go for a swim, but I just took a time out and sat in the shade with my peeps (it was hard to find an area with no goose do-do).
Thanks to all the organizers and participants for making Paws for a Cause 2011 so much fun! And check out my dog walks forum, for lots more dog pictures.
Although Mother Nature seems to be having trouble this year … we managed to have a great (cooler and rainy) week in the Shuswap!
We stayed at the same cabin we rented last year and some of the old gang was there to greet me. The birds, the squirrels, Max the lab next door … but no gophers. Mom made friends with Rusty, a little red squirrel who liked her bird seed and peanut offerings. Check out a YouTube video of Rusty’s antics by clicking here.
I played hide and seek with Stumpy (a red squirrel with a short tail) at the woodpile. Here I am checking out the trees to see if Stumpy is hiding in them. We also hiked the Flume Trail and went on day trips in the area.
But all good things must end … and it was back to work for me … but what can I say, I love my job. Deterring bunnies at Dunsmuir Gardens is just about the best job a bunny-loving Chow could have. The first day was rough and I had to stop for a couple of water breaks, but now I’m back in the swing of things. Watch out you lettuce-eating rabbits!
Sunday, June 26th was the annual Delta Community Animal Expo at Memorial Park in Ladner. The weather was perfect and the turnout was great. It was put on by the Delta Community Animal Shelter, and they did a wonderful job.
Many organizations had set up tents and were there with information, goodies, shows and animals. So many people do such good work in the pet community – it’s great for them to get together so that we can see them all in one place.
Lee from Pets N Us was there doing a raffle – his and his sister’s stores are always involved with stuff for charity.
The Little Paws Rescue Society booth was very popular. They had some dogs who had found homes and there were a couple that were looking for the right person. Mom thought she was the right for a specific Pom … Dad and I vetoed the idea.
BC Guide Dogs did a demonstration on how dogs help the blind. I watched that very carefully … I bet I could do that job!
In The Doghouse Training was there, represented by the very well-behaved Merlin.
HugABull was popular with “Bully Breed” lovers.
And it wasn’t all about dogs … The B.C. Exotic Bird Society was represented.
The Reptile Rescue and Adoption Society was represented as well.
I also spotted some bunnies (ok Mom … THOSE you can bring home) and little kittens for adoption.
I know there were other organizations there … sorry if I’ve missed mentioning you … I took down as much information in ‘shortpaw’ as I could.
We even saw a lady with her pet ferret enjoying the day.
Overall, a good time was had by all.
Thanks to all the people who were involved in making this event so much fun – it was a wonderful day!
Well, it sure seemed like a long time in coming … Spring here on the west coast was wetter and colder than normal. Not that I mind … but when it’s pouring, it’s sometimes hard to drag my peeps out for a walk. Here’s a shot from a past summer when it was warm and sunny … I’ll keep my paws crossed for a repeat season.
Today it was beautiful and sunny and we gardened and went for a short walk. Don’t get tricked by that garden photo of a bunny, though … it’s plastic (I checked just to be sure).
We do have a real neighbourhood bunny as well, and I see it every week or so … doing a stake-out from my deck for any of its appearances. I bark whenever I see it to let my peeps know, but never seem to get out the front door like I want … I nicknamed it “flower” because that’s what it eats from the neighbour’s gardens … bad bunny!!
Yeah summer! Have a good one!
As the tagline to my Metro Vancouver Dog Walks site says “So many parks, so few weekends…”. We’re still doing our research and it’s good to see that the site is getting visitors.
This weekend I visited my 100th park — Shaughnessy Park. It is the only official Off-Leash Dog Park in Port Coquitlam, and I think it does the city proud.
It was a busy place … you could tell that a lot of the dogs and people were regulars and knew each other. It’s also a nice place to visit if you happen to be in that area. While not huge, there’s enough place to wander around, benches for the humans and shade (that will come in handy if this nice weather keeps up). And as always, the busy dog parks have a greeting party, whose job is to check out all the new dogs.
Shaughnessy Dog Park has a special area for small dogs, but that was empty yesterday — the smaller guys were having a good time in the general area with the big guys. Although there is no place to drink in the fenced area, my peeps put me on a leash and we walked a short way to the Coquitlam River. A great way to cool off the paws!
After the walk, we went to Starbucks in Port Coquitlam to celebrate my 100th dog park. Mom forgot to bring my dog biscuits, so she bought me a vanilla bean scone instead … it was yummy! She took some of the icing off of the scone before breaking it into pieces for me … but I don’t really think she needed to do that .. I like icing.
So, instead of always going to the same dog park … make sure you and your peeps check out my dog walks site and choose a park that suits you (whether your favourite is grass fields, forest trails, or ocean and river swimming). Maybe one of the Destination Parks. And don’t forget to spread the word about the Metro Vancouver Dog Walks site!
“So many parks, so few weekends…”.
… I’m ready for your next mission!
It’s in the newspapers and on TV — a Belgian Shepherd (?) was instrumental in nabbing that Bin Laden.
Well, I’ve been in training, am outfitted now and ready to help you seek out other terrorists.
Note my high-tech equipment:
Flak Jacket – Kevlar and waterproof
Communication Bee Bops – to receive covert instructions
Night Vision Doggles – don’t need daylight to do my work
Navy Seal Watch – to synchronize with the rest of the Team
And think about it … when the bad guys see a Belgian or German Shepherd in a getup like this, they know you guys aren’t far behind. But if they’d see me … they’d think it’s just some crazy lady playing dress-up with her Chow Chow. Now, that’s covert operations!
I think Mother Nature is finally getting it right!
Today in my area of the West (wet) Coast, it was sunny and 18C — such a welcomed change from the colder than normal temps and rain we’ve been having. In fact, April was one of the coldest on record for Vancouver, and we even had snow on April 21st.
So, Mom and I headed out to the North 40 — we saw much more new growth than just a week ago. I chased 2 bunnies … it’s a shame that Mom isn’t quicker with the camera … but she did manage to get a movie of me looking for one where I chased it into the tall grasses. The bunny had surprised me by running across the path we were walking along … boy, that was fun !!
After all that running, I was hot and needed a drink and a quick dip. Mom said that I would be stinky after wading in the dirty ditch, so when we got home, the hose and towels came out and then I just sat and dried in the sun.
What a great afternoon!
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