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Here we are walking the trails ….

Mom gets to feed the birds, especially the chickadees which land on her hand and select from the assortment of bird seed and peanuts that she brings. This time we also saw a Downy Woodpecker foraging around on the ground. I admit that I don’t see a reason for all this bird interest, but here’s a video ..

Sometimes we stop so Mom and Dad can take even more pictures and videos of the birds … I must say that part of my outing is boring.

After what I consider to be a reasonable amount of time spent just sitting on the trail or benches, I’ll get up and poke Dad’s leg with my nose to let him know I think it’s time to move on. It hardly ever works …

The next video is from one of those stops showing a Spotted Towhee. When Dad took this video, as far as I was concerned, it was already well past a reasonable amount of waiting time!

With the arrival of spring just around the corner, I expect that I will be getting more park outings. After a long winter indoors, I am looking forward to them.

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.

Here’s what she’s noticed:

• on longer off-leash walks (like at North 40), I am taking more side trips into the bushes and fields again, rather than sticking to the main trail or sometimes even going back towards the car on my own
• after a big walk, I’m ready for another the next day … before I often needed a day or more to recuperate
• if I am laying down on the floor and hear a noise or am called, I get up quicker and easier than before
• I am walking higher on my toes again, rather than on the backs of my paws

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.

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

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.

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!

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!

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…”.