The Kids Are Growing Up

You may remember the post about Junior, the puppy I got over the summer. He is now 11 months and grew some more. His coat turned more blonde, and his tail is now a big plume.
Another shelter puppy has come along; Casper was found in North Pole as a stray. He was adopted, but the new owner couldn't keep him due to landlord issues. So now he's here and having a blast playing with Junior! Casper just turned 5 months old.

Jerry

Jerry was a retired sled dog from a local resort. I rescued him this summer along with 4 other resort dogs who were too old to work anymore. Jerry was a handsome fellow, all white except for the brown on his ears. No one knew what his history was, except that he was a trained sled dog (and had no dew claws, so he was from a mushing breeder), and he didn't want to run anymore. Jerry was well socialized and nothing seemed to surprise him.

I noticed as winter started that he was experiencing a lot of pain when trying to stand. His hips were shot. Medications helped a little. I assisted Jerry going in and out of the house, or up the stairs. More recently he was in great pain and having more difficulty; for a while I put off the terrible decision. But yesterday it was finally time and I put him to sleep. The resort thinks he was 11 years old. I think he was about 9. Jerry was very good with our other dogs and had a gentle way about him.

Dog Cam

Some of you may have heard that I had surgery recently and have been laid up around the house. Michael installed a couple of surveillance cameras downstairs (really cheap from Sam's Club). So now, instead of racing up and down the stairs to see what the dogs are up to, I can monitor them on the TV when upstairs! Complete with sound! I've been able to save a lot of things (my desk, my computer, the cameras, plastic airline kennels) from getting chewed up by Clifford, since I can now catch him in the act. Here's a shot of what my office looks like on-screen (clockwise, Snorri on HIS Kuranda bed, Forest entering the room, Blackie on the floor, BamBam under the desk).


Below, the second camera catches Forest, Glacier, Walker, Cliffie looking for trouble. Bootsie and Winter are on the Kuranda beds. PS: We had plenty of pretty dogbeds, the fluffy pillow-type with fancy fabrics -- all of which were destroyed during the week I spent in the hospital. Guess they had some anxiety. They have not tried to destroy the Kuranda beds, yet.

Snow Dogs

First snow storm for this winter, about 5 inches. Suzie likes it!