Tag Archive for: Penny

Meet Spike

IMG_0120After not having a dog for a couple of months I decided it was time to bring another fur ball into the house. I missed the companionship and, while nothing could ever replace Penny, decided it was time to start looking for a new dog. I knew I wanted to adopt a rescue. I also knew I wanted a small dog and wanted one that was already housebroken. I started my search, hitting up the humane society, looking on PetFinder, and going to adoption events as PetsMart. It took a few weeks of searching, but I finally found a handsome fella to bring home.

Spike is a 2 year old terrier mix (he looks like he has some corgi in him). I actually adopted him on his birthday. He’s a sweet little guy that loves to be pet. I’ve had him for a couple of months now and he has settled in quite nice. I’m still trying to teach him how to play (he’s not interested in playing, just wants to be pet and scratched). He’s pretty hesitant of new people but he took to me right away. I’m glad I was able to provide a home for him.

Goodbye, My Friend

IMG_1066It’s a weird thing to call and schedule the time in which you will say goodbye to your best friend forever. That’s what I did today. Over the past couple of months (starting shortly after the seizures) Penny’s health started to deteriorate. I first noticed it when she would attempt to jump on the bed and wouldn’t make it. Now, that’s not totally abnormal. She’s a small dog, but it was happening a lot more than normal.

The second time I noticed something was wrong was when she was standing on her back legs with her front paws on my legs and I was scratching down her sides. All of the sudden her left leg just collapsed and she fell down. Things seemed to pick up quickly from here. She continued to have more and more issues jumping on the bed and then even the (much lower) couch. I even bought pet stairs so she could still get in bed. She never used them. Read more

Penny and Seizures

pennyFor those of you that don’t know, this is Penny, my Boston Terrier. I’ve had Penny in my life for 7 years now. She is a sweet dog that gives nothing but love to anyone she meets. She has been the best dog that I could have asked for.

A couple of months ago Penny had a seizure. I was home at the time and was sitting on the couch. She was making a nest on a blanket on the floor. All of the sudden she started to spasm. Her back legs went stiff and she was trembling across the carpet. At first, I thought she did something to her leg while trying to make a nest. When I got down to the floor, I knew that wasn’t it. Her legs were going flailing uncontrollably and her eyes were glassy. I picked her up and started rubbing her belly to calm her (still not completely sure what was happening) and could feel her getting hot in my arms. Then she started panting. After a total of about 30 seconds, it was over. She came out of it right away. After a few more seconds of holding her, I put her down, and she went off running around the house like nothing happened. I called my sister to get some advice. Coincidently, just a few days before I overheard her talk about her dog having a seizure. She said that taking her to the vet probably wouldn’t do much good since by then all signs of the seizure would have passed. Who knows, she might not have one again. So, I decided on a wait and see approach. If she started having them regularly, I’d take her to the vet. Read more

My Dog Likes TV

Penny enjoys watching TV. No really, she actually watches it. When the previous owner told me this I thought she was exaggerating and just meant she likes to hear the sound of the TV. I was wrong. She will sit with me on the recliner or couch and watch TV, for several minutes, if something interests her. It is really weird. I’ve never seen a dog this interested in tv. Of course, she’s not interested in most things I watch, like baseball and network programming. She prefers shows with animals in them. I was watching an episode of Planet Earth and she watched for 10 or 15 minutes. Sometimes she’ll be walking by the TV and something will grab her attention and she’ll stop and stand in front of the TV for several minutes, watching the screen, until she gets bored and moves on.

The funniest moment was last night. One of my favorite so-bad-it’s-good movies, Congo, was on. I turned it on right at a scene where Amy the gorilla had a close up. She instantly became curious and watched the TV. She then started getting excited, like she wanted to play with the gorilla. She moved closer and closer to the TV and then even stood on her hind legs and put her face inches from the screen. The scene changed and she sat back down, but not before watching another 5 minutes of the movie. My dog is weird.

Dog People

I had a dog growing up but I was a kid.  I wasn’t part of the dog owner culture that I have now come to know.  Like all dog people I love my dog.  I love playing with her and buying her toys and treats.  I love sitting with her in my lap while I watch TV.  That is where my commonalities with dog people end.  I do not throw parties for my dog nor do I dress her up.  The biggest difference between these people and me is that she is not my kid.

Yes, believe it or not, my dog is my dog.  She is not my kid.  Yes, I talk to her because I know that dogs recognize the tone in your voice and know when to be happy, sad, and sorry for what they’ve done.  Since I’ve gotten her though, other people have treated her like she’s my kid.  There is a neighbor in my complex comes over and bugs the crap out of me and makes Penny hyper.  She thinks because I have a dog and I’m outside that she can just come over and play with her.  She talks to her nonstop and tries to get her as excited as possible.  Normally I wouldn’t mind, but this woman is annoying and refers to me as Penny’s daddy. She’s not the only one though.  Several people seem to think it’s ok to come over and play with my dog.  If I’m taking the dog for a walk, that’s fine, but when I’m standing outside in the dark at 10:00 at night, I’m not walking the dog.  I’m waiting for the dog to do her business.  I don’t need you to distract her so that she doesn’t want to go.  Have some respect and back off.