Oh poor Otto, sometimes I think the poor dog just can't catch a break. He has ongoing immune problems. (And yes I am considering feeding raw. PITA. )
Twas the day before Thanksgiving and we were walking our usual route thru the woods when all of the sudden he turned towards me and tried to run between my legs! When he didn't fit, he started rubbing his muzzle frantically on my legs...I guess I thought my day had come, he finally noticed that I existed and was attempting to be affectionate for the first time in his 3 years and 10 months....no such luck.
By the time we got home about 5 minutes later, his whole face looked like we had taken a baseball bat to it! He was swollen and itching, the welts on his face were raised, I have never seen anything like it. He had raised bumps all over his face. I stayed as calm as could be, Gordy who has never ever ever been good under any kind of pressure started yelling "this is bad..THIS IS BAD...this is bad" Obviously Otto was in trouble and having a reaction to something, I grabbed a magnum of benadryl and immediately called the vet's office. The receptionist listened while I explained what was happening and said kindly, " One moment, I will connect you to a vet technician."
I am not a rude person, at least I never thought I was...but something came out of my mouth and I don't exactly know who said it. "I don't want to talk to the Technician, NO, No, see, I need to speak to a VET, a Doctor right now, not a Vet Technician! This is an emergency!" and so I did...she connected me to the attending vet who said, bring him over immediately...and so I did...and they were waiting for me as I dragged Otto thru the clinic as he continued to swell and scratch.
A tear might have popped out of my eye but I am certain it was due to a few cat hairs lingering on the waiting room floor....
The Vet was so nice, soft spoken and kind as he examined Otto's face. He pulled out a shot of Cortisone (I think that is the third one in a year) and as he stuck Otto with a long burning needle, saying this wasn't the first case of severe hives he had seen in the last few days. Perhaps Otto got into a ground bee hive, perhaps it was a reaction to the manure being spread in the fields through out the county (for sale sign is going up any moment)..and then he said, maybe Otto is allergic to something that I am feeding him...like a processed grain. I do give him milk bones, or shall I say I used to give milk bones...the over processed reward of champions..
It has been a few days and I am happy to report that Otto appears to be as normal as Otto usually is. A milk bone free, all natural grain free puppy biscuit is his new microscopic treat and all for now seems to be just fine. He remains on his holistic Chicken diet. I am watching everything he takes in to his mouth including the two baby mice and deer poop he snarfed down before I could yank him off..
He seems better but a bit lethargic. The HUGE orange snow plow went by the house at warp speed, grinding and flashing which normally would have led to a foaming growling beast...but instead he stayed quietly asleep on my pillow on the bed.
I hope he isn't aging prematurely or worse, have something terribly wrong with him. You know, I bet mothers who love their kids so much think the same thoughts every time they get sick...or every time they are late coming home...I hope he isn't....I hope he isn't.
Responsibility creates worrywarts.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Thanks and Giving
It's two days before Thanksgiving and the deer in Elkhart Lake are nervous! You can hear the shotgun blasts all over. There are four of them hiding in our woods, a mother and her babies....and Otto knows it. He is acting rabid and the windows are covered in Otto curses and ramblings.
Oh yes, life is all about Otto...except for 2 weeks ago when my sister bought an adorable 13 lb., 11 week old yellow lab puppy to stay with us for a few days. Then life became all about tending to the every need of Beasley, the world's cutest puppy. The most fun was taking her on little field trips in the car around town, it was like showing off a really really cute new baby! Everyone loves puppies, they make people smile. I love the way they run to the side, I love the way they smell. I love it that they are naughty.
I had expected the puppy to be intimidated by Otto. Otto expected the puppy to be intimidated by Otto. The puppy took one look at Otto and immediately charged into him nipping his feet. Otto looked at her as if to say, "Are You Kiddin' me??" He kept backing up and the puppy kept on coming at him. It was like watching a comedy show. Otto was very good natured and sweet with her even giving her a gentle KICK when she started chewing on his foot. I was proud of him. They were happily playing tug-of-war, my boy was gentle and kind, giving up his favorite toys with the tiny puppy thief.
One night during their stay, Otto was leaping over the puppy (and me!)Beasley was running and leaping after him, they were having the best time. Otto was putting on his best show, cornering tight and disappearing and reappearing, taunting her... until he cornered fast and came back she just jumped up and bit him....right in his privates! Otto took off straight up in the air like one of those hoovering helicopters yelping...from that point on Otto stayed clear preferring to remain up in my safe bed three feet off the ground and out of Beasley's reach.
I wonder what Otto was thinking when the puppy came in to his domain and stayed a few days. Was he wondering if he was being replaced by the cutest puppy on the planet? Was he happy to have a playmate (most of the time) Was he exhausted from all of the interruptions of his constant nap? I wonder if he thought that he now had one more thing to protect in his home...
I know one thing, I asked him for a kiss and I got one, just one, but it was the third one in four years so that tells me something.
Happy Thanksgiving, I am so thankful and grateful that I share my home with Otto.
Oh yes, life is all about Otto...except for 2 weeks ago when my sister bought an adorable 13 lb., 11 week old yellow lab puppy to stay with us for a few days. Then life became all about tending to the every need of Beasley, the world's cutest puppy. The most fun was taking her on little field trips in the car around town, it was like showing off a really really cute new baby! Everyone loves puppies, they make people smile. I love the way they run to the side, I love the way they smell. I love it that they are naughty.
I had expected the puppy to be intimidated by Otto. Otto expected the puppy to be intimidated by Otto. The puppy took one look at Otto and immediately charged into him nipping his feet. Otto looked at her as if to say, "Are You Kiddin' me??" He kept backing up and the puppy kept on coming at him. It was like watching a comedy show. Otto was very good natured and sweet with her even giving her a gentle KICK when she started chewing on his foot. I was proud of him. They were happily playing tug-of-war, my boy was gentle and kind, giving up his favorite toys with the tiny puppy thief.
One night during their stay, Otto was leaping over the puppy (and me!)Beasley was running and leaping after him, they were having the best time. Otto was putting on his best show, cornering tight and disappearing and reappearing, taunting her... until he cornered fast and came back she just jumped up and bit him....right in his privates! Otto took off straight up in the air like one of those hoovering helicopters yelping...from that point on Otto stayed clear preferring to remain up in my safe bed three feet off the ground and out of Beasley's reach.
I wonder what Otto was thinking when the puppy came in to his domain and stayed a few days. Was he wondering if he was being replaced by the cutest puppy on the planet? Was he happy to have a playmate (most of the time) Was he exhausted from all of the interruptions of his constant nap? I wonder if he thought that he now had one more thing to protect in his home...
I know one thing, I asked him for a kiss and I got one, just one, but it was the third one in four years so that tells me something.
Happy Thanksgiving, I am so thankful and grateful that I share my home with Otto.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Bride of Wood Chuckie!
Early this summer I noticed a large chipmunk in our back yard or so I thought.....
Until this morning when Otto and I got a much better view.
It is either the world's largest chipmunk or the fastest growing woodchuck in Wisconsin.
Otto has been huffing and snorting all morning.
Until this morning when Otto and I got a much better view.
It is either the world's largest chipmunk or the fastest growing woodchuck in Wisconsin.
Otto has been huffing and snorting all morning.
Friday, September 5, 2008
The Noon Howl
From bad knees and bad backs to allergies in dogs, Cortisone is a miracle drug. I would like to stock pile a gallon of the stuff. Otto, at least for the past two days is 100% back to his old self. He slept across my legs early this morning something he hasn't done in 29 days. He renewed his skid marks by the front door. He howled at the 12:00 noon siren. I have missed that howl. You can hear the dogs throughout the village of Elkhart howl at noon. Otto didn't start out howling, he started out barking at the siren, probably thinking the flashing red fire truck was coming fast as it usually did in Chicago whenever the alarm sounded. It wasn't until I tossed my head back and howled at him like a wolf that he got the general idea to sing along. It must be something that affects a dogs ears. We used to have a German Shepherd dog that would howl every time I played the piano.
Poor Otto has been in the downstairs retreat during the August itch so when he came double stepping up the stairs for his daily 15 second howl, I was thrilled that he is finally feeling better, even it if it just for a day.
Poor dog, why does he...come to think of it, why do I have allergies? My husband, who has never had an allergy in his life is convinced that they come from a weakened immune system. (His multiple sinus infections which have resulted in IMMEDIATE TRIPS TO THE URGENT CARE FACILITY don't count.) When he discusses Otto's allergies or mine, he has the same look on his face as if someone has sneezed on his dinner plate.
So, August is the official month that Otto and I would like to eliminate from the year. We both live on Benadral, both break out and generally don't feel well. Otto lost 5 lbs. due to his non stop itching, I gained 5 due to lack of exercise in the extreme heat or what ever other excuse I can muster up. It just isn't our favorite month.
Thank heavens September is here and we both howling!
Poor Otto has been in the downstairs retreat during the August itch so when he came double stepping up the stairs for his daily 15 second howl, I was thrilled that he is finally feeling better, even it if it just for a day.
Poor dog, why does he...come to think of it, why do I have allergies? My husband, who has never had an allergy in his life is convinced that they come from a weakened immune system. (His multiple sinus infections which have resulted in IMMEDIATE TRIPS TO THE URGENT CARE FACILITY don't count.) When he discusses Otto's allergies or mine, he has the same look on his face as if someone has sneezed on his dinner plate.
So, August is the official month that Otto and I would like to eliminate from the year. We both live on Benadral, both break out and generally don't feel well. Otto lost 5 lbs. due to his non stop itching, I gained 5 due to lack of exercise in the extreme heat or what ever other excuse I can muster up. It just isn't our favorite month.
Thank heavens September is here and we both howling!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Waiting for the fall...
We went back to see the vet today for the second time in 29 days and poor Otto has lost 5 lbs. The vet said that this has been the worst season for animal allergy cases. She gave Otto his second $50.00 shot of cortisone and within three hours he was up barking at the joggers outside our house and gnawing on his bone. Those shots are like miracle drugs!
When we were at the vet's office, a beautiful German Shepherd came in while we were waiting to pay our bill. Somewhere between the moment when Otto was gnawing at his foot and staring at imaginary flies above his head (Otto's new insane favorite summer past time) he lunged with all of his might at the German Shepherd. His owner said one word to his dog and his dog sat down, oblivious to my growling, scratching, fly swatting, deranged Anatolian.
You would think that there would be some sort of unwritten code of respect amongst Shepherd dogs. I told that to Otto when I was taking him to the Ottowagon. You would think that from one shepherd type to another that there would be an unspoken, no bark rule. You would think that both breeds know that they are tough, smart, loyal, fierce animals that never need to flex their muscles unless provoked... Otto told me that I have been watching too many episodes of the Dog Whisperer and that was just simply not true and it was never going to be true for him.
Glad he is feeling better.
When we were at the vet's office, a beautiful German Shepherd came in while we were waiting to pay our bill. Somewhere between the moment when Otto was gnawing at his foot and staring at imaginary flies above his head (Otto's new insane favorite summer past time) he lunged with all of his might at the German Shepherd. His owner said one word to his dog and his dog sat down, oblivious to my growling, scratching, fly swatting, deranged Anatolian.
You would think that there would be some sort of unwritten code of respect amongst Shepherd dogs. I told that to Otto when I was taking him to the Ottowagon. You would think that from one shepherd type to another that there would be an unspoken, no bark rule. You would think that both breeds know that they are tough, smart, loyal, fierce animals that never need to flex their muscles unless provoked... Otto told me that I have been watching too many episodes of the Dog Whisperer and that was just simply not true and it was never going to be true for him.
Glad he is feeling better.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Otto's least favorite month
August is coming to an end and not soon enough for Otto. Otto is horribly allergic to August. Like clockwork, on August 1st, he starts gnawing on his feet. Like clockwork, 30 days later, a $350.00 trip to the vets office, 2 weeks of antibiotics and 18 benydral a day later....he is still gnawing on his beet red feet. It is hard to imagine that this hearty and fierce dog can get reduced to such ruins. He is thin, tired and joyless. He lives on the couch downstairs, in the corner of a dark cool room and only comes up when he needs to go outside. He doesn't even bark at the trailers and boats rattling by. Very sad. His eyes look so drawn and red.
"This will pass" I told him tonight when he came up to greet some labor day dinner guests then quickly retreated back downstairs to his couch to gnaw his feet in private. Poor Otto, he is too miserable to even consider being naughty.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Otto's summer
I like the reflection in his glasses. He thinks I am an idiot I know he does.Elkhart Lake is the epitome of summer. There is an ice cream stand that serves fresh peach ice cream by a 16 year old that could be considered God's gift to summer time.
Everyone is having such a nice time...except for... you know who...Otto hates el-touristos with their boat trailers clomping down the road disturbing the Osprey's nest just below our house. Afterall, they do have babies!
Every morning, at warp speed, Otto visits the end of our 50 foot driveway and promptly tuckers out for the next mile of our walk. The dead morning june bugs fascinate him, he paws at them a few times before deciding that feel is better than taste.
The summers up here are like magic complete with lightening bugs that just thrill Otto at dusk. He jumps straight up in the air like he has springs on his paws and when he catches them, he spits them out like he swilled some Tabasco sauce...
Just when you think that life is peaceful......look what has come to our feeder every morning at 5:30 am. So much for quiet mornings....
Click on the picture for a close up of the masked foe!
Otto is going to end up in the insanery down the street...or I will from lack of sleep.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
A cool reception.
It is amazing to me, I was called away to Indianapolis for 5 days. I was so worried about Otto's care having never really left him longer then a couple of days that prior to my leaving, I asked my husband Gordy throughout the day..."Will you be nice to Otto?" "Would you mind terribly putting a few drops in his eyes if they look red?" Would you mind if it wouldn't be too much trouble sleeping half off the bed because Otto prefers to take up at least 3/4's of the available bed space...Would you please check his toenails and don't walk on the grass, he might have an allergy to grass...don't ...don't just DON'T!"..... "Will you be nice to Otto?" That was my primary concern. I was tore up about having to leave him, it hurt my heart.
So off I went, worried every day that Otto's needs were not being met....worried..worried....worried...every free chance....worrying about the worry....worried about his eyes...worried about him becoming overheated...worried about allergies...
I have become my own worst nightmare as a parent of ...A DOG! I have become one those women that I used to think to myself, "God she needs to get a life!" I worry about Otto, I think about him and I worry, to me he is fragile and precious.
Finally I returned home this past Friday..Two planes, 7 hours of travel later, I finally walked in the door and got to see my furry pal. He looked wonderful. My reception? It was considered lukewarm, I walked in and he came to the door and turned his back on me. I said in my happiest of voices. ...OTTO! OTTO! OTTO! I missed you so much, thought about you all the time, I missed you!...Otto walked back into the bedroom.. I mean he turned and walked back in...sort of slowly.....
Okay, it is bad enough that he doesn't ever give me a little lick when I come home on a daily basis ...like he does to complete strangers...so having been gone for 5 days and receive this sort of greeting was really disappointing...he hates me. He must hate the fact that I clean his ears, clean his what ever needs cleaning...dream about how handsome he is...brag about him...write a stupid blog about him....trim his toenails, brush him weekly, brush his teeth...and so on...there wasn't even a wag...
Until the morning when I found him across my legs...I looked down at him and said, " Otto, I missed you and I thought about you all the time." He wagged his tail twice and went back to sleep.
Anatolians are tough.
So off I went, worried every day that Otto's needs were not being met....worried..worried....worried...every free chance....worrying about the worry....worried about his eyes...worried about him becoming overheated...worried about allergies...
I have become my own worst nightmare as a parent of ...A DOG! I have become one those women that I used to think to myself, "God she needs to get a life!" I worry about Otto, I think about him and I worry, to me he is fragile and precious.
Finally I returned home this past Friday..Two planes, 7 hours of travel later, I finally walked in the door and got to see my furry pal. He looked wonderful. My reception? It was considered lukewarm, I walked in and he came to the door and turned his back on me. I said in my happiest of voices. ...OTTO! OTTO! OTTO! I missed you so much, thought about you all the time, I missed you!...Otto walked back into the bedroom.. I mean he turned and walked back in...sort of slowly.....
Okay, it is bad enough that he doesn't ever give me a little lick when I come home on a daily basis ...like he does to complete strangers...so having been gone for 5 days and receive this sort of greeting was really disappointing...he hates me. He must hate the fact that I clean his ears, clean his what ever needs cleaning...dream about how handsome he is...brag about him...write a stupid blog about him....trim his toenails, brush him weekly, brush his teeth...and so on...there wasn't even a wag...
Until the morning when I found him across my legs...I looked down at him and said, " Otto, I missed you and I thought about you all the time." He wagged his tail twice and went back to sleep.
Anatolians are tough.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Turkey!
It is hard to imagine that Anatolian Shepherd dogs tolerate the heat well. Otto has been refusing to walk in the warmer temperatures. He has even taking to throwing himself on the ground, tongue fully extended in protest of continuing back home in the warmer weather.. While the house looks like a cyclone of dog hair, he still hasn't managed to cast off his handsome heavy winter fur coat so I am sure he is overheated...or just PLAIN LAZY.
The highlight of Otto's spring has been the daily visits by a lone female turkey. She comes everyday like clockwork, once in the morning around 8:00 am and again promptly at 5:20 pm to eat the fallen seeds from the feeders. On the top of the feeders we set out grape jelly and oranges out in anticipation of Baltimore orioles, my most favorite little spring darlings.
Turkeys love grape jelly. Who knew? It has officially made Otto crazy. Click on the pictures to get a close up of Ms. Tom.
On to the next feeder!
The highlight of Otto's spring has been the daily visits by a lone female turkey. She comes everyday like clockwork, once in the morning around 8:00 am and again promptly at 5:20 pm to eat the fallen seeds from the feeders. On the top of the feeders we set out grape jelly and oranges out in anticipation of Baltimore orioles, my most favorite little spring darlings.
Turkeys love grape jelly. Who knew? It has officially made Otto crazy. Click on the pictures to get a close up of Ms. Tom.
On to the next feeder!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Otto and the Chipmunks!
This is Chippee, Otto's favorite new toy!
This is Otto's new daytime favorite!
POOR DEER OTTO!
Time to get the Windex! You need to click on the pictures to get the full steam and drool effect...
His entire body was shaking!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Otto exercise!
The Wisconsin winter has caught up with my waistline. I discovered fresh cheese curds and "fish fry" and put on a quick 10 lbs. I decided typing isn't the aerobic activity I needed so I went to the thrift store and purchased some 99 cent exercise videos. You know you are in trouble most of the exercise videos still in their original sealed box as opposed to all of the other well worn videos.
I set aside a little area in our home for me to watch the tapes and punch, kick or do what ever torturous activity required to shed the 10. I hate the thought of exercising, I prefer sitting, cooking, eating, even working appeals more to me then sweating away at a public place with equipment that has been touched by ANYONE...sickens me just the thought of it....
Otto has never seen me exercise except when I have to chase him to retrieve something he has taken or when I am doing aerobic vacuuming after his weekly brushings. My husband has never seen me exercise either aside from folding the laundry or cleaning the windows ( Otto's lookout posts) four times a day so the mere suggestion that I was venturing out to get myself a mat from TJ Max and a Billy Blanks (Otto's worst nightmare) Tae Bo tape was really amusing for him.
I wish I could describe better how my first 29 minute "Denise Austin" "Flatten those ab's" video went. Prior to going to "the room" to exercise, I put Otto in the bedroom, closed the door and told my husband that I would be back in half an hour...I wasn't even past the opening credits and "WARNINGS" in her video before the audience arrived. Otto, his 10 year lab pal Scout, and my husband all planted themselves down, as Gordy says, "Moral Support."
Have you ever had an animal laugh at you? Whereas my husband wouldn't dare, Otto was laying on his side when I started the sit up torture and every time I would raise my head (grunt and exhale) to my knees, he would wag his tail with his mouth open making like a chirping growling noise. He actually looked like he was smiling at me, for sure he was amused. This went on for about 10 minutes when I looked at my husband who was sound asleep on the floor...slightly snoring. He is like a baby, he can sleep anywhere regardless of anything...lucky guy..I have to have complete darkness, the right pillow...and must be all tucked in real tight and NO NOISE at all. I don't sleep too much between three snoring males in the bedroom.
Well, I made it thru the tape but decided that tomorrow, Billy Blanks, Tae Bo and I are going to have 30 private minutes, no audience, no moral support and no laughing dog.
I set aside a little area in our home for me to watch the tapes and punch, kick or do what ever torturous activity required to shed the 10. I hate the thought of exercising, I prefer sitting, cooking, eating, even working appeals more to me then sweating away at a public place with equipment that has been touched by ANYONE...sickens me just the thought of it....
Otto has never seen me exercise except when I have to chase him to retrieve something he has taken or when I am doing aerobic vacuuming after his weekly brushings. My husband has never seen me exercise either aside from folding the laundry or cleaning the windows ( Otto's lookout posts) four times a day so the mere suggestion that I was venturing out to get myself a mat from TJ Max and a Billy Blanks (Otto's worst nightmare) Tae Bo tape was really amusing for him.
I wish I could describe better how my first 29 minute "Denise Austin" "Flatten those ab's" video went. Prior to going to "the room" to exercise, I put Otto in the bedroom, closed the door and told my husband that I would be back in half an hour...I wasn't even past the opening credits and "WARNINGS" in her video before the audience arrived. Otto, his 10 year lab pal Scout, and my husband all planted themselves down, as Gordy says, "Moral Support."
Have you ever had an animal laugh at you? Whereas my husband wouldn't dare, Otto was laying on his side when I started the sit up torture and every time I would raise my head (grunt and exhale) to my knees, he would wag his tail with his mouth open making like a chirping growling noise. He actually looked like he was smiling at me, for sure he was amused. This went on for about 10 minutes when I looked at my husband who was sound asleep on the floor...slightly snoring. He is like a baby, he can sleep anywhere regardless of anything...lucky guy..I have to have complete darkness, the right pillow...and must be all tucked in real tight and NO NOISE at all. I don't sleep too much between three snoring males in the bedroom.
Well, I made it thru the tape but decided that tomorrow, Billy Blanks, Tae Bo and I are going to have 30 private minutes, no audience, no moral support and no laughing dog.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Otto Quit Chasing the Deer!
I quit. The new sheriff is quiting and two weeks notice is served. For the past few days on most every walk, morning, noon, early evening and late night...there are so many deer outside our home, outside our doorstep- it is like a wildlife breeding area. We are growing deer here in Elkhart Lake! The snow is melting and deer are emerging from the drifts in large herds!
Otto has gone bonkers, he hates deer. From the moment we leave our house, his nose is high in the air, he walks on his tiptoes and his chest is puffed out. I have tried every trick I know to distract him and correct him- short of carrying the boiled skinless boneless free range organic smiling chicken breast that he enjoys every morning. Otto is very focused on causing bodily harm to the entire deer population. When he is in the house, he huffs at each window and races around the house, up the stairs, down the stairs, over and over again, the deer are visible from all windows.
It has been a record breaking snowy miserably cold endless winter and Otto has cabin fever. I don't, he does.
I think his dreams must be about busting thru the slobbery glass and running after his look-a-likes! If that ever happened, it would be the last time I ever saw him.....tomorrow I will bring the chicken with me.
Otto has gone bonkers, he hates deer. From the moment we leave our house, his nose is high in the air, he walks on his tiptoes and his chest is puffed out. I have tried every trick I know to distract him and correct him- short of carrying the boiled skinless boneless free range organic smiling chicken breast that he enjoys every morning. Otto is very focused on causing bodily harm to the entire deer population. When he is in the house, he huffs at each window and races around the house, up the stairs, down the stairs, over and over again, the deer are visible from all windows.
It has been a record breaking snowy miserably cold endless winter and Otto has cabin fever. I don't, he does.
I think his dreams must be about busting thru the slobbery glass and running after his look-a-likes! If that ever happened, it would be the last time I ever saw him.....tomorrow I will bring the chicken with me.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
OTTO WAIT FOR ME!
I am taking the kind advice of some of the more experienced dog owners, those who have left comments to me on this blog. With much appreciation, things are going remarkably well at least they have been for the past two weeks and four days. There is a new sheriff in Otto's life and as I start to believe that to be true, it transcends to Otto.
For example, who would have ever imagined that the simple way that I exit my home can set the tone for the rest of the walk. For the past 4,380 walks, Otto has pushed by me to get out first and I have consistently been catching up with him and being pulled by him. I was always under the impression that the lesson starts once we are outside when I can position him correctly on my left side. Boy was I wrong! A few days ago, new rules were enforced. Leash, sit, wait, I go out first and Otto gets to go out when I say it is okay. By the sixth walk, Otto was making eye contact with me instead of the door, that is a good sign.
The problem as I see it is "rules are rules" and I think in order for them to work, they must be consistently followed by everyone (husband) otherwise it is confusing to Otto and counterproductive to my efforts. We all have to exit the door in the same manner, consistently, not one day, one way and another day, another way...even when everyone is tired.
Getting Otto off the bed is a different story...I am not too sure about enforcing that rule especially when every morning he creeps into bed and lands asleep on my legs until I get up. It is quite sweet. I love this dog, he is my most unusual friend.
For example, who would have ever imagined that the simple way that I exit my home can set the tone for the rest of the walk. For the past 4,380 walks, Otto has pushed by me to get out first and I have consistently been catching up with him and being pulled by him. I was always under the impression that the lesson starts once we are outside when I can position him correctly on my left side. Boy was I wrong! A few days ago, new rules were enforced. Leash, sit, wait, I go out first and Otto gets to go out when I say it is okay. By the sixth walk, Otto was making eye contact with me instead of the door, that is a good sign.
The problem as I see it is "rules are rules" and I think in order for them to work, they must be consistently followed by everyone (husband) otherwise it is confusing to Otto and counterproductive to my efforts. We all have to exit the door in the same manner, consistently, not one day, one way and another day, another way...even when everyone is tired.
Getting Otto off the bed is a different story...I am not too sure about enforcing that rule especially when every morning he creeps into bed and lands asleep on my legs until I get up. It is quite sweet. I love this dog, he is my most unusual friend.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Pillow Fight!
Whew! We are almost unpacked from the Chicago move. Hopefully it will be years before we have to move anywhere again. It is still cold in Elkhart and we still have snow on the ground but it beats Chicago any day.
Recently we met a very nice couple and decided to have them up for a visit. I spent a solid two hours vacuuming up dog hair which is nothing new to anyone reading this. A can of Pledge and about a gallon of Windex on all of Otto's lookout posts and I felt like we were in pretty good shape, exhausted but tidy. Remember the little valentine's day pillow that Otto took such a liking to? Well, it had been relocated to my nightstand two weeks ago and he seemed to have forgotten it existed.
Just before their arrival, Otto was put in "his room" with his water and his toys, animal planet on the TV and a see ya later biscuit.
The couple arrived and we were having a very nice visit until about 40 minutes into it, she said, "I thought you have dogs, where are they all? All I keep hearing about is your Otto, where are you keeping him?"
Recently we met a very nice couple and decided to have them up for a visit. I spent a solid two hours vacuuming up dog hair which is nothing new to anyone reading this. A can of Pledge and about a gallon of Windex on all of Otto's lookout posts and I felt like we were in pretty good shape, exhausted but tidy. Remember the little valentine's day pillow that Otto took such a liking to? Well, it had been relocated to my nightstand two weeks ago and he seemed to have forgotten it existed.
Just before their arrival, Otto was put in "his room" with his water and his toys, animal planet on the TV and a see ya later biscuit.
The couple arrived and we were having a very nice visit until about 40 minutes into it, she said, "I thought you have dogs, where are they all? All I keep hearing about is your Otto, where are you keeping him?"
Otto must have been listening at the door because as soon as she said his name, he started in with his version of, "Why I right here, behind this door, being such a good dog." Otto has many different barks and sounds that he makes. " Rabbit under the lounge chair RIGHT NOW!" bark is very different then "SOME ONE JUST RANG TO DOOR BELL" bark. The, demure, "I am hungry" is very different then "SNOW PLOW GOING BY" high alert bark.
So, we all ventured downstairs to meet Otto. I asked them to sit at the table rather then greet him standing up just in case Otto decided to do one of his flying tiger leaping dragon moves at warp speed. Sure enough, like a lighting bolt, he pushed by me at the open crack of the door and ran past to investigate the newcomers to his home. A few quick licks (how do complete strangers get licks and I can't get one.) The interest in the new people quieted down quickly....on their part as well.
For some reason, Otto ran as fast as he could up the stairs. It was as if the doorbell rang or something urgent was happening upstairs. The couple said something about how BIG he was then changed the subject to discuss something else. They did not rave or say "That is the most beautiful animal I have ever seen" either. While she was talking, I could hear the pitter patter above my head and some fast movements. I was trying to pay attention to her story but I was wondering what Otto was doing. I had a feeling either he was eating her boot that she so kindly removed when she entered in from the snow...or worse, dragging and shaking her purse around.
Otto had run upstairs very quickly and left us all, something that he wouldn't normally do unless it was to investigate if anyone else in the house. Normally he would have come racing back down the stairs.... right away.
He did.....with my Valentine's day pillow in his mouth. He had helped himself to it, right off of the back my nightstand........and the lady said, "Oh look, Otto brought us one of his toys!"
New friends, world's worst dog, two choices. "No, that isn't one of his toys, it is MY PILLOW!" Otto is now in the rear end up and front legs down, wagging and shaking the pillow in his mouth position. It was like he was saying, "Did you think you could just lock me in my room, exclude me from the party without any consequences? Did you think I had forgotten about YOUR PILLOW? That you HID TWO WEEKS, THREE HOURS AGO??"
Honestly, sometimes he is worse then having a child..I couldn't make a scene, if I got up to chase him it would make the situation worse because then he would have run in and out of the room, leaping by me....so I just sat there and watched him, gnawing away on my little heart shaped pillow.
Ignoring Otto sometimes lessens his excitement, except in this case. He then went up to the new guy and jammed the pillow in his upper leg (crotch) all while making a low growling sounds which I know to be "Play with me" sounds but I am not sure that the guy believed me. Thank heavens my husband got up said the magic words, "Biscuit" and Otto went running after him... back to his room, dropping the slobbery little heart on the floor.
I would imagine that will be the last time they come over to our house!
Naughty, naughty, naughty.....
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
One blue ribbon dog
Otto has the classic coloring, fawn with a black mask and he comes from championship bloodlines....so even though I neutered him AND my husband thinks he is a runt AND our uncle's brother said he was the "Smallest Anatolian" (that was the end of that friendship,) Otto does have one first place, blue ribbon for best puppy from the Waukesha Dog show. Who cares if he was the only Anatolian male puppy in his class and who cares if he stopped half way around the ring to relieve himself. He attended and won the only show he was ever entered in so I can say he retired with honors.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Anatomy of a nap.
Hmmm, I'm so sleepy....so sleepy...
I just can't stop yawning, I am soo exhausted...
Maybe a quick power nap would help...
Need to make it comfortable.......
I can't keep my eyes open..........so sleepy.....
I am going down..............
Can someone please close the blinds in here??
zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.............
I just can't stop yawning, I am soo exhausted...
Maybe a quick power nap would help...
Need to make it comfortable.......
I can't keep my eyes open..........so sleepy.....
I am going down..............
Can someone please close the blinds in here??
zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.............
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Otto's Way
It was nice waking up in Wisconsin this morning. We all went for our morning loop and when we reached the end of our road, a couple was walking up the hill. They did not have their dog and they were in heavy winter clothes. Otto took one look at them and started barking and barking, he just wouldn't stop. My husband told me that was the couple who owned the female black lab that Otto went after last summer.
I could barely contain Otto. He was lunging, growling and barking at the couple which was not a good way to start my pre-coffee Sunday morning. I thought for the first time that he was actually going to attack without a visible fear of threat and I was plenty worried. My husband excused his behavior by saying to the couple, "Well, Otto must smell your dog on you." Then he asked them, "How was Lucky doing?" He told us that the cancer was in her leg, spreading fast and she could no longer walk but that she was comfortable....what ever that means and then suggested that they walk ahead of us. I knew the woman must have remembered Otto as the "Mean Dog" that had attacked without provocation, her old dog Lucky.
So, am I now to understand that Otto, from a distance, can smell the cancer of a dog from the clothes of the owner? Did he view the owners as a potential threat because of this smell? Can a dog smell other dogs on their owners clothes without the dogs being present from a distance?
I am going to have to look into this further, maybe take him to the entrance of a hospital or something similar to see his behavior.
Otto could be like a directional signal for the sick or soon to be sick. I, on the other hand, will be locked up in the mental ward ranting about Otto's abilities.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Otto meets the Burberry's
Otto is like a kindergarten bully with a black belt degree. His personality completely changes when we return to Chicago almost immediately after we pass the highway sign, "Entering Cook County." Sirens go off continuously from car alarms, police and the fire station down the block. I am sure that Otto is stressed out. Last night, he lifted his leg so many times that towards the end of our walk, he was just wearily brushing by posts with his leg just slightly raised... translated, I assume to mean, I am still here and don't you forget it.
My husband and I thought it would be fun to walk the dogs one last time around Wrigleyfield. There is still a good amount of ice on the sidewalks and it made it hard to stay upright, especially when Otto becomes "Otto the Sleddog." Around the bend at Wrigley, a woman was walking her schnauzer towards us and the sidewalk was pretty narrow. The woman had on a huge plaid Burberry scarf, matching hat and matching plaid boots. Her dog is wearing much the same outfit. He had little plaid boots and a little plaid winter coat. They were fast approaching us and HER Schnauzer started barking at Otto. To my immediate left and right were banks of ice. I said loudly to the Burberry's, "Can you please just wait there until I can cross the street?" She kept on coming, Burberry Schnauzer still barking. Otto proceeded to crouch down, he wasn't going to cross the street, he simply refused to move and he was starting to escalate the tension. Again, I asked the lady, "Please don't come by us, I am on the ice and I have no where to go , can you just give me a minute here...???" She then said, "Why do I have to cross the street...you should cross the street, why do I have to???"
Charming...
Then something came over me. I said to her," Better yet, don't cross the street, feel free to walk right by us...." I have no idea why I said that, I know better. I must have been overly exhausted with the whole moving thing. I know about liability issues so I must plead insanity on having uttered this comment...Otto, at this point was standing, (bootless and coatless,) lunging, growling and barking at her dog. I think he was calling her dog names, cursing at him in anatolian babble which drove the schnauzer insane. Burberry Schnauzer was lunging with his boots up in the air, and Mrs. Burberry was dragging him, still complaining about having to cross the street.
We have had enough of Chicago...I am dreaming about seeing the bunny under our snow covered lounge chair, the hawks in our trees and the old fashions at the bar.
My husband and I thought it would be fun to walk the dogs one last time around Wrigleyfield. There is still a good amount of ice on the sidewalks and it made it hard to stay upright, especially when Otto becomes "Otto the Sleddog." Around the bend at Wrigley, a woman was walking her schnauzer towards us and the sidewalk was pretty narrow. The woman had on a huge plaid Burberry scarf, matching hat and matching plaid boots. Her dog is wearing much the same outfit. He had little plaid boots and a little plaid winter coat. They were fast approaching us and HER Schnauzer started barking at Otto. To my immediate left and right were banks of ice. I said loudly to the Burberry's, "Can you please just wait there until I can cross the street?" She kept on coming, Burberry Schnauzer still barking. Otto proceeded to crouch down, he wasn't going to cross the street, he simply refused to move and he was starting to escalate the tension. Again, I asked the lady, "Please don't come by us, I am on the ice and I have no where to go , can you just give me a minute here...???" She then said, "Why do I have to cross the street...you should cross the street, why do I have to???"
Charming...
Then something came over me. I said to her," Better yet, don't cross the street, feel free to walk right by us...." I have no idea why I said that, I know better. I must have been overly exhausted with the whole moving thing. I know about liability issues so I must plead insanity on having uttered this comment...Otto, at this point was standing, (bootless and coatless,) lunging, growling and barking at her dog. I think he was calling her dog names, cursing at him in anatolian babble which drove the schnauzer insane. Burberry Schnauzer was lunging with his boots up in the air, and Mrs. Burberry was dragging him, still complaining about having to cross the street.
We have had enough of Chicago...I am dreaming about seeing the bunny under our snow covered lounge chair, the hawks in our trees and the old fashions at the bar.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
The best protection of all
Our move from Chicago is starting to take place today. Otto is like a shadow over me in the City and I feel his protection all the time when I am here.
Click on the the picture and see if you can see him.
ADT has nothing on him...
I can feel him thinking so loudly, "don't you know that can only watch you from here, take me with you.."
Two more visits to the big City and then we are gone. No more bars on the windows, it is no way to live...I can't wait to return back to Elkhart Lake....neither can Otto.
Click on the the picture and see if you can see him.
ADT has nothing on him...
I can feel him thinking so loudly, "don't you know that can only watch you from here, take me with you.."
Two more visits to the big City and then we are gone. No more bars on the windows, it is no way to live...I can't wait to return back to Elkhart Lake....neither can Otto.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Naughty Valentine
Otto has discovered the new heart shaped little pillow that was my Valentine's Day present. He took it right off the nightstand this morning. Very naughty dog..Sunday, February 17, 2008
A really bad throw..
When I was in the 6th grade, Field day was a mandatory event. I can still clearly remember when my turn came for the softball throw. I wound up as best as I could and with all my might, I threw the ball...directly in front of me, right into the ground.My athleticism really hasn't improved.
I had to take this picture of my two favorites on the bed and the results of the last toss of Otto's toys in the corner under the television. I couldn't make that shot again if my life depended on it.
Click on the picture and look closely at the fan...
Friday, February 15, 2008
Not so Lucky
Otto intensely disliked a female black lab named Lucky that used to walk by our house in the early summer mornings. The dogs had one meeting and it didn't go well. Otto is usually very flirtatious with females, both women and dogs. Yesterday I saw the owner of the dog and she informed me that Lucky, the female black lab was on the way out with cancer all over her body. This makes #4 on the test factor for Otto's ability to detect disease in dogs and people.
Otto's breeder once told me that Anatolians know when things are not right, they can sense it, they don't like it and will try to eliminate it. I must be careful with him.
On a happier note, Otto has been walking like a show dog and has even given me one, one little kiss on the face. He is even waiting for me at the door instead of paws up in the bed. Something isn't right. Maybe his brain got frostbit. Any minute, he will surely be parading with my sock, or trying to attack the red truck passing by or just maybe, all of the "bad Dog Otto" is behind us now. I wonder. He is just a little bit too accommodating, like a naughty light switch, he just clicked over to "GOOD DOG ON" and I'm not entirely buying it.
Maybe, at 3 years, 2 months, Otto is growing up. I doubt it, he won't be full grown until he reaches 5 years old. Maybe he is just horrified that I posted his pictures in various get ups and he can't believe that 5000 years of Anatolian perfection has landed him with a mother that likes to dress him up. Regardless, I sure am enjoying him and he seems to be taking life in good stride.
Otto's breeder once told me that Anatolians know when things are not right, they can sense it, they don't like it and will try to eliminate it. I must be careful with him.
On a happier note, Otto has been walking like a show dog and has even given me one, one little kiss on the face. He is even waiting for me at the door instead of paws up in the bed. Something isn't right. Maybe his brain got frostbit. Any minute, he will surely be parading with my sock, or trying to attack the red truck passing by or just maybe, all of the "bad Dog Otto" is behind us now. I wonder. He is just a little bit too accommodating, like a naughty light switch, he just clicked over to "GOOD DOG ON" and I'm not entirely buying it.
Maybe, at 3 years, 2 months, Otto is growing up. I doubt it, he won't be full grown until he reaches 5 years old. Maybe he is just horrified that I posted his pictures in various get ups and he can't believe that 5000 years of Anatolian perfection has landed him with a mother that likes to dress him up. Regardless, I sure am enjoying him and he seems to be taking life in good stride.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Otto and the Pee-Mail
The phone rang at 8:02 am this morning. The caller identified himself as our neighbor, whom I have never met, nor do I know which house he lives in. Guess we haven't been very social in the one year we have lived here with the neighbors. I was thinking to myself on this Pre-Valentine's day morning, it was a little early to be inviting us to a party, or, as are most of the neighbors calls to us, a solicitation to buy their children's girl scout cookies...to make a small contribution to their son's basketball team...I don't remember any of them ever saying, "Welcome to the neighborhood."
The caller politely asked me if I wouldn't mind, it isn't like they don't like and appreciate dogs, and that he "really didn't know how to nicely say this"...but ...if I really wouldn't mind "CURBING THE DOGS AWAY FROM HIS MAILBOX!" I apologized three times, sorry, very sorry and so so sorry, and promised that I would do my best to make sure that they avoided "their mailbox."
How embarrassing is that? It is entirely my fault but I must say in my own lame defense, it has been 40 below here and unimaginably windy. I have between wearing multiple layers of clothing, two hats and ski goggles because my eyelashes have been freezing, it has been dangerously cold outside. It is true, my dogs have been visiting the neighbor's mailboxes (all of them) doing their version of checking their pee-mail. One goes, the other dog goes immediately after leaving a bright yellow spot in the three foot drifts beneath each mailbox. It really doesn't look very nice. I should have pulled them away from the mailboxes but frankly I just wanted to get the walks over as quickly as possible. I realize that I am accountable. (At least Otto didn't whiz IN their mailbox, which in his more macho days, easily could have.)
So, we went out with the dogs after "the call." Husband shaking his head, defensively mumbling... "what a ___hole.." Both dogs sadly leashed. The 10 year old lab has never even been on a leash, he kept looking up as if to say, what have I done, it's the other ones fault..
I wonder if Hallmark makes an apology card for this?
The caller politely asked me if I wouldn't mind, it isn't like they don't like and appreciate dogs, and that he "really didn't know how to nicely say this"...but ...if I really wouldn't mind "CURBING THE DOGS AWAY FROM HIS MAILBOX!" I apologized three times, sorry, very sorry and so so sorry, and promised that I would do my best to make sure that they avoided "their mailbox."
How embarrassing is that? It is entirely my fault but I must say in my own lame defense, it has been 40 below here and unimaginably windy. I have between wearing multiple layers of clothing, two hats and ski goggles because my eyelashes have been freezing, it has been dangerously cold outside. It is true, my dogs have been visiting the neighbor's mailboxes (all of them) doing their version of checking their pee-mail. One goes, the other dog goes immediately after leaving a bright yellow spot in the three foot drifts beneath each mailbox. It really doesn't look very nice. I should have pulled them away from the mailboxes but frankly I just wanted to get the walks over as quickly as possible. I realize that I am accountable. (At least Otto didn't whiz IN their mailbox, which in his more macho days, easily could have.)
So, we went out with the dogs after "the call." Husband shaking his head, defensively mumbling... "what a ___hole.." Both dogs sadly leashed. The 10 year old lab has never even been on a leash, he kept looking up as if to say, what have I done, it's the other ones fault..
I wonder if Hallmark makes an apology card for this?
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
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