Dippy's Art

The Pink Pawed Artiste

Just when you think you've seen it all...

OK, I've newly recovered from the indignity of being "one of those" dog parents that a) refer to themselves as parents and b) take their dog to day care and here I'm plunged to a new level of weirdness. I went to pick Dippy up at day care today and they had done arts and crafts. I had a really terrible day and I'll tell you I was actually cheered up by getting the little piece of "art" created by my puppy (with some help, I must assume). Yup, I've finally gone round the bend... but I'm happy here.

The pictures above are the art that Dippy created and the residue of her fun day (note the pink paw stuck out). I'm sure every parent thinks their child is the next Rembrandt... we have the next Jackson Pawllock. :-)

Sharon

Cha Cha's newest Angel

OK, we got accepted to day care. She goes to Cha Cha's Angels in midtown Sac every Wednesday while I'm in class. It's wonderful. She (we've been told) has a wonderful time, I get to go to class guilt free, Steve doesn't have to spend his whole lunch break walking the dog, and I get to run errands after class without worrying. Also, at least last week, she slept until Friday. It was great.
We were hoping it would help with the dog park drooling, but that continues unabated. She does seem to play a bit more while she's there, though, so maybe it's just going to be a slow progression. We keep going in hope that she will finally get it. Friday we took her over and discovered that if we play chase with her, other dogs get interested and she ends up playing with them. Of course, this only works if she wants to play chase with us. If she just wants to roll in the dirt (another new trick, I'm so proud) then what's to be done?
Anyway, that's about all the news on the Shiba front. I'll add a new picture as soon as I get a new charger for my digital camera. She must hate having her picture taken because it got chewed beyong recognition. Undoubtedly, my fault. This staff stuff is hard work.

Sharon

Dog with lampshade... Poor Dippy!

We're spayed :'-(

Well, we survived... or have so far at least. The surgury went fine and she's healing up. The first night was hard (last Wednesday). She cried all evening, even though she was really out of it. She could barely stand on her own, probably at least as much from the drugs as the pain, and had to be carried out to go potty. The only thing that would get her to stop crying was for Steve and I to both be on the floor with her... so that's what we did that night. It was so sad. Everytime she breathed in she'd wince. I felt terrible doing this to her, but I suppose it's the resonsible thing to do.

As the week has gone by she has improved every day. Pretty much the only thing keeping her from tearing around he house is the collar. Oh, yes. She's got the collar on. BOY do we HATE the collar! Surprise, right? Still, she doesn't try to kick it off, she just shakes in defiance and lays back down. And she's the only dog I've ever known who still looks cute (if undignified) in the collar. Pictures to follow (above, soon). None the less, when we can leave it off next Wednesday (2 more days!) life will be much better. For us all. Meanwhile her new nickname is "lamp." I keep telling people she's "bright." Sorry...

So far my fears of a major personality change are unfounded. She was cuddly at first when she wasn't used to the collar and was still in pain but she's back to her old "leave me alone, I'm a Shiba" self. Here's hoping.

OK, I never thought I'd say this but we have an interview at a doggy day care place next Tuesday. It's apparently the most highly thought of place in town, and coincidentally on my way to school. We're hoping they take her. She'll probably only go on Wednesdays when I'm in class all day but we both think it would do her a world of good to be around other dogs more and without us occasionally. Maybe it'll stop the drooling and it'll keep Steve from having to drive all the way home and give up his lunch breaks on Wednesdays. We'll see how it goes and I'll keep you posted!

Sharon (a/k/a "Staff")