Fluffy and Pete

 

Rose is Gone

*****WARNING**** POSSIBLE TEAR JERKER!!!!


Rose lived with us for sixteen years.  We knew this day was coming.  You'd think that would make it a little easier.  It doesn't.  

You always hope that your dog will go gently in her sleep.  Rose went lying on a silver table with kindly people cooing at her.

Rose never like to be cooed at.  They didn't know that.  They were just trying to make it less awful.  I stood there and rubbed Rose's neck.  She always liked neck rubs.

Breed Profile: German Shepherd Dog

The German Shepard Dog was originally used as a herder.  This dog's work ethic was so impressive, soon the GSD was offered other jobs.

Ever indomitable, the intelligent, strong, energetic GSD continues to tackle all and sundry responsibilities asked of him.

The list of GSD accomplishments/abilities is long.  Here are a few: police dog, therapy dog, search and rescue, narcotics detection, explosive detection, guide dog, war dog, dock diving, lure coursing, show dog, companion, professor of anthropology (just kidding).

GSD are serious dogs, highly motivated for meaningful activity.  They are extremely loyal and protective of their families, suspicious of strangers, smart, confident, a bit bossy, not inclined to tolerate clowns.




Some German Shepherd Dog Facts

-  also known as:  Alsatian, German Shepherd, Shepherd Dog

-  life span:  10-12 years

-  average age of maturity:  1.5 years

-  height at shoulder:  22-26 inches

-  weight:  60-95 pounds

-  double coat, colors:  black and tan, black, white, black and silver, black and cream, black and red

 

 

 

 

German Shepherd Manifesto

 

-  yes, I shed.  Everyday. Deal with it.

 

-  another dog is unnecessary.  You have me.

 

-  give me something to do.  Otherwise I will find something to do.  I'll start with reorganizing the kitchen cupboards, redecorating the bathroom, herding the neighborhood children, disconnecting the cable...

Pop Culture Frenzy, Round 24

Welcome once again to Pop Culture Frenzy.  Let's get on with it.

Oscar Meyer has introduced a new app.  What is it?
Molly?

Images of hot dogs with mustard?

 

 

 

Hostmaster: incorrect.

Cyndi?

 

 

 

 

 

Hot dogs are bad for you.

Oscar Meyer should encourage

people to eat vegetables. 

 They won't because
they are motivated by greed.

 

 

 

 

 

Hostmaster:  incorrect.

Fluffy?

 

The Oscar Meyer Wiener song?

 

 

 

 

 

Hostmaster:  incorrect.

Molly?

 

 

 

 

 

Braunschweiger molded into

 a pig shape?  No, wait. 

I know!  Bacon!

 

 

 

 

Hostmaster:  correct.  It's the Wake up and Smell the Bacon app.  It features the sound and aroma of bacon cooking in a pan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A friend of mine got to preview this Bacon app.

  There's a special device needed to activate

 the smell.  My friend says the odor is

more old pig farmer's boots

than bacon.  The

bacon sizzling sound is

pretty good though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I need this app.  Those idiots

messed with the clocks again.

I'm a bird of the lark style

for crying out loud.  I

need light in the morning to

wake up and sing. 

What in tarnation do

I need another hour of light

at night for?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Round 24

Fluffy/Molly   12

Bryan/Cyndi    10

 

 

 

 

 

 

More about Rose

According to the chart on the wall of the exam room, Rose is about 81 in people years.

Why were we at the vet, you ask?

  Rose was due for her Rabies vaccination.  Also the city where we live is hankering for twenty dollars to renew the dog license  (it used to be 10 dollars.  I'm old school math, so I recognize that as a 100% increase).

A dog must have a rabies vaccination to get the dog license.  It's the law.

Worried that another vaccination might kill the elderly Rose, I actually considered lying to the city.  I figured I'd tell the city Rose was dead.  They'd take her out of their computer.  Then Rose could live out her days protected by the antibodies that remain in her bloodstream from all those previous vaccinations.  She would die of something else, maintaining her record of not posing a public threat to anyone or anything.

I couldn't go through with it.  The lie, I mean.  The Vet says that the rabies vaccination contains dead bugs so it is easier for the body to handle than vaccines that contain live bugs.

The doctor examines Rose.  Her heart is strong.  Her pupils do not dilate with vigor but she can, at least presumably, see.  Somewhat.

 Yes.  That's what I think too.  Sometimes you have to call to her, stomp on the floor or nudge Rose and sort of steer her in the direction you think she needs to go.  

Ultimately, it doesn't matter if Rose can see or not.  She knows her way around the house.  We won't change the furniture arrangement.  And we will be there to guide her when Rose must venture away from home.

Rose is thinner than she used to be.  Many elderly mammals are thus.  Her appetite is less enthusiastic.

We offer Rose a greater variety of foods now to try to entice her to eat.  We place the food in assorted bowls and plates, some elevated, some on the floor.  This way Rose can bend and eat or sit and eat- whatever is more comfortable for her creaky bones.

 

 

 

 

 

Rose got the shot yesterday.  She seems fine today.  I'll head over to City Hall this afternoon and give them $20 for the privilege to keep her.