Hello everyone, it’s your favorite dog blogger, Makena, taking over the site again. We are back in Yuma, Arizona for the winter. My parents have been busy working, playing golf and doing some updates/remodeling on the park model we bought in April, so I thought I should give you an update on me!

I’m really enjoying my new house. as I have a big patio window that I can look out of, and get lot’s of warm sunshine on me when I nap. I’m now, as of this writing, 18 1/2 years young, so I do take a lot of naps. This is how I spend most of my days now, snoozing away!

Sometimes I am so tired, I don’t quite make it into one of my three beds!

We have been coming to Westwind RV park for 7 years now, and have always stayed on the same street. Now we are four streets over in the park model. Before we left our street, my parents made me say goodbye to my neighbor, Wicket. After 7 years, I guess I can tolerate one kiss goodbye from him!

After we bought the park model, we did buy a used class C RV in Colorado, which my mom previously blogged about. Unfortunately, after we returned to Yuma to pack up the RV and head to Wyoming for the summer, I developed diarrhea. My parents also had some issues, but theirs resolved. Mine didn’t. We think it was bad water in the fresh water tank of the RV.

No matter what my parents tried, it was not getting better on the trip to Wyoming. Even though it may not sound like much, I lost one pound in about four days. Given that I’m only 10 pounds, that was 10% of my body weight. I don’t recommend diarrhea as a weight loss program! My parents drove very long days so we could get to the veterinary clinic in Riverton, Wyoming ASAP. Since the clinic takes horses, they knew the RV would easily fit in the parking lot to drop me off so I could get looked at right away. I was hoping to get in and out of the doctor’s right away, but instead ended up in “doggie jail”.

They kept me overnight, hooked up to an IV so I could get some medication and badly needed fluids. On the positive side of things, the doctor said my heart is great, and all my lab work was good. They did further testing, and did not find any cause for my diarrhea, so they agreed with my parents that it may have been bad water from the RV. They did send me home with a bunch of medications that I had to take. Some were oral – I didn’t like getting a syringe down my throat. Yuck.

And, the best part….they told my parents they had to give me special canned food THREE times a day!!! For an entire week! Yes! Breakfast, lunch and dinner I got 2 tablespoons of canned food! This is the special stuff that the vet gave my parents. It really firmed me up, if you know what I mean!

They say it takes 21 days to develop a new habit. In dog years, that would be 3 days! Needless to say, I was able to train my parents to continue this habit of feeding me canned food three times a day! It took some persistence on my part. I had to stand in front of my food at breakfast and lunch, insisting on getting canned food. I used to only get it for dinner. My persistence paid off, and I now get fed canned food three times a day. I even wake up at 4:30 am every day, as a reminder that breakfast is approaching! I may be old, but I can still tell time!

Since my overnight stay at the doctor’s office, I have been doing pretty good. My strength is dwindling in my back legs, but I still like to get out to the grass dog park inside the RV park. Lot’s of good smells, and it’s good for me to walk around. Those are lemon trees in the park.

MISSING GRANDPA STU

I was very sad when my Grandpa Stu passed away this summer. We shared the same date of birth, 70 years apart. We had a special bond, and I’m happy that we were able to share so many birthdays together. Here is number 88/18, our last one together.

This was our 80/10 birthday, back when we still had a fifth wheel. This was before my back injury, when I could still stand on my back legs.

Grandpa loved playing football with me. Here we are in a park in Florida.

Grandpa will be missed. I was happy to spend time with Grandma Joan for a few weeks this summer. Also during the summer, I met a new friend, Abby. Abby is the granddaughter to Joan and Stu’s neighbor. Like me, she enjoys spending time with her grandparents. Abby liked to pick me up and carry me all over. She also tried teaching me how to swing. That was a new adventure for me!

Well that just about sums up the last 6 months for me. I hope all of you are doing well. Keep learning new things in life.

Quote for the day: “Why does watching a dog be a dog fill one with happiness?” – Jonathan Safran Foer

Hello everyone, it’s me, Makena, your favorite dog blogger!

I have a lot of ground to cover since it’s been a long time since I was allowed to post. But first, some sad news. My cat cousin, Bandit, passed away a few weeks ago, at age 18. I first met her when I was about 12 weeks old, and I was smaller than she was. Her and her sister kitty, Callie, chased me around their house on my first visit. Yes, I was bullied by cats. But as I got bigger, and a little braver, I got revenge, as I was able to get through their pet gate and eat their cat food. Bandit always hissed at me, and I occasionally got a paw to the face! Bandit will be missed, especially by Aunt Margie, Uncle Greg and my cousins Hannah and Molly.

About two weeks ago, my Canadian friend, Buddy, passed away. We were neighbors for a few winters in Yuma, and then we went to visit them at his house in Alberta. Buddy was nice to me, and we got along well. He will be missed, especially by Don and Kathy.

Pets are family. I believe there’s a special place in Heaven for all the animals. Until we meet again Bandit and Buddy.

Summer in Wyoming

I really like my summer home in Wyoming. The weather is good and I have acres and acres of green grass to wander around on. I can’t be off leash though, because there are owls, hawks and coyotes around. My parents tell me I’d make a good snack for them. I like snacks! I just don’t want to be one. So I don’t mind being on my leash all the time.

When we arrived, I was not the only dog on the property. About a week ago, the owners, Brad and Joanne, left for their summer home and take their two dogs, Colter and Lacy, with them. The dogs liked to come over and visit me. I spend most of my time on the couch, looking out the door, in case they stop by. Since I can’t jump on and off the couch anymore, due to a back injury from years ago, my parents bought a ramp and put up barriers so I don’t fall off the couch.

Lacy and Colter stop by almost every day!

I have to get off the couch and explain to Lacy why I’m not interested!

The horses and mules that spend the winter here all left by the end of May. They are very curious and want to smell me. I do my very best to ignore them.

Birthdays

Since I last posted, I had my sweet 16 and 17th birthdays. Both years I was able to celebrate with Grandpa Stu, as we have the same date of birth, 70 years apart. Here we are celebrating my sweet 16!

I dove right in to the frosting! My mom wouldn’t let me eat the chocolate cake, only the whipped cream on top.

And this year we got to do it all over again. Happy 17th to me, and 87th to grandpa Stu! I think we both look great. I’m happy we were able to celebrate together.

Age is starting to catch up to me. The last month or so I have been falling over when I squat to go potty. I just don’t have the leg strength anymore. The doctors told my parents this would eventually happen as a result of the blown disc in my back. So my parents just bought me a harness to wear when I go on a walk. I don’t mind it. When I squat down to pee, they put tension on the leash, and it keeps me upright.

Kids are getting big

Back in May of 2018, I met my cousin Simon for the first time when we were visiting family in Minnesota. Simons parents are Carmen (Dan’s niece) and Luke. Since then, we try to take photos when we get together. He keeps getting brothers and sisters. I’m still the only dog, and I like it that way!

This is a series of photos from when we first met Simon, and adding on to his growing family.

In December of 2019 we got to meet Simon’s little sister, Amira, when they came to Arizona after Christmas. She was only 3 months old at the time of the photo.

Last summer we were able to make a quick trip back to Wisconsin, along with a stop in Minnesota to visit Dan’s brother Gary and Julia. Once again, the kids came over for a visit, and there was yet another addition to the family. Welcome Miles! Although there’s still room on the couch for more kids, Carmen hinted that may not happen. But it’s fun seeing the kids getting bigger. And I’m staying the same lean, mean machine!

Well that’s about it for now. It’s time for a nap. I like naps! Take care everyone!

Quote for the day: “When your children are teenagers, it’s important to have a dog so that someone in the house is happy to see you.” – Nora Ephron

Hello everyone, it’s me, Makena, your favorite dog blogger.

While my parents are busy playing tourists, I thought I would get you updated on my life. For the past eight summers, my parents have always worked. So I’m not sure what to expect this summer, since they will be playing tourists. I’m hoping they will be around more, and that I will have more places to sniff and pee. I’ll probably be spending a lot more time in my kennel with all the traveling. I’ve gotten pretty good at napping while they drive.

Traveling to Canada with a dog

My parents wrote about the requirements of traveling into Canada as a human, so I thought I would do the same for us four legged folks. We don’t need any special apps like the humans do, but we do need to be current on our rabies vaccination. Here is a link for more information.

https://travel.gc.ca/returning/customs/bringing-your-pet-to-canada

As with the humans, there are also food restrictions for pets. You can only bring a maximum of 20 kilograms of dog food into the country. The equates to a whopping 44 pounds of dog food. Well, I say whopping, because my dog food comes in 4.5 pound bags. But for those big dogs, like my friend Cody, that could be an issue. My mom stocked up on three bags of food for me, which should last me all summer, plus a large container of treats. I’m well under the 20 kilogram requirements. This is just something to be aware of if you have bigger dogs.

When we crossed over the border, the border officer did not inquire if I was on board. I slept through the crossing!

Hanging out with my peeps

I haven’t seen my buddy Cody since last October when we left Teton Cabins in Wyoming. Apparently he has been taking steroids or something, because he has gotten huge! But he also went to doggie obedience school, so he’s very well behaved now – except for that butt sniffing thing!

This was Cody and I when we first met last summer, after Cody adopted Karen and Al.

Now look at him!

Our first stop in Canada was High River, Alberta, where my friend Buddy lives. Even though Buddy and I are neighbors in Yuma, we like our space. My parents always force us to pose together.

But this is really how we like to be – socially distanced!

Now if only Cody can learn this – I will have all summer to teach him! Hopefully he is a fast learner.

Quote of the Day: “My fashion philosophy is, if you are not covered in dog hair, your life is empty.” – Elayne Boosler

Hello everyone, it’s me, Makena!

My parents have been busy with work, work and more work. They have two more months to go here at Luton’s Teton Cabins. The cabins are still booked solid, into mid-October. They close for the season on October 10th. The weather has been perfect, mid 70’s during the day, and mid 40’s at night, with no humidity.

When we arrived here in Wyoming, I went to see my doctor for my annual visit. My mom mentioned that I have been having incontinence issues. The doctor asked a lot of questions, and put me on a medication, Diethylstilbesterol Compounded. Whew! That’s a long name for a drug. Basically, it’s a synthetic estrogen. For 5 days, I took one pill every day. They are pretty tasty, so my mom didn’t have to wrap them up in cheese. After the first 5 days, I now take one pill, once a week.

During the first week, I woke my mom up (my dad pretended to be asleep!) in the middle of the night several nights in a row to go outside and pee. She didn’t mind though, because it’s easier to take me out at 3 am, then to get up at 5 am and wash pee-soaked sheets every morning.

After the first week, I have been sleeping all night long, without any problems! My parents are calling my medicine the “fountain of youth” pills, because I have a lot more energy, play more, and take longer walks! I feel great! My mom wants to get a prescription for herself, so she can sleep through the night without having to pee. I guess I better count the number of pills left in the bottle, so she doesn’t start taking mine!

I really enjoyed having family visit a few weeks ago, even though there are no photos of me with Uncle Brian, Aunt LuAnn and my cousins. They came over several times to my house to watch the Milwaukee Bucks play during the basketball playoffs. Good thing I’m deaf now, since I didn’t hear their yelling at the television. Congrats to the Bucks for winning the championship!!

One day I noticed that my neighbor, Karen and Al, put up a doggie jail outside their fifth wheel. I was a little confused by this, so I checked it out, and looked around for a dog.

At first I didn’t like the jail, but now I would like my parents to get one of these for me, so I can sit outside all day in the sunshine.

I keep inspecting all the boxes that arrive for my parents, for my own outdoor pad. So far no luck.

One day, this cute little guy appeared over at Karen and Al’s house. Introducing Cody, a 10 week old Irish Setter.

At first, Cody was my size, and a little shy. So I had some “control” over him, as you can see by my left paw in the picture below. Just keeping him in his place!

But then Karen and Al started feeding Cody Miracle Grow or something, because he just keeps getting bigger and bigger. And he has a lot more confidence and energy. Plus he picked up that pesky habit about wanting to sniff my butt. As you can see, I just have no more control over him! My left paw is no longer effective. Back to social distancing for me!

I can’t wait to get on the road again. My parents are thinking about heading back to Wisconsin when they finish up the season here. And then possibly on to warm and sunny Yuma in December for the winter. Take care everyone! Stay safe!

Meme of the day:

Hello everyone, it’s your favorite dog blogger, Makena!

My parents haven’t posted for a while, so I thought it’s time for me to take over and give you an update. We have been in Yuma, Arizona since mid December. My parents have done very little since they arrived (hence the reason for no updates). They are just trying to stay safe, and there is not much going on in the area. All the activities in the park have been cancelled. There have been a few COVID outbreaks in the park, and sadly a few people in the park have died. My grandparents (Dan’s parents) arrived on January 1, for two months, so my parents are being extra careful for their sake.

My big news, as you are all aware from my mom’s last post, is that I have a new house! I love the extra room, bigger bed, and a new way of traveling, for me. When we had the fifth wheel and then the truck camper, I always rode in my kennel, in the back seat of the truck. I didn’t have much of a view, and when we arrived at a new place, I was stuck in my kennel until my parents had set up the RV and opened up the slides. I never knew what was going on. And if it was raining, or cold, I had to go outside, just to get inside our RV. Not fun.

Now, I get to ride in style! The couch has seatbelts, so my kennel is right up front!

I can easily see what is going on, and even look out the front window from my kennel.  My mom doesn’t put me in my kennel until just before we leave – my dad is buckled up before I am.  When we arrive at a new place, I don’t have to go outside, as I’m already “home.”  I have the life of leisure while they work to get things set up, like my food and toys. 

I’m really enjoying having a king size bed again, as it gives me more room at night.

My parents bought a “new to them”  Honda CR-V to tow behind the motorhome.  I stood in the doorway and barked at it for three days before they finally put me in the car (with my kennel, of course) and took me for a ride.  Once I finally realized that was my new car, I stopped barking at it.  

When it was cold in Colorado, where we bought the RV, my parents had the furnace on.  I discovered that my new favorite place to stay when the heat is on…the bathroom.  I have a rug to lay on, and there is a furnace outlet right under the shower. The heat blows right into my face.  It’s like a spa for dogs!

And speaking of pets and cold, my cousins in Texas had a rough week.  Several days without heat…ugh.  My Aunt LuAnn put sweaters on all three of her dogs, and two cats.  I’m glad they made it through safely, and hope everyone that had to endure that brutal week of cold, without electricity, is doing better.

SENIOR MOMENTS

Next month I will turn 14, and getting old sucks.  First I was losing my hearing and now I’m having issues making it through the night without wetting the bed.  I have no issues during the day, as my parents take me out every few hours.  This past week has not been a good one for my parents and I.  Every night I had a very small accident, and every morning my parents are washing the sheets and mattress pad.   My parents ordered some doggie diapers for me.  After measuring my waist, my mom bought XS female diapers.  Dog diapers have a hole built in for the tail, in case you’re wondering.

I do not like wearing them.  This was my first night with them on. The first night was a disaster, by the way.  Here is my “look of shame.”  

I spend half the night on top of the comforter, and the other half under the covers. My parents put down a pee pad under the cover, in case the diaper leaked. The next morning my mom picked me up to take me outside, and said ‘where is your diaper?’ Well, it fell off on the pee pad. The diaper was dry, the pee pad was dry, but not the bed…sorry mom.

The next night (last night), my parents put a new diaper on me, and then added extra tape. As you can see, the diaper is pretty small. The second night was a failure as well. I still ended up peeing on the bed, as the diaper fell off, and I avoided the multiple pee pads my parents put down.

As I said, it’s tough getting old!  Hopefully they can figure this out, so we can all get a good night’s sleep.  (and they don’t have to wash the sheets every day!).

Meme of the Day: 

Hello everyone, it’s me, Makena, your favorite dog blogger!

I know 2020 has been a long year for you humans. Just be thankful you’re not a dog. It’s been a really, really long year in dog years! This going from Wyoming to Wisconsin and then back to Wyoming has been very confusing for me. And I guess we will be going back to Wisconsin in mid-October.

We went to Wisconsin to stay with my grandparents for the summer, and help them out. After we left to come back to Wyoming, Grandpa Stu ended up in the hospital, for five days. He had a bad infection (thankfully, not Covid-19), but is back home recovering with some very strong antibiotics. He’s getting stronger every day, and I look forward to spending some quality time with him sharing a snack again!

BACK IN WISCONSIN

Just to recap things, when we were back in Wisconsin, we spent a few days visiting with my parents college friends, Mike and Sue, at their cabin. I enjoyed my off-leash time, and had lots of room to roam around. And I was on my best behavior getting along with their dogs, Bella, Rusty and Mocha. (I had no choice, I was outnumbered…!)

I spent a few days at Aunt Linda and Uncle Doug’s house, where I have plenty of room to play off leash!

And I was able to meet up with some of my cousins. While I have stayed my same petite size, Raya has grown into quite the young lady now. But she still enjoys giving me some belly rubs!

You may recall on my parents last post that my grandma finally found a new refrigerator. While, she has her priorities (ME), and this is what it looked like when she started stocking the fridge!

My mom decided to take advantage of having a big sink (our camper’s sink is too small for me to fit in), which meant it was time for a bath….

BACK IN WYOMING

And if this year hasn’t been confusing enough for me, the weather hasn’t helped either. The calendar says it’s Labor Day, but the forecast is more like Christmas! Yes, it went from 72 degrees in the afternoon, to 21 at night…yuck.

All the guests staying at the cabins commented on how pretty it looked the next day. My mom was amused watching some guests from Florida and California use the plastic spatula from their cabins to scrape their car windows!

My parents say their jobs are going well here at Luton’s Teton Cabins. It’s the busiest fall season ever. My mom says the office is easy now, because we have no availability, so the telephone is not ringing as much! And cleaning is quick and easy since the cabins are almost all just couples. No families at this time of the year. The snow has already melted, but I’m sure there will be another storm before we leave.

Quote for the day: “The one thing we know about the future is that it comes only one day at a time.” – Jeff Rich