Oliver - October 2010

Oli - enjoying the warmth of the sun

Big yawn there Oli Boo!

Oli... looks so cute

Beautiful Oli Boo!

Awwwwwwww......

"I feel a sneeze coming on"!!!

Another big yawn!

Bodi - Enjoying his new toy

Oli - Having a blast his first Christmas with us!

Beautiful Bodi!

Oliver - Waiting for that Christmas treat!

Bodi - Waiting for the Christmas treat from Mommy!

Oli - resting with Daddy and his new toy!

Bodi - Loving his new toy!

The Boys are beat after opening ALL of their gifts!

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I stood by your bed last night …I came to have a peep.
I could see that you’d been crying,and you found it hard to sleep.

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear, “It’s me. I haven’t left you. I’m well, I’m fine, I’m here”.

I was close to you at breakfast… I watched you pour your tea.
You were thinking of the many times your hands reached down to touch me.

I was with you at my grave today… you tend to it with such care.
I want to reassure you. That I’m not lying there.

I walked you towards the house as you fumbled for the key.
I gently put my paw on you…I smiled and said, “it’s me”.

You looked so tired as you sank into your chair.
I tried so hard to let you know that I was sitting there.

It’s wonderful for me to be so near you everyday,
To say to you with certainty, “I never went away”.

You sat there quietly, then smiled… I think you knew
That in the stillness of the evening I was very close to you.

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I’ll rush across to meet you and we’ll stand there side by side.

I have so many things to show you ! There’s so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out, then come home to be with me.

Doing her big loop in an area that we call Valhalla, she was going to cut it short and head back, but felt that as long as she was out and about she might as well take the slightly longer loop through the trail in the field and then back – give the boys a little longer walk since she had not been out as often with the sore foot.

Bodi and Oliver, unlike Tucker, will try to go after anything that moves, seeing a lizard on the trail is dangerous as they will turn on a dime and lunge into the brush, certain that they will catch the critter – and actually never even coming close. Due to this, Nancy always keeps them on a short leash and works hard to keep them out of the brush – smart girl there. I, as men do, let them off leash and deal with the consequences.

Because we take the boys out on the trails so often, and we have seen Rattle Snakes, we chose to get both of the boys hooked up with the Rattle Snake Vaccine. Unlike what most people think – the vaccine doesn’t mean you don’t have to worry if they get bitten, but it does give you more time before the major damage hits, which gives you a better chance to get to the doctor before your dog is very badly messed up. We can’t tell you for certain that the vaccine made a difference – Tucker never had the vaccine, and never got bitten, but if it made this even 1/1000th easier on Bodi by having it – it was well worth it, many times over.

So, back to the walk… Coming down the trail Bodi spots something and dives into the brush – Nancy pulls him back and instructs “LEAVE IT”, Oliver, now at the edge of the brush while Bodi is being reprimanded, starts batting at something with his paws – doing his best cat imitation. Nancy looks at what he is swatting at and sees the tail end of a rattle snake, “beating feet” as they say, leaving the scene.

Nancy pulls the pups close and starts to check them out, all looks well, and due to the fact that neither dog yelped, she feels like she has dodged a big one and things are OK. Taking one more quick look, she notices what looks like a small amount of blood on Bodi’s cheek, and two puncture wounds. Bodi still hasn’t given any reaction that he has been bitten, and is still ready to walk.

Nancy heads back and has to walk the 2 – 3 hundred yards back to the Jeep, her first reaction is that she should carry Bodi – but walking 2 dogs kind of rules that out – and Bodi, at just under 60 lbs. is still a bit of a carry for 300 yards up and down hills, over the trails. Within a short distance, Bodi starts to slow – and by the time he is about 50 yards away, is very slow, and salivating uncontrollably.

Nancy calls me shortly after the bite and lets me know what has happened, I call the nearest Vet and am informed that there are no doctor’s there at the moment – and gives instructions to go to the Animal Hospital. I call our good friend, and Bodi and Oliver’s normal doctor, Dr. Berry and he instructs me that we should head straight to his clinic, Agoura Animal Clinic – he would notify same and since he was off that day, they would be ready when Nancy got there. We would normally head straight to Agoura Animal Clinic, but since they are about 3 times as far away as the nearest clinic – we tried the nearest first.

I was at the clinic waiting for Nancy when she pulled up, and I got Bodi out of the Jeep. He was quite out of it by this time, with drool running out of his mouth. I carried him straight into the clinic and Dr Kane had Bodi on an IV, had anti venom into him, and checked everything out on Oliver as well, just to be sure that he hadn’t gotten nicked at the same time.

At this time Bodi’s face was starting to swell slightly, but they were surprised that he didn’t look worse. Since Nancy got him there so quickly he was just at the very beginning of the swelling that we would see over the next couple of days.

Once they were certain Bodi had stabalized, they gave us the rundown on Bodi, informed us that since we would be watching Bodi closer then anyone else throughout the night, sent us home with Bodi hooked up to a portable IV unit.

Unbelievably, throughout this entire ordeal, Bodi has not yelped, has not growled, has not whimpered – he went through it like a real trooper, and the only time we heard even the slightest whimper from him was when we would nudge his face while working on the IV – or when he had to go out to go to the bathroom and was trying to let us know.

Bodi was placed on the bed hooked up to the machine, drugs running through his system, and he pretty much stayed that way all night, while I stayed up and watched him to make sure that he got his antibiotics and pain killers at the prescribed times. It was a very long night for me – and I am sure, twice as long for Bodi.

The swelling was going strong throughout the night, and as of now – 2 days later, it still hasn’t stopped, it has slowed a bit – but hasn’t stopped. The swelling has moved down his face, throughout his chest, down his front leg, has bruised throughout the chest and leg area, it’s unbelievable how it has taken him. As of now, 2 days later he has trouble even walking from the swelling, and still, not a peep out of him from the pain. His face swelling has come down a bit, but he still can’t eat regularly due to the pain and swelling.

Oliver has been as careful as can be, he hasn’t tried to play with Bodi, has stepped aside when Bodi comes through and has spent a lot of time sniffing his wounds, and licking his face and body. The toughest part was when Bodi was at the clinic and laying on the blanket while they attended to him, Oliver kept trying to slide over to sit and/or lay down next to him, always trying to be a part of everything Bodi is going through.

So now – it’s just a matter of letting the toxins run their course, letting his little body fight what is going on – and spoiling him rotten with our caring and love.

IT’S ON – How could either one of us actually let dad sleep when we both want the prime real estate next to his head…

How could that ever happen!!!

Dad, trying to exert his leadership throws his hand up… Spinning through the hand, each dog tries to catapult the other off the bed… Fighting through, Bodi throws Oliver on his back, Dad tries to ignore the fast moving red blurs… The fighting (playfully) gets fierce and the sounds of nipping teeth and playful growls gets intense… Bodi, sensing an opening lunges in and nips Oliver on the ear, the fighting is intense… Realizing that the space is lost, and the bed is soft, Bodi starts to slip into sleep again, as Oliver turns his attention to the man under the covers…And through this all, who is filming???

Instead of breaking the fight up and letting the lump sleep??? ]]> http://www.thegooddogblog.com/2010/06/23/sleeping-with-the-enemy/feed/ 0 http://www.thegooddogblog.com/2010/06/21/in-loving-memory-streak-and-jill-god-rest-your-sweet-souls/ http://www.thegooddogblog.com/2010/06/21/in-loving-memory-streak-and-jill-god-rest-your-sweet-souls/#comments Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:48:41 +0000 Nancy http://www.thegooddogblog.com/?p=748 To all of our doggie friends out there, we just wanted to let you know that our dear friends have lost their puppies this past week.  Our friends Patti & Matt have lost their 12 year old Rottweiler, Jill.  Patti & Matt had adopted Jill… just 9 short months ago.  Jill needed a good, warm, loving home and

Puppy Rottie

Patti & Matt had taken her in, to comfort her.. after losing their 11 year old Rottie, Jessica.  So they have suffered two losses in the past year, plus the loss of Tucker, as they knew Tucker very well.  Tucker and Jessica had been good friends for many years!  My love goes out to Patti and Matt.. “I love you both… and take comfort in knowing that Jill is with Jessica and Tucker right now and they are free and healthy!

To Streak’s parents, Andrea & Rob… we all feel the pain of your loss and we do know what

Beautiful Streak

you are going through right now.  Please accept this post as our tribute to Streak (as well as Jill) and to you guys and Magnum as well.  The love of our dogs is endless… endless.  That love will go on forever, trust me.  I still feel Tucker’s presence here, very strongly.  Tuck has been gone for 10 months now and  I know that he is still with us, in our hearts and will be forever.  I know that you cannot reach out and touch Streak, but know that in your hearts, he is with you and will be forever.  Streak is no longer in pain and no longer suffering… and HE knows that you did all that you could do for the little guy.  Let his love carry you through… and let the love of Magnum embrace your soul and keep you safe.

Tucker's Urn... "If Tears Could Build a Stairway, and Memories a Lane, I Would Walk Right Up to Heaven, and Bring You Back Again".

The love of our dogs will go on forever… Please, as you read this post, I know that it will bring tears to your eyes, but also, let the love and comfort of your friends warm your hearts and get you through…

This is the saying that is etched on Tucker’s urn… “If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I would walk right up to heaven, and bring you back again”.   I know that this is how you feel about Streak (and to Patti and Matt, how you feel about Jill and Jessica).

God bless you all… and know that we are here for you!

With love,

Jim, Nancy, Bodi & Oliver Morrison

Welcome to the famous, doggie wrestling ring (OUR bed).   “Here we have the “Bodacious” Bodi, weighing in at a whopping 62lbs!  And in this corner (my pillow), we have “Little” Oliver, the defending light weight champion, weighing in at 45lbs.  With Bodi having almost 20lbs on little Oli, can Oliver win this match and keep the championship title?… and there they go!  Bodi, pouncing on Oli full force… but Oli is fast and extremely agile… as he slides out from under Bodi, he leaps over the top and has Bodi in his famous “Oli hold” (front leg on the chest).   As Bodi lies there underneath Oli, pinned down, Bodi pulls his famous move on Oil… “The Bodaaaay Mouth Grip”.  There he goes folks, he’s got his whole mouth around Oli’s neck!  Oli is retaliating… snarling and showing all teeth, the Boadster backs off… they jump out of the ring, wrestling, snarling, growling.  It’s getting intense folks!  And there they go… they jump back in the ring, full force!  Jumping all over the ring… now they’re up on their two hind legs!  Now they are punching and grabbing each other, throwing each other to the ground!  who will when this match?  Stay tuned for further coverage of this intense wrestling match!

Whew… the refs (mom and dad) need a little break!!

Pillow Tuck

I was doing a little bit of research on the web and found this site about vizsla rescue and their “Rainbow Bridge” page. I read a few of the posts (which will bring any dog lover to tears) and decided to post this one.  This one especially hit home as Mr. Tazz-a-Razz was obviously loved like Tucker was loved, and the last paragraph just hit my heart as it is exactly our sentiments about our “little Guy”.

Please, if you get a chance, check out the site and remember how many of these “Little Guys” are out there and need that little extra love that isn’t always in their lives.

We were extremely lucky in our adoption of “The Bodester”, and we couldn’t even think of life without the little guy running around us, he has already given us a gift, as we have given him.

Please Lord, look after them all, they will give you endless hours of enjoyment and amazement, and I guarantee that their companionship will be a blessing a hundred-fold over – and I can personally attest to the fact that Tucker will always be by your side, will always protect you from harm, and will always give you complete and unconditional love – please guide him until we can be with him again…

MR. TAZZ-A-RAZZ
Jan 2000 – Dec 2006

I will miss you my friend. You have been a joy. A blessing. A true friend. No matter what paths this life leads us down you will always be in my heart and mind. I thank you for your time and your love. Thank you for choosing me to be in your life. I have never had a pup that had so much heart and love to give to others. I am sorry for your sickness but know in your heart that I love you and will always love you. My friend, My buddy, MY LITTLE MAN! I promise I will see you again and together we will be in the end. I will never forget my little blue eye pup. I will never let your memory die. You have given me more in the short time you have been with me than I could have ever ask for. You have showed me compassion,love,understanding. But most of all you have taught me the true meaning of “BEST FRIEND”… I love you!

Lord, Please watch over my little man until we can be together again. He will love you, He will protect you. He IS a true friend. Please let him know that I loved him with all my heart and that we will be together again. Amen.

From Utah/Idaho Vizsla Rescue

Bodi, deep in thought

Well, it’s been 2 weeks and we think that the toughest part has started to pass for all of us… Although picking up Tucker’s ashes definitely brought back a lot of memories and a lot of tears for both of us. I’m sure by now Bodi is wondering what the heck happened to the energy that we used to have in the house, and whats with all the nose-blowing and salty faces.

We fell in love with Bodi on the day we met him, Tucker took a wee bit longer to find that love for his little brother, but grew to love him dearly in the 6 months they were together. Bodi, right from the start, has had a huge heart and has fit right into our little world, he has a great personality, great spirit, heart and soul, but we have noticed that over the last 2 weeks Bodi has changed quite dramatically, he has gotten a lot closer, and has been more in tune to us then ever before.

Bodi working at the office

Up until recently, we hadn’t taken Bodi into my office, except for just quick visits if Nancy would come by to get me to go with her and the boys for a walk.  Tucker spent many a day, and quite often, long into the night with me at the office, he had his own chair there, and as a matter of fact, many times we would have to pull up a chair for Tucker at meetings, otherwise he would walk around the meeting room nudging everyone, once he had his chair, he was content and would quickly doze off for the duration. For the last two weeks Bodi has spent quite a lot of time with Nancy and I at the office, and he has slipped right into the rhythm… greeting all he sees, and sleeping in Tucker’s chair just like it had always been there waiting for him.

The strangest thing is that he has started to do a lot of the things that Tucker did before he passed, things that Bodi never did until Tucker was gone, but things that were most definitely Tucker’s trademarks. As a matter of fact, the day that we lost Tucker, when we came home, Bodi did something that Tucker always did, and Bodi hadn’t ever done… When I knelt down to hug Bodi he curled up between my legs and leaned into me, exactly as he had seen Tucker do many times before.

Bodi warming himself in the clean dry clothes

Tucker also had a thing for clean, warm clothes. Nancy would bring them up from the dryer and pour them out over the bed, Tucker would always crawl into them, nuzzle his nose under the warm clothes, and let out a big sigh of contentment.  Up until this last couple of days, Bodi, thinking Tucker was nuts, would just look the other way and doze off.

As you can see, now Bodi has picked up on this little habit, and he is loving the warm, clean clothes.  He will get up from wherever he is laying, walk over and plop down on the clothes, letting them warm him all over, and just as Tucker did, he will let out that little perturbed grunt every time we make him move so we can fold the clothes, or, god forbid, we pull an article of clothing out from under him.

Bodi wishing he was the cream cheese

So, as you can see from the pictures (this one was taken this morning, with Bodi’s complete and unwavering attention being focused on Nancy as she sat the bagels down on the table outside New York Bagels – if you look closely you can see that the sunlight created a small halo over his head – just to try to fool everyone into thinking that he is a little angel), Bodi is coming into his own, finally being counted on as the number one dog in the house. His love is blossoming as he is receiving more and more love, and he is becoming even more a part of our family.

The walks are long, the dreams are large, the fun is grand, but the time is fleeting.  The Bodester is figuring his role out, Nancy and I are amazed at how great a companion he is becoming, how much we needed him, how much he needed us, how much we love him, and how grateful we are to be blessed with such loving and incredible friends, and such a great family.