We Have a Visitor

Abby, our friend's wild and crazy golden-poodle mix has been staying with us. In total, it will be about 4.5 days. I have to tell you, she is so hyper and nuts (and a few bones short of the box if you know what I mean), it makes me so incredibly thankful for Gibbs. I can tell that this little visit is stressful to him. Abby is overbearing and dominant- he never gets a rest. For the first day, things are always ok when Abby comes to visit. They rough house and wrestle and have a great time. The problem is this... she doesn't know when to quit. Gibbs gives all of the correct warning signs. He walks away, he turns around and doesn't make eye contact, but she just doesn't get it. The poor good boy is getting clobbered. Abby has been spending a little more time in her crate just to give Gibbs some peace.

On the brighter side, we're just headed for a walk. I usually allow Gibbs off-leash at this park. Abby honestly doesn't seem to respond to verbal commands. I know that she's been taught, but like I said... she's a few fries short of a Happy Meal. She'll stay on a long line!

A Mushroom Hunting...

With all of the rain we've been having, we've been seeing a LOT of mushrooms growing outside. On Tuesday, I took Gibbs for a walk in the late afternoon. I usually let him drag his leash around as at that time there aren't many people. He usually always runs to catch up when I say "Let's Go" but something had his undivided attention under a small maple tree. I went to investigate and Gibbs was sniffing (or maybe eating???) some small mushrooms. In case you aren't aware, mushrooms can be toxic. We immediately went home and I induced vomiting. Ahh! I gave him two doses 30 minutes apart and no vomit. Grrr. I am a vet school applicant so I'm lucky that I have my vet's cell phone and home phone numbers. I called and he recommended that we wait to do charcoal or IV fluids because if I'm not sure that he actually ate any mushrooms, he'd hate to put Gibbs through all of that. I was on diarrhea and vomit watch 2010 for Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.

Each and every time Gibbs had a bowel movement, it was solid, no diarrhea. I fed him boiled chicken and rice to soothe his tummy from the hydrogen peroxide. 2 days later, Gibbs is still feeling good. He must not have eaten the mushroom after all!

This afternoon, we went to the park again. Gibbs was on mushroom patrol, he had 1 in his mouth within 10 minutes. *sigh* All of these mushrooms are giving me a headache. Keep an eye out for mushrooms on your walks. If you don't know if it is poisonous or not, assume that it is. If your dog eats a mushroom, induce vomiting and call your vet!

Here are a few photos from a more sunny Thursday morning walk.

Dogtoberfest 2010

The local humane societies and radio stations of Pittsburgh hosted DogtoberFEST at the Southside Works today from 10 am- 6 pm. What a perfect time for some socialization and to buy some goodies for our little guy, so off we went this morning. We arrived at about 11:30 am, and I needed to stop into the bookstore to buy our niece a book to go with her birthday present next week. I love the books by Mo Williems, so I purchased I am Invited to a Party... The best part was that the bookstore allowed us to bring Gibbs inside- I felt as if I was breaking an unspoken rule, like when I run in the hallways of the school when the kids aren't looking and I'm in a hurry.

Off we went to the Dogtoberfest, which was mainly an adoption event for local humane societies and breed rescues. We attended so that we could buy a few goodies for Gibbs and for the socialization that a young puppy needs. Well, there was lots of people and dogs to sniff and meet. Gibbs had a great time. I honestly don't think we even made it to half of the booths, people stopped us ever 3 feet to pet our little man. It was great and we certainly didn't mind. You can't make up for this again, so it was good to soak up all of the strange, new people and smells. We met two other goldens. It was hilarious, there were all were in the middle of the parking lot event and all three goldens were rolled on their sides waiting for a belly rub. So typical and such a reminder of why I love this breed SO MUCH.

Once we were through most of the booths we headed to the trails that run along side the Monongahela River, which along with the Allegheny river, forms the confluence of the Ohio River at the Point State Park of Pittsburgh.

Gibbs and his people were getting tired and it was much warmer than expected, so we took a little break, ordered some lunch from the Cheesecake Factory and ate it on the wonderful benches at the Southside Works.

A beautiful way to spend this fall day.

It's a Little Cramped in Here

I'm about to be born... and believe me- I'm ready. It's getting a little cramped in here. I can't be sure how many brothers and sisters are in here with me, but it feels like one too many. Get me outta here so we can play and I can eat!

This is a picture of my mom and my dad. Aren't they cute? Hopefully I'll get my dashing good looks from them!

Can't wait to meet you,

Gibbs

Daddy- Lotto


Mommy- Grace