The Reformed Escape Artist

We wires are known for being escape artists. Open a door, leave a gate open, and the legend is, that we are gone with the wind...off to seek adventures, meet new friends and kill little fury pests.

When I was a wee chap - this described me to a T. If Mom or Dad opened the front door (our only entry point) - I would rush outside, and it would take all sorts of tricks to recapture me (Says Mom: "That is too true Axel. We would have to bring the car around and pretend to take you for a ride or we would have to plow you with treats!").

But I have matured now. I like to stand at the door, gaze out, bark if anyone approaches who I don't like the look of and observe the goings on. Especially if it is hot or wet outside. Don't believe me? I believe the photo on the right is proof enough! I did not bolt after this photo was taken.

God my arse looks big in that photo!

AGC

Itchies Progress Report

I have some good news tonite. I think we are winning the war on itchies! The war is being waged on many fronts, and today for the first time I have not been feeling itchy, have not been scratching. Only occasionally, I will lick my paw, but just for a short time. So thankfully, no more socks!

First, I guess the pills the vet gave me have finally kicked in. I am on Temaril P which contains antihistamines and cortesone; and an anti-biotic 'cos some of the self infliced bites were infected. I also take Skin Formula 3V capsules:



Mom has also made changes to my food. I used to eat regular Natural Balance kibble for adult dogs - Mom now switched me to the Duck and Sweet Potato flavor which is the so-called Allergy recipe. She also dropped from one cup at night to 1/2 - so it's official, I am on diet! God help me!

Mom also took our esteemed pals, Mackie and Finn's advice, and switched to a healthier, grain free vegetarian snack called Wellness Wellbar. Let me tell you, I usually hate these organic sort of treats - they usually taste like shit (excuse me, but it's true. Well partly, I do like some shit - duck for eg. - and trust me, it doesn't taste as good as THAT!). But I digress. So Mom gave me a wellbar, and I must admit, they are delish! I can taste that crunchy granola, apples, yoghurt, bananas. It's yummy. Mom found it at Whole Foods (aka Whole Paycheck). The 20lb box was $5.99.



Unfortunately, the less healthy treats have been relegated to the closet until further notice. Mom is threatening to just trash them...but I convinced her that a spell on death row was only fair pending total elimination.



As I explained, I haven't been biting my paws too much - but Mom was in Petco today to get my Natural Balance food, when she spotted something on sale. She stood a while pondering whether to purchase the item or not. She knew I would bite her if she ever tried to use this item on me...but she still bought it! She tried to explain that she would have got a more manly color had there been any alternative and that she was just thinking of my best interests should my paws flair up again, especially while they were in Africa...



Can you believe this? Pink booties!!! If ever there was an incentive NOT to bite my paws, this is IT! I would rather smooch with Blanche the Cat then don those things!

So all in all, if we ignore the booties, I am feeling better. The only negatives really are that my meds make me ravenous and tired. And it doesn't help that Mom has cut down on my meals, deprived me of table scraps and decreased my treat intake. When I am feeling especially desperate, I stand over my empty food bowl and cry. This is usually after midnight when Dad is up and Mom is not. Dad is usually sympathetic and gives me some kibble. When I stare at Mom for more food, she offers me green beans from a can or carrots!! The woman has lost her head!

Here I am snoozing on the couch...it's very hot, the meds make me tired...so I have been sleeping a lot more than usual...Now that the folks are tapering down on the Temaril, hopefully I'll get my energy back.



AGC

Fox in Sox (Part II)

So Saturday I went to the vet. I like going to the vet - I run in there! A nice lady vet looked at my pink skin and scabs caused by my biting myself. She was very sympathetic. She walked Mom and Dad through all the options and settled on giving me anti-biotics and a drug called Temaril P which contains predisone and antihistimines. They also checked my poopie, and horrors, found tape worm in the very early stages. Seems the flea who bit me, gave it to me. I could have done without such generosity. And I got two vaccines. I was such a good boy, didn't cry at all. The vet thought I was a marvel. She also weighed me...but I'm not revealing my poundage..suffice to say I am back on diet.

Despite the pills, I am still itchy. Dad took me back to the vet today in the hopes of getting me a cortisone shot (they worked last year but we hoped to avoid it this time 'cos they aren't the healthiest in the long term). But vet said no, it was too dangerous to mix with the Temaril P. So I have shampoo and creams and we are praying the Temaril P kicks in like NOW!

In the meantime, I have been biting my paws so badly tonite, that Mom and Dad decided to revisit the socks. This time Mom cut an old pair of Dad's socks and taped the socks around my paws. I look silly!



At first, I just sat on the couch and wouldn't budge. Then Mom went upstairs and she cannot go unescorted, socks or no socks, so I ran up with her, and then ran up and down the passage like a wild man (in socks). This sucks! I hope they don't expect me to go out on my morning walk sporting these ridiculous apparitions! Anyone know how I can get these off!!! My life will not be worth living if Blanche sees me in these things!! Email me!

On a lighter note - my astute pals Big Foot Fletch and Maxie sent me this link to the most astounding short video. It tells the somewhat bizarre story of a family in South Africa who have a HIPPO named Jessica as a pet!! After you watch this video, Mom says we look rather banal in comparison! I am not quite sure I would like to share my house with a hippo, but the bull terriers in the video, seem happy enough (except the one who gets stepped on. Ouch!)

AGC

The "Other" Nemesis Next Door

For those of you who are avid readers of my blog, you will all recall how last year the horrid neighbor to our right called Animal Control and then the Cops on me for allegedly barking in an incessant fashion. I don't want to dwell on it, but suffice to say that relations are now "cordial" - the parents greet him and vice versa (sometimes). I still scowl at him. I do not forgive him easily for the stress he put us through calling the authorities...

To make matters worse for me - said horrid neighbor has an equally HORRID cat. Now I would like to know why female dogs are called bitches, female humans are called bitches, but there are no such names for female cats? If ever there was a cat who earned the title BITCH, it is Blanche the Cat, spawn of horrid neighbor to our right.

From my earliest days here, Blanche has been nasty to me. She was the first cat I encountered. She would pretend to be friendly, drop to the ground near my feet, roll over in an overt expression of "come and play with me". Then the minute I got near, WHAM, she would jump up and swipe me with her fierce clawed feet and emit this horrible hissing sound! The first time it happened I was a wee pup and I nearly died of fright. Since then, I cross the street to avoid her on my walks and keep my distance. Isn't it funny how horrible neighbor would have horrible cat...
(Luckily Gracie's feline siblings and Pepper-Ricky's feline siblings, were kind and nice, so I don't have this horrid impression of all cats, just Blanche!)

So yesterday, the parents are I were hanging out outside. I had my leash on but I wasn't tethered to the railing as Mom and Dad were right next to me and I never run away anyway...I have matured. I was just minding my business on the sidewalk, when Blanche pounced on the end of my leash and commenced taking it in her paw like she was going to take me for a walk!! I shuddered at the thought!


I didn't know what to do! I looked pleadingly to the parents for help, but they were laughing! Loudly! So I faked bravado, and jumped towards her and (after checking for traffic) ran after her into the road!
And still she persisted in trying to grab my leash. Well, by this time, I was so mad, I growled at her and ran away! I will never understand that freaky feline - was she trying to be friendly or was she trying to ambush me, grab my leash and take me somewhere like the railway tracks down the road. I could totally see her tying me to the tracks. Maybe horrid neighbor has programmed her to commit nefarious deeds upon my "person".

What do you think? I'd especially like to hear from dogs who live with cats!

AGC

Solutions to Itchies: the Good and the Silly

So I'm still itching despite trying to wash my paws in that Nizoral shampoo (it did seem to help for a while) and giving me Benedryl. Mom and Dad are at their wits end. I'm keeping them up at night with my noisy scratching or biting.

So the parents came up with DRASTIC SOLUTION #1 (suggsted by my wiry pal Gussie - gee thanks pal!):
Socks on a fox? I think not. Gus's Mom did recommend baby socks, but none were available and they were desperate. So they used Dad's long socks. Dad figured that if they were over my "elbows", I'd be less able to take them off.

Well, I think you'll agree that that was a really stupid idea. I sat still for about 15 minutes too afraid to walk or move. Then I jumped off my couch and got them off in under 10 seconds. I figured if I stood on the end and walked forward, they would fall off. I was right!!

As DRASTIC SOLUTION #1 was a dismal failure, the parents came up with DRASTIC SOLUTION #2: Give the dog a bone!

Now friends I'm sure it will come as no surprise when you hear that this was pretty successful for about TWO whole hours. I forgot my itchies and tucked in to this yummy marrow bone.

I think the parents are intending to shampoo my paws again tonite as they are both red and swollen...that's ok with me as long as they don't put me back in socks!!!

AGC

Just when you think you've had the worst haircut in the world...

Thanks to my pals Bobby and Emmy from St. Paul, MN for sending me this photo of a poor wiry girl named Maggie with a WORSE haircut than mine!

Friends - look at that tail!!! What was the groomer thinking? Maybe he wasn't thinking due to the absence of a BRAIN. Or maybe her previous owner thought she bought a poodle and not a wire?

Bobby and Emmy found Maggie on Petfinder. She is only 4 years old and in need of a loving forever home. She is located in Ohio. If you can offer Maggie love (and better grooming) - please click to her Petfinder profile.

AGC

I'm so ITCHY I could scream!!

Those unbearable itchies are BACK and I can't stand it. All day long I'm forced to scratch, scratch, scratch or bite my paws. Mom and Dad are very sympathetic...they are giving me Benedryl disguised in all sorts of yummy stuff like cream cheese and peanut butter...but I think the pills make me feel goofy, tired like.

Today at a friend's suggestion Mom bought a shampoo called Nizoral - it's an anti-dandruff shampoo for humans, but this friend swears it helped her dogs' itchy paws. So I hear my humans are going to bathe my paws in it tomorrow. I'm so uncomfy and my paws are red - so I'm willing to go along with it. They may also double my Benedryl dosage...great, I'll be a stoner all day instead of just half the day!

But it would go down better if it too would be accompanied by cream cheese or peanut butter. Hint hint!

AGC

Of Dogs, Cats, Fishes and the Nicest People Ever!

What a fun weekend! I got to play with many friends. Have I told you about my friend Basil, a little hairy Cairn terrier? He is a crazy fella - full of energy and spunk. I can barely keep up with him. My dogwalker P was watching him for the weekend so she brought him over to play. We raced up the stairs and started wrestling on Mom and Dad's bed. Mom was rather nervous as Basil is a Pee-head - he is forever peeing everywhere...but we forgive him in the main, 'cos he is so cute. But Mom would not have appreciated pee on the bed...so our stint there was brief:

Today, Mom and Dad took me to visit my cousin Pepper, now known as Ricky Pepper - it was so nice to see him again and to meet his sisters Lucy and Chloe and many kitty siblings and fishies! Boy, his parents sure are animal lovers, and they have a great house and back yard to play in. I was mad at Dad for refusing to drive me to Massachewsits to visit Gracie when the parents go to South Africa soon - and frankly, I got really nervous when we went to check out a kennels two weeks ago. I can't imagine staying there for 20 days separated from humans and dogs alike. So I am VERY happy to report, that Ricky Pepper's wonderful parents have offered to take me into their home and look after me while my parents are away. I think I will be very happy to stay with them and to have such great friends to play with. Mom and Dad are ever so happy and relieved -- we all agree we couldn't hope to find nicer people to watch over me!

Here I am with Ricky Pepper - see how he's grown! We were both smiling at Cee, Ricky Pepper's Mommy and hoping she had a snack up her sleeve..



Here the two doxies - Ricky Pepper and Lucy (8 months) check out my private parts - it was mighty weird being the tallest guy in the house!




And here you can see Chloe the Beagle - she's more or less my age, bit older and she likes to bark!

And finally, here I am checking out one of three cats that share the house. I like kitties and look forward to making their acquaintance in the future...

After meeting these wonderful people and creatures, I came home, jumped up onto my favorite spot, and went to sleep while the Food Network played in the background (I prefer it to Animal Planet anytime! Scrumptuous!).

AGC

The Best of Times!

The folks and I returned today from 5 glorious days vacation. I'd like to tell you all about it!

On Saturday, after packing up the car, Mom put a new contraption on me and fastened me practically to the back seat. I am partial to riding next to Dad in the front, so I started whimpering and letting my malcontent feelings known. Dad told Mom to ignore me. But dear old Mom couldn't take me being so unhappy, so she clambered into the back and released me from my bonds. I spent the rest of the journey with Mom on her lap while Dad assumed Taxi driver status.

After lots of traffic and stopping at Arby's on the way, we pulled up to a curious looking cabin in a little town called Townbank in Cape May County.



I hopped inside and took a look around. By the time I got to the couch, Mom had already covered it with a sheet to protect the dear couch from ME. I still liked it though, I had a good view from the top of the couch and from the front door.



I also checked out the big outside yard, it was awesome! I especially liked the patio furniture:



But the thing I liked BEST about this vacation was the BEACH! It was just two short blocks from our home - Dad told Mom it was the Delaware Bay. I had never seen so much water in all my days. Look how beautiful! And did I mention that they WELCOME dogs on this beach? Any time of day and night as long as we are leashed (but so few people were about, and I am so well behaved, that I was frequently allowed to run free!) . Mom loved that there were few people on the beach - it was far from the maddening vacation hordes!



On our first day we headed to the beach with all the necessary paraphenalia - umbrella, chairs, towels and lots of snacks! Mom wasn't sure if I'd behave myself - she thought I might want to gad about and be a pest. Oh ye of little faith Mother! I really showed her...I was such a good boy. I was allotted my own blue towel in between Mom and Dad's chairs and I sat there and just took in the scene...

And of course, I SWAM and I SWAM in the big enormous ocean, uh, bay! At first I was a little scared as the water ran towards and away from me. Here you can chart my progress from tentative at first to sea hound. Mom thinks I look like a spazzy otter at the end - I didn't care, I was having a blast in the deep water - I couldn't even stand half the time.



When we got home from spending hours at the beach...I collapsed on my spot and went to sleep!


On another day, Mom and I just hung out in the big backyard. I like to be with either Mom or Dad at ALL times. I need to keep them out of mischief. So when Mom took her chair and read in the sun, I insisted on having my own chair alongside her:



And as this was MY vacation - why else would they have chosen to holiday at a dog-friendly beach - I expected to be served an afternoon tea of crumpets and strawberry jam.



Ok, that's just a little fantasy of mine - that's what happens when you leave me at home all day and I have to watch too many GEIKO commercials!

After 5 amazing days, it was time to come home to Philly. There had been no bathtub at the cabin (see, very dog friendly too!) so despite all the sand and surf, I never endured more than a bit of a shower (it was easy to run away). So not an hour were we home and BOOM, into the bathtub! I watched the remnants of my holiday go down the drain...and had a moment of deep longing to be back on the beach. I guess it's just tiny fountains for me now, Gosh, how depressing after that godly ocean mass.

Friends, I must impress upon you to keep Townbank a secret! SHHH! We don't want every four-legged creature flocking there with their humans in tow...let's keep this dog-friendly town to ourselves, Fox Terrier Town, USA (and a few of our non-foxie friends).

AGC
Avowed Beach Bum
Future Mayor, Townbank NJ

PS When we got home there was a message from Petsmart! It seems Mom's letter to Corporate did help some. They came back to us with an offer of a $100 Petsmart giftcard. Mom and Dad decided to accept it and call it a day. I"m going to be in snacks for a very long time!!!

A Complete Solution to the Itchies (not for the faint hearted)

I said I wasn't going to blog again until after we returned from the shore, but I had to share some foreboding news with you! It all began when Mom received these pictures from her friend Roz in St. Paul, Minnesota. The photos are of one of her wires, Bobby, taken a few hours after having his bath. Mom laughed out loud when she saw these pictures, and you can see why, he sure is a funny wiry guy, dirty and mischievious looking for sure!

After Mom saw Bobby in a Tshirt, she asked his Mom, was that his "bathing suit"? No Roz responded, he wears the Tshirt to help his itchies! It's that dreaded time of year when most of us wires get the itchies allergy - Roz said wearing the Tshirt prevents Bobby from scratching himself to death or until he is bloody. I have been scratching a lot post botched haircut - so unfortunately, Bobby and Roz gave Mom an idea! She plans to get me a Tshirt! Oh no! I hate wearing clothes (even if a Tshirt will cover my awful haircut)! I did hear Mom say to Dad though, that most of my scratching or biting of myself from itchyness is centered on my legs and head. My greatest fear now is that they will graduate from Tshirt to THIS....


A BURKAH!!!

Horrors!

AGC

Shore Bound, Hurrah!

Mom, Dad and me are off to the seaside this weekend, for a 5-day holiday! We are all terribly excited. We'd be beach bums for sure if we had half a chance and the necessary income.

Mom found a little beach cabin (pictured) to rent in a town in New Jersey, called Town Bank. It is only TWO blocks from the beach! It is in Cape May county, a few miles from the quaint town of Cape May. Mom heard that Town Bank is very dog friendly, and even had dog-friendly beaches! Did I mention that we are excited?

Because of my radical haircut, Mom bought me some sun block today just in case. I'm itchy enough thank you without getting sunstroke!

So you might not hear from me for a few days as I have to pack tomorrow (I have a lot of toys you know), and we're off on Saturday and return on Wednesday. So toodles for now! I see a lot of water in my immediate future, and that sends me into paroxyms of jubilation and glee!!!

AGC

PS To all the folks who tagged me, sorry I haven't gotten to it. I'm a busy chap.

Name and Shame

I have decided to defy my Mommy a little. This after consultation with many of my wirey pals who all want to know which groomer ruined my coat and treated us so poorly. They want to know so they don't make the same mistake. So, I, Axel G Chocholoza, believe it is time to name the culprit - but by doing so I want to emphasize that I hold nothing against the company in general and fully support the charitable work they do for animals. I am only naming and shaming their grooming salon in South Philadelphia.

The place I got my botched haircut is PETSMART on Passayunk. Above left you can see a photo of my throat taken a few days ago. They shaved me so close (and look at the hair they left behind, I look so stupid), I am suffering from a terrible bout of itchiness and I can't help scratching myself till I bleed. My neck is one area, I also have a gash above my eye and on my one leg. Mom keeps dabbing me with "hot spots" liquid, but I just need to scratch all the time. So is it not just that the culprit finally gets named on my famous blog?

A company of that size and reputation should have done a lot more for us than offer us a refund or 3 free haircuts in their horrid grooming salon.

AGC

Showdown!

Before I update you on the showdown at the groomers who butchered my beautiful coat, I want to wish my dear Mama a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! She is just over 5 in doggie years, so she is still a pup (She made me write that!).

Yesterday Mom went to the chain petstore (we don't want to tell you which one because we still like the store in general because they do good charity work for animals and we don't believe in besmirching someone's good name over one nasty incident) where I got horribly groomed last week. She was all fired up to meet the store manager and get some justice for us. The store manager to whom she had written letters and sent photos was not in, so she spoke to a nice woman named Krystal. Krystal listened and cared about what we'd been through. Mom and her then went to speak to Josie, the lady who lied to Mom or who at least lied by omission in failing to tell Mom that Melissa did NOT groom me, but some ill-experienced novice did the job. Mom reports that Josie denied lying but did admit that Melissa had not groomed me but she insisted that Melissa had been with the novice the whole time, showing him what to do etc. Mom wasn't born yesterday (see above for proof) - you have only to LOOK at me to know that Melissa could not have supervised my haircut. Mom told them straight that she didn't believe it for a second.

Anyway, yadda yadda yadda -- Krystal and Josie offered Mom 3 free grooming sessions and Josie added that SHE herself would do the job {shudder}! Know what Mom did? She laughed! I mean seriously, how can you offer my Mom free haircuts in the salon that did this to me and by the SAME woman who lied and caused this all in the first place. Mom entrusted me to Melissa - clearly and explicitly - they deceived her in letting someone else groom me (who didn't know what he was doing) and then not telling Mom that that is what happened. Not to mention that they made Melissa look bad by implying that she had groomed me and did a bad job of it.

Krystal promised Mom she'd ask the District Manager if he could do anything. We believe we should be compensated monetarily so that another groomer can restore my coat to its former glory. We wait and see what transpires, but Mom is not holding her breath.

On a happier note. Mom asked me for a birthday kiss today. I did not oblige, I'm not a licker type of dude. I never lick unless peanut butter is involved. So Dad told Mom a secret. That if she gently stuck her finger in my ear and held it to my mouth, that I would lick it! How did he find that out??? Mom tried it, and sure enough, I licked her fingers like an idiot. I fell for it! Eek!

AGC

PS Later today Krystal called back Mom. She told her she'd spoken to the district manager and all they were willing to offer us is a refund on my haircut or three free haircuts! Mom said she'd collect the former but would NEVER accept the latter, ever. We don't think this is good enough, but that's the end of the matter as far as I'm concerned.