My Fire Hydrant

Tyler weighs 8 pounds. Currently on his “necklace” he has

• His license to be a dog.
• His rabies tag.
• A tag from Small Paws Rescue with an 800 number to call if someone finds him wondering around unaccompanied by an adult human.
• A tag with my name, address and phone numbers (home and cell) in case someone finds him wondering around unaccompanied by an adult human.
• A tag indicating that he’s microchipped–which is blue plastic and something of a pacifier for him because he likes to grab it between his teeth and chew.

I think all the tags on his collar weigh nearly as much as he does. And I’m not certain if he really needs to wear all these tags.

I love that Small Paws has an 800 number and a reward offer on their tag, but is it possible that someone might be confused as to whether to call my number (the tag with my name also says “reward”) or the Small Paws number?

Does the blue plastic microchip tag really add value? There isn’t a chip number on it, and he’s chewed it so much you can barely read the name of the chip company. I ordered a tag from the company–it’s a beautiful silver chrome, but it weighs nearly as much as the rest of his tags! I ended up putting it on my own key chain.

And the rabies tag—is it really important that he wear that on his collar? I’m not sure it is. For that matter, does he really need to wear the dog license? If he gets lost, won’t the tag with my name and the tag with Small Paws’ name on it be enough to get him home?

I know that the tags bother him sometimes, because he scratches. In fact, he scratches so much that I’m probably going to have to replace the pretty collar I got for him at the dog show in December–it’s starting to look worn.

So here’s what I’m going to try: I purchased a little ID tube. I’m going to put his license number, his rabies number (and our vet’s number), his microchip number, and the Small Paws phone number on a piece of paper and put it into the tube. Then I’ll put the tube and the tag that has my information on it on his collar and the rest of the tags in a drawer.

Do you have any better suggestions? What do you do about tags?

Taking over the family restroom

I was going through some old photos tonight and came across photos I took of Tyler during our first full day together. We had a very early start that day, flying from Phoenix to Dayton with a layover in Atlanta.

Anything good in that bag?

I was lucky that Tyler was so small–he was able to fly in a pet carrier underneath the seat in front of me. I was able to walk him before we got on the plane in Phoenix. When we got to Atlanta, we had a little over an hour until we would board our next plane. And because we were in the gate area, I was not permitted to take Tyler out of his carrier.

Chowing down on some kibble! (He's so skinny!)

Here’s the tip: We found a “family restroom” and locked ourselves in for about 45 minutes! If you don’t know, a “family restroom” is a single potty, unisex bathroom containing a diaper changing table where a mom or dad traveling with children can more easily “take care of business” than in the regular stalls in the larger restrooms.

In Atlanta, there was a family restroom in between each men’s/women’s room.

Playtime!

Behind the locked door of the family restroom, I was able to let Tyler out of his bag so he could stretch his legs, eat some lunch, and pee on the pee pads I brought with us. We had a lovely time playing with his toy and having a few cuddles. When we were done, the pee pad went into the trash, and Tyler went back in his bag.

The family restroom was an absolute lifesaver!

I was doing some clean-up on my YouTube account today, and came across a video I did of Tyler in June of 2010. This is his very first Bichon Blitz in his new home. He looks so skinny! But that’s because this is just weeks after his rescue by the mighty warriors of Small Paws Rescue–he was only a very few weeks away from recuperating from starvation and parvo virus.  Watch my sweet boy run!

Tyler helps me to type this post.

It occurred to me today that it’s Tyler’s anniversary for finding his furever home! One year ago today I flew home to Dayton from Phoenix with my little four-pound fluff boy. Since he joined our home…

…his weight has doubled;

…his coat has grown out;

…I’ve puppy-proofed our fence–twice;

…I’ve learned how to use my laptop while fending off helpful paws (see photo, above);

…I’ve found the strength to cope with finding a wet spot on the rug (my fault);

…I’ve grown to appreciate and expect 30 minutes of playtime AFTER I’ve gone to bed;

…I’ve resolved not to feel guilty each time I put him in his crate–every time I put him in his crate;

…I’ve experienced the best of warm feelings watching him charm and bond with my mom;

…and the doggie space in my heart has increased to include this flufferbutt who now rules our home. Bailey would have adored him. I certainly do.

God bless the wonderful people of Small Paws Rescue for matching me up with Tyler. One year later and he continues to be our little sweetheart. And my little stinker.

~

Tyler had surgery on Thursday. His anal glands were removed.

Tyler with his e-collar "donut"

Tyler has been on and off antibiotics for the past several months because his anal glands keep getting infected. To treat this, our dogtor has to pack the glands with antibiotic ointment. This treatment is not without dangers–for instance, the possibility of tearing the gland opening when the ointment is inserted. So after much discussion and thought, we decided the best thing for Tyler is to remove the glands.

So, he had laser surgery on Thursday and now has 6 tiny stitches around his butt. And his butt had to be shaved. You know those baboons that have the really pink butts? Tyler’s butt looks remarkably like a baboon butt!

Tyler's favorite place to lay--on my chest!

I’ve spent the past 3 days  (I took Friday off from work) coddling and petting and stroking him. And he’s milked it for all it’s worth. I know he’s milking it because one of our neighbors was over last night and Tyler was totally his normal stinker self, until she left. Then he reverted back to this needy little sorrowful soul who had to be held and loved on. I’m cutting him some slack, though, because I know the stitches are uncomfortable (even though he’s on pain meds) and the fact that his butt is hairless has got to be freaky-feeling.

He’s been in an e-collar, until today, to keep him from chewing on his butt. When I found out he would have surgery, I purchased an e-collar that looks a lot like an inflatable life-preserver. It fits around his neck and keeps him from bending his neck to get to his butt. I even had time to get him used to it before the surgery. I took it off him today–and I know he’s happier without it. But that’s meant I’ve had to watch him like a hawk so that he doesn’t chew on his stitches.

So all the regular household stuff I wanted to get done this weekend has not happened. But at least my dog is happy. Well mostly happy. He’s not going to be totally happy until his hair grows back and his butt is no longer bare. Sucks to have baboon butt.