Tag: poop time
a scare and puppy love

a scare and puppy love

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Everyone who knows me personally knows that my dogs are my life. Without them my life would be empty. Sure I would have more freedom but I choose to forsake that and have the unconditional love that they have always given me.

During the early weeks of December 2019 I noticed that Seven was loosing weight extremely quickly and he was beginning to shake uncontrollably. He was not having seizures but all was not good. I became frantic. Finally managed to get him to the vet after a number of emergency calls. Upon seeing him, they too did not know what was going on with him. It was decided to bring in a special vet from Cuernavaca to perform blood and urine tests. The results were studied by all three vets and it was determined that he was having acute liver failure. Why or how we would never find out. I came home with an array of medications that would cover a two week period, along with a specific diet. I was beside myself. I could not loose my soulmate, not now, not at such a young age. I hugged him so much. I cried. But miracles do happen. Seven, my soulmate made an amazing recovery and it was the best christmas present I have ever received. He was soon demanding that his frisbee be thrown at any given chance. I knew he was on the road to full recovery. Martha and her husband in Tepoztlan saved him and I am forever grateful. Beautiful people who care first and foremost about the animals that are brought to them. If I had been living in Canada, the vet bills would have probably been over two grand. Everything is cheaper here in Mexico and the total cost was around $150. Would I have spent the 2 grand + if I had been in Canada? You bet your bottom dollar I would have.

Early one morning sitting on the porch having tea watching the dogs play, Fabian heard some cries, puppy cries, from the highway next to the house. I couldn’t hear them due to my fading hearing but he rushed over to see what it was all about. Within five minutes he placed this very scared puppy into my lap and rushed back to try to find the other one, her brother. I now had two very scared puppies in my lap. It did not take long for them to relax knowing that they they were now safe. They soon began to play with the pack although Seven was like, really mum, more dogs? I asked Fabian to find homes for them. Not an easy thing to do in a small town where many people let their dogs run free without any sterilization. Consequently there are many puppies that are just thrown away. A hard reality. Poor souls had fleas and were full of worms. We named the little girl Zero and her brother Spot as he had a huge black spot on his back. Fabian pleaded with me to keep Zero and I caved. My friend Helen agreed to take Spot as she had just lost her beloved dog. So for the moment I now had six dogs to take care of, Seven, Stella, Siete, Eight, Zero and Spot and Tai, the cat.

Pamela, my first friend in Tepoztlan contacted me and said she had just taken in a blue heeler and the “breeder” had more. I agreed to have a look. The guy comes over with 3 puppies around all male., 6/7 weeks old. His story was that their mother was injured and could no longer feed the puppies. Yeah whatever. I sat down with all three in my living room. Bang. The one that immediately came over to me now became mine. Welcome Six to our fold. For awhile, before Helen took Spot home I had seven dogs to care for. To be honest it was not what I had in mind and I did become slightly agitated. Sure it was fun and games for Fabian. He was at work 6 days a week, 10 hours a day. But for me I felt drained from the responsibility. Having almost lost Seven and now with 3 demanding puppies which I was not prepared for. It did cause some strain on the relationship I had with my roommate but once Spot moved in with Helen and the pack became six, we all fell into a routine. Six was to be “our” dog but because I was home 24/7, he soon became mine. And true to his name, he was always at my 6 o’clock.

The breeder. I did not like him. To me he was a backyard breeder. That became very evident. When Six was around 10 weeks old he had two mild seizures. Martha, my vet told me that this is not the first time that dogs from this man had found their way to their clinic because of the same. He doesn’t care. It’s all about money. Granted by Canadian prices of heelers, Six was not expensive – $75 but that is a considerable sum for most Mexicans. We told him what happened and he said that he would no longer use the female for breeding. To this day, I do not believe a word he said, cos quite honestly like all backyard breeders, they don’t give a shit. Martha suggested that I give Six drops of CBD oil rather than go to the prescribed medication route. Four years later, with CBD every day, Six has not had another seizure. If your dog has seizures perhaps it is something you should look into. I swear by it.

For the next few months as you can imagine, my days were filled with puppy care. Toilet training – yikes. Zero was great and soon learned that pee and poo was not allowed in the house. Spot was not too bad but Six was a devil. He reminded me of Seven who was also a bugger to train. What is it with some males that they have to pee on every corner of the house. Eventually, finally they all figured it out. I left no water in the house at night time and insisted that before I hit the sack, it was outside for the final pee. I had to coax Seven and Siete with treats but needless to say I had enough treats for them all. Fabian would ask me why are you doing this? I simply said, well you take a pee before you go to bed don’t you, so why should it be any different for the dogs. I could see that statement computing in his brain and then he said, yeah that makes sense! Men!!

feeding the pack of 7

The months were also filled with expanding the garden. Tepoztlan is in a valley and very fertile, the climate is perfect with enough rain so I was eager to see what would happen. Fabian brought many succulent cuttings home and I purchased what I could from local growers. The garden was really beginning to take shape. I was in heaven in my little piece of paradise. Surrounded by my dogs and watching my garden grow. A beautiful time to relax and enjoy.

It was also the time during the dawn of 2020 the world became aware of COVID. The restrictions. The lock down. No flights. The vaccinations. All hell was about to break loose. Whether you believed what was being reported or not, it affected your daily life. In retrospect, knowing what I know now, I would not have gone the route taken by the vast majority of people, including me. The lock down, the restrictions ruined many people’s lives. Sure the vaccinations saved many people from getting the full blown virus. But the lock downs, the restrictions? Total insanity. More on that in future posts. Now is not the time.

We Made It

We Made It

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After nine long days on the road with little sleep apart from in San Miguel, we made it. We were here in Tepoztlan, Pueblo Magico, Morelos, Mexico. WOW. You did it Stephanie. Now what?

After unloading the car it was time to decide what I was going to sleep on. I had no bed. My friend Maria had helped me get a fridge, table with chairs and a sofa but alas there was not time to purchase a bed. Thinking back I should have put emphasis on a bed. But here I was. The sofa is skinny and not long enough for my frame but it was all I had unless I wanted to sleep on the floor – no scrap that idea. So the sofa it was. I was so tired, the floor would have been just as good. Needless to say I was awake early. There was a whole list of things that had to be done. Water and gas to be ordered and food to purchase. I sat on the porch and thought where the hell to I begin! Lucky for me the landlady’s brother-in-law, Elmer lives across the street and delivers water. You will here much more of Elmer as time goes on. The tank was almost empty and took two loads to fill.  Done. Then this truck comes down the dusty road tooting his horn and he is selling gas! Done.

gas!! now we are in business

Now we must find some food. Where do I go? I Really had no idea. To be honest I don’t think I went to the market in Tepoztlan that first day. I really cannot remember. I know I found the local store that would give me the basics but no food to speak of.  I must have eaten but what? That is a long-lost memory now.  For quite some time I used google to make my route out of here and still do! Tepoztlan is not a large town but to me then it was a twisted network of cobbled stone streets.  

But for the most part that day was spent in a daze, emptying the boxes of stuff I had brought with me. This was not a holiday, this was it. This was home. I am not sure what Seven thought of the whole ordeal but he was beginning to meet the neighbours dogs. Elmer has 10 of them. Thank god I have a fenced yard as time will tell but this picking up dog poop is a real bummer. After 18 years of not having to worry about it as all my dogs including Seven would find a spot in the bush away from everything. Now I have to pick it up, the poop-and-scoop deal every day. Damn he poops a lot, I just never realized. One learns very early that eyes are down when walking either to make sure you don’t step in dog poop or trip over the cobbled stones. Many times I have tripped and only once stepped in poop. No looking up at the beautiful mountains that surround Tepoztlan while walking, stop then look up.

Seven was itching to run I could tell but for now we rest and look out at our domain.

look out first day

 

Day Four

Day Four

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Woke up and so wish I could go back to sleep for another few hours. First things first, take Seven out for a pee. This is really quite hard because since he came home with me all I have had to do is open the front door and off he goes. This wake up, get dressed, leash ordeal is not fun for me especially when one does not feel 100%. Of course I have no one to blame but myself for the wine that was consumed the night before, so out we go. We meet other people who are doing the same and having the same problem. Seven is at least peeing and pooing basically on command. I felt sorry for this one lady whose dog was having a hard time to do either because he was out of his environment. We must not forget that travel will affect everyone differently including animals. Back inside I make my way to the free buffet. It was great but all I could stomach was some juice, coffee and a croissant. Not really adequate for the day ahead but pocketed some fruit to take with me.

We leave Fort Smith and start our journey to Waco, Texas.

the route

Have been told off numerous times of the correct pronunciation but either way people know where you are going.  We are definetly heading south now as the windows need to be open at all times. Leaving Fort Smith we take a road less travelled and yes I got lost but only slightly.  I was told by one nice lady to take one route because it will be quicker but another said no, take this one if you are not in a hurry.  It was the latter one I took because at the time I was in no hurry to take the major highway and I am glad I did.   But eventually one must face the traffic.

Dallas

Somewhere along that highway in Texas before Dallas I stopped at one of the best pit stops I have made. It was big as one could imagine cos this is Texas. Seven was able to be without a leash away from traffic and people, stretch those legs baby we are half way there. In the huge welcome area I find a map and ask the guy what’s the best way around Dallas, should I take the ring road or barrel right through. He drew on the map and said go straight through. I wasn’t sure if I was going to buy the map but thought well shit now I have to but no, the kind man folded it up and said enjoy your time in Texas ma’am.

With that we were on the road again. Trucks. More trucks. More trucks. The highways in Texas are big. And through Dallas was no different so it was the best way to go. How many more highways does one city need? Construction everywhere. More highways, more trucks. Our stop in Waco was smack in the middle of highways. Not a restaurant really unless I wanted to get lost in Waco. So it was once again pizza. And the tiniest spot to take Seven for his business. By now we were both getting accustomed to the leash. Haha listen to me – I don’t think we will ever get used to it.

Lights out – end of day four.

 

Day Three

Day Three

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Each night including the night before I left I would write down the directions to our next stop.  I wish I had kept all of those notes. It was a wonder I could actually follow them the next day with confidence. I don’t have the luxury of GPS in my car and I do not have mobile internet. I refuse to pay for data on my cell. Why would one, when everywhere has WiFi. It also gave me a sense of where I was and the road ahead. Now as you can tell if you have read the past posts, it seems I get lost a fair bit. All part of being on the road I say to Seven. Not always are maps correct. I was using Google Maps which helped guide me and it was pretty straightforward until the directions I had written suddenly became redundant. Road closures, detours and trucks. So many trucks. Then try circumventing around a large city that you do not know in the pouring rain not able to see anything in front of you with people weaving in and out of lanes because they “know” the roads, they are the dangerous ones. And then the trucks. So many trucks. I was holding onto the steering wheel tightly and by the time I stopped I thought my shoulders were about ready to seize up permanently.  We have a big dislike for cities.

Day three was from St Louis, Missouri to Fort Smith Arkansas. The landscape in Arkansas was amazing. A lot of the highway was empty and suddenly I think I am in a scene from Deliverance. Strange where your mind takes you. Seriously, there was a scenic route that I would have loved to take but we only had so many hours of daylight driving and I did not need to get lost in those hills as breath-taking as they were.

Lynn

We upgraded to Best Western in Fort Smith because there is no Red Roof Inn. Cost me extra for Seven but he is definitely worth it.  At Red Roof you do not pay for your dog. It was great, they gave me room right beside an exit door which made it very easy to take Seven out for pee and poo time. But it did not matter because tonight was special. I had arranged to meet with a fellow animal advocate for dinner and some wine. Lynn was fabulous. she brought one of her rescues, darling Sasha

Sasha

along for the evening too which was great for Seven. Lynn brought the wine which was fabulous, wine always surpasses beer which we manged to consume all of it and I am not telling how many bottles. And she bought dinner which I inhaled. Now how awesome is that. We talked for hours about so many things that are forefront in our minds daily – the welfare of animals in the world, it was liking meeting up with a long lost friend. We could have continued for hours more, but I was on a mission, I needed sleep for the next day on the highway. One day Lynn, we shall meet again, I am sure of it.

Lynn and I

One last pee for Seven, one last drink of the fabulous cream licquer Lynn left before I wrote my directions for the next day.

Over and out, the end of day three.

the motel look

 

 

Day Two

Day Two

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Up early and waiting for the free breakfast. Might as well take advantage as a 7 hour drive ahead except for pee stops for Seven.  Leaving Coldwater and headed towards St. Louis, Missouri. One does not see much of the country while on the highway and I did not stop to take any pictures. Should have and could have but I did not. A bit silly really as it is doubtful that I will do the same journey again. Then again, never say never. I must admit that the US has great pit stops along their state highways. Well posted, clean and very convenient. Sure makes it easier so you don’t have to get off the highway and search for a toilet!! Some have more to offer than others but for Seven and I they were just what we needed.  Some even offer poop bags for your dogs.

The second day while cruising along, what was alarming to me was the number of deer that were road kills in Michigan and Indiana. This was only on a small section of highways that criss cross the country but I stopped counting at 20, it was too depressing.  Such beautiful animals. I can only hope that death was immediate and they did not suffer.

Always checking the gas and I kept saying to myself, oh must stop and get gas at the next sign. Well I kept saying that and then well lets say I had to get off the highway and get gas. I followed the sign which led me to nowhere. Now what? I was in a small town, a village really and had no idea where they went for gas. I stopped a young man on the street and asked. He says well my Jesus you are the second person this week to ask me the same thing. He then gives me the directions which take me out of this village and up the big hill, you can’t miss it he says. Well when someone says that to me, I invariably miss it and yes I missed it. Making a u-turn on a dirt road that goes nowhere, I found the one and only gas station. I look at the pumps and man are they old. So do I pay before or just pump the gas. Haha, didn’t realize that you had to press the lever down or was it up. Got my gas, bought some beer for later and paid my bill and then realized I was in bible .country. Praise the Lord.  Now to find the highway again. We only had a couple of hours of daylight left before our next Red Roof Inn.

Pulled into the motel and discover they have an indoor pool and I don’t have a swim suit. Too bad, that would have been great.  It’s time for Seven to go out. We take a walk down this road which I thought would have been quiet. It was until a guy in his supped up pick up came barreling down the road. Poor Seven freaked and he damn well near strangled himself trying to get away. Needless to say we did not take that road again.

Grab some food, bed time and end of day two.

sleep time

Leaving Day

Leaving Day

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The day finally arrived. The day to head out. The day to leave what I called home for 18 years. I didn’t cry. I couldn’t. I had to look forward not back. One last look of the road, Mill Road, Holt, East Gwillimbury. Seven and I will miss you.

mill road

The night before I hardly slept. I had a long journey ahead and it was something that I had never done before. I was as nervous as hell. I hate highways and here I was about to embark on a 4500km road trip. Crazy. Absolutely insane. Finally when Seven saw his bed, toys and food bowls, he knew he was coming too. One last look. One last phone call. Door locked. Shaking like a leaf, I buckled up, started the car and made that one last drive up the hill. Holy shit Steph what have you done?

As I said I hate highways so I flatly refused to take the 401 to Sarnia. Thought I would take it easy for the first few hours. All was good until construction around Stratford, Ontario. In Ontario and most of Canada there are two seasons on the road – construction or snow.  A mere 2 hours into my trip I am lost. Great start. And it won’t be the last time as you will see. Back on track and here I am on the 401, the road I did not want to be on. Have to make up time now, so the highway was the only answer. Amazingly the road was not busy then the bridge to the USA and traffic came to a halt, I had heard stories of line-ups for hours. This was a breeze and only took half an hour to get to the check point.

Passport, papers for the dog. Did I have it all? Yes of course. When travelling solo, you check and recheck and check again. US customs. Where you headed miss he asks while looking at my passport and the interior of the car. Mexico, I say. I see you have a dog, can you open the door please ma’am. Here a lump came in my throat as Seven does not fair well with strangers as I told you. Seven looked at him and froze. He closed the door. Do you have dog food? Yes. May I see it. Well that was kind of awkward but I dragged his bag of food for mr. customs officer to look at. What’s in it? Shit man it’s dog food I felt like saying. I said I think it’s made in the US and he says well it’s got French on the package so I doubt it. It has lamb in it. That is not allowed. Oh great I am thinking. Make sure you leave none in the US, take it all to Mexico. Seriously dude? And with that we were now in the US and motoring to our first stop at the Red Roof Inn Coldwater, Michigan.

into the USA

By the time we arrived at the hotel after getting lost again exhausted and starving. Seven was also totally confused.  Ordered pizza, turned on the TV, took Seven for a pee and tried to settle down for a good nights sleep. This was a whole new thing for Seven and I, being on a leash. Try telling a dog who has had free roam of 200 acres to suddenly be told hey it’s pee time, lets go. He was not amused.

The end of day one.
i’m still here

i’m still here

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wow, mum has been really busy and has not been keeping you up to date. i apologize on her behalf!

i like it lthough cos we are outside digging in the garden a lot. well mum is and i am trying to help. there is this huge pile of dirt that someone brought over and it is so much fun to did dig dig and send the dirt all over the place. mum has taught me a new word. off. because i am such a smart border collie, i learned very quickly to stay off her garden! then she gets this strange machine called a lawn mower which cuts all the grass. humans are very strange. thanks goodness she does not cut the all the grass cos this is where i have pee time and poo time in private!

we took my best cat friend, lucy to this very strange building a couple of weeks ago. mum had to put her in this little crate and she was not happy. poor lucy even pooped in the crate she was so nervous. it was very smelly. we picked her up later that day and she didn’t smell of poop but she smelt strange and was acting very sleepy.  mum says that she wnt to her doctor and was fixed so she won’t have babies and can now go outside with me.  but she climbs trees and goes up really high. the robins keep dive bombing her. guess they don’t like it!

i will try to get mum to keep you updated and promise i will not be gone for such a long time!

lucy and i checking out a bug

bells, poop and cars

bells, poop and cars

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the bell thing is working but i still forget to ring it sometimes. my mum makes me ring it even though we are at the door all ready to go outside. i don’t enderstand why becasue she knows we are going outside. so i humour her and ring the bell. wonder if i will ever understand humans?

today my mum is busy and she left the gate open. well i went to find the cats because they always hide out in the bedroom or on top of my crate. all was good, i was very quiet and i found the cats and wouldn’t let them leave the room. and then i pooped and peed in the bedroom. mum was really mad at me i think and i hung my head in shame. i was being so good too about going outside for pee time and poop time. i don’t know what came over me. i promise not to do it again, well i will try not to do it again.

mum has this little stool that is on wheels. it’s so much fun to pull across the room but it keeps loosing one of it’s wheels. what’s really fun is running up and jumping on it and then glide across the room. and then there are the car rides. love those because i never know where we might be going. sometimes just the store but sometimes we visit friends. doesn’t matter, i like them. and if anyone comes up to the car i am a big brave border collie and protect my mum. she tells me it’s ok but i keep my eye on the person who is there and what they are doing, cos my mum is my best friend and i have to be there for her. that’s what border collies do.

where we going?

poop time

poop time

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i am told that being a border collie, i am one of the smartest, if not the smartest dogs on this planet, that’s a lot to live up to. and there are lots of rules i have to learn. it will take a little more time, but i will, i promise mum.

i have it figured out that after i play, eat and sleep, i have to have poop time. i guess the same would happen with humans and cats. this is where humans and cats confuse me. mum praises me everytime when we are outside and i do the poop thing but is not so happy when i do it inside. so why do they not have to go outside and do poop time? it’s only me that has to go outside. i know where the cats go poop, they have their special box that mum makes sure i do not sniff. and mum has this seat with water in it which i cannot get at, mum says its called a toilet which is a strange word. i am confused but i am sure i will conquer this strange concept. it’s called puppy training mum says.

meanwhile the most fun i am having right now is my basketball and ofcourse giving mum lots of kisses

please again!

sally

sally

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mum had to do that work thing again, so into the crate i went but a short time after a human friend came to let me out so i could do pee time and then we played and i thanked him by giving him lots of kisses. but i did have to go back into by crate until mum came home and then it would be play time again! 

i hear mum’s car and start to get excited because i know she will be coming through that door any moment which she does.  i am now out of my crate giving her hugs and kisses and then over to the door for pee time. when the door opened and i stepped outside. there was another dog. a big white and black one. i know i am a big brave border collie but i was kind of scared and pee’d on the step.  mum says her name is sally and she sometimes comes to stay with us when her human mum has to go away. we immediately went for a walk down the laneway and i did not go far from mum’s side. well that lasted about 5 minutes and now i follow sally everywhere, hope she doesn’t mind. we even slept together on mum’s big bed, how cool is that?
today will be lots of fun with my new friend sally, maybe she will teach me a few things while she is here. well that’s what mum says! mum also said that there are many more friends that i will meet, i can’t wait!  
i forgot to tell you i now weigh 20 pounds. i am growing really fast and yes i poop a lot!
my new friend sally

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