Category Archives: Dogs
If you give a Weim an inch …
As Weim owners, we’re always talkingtalkingtalking about how if you give a Weim an inch, they’ll take over. Hell, they’ll do more than take over- they will take that inch, and run with it to the next horizon- waving it proudly in everyones face to see. They will howl and push, and stretch that inch until it’s so thin, and so warped, and so extremely stretched looking it never even looked like an inch to begin with it. But, being Weim owners, we expect that. And some sick side of us really, really enjoys giving them that inch.
With thanks to SaraRenee for the use of her words and photo.
Saturday Link Roundup – More Weimaraners
The first Weimaraner Link Roundup
Hypomyelination in Weimaraner Dogs
Researchers from the University of Wisconsin Madison lead by Dr. Ian Duncan in collaboration with researchers from Dr. Patel’s Laboratory at The University of Southern California and Dr. Bannasch’s Laboratory here at University of California Davis have identified the genetic basis for hypomyelination in the Weimaraner.
Wegman’s World – thebark.com
Behind the scenes with the artist, his family and the dogs.
Pup artist: Photographer takes care of his canine models – New York Post
The Firsts
The “Firsts” are the elite and select group of Weims that drew us in, blinded us with the ways of Weims, beat us up, made us raise our hands in the air in celebration and for sure in desperation. The firsts, no matter their age now, still are allowed to get away with things that the seconds or thirds or fourths or fifths (you know who you are!) would never even dream of trying to get away with. The Firsts are typically older now, but just as rotten and naughty as they used to be. The Firsts forgave us for our stumbling and training disasters and sins. The Firsts still have us wrapped tightly around their paws. The Firsts still hog our beds, steal our vegetables out of the garden, leap from boats when they shouldn’t, bark at people they shouldn’t bark at, and counter surf when you least expect it. But you know what? It’s ok, it’s all good. You know why? Cause they’re our Firsts, and we love them no matter what. They are still devoted to us after all these years. They have given us the “training” WE need for those to come. They give us the love and the stories we will share for years and years to come. They are our Firsts, and for that they are no less than perfect.
Photo and words SaraRenee Photos&Design
With thanks to SaraRenee
Her love shines over my horizon, she’s a slice of heaven
I have missed Nikki every day since she passed in September 2012.
Things got a lot better as time went on. There are still triggers which will bring a tear to my eye. The photo on the right is the most notable one. Songs: “Good Morning Starshine” was what I used to say to Nikki when she woke up in the morning. “Slice Of Heaven” was playing on the car radio when we took our final trip together.
I found some comfort in the following:
- talking to people who understood pet loss, including attending a companion animal loss support group.
- with the help of a photographer friend, selecting photos of Nikki for wall mounting.
- reading The Loss of a Pet, by Wallace Sife.
Neem Oil Dog Soap
Since someone asked, this is the dog soap I use with Nikki occasionally.
“This soap is especially formulated to disenchant fleas, ticks and other pests that may irritate your pets. NEEM oil has a long tradition in animal care and is often used on the Sacred Cows of India. The extraordinary NEEM tree, Azadirachta indica, is a tropical evergreen, native to India and Burma which can grow to 50 feet tall, tolerating drought and poor soils. It can live up to 200 years, bearing fruit at 3 to 5 years of age. The tree is extremely hardy and impervious to most pests. In India it is known as the ‘village pharmacy’. All the parts of the plant have been used for at least 4000 years in the treatment of a wide range of conditions for both humans and animals. NEEM soap will bring an unprecedented freshness and sense of well-being to your pets.”
A cake of Neem Oil dog soap should cost you approx. $6.00 from pet shops.
Frozen peanut butter treats for dogs – 2nd batch
After the first batch of frozen treats, a friend made a suggestion of adding water to the peanut butter mix.
Since I also wanted to try Vegemite frozen treats, I though it would be a good time to whip up another batch.
Vegemite frozen treats
Was a failure. The vegemite failed to set solid, Maybe if I add enough water to it, I’ll be able to. Something for batch 3.
Peanut butter frozen treats
Adding water does make it easier to mix, but it makes the peanut butter “melt” quicker when you take them out of the freezer. Not that Nikki the Official Taste Tester complains.
Maybe I need to buy some ice or sugar tongs.
Frozen peanut butter treats for dogs
One of my friends told me that dogs love peanut butter. So I whipped up a batch of frozen peanut butter treats for Nikki. Frozen so that on hot days, it’ll help Nikki keep cool.
What you’ll need.
- Smooth peanut butter – light
I used about 200 grams. - An ice cube tray
I used a flexible Ikea “Plastis” silicon tray. - Plastic freezer bags.
- Some small dry dog food
The dry dog food helps stretch out the peanut mix. - A round mixing bowl.
I used a square bowl below, which made it hard to get all the mixture out.
Making the peanut butter treats
- Put the peanut butter into a warm bowl, with the dry dog food.
The warm bowl makes it easier to mix the peanut butter.
A friend has suggested added some water as well, as this would it
even easier to mix and set.
- Scoop the peanut butter mixture out, and put into the tray.
- Place the tray into 2 freezer bags. ie. double-bag the tray.
This will stop peanut butter smells from going though your refrigerator.
- Place into the freezer, and leave for at least 12 hours.
- Optional step. Allow your dog to clean the peanut butter mix off your fingers.
- 12 hours later, the peanut butter treats are done!
Best Friend Holiday Retreat
We recently had a 2 day break at Tarra Valley, and stayed at the Best Friend Holiday Retreat. It was magic.
Here are some of the things Nikki, Robyn and I liked about it:
- It was fantastic to be able to take our dog, Nikki, with us on holidays for the first time.
- The six off-leash areas were not just flat paddocks, so Nikki was able to get exercise running up and down slopes.
There was even a selection of dog toys at the entrance of each of the off-leash areas. - A place so quiet that you can hear the bird life though-out the whole day. It was an experience to wake up to bird calls, not having heard them for over 20 years. Nikki was puzzled by the sounds, because she’s a city dog.
Continue reading
World’s fasting eating dog slowed down by new dog food bowl
Weimaraners can suffer from bloat. Bloat occurs because Weimaraners like Nikki try to stuff as much food down their throats, as quickly as possible.
And their stomachs swell up with gas. Bloat can be a fatal condition for dogs. So it’s a good idea to avoid it.
I’ve always been worried about Nikki and her vacuum cleaner feeding antics, so I’ve been looking around for some way of slowing her eating down.
Enter the Eat Better Bowl, by Alpha Paw. As you can see from the photo, the Eat Better bowl has a “wishbone” at the centre of the bowl.
What this does is divide the bowl into three parts, which prevents the dog from opening their mouth fully (ie. gulping).
Which means the dog has to take smaller mouthfuls.
With Nikki, she’s gone from finishing her meal in under a minute, to now taking five minutes.
The downsides?
Availability
Not very available in Australia, I purchased mine from Veterinary Companies of Australia. You can also buy them on eBay and Amazon.
Bowl size:
Didn’t know what bowl size to buy, so had to ask the seller. Here is a handy little table which gives you an idea which bowl to buy
| Size | Best for |
| Mini (16cm diameter) | (I’m not sure). |
| Petite (22cm diameter) | Miniature Schnauzers, Silky Terriers, Cocker Spaniels and Shelties etc. |
| Jumbo (31cm diameter) | Weimaraners, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Dobermans, Beagles etc. |
