Since Henry didn't have an opportunity to enjoy the sand and the surf on a recent trip to the beach (remember, we didn't sneak him on to the people beach because we sensed that we would be reprimanded by authorities), we decided that Henry needed a visit to his own beach (the dog beach). Well, since it was a beautiful day (truly ideal, actually!) we took the Hankster to the dog beach. Once there we realized how many others had the same idea we had! The beach was quite crowded. Usually we are the only ones there or sometimes there are a few other people and pets there. On this day, however, the beach was loaded with people and their pets, jet skiers, fishermen and those who didn't have anything "extra" to do other than just hang out at the beach.
Henry made it a perfect experience. He trotted down to the shore, got his feet wet then went in about chest high, took a few smacks from the waves and then he just wanted to chill. So, we rolled out a few towels and we all just relaxed in the sun soaking in all the vitamin D the day had to offer.
Henry had some passersby tell him how cute he was. Some commented on what a good boy he was being. Others asked if he could see or how old he was. Henry enjoyed the attention and even the awkward questions were still welcomed. He's not shy about his age or about his life experiences. So he was the smooth guy that was the subtle life of the party once again.
We have an app on our phones that will show photos and videos in a memory timeline. So, it basically says, on this day 1 year ago or 3 years ago or 10 years ago, this is what happened in photographic history. We open each day and review and there are some that are just eh and then there are some that really hit home. Since the blog is more about the now and not so much about history, we tend not to share this type of stuff (not to mention the fact that we've probably already shared it in real time years ago).
Anyway, this video popped up for us on May 1st and had the date of May 1, 2007 (8 years ago). To us, this was truly pug life as we remember best. This video, while about 90 seconds long, shows all the classic moments rolled up into one scene. Note to reader: This was pre-Solsey and we do not mean to exclude her and perhaps when something pops up that really strikes a cord that shows the dynamics of when they were the Fab 4 then we will again reflect, but this highlight reel seems most like the bulk of our pug life.
Here are the key moments that we would like to point out:
Benny outruns everyone like a wild man
Luna is being her feisty self (if you listen closely, her yaps in sequence of three almost can literally be heard as the chant, "Play with me! Play with me!"
Henry preferring to roll in the grass but then the other 2 gang up on him to encourage him to play (but Henry is being wise in using his time to recuperate)
Benny biting Henry's ankles
Benny getting frustrated in the end that Henry doesn't chase him, so Benny humps Henry
Benny running so fast his tail uncurls
Sidenote: Mimo is freshly planted and Benjamin runs over it like it does not even exist (since to him, it indeed does not yet exist)
Overall---Happy, healthy, lively pugs with all their working parts
Although our cancer doc recommended an xray and sonogram every other month (well, an xray one month, the sonogram the next, rinse and repeat), our general vet feels that we are now safely to a point where every 3 months is now sound (and fiscally responsible, too). So, it was time for Henry's check up to see how Henry's innards were doing. We know he still has the IBD and while we've been managing that pretty well, we've noticed his poops have been just a little off. So, we are going to adjust his meds just slightly until it kind of works itself out. (Maybe burger night wasn't the best idea. Boo!) He's been pretty much on his p's and q's for a good long time so one night probably wasn't the cause.
(Photo above is of Henry and Katy, one of our many beloved staff members at Tomoka Pines.)
We are THRILLED to announce that Henry is still in very good overall health and the doc says that he's still going strong and each time we go to the vet the last few trips our doc just keeps saying how Henry is on the upswing and is doing so great! His organs all look great but Dr. Long shared that Henry is missing a kidney! Hey! How did THAT happen? Ha! But seriously, He is doing great and that is terrific to hear! We also heard from Ann at CFPR about how positive they were when CFPR called for our reference check to see if we were fit pug people. We are very grateful to have such an awesome vet/team of medical support for Henry. #HenryIsOneLuckyPug!
We are always trying to do something each night to wear Henry out for the next day so that he can be happy at home while resting and not be filled with anxiety. We have snuck him on to the people beach a time or two. And on this night that was again our intention. But for some reason once we got there, we had a feeling that we would have been popped by the po-po (for those of you over 20, that means busted by the police). So, we opted to just hang out on an overlook area (near the sign that said no dogs allowed). Here we observed a couple of things.
First, a few other people that had snuck their dog on and low and behold, up rolled the beach patrol and tossed them out. Not sure if they also got a ticket but off they went after the fuzz visited them (lights flashing and all).
Next we observed MANY Jeeps driving down the beach. And come to find out that later in the week, there was actually a world's record set for the most number of Jeeps at one gathering at one time. So, we got a mini preview of this event. Although we stupidly did not take even one single photo of this! Ugh!
What we did take a photo of was Henry taking in the smells from his overlook ledge. He still thoroughly enjoyed the breeze and scents that the winds brought his way and with the luxury of not even having to walk or get his feet wet!
As we have bemoaned for months now, Henry is only able to be left at home during work hours. Since this is starting to make for cranky housebound people, we decided to get crafty! There are not many (really, if any) restaurants nearby that allow pets, but there are a couple that have some form of outdoor seating. It has been literally about a decade since Henry has experienced outdoor dining but we opted to give it a go again. (The last time was when Baby Benny was in the hospital at age 2 or so for a case of pancreatitis while we were still living in Maryland.) So, the plan was to go to our local burger joint that offers outdoor seating.
This was a huge hit with Henry! He had a great night! And so did his people. We brought a towel for the chair. The tables and chairs are made of wrought iron and have a mesh style seat, back and table top. This type of chair is not ideal for pugs with issues like Henry has (wiggly and blind and with long toenails). The chair was a little shaky which made for a more nervous Henry. So, we simple kept one foot on one of the chair feet and that took the wiggle away. We covered the seat with the towel so as his toenails did not get stuck in the mesh seat...although when he would put his paws on the table---like a bad boy-- his toenails almost immediately got stuck! That was not fun.
Since going blind Henry is not able to distinguish the smell from cooking food from cooked food. Since he cannot see he doesn't know that there is not food on the table even if he can clearly smell it. So, sitting right outside of a burger joint made him a little wild while he waited because he could not understand why he smelled food but yet was not being fed food! Not to mention that on this particular night we had gotten in line behind the wrong crowd. The people in front of us ordered one of each menu item! Talk about a long wait for us! And we had a wonky dog waiting! Yikes! But Henry built his patience up, waited for about 20 minutes for his very own kid's meal to arrive. (Benny & Luna would be ever so jealous!)
Henry was thrilled to get his own burger with a bun and we even let him indulge in a few french fries hoping that this would not make him sick. After that he went for a walk and a ride. Some little boy was a tuckered out guy by the time we got home. He even slept in a touch later the next day! #MissionAccomplished
The weekend with Spike ended midday Sunday. It was a great visit and even though eventually Henry grew mildly more than indifferent to him, we knew ultimately it was not the right thing for either dog for us to keep Spike. We spent Sunday by again offering them a morning walk and a final test of the boys being alone. This time they both settled and while Spike was awake during our away time, he was not anxious. Henry was passed out. Spike tried various locations where he could settle himself. He used the main pug bed. (It is weird...we are sure you have noticed that we are down to a scant few beds. There are multiple reasons for this. First, Henry really only cares for the one bed. Next, too many beds make for tripping hazards for sweet blind Henry. And if he's not using them, then no reason for them to clutter his path.) Spike tired of the main pug bed then weren't we surprised to see him hop up on the sofa and commandeer the pillow pile a la Benny & Henry of old! Seriously! It is a such a huge change to be with a dog who can accomplish such feats! It has been so long since we've had jumpers, leapers, runners, hearers, seers, non-coughers and just an unbelievable presence of such good health! And Spike isn't even a puppy! He's 7. But a young 7 for sure.
I did want to share a bit more about Spike. Because while this is really more about Henry, we wanted to share info about Spike. Without discrediting any of our current or dearly departed pugs, Spike is a perfect dog for us (should Henry no longer be with us---no wishing bad on Henry, of course!). Spike is an active, well mannered, attentive, people pleasing, good natured pug. I know that is how all pugs are really. But Spike, while not terrific on leash initially, was easy to correct, happy to do the right thing and overall would be exactly the dog we would be looking for in a different place and time. He is housebroken, a chewer (but only on stuff he should chew), excitable but not overly anxious. Just HAPPY! And I think that is what he really brought most to our home was happiness. Although it was not to the one who needed it the most: Henry. He filled the hearts of the people, but not the pug. And if we are being honest, while trying to stay upbeat and positive, we have been brought down a bit here and there by Henry's sadness (and yet we hadn't even realized it until after seeing our own elation over Spike's enthusiasm). We hope Spike finds a terrific home. He totally deserves it. We certainly hope that a great family pans out. Maybe someone with an older child who will play with Spike and be rambunctious with? I am not sure where he will land but I know that he will be a bouncy bundle of joy wherever that is. If you are interested in Spike or other dogs like him, check out CFPR's website (or the pug rescue nearest you). It would be great if all pugs could have a wonderful forever home. And a very sincere thank you to Ann and all of the team at CFPR who make pug rescue a wonderful success. Rescue is very necessary work and we just wanted to add that we truly appreciate the experience and appreciate the hard work that goes into finding families the perfect match.
And a very sincere thank you to Ann and all of the team at CFPR who make pug rescue a wonderful success. Rescue is very necessary work and we just wanted to add that we truly appreciate the experience and appreciate the hard work that goes into finding families the perfect match. 