RIP Darby

The world lost a great sheltie today, his name was Darby. As far as I'm concerned he was the BEST sheltie EVER and I hope that someday I will be half the sheltie he was. I'll remember all the times we had together, they were the best, I wouldn't trade a single minute of any of those memories... even the times you drooled on me when I was little and my first night at my new home when you peed on me cause I walked under you at the wrong moment.

Thanks for showing me what a great sheltie should be... I'll miss you good buddy!

Limp Diagnosis

So... remember that limp that I told ya'll about in my Mystery Solved post? Well, turns out I spoke too soon. It came back :o(

So it was off to vet's office again so that they could take another look at my leg. After a complete physical exam and a round of x-rays it was determined that I have a defect in my shoulder along with a little bit of arthritis in ankle. Arthritis at 3? What's up with that? So I was sent home with orders to take baby aspirin whenever my leg flares up and Mom was told to watch me to make sure it doesn't get any worse. They are also sending my x-rays up to Penn to have their orthopedists take a look to see if there is anything else of concern.

This afternoon Mom placed an order for Joint Care Supplements from Dr. Foster and Smith's catalog that hopefully will help make my joints happy again.

Sheltie Love is Spreading!

My popularity is spreading, no longer am I just known around daycare and the doggie park... people at the University of Maryland know me!! Here's an excerpt of a Gmail Chat session my Mommy had this morning...

Mommy's Friend: i met the grandmother of one of the people takes care of stormy!
Mommy: haha
no way
Mommy's Friend: yeah dogwood acres right?
Mommy: yea!
Mommy's Friend: yeah her granddaughter works there
i asked her if she knew stormy the sheltie
Mommy: that's great
random people know my dog
too funny
Mommy's Friend: its a small dog world

Who can resist me? No one! I turn on the sheltie cuteness and its impossible to resist me. I could even make the Grinch love me!

Christmas Rules for us dogs...

From my buddy Simba's blog...

1. Be especially patient with your humans during this time. They may appear to be more stressed-out than usual and they will appreciate long comforting dog leans.

2. They may come home with large bags of things they call gifts. Do not assume that all the gifts are yours.

3. Be tolerant if your humans put decorations on you. They seem to get some special kind of pleasure out of seeing how you look with fake antlers.

4. They may bring a large tree into the house and set it up in a prominent place and cover it with lights and decorations. Bizarre as this may seem to you, it is an important ritual for your humans, so there are some things you need to know:
a. Don't pee on the tree
b. Don't drink water in the container that holds the tree
c. Mind your tail when you are near the tree
d. If there are packages under the tree, even ones that smell interesting or that have your name on them, don't rip them open
e. Don't chew on the cord that runs from the funny-looking hole in the wall to the tree

5. Your humans may occasionally invite lots of strangers to come visit during this season. These parties can be lots of fun, but they also call for some discretion on your part:
a. Not all strangers appreciate kisses and leans
b. Don't eat off the buffet table
c. Beg for goodies subtly
d. Be pleasant, even if unknowing strangers sit on your sofa
e. Don't drink out of glasses that are left within your reach

6. Likewise, your humans may take you visiting. Here your manners will also be important:
a. Observe all the rules in #4 for trees that may be in other people's houses. (4a is particularly important)
b. Respect the territory of other animals that may live in the house
c. Tolerate children
d. Turn on your charm big time

7. A big man with a white beard and a very loud laugh may emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night. DON'T BITE HIM!!

Happy Merry Christmas...

Why must the parentals dress me up in little hats? Oh well, Happy Howl-o-days everyone!