tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75139968174979590542024-03-15T20:10:06.055-05:00Two Pitties in the CityTwo Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.comBlogger1286125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-79494110601599063082020-10-08T07:00:00.002-05:002020-10-08T07:59:53.276-05:00Senior Dog Preparation<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w8fFkbcE2Yw/X34cDoWhf-I/AAAAAAADmDY/FOIErbXNVW89EAeiVzEiIZ8hISd9Mse8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ASK_4678.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="429" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w8fFkbcE2Yw/X34cDoWhf-I/AAAAAAADmDY/FOIErbXNVW89EAeiVzEiIZ8hISd9Mse8wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h429/ASK_4678.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We have been trying to write this post for quite sometime now, but things have always gotten in the way. Now that it has been several days since we said goodbye to our beloved Mr. B, we thought that these tips might help others with a geriatric dog.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_uAkunLsbl8/X34cSmNbBmI/AAAAAAADmDc/_kun4xjtIoAJVkprakEggtCbsxULjZIjACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3115.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_uAkunLsbl8/X34cSmNbBmI/AAAAAAADmDc/_kun4xjtIoAJVkprakEggtCbsxULjZIjACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_3115.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>It seems like it happened overnight. Mr. B was a young pup at the age of 17 and all of a sudden he aged to a 17 year old pooch. Here are some tips for those who have aging pups that we discovered along the way and wish we knew earlier.<br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ahn0nEaeQJo/X34cxNm-1eI/AAAAAAADmEE/ZCAolYqyVTgovkqnX0vxtGJhAez4PlJHgCLcBGAsYHQ/ASK_4623.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ahn0nEaeQJo/X34cxNm-1eI/AAAAAAADmEE/ZCAolYqyVTgovkqnX0vxtGJhAez4PlJHgCLcBGAsYHQ/w427-h640/ASK_4623.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>Gates<br />
As we have written before, gates are important, but especially to limit an older dog's access to stairs. Going up the stairs was a concern but not as much as the concern of Mr. B going down the stairs. We have had one too many close calls of hearing him crashing at the bottom landing after he slipped down the flight of stairs. Unfortunately, Mr. B still loved to follow us and if we had any gates open he would make the incredible effort to climb up all the stairs to be with us. We chose to live with our gates closed at all times and we would climb over them, just so we wouldn't make the mistake of keeping them open.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5EnUr4XeeFU/X34c4q32jeI/AAAAAAADmEM/c5SyYdlp-284b0YYJC0exjECH1AaKPD5ACLcBGAsYHQ/IMG_1572.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5EnUr4XeeFU/X34c4q32jeI/AAAAAAADmEM/c5SyYdlp-284b0YYJC0exjECH1AaKPD5ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_1572.jpeg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mr. B with Danielle from <a href="https://soapdistillery.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Soap Distillery</a></span></div><a href="https://helpemup.com/" target="_blank">
Help 'Em Up Harness</a><br />
We purchased this harness for Miss M when she was struggling with cancer and chemotherapy and it has been an immense help with her and especially with Mr. B. Unfortunately we have a decent flight of stairs out of our house and we could easily help the dogs down the stairs using the carrying straps on the harness above their back and above their hind legs. Mr. B loved going on walks and this made all of our walks manageable, especially winter walks with the icy sidewalks and mounds of snow. We eventually kept this on him at all times during the day to help him into and out of his bed and to help him walk on our wood floors.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DFImyx_TMR8/X34eijsUH7I/AAAAAAADmEc/y0hlAYBU9vUb8eZ-rvD-sHThPG3g70C9ACLcBGAsYHQ/IMG_9060.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DFImyx_TMR8/X34eijsUH7I/AAAAAAADmEc/y0hlAYBU9vUb8eZ-rvD-sHThPG3g70C9ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_9060.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>Boots<br />
The skin tag on his rear foot would be bleeding after our walks and it was only after a visit with an emergency vet that we learned that he knuckled his rear paws and that he was steadily losing the function of his rear legs. We also noticed that the nail on his rear paws have gotten really short and near the quick from him knuckling when he walked. After we started incorporating the boots on his rear paws, his skin tag stopped bleeding and his nails grew longer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GN1afxbUvl0/X34e2sBPfXI/AAAAAAADmEo/Zg-egWgIUb4-dTcSKV-CkKKx48fx6OvvgCLcBGAsYHQ/IMG_4849.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GN1afxbUvl0/X34e2sBPfXI/AAAAAAADmEo/Zg-egWgIUb4-dTcSKV-CkKKx48fx6OvvgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_4849.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div>
Orthopedic Bed<br />
We purchased this bed from Orvis back when Miss M was first diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma and it was the go-to bed for Mr. B. He was no longer interested in the plush beds we had around the house and liked the firmness of this bed. We recommend getting a dog bed specifically made for older dogs to help with their aching joints. Though this specific bed is not available, <a href="orvis.com/memory-foam-dog-beds" target="_blank">Orvis has other orthopedic beds</a> and we love Orvis because they have an incredible warranty policy and they quickly addressed an issue we had with a zipper on one of their other beds.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T8JiXFJrcbc/X34fQRYnRRI/AAAAAAADmEw/Ngd-Q5CKwT0k51St8osPRxaX3rYuVGOsQCLcBGAsYHQ/IMG_4829.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T8JiXFJrcbc/X34fQRYnRRI/AAAAAAADmEw/Ngd-Q5CKwT0k51St8osPRxaX3rYuVGOsQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_4829.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
Toddler Sheets and Waterproof Sheets<br />
When Mr. B started having bowel accidents in the house, we just kept taking the dog bed apart and washing the dog bed cover and then this became a once a day to a twice a day occurrence. While we were washing his favorite bed, he would have to lay in any of our other dog beds which were not ideal for him until we were done washing and drying his dog bed cover. Lucky for us, Toddler A had extra sheets from his crib conversion bed that fit perfectly over Mr. B's favorite dog bed. Now we did not have to clean his entire dog bed and we also had a second set of sheets so we didn't have to do laundry every day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A_VZtumJR-A/X34fWfrGu0I/AAAAAAADmE0/Fjywieq64ZgiSaFzq5MKEEU3thuq1woSQCLcBGAsYHQ/IMG_6354.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A_VZtumJR-A/X34fWfrGu0I/AAAAAAADmE0/Fjywieq64ZgiSaFzq5MKEEU3thuq1woSQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_6354.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
Dog Diaper<br />Though Mr. B started having fecal incontinence at the end of winter, we were fortunate that it was more apparent during the spring and summer when we were all able to spend time outdoors and clean up was a lot easier. Despite the walks, Mr. B could not have a bowel movement unless his body was completely relaxed, which was either during his naps or asleep at night. To minimize clean up around the house, we used both a disposable human adult size small diaper with a hole cut out for Mr. B's tail and a large dog diaper. The disposable diaper helped prevent any leakage, this was really helpful at night when he would move a lot during his sleep. Clean up usually only consisted of cutting off the disposable diaper and washing just the rear and the tail and some of the dog diaper.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_MWZRP1h6fA/X34fgKTQ0LI/AAAAAAADmE8/ejI9E6HY4aAUZRKgK8KmDl-nOlYnW9kgQCLcBGAsYHQ/IMG_2600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_MWZRP1h6fA/X34fgKTQ0LI/AAAAAAADmE8/ejI9E6HY4aAUZRKgK8KmDl-nOlYnW9kgQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_2600.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div>Spare Towels<div>We were fortunate to collect some towels from our gym before COVID. These towels came in handy cleaning up accidents, using as blankets when Mr. B got cold and when we had to wash Mr. B on a daily basis due to fecal incontinence overnight.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0U-2Z-MU7FY/X34fqC0kC5I/AAAAAAADmFE/P-76hjtW7oMycbSqE5_I09q_PcSiZRzAwCLcBGAsYHQ/ASK_4731.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0U-2Z-MU7FY/X34fqC0kC5I/AAAAAAADmFE/P-76hjtW7oMycbSqE5_I09q_PcSiZRzAwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/ASK_4731.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div>Schedule Change</div><div>The hardest thing would probably be the possible schedule change. Fortunately for us, when Toddler A was still a baby, we decided to change our sleeping schedule and become larks, getting up at 5am to start our day. Though Mr. B would stay in bed as we did our morning routine, as he aged, he would need to urinate around 5am and sometimes earlier. We changed our morning routine when we found Mr. B laying on the floor in a puddle of urine from an accident he had before 5am. Our routine became getting up at 4am and sitting in the chair next to his bed until he awoke with a sudden urge to urinate and then taking him to go out for the morning. Since we changed from an owl to a lark a few years back, getting up an hour earlier was not that drastic of a change. We were fortunate that most of our programs for the business were virtual and one of us was home throughout the day to help Mr. B. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kHt9OksCzwY/X34fvmcs_1I/AAAAAAADmFI/gjlHUe6X0GwtWoWIHFb4eyGeAGhEnaiPgCLcBGAsYHQ/IMG_1708.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kHt9OksCzwY/X34fvmcs_1I/AAAAAAADmFI/gjlHUe6X0GwtWoWIHFb4eyGeAGhEnaiPgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_1708.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div>Optional Luxuries</div><div>To allow Miss M to visit her adoring fans, we bought a dog stroller that was easier to set up for shorter walks that could easily navigate our city sidewalks. It was very helpful for Mr. B. Since Mr. B loves laying out in the sun, we could take him to the park to sunbathe on the nice cool grass.</div><div></div><div>A cargo bike has been on our wishlist for years and when we had our own garage, one of our first large purchases was our beloved <a href="http://www.nihola.com/products/40.html" target="_blank">Nihola 4.0</a>. In the summer, we were able to go all around the city, especially to different street festivals. It was even more helpful when the pooches had trouble walking, but still loved going around the city. Though all the festivals were closed this summer, Mr. B still made great use of his bike going around our neighborhood's beautiful park.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vshEf9hUiPM/X34f22VcnUI/AAAAAAADmFQ/OuoepjmNDvAmJCt4zG4LDmqH-yK_yTZ-gCLcBGAsYHQ/IMG_2271.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vshEf9hUiPM/X34f22VcnUI/AAAAAAADmFQ/OuoepjmNDvAmJCt4zG4LDmqH-yK_yTZ-gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_2271.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><div>These are some of the things that made our life easier that we wish we knew sooner. If there are any tips you have, we would love to hear them, we know they will help others that are fortunate enough to have a dog or dogs that live to a grand old age.</div></div></div></div><br />Two Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-65869892555256900752020-09-28T07:00:00.001-05:002020-09-28T07:00:01.144-05:00Goodbye Mr. B<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0sN5e72gZ6g/X3EUy1407II/AAAAAAADmBE/3n-VmQy6Hmck6xPaEW92Px7viWu7Th67gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1631/flare.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1631" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0sN5e72gZ6g/X3EUy1407II/AAAAAAADmBE/3n-VmQy6Hmck6xPaEW92Px7viWu7Th67gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h424/flare.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Recently, we said goodbye to our beloved Mr. B. Even though he was 17.5 years old, he had the mind and soul of a young pup, unfortunately his body could not keep up.<div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2EfJa8GsgVs/X3EPaALEFYI/AAAAAAADmA4/eqYIz_5qLg443NWxzGYmGgPLqfRu6ogxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/08Kalamazoo-11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2EfJa8GsgVs/X3EPaALEFYI/AAAAAAADmA4/eqYIz_5qLg443NWxzGYmGgPLqfRu6ogxwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/08Kalamazoo-11.jpg" width="640" /></a><div>In 2008, A and I were looking for an older companion to Miss M. We spent months looking for an older pit bull, visiting Animal Care and Control and other rescue organizations in the city of Chicago and we just couldn't find one. Then one day while browsing through Petfinder.com, I see a profile for a 5 year old pit bull in Kalamazoo, Michigan with the <a href="http://www.kalamazooanimalrescue.org" target="_blank">Kalamazoo Animal Rescue</a>. After a few email exchanges, I recorded a video of our condo using a Flip camera to show Mr. B's amazing foster mom, Joanne, Mr. B's future home. While recording, A asks me, what am I recording our place for...in all of my excitement, I guess I forgot to mention my Petfinder.com find and the back and forth emails. Before A knows it, we pack up our small 2 door coupe with Miss M, a tent and camping gear and all of Miss M's essentials including a bed, a pillow for her head, a blanket in case she gets cold in the middle of summer. Before Miss M knows it, we are camping in Kalamazoo, sharing a tent with her two servants and her new dog, Mr. B.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bw-H6bDod4g/X3EbOXf5ZEI/AAAAAAADmBQ/xJt_nR3drV8dScm13pE2pBqIQDd6uJUmgCLcBGAsYHQ/15May-25.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bw-H6bDod4g/X3EbOXf5ZEI/AAAAAAADmBQ/xJt_nR3drV8dScm13pE2pBqIQDd6uJUmgCLcBGAsYHQ/w427-h640/15May-25.jpg" width="427" /></a></div></div><div>Even though Mr. B came from a quiet wooded area, in Mr. B fashion, he quickly became accustomed to city life and like all Chicago transplants, he quickly considered himself a native Chicagoan. He loved being outside, exploring the city with his owner Miss M and her two human companion. Mr. B and Miss M were able to show countless others the truth about pit bulls and we met so many different and interesting people. Our walks would have so many breaks, because people would rush up to meet the dogs, especially Mr. B or Miss M would pull us to rush up to meet people.</div><div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRKb6coM5Y/X3EhTKruBOI/AAAAAAADmBc/YFqernwbteMIJL9SPm01rg9bYZ7MBKGAACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Crates-201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRKb6coM5Y/X3EhTKruBOI/AAAAAAADmBc/YFqernwbteMIJL9SPm01rg9bYZ7MBKGAACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Crates-201.jpg" width="640" /></a>Mr. B quickly became an integral part of our family, that we have no recollection of our life with only Miss M. Mr. B was the perfect complement to Miss M. Miss M couldn't remember a life where she didn't have her own dog to boss around and to use as a pillow.</div><div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3PXHLgI9zI/X3Eh3QiOUgI/AAAAAAADmBk/Mp4WL3icXZ8JEFY1sFBDSRmlW2ftjU2UQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5305.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3PXHLgI9zI/X3Eh3QiOUgI/AAAAAAADmBk/Mp4WL3icXZ8JEFY1sFBDSRmlW2ftjU2UQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_5305.JPG" width="640" /></a>Though Mr. B was shy and perhaps an introvert, he would wear a costume without fuss and get showered with attention, knowing that it pleased Miss M and us.</div><div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-12jipw_jc/X3ElvOxDFwI/AAAAAAADmBw/rZ-x0KjUgsgPuSVwv8FT5HdU4Fwdo_UXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/untitled-304.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-12jipw_jc/X3ElvOxDFwI/AAAAAAADmBw/rZ-x0KjUgsgPuSVwv8FT5HdU4Fwdo_UXwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/untitled-304.jpg" width="640" /></a>Mr. B was the perfect companion to Little Boy K, he was loving and gentle to Baby K. Giving Baby K the right amount of smooches and he would lay by Baby K's crib as he napped during the day. Mr. B was patient and kind dealing with Toddler K and his antics. We could not think of a more perfect dog to watch over Little Boy K as he grew up.</div><div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FKMS0FygU5E/X3El6IKlTiI/AAAAAAADmB0/J6xsqM8K1akwrTdsxGERxLIXsircsrZ0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3712.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FKMS0FygU5E/X3El6IKlTiI/AAAAAAADmB0/J6xsqM8K1akwrTdsxGERxLIXsircsrZ0QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_3712.jpeg" width="640" /></a>Mr. B was the perfect dog to help us cope with the loss of Miss M. He would gladly go on adventures around the city, exploring different sights and sounds and the occasional festival with his sidekick, Little Boy K.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Le4pM3pvdqI/X3Emi-prseI/AAAAAAADmCI/dSR_JMNmOscOGIohJmTONDMG7et8OtP7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/11Aug-441.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Le4pM3pvdqI/X3Emi-prseI/AAAAAAADmCI/dSR_JMNmOscOGIohJmTONDMG7et8OtP7gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h424/11Aug-441.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div>Mr. B was the perfect best friend to me. He demonstrated what it means to be patient, loving and kind. Though his body ached despite the pain medication, he maintained his sweet demeanor and his patient attitude. He continued to give Little Boy K kisses and he would move as much as he could to watch over me as I worked.</div><div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vD4qKS69kzU/X3EmoHUiBeI/AAAAAAADmCQ/cGJY1LKyYQkHQrLbSt8H2crYB-DZtK7ewCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/12Aug-671.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vD4qKS69kzU/X3EmoHUiBeI/AAAAAAADmCQ/cGJY1LKyYQkHQrLbSt8H2crYB-DZtK7ewCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h424/12Aug-671.jpg" width="640" /></a>At a festival once, someone that just met Mr. B and was petting him looked up to us and stated that Mr. B was her perfect dog. That pretty much sums up Mr. B. We could not have asked for a better complement to Miss M, a better companion to Little Boy K, a better city dog other than Miss M to A, and a better best friend to me.</div><div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yDgYmtl4fk8/X3Em7c0qXWI/AAAAAAADmCg/UvhtQ-blgJo4k81_d5YImcIx7QOIsTp3wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/12Jul-340.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yDgYmtl4fk8/X3Em7c0qXWI/AAAAAAADmCg/UvhtQ-blgJo4k81_d5YImcIx7QOIsTp3wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h424/12Jul-340.jpg" width="640" /></a>We are grateful to everyone that loved Mr. B and Miss M as much as we did.</div><div>Goodbye our beloved Bruno.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Also:</div><div><a href="https://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2011/04/pooches-on-velveteen-pitbulls-and-aging.html" target="_blank">On Velveteen Pitbulls and Aging</a></div><div><a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2013/05/pooches-shrinking-mr-b.html" target="_blank">The Shrinking Mr. B</a></div><div><a href="https://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2014/12/pooches-dogs-they-were-meant-to-be.html" target="_blank">The Dogs They Were Meant to Be</a></div>Two Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-44720662828040709112019-01-28T06:49:00.001-06:002019-01-28T06:49:51.549-06:00Pooches: On Sibling Rivalry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jAY-wwNnSOI/XE0nH_7802I/AAAAAAADl1E/QdQrbqIpqe0SbrmkwzebP7aSWK37z2M8QCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_3029-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jAY-wwNnSOI/XE0nH_7802I/AAAAAAADl1E/QdQrbqIpqe0SbrmkwzebP7aSWK37z2M8QCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_3029-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Sometimes photos only tell part of the story.<br />
Like this photo. You would think Toddler K and Mr. B were best friends.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SSd1v5MNQlg/XE0nJt66knI/AAAAAAADl1o/kNP50othn5IxLzfDwpwKWmT0CpusLKU4gCEwYBhgL/s1600/untitled-222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SSd1v5MNQlg/XE0nJt66knI/AAAAAAADl1o/kNP50othn5IxLzfDwpwKWmT0CpusLKU4gCEwYBhgL/s640/untitled-222.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
But really, it's more like a sibling rivalry.<br />
Right after this photo was taken, Toddler K decided to shriek really loud declaring "That hurt Mr. B's ears."<br />
Toddler K doesn't have siblings. So, he has his rivalry with Mr. B.<br />
When we want Toddler K to finish eating, sometimes we bribe him with dessert.<br />
He doesn't care.<br />
But if we tell him we are going to give the rest to Mr. B, he suddenly gobbles it all up just so Mr B can't have any.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FjmwZHreWFc/XE0nGU-l33I/AAAAAAADl1w/AdRkFVVxHP0XbYZ94LC9bDw0m2bF2GZBwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FjmwZHreWFc/XE0nGU-l33I/AAAAAAADl1w/AdRkFVVxHP0XbYZ94LC9bDw0m2bF2GZBwCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_0331.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
When Toddler K thinks a book is too scary, he gets very excited and says we should go read it to Mr. B.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-khRUe6DxX2w/XE0nGdUWaFI/AAAAAAADl1c/diNDJxkdzKUGWVvvl6M8Jrr4yePGx3MBQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-khRUe6DxX2w/XE0nGdUWaFI/AAAAAAADl1c/diNDJxkdzKUGWVvvl6M8Jrr4yePGx3MBQCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_0492.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
And when we are petting Mr. B, Toddler K will walk up and demand "Pet me too".<br />
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Though the funny thing about it all, is that it is all one-sided. Poor Mr. B <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2014/01/pooches-mr-b-is-bewildered.html">remains bewildered</a> and he has no idea there is even a rivalry.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YUCIEpj2Jy4/XE0nFm_gJVI/AAAAAAADl1o/wPz3n0PG9pclqwHciCSCkrJh8A_kYf_ygCEwYBhgL/s1600/ASK_4709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YUCIEpj2Jy4/XE0nFm_gJVI/AAAAAAADl1o/wPz3n0PG9pclqwHciCSCkrJh8A_kYf_ygCEwYBhgL/s640/ASK_4709.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Also:<br />
<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2016/11/two-dogs-and-little-baby-bringing-home.html">This was how it started.</a><br />
<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2016/12/pooches-when-your-pup-loves-your-baby.html">When Mr. B loved Baby K too much.</a><br />
<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2018/03/pooches-family-bike.html">The bike they share.</a><br />
<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2012/03/mr-b-tries-so-hard.html">This sums it all up.</a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;">Check </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/twopittiesinthecity" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">our Facebook page</a><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"> for more photos, comments, and story lines beyond the blog.</span></span>Two Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-24173255099517160312018-07-12T07:30:00.000-05:002018-07-12T21:30:33.829-05:00Miss M's Not-Bucket List: Part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c5ZVMB0V2Hw/W0a4Z3q9b_I/AAAAAAADlv8/Mbz2yLeoCYUWmDWcveQqzzKuNyq-XqC2wCLcBGAs/s1600/ASK_2170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c5ZVMB0V2Hw/W0a4Z3q9b_I/AAAAAAADlv8/Mbz2yLeoCYUWmDWcveQqzzKuNyq-XqC2wCLcBGAs/s640/ASK_2170.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
In 2010, I wrote about Miss M being <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2010/08/chicagoing-ms-m-100-mutt.html">100% mutt</a> (it is nice to see Miss M's face show up as a web search result for 100% mutt).<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DIyZrb6XopM/W0a2ZRaELuI/AAAAAAADlvg/H5q1hSS_xso3Qoqr7um9wB5nzG7iXF5ogCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_2790.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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Now that we have Little K, the post has a lot more meaning for us. It is interesting to us that when Little K was a baby, he would wave hi to everyone we passed by on our daily walks with both pooches and now that he is verbal, he says hi to everyone on our daily walk with Mr. B. He must have developed this habit from Miss M.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9szyF0Aj45k/W0a2Zc8nVtI/AAAAAAADlvc/PzGI0mDEAkE6Bnvyma9WzRhu5CSAF6-mACLcBGAs/s1600/14StPatricksDay-178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9szyF0Aj45k/W0a2Zc8nVtI/AAAAAAADlvc/PzGI0mDEAkE6Bnvyma9WzRhu5CSAF6-mACLcBGAs/s640/14StPatricksDay-178.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Our daily walks would often be a slow affair because it was an imperative to Miss M to say to everyone, she would either pull to someone or stop completely just to say hi. She was such an outgoing pooch and we love how Little K emulates Miss M and will say hi to everyone we pass by on our walks. Much like Mr. B, A and I are rather shy, so we are grateful that Miss M showed Little K how to be more outgoing.<br />
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Much like Miss M, Little K is a mutt aka Hapa Haole, but he knows his mixed heritage. As a not-bucket list item, we thought it would be interesting to Miss M and more so to us, if we got to know Miss M's background, so we did a DNA test for her back in December of 2016.<br />
And the results are:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K5YZJmNtNYc/WbhD9cvdj8I/AAAAAAADlfA/ZadAqHZBklEh3Gt739B1nmCcf0-AdRiFgCLcBGAs/s1600/Blog%2BMazzy%2BGenetics-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1171" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K5YZJmNtNYc/WbhD9cvdj8I/AAAAAAADlfA/ZadAqHZBklEh3Gt739B1nmCcf0-AdRiFgCLcBGAs/s640/Blog%2BMazzy%2BGenetics-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Two Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-55436266509835340602018-03-16T08:00:00.000-05:002018-03-16T08:00:01.325-05:00Pooches: The Family Bike<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KTl48HLAADo/WqWqxlCpmlI/AAAAAAADlr0/xLfrjGGUzl4nyVJxohDZpTL3ay8BkKk-QCLcBGAs/s1600/untitled-233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KTl48HLAADo/WqWqxlCpmlI/AAAAAAADlr0/xLfrjGGUzl4nyVJxohDZpTL3ay8BkKk-QCLcBGAs/s640/untitled-233.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
While we love to <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2016/04/daily-walk-new-family-walk.html">get out and around the city,</a> most of the places we can go with the pups are limited to places we can walk or drive and easily find parking.<br />
For years we dreamed about getting a cargo bike. We loved the idea of all of us being able to bike around the city and the ease of popping the pups in the front. But we never really had a reason to get one or a place to store it.<br />
Last year, with the demands of <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2015/05/pooches-on-shop-dogs-kind-of.html">The Laboratory,</a> we realized that we needed more than one car. Instead of buying a second car, we decided this was the perfect time to invest in the Nihola 4.0 so we could transport cargo to and from The Laboratory. Also, with the ailing Miss M and the aging Mr. B, our Nihola quickly became our family transport of choice.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O33AHLLSQI8/WqWsPAuQn8I/AAAAAAADlsM/BGXXNez9JgQG7XrPmVw3xWnPr57FtCOjQCLcBGAs/s1600/ASK_2293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O33AHLLSQI8/WqWsPAuQn8I/AAAAAAADlsM/BGXXNez9JgQG7XrPmVw3xWnPr57FtCOjQCLcBGAs/s640/ASK_2293.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Though we loved visiting our usual stomping grounds, since our pups were getting older it was getting harder for them to walk those few miles. Driving was not a convenient option due to the hassle of getting the pooches and Baby K into the car and reaching our destination to find that the closest parking spot is only blocks from our home.<br />
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The Nihola, with its 264 lb load capacity, gave us the option to safely, with its closed double tube frame, and efficiently go around the city, with a few modifications.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2DTgMFor8t4/WqWskLQNAbI/AAAAAAADlsY/sBO51M8m7-IQix8uooQbD6d8M85mbO9dQCLcBGAs/s1600/untitled-316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="668" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2DTgMFor8t4/WqWskLQNAbI/AAAAAAADlsY/sBO51M8m7-IQix8uooQbD6d8M85mbO9dQCLcBGAs/s640/untitled-316.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
At first we tried to fit, everyone, including A, into the front cargo area, but it was very cramped. So our first modification was to fit a heavy duty bike rack in the rear that can hold A's weight safely. I added a padded seat with a backrest, flip up footrests and a small handlebar to make A's ride as safe and comfortable as possible.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qNVnGbBD9X4/WqWs5oKMQ-I/AAAAAAADlsk/7RvquwJlIigz0MjqOH_l8ZhxhvD_ExPFgCLcBGAs/s1600/untitled-326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qNVnGbBD9X4/WqWs5oKMQ-I/AAAAAAADlsk/7RvquwJlIigz0MjqOH_l8ZhxhvD_ExPFgCLcBGAs/s640/untitled-326.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
For Baby K, we added the Babboe cargobike toddler seat shell, which is made of the same hard foam used in bicycle helmets.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f6KgBUnkKbc/WqWtAvlQysI/AAAAAAADlss/uIrcDMUxEboj4gsSHij0ELP8vsiY1icUwCLcBGAs/s1600/untitled-287-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f6KgBUnkKbc/WqWtAvlQysI/AAAAAAADlss/uIrcDMUxEboj4gsSHij0ELP8vsiY1icUwCLcBGAs/s640/untitled-287-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Finally for the pooches, we have tie downs in the front that clip onto their car seat belts or harnesses and we tighten the tie down as much as possible to limit the possibility of an escape from a moving bike. We added padded floor mats cut to fit the floor of the bike so the pooches can comfortably sit and sometimes lay. The low entrance on the side makes it easy for our pooches to hop in and out with some assistance.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t6SlFBjL9vs/WqWtM5dTTCI/AAAAAAADlsw/75acHKyWals3Ea_M9f-uZtvAjhlLMvRXgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t6SlFBjL9vs/WqWtM5dTTCI/AAAAAAADlsw/75acHKyWals3Ea_M9f-uZtvAjhlLMvRXgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0796.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
One major issue is that we did not opt for the e-assist and it is not a tandem, so moving is all based on pedal power from me. This makes going up hill and long rides really difficult. Luckily all of our usual stomping grounds are only 1-4 miles away, so once we reach our destination, we take nice long walks and breaks before we all head back home.<br />
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Even as Miss M was tired and slowing down, the Nihola allowed Miss M to continue her life of grand adventures.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aUjPf4JSYUg/WqWsFOZoC5I/AAAAAAADlsI/pifSGrzVjO4hX-iPRLxhqAX8GK7CNXqRwCLcBGAs/s1600/Nihola%2Bbuild%2Blife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aUjPf4JSYUg/WqWsFOZoC5I/AAAAAAADlsI/pifSGrzVjO4hX-iPRLxhqAX8GK7CNXqRwCLcBGAs/s640/Nihola%2Bbuild%2Blife.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Also:</div>
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<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2015/06/things-to-do-in-chicago-with-dogs-miss.html">This is where we get to ride it the most!</a></div>
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<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2012/09/dog-gear-doggles.html">In case you were wondering.</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;">Check </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/twopittiesinthecity" style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px; text-decoration: none;">our Facebook page</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"> for more photos, comments, and story lines beyond the blog.</span></div>
Two Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-14554651779161014972018-03-12T08:00:00.000-05:002018-03-12T08:00:04.533-05:00Obligation vs Opportunity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NnqIEas0Uu0/WqWjdEarAyI/AAAAAAADlrY/iy4nnFnQ85k5ojeec-mR6qZQpJeY9H-2wCLcBGAs/s1600/untitled-296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1000" height="427" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NnqIEas0Uu0/WqWjdEarAyI/AAAAAAADlrY/iy4nnFnQ85k5ojeec-mR6qZQpJeY9H-2wCLcBGAs/s640/untitled-296.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Though I am fully aware that my time with Mr. B is very limited, especially since the passing of Miss M, I have always considered my routine with Mr. B, taking him for a walk, letting him out for a potty break, as an obligation.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ugYR4w4-YnQ/WqWjdZicjSI/AAAAAAADlrc/_2PzEx2VlfsmyFq75L487Rms0UbyPq9oQCEwYBhgL/s1600/untitled-303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ugYR4w4-YnQ/WqWjdZicjSI/AAAAAAADlrc/_2PzEx2VlfsmyFq75L487Rms0UbyPq9oQCEwYBhgL/s640/untitled-303.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I would tell A that I <i>have to</i> take Mr. B for a walk when we get home, I <i>have to</i> let Mr. B out at night. It was not until we had a recent scare with Mr. B's blood work that I truly wanted to change my life with Mr. B and continue to live every moment as a grand adventure. I had to shift my thinking from things I <i>have to</i> do with Mr. B to things I <i>get to</i> do with Mr. B.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o6FWQ35HqWk/WqWjcXHCeuI/AAAAAAADlrQ/k7ox5K5fb14GUX7MiT177ntlpc8z8OwyACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o6FWQ35HqWk/WqWjcXHCeuI/AAAAAAADlrQ/k7ox5K5fb14GUX7MiT177ntlpc8z8OwyACEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_1484.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
A daily walk, taking him out for a potty break, taking him to the vet should no longer be an obligation but an opportunity to spend more time with him and ensure that he is healthy and happy and we are still creating amazing memories.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kjMMggUMG0I/WqWjcaNpGHI/AAAAAAADlrU/LF4UpDkup1UNu9YXurHIFofZZqYkMczgQCEwYBhgL/s1600/untitled-254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kjMMggUMG0I/WqWjcaNpGHI/AAAAAAADlrU/LF4UpDkup1UNu9YXurHIFofZZqYkMczgQCEwYBhgL/s640/untitled-254.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Though I do slip up and say I<i> have to</i> do something, I try to remain mindful of my language and correctly restate it as I <i>get to</i> do something.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3uRdW83Rkgs/WqWjcUO7tbI/AAAAAAADlrM/AZ_BlUVaBEUGNzlHO2xreD8L8-bNP2ABACEwYBhgL/s1600/untitled-244-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3uRdW83Rkgs/WqWjcUO7tbI/AAAAAAADlrM/AZ_BlUVaBEUGNzlHO2xreD8L8-bNP2ABACEwYBhgL/s640/untitled-244-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I hope to always remember not only with Mr. B, but with all aspects of my life that instead of <i>having to</i> do all of these obligations, I<i> get to</i> have all of these opportunities.</div>
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Also:</div>
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<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-lovable-mr-b.html">The Lovable Mr. B</a></div>
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<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2011/05/lucky-for-us.html">Lucky for us</a></div>
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<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2014/12/pooches-dogs-they-were-meant-to-be.html">The Dogs They Were Meant to Be</a></div>
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<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2013/10/pooches-did-you-ever-doubt.html">Did you Ever Doubt?</a></div>
Two Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-77280992782532223012017-11-19T08:00:00.000-06:002019-12-03T15:26:38.471-06:00Pooches: What We've Learned about Pet Insurance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gd0jPW3wOZU/WhD_TXmXCmI/AAAAAAADlmc/fmnbYhmWgZA7oQPb1snJzZS7h0YDbhMXwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gd0jPW3wOZU/WhD_TXmXCmI/AAAAAAADlmc/fmnbYhmWgZA7oQPb1snJzZS7h0YDbhMXwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0856.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
One of the first pieces of unsolicited advice I always give to new pet owners is to apply for Pet Insurance.<br />
Immediately.<br />
Before you can develop any pre-existing conditions.<br />
And with <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2017/03/pooches-living-with-dog-who-has-cancer.html">everything we went through with Miss M this past year</a>, we have learned a lot about pet medical bills.<br />
Though the biggest thing we found out:<br />
<i><b>It's not enough to just have Pet Insurance. You have to choose the right Pet Insurance.</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
Just from our experiences, this is a tale of 2 Pet Insurance plans: Miss M was on 24PetWatch and Mr. B has Trupanion. And seeing how making the right choice in the beginning can make a <i>huge</i> difference as your dog gets older.<br />
<br />
NOTE (12.3.19): We no longer recommend Trupanion. They raised our monthly premium 40% without telling us. They claim that the increase is not due to age, but that they can increase the percentage given the types of claims for other pitbulls in our zip code, so they can never know how dramatically it can increase in a year.<br />
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<b>Pre-existing Conditions</b><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1jb0z56oMlE/WhEHlCXMBRI/AAAAAAADlms/OR4y-zRLP5oosgUNo4hB0GOKCqSHStICACLcBGAs/s1600/untitled-411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1jb0z56oMlE/WhEHlCXMBRI/AAAAAAADlms/OR4y-zRLP5oosgUNo4hB0GOKCqSHStICACLcBGAs/s640/untitled-411.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I enrolled Miss M in her Pet Insurance plan way back in 2007 when there weren't as many options out there.<br />
To put this in perspective: The final Harry Potter books was just published. Britney Spears was still considered a positive role-model. And <i>they just invented the i-Phone.</i><br />
Simpler times.<br />
When I was looking at plans, the biggest thing was checking the pre-existing conditions. Some plans won't cover conditions for certain breeds of dogs. You want to make sure to sign up before your pup has any major health problems.<br />
But, it makes it really hard to switch insurance if you are diagnosed with anything.<br />
At one point I had asked the vet about a urination issue--which <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2016/01/pooches-pulling-back-curtain-on.html">we later learned was behavioral</a>--and after that the insurance used that one question as a pre-existing condition where they would not cover illnesses involving her kidneys.<br />
With that one strike against us, we always thought that we were stuck and we had to stick with her plan.<br />
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<b>Your Policy Changes as They Age </b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dpd3z_LhgBE/WhILDd7rfmI/AAAAAAADlnM/uuRHiTB4NMA6gxLjihpO8276s7WxXsvMwCLcBGAs/s1600/untitled-287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dpd3z_LhgBE/WhILDd7rfmI/AAAAAAADlnM/uuRHiTB4NMA6gxLjihpO8276s7WxXsvMwCLcBGAs/s640/untitled-287.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
When you enroll in pet insurance with your young pup, it's so easy to skip the parts that talk about how your policy will change as they get older.<br />
<br />
Most of the policies will have dramatic annual premium changes when they turn a certain age. We originally had Mr. B on Embrace Pet Insurance, which we liked a lot, but when he turned 6 years-old his annual premiums increased 40%! He didn't have any pre-existing conditions, so he wasn't tied to the plan and we were able to switch him over to Trupanion. Though as a 14 year-old dog, his current premiums are extremely high.<br />
<br />
In our case, Miss M's total coverage drastically drops. Originally we could insure her up to $20,000, but once she turned 10 they would only reimburse up to $5,000. Given the costs of the co-pays and the annual premium, we only received about $3,000 back from her insurance.<br />
You don't get any benefits for being a loyal customer.<br />
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<b>Consider Total Coverage</b><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CqKpt7J-8R4/WhIM_wblBMI/AAAAAAADlnk/PVfVkEfV6lQlPAQHqMU19p-vqYZTaYSYwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CqKpt7J-8R4/WhIM_wblBMI/AAAAAAADlnk/PVfVkEfV6lQlPAQHqMU19p-vqYZTaYSYwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3897.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I always thought it was enough that we were insured, and I never considered we would reach a point where our medical bills would exceed our insurance.<br />
To put it all into perspective (and we know all costs differ depending on location, specific condition, and type of dog):<br />
A visit and stay at the Pet ER can be $2,000+<br />
It depends on a lot of factors, but in our situation a round of chemotherapy can be $5,000+ and an additional radiation dose is $2,500+. But the testing and procedures between and after testing can be as much as $600-1,500+ each time.<br />
We had several rounds of testing.<br />
Since she was older than 10, Miss M's coverage dropped to only covering $5,000, which is really $3,000 after co-pays and the annual premium.<br />
Unbelievably, Mr B's plan with Trupanion has <i>unlimited coverage</i>. We met someone at the vet's office with the plan who told us they spent about $40,000 and they were still getting reimbursed.<br />
<br />
<b>Getting Reimbursed</b><br />
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I never thought about it when I signed up, circa 2007, but knowing when you're being reimbursed is a huge deal. </div>
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Especially when you're dealing with thousands of dollars.</div>
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It took 2 months for Miss M's insurance to reimburse us. </div>
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<b>Ask About Add-on's</b></div>
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It turns out that Mr. B's insurance does cover some non-traditional therapy. If we had known this, we would have signed up long ago as we've had too many friends whose pups have ACL injuries and we would have wanted to prepare.</div>
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We unfortunately couldn't take advantage of it because we asked our vet if he seemed arthritic, and it was noted in our file as a pre-existing condition.</div>
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<b>Pet Insurance vs. Just Saving Money for Emergencies</b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RmD-6ovgh7Y/WhIMCjzGslI/AAAAAAADlnY/Gb8Ux3mlRsI0KuuB6xM4_7H5kNZY7xYoQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RmD-6ovgh7Y/WhIMCjzGslI/AAAAAAADlnY/Gb8Ux3mlRsI0KuuB6xM4_7H5kNZY7xYoQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3803.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We have paid for Mr. B's plan for years and he has only turned in small bills a few times. </div>
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So yes, we have lost money on his coverage.</div>
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At the same time, you never know what can happen, and I'd rather be prepared.</div>
<div>
Despite all my years of saving, and being financially responsible, this past year was the most financially unlucky year of our lives. </div>
<div>
Baby K needed an emergency surgery on his large intestine and was hospitalized for 7 days. Our Developer decided not to honor contracts and has left us with a college-tuition's worth of needed repairs. Even our 3 year-old water heater gave out. All in addition to Miss M's illness.</div>
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It's a terrible feeling to have a sick pet <i>and</i> to be worrying about financial decisions.</div>
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These are just our experiences with the few Pet Insurance companies that we've worked with.</div>
<div>
<i>What are other people's experiences or things that we're leaving out?</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;">Also:</span><br />
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Two Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-58593783126037476402017-09-09T16:20:00.000-05:002017-09-09T16:20:59.184-05:00Saying Goodbye to Miss M<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jCnfPmQ36wI/WbNT5VELc9I/AAAAAAADlcg/wMnJ93Z4bbk-KopR7tuGImtbEcs-TDTMwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jCnfPmQ36wI/WbNT5VELc9I/AAAAAAADlcg/wMnJ93Z4bbk-KopR7tuGImtbEcs-TDTMwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Thursday we said goodbye to our Miss M.<br />
It was sudden. And <a href="https://www.facebook.com/twopittiesinthecity/photos/a.191208540915464.38014.188467677856217/1233099193393055/?type=3&theater">being Miss M</a>, we were <i>sure</i> she would pull out of it like she had so many times before. <br />
Because...she is Miss M.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_GG0_D32IpQ/WbNnKU2cIbI/AAAAAAADlc4/t2Fv1iGc0C4rAJpco1XGIM147bz0WGO4wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0291-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_GG0_D32IpQ/WbNnKU2cIbI/AAAAAAADlc4/t2Fv1iGc0C4rAJpco1XGIM147bz0WGO4wCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0291-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Miss M always had the biggest personality in the room.<br />
People loved meeting her.<br />
Someone at the West Town dog parade said it best "I've met a lot of friendly dogs, but this one takes the cake".<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lPp3tVzdphM/WbNyeGZdO7I/AAAAAAADldk/cbdi8jMy1HQN1pWj7KwJdAvT2S1zaRlVQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lPp3tVzdphM/WbNyeGZdO7I/AAAAAAADldk/cbdi8jMy1HQN1pWj7KwJdAvT2S1zaRlVQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1428.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Friar even stepped out of the play at Shakespeare in the Park because he wanted to say hi to her!</span></i></div>
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She was the perfect dog owner for Mr. B and the best older sister for Baby K. She always made sure Mr. B was <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2011/02/doggystyle-more-about-mr-bs-tepee.html">warm and well cuddled</a>. As for Baby K, she was really gentle and patient with him from his first days in our home and we could not ask for better older siblings than Miss M and Mr. B. Though Baby K will never remember his life with Miss M, we are certain she has made him a better human as she did for all of us.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PTCRzt4Fbso/WbRVflDuWRI/AAAAAAADleE/74MrAFDaeA8DlrnEoZ4QpcfolPgzqxlNACEwYBhgL/s1600/16May-185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PTCRzt4Fbso/WbRVflDuWRI/AAAAAAADleE/74MrAFDaeA8DlrnEoZ4QpcfolPgzqxlNACEwYBhgL/s640/16May-185.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Miss M drills Baby K on his tummy time</i></span></div>
We always knew she would be the <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2010/08/chicagoing-ms-m-100-mutt.html">perfect role model</a> for Baby K. She had so much love to give that everyone she met instantly became her best friend. Even though people would judge her before meeting her, she always greeted them with a huge grin and a lick.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6SY5dumln_c/WbRVgNww1bI/AAAAAAADleI/5iN_IfkV1tUMLapvkank6eX1F0kTwFBggCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6SY5dumln_c/WbRVgNww1bI/AAAAAAADleI/5iN_IfkV1tUMLapvkank6eX1F0kTwFBggCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_0522.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
She <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2014/04/miss-goofus-and-mr-gallant-part-iii.html">always had the best expressions.</a><br />
Sometimes we thought she was part goat. Or donkey. Or gorilla.<br />
And she had the softest fur. People were always exclaiming that her ears were like velvet. She loved getting out there. We couldn't even think about things to add to her bucket list because she had already <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/search/label/Chicago%20Dog%20Resources">done everything.</a> She had no regrets.<br />
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There is still so much to tell. And we still want to be able to tell it.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gEb5O5g1t4M/WbRVgdLxj8I/AAAAAAADleE/IHrQ7LmRqAYOrzQgw_wuyQC9fOwP04QeQCEwYBhgL/s1600/untitled-233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gEb5O5g1t4M/WbRVgdLxj8I/AAAAAAADleE/IHrQ7LmRqAYOrzQgw_wuyQC9fOwP04QeQCEwYBhgL/s640/untitled-233.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">We haven't had a chance to write about their biking adventures yet!</span></i></div>
We are grateful to everyone who rooted for her and loved her as much as we did.<br />
Our Mazzy Star.<br />
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Two Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-13334079549904497082017-07-23T21:25:00.000-05:002017-07-23T21:25:16.314-05:00Pooches: On Walking with Senior Dogs (Dutchdog Doggyride)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1D5UHv96tg/WXAz6TI8hII/AAAAAAADlZI/JkUoMh3ENCwTLo7vpb7vMi58i5ih0JrAgCLcBGAs/s1600/untitled-287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1D5UHv96tg/WXAz6TI8hII/AAAAAAADlZI/JkUoMh3ENCwTLo7vpb7vMi58i5ih0JrAgCLcBGAs/s640/untitled-287.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
As our pups have been aging, we're pretty sure that 13 is the new 8 --have you seen <a href="https://www.facebook.com/twopittiesinthecity/">this celebratory frolic?</a><br />
What has changed is that long walks have become a bit harder. Miss M has been doing so well <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2017/03/pooches-living-with-dog-who-has-cancer.html">since her cancer treatments</a> (we go in for another re-check soon!) but it has been her hips that have really been bothering her. It has been hard because she really wants to go out and join on our family walks, but especially with the heat, some days are just harder.<br />
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<b>Looking for Wagons</b><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D6vDsxK8gyo/WXOXb3jYFoI/AAAAAAADla8/3XKOkmNE05ErKUduqSLyJSeIJ9xCdAs2ACLcBGAs/s1600/untitled-225-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D6vDsxK8gyo/WXOXb3jYFoI/AAAAAAADla8/3XKOkmNE05ErKUduqSLyJSeIJ9xCdAs2ACLcBGAs/s640/untitled-225-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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At first I thought we could just pop her into a big pull wagon. Maybe Miss M and<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/search?q=baby"> Baby K</a> could just ride together. Could you just imagine them in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Radio-Flyer-Ultimate-Fold-Wagon/dp/B00OD3EVDW/ref=zg_bs_166419011_6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9C2NFA2YE4HHECAJD7JY">something like this?</a> Or even all 3 of them <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005VKV7HY/ref=s9_acsd_zwish_hd_bw_bBGHBb_c_x_w?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-5&pf_rd_r=37QG62P9M44B46FB9MYS&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=e85a0389-6c84-5d1a-80aa-2c34a4962ca8&pf_rd_i=166419011">in this!</a><br />
But the more I researched, I found they weren't the best fit. A lot of the wagons had molded seats that wouldn't fit our big dogs, they had high sides that would make it hard, and painful, to climb in and out, and I even read about several wagons with such poor steering that they tip over!<br />
<br />
<b>DutchDog Doggyride:</b><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jVZ6pJWbLnA/WXNSOQMhlZI/AAAAAAADla0/dl9Cy9-hVg4O-uPwPrUY8dsJ2H5bd0uCwCEwYBhgL/s1600/untitled-280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jVZ6pJWbLnA/WXNSOQMhlZI/AAAAAAADla0/dl9Cy9-hVg4O-uPwPrUY8dsJ2H5bd0uCwCEwYBhgL/s640/untitled-280.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
At 60ish pounds, it's really hard to find good options for larger dogs. After much research, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ElsiePresentsGracie/">seeing it on Elsie's page, </a>we decided to go for the <a href="http://www.doggyride.com/us/en/C432/Dog-strollers.aspx">Dutchdog Doggyride.</a><br />
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<i>What we Like:</i><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HpDXWlF_BNA/WXNSOEV6WGI/AAAAAAADla0/KfkUuyfQUlUbKvtr8n9mm2khjLCz2T9UwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HpDXWlF_BNA/WXNSOEV6WGI/AAAAAAADla0/KfkUuyfQUlUbKvtr8n9mm2khjLCz2T9UwCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_1284.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">-It's made specifically for senior dogs. It has a low step zipper entrance in the back so they can just step in without hurting their hips and without us having to lift them. We were also worried about getting them adjusted and whether they would jump out, but it comes with a tether clip at the top so they stay inside.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">-It allows them to stand, sit, or lay. Miss M's biggest problem is that it often hurts her to sit, so she needed a wagon that allows her to stand without toppling over. Mr. B enjoys laying, and they do make a very comfortable cushion insert that you need to buy separately.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">-It is extremely well made. It's easy to steer and it has big wheels that flow easily over cracked sidewalks and through construction.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">-We can now carry other things. Walking two dogs and a baby and need to pick up milk? No problem! We actually use it a lot going back and forth to <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2015/05/pooches-on-shop-dogs-kind-of.html">the business.</a></span><br />
-The dogs actually like it. Do you notice <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2014/04/miss-goofus-and-mr-gallant-part-iii.html">grumpy Miss M</a> actually <i>smiling</i> in all of these photos!<br />
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<i>What we Don't Like: </i><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7WSPZx5Ezak/WXNSPGPRNJI/AAAAAAADla0/ZmOjPHISLE8zIWPYD7ulUEpCVQ9G2TPJACEwYBhgL/s1600/untitled-366-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7WSPZx5Ezak/WXNSPGPRNJI/AAAAAAADla0/ZmOjPHISLE8zIWPYD7ulUEpCVQ9G2TPJACEwYBhgL/s640/untitled-366-3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
--It's huge! I know it has to be big to carry big dogs, but it's just like pushing a double-wide stroller on city streets.<br />
--It only has a 110 lb capacity. Both of our pups can comfortably fit inside together, though they weigh just slightly over that amount. We're looking for ways to reinforce the bottom just in case.<br />
--It's very expensive and it is definitely an investment. The cushioned pad is sold separately. Though after spending nearly a college tuition for Miss M's cancer, we figured if it kept our pups healthy, active, and happy, it was a good investment to make.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EgyS_6Rli_Q/WXNSPIEbztI/AAAAAAADla0/hcsFYRzHvsQGR17ev9l-Xera8YJjAMyigCEwYBhgL/s1600/untitled-289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EgyS_6Rli_Q/WXNSPIEbztI/AAAAAAADla0/hcsFYRzHvsQGR17ev9l-Xera8YJjAMyigCEwYBhgL/s640/untitled-289.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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It's funny to see how much joy people get pushing the pups down the street as Baby K rides next to them <a href="https://www.facebook.com/twopittiesinthecity/photos/rpp.188467677856217/1312696162100024/?type=3&theater">in his little car. </a><br />
As we overheard someone on the street saying "Look how the dog gets that big fancy stroller and the baby just gets a plastic car. You can tell who came first".<br />
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Also:<br />
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<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2011/04/pooches-on-velveteen-pitbulls-and-aging.html">Kind of sad.</a></div>
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<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2013/05/pooches-shrinking-mr-b.html">The sad one.</a></div>
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<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2012/08/miss-m-is-not-impressed.html">The funniest.</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Check <a href="https://www.facebook.com/twopittiesinthecity" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">our Facebook page</a> for more photos, comments, and story lines beyond the blog.</span></span></div>
Two Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-72587997245669318722017-06-23T21:37:00.000-05:002017-06-30T23:34:09.773-05:00Miss M's Not-Bucket List: Part I<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NPxZRgh0JR0/WNc27d9EhEI/AAAAAAADlNE/ta4GfMOeGAcWLm7X2Upwa5YNet43Q9jWQCLcB/s1600/Amy%2Band%2BEd%2B2016%2B%252850%2Bof%2B180%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NPxZRgh0JR0/WNc27d9EhEI/AAAAAAADlNE/ta4GfMOeGAcWLm7X2Upwa5YNet43Q9jWQCLcB/s640/Amy%2Band%2BEd%2B2016%2B%252850%2Bof%2B180%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
When we first found out that Miss M was sick, we started thinking of all of the things that she still needed to do with the time left.<br />
But, as we were thinking of things, we realized that there is so much that she has already done.<br />
She has already <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2014/11/city-dog-how-to-stay-in-hotel-with-your.html">stayed in fancy hotels,</a> <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2012/08/sociabulls-one-year-anniversary-by.html">started her own dog group</a>,<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2013/09/pooches-on-family-photoshoots-with-dogs.html"> starred in a pitbull calendar</a>, and spent nearly every weekend <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2013/04/how-to-be-tourist-with-dogs-chicago-in.html">exploring and experiencing Chicago.</a><br />
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There were only 2 things that we had been putting off that I would feel terrible about if we didn't have her anymore.<br />
<b><i>Number one: Getting family photos that include all of us. </i></b><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kdb-ZP-_F9Q/WNc7RDaGltI/AAAAAAADlNQ/6mwl7TFA_ooxmQF8DIlKhcV3wImmDXy5gCEw/s1600/Amy%2Band%2BEd%2B2016%2B%25282%2Bof%2B180%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kdb-ZP-_F9Q/WNc7RDaGltI/AAAAAAADlNQ/6mwl7TFA_ooxmQF8DIlKhcV3wImmDXy5gCEw/s640/Amy%2Band%2BEd%2B2016%2B%25282%2Bof%2B180%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
When Miss M was first diagnosed, we thought that this would be her last weekend with us, so we really wanted to make sure to get the photos.<br />
We talked to <a href="http://www.chicagopetphotography.com/">Sparenga Photography </a>who had also photographed us with the pups for their <a href="https://www.theunexpectedpitbull.com/collections/the-calendar">Unexpected Pitbull </a>Calendar photoshoot that we <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2013/09/pooches-on-family-photoshoots-with-dogs.html">wrote about here. </a><br />
It turns out, the day we had scheduled there was a huge snowstorm.<br />
Actually this was only 1 of 2 days that it snowed this entire winter in Chicago (which is <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2015/02/pooches-view-of-blizzard.html">so hard to believe!). </a><br />
We didn't think we had much time left with Miss M, so we didn't want to reschedule.<br />
We thought it would be tricky doing a cold-weather shoot with Baby K, but he actually likes being outside even in the cold.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BbZ5RjvWF8s/WNc7RNnb_zI/AAAAAAADlNU/3YWxZ_z0q8gaeb2GF_fBKZbbMvMEqbwhACEw/s1600/Amy%2Band%2BEd%2B2016%2B%252818%2Bof%2B180%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BbZ5RjvWF8s/WNc7RNnb_zI/AAAAAAADlNU/3YWxZ_z0q8gaeb2GF_fBKZbbMvMEqbwhACEw/s640/Amy%2Band%2BEd%2B2016%2B%252818%2Bof%2B180%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We want Baby K to grow up having known the pups, and having the photos to prove it.<br />
Stay tuned for the only other bucket-list item we had for Miss M!<br />
<br />
Also:<br />
<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2017/03/pooches-living-with-dog-who-has-cancer.html">The update!</a><br />
It may look pretty, but <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2015/01/daily-walk-seedy-underside-of-dog.html">there is a seedy underside of Chicago snow.</a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Check </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/twopittiesinthecity" style="line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">our Facebook page</a><span style="line-height: 18px;"> for more photos, comments, and story lines beyond the blog.</span><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span><br />
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Two Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-58762487867800303442017-05-20T21:45:00.000-05:002017-06-30T23:35:03.444-05:00Pooches: Living with a Dog who has Cancer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gIb3EFa5cjw/WM39AbQ2wrI/AAAAAAADlLo/ZhzCwJVTN6sDI-eXfXAerVpEjjshjRVzwCLcB/s1600/untitled-230-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gIb3EFa5cjw/WM39AbQ2wrI/AAAAAAADlLo/ZhzCwJVTN6sDI-eXfXAerVpEjjshjRVzwCLcB/s640/untitled-230-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Miss M heads to chemo in her lucky hat!</i></div>
For the past few months, our life has been turned around when our very own Miss M <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2016/12/pooches-some-news.html">suddenly became ill </a>and we learned that she had a tumor on her heart. Everyone has been so supportive with her <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/two-pitties-miss-m-needs-chemo">GoFundMe </a>and well wishes on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/twopittiesinthecity/">her Facebook page</a>, and we've finally had time to process and give an update on how it's really been going:<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>On Being Lucky</b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOVfGEufcPk/WM4E6604wuI/AAAAAAADlL8/F8PMhUqOFFoIuvtJDjrODcWoIm8-PNs5ACLcB/s1600/untitled-357-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOVfGEufcPk/WM4E6604wuI/AAAAAAADlL8/F8PMhUqOFFoIuvtJDjrODcWoIm8-PNs5ACLcB/s640/untitled-357-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I was always <i>that</i> person--constantly creating scenarios and scanning the pups for any mysterious lumps and bumps and thinking the worst. Little did I realize, that cancer isn't just the lumps and bumps we find, but it can also be growing internally.<br />
Miss M's illness definitely snuck up on us. She had absolutely no symptoms until one day she just collapsed.<br />
We could have lost her that day, but we do realize we've been lucky enough to have more time.<br />
<br />
<b>The Fear</b><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RegvH-rVr-U/WM4LS3YU3YI/AAAAAAADlMM/mPAJ4EkBGisIVEvnrn7fCD06qpm8DR-AwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RegvH-rVr-U/WM4LS3YU3YI/AAAAAAADlMM/mPAJ4EkBGisIVEvnrn7fCD06qpm8DR-AwCLcB/s640/IMG_0239.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Seeing Miss M so sick was scary. And this type of cancer is scary.<br />
My biggest fear is that she could have another incident where the blood vessel bursts and she would be alone or we wouldn't be able to get her to the vet in time.<br />
In the beginning, I was afraid to leave her alone. We also had to figure out the logistics of always having the car available to take her (which having one car and given the location and hours that I work, plus having Baby K to transport, has been trickier than expected).<br />
Our cardiologist also told us that untreated, there was a higher likelihood of having a blood vessel burst and she wouldn't be able to do some of the things she loves best--like going on walks and meeting people--because it would be too exciting and it would put strain on her heart.<br />
The cardiologist also told us the chemo would shrink and harden the tumor which would allow her to continue doing the things she enjoys.<br />
<br />
<b>What Happens with Chemo </b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vy4QG3sCJCY/WM4ML3xVg9I/AAAAAAADlMU/50-hmi7F5g8n1HToQPT0MGnoaHX9I7pSQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vy4QG3sCJCY/WM4ML3xVg9I/AAAAAAADlMU/50-hmi7F5g8n1HToQPT0MGnoaHX9I7pSQCLcB/s640/IMG_0290.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Miss M traveling to chemo in style</i></div>
We wanted to maintain the quality of her life, and even though this was a tough year we thought we would always regret at least not trying, so we decided to go through with the chemo.<br />
It turns out dogs respond really well to chemotherapy.<br />
Miss M really hasn't had many side effects, and she has already completed her 5 sessions.<br />
She would go to the oncologist every 3 weeks and she loved seeing people and getting attention. She comes back completely like herself, except the 3rd or 4th day after treatment she would be lethargic. And gassy...for some reason.<br />
She didn't have a lot of nausea. She would typically throw up one time per cycle, but she's also a pup who throws up from eating ice-cream.<br />
They told us dogs typically don't experience a lot of hair loss, and she was fine through her 4 treatments. It was just this last few weeks where the hair on her neck has started thinning. I think it's because she normally sheds all her hair at this time, but with the chemo overall hair regrowth has been a bit slower. I think it's also really noticeable because it's the white fur so you can see her pink skin underneath.<br />
Otherwise, she is basically herself.<br />
<br />
<b>Why She <i>Really</i> Isn't Feeling Well</b><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NDw2di5MrC4/WM4M1HqkVsI/AAAAAAADlMc/lCJuxoleuWsXM82yLo8g46GQfJhR5n0JwCLcB/s1600/untitled-320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NDw2di5MrC4/WM4M1HqkVsI/AAAAAAADlMc/lCJuxoleuWsXM82yLo8g46GQfJhR5n0JwCLcB/s640/untitled-320.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
For awhile, Miss M actually has been sick, but it was completely unrelated to her cancer diagnosis.<br />
It seems she was having some back pain.<br />
I only found this out when I was home alone with Miss M and Baby K; she started panting and having trouble walking. I immediately thought the tumor on her heart had ruptured, and I sprang into superhero-mode carrying my 65 lb dog into the car, and Baby K, and driving back to the emergency vet.<br />
After a 2 hour wait with a tired and hungry baby, we were told she had a severe pain in her back which caused her to have a fever.<br />
I think it even goes <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2016/05/pooches-on-what-makes-dog-your-dog.html">all the way back here</a>. They weren't sure what caused it, but they were thinking it could arthritis related. We've been making sure to monitor her, and keep her from overexerting herself. We've also had to shorten most of our walks.<br />
<br />
<b>What's Next</b><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QpozDWpOKOc/WM4ObMombcI/AAAAAAADlMo/0axsjUxhcW44u6p9vvNgnzV3Qs0ZHFodACLcB/s1600/IMG_4923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QpozDWpOKOc/WM4ObMombcI/AAAAAAADlMo/0axsjUxhcW44u6p9vvNgnzV3Qs0ZHFodACLcB/s640/IMG_4923.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Miss M just went in to re-do all of her tests to see how everything has been going. It turns out, the tumor is now so small that they could barely even see it!<br />
She will be moving on to a different type of chemo which is an oral pill she will take at home. We are supposed to go back every other month to do the full body testing.<br />
While this is good news, we do know that it is not a complete cure. But, it does buy us more time.<br />
While we are so lucky that things are going well for her, the hardest part has been when we make plans for the future. Just the other week we were talking about ideas for Halloween costumes for the pups to coordinate with Baby K, and we had to stop and think about whether there would actually be a next year.<br />
And for now, we're enjoying everything together this year.<br />
<br />
Stay tuned to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/twopittiesinthecity/">our Facebook page</a> for more updates.Two Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-67914040943199340852017-01-06T09:49:00.000-06:002017-01-06T09:49:28.111-06:00Pooches: On the Evolution of Dog Bathing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X95m_0iH1K0/WFYWslyB1HI/AAAAAAADlEQ/u_bQ9fTJmWkbZoS2dBe89DWtURK4NyI0QCLcB/s1600/15Jan-396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X95m_0iH1K0/WFYWslyB1HI/AAAAAAADlEQ/u_bQ9fTJmWkbZoS2dBe89DWtURK4NyI0QCLcB/s640/15Jan-396.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
We have spent years perfecting our dog baths.<br />
It all began as an episode of the coyote and roadrunner between me and Miss M<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sNpJKSIOIJA/WFYWstWS2kI/AAAAAAADlEM/QU4LlH1g38Qwk7X-MhmLcigyuhc_jRepACLcB/s1600/15Jan-386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sNpJKSIOIJA/WFYWstWS2kI/AAAAAAADlEM/QU4LlH1g38Qwk7X-MhmLcigyuhc_jRepACLcB/s640/15Jan-386.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Which later turned into an efficient multi-dog cleaning operation.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D9_dUbVYPnU/WFYWsrrHyuI/AAAAAAADlEU/jyrswCKf8xECeiOovSfjJWpyNpVarznqgCLcB/s1600/15Jan-423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D9_dUbVYPnU/WFYWsrrHyuI/AAAAAAADlEU/jyrswCKf8xECeiOovSfjJWpyNpVarznqgCLcB/s640/15Jan-423.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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While we thought we had things down, what we didn't count on were some of the changes we needed to make as the pups have gotten older.</div>
While it used to be enough to train the pups to jump into the bathtub, we want to be careful of the pups' joints as they age.<br />
So they have graduated to the shower.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8XuhFmnNsus/WFYYbqQXmoI/AAAAAAADlEk/CoaMw5YDgFwPzUGg8cSkRvrnuD8RHmklACLcB/s1600/16Jul-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8XuhFmnNsus/WFYYbqQXmoI/AAAAAAADlEk/CoaMw5YDgFwPzUGg8cSkRvrnuD8RHmklACLcB/s640/16Jul-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
It's easier for them to step in, it already has the shower head attachment, and with the high walls they can't escape.<br />
We put a scouring pad on the drain to collect all the hair, and it's actually easier than our former set-up.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QhI8hvzqKfo/WFYeCBjPWXI/AAAAAAADlFA/rQSBSdJYGp8xdemrqVgcydvHxpZWnlhHQCLcB/s1600/16Apr-398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QhI8hvzqKfo/WFYeCBjPWXI/AAAAAAADlFA/rQSBSdJYGp8xdemrqVgcydvHxpZWnlhHQCLcB/s640/16Apr-398.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Anyone else have tips for dog bathing?</i></div>
<br />
Also:<br />
<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2014/01/pooches-how-to-make-dog-baths-easier.html">How it started.</a><br />
<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2012/07/pooches-on-bathing-dogs-at-home.html">Three!</a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Stay tuned to </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/twopittiesinthecity" style="text-decoration: none;">our Facebook page</a><span style="background-color: white;"> for more photos, comments, and updates beyond the blog.</span></span>Two Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-5528293308812813352016-12-29T12:22:00.001-06:002016-12-29T12:24:15.140-06:00Daily Walk: What We've Been up To<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c4CT9GLhI2s/WDd3xgtER1I/AAAAAAADk40/uTw5TJQa7uk0zHY6mf30jQtCLRpP7bawwCLcB/s1600/16Aug-90.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c4CT9GLhI2s/WDd3xgtER1I/AAAAAAADk40/uTw5TJQa7uk0zHY6mf30jQtCLRpP7bawwCLcB/s640/16Aug-90.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Some people might have thought that Baby K led to the less frequent posting of our blog.<br />
But really...<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2015/05/pooches-on-shop-dogs-kind-of.html">it was this.</a><br />
So what were the pups up to during that time when we weren't posting?<br />
<br />
We've been outside <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2013/05/things-to-do-in-chicago-with-your-dog.html">eating tacos.</a><br />
This is the photo of the pups before they realized they wouldn't be getting any of the tacos.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g9jZjdwUDv8/WDemM30SP2I/AAAAAAADk5s/Ql-q9cy5XRQQGW8_80PRqQyj8TbNeN5igCEw/s1600/16Apr-313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g9jZjdwUDv8/WDemM30SP2I/AAAAAAADk5s/Ql-q9cy5XRQQGW8_80PRqQyj8TbNeN5igCEw/s640/16Apr-313.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And doing our <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2012/03/things-to-do-in-chicago-with-dogs.html">annual St. Patrick's Day walk.</a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hEkhbBdaZ-Q/WDemNQSZ0zI/AAAAAAADk58/b6BU7vcLzxgibR8hxBU7ix9hi2FU1U4BACEw/s1600/16Mar-140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hEkhbBdaZ-Q/WDemNQSZ0zI/AAAAAAADk58/b6BU7vcLzxgibR8hxBU7ix9hi2FU1U4BACEw/s1600/16Mar-140.jpg" /></a></div>
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We cheered on the Cubs.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9h3hNgBXvSg/WDemOGSa5wI/AAAAAAADk6c/pQ82YgzSrSMaYG041s-r6L9cxwYr10iJACEw/s1600/IMG_5223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9h3hNgBXvSg/WDemOGSa5wI/AAAAAAADk6c/pQ82YgzSrSMaYG041s-r6L9cxwYr10iJACEw/s640/IMG_5223.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All of us.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5GkjbZx95iA/WDemMr4Ci0I/AAAAAAADk60/l5et5bJVg3sVlJ_TkIL-54jGQQbxYX-MACEw/s1600/16Apr-260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5GkjbZx95iA/WDemMr4Ci0I/AAAAAAADk60/l5et5bJVg3sVlJ_TkIL-54jGQQbxYX-MACEw/s640/16Apr-260.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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And ate <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2015/10/things-to-do-with-dogs-in-chicago-must.html">ice-cream and pie.</a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FbhE6si5oJY/WDemNacPncI/AAAAAAADk60/j4j1d-E8Tp0S_6ecRWr28a3p3oHjecoVgCEw/s1600/16Mar-34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FbhE6si5oJY/WDemNacPncI/AAAAAAADk60/j4j1d-E8Tp0S_6ecRWr28a3p3oHjecoVgCEw/s640/16Mar-34.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We went to lots of street festivals.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sMt3pnwWjx4/WDemOP8eUOI/AAAAAAADk60/pGy03Ov1nk0PLOhLnhbS09wtVB2e3cKhACEw/s1600/IMG_5051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sMt3pnwWjx4/WDemOP8eUOI/AAAAAAADk60/pGy03Ov1nk0PLOhLnhbS09wtVB2e3cKhACEw/s640/IMG_5051.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And Shakespeare in the Park. Even though Mr. B was <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2013/08/things-to-do-in-chicago-with-dogs-miss_13.html">not part of the play this year.</a></div>
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Though here they are with one of the actors who came out to meet them because they were so attentive for the performance.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xKt-TcVqFX4/WDemNAd4_RI/AAAAAAADk60/Jnbl8YU29x0kzF8noImzmG6zUKImRZZTQCEw/s1600/16Aug-107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xKt-TcVqFX4/WDemNAd4_RI/AAAAAAADk60/Jnbl8YU29x0kzF8noImzmG6zUKImRZZTQCEw/s640/16Aug-107.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We taught Baby K about <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2014/04/family-walk-by-numbers.html">Family Walks.</a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--4UZQ5u2uWU/WDemNtQWlkI/AAAAAAADk60/yct2I0AM_noSyilqaehEzzwF1FXzNhLtQCEw/s1600/16Sept-130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--4UZQ5u2uWU/WDemNtQWlkI/AAAAAAADk60/yct2I0AM_noSyilqaehEzzwF1FXzNhLtQCEw/s640/16Sept-130.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Even in the cold weather.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bQrztXry7I4/WDeo533iDFI/AAAAAAADk64/pLzPp19wplYL5VdjaWIg30nkIzM_LgbcwCLcB/s1600/16FEb-286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bQrztXry7I4/WDeo533iDFI/AAAAAAADk64/pLzPp19wplYL5VdjaWIg30nkIzM_LgbcwCLcB/s640/16FEb-286.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The pups <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2014/01/pooches-how-to-make-dog-baths-easier.html">moved out of the bathtub</a> and started taking showers.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bp_0nHjoM8Q/WDemNBn6zlI/AAAAAAADk60/OXXmYvuyVTsq6c1lnHvnByolP14YpxglwCEw/s1600/16Jul-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bp_0nHjoM8Q/WDemNBn6zlI/AAAAAAADk60/OXXmYvuyVTsq6c1lnHvnByolP14YpxglwCEw/s640/16Jul-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We continued to <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2015/10/things-to-do-with-dogs-in-chicago.html">cheer on the marathoners.</a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L55X295AdyY/WDemOnLgVMI/AAAAAAADk60/_H0DNssoahgiyhM1QamXPTyCdxEWbwTPQCEw/s1600/IMG_5228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L55X295AdyY/WDemOnLgVMI/AAAAAAADk60/_H0DNssoahgiyhM1QamXPTyCdxEWbwTPQCEw/s640/IMG_5228.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2012/07/things-to-do-in-chicago-with-your-dog.html">explore the neighborhood.</a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YoG8Bi_ncUY/WDemOT6z0WI/AAAAAAADk60/bTbKrkNJQZcd-WS8908QFka43red6r62wCEw/s1600/IMG_5133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YoG8Bi_ncUY/WDemOT6z0WI/AAAAAAADk60/bTbKrkNJQZcd-WS8908QFka43red6r62wCEw/s640/IMG_5133.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And slept a lot.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-trSuPggpZsw/WDemNqu-iTI/AAAAAAADk60/HpXW5apoEzorPx-L5EmnzZ6IU5RzGSqjACEw/s1600/IMG_3852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-trSuPggpZsw/WDemNqu-iTI/AAAAAAADk60/HpXW5apoEzorPx-L5EmnzZ6IU5RzGSqjACEw/s640/IMG_3852.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
Some people have asked if <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2016/12/pooches-where-miss-m-determines-meaning.html">Miss M will have a bucket list.</a> We've been trying to think of things she would still want to do, but really...from <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2014/04/city-dog-how-to-stay-in-hotel-with-your.html">staying in hotels</a> to <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2013/09/things-to-do-in-chicago-with-dogs-miss_24.html">touring on a boat </a>to <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2013/08/things-to-do-in-chicago-with-dogs-miss_21.html">going to professional sports games</a> to <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2013/05/things-to-do-in-chicago-with-dogs-36.html">touring Chicago</a> and <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-to-week-how-to-catch-cab-with-your.html">riding in cabs</a> to <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2011/12/sociabulls-by-numbers.html">starting her own walking group</a> to doing t<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2011/06/chicagoing-chicagos-annual-gay-pride.html">hings like this </a>a couple of times a year, the pups have lived a full and fulfilling life.<br />
<br />
There are just 2 things we wanted to make sure we did, and we'll share those soon.<br />
<br />
Thank you again to everyone for <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/two-pitties-miss-m-needs-chemo">supporting Miss M and contributing to her GoFundMe</a>. We're almost there! It has also been so nice to hear all of the kind words and stories about how Miss M and Mr B have been a part of your lives.<br />
The doctors are recommending an additional radiation blast on top of her chemo as well as some retesting at her next appointment. With the emergency, diagnosis, and treatment, we've already spent a small car payment!<br />
Stay tuned to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/twopittiesinthecity/">our Facebook page</a> with a more updates.<br />
<br />
Also:<br />
<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2012/03/things-to-do-in-chicago-with-dogs.html">Favorite.</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-wMB0Sgxes">And this one.</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjeRxGhI7wE">One More.</a><br />
<br />Two Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-55829185127631032792016-12-18T20:55:00.000-06:002016-12-18T20:55:32.662-06:00Pooches: When Your Pup Loves Your Baby Too Much<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9HaZh7lUz58/WFYIjRjjTjI/AAAAAAADlDA/P9cwzKZOO1Aor85QkwQZCE0yud5Q2yI5QCEw/s1600/16Apr-337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9HaZh7lUz58/WFYIjRjjTjI/AAAAAAADlDA/P9cwzKZOO1Aor85QkwQZCE0yud5Q2yI5QCEw/s640/16Apr-337.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
We wrote a bit what our pups thought <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2016/11/two-dogs-and-little-baby-bringing-home.html">when we brought home Baby K</a>, but since then things have evolved.<br />
Baby K has grown and become more interactive.<br />
And the pups have welcomed him into their squad.<br />
The only problem is that Mr. B is starting to take things too far.<br />
He always wants to be in Baby K's room.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3szXjCWCMf0/WFYIloJ4rGI/AAAAAAADlDM/SNXZ-FgC22wW2AsvKsNLu1DFsJX2L7uhwCLcB/s1600/IMG_3803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3szXjCWCMf0/WFYIloJ4rGI/AAAAAAADlDM/SNXZ-FgC22wW2AsvKsNLu1DFsJX2L7uhwCLcB/s640/IMG_3803.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">The funny thing is, this actually used to be the pups' room, they just never wanted to be in it.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">We even t<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2014/11/doggystyle-pups-new-bed-arrives-orvis.html">ried to lure them with this amazing bed,</a> but they were still reluctant to go in.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">Now that Baby K is in there, we can't keep Mr. B out.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oy_-JtwW6Bo/WFYIndaWxgI/AAAAAAADlDY/gicrOnbU2m0AbfDdKIxQv_ps_PE_lXPvwCEw/s1600/IMG_4402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oy_-JtwW6Bo/WFYIndaWxgI/AAAAAAADlDY/gicrOnbU2m0AbfDdKIxQv_ps_PE_lXPvwCEw/s640/IMG_4402.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">Literally. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">The main problem is that Baby K will be sleeping when Mr B bursts in.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">So he's no longer sleeping.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">We had a silence band over the door latch so Mr. B was able to burst through the door. And as if that wasn't enough, he would start to shake where his tail became a drum against the crib.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">And once we decided to take the band off of the latch so the door actually closes, Mr. B started using his head as a battering ram against the door because he wanted to go in and lay with Baby K and his things so badly.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K2HaCXhbHbU/WFYIo_hFx5I/AAAAAAADlDs/smd3bWX3fM8THXq01U_9q9uoycZ7GeLpACEw/s1600/IMG_5316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K2HaCXhbHbU/WFYIo_hFx5I/AAAAAAADlDs/smd3bWX3fM8THXq01U_9q9uoycZ7GeLpACEw/s640/IMG_5316.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Miss M doesn't have the same drive to be in Baby K's room, but she does her part in helping wake him up.<br />
She likes to follow me everywhere. Including up and down the stairs, and back and forth in front of Baby K's door.<br />
Which given her extra long toes, always sounds like she's tap-dancing.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CvGcMOrOkZI/WFYQBXc0BkI/AAAAAAADlD8/wtUFFIdMuRkEAIirnYt7IdxaS-8XwzM7wCLcB/s1600/15Nov-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CvGcMOrOkZI/WFYQBXc0BkI/AAAAAAADlD8/wtUFFIdMuRkEAIirnYt7IdxaS-8XwzM7wCLcB/s640/15Nov-33.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<i>Anyone else have a pup who loves their baby too much?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Also:<br />
<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2010/10/pooches-mr-bs-hurt-feelings.html">Loyalty.</a><br />
But he <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2013/03/pooches-mr-b-tries-so-hard.html">tries so hard!</a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Stay tuned to </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/twopittiesinthecity" style="text-decoration: none;">our Facebook page</a><span style="background-color: white;"> for more photos, comments, and updates beyond the blog.</span></span>Two Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-17257449307890315372016-12-14T22:50:00.000-06:002016-12-14T22:50:09.708-06:00Pooches: Where Miss M Determines the Meaning of Her Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mUntOyRJljg/WFITiUOLrNI/AAAAAAADlBk/i_ju2mkGj6whnZFJW-rm_n2NHObIM-IIACEw/s1600/13Apr-88.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mUntOyRJljg/WFITiUOLrNI/AAAAAAADlBk/i_ju2mkGj6whnZFJW-rm_n2NHObIM-IIACEw/s640/13Apr-88.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Thank you so much to everyone for your <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2016/12/pooches-some-news.html">outreach, kind words and support for Miss. M</a>!<br />
--For those who asked, the complete details of her sickness and <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/two-pitties-miss-m-needs-chemo">her GoFundMe </a>can be found <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/two-pitties-miss-m-needs-chemo">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Since our last post, Miss M has been doing very well.<br />
She started her first round of chemotherapy and is still very much herself.<br />
Perhaps <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2014/04/miss-goofus-and-mr-gallant-part-iii.html">too much herself.</a><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FuD43rgChMQ/WFIRtxon67I/AAAAAAADlBQ/2rfR7rheUoEdlx4mnIqgk1tlESs60k0AACLcB/s1600/15Nov-56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FuD43rgChMQ/WFIRtxon67I/AAAAAAADlBQ/2rfR7rheUoEdlx4mnIqgk1tlESs60k0AACLcB/s640/15Nov-56.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Now that we know Miss M's time with us might be limited, we've all been putting great thought into what we want to do with this time.<br />
Except for Miss M who has always known what the meaning of her life is.<br />
And it is about food.<br />
Just eating food.<br />
At all times.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rZNeynrEeeo/WFIWQdgIG4I/AAAAAAADlB0/Ca2oAY2h5vEPD4ezNwT6rbJHScxDZTQegCLcB/s1600/15Sept-82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rZNeynrEeeo/WFIWQdgIG4I/AAAAAAADlB0/Ca2oAY2h5vEPD4ezNwT6rbJHScxDZTQegCLcB/s640/15Sept-82.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
We've been happy to help her out with this one. Our first order of business when she came home from the Emergency Vet was to fulfill her lifetime wish of being able to raid the fridge.<br />
Which she soon tricked us into letting her do every day.<br />
For a couple of times each day.<br />
And now it has just become expected that she will get to eat extra food, and treats at all times.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BIH2n_j3D1c/WFIaw0u46-I/AAAAAAADlCU/7lJl5VtR1jMrLFS6FPOuRKVKvvkhkqnogCLcB/s1600/15Nov-42-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BIH2n_j3D1c/WFIaw0u46-I/AAAAAAADlCU/7lJl5VtR1jMrLFS6FPOuRKVKvvkhkqnogCLcB/s640/15Nov-42-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Miss M's food-getting face</span></i></div>
I think this might just be the happiest I've ever seen her!<br />
<br />
She is still acting like herself with a lot of energy, (and dancing!) and it's hard to believe that she is even sick.<br />
We've been working hard--and again, thank you everyone so, <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/two-pitties-miss-m-needs-chemo">so much for your support!</a>--to get her treatments so she can continue to be happy, and healthy and have a strong quality of life. She's going back for another round of chemo tomorrow.<br />
<br />
Also:<br />
<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2012/08/miss-m-is-not-impressed.html">This is herself.</a><br />
<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2012/03/things-to-do-in-chicago-with-dogs.html">And this one.</a><br />
<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2014/10/pooches-how-pups-trick-us-into-not.html">Dancing!</a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Stay tuned to </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/twopittiesinthecity" style="text-decoration: none;">our Facebook page</a><span style="background-color: white;"> for more photos, comments, and updates beyond the blog.</span></span>Two Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-46704905506865187252016-12-04T14:17:00.000-06:002016-12-29T11:46:33.365-06:00Pooches: Some News<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OgcZckc8Af0/WGVL3bBHQJI/AAAAAAADlGo/dhiunLkTb8sUkDoHMgZUuJ5cJPyFiXGMwCLcB/s1600/13Nov-133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OgcZckc8Af0/WGVL3bBHQJI/AAAAAAADlGo/dhiunLkTb8sUkDoHMgZUuJ5cJPyFiXGMwCLcB/s640/13Nov-133.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We've always loved having this space to share our stories of the pooches and to hear that so many people love them as much as we do.</div>
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This is still hard for us to process, but over the holiday weekend, Miss M became suddenly seriously ill. After a stint at the emergency hospital, we received some devastating news that it appears she has a tumor...on her heart.</div>
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Which is all so shocking since up to this point she has been routinely going on daily 4 mile jaunts.</div>
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Dancing in leaves:</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8czyOvZxOH4/WDpq13XSnVI/AAAAAAADk-Y/RuzjjBg_NdswHlLYlK44VyfrzgixJa-xQCLcB/s1600/14Oct-58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8czyOvZxOH4/WDpq13XSnVI/AAAAAAADk-Y/RuzjjBg_NdswHlLYlK44VyfrzgixJa-xQCLcB/s640/14Oct-58.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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And participating in hijinks with Mr. B:</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PGUR92EmYwQ/WDpvBIaBXjI/AAAAAAADk-0/PKURPi5MoI8pcC99TvnTXUav3OyVjhcHgCLcB/s1600/15Oct-101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PGUR92EmYwQ/WDpvBIaBXjI/AAAAAAADk-0/PKURPi5MoI8pcC99TvnTXUav3OyVjhcHgCLcB/s640/15Oct-101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The good news is that the mass is small and has not spread to any other part of her body. </div>
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She is also still energetic and acting completely like herself. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AfTF6T9SXik/WERPflwg44I/AAAAAAADlAM/9il3XrA4CPgMOBi6i0ybS8-2PIATnyQjgCEw/s1600/13StPatricksDay-380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AfTF6T9SXik/WERPflwg44I/AAAAAAADlAM/9il3XrA4CPgMOBi6i0ybS8-2PIATnyQjgCEw/s640/13StPatricksDay-380.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our main goal for her at this time is for her to have a positive quality of life and to be able to continue doing things that she enjoys. </div>
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While there is no cure, we spoke to a Cardiologist and Oncologist who are both optimistic that treatment can help decrease ruptures and the spread of cancer and it will extend and increase the quality of her life.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U882cs2KS_o/WERPdhGJBVI/AAAAAAADlAA/L8_YhIxuQHAwjjsgdQ_5vOIb7EUwYtuoQCLcB/s1600/16Apr-260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U882cs2KS_o/WERPdhGJBVI/AAAAAAADlAA/L8_YhIxuQHAwjjsgdQ_5vOIb7EUwYtuoQCLcB/s640/16Apr-260.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
We still have so many stories to share and we will be keeping updates, so stay tuned.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NS5yu00r_6A/WERPxCAvTJI/AAAAAAADlAI/NbIXFaYVCZk3qZmIW6sG7mOeEN7UENwJwCLcB/s1600/15%2BNov-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NS5yu00r_6A/WERPxCAvTJI/AAAAAAADlAI/NbIXFaYVCZk3qZmIW6sG7mOeEN7UENwJwCLcB/s640/15%2BNov-14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Update: Thank you to everyone for your support and kind words. While we weren't sure how to proceed, <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/two-pitties-miss-m-needs-chemo">some friends have set up a GoFundMe</a> to help defray the costs of her treatment.</i></div>
<br />
Also:<br />
<a href="http://two pitties youtube">The happiest.</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmPwIVz_Qts">Or here.</a><br />
<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2012/06/pooches-if-you-ever-doubted-people-love.html">My favorite.</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuyH4Eyj2HY">Weirdo.</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT2XDPidmqA">More weird.</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Stay tuned to </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/twopittiesinthecity" style="text-decoration: none;">our Facebook page</a><span style="background-color: white;"> for more photos, comments, and updates beyond the blog.</span></span></div>
Two Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-89023420240566886552016-11-28T23:27:00.000-06:002016-11-28T23:27:10.325-06:00Pooches: Miss M is Sneaky<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J2Ss8FkbzM0/WDphzOcqveI/AAAAAAADk8w/okbY-SYT9iodzYHubvzcrLDujYLzn4J2ACLcB/s1600/14Nov-167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J2Ss8FkbzM0/WDphzOcqveI/AAAAAAADk8w/okbY-SYT9iodzYHubvzcrLDujYLzn4J2ACLcB/s640/14Nov-167.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
You know all of those photos we have of the pups sleeping together cosily in the same bed?<br />
There is a bit of behind-the-scenes that you may not have realized.<br />
So something that looks like this:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6KNYA-DMhCE/WDpboNyf2ZI/AAAAAAADk78/X1VRUV4VATUP7NMG5Z2hn_yx5_ld68-bwCLcB/s1600/15Nov-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6KNYA-DMhCE/WDpboNyf2ZI/AAAAAAADk78/X1VRUV4VATUP7NMG5Z2hn_yx5_ld68-bwCLcB/s640/15Nov-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Really started out like this:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d-DONCMQTiY/WDpbnyYLE0I/AAAAAAADk74/Gs6-OXBKkno33IVMN-5kJemVcmqh0FKwQCEw/s1600/15Nov-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d-DONCMQTiY/WDpbnyYLE0I/AAAAAAADk74/Gs6-OXBKkno33IVMN-5kJemVcmqh0FKwQCEw/s640/15Nov-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Miss M has a way of finding any bit of space and squeezing in to make it look like she was always there.<br />
Like this sweet scene of them sharing a pillow cheek to jowl:<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yBnp7S0nfi0/WDpj4GCytlI/AAAAAAADk88/B3TL7Un8UJEbIj4eVE9GY5Cs35lJSYTnwCLcB/s1600/14Feb-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yBnp7S0nfi0/WDpj4GCytlI/AAAAAAADk88/B3TL7Un8UJEbIj4eVE9GY5Cs35lJSYTnwCLcB/s640/14Feb-13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Is really a photo that started out with this solo pillow user:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RgJIjrjo8eg/WDpj4b6HOKI/AAAAAAADk9E/dulioDmV0ugAHPltt7KoOsmCCW_FAaWZQCLcB/s1600/14Feb-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RgJIjrjo8eg/WDpj4b6HOKI/AAAAAAADk9E/dulioDmV0ugAHPltt7KoOsmCCW_FAaWZQCLcB/s640/14Feb-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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What seems like tandem laying:</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8tuO-fKQrG8/WDpcEhc3OVI/AAAAAAADk8A/SbChGx7i-YI5Mge3kni__Z3WdDS0SXhvQCLcB/s1600/15%2BNov-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8tuO-fKQrG8/WDpcEhc3OVI/AAAAAAADk8A/SbChGx7i-YI5Mge3kni__Z3WdDS0SXhvQCLcB/s640/15%2BNov-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Started like this. Notice Miss M in action and Mr B's pained expression.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zD82kle_JCE/WDpcE1doRxI/AAAAAAADk8E/G4r9a9FVt-sYDyljdOIRxVTtyJH_i3oXACLcB/s1600/15%2BNov-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zD82kle_JCE/WDpcE1doRxI/AAAAAAADk8E/G4r9a9FVt-sYDyljdOIRxVTtyJH_i3oXACLcB/s640/15%2BNov-11.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
Also:<br />
<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2011/12/one-of-our-favorites-miss-ms-very-own.html">Remember where it all started?</a><br />
Or <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2013/01/pooches-on-miss-m-and-making-of-headrest.html">her plan here.</a> (I forgot how hilarious this one was!)<br />
<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2015/01/pooches-where-miss-ms-gets-her-beauty.html">Beauty sleep!</a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Check </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/twopittiesinthecity" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">our Facebook page</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/twopittiesinthecity" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;"> </a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">for more photos, comments, and storylines beyond the blog.</span></span><br />
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Two Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-82179634515347066702016-11-25T12:26:00.000-06:002016-11-25T12:26:26.892-06:00Two Dogs and a Little Baby: Bringing Home a New Baby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FjdyoZvl0v0/WDdqQtQeVjI/AAAAAAADk4M/5QtL2i2jvWYke29nu8pJh-29LmlqCuZBgCEw/s1600/16Feb-62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FjdyoZvl0v0/WDdqQtQeVjI/AAAAAAADk4M/5QtL2i2jvWYke29nu8pJh-29LmlqCuZBgCEw/s640/16Feb-62.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The biggest question we've been getting lately, is how the pups are doing with the <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2016/02/pooches-pregnant-with-pooches.html">(not so new anymore) </a>baby.<br />
We also weren't sure what to expect when we added Baby K to the mix.<br />
Now that Baby K is a whopping 9+ months old, we've seen a couple of stages of interactions.<br />
This is what it was like in the early days.<br />
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<b>On Bringing Baby Home:</b><br />
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Even before doing introductions between the pups and Baby K, our trainer told us it was important to set the tone and think about how we would greet the dogs after having spent all that time in the hospital. I would probably smell strange to them, and it could be simultaneously confusing and exciting to have us show up again after leaving so suddenly.<br />
We decided I would come in first, and I would have a high value treat. E would follow with the baby.<br />
As it turns out, the pups weren't concerned that we'd been gone so long or smelled different. They just saw the treat and took off. I guess it was that high value! (We chose pig ears).<br />
It wasn't until later that night that they even realized we had someone new in the house.<br />
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<b>Early Introductions:</b><br />
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I pups didn't realize anything new was in the house until the middle of the night.<br />
Like the 3:00am middle of the night where all normal people (and dogs!) are sleeping, but it's Baby prime hour.<br />
For crying.<br />
And not communicating why they are crying.<br />
I was with Baby K in his room when I heard footsteps. I figured it was E, but instead it was Miss M (oddly walking human-like) peeking around the corner and and staring wide-eyed at us.<br />
I could just imagine her saying "Excuse me. My name is Miss M. I am the Mayor of this house. You may be new here, but this is a quiet house. And you are not being quiet."<br />
The first few nights Miss M would come in like this and stare scoldingly.<br />
Which evolved to her literally following my every move. She would sit next to me when I was feeding Baby K at night. She would follow me to the bathroom and wait outside. I felt really bad when I had to run downstairs to get something because she would follow me up and down.<br />
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<b>Meeting the Pups:</b><br />
This was the first time Baby K saw Miss M's gargoyle face.<br />
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Just kidding! This was the first time Baby K farted. (Not kidding!)<br />
<b><br />Being Creature-Like:</b><br />
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I think all dogs don't know what to think of new babies. Between the way they cry and their weird movements.<br />
They must think they are creatures.<br />
Even we think Baby K is like a creature.<br />
The first time Baby K was on his stomach doing tummy-time Miss M tried to poke him in the rear because she still couldn't figure out what he was.<br />
Mr B spent a lot of time retreating backwards because he couldn't figure out what Baby K was.<br />
Since the pups were so perplexed, we were always very aware of holding him up higher and making him seem human-like.<br />
We also very closely monitored any interactions if Baby K was practicing his tummy time on the blanket, and taught the pups to stay off his blanket.<br />
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<i>We know all babies and dogs are different. What are some other experiences people had when bringing home baby?</i><br />
<br />
Also:<br />
<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2016/02/pooches-pregnant-with-pooches.html">Being Pregnant with Pooches.</a><br />
<br />Two Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-78941014194084831942016-11-21T18:14:00.001-06:002016-11-21T18:14:43.045-06:00DoggyStyle: P.L.A.Y Dog Bed (The One You Always See them In)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2014/08/pooches-on-dog-beds-for-older-dogs.html">about 2 years ago</a> when we first moved into our new space that we started our search for sturdier, more comfortable dog beds for our aging pups.<br />
While we used to <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2011/07/doggystyle-on-floor-pillows-vs-dog-beds.html">get away with floor pillows </a>and <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2013/03/doggystyle-on-dogs-and-fluffy-rugs.html">fluffy rugs, </a> we want to give them options that offer more support.<br />
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We had a lot of people recommend the <a href="http://www.petplay.com/">P.L.A.Y dog bed</a> which we were lucky enough to snag with a really good Black Friday deal...two years ago.<br />
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So just in case anyone has been looking at these beds, and if they have an upcoming sale this weekend, here are our thoughts after having the bed for 2 years.<br />
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We bought the Urban Denim Lounge Bed in size Large.<br />
Each of our pups weighs 60-something pounds.<br />
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<b>What We Like:</b><br />
1) We like that it is comfortable for one pup:<br />
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Or two:<br />
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In multiple configurations:<br />
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2) We have it in our main living space, so we like that it's nice enough to blend in with our home.<br />
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3) We like that it has a bolster-type headrest, but it still has a walk-in cutout so the pups don't have to be climbing into their beds as their joints become more stiff.<br />
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<b>What We Didn't Like:</b><br />
1) It has become squished in the past two years.<br />
You can see from some of the earlier photos that it started out really stiff, but has been starting to squish down and lose its firmness. I'm not sure if it's a matter of needing to fluff up the padding, or to be fair, if it is a result of 130+ pounds of pooches laying in it.<br />
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2) This style is difficult to wash.<br />
We also <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2014/11/doggystyle-pups-new-bed-arrives-orvis.html">have this style in the Orvis dog beds,</a> and you need to take out all of the bolsters separately so it does take time to clean it and put it back together.<br />
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3) It shows dog hair really easily.<br />
Sure, we know that it's a dog bed, but since it's in the middle of our living space we at least try to keep the illusion that we have the dog hair under control. The color we chose, and the material make the dog hair (or is it baboon hair?) really stand out.<br />
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4) It's Pricey<br />
I was just looking at the website to see how much it is, and it is on the pricey end for larger dogs.<br />
We did get a really good discount when we bought it on Black Friday (it was 2 years ago, but I think we received 40% off!).<br />
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<b>Would We Buy It Again?</b><br />
From all of the dog beds that we've tried, I think our top choice would be the <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2014/11/doggystyle-pups-new-bed-arrives-orvis.html">Orvis Deepdish Lounger one size smaller.</a> It is pricey, but it's good for a lifetime.<br />
We even also had the zipper break and they sent us a new cushion AND a new a new back so it would still match.<br />
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I still think that the <a href="http://www.petplay.com/">P.L.A.Y beds</a> are good as a next option and especially if you need to buy a second sturdy bed.<br />
<br />
<i>Though we always love hearing what everyone else has been using. Are there more good bed recommendations out there?</i><br />
<br />
Also:<br />
<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2012/12/doggystyle-choosing-dog-beds.html">An inexpensive option</a><br />
<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2014/09/doggystyle-on-dog-bed-thats-perfect-for.html">The most beautiful, but impractical bed</a><br />
We had forgotten <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2015/07/pooches-mr-b-and-his-baboon.html">about this guy. </a>How is it possible we haven't seen it around the house?Two Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-61498763594521517832016-09-23T06:00:00.000-05:002016-09-23T06:00:00.868-05:00Pooches vs Stairs Part III<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A has requested that we put up more gates around the house to keep Mr. B from going up and down the stairs all the time. I was hesitant of installing any more gates, not because of the time required to install the gates or that they would clash with our decor, but that it really meant that Mr. B was too old for our stairs. We already had one gate built and installed that led to our basement, where we have the <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2014/09/forbidden-indoor-lawn.html">most pee-able lawn</a> aka carpeting for Miss M.<br />
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For the rest of the house, we wanted something more discrete and out of the way, so we purchased retractable screen gates and installed them on all of our landings, except for the landing in the basement where we kept the white gate.<br />
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They are a nice deterrent and they hold up well, except Miss M was able to pull one of the mounts from the wall when she jumped on the gate. To prevent that from happening again, I screwed in all the mounts into our wall studs and used longer screws than the ones provided.<br />
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Since we are always running up and down the stairs because of Baby K, it is nice to know that we can keep Mr. B and Miss M from following us up and down the stairs.<br />
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As an added bonus, the gate upstairs actually prevents Miss M from going downstairs in the middle of the night for a potty break in our living room. Miss M can now go the entire night without any accidents in the house.Two Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-66554830301223715052016-09-21T05:58:00.000-05:002016-09-21T05:58:07.058-05:00Daily Walk: Still Walking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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People that do not know the pooches are always amazed to hear that Miss M is 12 years old and Mr. B is 13. We credit their health to their diet (a post for another day: we prepare their meals the night before and it takes over 10 minutes to set up and place in the refrigerator) and our long walks.<br />
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Even with the arrival of Baby K, we still get the pooches out for their daily walks. In fact, we go on extended daily walks more often now, but unlike their 5 mile walks in the past, our walks are now at most 3 miles. Like Mr. B, Baby K loves the outdoor and cannot get enough of it.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RsEHdeuqTAY/V-Ia10X-CuI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/xBZ6PRz3ovcr6Eh8Pv5pXlCvbrVbzSVnACEw/s1600/16Sept-66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RsEHdeuqTAY/V-Ia10X-CuI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/xBZ6PRz3ovcr6Eh8Pv5pXlCvbrVbzSVnACEw/s1600/16Sept-66.jpg" /></a></div>
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Unlike before, it takes us a lot of planning to get out the door for our walks. As we have written before, I use a baby carrier, because a stroller is just too hard to navigate through the sometimes crowded streets of Chicago with a social butterfly pulling one arm to meet every human.</div>
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Not only do we have to make sure that the water bottle and bags of treats are filled for the pooches, we now have a diaper bag to maintain and a mat to carry for impromptu picnics, movies or plays.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cDAZfvXE0Ww/V-Ia01UPkWI/AAAAAAAAB70/MYwRWdwirHM4iN27wVpZehA2_jnIYZ0oQCEw/s1600/16Aug-79.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cDAZfvXE0Ww/V-Ia01UPkWI/AAAAAAAAB70/MYwRWdwirHM4iN27wVpZehA2_jnIYZ0oQCEw/s1600/16Aug-79.jpg" /></a></div>
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But once we are out the door, our walks are pretty much the same as they were in the past, only a lot slower. Miss M still meets all of her people and it seems like more people are approaching the pooches than in the past, we think Baby K is making the pooches even more approachable.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-St4tV5GAl-8/V-Ia1V4XsqI/AAAAAAAAB8k/irB1Ntt8Xc4Fc6UuieYVC53eOYr6DWKnwCEw/s1600/16Sept-135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-St4tV5GAl-8/V-Ia1V4XsqI/AAAAAAAAB8k/irB1Ntt8Xc4Fc6UuieYVC53eOYr6DWKnwCEw/s1600/16Sept-135.jpg" /></a></div>
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Though Miss M would rather stay at home,</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Dq8AcriLEo/V-IfKRHOIVI/AAAAAAADkt0/4CKewyAXclcmHDD1JOGEafxr5jWGAEfaQCLcB/s1600/16Sept-171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Dq8AcriLEo/V-IfKRHOIVI/AAAAAAADkt0/4CKewyAXclcmHDD1JOGEafxr5jWGAEfaQCLcB/s1600/16Sept-171.jpg" /></a></div>
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We don't think Miss M could go a day without saying hi to all of her adoring fans, which can be quite exhausting.</div>
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Two Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-69775135146822066352016-06-03T00:00:00.001-05:002016-06-03T00:02:38.235-05:00DoggyStyle: On Getting Artificial Turf for our Dogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_GtVHDI3gY/V1CtZFgRMsI/AAAAAAADknM/3hQX3lh-NaYbChD_MSEoG2tPMEA4vGQrQCLcB/s1600/16May-266-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_GtVHDI3gY/V1CtZFgRMsI/AAAAAAADknM/3hQX3lh-NaYbChD_MSEoG2tPMEA4vGQrQCLcB/s640/16May-266-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
One of the things we were most excited about when we were able to get a house, was having our very own mini-yard. Just the idea that the pups would be able to romp, lay, or <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2012/05/city-dog-taboo-habits-of-city-dogs.html">have nighttime bathroom breaks </a> in our own space.<br />
Though little did we realize that our dream of a lush grassy yard would really become a <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2014/09/things-to-do-in-chicago-with-dogs-that.html">Riot-fest style mudpi</a>t.<br />
This was one of our early photos after we moved in. Imagine this after the rain, or even a big snowmelt:<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X_dnD-4Dubk/V1CuJk8iRSI/AAAAAAADknY/biDneklo8BEsZIoVOSJ97qMY4zdmUT0TwCLcB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-06-01%2Bat%2B12.22.35%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X_dnD-4Dubk/V1CuJk8iRSI/AAAAAAADknY/biDneklo8BEsZIoVOSJ97qMY4zdmUT0TwCLcB/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-06-01%2Bat%2B12.22.35%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
We tried to regrow it, but we realized that since the homes are so close together, and there are so many big trees, the lawn wasn't getting enough sun. It became so muddy, we just stopped using our outdoor space altogether.<br />
We knew some people who had gotten artificial lawns, and we always thought that we would do that in the future.<br />
But the more our yard became unusable, we decided if we were going to get it we might as well get it now so that we could actually use the yard.<br />
We did a lot of research and investigating, and we actually ended up getting our artificial turf late last summer.<br />
Here's a bit of a before and after photo:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bOGzQTHk8L8/V1CuTfqfEmI/AAAAAAADkng/Z1a82PG64uwxJXEz4fijJscoUuMniEj5ACKgB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-06-01%2Bat%2B12.22.44%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bOGzQTHk8L8/V1CuTfqfEmI/AAAAAAADkng/Z1a82PG64uwxJXEz4fijJscoUuMniEj5ACKgB/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-06-01%2Bat%2B12.22.44%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dakuxvC1lG4/V1C7OBRLXTI/AAAAAAADkn0/lUDs5M7kuk47TnBsmuNiXzumpjRt0obKQCLcB/s1600/16May-281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dakuxvC1lG4/V1C7OBRLXTI/AAAAAAADkn0/lUDs5M7kuk47TnBsmuNiXzumpjRt0obKQCLcB/s640/16May-281.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
It was an investment, and it took us awhile to commit. But here are some things we learned, and things we wish we had known about beforehand.<br />
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<b>Pricing (It's always changing and negotiable):</b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lTsvCSPnKeY/V1EBY340baI/AAAAAAADkoU/CW89OQYLj6IjqPvKGaUGULPMtozJNg97wCLcB/s1600/16May-274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lTsvCSPnKeY/V1EBY340baI/AAAAAAADkoU/CW89OQYLj6IjqPvKGaUGULPMtozJNg97wCLcB/s640/16May-274.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
Before we started this process, we wanted to get some ballpark estimates to see how much of an investment it really was. What I didn't realize is that there are a lot of things that are negotiable and the prices were always changing.<br />
They can only install the lawn once it has been dry for awhile. Since we had a heavy snow-melt last year, and a lot of the lawns were soggy, it was shortening the installation season.<br />
I had spoken to one company to get estimates in the spring, but when I called them again in the summer to say we were interested, they said they wouldn't honor my original estimate and the price actually went up.<br />
We ended up going with a different company, and a mere 2 weeks after we had our lawn installed we got an email that offered a discount to have it installed now.<br />
If you are looking to get artificial turf, wait until the end of summer/early fall when it's slower for the companies and you can probably negotiate a better rate.<br />
You should also ask for piecemeal pricing, even if you intend on getting everything done. We asked for pricing for the front only and back only, and they usually offer a discount if you agree to go with both.<br />
We have a smaller space, and we were getting estimates between $7-9 per square foot.<br />
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<b>Types of Lawn:</b><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LaXX6MtZ2hU/V1EBuETj2cI/AAAAAAADkok/SmF-HYWaqD0_h-ktZMwPRD9CcKXw7WYGACLcB/s1600/15%2BNov-54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LaXX6MtZ2hU/V1EBuETj2cI/AAAAAAADkok/SmF-HYWaqD0_h-ktZMwPRD9CcKXw7WYGACLcB/s640/15%2BNov-54.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
They send over a sales person to show you the different types of lawns they offer. Some are shorter, softer, or have different coloring to make it look like a real lawn. They will give you a couple of samples so you can see how they look in your space. I know they also have a "pet-friendly" turf that is softer and somehow the length makes picking up poo easier. We ended up going with Kentucky Blue, which isn't a specific pet-friendly style but it worked well for us. It looks really natural, and it's funny because sometimes we'll see people walking by touching our lawn to see if it's real. Though it does look funny to have such a 'well-kept lawn' during the middle of winter.<br />
The installation was the easiest part of the process. It only took one day, they were able to move anything we had in the space, and it was non-invasive.<br />
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<b>What We Like:</b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kd8bVKs2DD4/V1EDLvFnzBI/AAAAAAADko0/uQRogIJBZ1sEJePZu9zu2B9wgW6bGD-YgCLcB/s1600/15%2BNov-111-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kd8bVKs2DD4/V1EDLvFnzBI/AAAAAAADko0/uQRogIJBZ1sEJePZu9zu2B9wgW6bGD-YgCLcB/s640/15%2BNov-111-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Unlike the lawn we had before, the artificial turf drains really well, and it doesn't have any marshiness. We used to have a lot of little bugs and flies, but they don't seem to like the turf as much as natural grass (which is great for us!) and we used to have some <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2013/04/pooches-rat-problem.html">city rats</a> cross through our yard and it seems like they don't like the turf either and it's also more difficult to burrow in turf than natural grass.<br />
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It's easy to keep clean because it has little drainage holes and it's easy to just rinse the lawn if there is any poo reside.<br />
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It's really low maintenance and it looks natural. We don't have weeds and we don't need to spend time on our lawn anymore.<br />
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It really is like having a giant carpet outside. We can let the dogs go outside and we don't need to wipe their feet because they don't get muddy. They can also run on it without tearing divots in it.<br />
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Most importantly, the dogs can't 'graze' anymore. Whenever they found a lawn they used to spend their time like cows eating it.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4QQkv48PnCw/V0j7487JzeI/AAAAAAADkmo/HUOpzj7xxBcig5zB6yTGg_9vt5Z_idWdQCLcB/s1600/14Oct-101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4QQkv48PnCw/V0j7487JzeI/AAAAAAADkmo/HUOpzj7xxBcig5zB6yTGg_9vt5Z_idWdQCLcB/s640/14Oct-101.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Huck Finn Miss M enjoys eating our former lawn.</i></span></div>
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<b>What we didn't like:</b><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cqTPBUXMvUw/V1EJnEAv8LI/AAAAAAADkpE/kFEElAiesGAhnkXXSvd7Xhmc7KPdz5OagCLcB/s1600/15%2BNov-98.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cqTPBUXMvUw/V1EJnEAv8LI/AAAAAAADkpE/kFEElAiesGAhnkXXSvd7Xhmc7KPdz5OagCLcB/s640/15%2BNov-98.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
It is really expensive. Though we decided it was worth it for us to actually be able to use our yard, and we don't have to spend as much time and money on upkeep for our lawn.<br />
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It gets hot in the sun. We don't really go on it barefoot--it is the city and strange things migrate into yards--but it does get really hot.<br />
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The artificial turf companies were difficult to work with. I called a couple of companies and it was often hard to even get a return phone call. The first company that we received an estimate from retracted their estimate and gave us a higher cost. We decided to go with Chicago Dream Grass, which is a slightly higher cost but we thought they did a really good quality job. The group installing it was really nice and they did a great job, and Alicia was really great, but the salesperson that we had to deal with was extremely abrasive and unprofessional. I probably wouldn't recommend working with this company just because of him. It was also frustrating that they offered a discount a mere 2 weeks after we had ours installed.<br />
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Even with all of the hassle and expense, we do love it and how it has made our yard usable.<br />
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Also:<br />
<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2014-10-27T06:00:00-05:00&max-results=10&start=50&by-date=false">I had forgotten about this one!</a><br />
<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2014/04/citydog-unspoken-world-of-city-dog-poo.html">Behind-the-scenes.</a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Check </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/twopittiesinthecity" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">our Facebook page</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/twopittiesinthecity" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;"> </a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">for more photos, comments, and storylines beyond the blog.</span></span>Two Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-31023109627192151852016-05-17T06:00:00.000-05:002016-05-17T06:00:24.889-05:00Pooches: On What Makes a Dog Your Dog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vn10WptEIQ0/VzqR1tDhh0I/AAAAAAADkks/VFltcp9CC_oCwlmm5jP2XQbZbk417K-nwCLcB/s1600/15Nov-53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vn10WptEIQ0/VzqR1tDhh0I/AAAAAAADkks/VFltcp9CC_oCwlmm5jP2XQbZbk417K-nwCLcB/s640/15Nov-53.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I know sometimes-or maybe many times-we get frustrated with our pups.<br />
Like <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2016/01/pooches-pulling-back-curtain-on.html">this whole post</a>.<br />
Especially one morning, <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2016/02/pooches-pregnant-with-pooches.html">while I was still pregnan</a>t and carrying the pups' <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2012/02/doggystyle-quest-for-inexpensive.html">heavy food bowls</a>, and nearly 12 year-old Miss M thought it would be a great idea to leap in the air and sample the food before I could even set it down.<br />
I remember asking E if we would ever just have a normal dog.<br />
A dog that didn't have to stare down our every move.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d67KPNmN6LU/VzqqLrYHfhI/AAAAAAADklU/dWaGoMzhK3wDj5Jr34oaLSRCuEGxVagUgCLcB/s1600/14Jul-326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d67KPNmN6LU/VzqqLrYHfhI/AAAAAAADklU/dWaGoMzhK3wDj5Jr34oaLSRCuEGxVagUgCLcB/s640/14Jul-326.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
A dog who wouldn't <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2012/06/day-in-life-of-miss-m.html">cry to wake us up</a> each morning:<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OaSa4FMiZU4/Vzqo40y4rmI/AAAAAAADklI/z-dzt4aOpG4ybesd52T-dF7PeYMKv_TgQCLcB/s1600/14Sept-181-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OaSa4FMiZU4/Vzqo40y4rmI/AAAAAAADklI/z-dzt4aOpG4ybesd52T-dF7PeYMKv_TgQCLcB/s640/14Sept-181-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
A dog who didn't creep around and follow our every move.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kpwcRcTsgMQ/Vzqn7-BhlKI/AAAAAAADklA/L-mjGbcgHl4Htc4F6bnsD3U9cHRJIlwpgCLcB/s1600/14Oct-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kpwcRcTsgMQ/Vzqn7-BhlKI/AAAAAAADklA/L-mjGbcgHl4Htc4F6bnsD3U9cHRJIlwpgCLcB/s640/14Oct-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Then, just like that moment in <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094737/">Big</a> after they saw the fortune teller, it happened.<br />
The vet told us Miss M had sprained something in her back.<br />
But she completely changed.<br />
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She wouldn't look us in the eye.<br />
She wouldn't respond to her name.<br />
She didn't want to lay with Mr. B, or even come upstairs to go to bed for the night. I found her downstairs laying sprawled on the hardwood floor.<br />
And we really knew something was wrong with her because she didn't want to eat any of her food.<br />
In our whole 10 years together, Miss M has never rejected food.<br />
Not even lettuce.<br />
Her entire personality was gone. She was a complete shell of herself, and it made me understand how people know when it's time to let go of their pups.<br />
At the time, I really thought I had lost my best friend.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QhwveK3WpZ4/VzqtgXipLtI/AAAAAAADklg/KeWz1qK7ZV4RvK9tAMz4tVezOyD-S2AQgCLcB/s1600/10Barkinpark-44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QhwveK3WpZ4/VzqtgXipLtI/AAAAAAADklg/KeWz1qK7ZV4RvK9tAMz4tVezOyD-S2AQgCLcB/s640/10Barkinpark-44.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Though luckily for us, it does turn out to have a happy ending.<br />
Her back got better.<br />
And we found out a lot of the symptoms were caused by the medication she was on.<br />
So even when we get frustrated with some of the things she does, we realized, that's what makes Miss M, Miss M.<br />
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Also:<br />
<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2013/03/pooches-when-i-thought-my-dog-was-ugly.html">When I thought Miss M was ugly</a><br />
<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-best-friend-mr-b.html">Best friends.</a><br />
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<br />Two Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-59191841481150778062016-04-07T06:00:00.000-05:002016-04-07T06:00:32.465-05:00Pooches: Mr. B's Stuffy Confusion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vQJ_korPCHo/VwWwVKevukI/AAAAAAADkhU/a2VqK_XAJRAH0-VnWM4IY-l6K-uZv1Kzg/s1600/15Jun-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vQJ_korPCHo/VwWwVKevukI/AAAAAAADkhU/a2VqK_XAJRAH0-VnWM4IY-l6K-uZv1Kzg/s1600/15Jun-7.jpg" /></a></div>
People usually know Mr. B as the one that <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2013/06/daily-walk-mr-b-walks-his-stuffy.html">loves his stuffies so much.</a><br />
Even <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2015/07/pooches-mr-b-and-his-baboon.html">"Creepy Baboon".</a><br />
While we try to keep his collection neatly stored away, he is always unpacking them to surround himself with his best friends in his lair by the fireplace.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EgAxBkGYJD4/VwWwVPRotDI/AAAAAAADkhY/HFqkqWVSb8gcjKFIGKj82CxBhUDgLgILw/s1600/15May-131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EgAxBkGYJD4/VwWwVPRotDI/AAAAAAADkhY/HFqkqWVSb8gcjKFIGKj82CxBhUDgLgILw/s1600/15May-131.jpg" /></a></div>
Now with <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2016/04/daily-walk-new-family-walk.html">Baby K</a>, (who Miss M still thinks is our new foster dog), our biggest concern was figuring out how to teach Mr. B the difference between his stuffies and Baby K's stuffies.<br />
Pre-baby, we met with Rendy from <a href="http://www.anythingispawzible.com/">Anything is Pawnable</a> to learn a strategy.<br />
Since dogs can't reason, the biggest difference is by scent. When Baby K gets new toys, we can mark them with a dab of Listerine so the pups can start to recognize there is a difference.<br />
It's also a good idea to get stuffed toys that are different than Mr. B's typical stuffies.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rGNbML1lgZk/VwWw1eyiOGI/AAAAAAADkhk/2wGdy95rr0YrsOV1AyXig8e0OZhB91vZw/s1600/IMG_0685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rGNbML1lgZk/VwWw1eyiOGI/AAAAAAADkhk/2wGdy95rr0YrsOV1AyXig8e0OZhB91vZw/s1600/IMG_0685.jpg" /></a></div>
Though we would like to say that the giant dinosaur and the giant polar bear were for Baby K, I admit that I have been eyeing these giant stuffed animals for awhile, especially the giant dinosaur.<br />
We never had a reason to have these in our house, until now. They were actually our first few purchases for Baby K's arrival, even before the crib, bassinet, clothes and diapers.<br />
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Though we didn't expect Mr. B to do this when we unboxed them.<br />
Which also happened with the dinosaur.<br />
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Also:</div>
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<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2013/07/pooches-how-mr-b-learned-not-to-destroy.html">How we taught Mr. B not to destroy his stuffies</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kywlmEXU4wg">This really happens.</a></div>
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<a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2014/10/mr-b-feels-right-at-home.html">When this one used to be the biggest.</a></div>
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Two Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513996817497959054.post-5559340715670041192016-04-04T06:00:00.000-05:002016-04-04T06:00:14.076-05:00Daily Walk: The New Family Walk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-33rxMAbCzWo/VwHseRRkf5I/AAAAAAADkgk/-Qp2XFjlm60xxexTRZxIsvFVKWNLx6vpw/s1600/16Mar-444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-33rxMAbCzWo/VwHseRRkf5I/AAAAAAADkgk/-Qp2XFjlm60xxexTRZxIsvFVKWNLx6vpw/s1600/16Mar-444.jpg" /></a></div>
Now that we have Baby K, life has become a bit more complicated.<br />
We have heard horror stories of how people's beloved pets were pushed to the side when a baby came into their lives and even read blogs that went from a lifestyle blog to a baby blog.<br />
Though we knew that babies changed people's lives, we were not prepared for how much our lives have changed with Baby K.<br />
Luckily for us, the pooches are patient and amenable. We had met with a trainer and prepared for how to make the introduction to the pups, but the moment we walked in and handed them their high-value treat, they went on with their lives.<br />
Mr. B will still <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2015/01/pooches-living-with-thing-1-and-thing-2.html">run around the house like usual</a>, and we never leave Baby K on the floor.<br />
Miss M will still <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2012/06/day-in-life-of-miss-m.html">whine and cry in the morning</a> for her breakfast despite waking up Baby K.<br />
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We have tried to ensure that most aspects of their lives remain the same: the morning breakfast, the mid-morning dinner and the long <a href="http://two pitties family walk by the numbers">family walks</a> on the weekends. It is during these long family walks that we realize that nothing has really changed.<br />
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Though on our very first family walk we attempted to use a stroller with the pooches, and it was quite difficult to nearly impossible. Despite training Mr. B to walk nicely on leash, Mr B still didn't understand the concept of walking on one side and spent much of his walk trying to dodge the stroller.<br />
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A and I had a pact that since she <a href="http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2016/02/pooches-pregnant-with-pooches.html">carried him for 9 months</a>, I would be carrying Baby K on all of our walks sans stroller after birth. Now that I tote Baby K in a carrier, our daily walks are pretty much the same as they have been before birth. The pooches are back to being the center of attention.<br />
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It is funny how often we hear "what cute babies" on our daily walk.<br />
It's really meant for the pooches, and a lot of people don't realize we have an actual baby with us.<br />
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On one of our walks, someone commented how it was nice of me to carry the dog's stuffed animal, not realizing that it was an actual baby in a bear suit.<br />
Despite taking a lot longer to get ready for our walks, the walks have provided some normalcy to our now hectic life. Plus we ran into Marcus Kruger and Bobby Hull in the Wicker Park field house while changing Baby K 's diaper.Two Pitties in the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04694420319336839807noreply@blogger.com10