MACK'S, AKA RAINBOW'S, AKA DOUBLE TAKE'S FLIGHT LEADER'S WEBLOG ("BLOG"):
DTFL = Double Take's Flight Leader (Rainbow's AKC name).
February 28, 2005 (Monday): Good to see "the babies" again. Mack is very high-energy today - maybe it was the crate time, but Owner was doing a potty dance by the time he got home, too. Talked with Mark tonight and he's jazzed about handling Mack - getting him ready for GSRC Specialty - so Mack's Owner went online and entered him in the Coso Dog Fanciers Show (Ridgecrest, 3/19).
Food: ground mix; bonito; pork neck bone for rec./snack.
February 27, 2005 (Sunday): Owner left early for Portland. Mack was fed and given attention early a.m., then left with the house-sitter, who he pestered with "high energy" most of the day. Overall, a good boy though. Weight: 62 lbs.
Food: Ground mix; pork neck bone for recreation/snack.
February 26, 2005 (Saturday): The dogs woke up around their regular time and went right into high-energy mode. Usually the big meal slows them right down, but not this morning. With Owner as tired as he was, it was time to give them some "outside" time. They came back inside for some snuggle time on the bed (both dogs) and, of course, to be around when Owner cooked his breakfast-but they didn't get any of it. A little play time inside and then they finally conked out on the floor. Today should be a lazy day with the dogs, since Owner has to go on a trip tomorrow morning. Owner's e-mail had a couple of nice congratulatory notes for Mack's 4th place achievement at the Specialty (Mack's breeder put a "News" section on his page on her site and listed his AKC achievement.). After re-reading the AKC page about obtaining points, Mack's Owner can't figure out how it is done; how can a judge possibly pick a 6-9 mos. old puppy as Winner's Dog over much older, better developed dogs? Sad to think that you don't get any points for winning the class (not that he did, but some day he should!).
Food: chicken breast, ground mix.
February 25, 2005 (Friday): Out the door at 5:45 a.m. to head to the San Diego Rottweiler Club Specialty Show (AKC). Mack was entered in 6-9 puppy sweepstakes and conformation classes. The show was indoors, with lots of noise, distracting lights and commotion (like the loud things they were using to lay duct tape on the floor. The floor surface was cement covered in slippery indoor/outdoor turf carpet and tape. Mack's coat didn't look too good during sweepstakes and it was no surprise that the other dogs were broader, taller and more developed than Mack, but it was disappointing just the same (even though it was expected) that he didn't place in sweeps. After sweeps, Jeannie Tappan was nice enough to help with Mack's coat, getting it to lay a lot better and present without as much eye-catching attention to the cowlicks during movement. Mark Fretz handled Mack for both classes and Mack took a 4th place ribbon (and chest medal) in the 6-9 puppy dog conformation class (which had a judging/movement area twice the size of sweeps). A GSRC member watching the class thought Mack should have had third, but so it goes. Lots of people said nice things about Mack ("Oh, he's so nice, what a cute face; what a nice looking dog; I really like him ... etc."). Mack's Owner took opportunity to show everyone the ad in TRM so they could see Pepper, Payton and Mack on the same page ("He doesn't look like that anymore!"). An owner of a Pepper littermate and Pepper nephew sought out Mack's Owner - thinking she recognized Pepper's look when she saw Mack. She had lots of nice things to say about the Pepper line/offspring and, not the least bit unexpected, the "just wait and see - he's still young and will mature later" that everyone associated with Pepper and Payton says. One piece of advice she offered was to watch the amount of sea kelp, as it is high in iodine and, although it makes for nicer, darker colors, the dog's system can become too dependent on it, to the point where when you cut it out or back, the thyroid shuts down. Mark seemed to enjoy working with Mack; Owner took him home later to ensure that his "away" and "stress" time was minimized (Mack wasn't entered in the all-breed Sat./Sun. events). He had to be coaxed to get up off the floor and take a ride with Owner to run an errand; Mack got back in the house and went flat on the floor. Not more than an occasional snore or chuffle from either dog until it was time for food and then both were right back to resting on the floor. Not a tough life.
On the way out, a groomer was seen putting some white stuff on the legs of a Boxer. Upon inquiry, the groomer said it was cornstarch (to make the white part seem whiter). Owner, with Mack, said, "We can't do stuff like that, we show in the natural state." Groomer replied, "We're supposed to as well, but everybody does it." Hmm, looks there are a lot of "tricks of the trade." Mark Fretz said at Westminster they use Coke(R) on the dogs' feet to make help them with the sticky surfaces.
Food: chicken breasts, ground mix; no supplements today; chicken foot for treat.
February 24, 2005 (Thursday): Today Mack was handed off to the handler at about 2 p.m. so the handler could get down to Del Mar and spend a little time with Mack and the other dogs before tomorrow's show. He was sent off with a "doggie bag" of raw food for tonight and won't be fed tomorrow morning, since the show is early and holding back breakfast will definitely keep his drive up.
4 loads of laundry to wash the muddy towels and other stuff soiled in the past few rainy days. The puddles are slowly evaporating but, judging by the marks on the side of the house, about 4" of standing water was there only a day ago. It is very muddy and there are some really odd colors in the soil. Owner went on poop patrol, trying to pick up whatever soggy messes there were, since the flies were already all over the place. On the bright side, the orange tree seems to be in full bloom - so if Mack and/or the snails and/or the gardeners don't destroy the tree this year (the gardeners cut off virtually every new branch last year), there will be some great oranges in December.
The "quiet" in the house is amazing. Although Molly is here, it's as if there is no dog, because she just lies quietly on the dog bed. Seems all that noise comes from Mack pestering her. It also seems much less "active" in the house. The difference with that little energy ball being somewhere else is incredible. His Owner misses him already (4 p.m.).
Observations: Noticed an area above Mack's left eye, at the margin of the brown eyebrow, where a little line of skin shows - as if there isn't hair there; looks like Mack might have gotten scraped, since it doesn't look like mange - but Owner will watch it and see what happens.
Food: ground mix w/supplements, chicken breast pieces; chicken foot as snack.
February 23, 2005 (Wednesday): Took Mack to Belmont Launder Pet to try to work on his coat. At Belmont, you have the option of self-service pet washing, so Mack got to be bathed and rinsed with nice warm water - and Owner got to spend about an hour trying to blow-dry his coat into directions that wouldn't result in the "cow-licks" that have made him look so dorky for the past month or so. Mack didn't like the bath process any better at BLP but it was much easier on Owner's back.
Food: ground mix w/supplements, chicken breast pieces; chicken foot as snack. (Mack working on "stand/stay" at feeding time.)
February 22, 2005 (Tuesday): More rain - on and off. Can't take Mack to the handler today because everything is soaked and they're talking about hail up where she lives - so we'll just have to hope for the best and see how he does without much training, etc. before the Friday show.
February 21, 2005 (Monday): More rain! You wouldn't believe it unless you lived here this week. Mack took a half a step outside in the downpour and immediately came back inside. Not wanting him to pee all over, he was crated for a few minutes and then we tried again. Didn't work, so he was crated for an hour. After that, and with thankfully less of a downpour at that moment, he trotted out through the rain and puddles and did his business, rushing right back for his towel-off and shelter. The girl wasn't so lucky - she wouldn't go out and was crated - then puked the bits of pork neck bone that she stole from Mack onto the floor of the crate. Glad there is a plastic pan in there! It's amazing how some dogs thrive on raw and others can't tolerate the few bones they steal. Good thing Mack and his Mom were on raw from the start. The "lazy morning" was a good excuse to grind a couple of beef hearts, some chicken legs and to make a bunch of containers of ground mix (adding in some beef liver along the way). Mack went with Owner to a friend's house to watch tv but was flatulent (must have been the beef liver); now they don't want to invite him back! Poor Mack. :(
Food: ground mix (beef heart, beef liver, chicken), supplements.
February 20, 2005 (Sunday): More rain; this is kind of cutting into prepping Mack for the upcoming show, not to mention making a mess of the house.
Food: chicken leg quarter, ground ostrich, cottage cheese, supplements. Pork neck bone for recreation (seems like Mack is back to eating more of it).
February 19, 2004 (Saturday): Rain through the night with tremendous thunder. Mack didn't like going out in the rain in the a.m., but eventually trotted off to the grass to relieve himself - what a good boy! Mack played with Owner - or gnawed on him rather - for an hour or so in the morning.
Food: chicken breast/ground chicken.
February 18, 2005 (Friday): Rain, rain and more rain. Owner had a splitting headache that lasted through most all of the night and part of the morning, but Mack was up and about before 7 so Owner tried to give him some quality one-on-one to make sure the little brat still feels loved. When Owner reached into Mack's food dish today, he got growly and was reprimanded. Owner then made sure to keep has hands active in and around the bowl through the rest of the meal (something worked on in the past, but not in the recent past). At 10:30, Mack had finally tuckered a little and collapsed on the bed with his bungee deer in his mouth. Weight: 61.4 lbs (home scale).
Food: Ground ostrich, ground chicken; pork neck bone for recreation.
February 17, 2005 (Thursday): Today was an all-out work day since Owner had a Court deadline for the 18th and had to finalize and prep documents for service/filing. Dogs mostly occupied each other, which was fine, since Mack had "worked" yesterday. By 5:00, Owner was done, but it was raining. Time to get to the freezer - Mack hasn't had beef, bonito or some of the other stuff in a while. There are ostrich patties waiting!
Mack got supercharged after dinner. Haven't seen that much energy in a while!
Food: Ground chicken, cottage cheese, supplements; whole bonito (dinner).
This is the look you get when you take away Mack's chicken leg then wave it in the air to get a photo.
Head is looking hound-ish today
Evolution?
There's my happy boy (saying, "Gimme the chicken!!")
February 16, 1005 (Wednesday): On the mend. Lots of work to do though, so not much time for dogs. Handling class. Couldn't find the chain from last week but improvised. Jeannie commented that Mack should be easy to show, because he is very food motivated. That's the effect of delaying his meal until after class!
Food: Ground chicken, chicken leg quarters, few teaspoons of chicken soup, supplements. Biscuits and a couple of bits of hot dog at the handling class.
February 15, 2005 (Tuesday): Sick. Tried to work on stand-stays with Mack, he was having no part of it today and Owner was too tired to work with him for very long.
Food: Ground chicken, chicken leg quarter, cottage cheese, supplements.
February 14, 2005 (Monday): Fed dogs at 8, did poop patrol, and tried to sweep/straighten up side walkway, which at least meant being around the dogs outside for a little while. Mack still has some odd taste for the aloe vera plant, which is now a shred of its former self. Sprayed Bitter Apple on the fibres below the bromeliad - maybe it will work on the aloe plant? It has to be repotted first, though. Yard is still muddy - and more rain is expected this week.
Food: Ground chicken; chicken feet.
February 13, 2005 (Sunday): Owner has the flu or something so it takes all the energy just to get up, feed the dogs, and be with them outside for a few minutes. Except for trying to eat a bromeliad, Mack is cooperating.
Food: Chicken leg quarters.
February 12, 2005 (Saturday): Took Mack to meet another handler since the first handler has a conflict for the SD Specialty. Mack fussed a little more than he did with the other handler and tired of the exercise after a modest amount of time, but he's a pup so that's to be expected. Owner was just sort of holding together today, probably coming down with the flu, so after the rough arrangements were made it was time to go home (with one stop). Dogs got some time outside to bark at the passers-by and to try to track some more mud into the house.
Food: Chicken leg quarters.
February 11, 2005 (Friday): Rain! Ugh, more rain, more puddles, more mud, just after vacuuming and mopping last night. Mack went to the bank today where he got some biscuits from Aunt Terry and where most of the staff remarked about how big he's gotten since he was brought in at week 9. Mack was good in the car, accompanying Owner on his run of errands which included several stops and some waiting. At noon, he was fully charged and tormenting Molly. In the evening, Mack went springing up to a visitor, jumping up at him repeatedly. After a while, he was crated just to give the visitor some peace. Later, after the cousins arrived and had dinner, he was let out to play/visit.
Food: ground mix a.m., whole chicken leg/quarters evening; chicken feet for snacks.
February 10, 2005 (Thursday): Today was one of those days that just kind of flew by too fast. Pups enjoyed company until 12:30, when it was time for Owner to leave for a meeting. Crated 'til 6:30 (traffic, ugh!) - then out for diner and some running around before stretching out on the bedroom floor. It started to rain again so the dogs weren't interested in being outside for any length of time this evening.
Food: Ground mix, supplements, cottage cheese; pork neck bone for recreation.
Look up at what? There's nothing there but water test strips ... at least grab a biscuit ....
February 9, 2005 (Wednesday): Today was the day Mack went to the dental vet to have the remnants of his puppy canine checked; nothing much was visible, which means that either the root disappeared from all of the meaty bone activity, the gum swelled over it or that it was "resorbed." The good doctor thought Mack's dentition was good but couldn't tell too much about "fang" unless he anesthetized Mack and took x-rays - and it was decided that the best course would be to watch that area of the gum and look for any signs of swelling or infection, rather than hit Mack's body with a bunch of chemicals and things he doesn't need. The puppy canine, if stuck under the gum, can leave a brown spot on the adult tooth but the vet said that the staining would have already occurred under the gumline, so the damage, if any, is already there and there isn't much to do about it at this time. It's too bad that the dental vet isn't the "regular vet" - because his manner is so good and he's such a pleasant person to deal with; $73 for the consult and a little peace of mind for Mack's worried Owner.
Tried to have Mack do the lap dog routine noticed in the picture from Lori and Todd Hathaway (Race in Todd's lap) but he's just too big!
Race and Todd. This might work with Mack if there was a chair with arms, but otherwise, he falls off both sides.
After returning home, it was time for poop patrol - so the yard could be cleared of major mines in expectation of the "ricky roadracer" act the dogs usually do after getting bathed. Mack and Molly both got lots of lathery scratching during their bath and only seemed to hate the rinse. Mack must have forgotten how good the towel feels because he wouldn't go near it after the bath and that towel dry process is usually a favorite after bathtime. By noon, both dogs smelled and felt like "inside dogs" again. Weight: 58.1 lbs. (vet's scale). Weight gain appears to be consistent between .4-.5 lbs./day.
In the evening, Mack went to a handling class in San Dimas, where he was handled by a professional for the first time. It was a long drive, but definitely worth the trip - if for nothing else, to see him progress from wild jumping to more reserved behavior and watching him "learn" in just a few runs what was being expected of him for conformation show. The socialization was also a plus.
Recovered video file: Mack and his stick
Food: ground mix; chicken foot as a treat.
February 7, 2005: After much hunting, a special treat was ordered for breeders Lori and Todd Hathaway.
February 3, 2005 (Thursday): Mack entrusted to the house sitter.
February 2, 2005 (Wednesday): It's amazing - when you plan to go away, you realize how much "maintenance" the dogs take - and that there are some things you just don't want to entrust to anyone. In this case, it was the grinding of Mack's nails; he's fussy enough about it without trying to have someone else do it. Today the stucco guys came to put a new coat over the house, so the dogs unfortunately had to be crated for a while. They were taken for a walk in the early afternoon and Molly finally peed on her walk (yay!). Unfortunately, after the walk, when both had some freedom in the house, she pooped in the kitchen, extending to other rooms as she walked (ugh!). At least now we know it wasn't Mack on earlier dates - this is definitely Molly's spot (there have been yellow puddles by the refrigerator for two days). Mack actually had a little more freedom last night - Owner was exhausted and went into the bedroom around 8 p.m., leaving Mack somewhere else in the house. He ultimately found his way to the bedroom a while later, without pooping or peeing in the house (even though he is used to being let out before bedtime.). Good boy, Mack! Mack loved his bonito today - and giving "fishy" kisses to Owner afterwards. Final instructions for the house-sitter.
Food: ground mix a.m.; whole bonito for lunch.
February 1, 2005 (Tuesday): Today was occupied mostly with an aircraft closing, bank errands, endless phone calls, etc. The dogs got a little attention in the morning and enjoyed their walk, especially their surveillance of the garbage collectors, but didn't get a lot of play time today. Some of that was remedied with time on the bed in the evening, extra hugs and kisses, but all in all, work pales in comparison to fun time with dogs. Owner has to leave for a trip - and start thinking about getting everything in order for Mack and Molly so that the house-sitter doesn't have a tough time with them. Rec'd some pictures of Mack's littermates - everyone has grown so much - and darkened. This is one fine looking bunch o' pups!
Food: ground mix.