Hismerh Prince Piere *Petey*: 2010

December 31, 2010

Happy New Year to my boy Petey! We took him for a nice snowshoe on our property. He loves that land more then any other place on earth. Lots of tracks for him to follow today, bear, bobcat, coyote, deer, mice, squirrels....and more! Heaven on earth for Petey.

Snow Storm 12/27/10

The storm took place on *Petey Day*! My sweet boy turned 50 months old!!! Everyday is special when you have the best Dobe in the world at your side.

XMAS 2010

December 15, 2010

Best Birthday Gift for me was having Petey still here with me, alive and well.

Tree Decorating

Finally found a little spirit. Both boys hung around while I decorated the tree.

December 10, 2010

One year ago Petey was diagnosed with DCM. The year flew by and after I recovered from my shock and sadness over this fatal diagnosis, I have to admit....we had a fantastic year. I've enjoyed every moment with my big beautiful boy. He is simply the best dog I've ever shared my life with. One day at a time...be in the moment.

New Issue

During the early morning hours of Tuesday December 8, 2010 Petey had some sort of Neurological problem going on. He woke at 1:30am, I took him down stairs to bring him outside, and he ended up falling down the last couple of steps and then having his hind quarters going over with every step. He hung his head low starring at the floor and was afraid to walk for 7.5 hours straight. There was no comforting him. It was almost as if he didn't know I was there. By morning he was finally able to lay down but only with his body straight and head between his paws. He seemed to have severe vertigo. I took him to the vet, and he was able to see the behavior. He had never seen anything like it. He said it almost looked like he was about to seize and then it stopped. He gave him a shot of steroids. He said it looked like Wobblers Syndrome, or a spine injury. I did play tug with him Tuesday afternoon, and Petey and Monty play very rough every day. A spine injury is very possible. We are going to take it one day at a time. Petey is acting as though he has some pain, he shakes and won't play with Monty.

Saturday I did get him out for a nice leisurely walk at Turtle Point Road, it was sunny and 40 degrees, gorgeous! Both of us needed the fresh air. He came alive and all his issues disappeared and he was very happy to be outside in the sunshine. I love watching him have fun. I need to let him continue to life his life.

Happy Holidays!

Petey & the Tipi

Petey becomes a different dog the second he goes to the property and near our Tipi. We aren't sure what happens to him, but he becomes very wild and crazy. Yesterday we had some work to do in the Tipi and took Petey alone (with out Monty) to give him some quality time. He raced around and did insane zoomies every time I walked outside the Tipi, he wildly barked at and attacked Brad because he was laying down doing while working on the flap, went across the freezing cold river after scenting an old deer gut pile, proceeded to eat it, played serious tug with his blanket as I tried to bring it in the Tipi so I could wrap up his shivering body after his swim, then upon getting it, dragged outside to suck on it, and just acted completely wild and crazy for the entire two hours. We had to laugh, it's almost as if he becomes wolf like.

The Scary Balloon 12/2/10

Today soon after I let Petey out for his crack of dawn ritual, I heard very scary barking. Alarm barking. I listened for a bit thinking there may be an animal in the side yard. I called him, and he refused to come, so I headed out in the dark with a flashlight. He was on the edge of the yard holding something at bay....I shinned the flashlight having no idea what to expect, YIKES a helium balloon was caught in the bushes, blowing in the wind and catching a tiny bit of light from the neighbors spotlight, throwing a reflection. Petey upon seeing that it was only balloon, which he has lots of experience with, started doing zoomies like a wild man through the yard, trying to act like nothing happened. He was completely embarrassed. I tried my best not to laugh, he was so adorable it was very hard. I captured the monster and brought it in the house for him to properly kill it. This is just one of the many reason's that I love this dog so much, he makes me laugh every single day!

Thanksgiving in VT

We rented a big house in Killington VT for Thanksgiving week. We rented the same house last year. All my sons came,lots of their friends and my mom. Both dogs had a blast. There is nothing like being able to take your dog with you on vacation. You can have a great time and not worry if your furchild is being properly taken care of. The boyz were very good in the house. We took the top apartment of the house, it was really nice to have our own living room and kitchen. Monty was up pretty early most days, not earlier then 7am. We found a wonderful place to hike, only minutes from the house. I hope we are able to go again next year. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

What a life

I've had dogs in my life since birth. They have always been treated well,lived as members of our family. All of my own personal dogs have been what others consider spoiled, I've never considered any of them spoiled, its the least I could do for their wonderful companionship. It wasn't until my Petey's diagnosis with Dialated Cardiomyopathy that I began to question what constitutes a true quality life for my canine companions. It is a question that everyone who has a dog should be asking themselves. It is up to you to give them the best life possible. Unless there is a miracle Petey will not grow old. It is up to me to fill his days with great experiences that make what ever time he has left, wonderful. I also need to make sure he has a great life for my own good too. I don't want to lose him and have any regrets that I should have, could have. In all honesty, each of us only has today. We have no guarantees that there will be a tomorrow. Knowing that Petey is sick has made me look at his days and ask myself...what else does he need? What would make this day more special? We miss very few opportunities to get outside and hike, because that is what Petey seems to love best. Most days we change the trails we go on, so that there is more variety, more to see and smell. I feed raw, and love to give him new meats, bones, and raw treats. Every time I have an errand to run, I bring him with me. When I book a vacation, we get houses that dogs are allowed, and while there, find hiking trails to explore each day. He has comfortable beds and baskets full of all kinds of toys. The best change that I've made in Petey's life is taking him to work with me. He loves it. On work days he immediately knows we are going. He sees me ready his bag and water and his excitement builds. Once in work, he immediately wants to go out of the office building and into our garage to get one of his Pig Ear treats. I unlock the garage, Petey runs in, goes up the stairs, rummages through the box, pulls out an ear, runs back down the stairs and heads back to the office. He settles on his bed and eats his treat. After finishing, he spends most of his day sleeping, only getting up to greet different people who come in the office just to say hello to him. I love looking down and seeing him laying next to me. I saves me from worrying about him. It is amazing how much more relaxed Petey is all the time now that I rarely leave him. Being a Doberman, his life work is to be the constant companion to a human, to protect them. He takes his job seriously and wants to be with me 24/7 no matter where I go or what I am doing. Although knowing about his disease has been heartbreaking for me, I am happy that I have a chance to make his life incredible and at the same time....enjoy my own life so much more. My puppy Monty has really benefited, every day is a new adventure for him. New smells, tastes, experiences and lots of fun!