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!