Suze-in-a-Box

It’s been one of those weeks – you could almost see the hand crank that handle. The tension was thick waiting for that moment when it pops and then the joy and laughter flows.

Puparazzi Time

I only had a chance to photograph three lovelies this week. I was putting out kennel cards when I spotted Baby Girl and saw that she had been surrendered in early June but had yet to have a photo shoot.

Baby Girl (ID: 54442)

She is very sweet. It looks like she recently had a litter of pups – she must have been in foster care until recently. Short, but stocky with lovely markings. She really enjoyed her head-pets and behind-the-ear scratches as I rewarded her for sitting so well for her photo shoot.

Trevor (ID: 55863)

Trevor is a very sweet five-year-old Labrador mix. He has the cutest look when he holds his ears just so. He was apparently a little shy when he first came to the Center back in late June, but Thursday night he had no qualms about me being in his kennel and him asking for affection.

Carley (ID: 54643)

The last little girl I found in Dog Room C who had been there for a while without a photo shoot was Carley. She is a sweet puppy full of that lovely puppy energy. She has a little skin allergy thing going on right now so I think I need to do another photo shoot with the Hello Kitty hoodie.

Tippi Time

There’s a great series of scenes in Steve Martin’s Parenthood movie that kept coming to my mind this week. The grandmother is telling Steve’s character how most people like to ride the merry-go-round at the carnival as it goes around and around and around, but she found that too boring and preferred the roller coaster. He looks at her like she was babbling senile nonsense. In the next scene a family outing descends into chaos and his character gets that feeling of flying on the roller coaster. At that moment he realizes the profoundness of what grandma was saying.

So, I’m more of a Ferris wheel person than a merry-go-round or roller coaster (although I do like roller coasters), but this week seemed more like “The Zipper” or what’s that one that takes you to the top and then drops you?

Things with Tippi have been tough. All the things we do to control her incontinence and to clean up on those occasions where we failed on prevention have taken their toll. It seems like every time we think we have it worked out, something else happens that ratchets it up another notch.

A couple of weeks ago she started having other “bathroom” issues – the vet said it was a case of Colitis, and we got some meds. It seemed to clear it up and Tippi stopped waking me up in the middle of the night desperate to go outside. But as the Fourth of July weekend started I realized that her issues had returned. Back to the vet and now it was determined that she has Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Poor Tippi. None of her illnesses are ever the curable type.

Things did not improve like we had hoped and with all the fireworks and thunderstorms that weekend Tippi wouldn’t go outside. Then in desperation she would tear off her britches and go in the dining room. I did the clean-up and Charlie dutifully steam cleaned the carpet numerous times. As with each of Tippi’s issues, we came up with a plan on how to make this work until the meds kicked in. Charlie came home for lunch on Tuesday to a colossal “mess” – and, just as he was leaving the house to go back to work Tippi vomited, twice.

So, I took the afternoon off work and we went back to the vet. The meds she had been on over the weekend for the IBS probably caused the upset stomach – so she got an anti-nausea shot, which seemed to help. They also switched the IBS medication to something a little less drastic. Plus, it had the ability to kill the bacteria that was most likely causing the IBS.

Still, Tippi was being difficult about going outside to potty. It was a residual of the weekend of fireworks and thunderstorms that were happening daily. By Wednesday night I was finally at my end. I was past being frustrated at the whole situation. I was even at the point where I was yelling at Tippi and being rough with her when I was putting her outside for needed potty breaks.

After one of my rants Charlie and I sat down and had a heart-to-heart about Tippi, her issues, and the ever increasing list of issues. We’ve taken on so much over the last year and Charlie does it all for me. It certainly makes me feel incredibly loved, but it also worries me about how much more he can take. As in most cases the conversation with Charlie re-centers me. I realize that I need to switch back to a more gentle approach with Tippi. It’s better for Tippi and better for me. With a little coaxing and a tasty treat I was able to get Tippi to go out on a regular basis.

Being in a better state of mind has also brought back the cute little things Tippi has started doing that I wanted to share with everyone …

She has taken to hiding her bone around the house. I find it amusing that where we used to leave empty boxes around for the cat to sit in, we now leave one or two around for Tippi to put her bone in. Her favorite hiding place is the couch in the dining room. She does try other spots like the blue tarp (on the floor where she goes to have her “accidents”) or a laundry basket. I’ve included a picture of Tippi’s nose to show where she has rubbed it raw from “scraping” the rug or couch fabric like she was troweling dirt to cover her bone.  Also, here’s a video of the first time we ever saw her bury a bone. We were out to dinner and apparently she was too excited to eat her biscuit just then.

I took the bed ruffle off the other day and in classic Suze style tossed it on the floor until I would have a chance to wash it and put it in the Goodwill box. Tippi has absolutely loved it. I think she likes sleeping on it more than the dog bed I bought her a couple of months ago. She can bunch it up and squish it around in to all kinds of shapes to lie on.

Also, thanks to a neighbor’s Facebook post we are now big (amazed) fans of the Thundershirt®. It ROCKS! SJ posted early last week about how well Miss Charlee dealt with a thunderstorm in it. I had heard about the Thundershirt before, but my skeptical side really didn’t see how it would work. But, on SJ and Miss Charlee’s recommendation I had Charlie pick one up from Phydeaux the next day after work – rugby stripe hot pink, of course.

A thunderstorm had gone through that afternoon so I figured we missed our chance that day and I didn’t bother to investigate the Thundershirt before we went to bed. Not too long after we went to bed I heard Tippi try to crawl under an end table that I use as my nightstand – and yes, she can fit if the thunder is really loud and she’s really frightened. I listened intently and could just barely hear the low rumble of an incoming storm in the distance. Damn. I ran and got the Thundershirt, hoping to get it on her before she was too freaked by the storm. So, there I am sitting in the dimly lit dining room without my glasses trying to figure out how to put this “contraption” on her (it’s all knit fabric and Velcro flaps). “Step one: How to get your dog used to the Thundershirt” – well, no time for that, just figure it out and get it on her. It was amazing – I had no more than put the last flap in place and she stopped panting (one of her stress signals). Wow, in the blink of an eye – a snap of the fingers – she was calm. Wow. We went back to bed. She came around to my side of the bed, where her dog bed is, and plopped down. No panting. No looking to me for comfort. No pacing. No trying to get to the floor on Charlie’s side of the bed. I’m awake now – all the excitement of getting her into her Thundershirt. Charlie and I were both awake in amazement as Tippi started to doze off and the storm started to roll through. Even during the height of the storm Tippi slept – nay, she snored! Wow! Wow! WOW! I am now part of their word-of-mouth advertising. Check out their website and check out their Facebook page to learn all about it and people’s success with it. I almost wish that my neighbors (whoever they were) were still shooting off fireworks somewhere in the ‘hood - just to see if it works for that too. I still plan on doing some training with Tippi to desensitize her to loud noises, but we will always have a Thundershirt for her.

In the ongoing discussion on SJ’s Facebook page about Miss Charlee’s Thundershirt there was a discussion about what exactly a Thundershirt was. Someone called it Thunder Spanx – LOL – that is exactly what it is. And so it shall be called in the Foote home from this time forward.

So, we’ve once again conquered what life has thrown at Tippi – and us. She is such a wonderful dog. I have been amazed at how quickly I fell in love with her. It’s definitely been an interesting year and I’m in it for the long haul with her – I’m just scared about what Charlie and I can handle ‘cause at this point I can’t see anywhere else that Tippi could be and be happy. She’s not a super cuddly dog, but she wants to be with her people (her pack) at all times.

Well, I can’t wait to see what’s going to be thrown at Tippi and our family next to ratchet it up another notch? (Yes, the previous statement is just dripping with sarcasm.)

One last thing – check out one of the shelter dogs getting her new “wheels.” First time using them and then flying with her friends.

Fluffy Dogs are Fluffy – Your Argument is Invalid

I didn’t get much time in the kennels on Thursday evening, but I had some very cute fluffy pups to play with.

I started with Jerry. His intake photo made him look like a skittish Shepherd mix … or something. He was very sweet and well mannered when I got in the kennel with him. Once I got close to him I could see his lovely blue eye. He was such a good boy sitting for his photo shoot. I absolutely love these photos of him. Who can resist this boy? His adoption fee is only $45, which means he’s already neutered and can go home with you today.

Jerry (614)

And you know I couldn’t pass up a Chow Chow, especially a puppy. Is Chrissy Cuddlesworth not the absolutely most cutest puppy ever?  She was very puppy-like and absolutely loved to cuddle and crawl up in my lap. She’s definitely got some Chow in her with the purple splotches on her tongue and a cute little curled tail. Thursday she barked at me when I walked passed her kennel and today she changed her tactic to lie on the ground and look as absolutely pitiful as she can. She came in as a stray so she’ll be ready to go home with you this coming Wednesday.

Chrissy Cuddlesworth (ID: 56243)

Harley is a doll. I just couldn’t pass by his kennel. He was lying there looking just like he was sleeping at the foot of your bed. His card says that he’s a Border Collie mix. He’s not too fat, but he is wonderfully plump. He’s obviously been taken good care of over the last eight years. His most recent owners only had him for about three weeks; they were moving and couldn’t take him with them. Harley had just come in on Thursday so he was still unsure about people coming into his kennel. He was really very sweet and once he figured out I was going to pet him he was all about cuddling up.

Harley (ID: 56305)

If I could, I really would bring all three of these pups home with me.

Really People?!?

Sometimes that old saying “The more people I meet, the more I like my dog” really rings true in my mind. I’ll get to that thought later. Let’s talk about all the sweet dogs I was able to photograph last week.

Zeus (ADOPTED)

Zeus reminded me why I don’t photograph puppies. This is the ONLY decent shot I got of him. He’s as cute as can be and super cuddly when you pick him up. I think I’ll coordinate with Tracy and we’ll tag-team them puppies next time.

Glena (ID: 55398)

Glena is a cutie with a wonderful squished up nose. I have some great close-ups of her but I like the ones that show her nose-wrinkles best. She’s on the super-skinny side, but she had pretty good manners for someone who hadn’t been eating very well.

Precious Holly (ID: 55275)

Are those not the cutest ears on Precious Holly? Hound mixes are just cute in general. Just a little over a year old, so she still has lots of puppy energy.

Bart (ID: 55462)

My introductory statement about people and dogs comes to mind every time I think of Bart. He’s just as sweet as can be and has such a waggy tail. He was well mannered when I stepped in to his kennel, too. Sadly, somebody did a real hack job on his ears. There are parts you don’t see in my photos that haven’t healed properly that make it look even more painful. He went into foster care with Petunia on Saturday. I’m so happy for him. I’ve met his foster mom a couple of times now and I know he’ll get lots of love.

Mini (ID: 54824)

Mini is another of those sweet Pitties whose ears were hacked (not docked) by someone. I just don’t get it. I’ve seen ears that have been docked by a professional and they can give a dog a distinctive look, but this is just a hack job. I know it’s common in dog fighting circles to do this, but I really don’t want to think these sweet babes were being pushed into that, or were living with someone that wanted them to look mean – ‘cause they’re not.

Gracie Lou

Look at those sad little eyes. Gracie Lou has lost her way and is looking for a new home. She’s a chubby little thing, so at 8 years old (more or less) she was someone’s baby.

Drake (ID: 47894)

Drake is currently in foster care and he was nothing like I expected from his photos on the web so I grabbed a couple of shots at the recent adoption event. He has some mighty big ears and a short stubby body.

Chucho (ID: 54678)

Chucho was in need of a new photo and it just so happened he was dressed for it Saturday. He’s one of those happy-go-lucky pre-teens that needs some discipline to be a really good dog.

Spongebob (ID: 52970)

Now the sweetie of the week is Spongebob. Just look at him here with his foster granddad. He’s just a young thing so he still has “puppy breath.” His brother got adopted at the event on Saturday so he’s most likely a little lonely this week. He has a velvety coat and the most adorable wrinkles.

I’ll finish off this week’s blog with three special guests. Several foster cats came in for the adoption event Saturday, so I tried to get updated photos where I could.

Peaches (ID: 48396)

Midnight (ID: 49425)

Waldo (ID: 49424)

Catch-up

I had a banner night Thursday – I was able to get photos of nine dogs. My goal was to get photos of dogs that had been at the center for a while and had somehow never gotten a photo shoot. Most of them were puppies, which is why they never got to go out with Al and Renee.


Because they were all puppies I can make pretty much of a blanket statement here at the beginning – they were full of energy and puppy antics. I wonder if I would ever have the patience to take on the training of a puppy. Maybe I’m just more of a Grey Muzzle type of person.

Charlie (ID: 53235)

Charlie is certainly a cutie. He was full of energy and in need of a pedicure, but I was finally able to get him to sit still for a photo or two. His bio talks about his white chin that looks like it was dipped in milk – actually the cutest part is he dipped all four paws and his tail in that same bit of milk.

Precious (ID: 54301)

Precious was another one of those crazy pups who sit perfectly still for just a moment and then, like a rocket, sprung into all kinds of frenzied running around. I had some very “interesting” blurry shots of her. She has those beautiful ears that look like the wimple of the flying nun’s hat. But the most precious thing about her is when she sits and paws the air in the hope of getting one more treat. She came from a family with little kids and I think she’d be so happy to join a group like that again.

Sasha (ID: 54228)

Sasha really was a blur of puppy energy. This was the only shot I was able to get of her. Her favorite thing upon meeting me was to chew on my shoes – full mouth coverage! I guess I can’t blame her completely as my Crocs probably taste like a Kong. She spent most of her time scurrying around my feet.

Princess (ID: 54305)

Princess is very cute. She has a wonderful spot on her back that I just couldn’t seem to get the right shot of. She really was a very sweet girl with lots of love and puppy kisses for someone special.

Juice (ID: 54281)

Juice was one of those dogs that jumped and scampered around the kennel – barking at passers-by looking for some personal attention. He was very sweet once I got in the kennel with him. He was easy to get a photo of with some well-placed treats … although he was another one who needed a pedicure.

Roger (ID: 54137)

Roger has been around awhile and gone through a name change. I think Roger suits him quite well. He has a wonderful stocky build that needed a solid, classic name like Roger. Don’t you just love the smile on his face?


As I was trying to catch up on photos for those in need – I double-checked my list in the office and there were a couple of puppies and a Pittie who was in the remaining “red room.”

Jenny (ID: 54148)

I usually don’t photograph puppies — they’re so chaotic, and getting photos of each one when you’re working by yourself is just a pain — but Jenny and Maxie were in need of some good photos. And there were only two of them.

Maxie (ID: 54147)

They were just adorable. They bounced around toppling over each other. Jenny was doing the little “pawing the air” cuteness. They even sat for a group shot. BTW: Maxie has something called “cherry eye” in both eyes. They say it’s not very painful and they fix it surgically when they do the spay/neuter surgery.

Once you go in to the “red room” you can’t go back to any of the “green rooms,” so I scheduled Plato for the last shoot of my shift. Please know that the dogs in the red room are okay, they were just exposed to some sick dogs and need to be kept separate for now.

Plato (ID: 50788)

Anyway, Plato is one of those short solid-built Pittie mixes. He’s a classic black-and-white. His nose and face are scarred. What was his story before he came to the Center in April? He was so mellow sitting at the front of his kennel. He just watched me as I came in. He looked over his shoulder as I snapped photos of him. He sniffed the treat I presented him, but he didn’t even take it. Poor guy! No walks for those in the red room – and not the traffic that the other rooms get.


I started petting his head. Slowly he twisted and stretched to get closer to me. And when I stopped, a fat little nose gave my hand a gentle flip looking for more affection. So, so sweet.


I think this weekend I’ll go back and spend some cuddle time in the red room.