Home Ownership and Ben

Last night the slow leak under my kitchen sink decided to roar it's ugly head.  When first aware I put a container under the sink to catch the drip in order to delay repair but realized it wouldn't heal itself.  Thankfully today was able to get a plumber just 3 days before Thanksgiving.

Since I have a Rottweiler, it is always an issue inviting workers in since Rotties get a bad rap ~ so I always ask if they have a problem with a BIG dog.  Thankfully my plumber was okay with Ben. 

Ben was 3 years 7 months when adopted and happy he is a well behaved dog.  Sadly Rotties get a bad rap ~ yes they can be badly behaved when not well socialized or irresponsible owner breeding and training. 

Anyway, the plumber was here about 2 hours and I needed a new kitchen sink faucet unit.  Was hoping to have the bill today but one is being sent to me so have no idea what this is going to cost.  EEK!  Plumbers, electricians, doctors and lawyers make darn good money for their hours or quarter hours of work.  Unfortunately we rug hookers can't claim the same for our time and materials.

Sorry to bore you but here is a picture of the first meeting of my big boy Ben on his previous property.  The owner had him tethered to a tree to be sure he was there when I arrived to meet him.  When I got out of the car I looked at him and said, ...."Ben, I know you, but you don't know me".  The owner unleashed him, Ben sniffed and I told him to sit.  This was the very first picture of him that I took. He looks so sad and humbled.

When I look at this picture even now I'm not sure what he is feeling.  Ben did have manners because he followed my command.  He lived either in the basement or was let run free.  Unfortunately he would chase cars. and the faster the vehicles would drive the more he wanted to chase.   That could have been a deadly game for him.

Now when I gently grasp his face and talk to him I will say, "Hi, Ben..... I know you but you don't know me".  Ben's ears will perk up like he remembers our first meeting.  

OMG, I sure do love my boy Ben.  Isn't he handsome??  BTW, when the plumber wanted to talk to me and explain the plumbing issues, Ben put himself between the plumber and me.  Ben was doing his job protecting his mom and his home.

If you are wanting a dog or giving a dog to someone for Christmas,  please research about the characteristics, needs, size and activity levels of animals before you choose.  Having a pet is like having a child.  They require doctor visits, annual shots and meds to keep them healthy.  Pets ARE a responsibility and we are their caretakers.

And, please consider adoption.  Look what I have and he was 3 years 7 months.  With Ben I visited him 3 visits to be sure it would work.  All I can say is I love my boy Ben.

Have a great evening.

Saundra

A Rottweiler named Ben

My handsome Ben had his annual physical yesterday afternoon and he is in perfect health for a 6 year old big dog.  He had all his shots, free of heart worms according to the test (thank GOD) and purchased more Heartguard for my boy's continued health for the next year.  This is a photo from November 2011 while working in the front yard and pre-playground.

This was the first of three visits I made to meet Ben.  I wanted to be sure about him before bringing him to my home since I'd had a disastrous short adoption of Bella previously.  When I pulled up he was tethered to a tree so he wouldn't run off before my arrival.  When I got out of the car I said, "Hi Ben, I know you but you don't know me yet".  The owner let him loose, I petted him and gave the sit command.  Here he is looking very sheepishly which I've since realized is an affectionate look.  Even now he will drop those ears peer into my eyes and slowly and longingly lick his lips.

Here he is in November 2011 before he had a fenced in playground and I wanted him with me while I did yard work.  Look at that handsome boy.

When I adopted Ben he weighed about 120 and when I took him in for his first wellness exam (right after adoption) the vet suggested I get his weight down to about 100.  Ben didn't look over weight and was handsome even then.  Last visit to the vet he weighed 103 and I was quite pleased with that as was the vet.  Yesterday the scales were at 99.6.  Here is a photo of my handsome dude relaxing in his playground.

This was Ben's favorite toy which had 3 different sounds when the noise box was squeezed.  Ben would twist his head from side to side each time the tone changed.  It was his favorite until he killed it.  Once the sounds stopped he lost interest.  I looked everywhere for one just like it but not to be found.

WHAT?  Yes, I do feed my boy well, and yes he does get treats in his Kongs and for good boy deeds and also monitor his intake of calories.  I was concerned he was under 100 pounds but the vet said he was a healthy active Rottie in summer and to keep on doing what I was doing.

When I make a salad Ben will hear me washing the Romaine lettuce and will com running into the kitchen grab his goodies.  He also likes the bottom hard part of celery, the cut off ends of zuchinni, cukes, broccoli, and of course carrots and sweet potatoes.  They are all healty for dogs.  But please remember that the following foods are NOT good for dogs:  onions, chocolate, raisins, grapes, banana peels, and when in doubt do  a search to find out if it is good or bad.

Sorry to bore those of you who are not dog people, but I just had to gloat about my sweet boy Ben.  I got very lucky with him and I think he with me too.  You CAN get a good dog thru pet adoption.  And you CAN get a sociable dog who likes people and other pets even if they are considered a dangerous breed.  I believe the majority of problem dogs come from not getting socialized properly, abuse (mistrust issues), and training or lack of. 

Have a great evening.

Saundra

Update on Ben and Shadow Profile

This morning I received a phone call from Ben's vet as he had just opened his mail and Ben's lab results were among the delivery.  Lab reports that there is no sign of lymphoma, no sign of cancer, the red and white blood cell count in the spleen sample was normal but it was a reactive spleen. 

What the vet told me about "reactive spleen" is that Ben may have had an intestinal bug or similar illness which made the spleen enlarge but didn't interfere with his behavior.  So I am to continue Ben with the broad spectrum antibiotic until it is gone and Ben should be good until his next visit.  So FANTASTIC news about the health of my handsome boy.

OH!  Something else about my vet.  When I brought Ben home from the vet the other day, after sedation, noticed that all his nails had been trimmed and there was no charge on my bill for that.  Now, Ben will let me cut his nails but admit they did need the tips cut.  When my vet called this morning with the good news I let him know that Ben's nails did not go unnoticed and that his care for his clientele is magnificent.

Now to my girl Shadow's profile.  I used some of the found similar dye wool to fill in spots to the right and it is hardly noticeable, so that's good. 

The ear to the left I re-hooked (to hopefully give it more depth) and it probably could use a little more tweaking but I'm not going to bother with it, at least right now.  Frankly, the eye to the right (Shadow's left) needs to be honed in better but hey, I've open linen which still needs to be hooked and I'm not making progress if I'm still pulling out and hooking something back in.

 

So I'm taking Shadow back off the frame and putting a more relaxing project back on my frame.  I figure that at this speed, if I hook a few loops every week Shadow might be done by spring.

 

Finally today I was forced to turn on my heat due to the low temps and rain.  The thermostat is set on low but at least it will take the chill out of the rooms.  Yuck, winter will soon be among us.

 

Hope you have wonderful weekend everyone.

 

Saundra

 

My Boy Ben and What's on the Frame Now

So there will be something related to rug hooking showing up in the blog's photo I'll post my newly started (but not by much) project.  I've been busy with  my boy Ben's vet visits so haven't hooked much.

Yes, it is a design by Lucille Festa that was previously mentioned as being on my list 'to do'.  Well, I'm about TO DO it.  It is called Long Island Farmhouse and as you can see the size is 24 x 25.

Now to my dear sweet Rottweiler Ben.  Last Wednesday was his annual wellness visit.  Ben was 3 years 7 mos. when I adopted him and we just had our 2 year anniversary.  The vet checked his teeth, ears, heart, and was feeling around the belly and he said that Ben's spleen was enlarged. 

That gave him (and me) concern because the blood filters thru that and while it can enlarge overnight if it is fighting a bug, it can also reduce in size overnight.  Ben's was 3 times it's size and was of great concern.  The vet brought in the portable sonogram machine and while he didn't see any tumors and Ben had not been showing any physical signs of illness, he was going to take precaution.

The vet prescribed a broad spectrum antibiotic for him to take for a week and then a return visit.  We went back today and the spleen had reduced in size but still enlarged.  So the vet wanted to get better views on the sonogram and take a sample from the spleen.  He didn't do a biopsy, just drew fluid from the spleen which will be sent to the lab for testing.  Since that required that Ben be completely still with the insertion of a needle, he needed to be sedated.

So, good news is that there was no evidence of cancer that he sonogram picked up and his other organs look good.  The fluid will give a report of what may be brewing or what caused the swelling as one spot was excised and sent to the lab. 

My active boy has been very lethargic today and I've not left his side until doing the blog. I even hand fed him morsels of food since he couldn't eat this morning before the test.  Here's my sleepy head.

After feeding him by hand think he had good intentions of going out back in his yard but instead plopped down on the back porch in his favorite spot.  So here he is still at 5:30 p.m. and I brought him home just before noon.

Have a good evening everyone.  Right now Life is Good since it appears my boy Ben will be with me for a little longer.  Still have to wait for the pathology report for the final say but the vet gave me good vibes that Ben is okay.

Saundra

My Boy Ben and Snow

There is no snow on the ground here at this time and lucky to escape the massive snow of the upper north east just recently.  However, we are supposed to get snow this weekend but don't know how much yet.  Sure hope it isn't even close to the several feet everyone else recieved.  

Ben loves snow ~ uh, his momma doesn't.  Last snow which was only maybe 2", I took some pictures of my boy Ben making his own snow cones by the mouthful.  This is one picture where you can see his gaping mouth grabbing up as much snow as he can.  

Now this dog has two water bowls in the house; one in the kitchen and another in the master bathroom so he is close to water at night during sleep.  There is also a bowl of water on the back porch as well as on the deck which gets frozen during low temps; so he isn't dehydrated by any stretch.  He just likes snow cones.

Here is a picture of him licking up the snow instead of gulping down mouthsful.

Obviously it is like a game to him like a kid eating snow as my brother and I did when we were kids.  My brother and I even made 'snowcream', oh what great memories that thought brings back.

So getting back to Ben..... this was a wonderful adoption of a sweet and affectionate Rottie.  He's obviously strong but such a sweet boy and I got lucky.  He was 3 years 7 months when adopted in October 2011.  Big dogs tend to take longer to grow up so he is still a pup at heart and loves to play.  

Thankfully he is great with people, loves my grandson and gets along well with other canines.  In a previous post I showed this wonderful picture of Ben and Phantom (the Rottie down the street) playing and chasing one another.  One day I'd like to do a wide cut hooked piece of this "face Off" .  It is Ben on the left and Phantom on the right.

And here they are getting a treat after they stopped panting and wanted to chill out.  Again, Ben on the left and Phantom on the right.  Ben is 117 lbs and Phantom was bigger but not sure how much he weighs.  I walk him sometimes and he is also a sweetie.

Rottweilers and Pitbulls get a bad rap because of the way they are trained, bred, raised and treated.  I've had Rottweilers before and they were also good and well behaved dogs.

So, if you are interested in adopting an animal, whether it be cat or dog, and never mind what breed, but investigate to see what animal best suits your requirements.  But please consider adoption.  Please tell the adoption location whether you have an apartment, fenced back yard, room to run, whether you like small dog or larger.  Also how much attention the dog would get for walking or playing.  

There are so many animals which are killed each year and many would be make great pets.  If you plan to adopt a large animal ask about it's rehabilitation process.  

Ben didn't need any as his momma works on his minor flaws during our walks.  His major flaw when I adopted him was wanting to kill vehicles and attack their tires.  OMG, this is turning into a book here, sorry.  But with the use of a COLLAR which gives a tone at my command it calms him.  Once he settles down I would give him a tiny treat.  So NOW, when a vehicle drives by when he is on the leash he will sit and wait for the treat rather than pull to chase the vehicle.  

Try adoption no matter what size, breed or if canine or feline.

Please be kind to one another.

Saundra

Lion, Ducks, Dog and Air

Yes I totally understand the order of words used in the title but FIRST...let me get to the AIR part.  Thank goodness I am enjoying the luxury of air conditioning and just in the nick of time.  The last couple days has only been in the upper 80's but today exceeded the 90 degree point with elevated humidity so this expensive endeavor feels worth it. Okay, okay......

To the LION.  Since I wanted to take the Lion rug to Cape May for the rug show and departure time is getting close finally HAD to work on the binding.  So here is my beauty.  I never seem to be able to pull the corners just right or stand just right to get the perfect picture.  Oh well... here's the king of the jungle.

Now to the DUCKS.  Perhaps many rug hookers fall in love with their new project and I'm no different.  But there is something about this rug from the very beginning that beckoned me.  As I hooked the last few leaves my initial response was to pull out the loops and hook another color.  But decided to just keep it like it is, wait and decide later.  So this will remain unfinished for a bit longer.  Here is a picture with a flash.

And here is a picture in natural light.

There are a few reasons I'm putting this aside.  One is that I need something to hook while awaiting Bev to come to me for color planning my camp rug so will hook in the background and the other foot of the duck on the right hand side.  The other reason is that I've been commissioned to hook a small rug/mat for someone.  I'd really like to start that here where I can concentrate and have my wool available for color planning.   But won't take it to Cape May.

Okay, NOW to the DOG part.  Now what dog do you THINK I'd be talking about????? That would be my Benny Ben.  My wonderful adopted Rottweiler.  The A/C workers here were not threatened by the big boy but he WAS a menace since he wanted to be their best buddie.  So Mom had to intervene and take him for walks and put him on the back porch from time to time.

But here is my big boy living the good life in a climate controlled home.

I love this boy dog.  He is such a gentle giant; loves people and will run past adults to greet the kids.  This was a very wonderful adoption and I've had him about 11 months now.

Tomorrow is September 1st, which means there are only 8 days and a wake up before I leave for camp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  YAAAAA HOOOOOO.  And, I will go to bed tonight also in a climate controled home..... aaah, Life is Good!!!

OH, I need to buy another LIFE IS GOOD tee shirt when I go to Cape May.  I LOVE the Life is Good tee shirts.

Thanks for stopping by.

Saundra

My Boy Ben

It is hard to believe that it has been 7 months since I adopted Ben.  Not even once has he marked anything in the house, absolutely no accidents intentional or otherwise.   I brought him home on October 3rd and this is a picture of him tethered outside with me while doing yard work just one week after adoption.  No, he isn't hooked to a tree all the time and he lives in the house with me.

When I first got him he had lived either loose outside (where he learned to entertain himself by chasing cars and trying to kill tires) or sequestered to the basement with his elder Rottie companion.  He was in good health and wasn't physically abused but was lacking the attention and affection he so wanted.


Ben loves people, particularly kids and loves my grandson.  He doesn't much care for moving bikes either but because he loves my grandson doesn't seem to bother him when Zach is riding one.  He also gets along well with other animals and loves to play with the Rottweiler down the street.


Here he is keeping watch at the living room window ~ I sit and hook to the right of him.

At first I didn't get much sleep because he missed his other surroundings, would whine and pace the bedroom.  Now he knows my habits and when I say, "lets go to bed" he gets off the living room mat and accompanies me to the bedroom where he sleeps like a baby thru the night.


He was a mess to control when I tried walking him and a vehicle was coming by.  Even tho he knows the commands 'sit', 'stay' he had selective hearing.  Ben would leap, snarl and trash about wanting to get to the moving vehicles.  Even tho I would walk him with one of those pronged collars, it was as if he was oblivious of any discomfort when it tightened around his neck.  


Tho I didn't want to, I had to purchase a shock collar.  Thank goodness it had a button for a 'tone' (noise) as well as the shock button.  Luckily I have not had to use the shock because he doesn't care for that sound.  Ben has come a long way and when an approaching vehicle comes now he usually sits without my command and will look at my hand to see if I have the remote in my hand or not.  He knows if he is good and stays that he will get a mini-bone as a reward and if he lunges he gets the tone.  So I'm sure that brain is saying.....hmmm, treat or noise?  And he chooses treat.  

He isn't perfect yet and still am afraid to let him loose because he wants to follow his nose and there are a lot of roaming deer just waiting to be chased by a big black dog. Here is another picture of my handsome boy, but because I tilted my camera (even tho I did the rotation thing) it is on it's side.  My handsome handsome 4 year old boy.

Most definitely I lucked out with Ben, and it was a wonderful change from the experience that I had with Bella.  He sure is a sweet affectionate dog and I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to adopt him.

Let me introduce you to my boy Ben

I know that a few months ago I posted pictures of a rescue that I adopted.  Unfortunately that did not work out because after 3 weeks and her having gained weight, gained strength and confidence from being near emaciation, she bit me.  There was no way I could have that behavior around my grandson or me, for that matter, so back to the rescue she went. 

So the end of September my vet's office called asking if I was still interested in adopting a Rottweiler because they knew someone who had a great 3 year old neutered Rottie and needed to find him a good home.  Well of course I was interested.  But this time, since he lived in my town of Seaford, I went to visit with him 3 different times before bringing him home.  Just wanted to be sure it would work for both of us.  Home with me Ben came on October 3rd.  Since I wanted to be sure that we were definitely past the 3 week honeymoon (so to speak) didn't really post about the new adoption. 

Now it is time for me to introduce you to the new boy (only boy, tee hee) in my life...... Ben.

Just so you know, I was outside trimming my lirope today and tethered him to the tree next to me so we could spend time together outside in the mild temperatures.  Ben isn't totally perfect, I cannot let him off the leash like I could have my precious Shadow or my two other Rottweilers I owned previous.  Ben hates vehicles and he would definitely take off chasing them if left to his own devices. 

And, in case you're wondering.....NO, I do not keep him tethered outside, he lives in the house with me and the only time I've ever tethered him is when I'm outside working in the yard and we can be near each other and he can enjoy the out-of-doors without risking injury or death due to car chasing.  I'm trying to get him to stop the aggressive behavior toward vehicles because I'm afraid he may break loose, chase a car and get injured.  But so far he doesn't seem to have diminished behavior in that respect.  So if anyone has any suggestions I'm all ears and eyes.

He is very affectionate, loves kids and even with 4 kids next door converged on the porch, Ben was happy as a clam and couldn't wait to be with them.  My grandson Zack loves him and it is mutual from Ben.  Zach will be here tomorrow and Tuesday.

Matter of fact, twice now I've had to stick my hand in his mouth to retrieve something and he passed that test with flying colors.  I could do that with my other Rotties and with Shadow.  That is good because if they seem to be choking on something I want to safely remove it without being bitten.

And, I know that the Memorial to Shadow is still on my blog.  The love for her is still too close to my heart and cannot remove her picture yet.

Now it's time to feed the boy.....  later.