It is the last weekend in June, yet it is a cool 65 degrees and it has rained all day for the most part. With a Punta Cana trip on the horizon, this fall weekend weather is doing NOTHING for my base tan and getting my skin somewhat prepped for the hot sun ahead. It also makes for a very lazy dog. Every weekend I try to take Woody on a significantly long walk, but that idea comes to a halt when the thunder outside sounds like a bomb.
If you find yourself stuck inside due to inclement weather like us, try to get creative with how you spend time with your dog. Sometimes, it's nice to just snuggle and watch Netflix (for the record, I did NOT find this season of OITNB boring like most everyone else on the Internet). But, if you're a working pet parent and you aren't giving your dog ample outdoor energy, you have to remember that they still need to blow off steam.
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Today I learned of a new cold-pressed Juice and smoothie place that a few blocks from my apartment. Restore Cold Pressed opened on Huron Ave. and amazingly sold out of everything in 6 hours. Who knew Cleveland was all about that juice! Woody and I walked by tonight to peek in the location and we like what I see. The smoothies seemed a little pricey (it looked like they were $8) for someone like myself who can make them at home, but the blends sounded delicious and from everything I'm reading are worth the money for those without a premium blender or those who haven't figured out the appropriate fruit-to-yogurt ratio. However, I am excited to give their juices a try on a hot Cleveland day, and the avocado toasts sounded delightful. Oh, and have you heard of the bone broth trend? Well, they're making a fresh batch.
Apparently Woody resembles a certain Bachelorette contestant this season. Anyone else see it?
One of my favorite conversation topics with one of my work gal pals is baby or dog, where we compare how similar sounding the actions of my dog and her young children are. This will probably dissipate when the kids learn to talk in full sentences, but while they're in the nonverbal pooping, puking, ruining everything of material value stage it works perfectly. If she or I describes something that sounds like it could have happened in both animal and human kind, we say baby or dog. What we haven't done yet is write down these stories and see how many people can guess if the story is a baby or dog. All you trivia people - give us a call. We have some gems! This weekend was the definition of a baby or dog weekend. We took advantage of the beautiful weather Friday night and had a picnic at Voinovich Park, one of my favorite places in the city. There were prom-goers, spring formal-goers and this wedding: Yes, the bride is wearing an orange dress and it was beautiful.
Most importantly, we were outside. Woody enjoyed a good bone, we had sushi and wine. All was well. We only went inside to watch Game 3 of the Cavs vs. Bulls series (I don't want to talk about it) and then we went back outside for another hour or so. We went to bed around 1:30 only to be awakened by a crying dog at 4. He never wakes me up that early, so I had a suspicion something was up. I took him out (there were a surprising number of people out at 4 a.m. on a Saturday), he went, we came back in, no big deal. False. He would not get into bed and all of a sudden started puking up I don't even know what. I think there were sticks? Maybe some dirt? I don't know, it was dark, and I was half asleep. I laid down with him on the floor but he just could not get comfortable. Around 6 he needed to go out again (he's puked 3 times at this point), and then we retreated to the living room so if he had to get sick he could at least do it in the kitchen. Long story short, he had no appetite for food or for a walk - we got two blocks and he just stopped. So I carried him home and took him to the vet - West Park Animal Hospital. They are not my normal vet but they were the only ones who could get us in and they were fantastic. Thankfully, nothing serious was wrong. This dog is the ultimate scavenger and has eaten WAY worse things than a few sticks, yet never has stomach problems, so whatever he picked up must have been horrible. He was given an antibiotic, the dog equivalent of Pepto, an IV with fluids and a 3-day diet of chicken and rice. Also, when dogs get dehydrated and need fluids, they get this big lump of water somewhere on their body while it flushes through, which was news to me. Woody's looked like a boob. He was back to normal by Saturday night, and I am super thankful this wasn't something life-threatening. I know not all dogs with stomach emergencies aren't so lucky. But, the moment really reminded me how dogs are worth the sacrifice - of sleep, of plans, of money. Dogs and children are not the same, even when their mannerisms are, but they are both so deserving of love because they give unconditional love in return. This face just screams "promise I'll make it up to you!" Woody turned nine back in December and still has the energy of a two-year-old. I never feel like he's slowing down. But lately, I've been getting subtle reminders that nine is actually a very impressive and desirable age to make it to in the dog world. A few large dog breeds are lucky to make it to nine and many dogs are living the equivalent of the laid-back life retired snow bird men enjoy.
The last few weeks on our walks, I've encountered multiple people who ask how old he is, and when I respond that he's nine I get the same response: "He looks good for nine!" I know no one is trying to upset me by reminding me how old he is, but I can't help but feel a little sad each time. Now, I find myself paying closer attention to any new quirks, noises, and changes in appetite and endurance levels to make sure I don't miss any of those getting-older signs. So far so good. More importantly, I look at Woody differently with a greater sense of appreciation for all he's taught me in our five years together and I have a new outlook on our time together - it must be cherished. I need to do what I can to keep him healthy and enjoy many more years of selfies.
It's finally nice outside, so Woody and I have been enjoying our walks. Note to self: Get one of those fancy dog cameras and really see Cleveland from the dog perspective.
Today I found out one of my very dear friends and her husband are expecting twins. She is already a dog mom to Griffin, a dalmation who happened to live with us during college. You could say he was a former roomie just as much as she is. The way she told our group of friends is probably the cutest way anyone has told me they are pregnant to-date. Griffin has a lot of reading to do before he becomes a big brother!
Maybe I'm late to the game, but did you know Cleveland has a bikeshare program?? Typically you've seen iterations of these like Citi Bike in NYC, which got a ton of good and bad press. But unlike the high-tech looking bikes in NYC, Zagster bikes actually look pretty normal and are much more low-key. According to Cleveland.com (and the sign in the picture on the left) bikes can be rented with a mobile app instead of the touchscreen docking stations. I have a bike and am pumped that it's now warm enough to start doing more riding and less driving. But, if you don't have one, I suggest checking these out. That is, if you actually know how to ride a bike. That is definitely step 1.
Woody is a 9-year-old dog in a 9-month-old dog's body. His energy is enviable, his personality is larger than a German Shepherd and his spirit is timeless. I love him so!
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AuthorI'm just a twenty-something female raising the weirdest dog I've ever met. Archives
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