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Sharlene,
I love the description of you playing attack with Molly's kibble.
Hamish was really good about eating 'his' food and as long as he had been fed would hardly ever bother us (if he hadn't been fed he would herd us into the kitchen, stand us in front of his food bowl and bar our escape until we fed him!), but there was one day that he decided he wanted a piece of spinach and was being a total pain, so in the end we gave him a bit, which he grabbed eagerly then spat out seconds later.
So I'm posting away on the forum, trying to catch up. Evenings seem to be the only time I have during the week to do so and brat dog got stuck downstairs and wouldn't come up. Again!
I decided not to close it off and it doesn't look like she goes down there when I'm not home, so she must know that when I'm here I'll come rescue her. So, she is barking her head off for me to come do something about her dilemma. I finally let her out the bottom slider to the yard where she ran around and then came bouncing up the deck stairs to the door to come back inside. Normally I make her go up the stairs and I'll follow behind her or wait at the top for her. Once hubby waited at the top and followed her up. He had a treat, she managed it just fine I'll have you know. I swear molly is my bratchild!
I do the liquid heartworm/flea prevention that goes on the back on the skin with Molly. I know some people don't like it but she has never seemed to have any problems from it.
hugs all,
sharlene and molly muffin
Sharlene:
I have used no flea protection on Tipper this year and we have fleas bad here. She has not gotten any fleas so far. I keep her out of the high grass and more on the road. I am scared to do that now that she had Cushings, so going without it has worked. I do however use it on Toby, as he is more likely to get them, and has longer hair. Molly is the "spoiled one," but aren't all these cush dogs? Blessings
Patti
I'll be right there at La Castille.... just name the day - LOL - I've been going to that place for well.... let's just say you know how old I am and I celebrated my 30th birthday there allbeit at the bar.
This food thing is an issue, I have resorted to cutting up a chicken sausage the size of a pepperoni I get at the deli.. and all meds go in that now. I also realized I have to wash my hands after handling the pill just in case the smell of the meds is on the right side of the meat - sheesh.... what a brat he is.
At the new vet on Thursday, speaking of stairs and Keesh went up their inside stairs as if there was nothing wrong with him. They were ceramic too... can't figure out these pups and certain stairs. Guess if they've had an incident or two that does it for them, however, come to think of it.. Keesh last week came up the carpeted stairs, back legs gave out and he literally clawed the 3 steps he slipped down before he got a good grab. That hasn't stopped him from still coming up them, but he won't go near wooden steps.
Maybe Keesh knows that he can't get a grip on those wooden stairs if his back end goes out on him. Having a fall, not being able to get up, just causing them to develop a neurotic issue with those steps I think. Probably the same for Keesh and for Molly, they associate those specific stairs as no go, dangerous areas, and all other steps are good and fair game to journey up and down. Dogs are smart, no doubt about it, but they also develop all sorts of neurotic issues I think based upon past experiences.
I try to encourage Molly to go up and down those specific stairs, where she hasn't had a problem since as much as I can when she gets stuck down there. Only once in awhile, will I let her go out the bottom level slider as I don't want that to be what she thinks the answer is every time. Especially in winter when we go out the back alot due to ice on the front sidewalks.
Okay, no more procrastination, back to doing the laundry and organizing basement. Molly is behind my chair snoring her head off and not even aware I'm here I think. She sure does sleep a lot harder the older she has gotten and she's Always been a noisy sleeper. Snoring, grunting, running, twitching, she is just pretty active when she is asleep, but these days the sleep seems much deeper.
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin
Hi Sharlene,
Do you think that Molly fell or something on those stairs? Not enough to injure her, but enough to scare her? That could be why she is reluctant to use them now. Just a thought? Xxxx
Yes. I am sure she did fall. I heard her. I was outside with the screen closed. I couldn't see her but I heard what sounded like a scramble instead of her normal thump thump run. I ran to get inside but she was up to the top by the time I got in. I watched her all day for any limping or noticeable problem and didn't see any. Just this fear of those steps now. She went down today and I made her come back up them. She got 3 steps from the top and stopped. I just kept encouraging her to come on you can do it and she did. She jumps around in joy every time she makes it to the top now.
Sharlene and Molly muffin
You are such a great mommy Sharlene. :p Yes, that does make sense.
A big dog charged Buddy and I on a walk and grabbed his leg. He was in my arms by that time. He wasn't physically hurt, but it took many months before we could walk by that house again. Buddy would panic and stop and freeze. That is why I thought Molly might have had a scare. Xxxxx
Sharlene:
Are the steps wooden or padded? I thought some gripper pads may help to assure her of not falling. Poor Molly she must have the fear in her of falling. I am confident if anyone can work it out it will be you Sharlene. Blessings
Patti
They are carpeted Patti. It's the incline that is a bit higher than the other steps and the fear that is getting to her. :)
We are having quite the time, and hubs chuckles when he sees me at the top of the stairs, on my hands and knees saying, "come on you can do it, come on" and her at the bottom barking at me saying "no can do, not going to happen" LOL So of course I catch him doing the same thing the other day and bout fell over I was laughing so hard. :) I said, "busted!" hahahaha
He's a good guy, funny that he told me he wasn't a dog guy when we first got together. He hadn't met Molly at that point. :)
I do want her to get over it, but we're having some fun with it too and she is so proud when she does make it up the steps that it is hilarious to see. :) She just bouncing all over the place as soon as she hits the landing at the top. boing boing
We'll conquer this or we won 't and she'll train us to come down and get her. (oh my!) LOL
She had a bath yesterday and is currently a very fluffy doggie. She hasso much hair, she is going to need a hair cut soon. I'm trying to keep it trimmed and out of her eyes at least.
Hugs all, have a good Sunday
Sharlene and Molly muffin
:D Love all aspects of this story!! ;) Both you and your husband coaxing little Molly up the stairs is the best. I don't doubt that she'd rather be carried...after all, those stairs are like the boogieman now..she did have a little spill on them and she's not forgetting about it anytime soon!! Can't blame her for that-she's thinking it could happen again! See how smart she is that she doesn't go down them when you're not at home! She waits until someone is around to save her from coming back up! Molly's not really a brat Sharlene, just super intelligent--she's got it all figured out! ;)
Barbara
Hi Sharlene,
I can just see your hubby coaxing his baby up the stairs, while pretending like he's a macho guy. Busted!! I love it!!!!!:D xxxxx
Oh Barbara dear, you have fallen for Molly's antics even from across the miles. Here, join hands, we are all under her spell. ROFL!!
She is a sweetheart really, but oh yea, total brat, just a very smart one. hehehehe, she has us wrapped around her little paws, no doubt about it.
Step 3 from the top, seems to be the culprit, she stops at that one on the way up now and gets sort of turned sideways, then with some coaching, up she comes. She went down tonight and woke me up from my nap, barking like crazy. She won't try it without someone to watch over her. Smart little bugger indeed.
My neighbor took a couple pictures of molly the other day and sent them over to me. (I added them to the album here) His wife said their dog likes Molly's pictures, which I thought was so funny. They were showing them to their Westie Maggie and she'd bark at them, like she knew it was Molly. She always runs up to the front door and barks for molly when they are out for a walk. Molly does the same to their door, except she doesn't bark for Maggie, she waits patiently, sure that they will be coming out any second. :)
Hugs all, hope you are each one having a good day
:)
Sharlene and Molly Muffin
Sharlene:
It certainly seems Molly knows you two are putty in her paws! That is so cute about the Westie. These dogs know a lot more than we think they do! Blessings
Patti
:D :D hahaha Yes, Molly's cuteness has reeled me in and I'm clearly on her side. ;) Maybe you guys should invest in one of those stair lifts for the basement steps! Then Molly can just hop on that little seat and take a ride upstairs! I think that would be a great idea!! Molly probably thinks so too!! :D
heehee
Barbara
Hi Sharlene, glad to know everything is going well with Molly.
The stairs thing is cute yet worrisome at times. Keesh won't let you help him, he's too proud. I even tried putting his collar on and gently leading him up the stairs, but he turns and walks away. He makes 5-6 attempts before he starts up, and then zig zags up the stairs.
Hi Sharlene:
Don't worry about the post, I understand completely what you were getting at. I am glad to have you help me in times of need. I count on you as the voice of reason when I am losing it. Blessings to you and sweet Molly.
Patti
Glad you understood what I was trying to get out Patti. Sometimes things in typing don't come across as well as they would if said in person. Inflections and all that and tone add so much to conversations. We do the best we can with a forum.
I usually try to go with optimistic at all times. Some days it's the only thing that makes sense. :)
Judi, Keesh just really doesn't like those stairs. Once they make their minds up they can be very stubborn about it.
LOL Barbara, if she has her way we would go down pick her up and carry her back up the stairs. She will put one foot on a step and wait to see if you aren't going to do that for her or not. :) Not spoiled much is she. :) I'm resistant to encouraging the pick up though so for now, it is a matter of just being encouraging for her to get her confidence back. She's smart, she'll get it :)
hugs
Sharlene and Molly Muffin
I think Molly needs her own personal elevator :)
Sharlene:
And make it a glass sided one like the one in Trump Towers! That is a cute idea, I can just see her Royal Highness riding in it and waiting for her subjects to get her out when she arrives. Blessings
Patti
Keesh puts his front paws on the first stair too, I'm at the top encouraging him. Come down the stairs to him though and he walks away. As long as he doesn't think I'm watching him after 3-4 attempts up he comes, he doesn't know I'm leaning over the railing watching though.... he's just too proud. Aren't they funny ??
Yep, they are funny :) Molly will run away when I come downstairs too but a firm, get up those stairs will get back to the correct vicinity. Much tale wagging and running around ensures, so I don't try to make it "play time" or she'd think this was some bright new trick she has thought up.
Oh gads, a glass enclosed elevator! LOL Can just see me telling hubby that he needs to pull out the staircase and put in a glass elevator for molly. LOL This I do not think will fly with him.
I have mentioned I wouldn't mind having the incline changed that it would be good not just for molly but peeps too, if we are going to be doing renovation in the basement eventually, then that would be the time to look into it. Thoughts me of trying to carry laundry up and down steep staircases as the year go on, definitely makes that one priority in my book. (I wish we had more flat houses around here, but city land is usually at a premium and you just can't find them or if you do, they are a bloody fortune to buy.
Okay back to work gang
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin
Are we really talking about putting a glass dog elevator in? LOL:D:D:D
hmmmph :D
Some of them are, lets Barbara suggested an elevator and Patti went with the upgraded Trump model! :eek::eek:
Molly is NOT allowed to read this thread!!!! :p :D
Little wench just went running down those stairs too!! It's like she knew were talking about them and her. :eek: (was she reading over my shoulder?! I won't even contemplate the disaster that Molly being a mind reader would be!!!!)
Annnnnd the barking starts.
Better go convince her she can do this ..... Again.
hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin (stuck in the basement)
I finally had to go down the steps, pat them, then she started up at a run, ran out of steam almost to the top, (again about 3 steps from the top). I picked up up and put her up One step only (one ping only please in best -not very good- Sean Connery voice) and then she continued up on her own. Now running around house fast as she can go, so very proud of herself.
Do we Really have pages of threads on Molly's adventures with stairs!!!!! oh my:eek::eek::D:D
There is obviously nothing truly worrying going on in our household!! ROFL
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin
haha now we are all chiming in on the step renovation for Molly!! :D
My suggestion was actually one of those stairway lifts...you know like a little chair that goes up a track like a bannister. I think Molly would like that! :D :D :D
I kind of imagine Molly down in the basement deciding it's time to get upstairs and she jumps onto her chair and gently coasts up to the main floor on her gliding chair! :D just joking of course!!
I watch a show on HGTV called Love it or List It and I believe all the houses are in Toronto. They have never shown a one story home...all have had a basement and 2 stories...do you ever watch that show?? It is in Toronto isn't it? They never actually say for sure where they are. They also always talk about homes being on a "ravine" and that seems to be very desirable. Anyway-- the make-overs are always so nice!! Love home make-over shows. Wish my place could be on one!! :D Need a kitchen make-over big time!
I do know that show Barbara. :) Several of the home make over and real estate shows are filmed here. Mike Holmes from Holmes on Homes comes from Toronto area too. As does Property Virgins. Tons of them. I think it's an area like New York and Los Angles, you have these skilled people and you have huge film activity. It's a natural marriage for these cable television stations. You're right, everyone has a basement if you have a house and either a multi level or a bungalow that is basement and one level.
Yes, ravines are much loved around here or any green parkland area. Luckily Toronto is a city with a lot of planned green areas. We love our parks and natural areas. :) I live near several. We have a park at the end of the street, a ravine, wooded area, one block over, a creek that separates that part and wooded area from a very Large park, with ski hill, etc. It's wonderful to be in the city and still so close to these natural areas. We have some good dog walk, people walking, running, biking areas because of that. It's not a central park, because central park is just uniquely itself and I love it, but it is very nice to have here.
Oh yes I do know the gentle slide elevator you are talking about. I might need that myself at some point, hopefully many years from now. I always tell hubs, we'll keep the house till we can't do the stairs any more. :)
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin
Sharlene,
We talk about poop. I think that stairs are a milder topic :-)
Sharlene:
I agree with Valerie. Better to devote the threads to stairs than poop. Any outsider reading all of this must surely think we are all a bunch of nuts! Blessings
Patti
I vote for an escalator! A nice antique wooden one, you would just have to train Molly to press the button to activate it... but she's a smart girl and will have that sussed in no time :D
I had to scroll to page 3 to find you. - LOL - how's the little monkey doing? For that matter how are you doing?
:) Page 3, eh. Well, I've been known to show up much further back than that. LOL It's the price you pay when everything is just trucking along all normal like, which it Usually is for us, until I show up scatter brained heading to the ER or something. LOL
Actually things are going fine for Molly, we're still urging her up the steps, which she will do if we are with her. I'm swamped at work. (as usual) Getting ready for Thanksgiving, so Mother in Law arrives tomorrow and is here for a week I think. I seem to have invited more people to dinner than my dining table actually holds. Drat off by 1!! So, pulling out the card table, cleaning it up and doing a trial run this weekend to see if it will work. After that, hunt around the house for 3 extra chairs. *sigh* Fun never stops eh! hahaha
Do you have big plans for Thanksgiving or planning a quiet one? We use to have quiet holidays, now they seem a bit hectic, I think it goes in cycles.
hugs, all
Sharlene and Molly Muffin
Yeah for Mollie!
I'm glad that she continues to do well!
No plans for Thanksgiving. The rule in my house if you can't boil it, nuke it, or thaw it... you won't find it at my table. I hate cooking.
Kidding aside, I will cook a turkey albeit under protest - LOL
Sharlene:
Glad Molly is doing well. Instead of the card table you can let Molly handle that turkey, she will make quick work of it! Glad everything is going well, and you are getting ready for company. Blessings
Patti
Oh yea Molly and a turkey, Disaster I'm sure!!!
Actually kind of a sad time today, in that my Brother In Laws brother passed. It sounds distant, but the rule in our family is when you marry, the whole family becomes part of one big family. My sister and BIL are heading out to Oklahoma on Saturday for the funeral next week. It was rather quick, an inoperable brain tumor, not diagnosed till very late and then since the diagnosis, just very quickly down hill. Worse, is that my BIL's mom is also on hospice care. In fact her and his brother had the same case worker. *sigh* Some days are just rough. He was best man at my sisters wedding.
I'm glad Molly is doing so well still. There are times when I wonder, but you do what you can with the facts as you have them. So I hope what I am doing or not doing is right for her. So far I think we're okay.
My Mother in Law gets in tonight. Molly will be really excited to see her again and run to her bedroom every morning to say hello. ;) If she doesn't find her, she'll still roll around in her stuff (loves that scent of family) and then head downstairs to give her a big hi, look at me wiggle. :)
If I am scarce in the coming week this is why. I like to spend time with her when she is here and I'll take her to her favorite store, Tilley's and out to lunch, the normal stuff.
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin
Hi Sharlene,
It's weird hearing you talk about Thanksgiving. In the US, Thanksgiving is the last Thursday in November. I cannot wait as I get the whole week off. Work has beyond exhausting this year and there's no let up in sight. There are far too many needs and not enough of me to go around. I'm going around putting out little fires everywhere, but not getting much else done. It is terribly frustrating!:p I am also still very emotional over Buddy, so that hasn't helped either.
I am sorry to hear about your family members being so ill. I had a friend that had an inoperable brain tumor. He went quickly once it was discovered. Much too quickly. My thoughts and prayers go out to family to give them strength to do what needs to be done.
On the upside. I am thrilled that Molly is Molly and continues to do well.:D Are you still coaxing her up the stairs? I can still picture your hubby doing that and a smile comes across my face every time. What a guy.:)
Enjoy your visit with your mother-in-law. As they age, we end up getting less and less time with them making every moment special. Xxxx
We don't do thanksgiving at all here :D, all I know about that I have seen in the movies!!
So sorry to hear about your BIL's family having trouble. Gosh it is always so awful when a family get's hit one after another. I feel for them Mum under the hospice care losing her son like that. She did not need that right now, so sad.
I hope you have a lovely week with your company Sharlene, I bet you whip up a lovely feast and I want to hear all about your tasty treats, I am back on a diet to shape up a bit so I can live vicariously through your cooking!! Kiss for Molly xxx
hahahaha, I don't even want to think of dieting this weekend. In Canada we are all about food and more food. LOL
We did a trial run of the table today, so think I have that figured out now and a way to fit everyone in.
There will be lots of food, so far, the plan is, Roasted Turkey, ham with pineapple, Portuguese potatoes (that is cooked with onions and garlic), leek casserole, caramelized carrots, cesar salad, dressing, homemade cranberry sauce and hot rolls. Then dessert. Pecan tarts, apple pie, pumpkin pie, coconut cream tarts, home made cookies, ice cream, whipped cream. That should do it right :) Only thing saving me is having two young men at the table that have healthy appetites.
LOL Kathy, yea, hubby is a good guy and he adores Molly too. A major break through! Friday I was working from home and she went down the steps to the basement. Well, of course she started barking for me to come down and escort her back up, or at least watch her come up. Well, I was on a conference call and on the computer and couldn't jump up and go to her. She make it up just fine on her own. I thought she'd stay forever, but I didn't go near the steps and she did make it up. Hopefully a few more times like that and her confidence will be back. Crossing my fingers.
I think I just invited my mother in law to come for Christmas, if she wants to. :) I should probably let hubs know. LOL She is also contemplating, a possible christmas trip to Italy, or come here and then go on to Spain for a long winter holiday. Then there is always staying home with my brother in law, and his family, so no idea what she will do.
I'm taking her shopping and to lunch later this week. I also set her up with a sony reader to see if she likes ereading or not. It would be easier maybe when she travels and I don't use it any longer, so if she does like it, then maybe a mini ipad would work for her. Still trying to figure that out.
Well, I sure did prattle on tonight. That is a big risk when I start typing. :)
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin
OMG I am salivating!! Out of that lot I think I could have Caesar salad (love it) and a bit of turkey sans sauce, oh and ham :D
Your a good person Sharlene, looking after the family like you do! Lucky MIL with such choices, I would go for Christmas at yours then Europe, Spain or Italy not fussy there :D:D
I have had such a busy day, pulling all the furniture out and vacuuming behind and washed about 6 loads, bit of afternoon breeze has that all dry already. Just got back from the Garden Centre, met a friend for coffee there after dropping Flynny with his Nan and G'Dad for an afternoon visit. I bought Parsley, curly and Italian, Coriander, Basil, another tomato, quite a few lettuce and this lovely black petunia so have a bit of planting to do now so lucky we have 3 more hours of sunshine left to get it all done. OHHH plus a new super long hose to get right around the house and not come apart at the joins :D:D So off I go, to get this day of housework finished!! xx