SAMMIE THE SNORKIE

SAMMIE THE SNORKIE - CIRCLE OF BONES

2012-02-27T14:16:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone
Copyright © 2012 sammiethesnorkie All Rights Reserved

My dogs are in the routine of receiving a cookie bone in the evening for a snack. When I am putting the finishing touches to this blog each night, right before bed, they know will receive an even bigger treat at that time.

I found these huge, real bones (they look like they came from a Woolly Mammoth) that Sammie the Snorkie especially finds fun and appetizing. Puddles The Poodle and Gabby the Shih Tzu also enjoy the hard bones as well, but, of course, I buy them the smaller ones.

Peaches the Chihuahua would love to munch on one like everyone else, but with her little 'rice' teeth it would be quite a challenge for her.

To make things easier for me, I thought I would just put cookie bones in a dish on the floor.That way the dogs can just help themselves when they get the munchies. I filled up a dish with some Milk Bone treats, set it down on the floor and left to prepare dinner.

After about 10 minutes, (it was a frozen dinner, didn't take long lol) I walked back into the room and there sat Sammie surrounded by every bone that was in the bowl. She wasn't eating them, she just picked them out of the bowl, made a circle with them and sat in the middle. She wouldn't let the other dogs touch the bones or get in the circle, she nudged them away with her nose if they got too close.

Well, was that just a fluke or did Sammie actually know what she was doing? You know me, I had to try it again. Picked up every one of the bones off the floor and put them back in her bowl. Sat down and watched....nothing. So I left the room and came back a couple of minutes later. There was Sam taking out the last of the cookie's and placing them on the floor to form her 'circle of bones' again.
It's almost like those movies you see on the SyFy channel where everyone is sitting inside a circle with candles surrounding them. Except in this case it's cookie bones.

After about 15 min or so, Sammie the Snorkie had to investigate a noise she heard out in the back yard. Gabby took advantage of that opportunity to steal 3 of the cookie bones in the circle. She put them in her bed, and proceeded to lay on top of them. In comes Sam and first thing she heads for is her 'circle of bones'. Sniffing around she knows something isn't right and looks right at Gabby who, I think, is 'faking a nap'.

Sammie knows it's a loosing battle trying to keep her 'circle of bones' in order. So Sam joined the rest of the gang and shared/ate the rest of the cookie bones burped, fell asleep, all with contented looks on their faces.

SAMMIE THE SNORKIE - WHAT I ASKED FOR....

2012-02-24T12:32:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone

A few years back I came across the following and would like to share it with you today....

WHAT I ASKED FOR, WHAT I NEEDED

When I got my new dog

I asked for strength that I might rear her perfectly,
I was given weakness that I might feed her more treats.

I asked for good health that I might rest easy,
I was given a "special needs" dog that I might know nurturing.

I asked for an obedient dog that I might feel proud,
I was given stubbornness that I might feel humble.

I asked for compliance that I might feel masterful,
I was given a clown that I might laugh.

I asked for a companion that I might not feel lonely,
I was given a best friend that I would feel loved.

I got nothing I asked for,
But everything that I needed.
I got a dog.

--Author Unknown

Sometimes we take our pets for granted, and at times don't spend as much time with them as we would like to. I think the above keeps it all in perspective for us.

Have a Great Weekend my friends!

SAMMIE THE SNORKIE - BUYING A BED

2012-02-22T13:49:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone
Copyright © 2012 sammiethesnorkie All Rights Reserved

Today was bed buying day in the Snorkie household. As I mentioned in my last post, beds for dogs can be quite expensive.

So I got to thinking, what do I have around the house the dogs can use as a bed?? I remembered I had some old feather pillows my dear Aunt Betty gave me a while back. I accepted them, reluctantly. You see, I am fussy about those kinds of things, don't like sleeping on someone else's pillows. Aunt Betty also gave me her 'granny panties', said she wore them once and didn't like them. I am here to tell you those things make great dust cloths. . .

Anyway, I stored the pillows in the guest closet for the times Aunt Betty would spend the night. And then it hit me, those pillows would make great beds for the dogs! They're soft, big enough for each one to lay on and best of all.....cheap!!

I gathered them up from the closet and laid each one on the floor in the den. Of course, all the dogs had to come over and sniff and poke them with their nose. Sammie, Peaches, Puddles and Gabby each picked their favorite one and proceeded to take their afternoon naps.

I had to run to the grocery store to pick up a couple of things for dinner and left the four dogs snoozing away on their new beds.

When I arrived home, not one dog greeted me....never a good sign. Usually, as soon as they hear the garage door open, all four are at the back door, tails wagging, barking and jumping up and down. Happy to see who ever is home. NOT. THIS. TIME.

I slowly opened the back door and walked into the kitchen, still no dogs. Through the living room and down the hall...nothing, not even a sound. Even the parakeets were quiet.

When I finally made it to the den there were all four dogs, covered in feathers, just lying there like, 'What?' Every one of those feather down pillows were ripped and the insides were everywhere. Inside the fireplace, on my couch, TV, end tables...everywhere. My eyes immediately went to Sammie and she looked right back at me with a smile in her eyes and no guilt whatsoever. Gabby the Shih tzu, however, had guilt written all over her. What gave her away was the feather still stuck on her nose and in her mouth.

Now, I don't know how many of you out there have ever tried sweeping up feathers....the more you sweep, the more they fly across the room. The dogs loved it, and started playing with the feathers again as they floated in the air.

While I was in the process of cleaning up the feathers off the floor and out of my hair, I glanced in the mirror... I looked like one of those feather dancer people.

At that very moment, hubby came home from work, looked at me and asked, "Oh, are we having chicken for dinner tonight dear?"

A comedian is born.....

SAMMIE THE SNORKIE - PARANORMAL ACTIVITY IN BED

2012-02-20T13:53:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone

If you own a pet, you know how expensive dog beds can be. I have four dogs and at approx $25 for each bed it can be quite costly.

One of the first ones I bought, I made sure it was the kind you can just throw in the washing machine when it needed to be cleaned. So a month or so goes by and the time comes to wash their beds.

I picked one up, looked at it, turned it over...hmmm. No way is this thing going into my new front loader washing machine.

Instead, I took the beds outside, shook them out and laid them on the grass to soak up some sun.

In the evening I brought them back in and sprayed them with some Febreze. My Aunt Betty swears by that stuff ( Uncle Kenny smokes cigars and farts a lot) so if she uses it I know it's good stuff. lol

The dogs all circled around their beds, smelled and poked and decided they would get in and put their smell back on it....all but Sammie The Snorkie. She wanted no part of her bed, one sniff and she headed straight for her pet door. I thought she was just being fussy and she would come around to it eventually. Later I found out how wrong I was....

After dinner I went to the den (where the dogs beds are) and settled down for a quiet evening catching up on a James Patterson book I just got from the library. Sammie still did not want any part of her bed, she laid on the floor as far away from it as she could.

Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I see Sammie's pillow on her bed moving up and down ever so slightly! I take my reading glasses off thinking my eyes were playing tricks on me. omg, there it goes again, up, down, up, down......

The movie, Paranormal Activity, flashes through my brain! I have a haunting in my own home! Trying to stay calm and not act the fool, I called for the hubby to get in here......'HURRY', I yell! He comes in and all I can do is point to the bed, my voice was no longer working...

He slowly walked over and gingerly picked up the pillow, and out jumped one of those Gecko lizard thingys....ugh.

That little sucker started running across the floor faster than the speed of light. You wouldn't think those tiny feet could move that fast, but I am here to tell you they do and are as quick as anything I've ever seen with 4 short legs.

Immediately my feet are off the floor and under me on the couch. Sammie is running around the living room like she was possessed, hubby is chasing this thing with a broom, and the other 3 dogs are sitting in their beds, heads going back and forth, enjoying the show.

Apparently, the lizard thing hitched a ride in the bed when I had it outside airing out. And now we know why Sam didn't want any part of her bed.

By the way, after about 15 minutes, hubby finally caught the Gecko and placed him back outside. I found out the next day, after telling my neighbor about our safari hunt the night before, that those things are very hard to catch. And if you don't catch them, they multiply like rabbits in your home!! ugh...

My next blog on Wednesday I will share with you my experience pet bed shopping. I can hardly wait......

SAMMIE THE SNORKIE - CHEAP EXERCISE PART 2

2012-02-17T11:54:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone
Copyright © 2012 sammiethesnorkie All Rights Reserved

I hope you all picked up a few pointers from my last blog, Cheap Exercise Part 1.

Today I will share with you the final installment, Cheap Exercise Part 2.

Upper Arms: Throw the ball. Throw the squeaky toy. Throw the Frisbee. Repeat until nauseous.

Upper Arms: (alternate) Tug the rope. Tug the pull toy. Tug the sock. Repeat until your shoulder is dislocated or the dog gives up (we all know which comes first).

Hand Coordination: Remove foreign object from dog's locked jaw. This exercise is especially popular with puppy owners. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Remember, this is a timed exercise. Movements must be quick and precise. Sort of like fighting your mother-in-law for the last piece of steak at the dinner table.

Calves: After the dog has worn out the rest of your body, hang a round toy on your ankle and let the dog tug while you tug back. WARNING: This works only for those with strong bones and small dogs. Have you taken your calcium supplement today?

Calves: (alternate) Run after dog - pick any reason, there are plenty. Dogs of any size can be used for this exercise. . .except if you own a Greyhound. See if you can borrow the neighbor's Wiener dog.....they have short legs and can't run too fast.

Neck Muscles: Attempt to outmaneuver the dog's tongue headed for your ear, mouth, or eyeball. This is a lifelong fitness program. A dog is never too old or too feeble to "French Kiss" you when you least expect it.

I hope this has helped you get your body back in shape. Now if you will excuse me, I am headed to the ER with Sammie the Snorkie smirking in the background.

SAMMIE THE SNORKIE - CHEAP EXERCISE PART 1

2012-02-15T15:00:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone
Copyright © 2012 sammiethesnorkie All Rights Reserved

During the winter we don't get to exercise like we should. You watch TV and see these skinny people trying to sell you all these very expensive exercise equipment that you just don't want to spend the money on.

If you own a dog, you don't need to invest in all of that fancy equipment. Sammie The Snorkie and I have come
up with a couple of exercises that you can do right in your own home...cheap!

First, we have the inner thighs. I place Sammie's favorite toy between my thighs and press tighter than she can pull. And please, do not attempt this exercise with bare legs. Your dog will look for a shortcut to the toy and try and dig it out. You will be damaged....

Second is upper body strength. I lift Sammy off of the couch, off the bed, out of the flower bed. Keep repeating...I am thinking as Sammie gets older the exercise will be reversed: onto the couch, onto the bed, into the car etc.

Balance and Coordination Part 1: When Sammie runs to greet me across the length of the living room, leaps in the air and slams both her front paws into the back of my knees and I'm still standing, that's balance & coordination at it's finest.

Balance & Coordination Part 2:
This one I include all 4 of my pets. I try and remove Sammie, Puddles, Gabby and Peaches off of my lap to answer the phone before it stops ringing. I have a lot of calls going to voice mail when I do this exercise...

Balance & Coordination Part 3:

This one is for those of you who own older dogs that aren't as fast. Attempt to cross the room without tripping over the dog. Getting off the couch without crushing any part of the sleeping, elderly dog is not as easy as it sounds.

In my next blog on Friday I will show you how to firm up those arms and legs.

Rest up now because it's gonna get ugly.

SAMMIE THE SNORKIE - CRIME SCENE

2012-02-13T12:36:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone
Copyright © 2012 sammiethesnorkie All Rights Reserved

Sammie the Snorkie just loves to play with toys, especially the ones that squeak and filled with stuffing. Plastic ones not so much, maybe because they only last about 5 seconds in her mouth before they are destroyed.

In fact, I have a room in the back of the house were stuffed and plastic animals go to die. These are the poor things that are just about on their last legs but not ready to be tossed in the bin just yet.

Sammie, Puddles, Gabby and Peaches have their beds in that room as well. It's where they take their afternoon naps, play and have their cookie bone snacks.

Each day I go in there it's like a police crime scene. I should put yellow tape across the door. Dead plastic and stuffed bodies everywhere. A stuffed raccoon without a head, a troll doll without arms, a stuffed rabbit without the stuffing...well, you get the picture.

So in I go with the black plastic body bag picking up bits and pieces of was once healthy and stuffed toys to be thrown out with tomorrow's trash.

Welcome to CSI-Myrtle Beach.

SAMMIE THE SNORKIE - DOG SPIT

2012-02-10T13:56:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone
Copyright © 2012 sammiethesnorkie All Rights Reserved

Not sure about where you guys live, but here at the beach our weather has been very nice, sunny with warm temperatures. It's the middle of February and it feels like Spring has already arrived.

One of our friends owns a 'bed and breakfast' for dogs, who knew?! You can drop your dog off for the day or week and your buddy plays all day with the other dogs in between naps. lol

I brought Sammie the Snorkie and my Grandson over there to check it out today since the weather was so nice. They have little plastic pools filled with water for the dogs to play in. Plastic tunnels to run through and tons of toys. Frankly, I don't know who was more excited to be there, Brandon or Sammie.

Sammie and the other dogs started running through the tunnels and my grandson was right behind them laughing and having a great time.

Brandon had the idea of trying to get a doggie soccer game started. Anytime you have a huge ball and a yard full of dogs you'll have an instant soccer game going for sure. They even had their own referee.

When it was time to leave, Brandon begged to stay. I told him that this place wasn't really made for kids, it was for dogs to play and be with other dogs. I told him I would take him to MacDonalds for a hamburger on the way home and he could play on the playground over there. The boy wasn't interested, made me promise to take him back tomorrow to 'Sammie's playground.' He said he likes playing with the dogs and thinks it's so cool that the dog's toys are covered with dog spit.

The hard part will be trying to explain to his mother.....

SAMMIE THE SNORKIE - DRY vs WET

2012-02-08T15:00:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone
Copyright © 2012 sammiethesnorkie All Rights Reserved

Just came home from the vet, it was time for the dogs annual shots. That, my friends, is a whole blog right there but I will save it for another day. lol

The doctor informed me that feeding my dogs canned dog food is not healthy or good for them. They need to eat dry food. Yeah, right.

The people I got Sammie the Snorkie from told me that is all they fed her was dry food, never canned. Great! Not only is that good for the dogs but it's a little cheaper as well.

Brought Sammie home that first day and I let her get used to all the new smells, dogs etc. In the late afternoon, I brought out her dish and the dry food they sent home with her. Sammie smelled, pushed the food around and wasn't having any of it. I didn't want her to go hungry her first day with us, so I opened a can of dog food and you would have thought Sam hadn't eaten in 3 days! She inhaled her food, licked the bowl and looked for more. So, for the last year or so that's what I've been feeding Sam, Puddles, Gabby & Peaches.

I got to thinking on my drive home from the vet today I would try one more time feeding Sammie the dry food. I bought the dry dog food that Rachel Ray (chef on the Food Channel) is endorsing. That had to be good, right? After all she cooks for living, has a couple of dogs so she should know what the dogs will like.

Wrong........she doesn't have Sammie in her household.

Went out again and bought dog food that has dry and moist food mixed together. Sammie walked slowly to her dish and starred at her bowl thinking what the heck is my human trying to feed me now??

Darn if Sammie didn't take her front paws and start kicking out all of the dry pieces from her bowl! She ate the moist pieces left in the dish and Peaches the Chihuahua was eating pieces that Sammie kicked out.

I am now off to the store to buy a case of Pedigree canned dog food and started thinking 'Who is the one who is really trained in this house??!'

SAMMIE THE SNORKIE - TIMEOUT

2012-02-06T13:16:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone
Copyright © 2012 sammiethesnorkie All Rights Reserved

We all have those neighbors that we nod and wave to when we see them outside but don't know them well enough to stop and chat.

Our neighbors on the other side of us are just that. We wave, smile and move on. I don't even know their names.

One morning I heard the husband yelling out on his porch, "Molly, get over here now!" Man oh man, if my hubby talked to me that way he'd be singing soprano in the church choir....if you know what I mean.

My neighbor continued..."Molly, don't even think about going to see James Dean." What?? James Dean? Thinking we have a real soap opera unfolding, I grab a Coke and me and Sammie make ourselves comfortable out on my front porch.

Finally the neighbor yells out, "Molly, that's it. You will now have timeout on the porch right now!" omg, Telling his wife she needs a timeout for going across the street to see James Dean??!

Now for the rest of the story. Seems 'Molly' is their new dog and he has taught her to sit on the porch for a 'timeout' when she misbehaves or tries to leave the yard. And darn if the dog doesn't go on the porch when he says 'timeout'! She'll sit there till he tells her it's okay to get off. It's actually kind of cute.

Oh, and by the way, 'James Dean' is the name of the neighbor's dog across the street.

Learn something new everyday around here. lol

SAMMIE THE SNORKIE - MEMORY FOAM BED

2012-02-03T13:45:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone
Copyright © 2012 sammiethesnorkie All Rights Reserved

A couple of blogs ago I told you about Sammie and her ear infection. The medication was purple and pretty soon everyone and everything was purple, remember? If not, you can read about it here in the older posts. >>>>>>>>>>

She has been on this ear treatment for almost 2 weeks and her doggie bed is now purple stained. I guess it was time to replace her bed, so off I went on my quest to find Sammie The Snorkie a new place to rest her head.

Went to Pet Smarts first. Don't get me wrong, that pet store is very nice and sometimes they have great sales....but today not one dog bed was on sale. Their cheapest one was $25 and even my Chihuahua would not have a enough room to stretch her tiny legs in that bed.

The most expensive one was a MEMORY FOAM bed coming in at $99.99! Oh please! Do you know how long I have been begging the hubby for a memory foam bed for ME? Don't think that Sammie will be getting one before I do. lol

For the price of $99.99 it should include a visit from the Cocker Spaniel down the street once a week....I'm just saying...

So I went on to a couple of local pet stores and their prices weren't too much better. Ended up at the Dollar General store and picked up a pillow for $5. Got it home and put an old pillow case on it, threw it on the floor and waited to see what Sammie would do.

She sniffed around it for a couple of minutes and slowly laid down on the pillow. As I write this, she is softly snoring and enjoying her new bed.

Apparently Sam doesn't need a hundred dollar bed, put her in a $5 bed, throw in an old pillow case and towel and she's as happy as can be...and so is my wallet.

SAMMIE THE SNORKIE - DOG WITH ATTITUDE

2012-02-01T13:52:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone
Copyright © 2012 sammiethesnorkie All Rights Reserved

We have new neighbors, new neighbors with a huge dog. Just looking at the dog you know it has major attitude. He's the kind of dog you see walking down the street and the song 'Staying Alive' by the BeeGees instantly pops into your head. That dog seems the type that would steal a squeaky toy right out of another dog's mouth and not think anything of it. Any human legs unfortunate enough to walk close by he would hump without thinking twice. He's so tough that his poop catches fire and he pees steam. I think you get the idea.

I really don't like taking Sammie for walks in our neighborhood. And I certainly don't appreciate it when people walk their dog and let them poop right there in front of your mail box and leave it for you to step in.
Not a big fan of picking up poop with a plastic baggie so it's just easier for me to let Sammie run in our back yard.

Of course, this new dog isn't kept in his back yard, his owners let him more or less run loose in the neighborhood. This dog's poop is the size of Wyoming, and how do I know? Yep, pooped right there at the end of my driveway and the owners no where to be seen.

Sammie The Snorkie must sense my frustration because now when she sees this giant of a dog come near the yard, Sam starts growling and shows her teeth. . .the hair on the back of her neck even stands up. So far this has kept the dog out of our yard. Sammie is full of herself because she is doing such a great job of keeping that dog away from the house and yard.

I'm seriously thinking of taking the 'gift' their dog has left at my drive way and leaving it in theirs. Anyone have a fork lift I can borrow??

SAMMIE THE SNORKIE - PIRATE MEETS SAM

2012-01-30T15:11:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone
Copyright © 2012 sammiethesnorkie All Rights Reserved

This week-end we had an enjoyable visit with some friends that live way out in the 'country'.
My definition of 'country' is that you have to travel more than 10 miles to get to a WalMart.

They said to bring Sammie the Snorkie along to play with their dog out in their huge back yard. Sam and Pirate got along very well, thank goodness. They both ran and ran till I even got tired just watching them. And our dear Sammie shared with Pirate her knowledge of stealing underware and socks and hiding them in the back yard.

Pirate had a couple of strange habits as well.....
He likes to sleep with his head on a pillow, never moves his head off of it, sleeps the entire night that way. lol

We were all in the den watching TV one evening and Pirate came in, puts his back half of his body on the ottoman and the rest of him on the floor. Gave me a stiff neck just watching him sleep.

When he greeted us, Pirate gently (well gently for a dog that almost weighs 100 lbs) climbed on me and sat on my lap with his head on my shoulder, licking my ears. Eww, I know, but did I mention the dog weighed 100 pounds?? I wasn't about to push him off.....lol

I noticed when Sam and Pirate were outside and Pirate had to pee he will start walking and alternating which leg is raised. I must say Sammie found that most fascinating.

Seems that Pirate likes to lay in the shower when he's hot. Didn't know he was in there till I was butt naked, pulled open the shower curtain and there he was......I really needed a shower after that encounter.

Not sure if Sammie will pick up any of Pirates habits or not. If she does you guys will be the first to know.

SAMMIE THE SNORKIE - EAR DROPS VS HUBBY

2012-01-27T13:44:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone
Copyright © 2012 sammiethesnorkie All Rights Reserved

Wanted to let you all know that Sammie is doing much better with her ear problems. The medicine we bought her seems to be doing the trick.

But getting Sammie to be still while putting the drops in her ear is becoming an Olympic Event in our household. We have to try and be very sneaky when it comes time for her next treatment.

We had to think of a way to get past Sammie's suspicious nature.
Since we have been giving her these drops, she's always looking to see what we have in our hand. If we just have food or a cookie bone it's okay. But if there is anything else besides treats we're holding, she'll cock her ears and gets ready to bolt for the doggie door.

Hubby came up with the idea of hiding the drops between the cushions of the couch. Easy to get to and Sammie The Snorkie won't be the wiser. She likes to take her naps on the sofa so we felt we had the perfect solution.

That idea wasn't too bad and actually worked for a few times. Notice I said 'worked '.... Seems hubby forgot to tighten the cap on the bottle the last time he used it. When he whipped out that old bottle of purple ear drops hubby was baptized with purple liquid along with Sammie. And poor Fred the parakeet, whose cage, unfortunately for him, was also in firing range.

Now my blue parakeet is purple, Sammie has purple ears and paws....and hubby will be calling in 'sick' for the next couple of days.

SAMMIE THE SNORKIE - EAR MITES

2012-01-25T14:57:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone
Copyright © 2012 sammiethesnorkie All Rights Reserved

When we first got Sammie back in Sept, I noticed she would scratch her right ear a little more than normal. No big deal, but when she did, Sam would make this moaning kind of sound like she really enjoyed what she was doing. lol

You know how you can always tell if your kids or pets aren't feeling well just by looking at them? Well, Sam just didn't look right to me yesterday. She wasn't as playful as normal, her ears were down and her eyes didn't have the sparkle as they usually do. I went to rub her ear and it sounded like liquid was inside. I made hubby look inside (remember, I don't shave dog butts, clip the dogs nails and any medical stuff on the dogs) and see what was going on.
He couldn't see without me holding the flashlight so, unfortunately, I had a perfect view of the inside of Sammie's ear. It was very red looking in there, so I went to the computer and Googled ear infection/dogs.
First thing that came up in the search was ear mites....ugh. Second was water getting into the ears and would also cause irritation or infection. Since she had a bath the other day that might be a consideration.
Went to our local pet store and they sold me a bottle of stuff for her ears, sucker cost $14, but if it works it's worth it.
On the bottle it said put in ear twice a day and rub ear for a minute or so. This has to be done for 2 weeks...okay, not too difficult to do.

But what they FAILED to tell you was this should be done outside. Why you ask? Well, the stuff is purple and when you soak the cotton ball in the medicine and place in the dog's ear she will shake her head.....vigorously,
And all the while Sammie is shaking her head, purple stuff is going everywhere....me, my clothes, floor, furniture etc. Yes folks, I was purple, head to toe. Purple hair, skin, toes. I looked like Barney.
My daughter saw me and said "Love the purple hair Mom, what's next, tattoo's?" Smart Alec kid.

Sammie is feeling better, I'm still purple and life goes on.

When we first got Sammie back in Sept I noticed she would scratch her right ear a little more than normal. No big deal, but when she did, Sam would make this moaning kind of sound like she really enjoyed what she was doing. lol

You know how you can always tell if your kids or pets aren't feeling well just by looking at them? Well, Sam just didn't look right to me yesterday. She wasn't as playful as normal, her ears were down and her eyes didn't have the sparkle as they usually do. I went to rub her ear and it sounded like liquid was inside. I made hubby look inside (remember, I don't shave dog butts, clip the dogs nails and any medical stuff on the dogs) and see what was going on.
He couldn't see without me holding the flashlight so, unfortunately, I had a perfect view of the inside of Sammie's ear. It was very red looking in there, so I went to the computer and Googled ear infection/dogs.
First thing that came up in the search was ear mites....ugh. Second was water getting into the ears and would also cause irritation or infection. Since she had a bath the other day that might be a consideration.
Went to our local pet store and they sold me a bottle of stuff for her ears, sucker cost $14, but if it works it's worth it.
On the bottle it said put in ear twice a day and rub ear for a minute or so. This has to be done for 2 weeks...okay, not too difficult to do.

But what they FAILED to tell you was this should be done outside. Why you ask? Well, the stuff is purple and when you soak the cotton ball in the medicine and place in the dog's ear she will shake her head.....vigorously,
And all the while Sammie is shaking her head, purple stuff is going everywhere....me, my clothes, floor, furniture etc. Yes folks, I was purple, head to toe. Purple hair, skin, toes. I looked like Barney.
My daughter saw me and said "Love the purple hair Mom, what's next, tattoo's?" Smart Alec kid.

Sammie is feeling better, I'm still purple and life goes on.

And all the while Sammie is shaking her head, purple stuff is going everywhere....me, my clothes, floor, furniture etc. Yes folks, I was purple, head to toe. Purple hair, skin, toes. I looked like Barney.
My daughter saw me and said "Love the purple hair Mom, what's next, tattoo's?" Smart Alec kid.

Sammie is feeling better, I'm still purple and life goes on.

SAMMIE THE SNORKIE - BABY AND THE MUFFINS

2012-01-24T14:16:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone
Copyright © 2012 sammiethesnorkie All Rights Reserved

My cousin, Jo, has a bull dog named Baby. When she first told me what she was going to name her new addition to the family, I had to stifle a laugh. Baby? Oh please. I reminded Jo that if the dog ever escaped from the yard and she has to go outside dressed in her bathrobe calling for BABY...who knows who will show up.......

Anyway, my cousin asked if we would bring Sammie the Snorkie over to visit and cheer poor BABY up. Say What? Jo explained that Baby's puppy friend next door, NICKLES, moved away last week and BABY was missing him. In fact, Jo said, BABY is having a pity party all by herself on the couch because she was feeling all alone. Now how in the world would Jo know that, I wonder??

I love my cousin and will do just about anything for her, even something as silly as trying to cheer up a dog. So Sam and I got into the car for the short drive over to BABY'S house.

When we walked in sure enough there was poor BABY on the sofa looking pretty sad, wouldn't even touch the corn muffins we brought over. She barely opened her eyes when we sat down next to her. Sam kept nudging her paw and belly. My cousin said, "Aww, isn't that the cutest thing?" Honestly, I think Sammie was trying to get to the muffins but we'll keep that thought to ourselves.

I guess BABY got tired of Sammie trying to pilfer her muffins so she decided to get off the couch and venture outside. Sam was right behind her and before we knew it they were both running across the yard having some fun.

Well, Sammie was running, BABY was doing more of a leisurely stroll, but that's a good thing. At least she was trying. lol

Sadly, it was getting late and time for us to leave. As we were saying our good-byes, I turned to see BABY jump back on the couch and scarf down the treats.

Looks like old Nickles has been replaced by four corn muffins.

SAMMIE THE SNORKIE - CRAZY LADY AT THE BEACH

2012-01-23T14:42:00.002-05:00

Hello Everyone

It was such a nice day here at the beach today I decided to take Sammie for a walk along the boardwalk. Sammie and I love to people/dog watch so off we went.

After arriving and walking for about a block or so, we came across a lady walking her dog, her BIG dog. She stopped, looked at Sammie and asked, "My gosh, what kind of dog is that?" I said a Snorkie. Well, her high class eyebrow arched and said she never heard of a 'Snorkie'. I explained to her that Snorkies are a fairly new breed, a mixture of a Yorkie and a Miniature Schnauzer. Oh really, she said, what a strange combination and unusual looking animal. This coming from a lady who had at the end of her leash a fat, drooling, 600 pound gross stinky dog. By this time I knew if I didn't move on down the road and away from her I was going to smack her upside her head.

I kept my mouth shut (and if you knew me you would know how hard that was for me to do) and started to leave. Fancy Pants says wait a minute, I have a question. Oh man, this can't be good. She asked what my dog's name was. I said Sammie. Oh, he's a boy then. No, I answered, she's a girl. Then she said, 'Why in the world would you name a girl Sam?' Because 'IT'S SHORT FOR SAMANTHA you nitwit' I so wanted to scream at her. Instead, I held my tongue and looked for an escape route out of there. She said my 'TWINKIE' (Twinkie... now if we are pointing out silly names this one is a doozy. "Twinkie" looks like a mixture of moose, kangaroo and goat) would like to meet your Sammie. Maybe they will hit it off and we might end up with little 'Twinkie's and Sammie's.'

Omg, no way would I ever let that happen. Before I could tell her as much she was already taking her mutt off his leash!

I scooped Sammie up in my arms while watching this big mammoth dog come running over to me. Carrying Sam and walking as fast and far away as I could from this crazy broad, I was able to duck into a beach store and safety.

No more walks to the boardwalk for us I decided today. We're staying in our back yard with the socks and underware and Sammie can play with her Cocker Spaniel friend next door, PoohPooh.

Where do these people get these names for their dogs?? Gesh.

SAMMIE THE SNORKIE - HAIRCUT DAY

2012-01-20T14:44:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone

              Copyright © 2012 sammiethesnorkie All Rights Reserved

Today was haircut day for 3 of our 4 dogs. Peaches is a long hair Chihuahua and we don't clip her, if we did she would be mistaken for a hairless rat.

I trim the dogs myself because to have them clipped at a doggie salon is much too expensive. At $40 a dog I'm saving $120 each month.

I have just started trimming them myself, so I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. In the kit, along with the electric clippers, they give you oil for the blade, comb, scissors, 4 colored spacers and a video. I looked at the video and they made it look so easy. I believe the dog they used had to be drunk because none of my dogs would sit still like the dog on the video did, especially when it came to trimming their face and paws.

Before I started, the hubby got out the camera and started taking pictures of each dog. Curious, I asked him why he was doing that. He answered, "I want to remember what they looked like before you trimmed them." I shagged him outside to clean the garage.

Anyway, there was no way I was giving the dogs any kind of fancy haircut, haven't a clue as how to cut a Poodle or a Shih Tzu. And what do you do with a Snorkie?? I started first with Sammie because she looked the easiest. She was till I got to the back part. I was zooming along down her back, clipping away and she was really looking good.....then she decided to bolt for the pet door. Sammie now has a bald spot running down her back, sort of like a skunk. Wonder how long it will take the hair to grow back, I ask myself.

Well, on to the next victim, I mean dog. Gabby the Shih Tzu actually turned out pretty good except for her tail, kind of got carried away and now she is the only Shih Tzu in the United States that has a hairless tail. Shouldn't take too long for that to grow back either....

Now for Puddles the Poodle. She was the hardest, she has the typical Poodle traits. Didn't like her paws touched, her face trimmed or her belly clipped. Plus, poodle hair is so thick and coarse that the blades had a hard time going through. When I got to her behind I noticed, how can I put this nicely? There isn't any way without just coming out and saying it..... There was a little piece of poop hanging on for dear life right there by her butt. Must have happened when I made them go outside before I started to trim them.

Ugh, I will clean up vomit and wipe up pee pee accidents on the floor, but I cannot do the poop thing, especially by the butt.

Called in the hubby from the garage and handed him the clipper and just pointed to the little poop hanging on. He just shook his head, bent down...zoom zoom...poop is gone. Except it got stuck in the blade. . . He handed it to me....NO WAY I said. You did it, you clean it. ugh.

All in all the dogs don't look too bad and I saved $120 today. Tomorrow is bath day... stay tuned.
.

SAMMIE THE SNORKIE - TOILET SEAT, DRANO & GRANDSON

2012-01-18T13:24:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone

Just got home from Lowes Home Improvement Center. Had to go and buy a new toilet seat and Drano. Here is the reason why......

Earlier today my daughter asked if I would watch Brandon, my 3 1/2 year old grandson, while she went to her dentist appointment. I, of course, said yes and looked forward to our visit together.

For lunch he said he wanted a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, without the jelly....what? And to wash it down, a glass of chocolate milk. I did not want the child to be bouncing off the walls all afternoon so I substituted just plain milk.

After lunch he and Sammie took off to play in the yard. Brandon had a great time finding all the socks and underware Sammie had hid in bushes, under the deck etc.

After about a half hour, he asked if it was okay if he and Sammie came inside to play with his toy cars and trucks. So in they came bringing in dirt and mud on paws and feet.

While I was mopping the floor I heard giggles and laughter coming from the grandson. . . but they weren't coming from the den where he was supposed to be. omg, Sammie and Brandon were in the bathroom!

I ran down the hall to see what they were doing. There was Sammie, all 22 pounds of her, standing on the lid of the toilet. A strange gurgling sound started coming from the tank...then BOOM, water came squirting out...everywhere. I got wet along with Brandon, who couldn't stop laughing by the way. Sammie took off for the pet door and out to the yard.

Brandon said he was trying to show Sammie how to use the toilet so Sam wouldn't have to go outside and pee pee in the yard. (the reason for the new toilet seat) He also said he gave Sam a toy car to play with while she was 'sitting' on the toilet like his mommie does for him when he has to go.

The toilet seat broke, and the toy car was wedged in the bottom of the toilet. Apparently the car was dropped either by Brandon or Sammie, neither one is talking. Brandon flushed and the car got stuck.

Had to stick my hand wayyyy deep inside the bowl and pry the sucker out. ugh. Then the child tells me he dropped Sponge Bob in the toilet too. Sponge Bob was no where to be seen so I assumed he was stuck in the pipe somewhere. (the reason for the Drano)

My daughter came to pick up her son after her doctor's appointment and asked how our visit went....

New toilet seat - $25

Draino - $14

Visit with Grandson - Priceless.

SAMMIE THE SNORKIE-DINNER WITH RELATIVES

2012-01-18T13:21:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone

Copyright © 2012 sammiethesnorkie All Rights Reserved

Today hubby's Mom came over for dinner after church. These visits require me to take two Excedrin tablets before she arrives. And if I were a drinking person two shots of Tequilia wouldn't hurt either.

Hubby's side of the family are, well how can I put this....on the snobby side. You know, the kind of people who drink their coffee or tea with the 'pinky finger' pointing up while they are holding their cup.... the kind that get dressed for dinner when they dine at home (I'm talking suits and dresses)..they also have 'help' to help with keeping up their home and yard...well, you get the picture.

Dogs, or any animals for that matter, do not belong inside the home in their opinion. Well, I wasn't about to lock Sammie, Puddles, Peaches and Gabby up while she was here and told the hubby as much. He was nervous but agreed.

She arrived and Sammie ran to the front door to greet and meet our guest. "Mother" was aghast at the thought of Sam sniffing her shoes and legs. Thank goodness Sammie didn't sniff her butt like she usually does when people come over.

The dogs finally settled down and we all sat in the living room to have our after dinner coffee. I must admit Sammie was on her best behavior....up until that point. My dear sweet mother-in-law dropped her napkin (cloth not paper because you know, she's fussy) and as she bent down to pick it up here comes Sam running to get the napkin. I think she thought that anything that hits the floor is fair game and hers to k eep andtake outside, with the sock and underware collection she already has out in the yard).

Sammie and the Mother bumped heads so hard that I saw stars! There she sat, on the floor with her legs up in the air and a knot already forming on her forehead. Didn't seem to hurt Sammie at all, because she took the napkin with her out the doggie door and played with it in the yard.

We rushed to hubby's Mom and asked if she was okay. The woman just looked at us kind of goofy and asked how she got on the floor. Great, I thought, she doesn't remember!!

I gave the 'evil' eye to the husband to keep his mouth shut. The man has been married long enough to know that 'look' and he didn't say a word. lol

I told her she lost her footing as she was standing up (which isn't a lie, just not the entire story. :-) and hit her head on the floor. Husband took her to Doctor's Care, they took x-rays and gave her something for the pain. She's okay but will have a headache for a day or two.

Here is a story that we can all share at the dinner table, but not right away, maybe in about 30 years or so. :-)

SAMMIE THE SNORKIE - BED & BLANKETS....

2012-01-12T16:42:00.003-05:00

Hello Everyone

                 Copyright © 2012 sammiethesnorkie All Rights Reserved

Lately Sammie the Snorkie has been begging to sleep on our bed. I really didn't like the idea, but hubby said let's try it one night and see how it goes.

So we call Sammie on the bed and the look on her face is of total surprise. All this time we've been shagging her off and tonight we are inviting her on the bed.

Sam wasted no time hopping on, didn't want to give us a chance to change our mind I guess. Which in hindsight is exactly what I should have done......

So we are all settling in and Sammie is doing the walking in circles dog thing. Around and around trying to make a bed in my covers.

After about a minute or two of this, she starts scratching and biting the blankets...now the blankets are wet with dog spit.

When all this is done to Sammie's satisfaction, she plops down where the blankets aren't wet and directly on my feet.

I look over at the hubby in total frustration but he says, "I think she done for the night, finally. Goodnight, dear".

Goodnight dear nothing, Sam now starts dragging her feet up with her front paws on her stomach like she is stretching to get up and play. OK, time for the dog to leave the room and stretch and lick her own blankets in her own bed.

So here I am, it's 2 in the morning and I am changing sheets and blankets. I look over at Sam, sleeping in her bed all snuggled under her dry blanket. Something just isn't right here.....

SAMMIE THE SNORKIE - THE THONG & THE POTHOLDER

2012-01-11T14:34:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone

                Copyright © 2012 sammiethesnorkie All Rights Reserved

Regular readers know of Sammie's habit of taking sock's and hubby's underwear outside and leaving them all over the backyard.

Apparently that's isn't enough for her. Sammie the Snorkie has now started taking my potholders off of the stove (I have them hanging with little magnets) and hiding them throughout the house.

Most of them end up in her bed and when I find them they get tossed in the laundry basket. Didn't take her long to figure that one out either. Came home from a day of after Christmas shopping with Aunt Betty and there was the laundry basket laying on the floor with it's contents dumped out for all to see.

There were a pair of red thongs that the hubby bought me for Christmas in that pile and, of course, that is what caught Aunt Betty's eye. She asked what they were...oh dear. I didn't want to freak her out again like the last time. So I told her they were doilies. (You know those things your Grandmother had on her end tables and such for decoration.)

She picked it up and studied it for a minute or so. Said she had never seen a doilie quite like this one and she really liked how it was made. Oh oh, we are climbing into dangerous territory here....

Aunt Betty asked if she could borrow it to copy off of so she could crochet one of her own. omg. What could I say? I told her sure, no problem take it home with you.

A few weeks later Aunt Betty invited the entire family over for dinner. As soon as I walked into her house my eyes started darting around looking for her 'doilie'. Before I could spot it, Aunt Betty comes up to me with my thong in her hand - in front of the entire family - and says

"Thanks for letting me borrow this dear". My hubby's eyes went wide and his jaw dropped open. Poor cousin Ivy fell off the couch in a dead faint and my teenage nephew turned as red as a apple. "I made one just like it and it is over there on the mantle, under Uncle Henry's urn." I can only imagine what Uncle Henry is thinking up in heaven.....

SAMMIE THE SNORKIE - WINDOW SENTRY

2012-01-10T14:15:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone

               Copyright © 2012 sammiethesnorkie All Rights Reserved

Those of you who are regular readers of Sammie the Snorkie's blog know that Puddles the Poodle loves to sit on window sill and look outside. I bought her one of those things that clamp on the sill (it's for cats but works great for small dogs as well), it's padded and she can sit or lay on it all day. Which is about what she does. First thing in the morning she hops up and only comes down for lunch or pottie breaks.

Sammie has been wanting to jump on that window seat every time Puddles gets down. I've always been able to stop her because I know it won't take her weight. Well, she got by me today and shot right up there on the seat. KABOOM!!! down went the seat with Sammie right behind it. She was okay but Puddles gave her one of the 'Poodle' looks as if to say, you big dummy you.

Now that Puddles knows Sammie wants up there, Puddles will deliberately look out the window and give a couple of barks. This sets off a chorus of barking dogs looking around at what they are supposed to be barking at. Sammie jumps off the couch to run to the window and sneaky Peaches the Chihuahua takes her warmed-up spot on the couch, while licking her chops and ignoring Sammie's dirty looks.

This household is crazy, I know....but I wouldn't change it for anything.

SAMMIE THE SNORKIE - BOWL LICKER

2012-01-09T15:12:00.000-05:00

Sammie has started this weird thing of licking her food bowl when she is finished eating. I'm not talking licking to pick up any food she may have missed, I'm talking licking and licking and....well you get the picture. When she starts this there is no stopping her till I take the bowl away. As she is licking, the bowl is traveling across the floor into other rooms, sort of like a 'meal on wheels' type thing.
I found out she doesn't do it with a plastic bowl, just metal ones.

Puddles the Poodle likes to lick the window she sits in front of during the day while she is doing her part to keep the neighborhood safe. I have tongue prints all over the window by the end of each day. When Aunt Betty came over and noticed the marks on the window she asked what they were. Without thinking I said they were tongue prints. She said I just don't understand you young people anymore, picked up her purse, called a cab and she was gone before I could explain. She'll have a story to tell her friends at her next quilting party I'm sure.

My neighbor's 10 year old son was outside today and I asked him if his dog, Pooh Pooh, has this strange habit of licking his bowl like Sammie the Snorkie does. He said, "No, he only licks his butt, it's pretty cool." Too much information.....

SAMMIE THE SNORKIE-CLEAN DOG OR HAPPY DOG

2012-01-06T15:14:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone

                         Copyright © 2012 sammiethesnorkie All Rights Reserved

I am still having issues with Sammie bringing dirt into the house, and yes, I am still washing the floor twice a day. Unfortunately, a half hour after washing it the floor is dirty again.

I started giving Sammie a bath every other day and that helps only until she goes back outside. Sam hates getting bathed as much as I dislike giving them to her. I look like I entered a wet t-shirt contest, she looks like a drowned rat, and my floor looks like we installed an indoor pool.

So I have found it easier just to mop the floor a couple of times a day and keep Sam's bathing time to once a month.

Gabby loves to grab the mop while I am trying to wash the floor which creates quite a challenge for me, and makes her the ideal candidate for a YouTube spot..

But now Gabby the Shih Tzu has decided to join Sammie and PoohPooh (the dog next door) running up and down along the fence chasing each other.

I now have double the dirt and two dogs who are muddy each time they come in to the house. I have washed these floors so much that smoke is starting to coming out of the mop.

Sitting in my recliner this afternoon, I noticed Gabby looks like a mop with her long hair and stuff. If only she knew how to wash floors....she would be a natural and have another YouTube moment.