The Itchy Dog Blog

Something's happening... the humans have been cleaning house

2007-08-18T12:48:00.000-06:00

Oh how I hate it when the humans clean house.

They run a big machine around... I think I heard them call it a sweeper. Anyhow, it's noisy and it scares Mindy, and Kiki. Coco slinks around and Koda, the big goof wants to get in the way.

She actually insists they run this thing with a big hose all over her.

Count me out on that one... I'd lose what little fur I have, for sure.

Anyhow, there was lots of talking, some harsh words... generally aimed at one of us dogs 'cause we were trying to hang out in the kitchen.

"The owner" gave me what I thought was a piece of melon... but it was yellow instead of red. Looked kind of like a melon, tasted like a melon... must have been a melon.

Now, I'm ready to settle down with the other girls for a nice long nap.

Coco was a bad girl last night

2007-08-16T11:06:00.000-06:00

Oh that Coco!

Don't know if I told you or not... but Coco is a thief and a chewer!

Anywhoo's, she stole one of "the owner's" work gloves when no one was looking. "The Owner" didn't notice until it was nearly time for bed... long after "Grandma" had gone to bed.

Well, "the owner" went on the hunt. Lights were turned on. Beds were inspected. Dogs were checked to see who looked really guilty. I was safe 'cause I know better. Koda was safe 'cause she's "too good and pretty" to do anything like that. Mindy was safe 'cause she's too lazy to bother. That left Kiki and Coco.

Kiki just couldn't be guilty. She'd been sleeping in the big chair. Besides, her favorites are washcloths, ballpoint pens, etc... not some stinky, dirty leather glove.

Coco, on the other hand, has a penchant for stuff that is "well loved" and used. She's been known to chew up socks, underwear, old hats, etc.

Bev, the retired cop when on patrol... finding a well-tenderized glove under "Grandma's" bed. That sealed it... Coco was the culprit since that's her very favorite hidey-hole, especially when she's got a good chew on hand.

"The Owner" got her glove back, wet and soggy, but without new holes. Coco... well it was way too late to reprimand her, but I did notice "the owner" wouldn't give her "special time" as we were relaxing before heading for bed.

If you ask me, Coco was lucky to get to sleep indoors... I'd have thrown her brown butt out for the night. But then, I suppose she'd have been baying to get in... after all, she is a wannabe Lab, a real hound dog.

Dead mouse in the middle of the yard...

2007-08-14T09:59:00.000-06:00

Boy, was that ever fun!

All five of us were out playing and hunting, when someone... I'm not sure who... found a dead mouse.

Well, since I'm the only "real hunting dog"... I took charge. I barked a warning, and then growled real good. The other girls just treated me like we were playing... they didn't seem to care that this was serious business.

Well, that aroused "the owner".

She came out of the house just in time to get run over by all of us, as Kiki, the GS/Aussie mix had grabbed up that icky, dirty dead mouse and was leading the chase to show it off.

You should have seen her... head hanging out one side of her mouth and the tail out the other.

Well, "the owner" hollered, coaxed, chased, and finally got Kiki's attention long enough to pick up the mouse and throw it over the block wall... Game over...

NOT!

It was time for a quick game of "kick over the water bowl"!

This is alway fun... It's usually Coco's job to put her paws on the bowl and knock it off the block. While we wait for the water to run all over the place and fill up some holes, we stay real quiet, so "the owners" don't know what we're doing.

Oh what fun... Coco, Kiki and even Mindy just love to run through the puddles and play in the little ponds. Boy do they get muddy!

Uh-oh... "the owners" just put a stop to that for the day... they shut off the water!

Whew! Dodged a bullet on "having to post"...

2007-08-12T11:17:00.000-06:00

Ahhh, life is more back to normal, now.

You see, my owner thought she'd put me to work writing about stuff... but seeings as how she never gave me enough time to hijack the computer, and the other dogs wouldn't let me near that chair... well, I just didn't get to post often enough. And, this company, Pay Per Post, just doesn't want any slacker posters.

After all, they have a business to run!

Now, I did get the owner to agree to let me post more often about all our "dog life" here on the farm. She's so busy with the sheep, chickens, and now two horses... she's agreed to leave the "doggie world" to me... so here goes.

This morning that stupid critter showed up again. It keeps teasing me and heading for one of the wood piles. I called out to the owner, just like a Finnish Spitz is supposed to do.

She got it about half right... came out and said "Good girl. Thanks for telling me about it."

But Maa-aa--aa-aa... you're supposed to tear this pile down and get that critter!

Oh, your back hurts and you don't feel like it? Well tough... then I'll just stand here and bark!

Yikes... now I have to post...

2007-08-10T15:49:00.000-06:00

Ok, this deal with "the owner"... now she's expecting me to post something every day.

She actually rousts me from my sleep, and makes me get up at the 'puter and post... not sure I'm ready for this.

Let's see... oh, my itch is back. I'm just short of miserable... even more so when the other humans keep making suggestions that they should put some kind of creme on my bare skin. That is just one horrible thought!

It's been so windy here, I'm afraid to spend much time out back... I'm afraid the rest of my fur will blow away.

Oh well... one itchy dog signing off for the day,
Sarah
the spinach fits... I mean Finnish Spitz

Uh oh... Busted!

2007-08-09T21:08:00.000-06:00

Yikes, I was just sneaking up into the computer chair and... well, you see... that damn Coco went and howled on me. That's right, she just up and tattled!

No one, I mean no dog is EVER ALLOWED in the computer chair.

Well, being the cute little red fuzzy-butt that I am... I looked up at my owner and said...

"Arrghh, ahhhh, oooughraw, yaaawww!" (That's Finnish Spitz talk for "Uh-oh... busted... but I'm so darned cute, how can you possibly be mad!")

After a bit of "snootering" and getting more than enough love... "the owner" and I struck a deal.

If I want to use the computer, I have to "earn my time" by "working online". She's setting me up to do "Pay Per Post"... something about reviewing stuff and then writing about it.

Bet they've never had a dog working for them... oh well, if I want to use the 'puter, that's the deal.

Count me in... bring on the stuff!

Sarah,
the spinach fits... I mean Finnish Spitz

Been a long time since I could sneak up in the computer chair...

2007-05-26T15:45:00.000-06:00

That black thing I told you about was replaced by a little white thing... but not before I had way more fun that I was supposed to with the black one.

The little white one cried all the time, and kept everyone awake, so she didn't get to hang around long. Rumor has it, she moved to the garage. After that, I'm not real sure what happened.

In the meantime, the humans built something that looks like a four-hole "outhouse"... My owner took me out to see what was there and... Lo and behold it was full of little feathered critters! Now, that scared the you-know-what right out of me... I'm a bird dog, and I'm sure I'm not supposed to be around those.

My owner had to pick me up and hold me over their barrier so I could see them... All I wanted, was out and away.

Last week, they built some big white thing that makes a flapping noise outside our north wall. I'm not sure what it is, but I do know Coco and Kiki have both seen it. All they do is bark at it.

Speaking of Coco... I'm so tired of her sticking her big, cold, brown nose into my private parts! The other day, she did it one too many times and boy, did I let her have it! You should have seen the humans wading in between us.

Yeah, I had my teeth bared and I really sounded ferocious...

Koda nearly knocked me over, and stepped on one of my most tender feet. That didn't help matters... Coco was nearby again, so yeah... I went after her big time!

Life on the bed has been pretty sweet. I've discovered that I can lay down on my side and then scootch myself up to the top of the bed at night when my owner finally comes to bed. That way I get a whole lot of special love until "turn over" time. Then, for my own safety, it's off to the end of the bed.

Oh, gotta tell you about "Grandma".

She's good for all kinds of treats. We get cookies for coming in on time. We get little crackers "just because".

And at dinner time... well, let's just say they sure eat well around here. We get salad, potatoes, green beans, eggs, bits of meat... in fact, the other night, we even got steak! Nobody ever told me how good this could be.

Each night we get called for "pills". That's when we get something that is really sweet, white and fluffy. Not sure why it's called "pills", but I can tell you I don't miss them. Oh, we also get them first thing in the morning.

If we're really lucky, grandma doesn't always want all her breakfast... and we get to share that, too. I just love peanut butter toast!

Uh-oh... I could be busted... looks like the humans have come in to enjoy the air conditioning...

Later!
Sarah, the spinach fits... I mean Finnish Spitz

Oie! I'm just all undone...

2007-03-13T11:17:00.000-06:00

I'll admit it... I'm totally confused!

Last time I got a hold of this keyboard, I said there was something up about some kind of nursery.

Well, seems as though there's more than one nursery around here. The basement has a nursery that I've not seen... got no idea what they're doing with it. I know Cindy (one of the humans) keeps hoarding the table scraps (salad) that I would have gotten.

Now, my buddies Coda and Coco have been to visit the basement, and they tell me things are really strange down there. Something about some kind of creepy crawlers...

Oh, they told me that their owner, Cindy is telling the story in her blog.

That's not all! Look here at what seems to have encroached on the relationship with my owner.

I'm new to this "farming thing"... so not sure yet what it is. It's living in my buddies crate, and my owner seems to dote over it. She feeds it and takes it outside.

Last night, she turned it loose in "our space". I got my mouth on it a couple of time... and then got yelled at. Wait a minute... when something runs, aren't you supposed to catch it? The other girls seemed to be coaxing it to go in certain directions, and from time-to-time would bump me off the chase... I'm so confused!

Now, my owner (who's bed I now own) didn't know the other "girls" had given me "the duty" for last night. This little thing is kind of fragile and sometimes has to be fed. Everyone sleeps so soundly it's up to us to alert the humans to it's needs.

I'm just a rookie, and have never been a mother, so every time it moved, I was off the bed and whining at it's pen. 'Bout drove my owner mad. In fact, she put three of us out for a while so we could cool our pads a bit.

OMG... Coda and Coco just went for a walkabout. That's not good... they'll be in the big dog house when they return. I see my owner has captured Coco and has her on a leash. She got all the way down to our first intersection. I've walked down there, but only on lead.

Coda took off cross-country to the neighbor's on the west. Mom safely got her into the Blazer and brought her home.

A couple of times last week I got to go "wabbit hunnin'" on the desert... Boy, that was fun. There's so many trails and so many holes, I didn't know where to dig first!

Ok, I gotta go check on that little black critter again, so gonna sign off.

Sarah, the "Spinach Fits"... I mean Finnish Spitz

Wow! I'm in my element now...

2007-03-01T13:17:00.000-07:00

Would you look at all this snow? Got my human to take a pic of me and my buddies.

This fell yesterday while I was "lounging".

I do say it's a little chilly on the "city paws" yet. As you can see though, my coat is getting better. Thought I'd freeze when I first got here.

Oh, about that "lounging" thing... I've discovered the beds. The other day, I even tried "Grandma's" bed... got yelled at. Must be an off limits area.

You just don't know how much fun it is to make the humans sleep kitty-corner or AROUND me. My half is the one in the middle.

By the way, you really need to see what the women are up to... they've been doing all kinds of crazy things like shredding up paper, cutting up cardboard, even cutting us short on treats from time to time... something about building a nursery of sorts.

Yesterday, they moved some stuff to the basement. I'm not wild about stairs, but both Koda and Coco went to investigate... so far they're not real sure about what's happening either.

The human has left the 'puter unattended...

2007-02-19T17:23:00.000-07:00

It's me, Sarah!

Thought I'd never get to sneak back on here again. You see, we lost the Internet last week, and then my human got distracted working around the farm.

I managed to snag some pics of my new buddies... I'll give you a short bark about what they're like.

This is Kiki, the pup. She's part German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, I think maybe Border Collie. As you can see, she looks like a GSD (except for the floppy ear). Don't be fooled by that "shepherd look"... she's timid like the Aussie shepherd, and smarter than you can imagine.

Before I arrived, she was having a really hard time with "potty training". Seems going outside meant play rather than business first. Over the last couple months, things have seemed to straightened out. I'd like to think I helped, since I ALWAYS go potty first and then play later.

The next buddy is Coco, a wannabe Lab that's really a Hound.

She's not quite 2 years old and full of mischief. My owner is always after her for all her "bad habits". I don't know if it's a "hound thing" or not, but she's really into sniffing butts... any butts. You should hear the women howl when she noses them! Especially first thing in the morning.

She's also the one who gets us in the most trouble. Her curiosity leads us right over the edge.

In fact, the other day, she stole some hamburger from the counter that was laid out into patties for the human dinner. Needless to say, there were no treats for anyone that night!

Koda is my other "best buddy". She and I are about the same age.

She had a really rough start in life, having been abandoned and left for dead.

I've gotta tell you, she's the sweetest dog around. Her only bad habit is wanting to be a "jelly bean"... always horning in on the love and attention.

She has Siberian Husky, German Shepherd, and who knows what else in her. My owner really likes her as she has a very soft coat. We trade off who sleeps in which bed between Cindy and my owner.

Mindy is Grandma's dog... and thinks she's the prima donna.

She's a very large Black Lab/Rottie cross. I've learned to get along with her by staying out of her way, especially at the food bowl. She makes it very clear that while she's eating and/or drinking... that entire area is hers and hers alone.

Missy is the "old lady" of the group. She's Cindy's son's dog... but has lived with Cindy for years. A full Chocolate Lab, she was his prized hunting dog until she got too old to hunt. Cindy has provided a comfortable retirement for her.

I think I mentioned earlier that she was born deaf... not true. She's just gone deaf with age. What's really funny is that even though she can't hear, the women all talk to her as well as use hand signals to get her to do what she's asked.

Believe me, she never misses a treat or a meal.

Oh, and just like other "old ladies" she passes gas when you least expect it... and then calmly gets up and seeks fresh air.

Wow, time flies when you're having fun...

2007-02-06T16:44:00.000-07:00

Ok, we've found a somewhat workable solution for the water bowl. It's located just on the edge of the carpet. Now the only issue is everyone else prefers it to the gurgly thingy, too. More often than not, when I want a drink, it's empty.

Thank goodness all the women are looking out for me, filling it many times a day.

Oh, I've also got the "bed" thing figured out. My owner never let me lounge on her bed, but here... it seems nearly every bed is fair game, all day and all night. I finally got brave enough to jump on Cindy's bed, and to my surprise, she let me stay.

I have to admit though, that every time I try to get territorial about it, she yells at me. Sheesh, all these girls are bigger than me. They take up way more space and are forever slapping me in the face with their tails... and I get yelled at for trying to declare a little space.

My owner has had to let me on her bed since the other girls have made themselves at home there, too. In fact, every morning, Koda's favorite trick is to try and sit on her head... Boy is that funny!

Now, I've found one bed that seems to be off limits... Grandma's bed! Last night I jumped up and made myself at home only to get chased off by everyone from Grandma, to my owner... She even took a magazine to me when I dared jump up a second time. Come to think of it, I've never seen any of the other girls on that bed... maybe I should get a clue.

'Til later... I've got mud to sling in the back "yard" as it's nice and warm and the snow is all melted.

Sarah, the "Spoiled Spinach Fits"...
I mean, Spoiled Finnish Spitz

Ok, it's water bowl issues again...

2007-01-21T09:48:00.000-07:00

A couple days ago, my buddies were romping around in the living room and well, you guessed it... they tipped my nice full water bowl over, right on to the carpet.

The humans were not amused!

They were so "not amused" that they removed my water bowl and placed it next to that gurgly thing again. That means I have to put my all fours on the tile to drink.

Well, I tried it out, and for a couple of times it worked. You see, I've conquered the tile floor as long as the other girls don't push me around on it.

Here's the problem... I was at my bowl getting a drink when one of the big girls came to get a drink from the gurgly thingy... yep... it gurgled and growled and I about peed floor trying to get away.

Thank goodness my owner has a sense of when I'm thirsty. She patiently gets my bowl and holds it for me. I'm learning real fast that instead of grabbing a lap or two... stand there and tank up.

Yesterday she and a roommate came up with the hair-brained idea of putting my bowl in the front bathroom. She even tempted me with pieces of hotdog, an un-resistible treat. As I see it... it's a "no go".

The bowl is on tile. Even if they leave the bathmat down, it shifts under my feet. Another thing... about half the time the door is closed. Now, I'm talented, but opening the door is gonna take some serious work.

Hopefully my owner will find a better solution.

Sarah, the "spinach fits"... I mean, Finnish Spitz!

Hey! I'm growing a new crop of fur!

2007-01-20T12:26:00.000-07:00

If you look back through this blog, you'll see how naked I got, thanks to that stupid mite problem.

Well, a miracle's occurring... I'm growing fur!

Shortly after I got here last month, all my "sore spots" started healing up. Now, I'm gonna venture to say those lousy mites didn't like the Utah dust. With the very cold weather, I guess my system has said... grow fur or you'll freeze!

From time to time, I'll post some more pictures. Who knows, maybe I'll look like a Finnish Spitz sooner, rather than never.

So, what's it really like here?

2007-01-03T09:45:00.000-07:00

Let's see... I have a play area that I didn't have at home. I can romp and play 'til I drop. Of course, I'm still learning the ropes here...

Right now most of my new area is covered in ice (was snow). I'm not real keen on running on it like the other girls, but I stand there and bark at them while they race around.

We've got holes started. This is something I loved to do... dig, dig dig. Soon I'll get you some pictures so you can see what we're up to... don't know if we're digging to China, tunneling under the wall, or chasing gophers.

I've heard the humans say that the other girls are digging my grave... shudder at that thought!

I've finally conquered the food bowl. With six of us sharing the same bowl, I've learned to eat when others are out or sleeping.

Oh, did I mention the treats? These folks are awesome! I get some really sweet sticky thing twice a day. Learned right quick... don't drop it or someone steals it. I'm still not sure what it is, but it's tasty, and I make sure not to drop it.

And then there's "Mom".

I just love it when she feeds us right from her fork or spoon. Sure beats the "essence of frozen dinner" my owner used to feed me. She also keeps a pocket full of cookies, which she hands out for good behavior.

Oh, about that water thingy... I tried it again the other day, 'cause my bowl was empty and I was getting desparate for a drink. Damn thing growled at me again. They can keep it... I want my own water bowl!

Ok, time to go play some more... this is just so much fun!

Sarah,
One incredibly blessed Spinach Fits...
oops, that's "Finnish Spitz"

Happy New Year! We've moved to the COUNTRY!!!

2006-12-31T16:31:00.000-07:00

Oh boy! I think I died and went to dog heaven...

You see, for the last month, I've been living in my owner's car... well, maybe not the whole month, for a long time. First she decided to relocate, then she chose to drive 1100 miles into the most desolate area I've ever seen.

Ah, but there's awesome news... I have have 5 playmates. Three of them are lots of fun. One is old and sleeps all the time, and one is a great, big bully... She thinks she's the Alpha bitch here.

Let's see, there's Kiki, the German Shepherd pup. She's only 6 months old and is already twice my size. Then, there's Coco. She's part Lab and part Redbone Hound. She looks a lot like a Lab... but when she barks, well that's the end of any Lab resemblance.

Next gal in the pack is by buddy, Koda. We're only a year or so apart and look a little like cousins.

The old gal, Missy is totally deaf (born that way) is quite crippled up, but seems never to miss either a treat or a meal.

Mindy, the "Alpha Bitch" is a big black Lab... about 4 times my size. For some reason, I just can't help but antagonize her every chance I get.

Now for the bad news, I've got 4 people telling me what I can and cannot do.

First thing I had to learn was to go "out back" without my leash. Then they took away my collar. I was so well trained to always wait for the right command... oh well, now I'm able to go out at will with the other girls. We romp and play to our hearts' content.

I'm still trying to figure out the meal time routines. They have this big "common" feed and water station. It's sitting right on the tile, and I just hate tile. Worse yet, I've not quite figured out the pack order... I keep wanting to eat when Mindy does... and she growls at me. Then the humans yell at me.

For a while, my owner set up a special bowl... but everyone else kept emptying it as fast as it got filled.

Then there's that awful water thingy... First I have to stretch out as long as I can. I'll put my front paws on that tile, but my hind ones are staying put on the carpet. I just get all situated and start lapping away only to have it make some really weird gurgling sound... Scares my scraggly fur right off me.

Ok, my owner has cracked her first New Year's Eve brew... wait 'til she discovers it 3.2% "pee water". I can see where New Year's Eve will be a hoot. At least I shouldn't have to worry about a ton of fireworks like I did in Oregon.

Hopefully I can get back here soon with more tales from Utah,
Sarah the "Spinach Fits"... I mean Finnish Spitz

Boy! Am I ever glad to see the weather change...

2006-09-13T14:53:00.000-06:00

Sarah here... my owner's gone for coffee so thought I jump into her chair and sneak in a quick update.

Do you know how hard it is for a dog to type?

It's becoming Fall in Oregon. We're about to have our first good rain in over two months. Now, normally I wouldn't be real excited as I actually hate water. You see, with my patchy fur that water is just so cold against my skin.

Ah, but the bugs will go away! I love the sun, but I hate the bugs that fly around.

Uh-oh, I hear her coming down the hall... better get my furry butt out of her chair.

Til later,

Sarah, the Spinach Fits...
I mean Finnish Spitz!

See how cute I really am...

2006-07-24T15:26:00.000-06:00

Ok, I can't replace my owner's picture in the corner... so thought I'd share my Christmas snapshot with you.

Why this one? Why now, in the middle of summer?

Because when I look at this picture, it cools me off... You see, we've been having a heat-wave in western Oregon... 3 days over 100 degrees and even today it's already 97 and not even to the hottest part of the day.

No worries for me though. We've got air conditioning and I'm quite content to sleep the day away.

I've learned that going out during the day isn't real bright... wait, yes it's very bright out there... I mean not real smart as my feet get way too hot!

Call me what you what you want... I think I'm pretty smart!

Sarah, the Spinach Fits!

Sarah here... I've tied up my owner, and hijacked this blog

2006-07-13T13:03:00.000-06:00

Yep it's me, the real Spinach Fits... I mean Finnish Spitz.

Ok, so I'm not exactly the best looking one you'll ever see, I'm the most lovable one around.

Not only that, I'm your atypical Finkie... I don't bark all the time, just at stuff that's really important, like the neighbor dog, when I want something (treats, a walk, etc), and I'm not hyper-active, always patrolling.

Ever since the "great experiment" to see if there was just one more way to solve my itchy skin issue has ended, I've been begging my owner to let me have this blog.

You see, I want to tell my story, in my own barky words, and let y'all know that life isn't really that bad.

Be sure to check back often as I'll be barking up a storm here, since I just took over. Got tired of begging... isn't that what dog's do?

Ok, off to water the lawn,
Sarah, the real itchy dog of The Itchy Dog Blog

The pics I promised... better late than never

2006-07-08T15:54:00.000-06:00

Wow, life gets away from you when you're having fun.

Ok, here are the pics I promised of Sarah just after completing her first bottle of StemEnhance. As you can see, she's got quite a bit more hair in general. Things were growing out nicely and I couldn't feel any little spots developing.

Here's a better shot of her front side. Where she had been bald before, she actually had a nice crop of under fur with guard hairs growing too.

Unfortunately, the 6 day layoff was enough for her immune system to say thanks for the boost, but I'm returning to my previous state. Since then, even though she's gone through an entire bottle of StemEnhance, she's gone from appearing to experience recovery, to losing even more fur in more areas.

I don't believe the problem is with StemEnhance. This was an extreme challenge and the risks were great. She thoroughly enjoyed the cheese each day, too.

What's next? I've not decided yet. While it pains me to see her itch, she seems to adjust well. Her treatment options are all expensive, and life shortening.

One bottle of StemEnhance down... many more to go...

2006-04-11T12:32:00.000-06:00

It's update time on Sarah, my "itchy dog".

She's now gone through a total of 60 capsules (at 3/4 cap per day). Immediately after running out of StemEnhance, she began working over a new spot.

She also had an upset stomach for the first time in over 6 months. Nothing changed in her diet except there was no StemEnhance on her piece of cheese.

She went without StemEnhance for 6 days, and I can tell you that she has really worked over (open wounds) a couple of spots which had begun to heal.

In my next post, I'll upload pictures taken of her just after she finished her first bottle of StemEnhance.

Shari

I got Sarah's pics. Now you can see, too.

2006-01-23T15:08:00.000-07:00

Ok, Pastor and I got the e-mail issue sorted out. The pics arrived and I've done a little cropping to save space. Other than that, there is no editing. You will see exactly what I mean about how she looks. These photos were taken January 15, 2006.

Here's my 23 pound "red dog"! What a ham... she'd rather explore that thing Pastor was pointing at her than stay still for her picture.

You can see that she's got the "mottled" look on her head. That area is fully recovered from a bout with the demodex a couple of years ago.

This current bout began last July 4. Yes, it takes ages to get it all cleared up. Seems like all I've done is chase the critters from one spot to another for months.

You can see here where she's bald on her chest and inside her front legs. This is the area that is now starting to heal. When these little critters take up residence in her hair follicles, they shove the hair out. That process (that and them moving around) cause her to do a lot of "self-grooming" or licking. I'm sure glad her tongue is smooth.

Sometimes, she develops little pustules. Those, she will bite, causing them to become open wounds. Thakfully, since last Wednesday, there have been no new pustules, and the old ones are all scabbed over. I don't know yet if this is related to her new dietary supplement.

Some of what you see on her legs is left over from her last bout. The hair never really fully recovered. I don't know yet whether she'll ever have full coat on her legs. That's something we'll deal with in time.

The good news right now is that there are no open sores. All the little "bumps" are scabbed over, and she's no longer spending long sessions licking her legs. You can't imagine the sound of her licking so much in the middle of the night!

Her activity level has been much higher this past week. We've had 3 play sessions daily for the last 5 days. Those have sometimes lasted nearly an hour, with her only stopping occasionally to scratch.

She's also getting more used to being "loved". Since she's associated petting, and spending quality time on the bed with "getting something done to her", she's been very wary. We're working hard now to change her feelings.

One last picture. This one is of a spot on her side where the hair has begun to fall out, but as yet, no pustules have occurred. If this spot begins to heal (grow fur), then I will know for sure that the supplement is working. That will demonstrate that the process can be first stopped and then reversed.

Sarah is getting 3/4 capsule per day of a product called StemEnhance. It's made for humans, but is purported to be good for any mammal, or bird. It's made from Bluegreen Algae. You can read more about it here, or simply call toll-free 877-728-9708 for more information.

Three days into the new regimen...

2006-01-23T15:06:00.000-07:00

Lot's of good news to report.

Sarah really likes getting a 1/4 slice of cheese 3 times a day. She thinks it's a treat!

Since Tuesday, when she got her first dose, her activity level has risen. As I noted earlier, her "normal" day for the last several months had been lounge around, and sleep most of the day with a couple of quick "outs". In the evening, get up and play for an hour or so.

Understand, she has a very short attention span, so play is about 3 minutes at a time of fetch. Maybe a couple of minutes chewing on a good chew, and then a lot of self-grooming.

I've been having some issues getting the pictures sent to me, so I'll try to describe what her skin/fur looks like with demodex. When I get the pictures up, you'll see what I mean.

The most noticable location right now is her chest. From an area just above where her legs join her body, and down the inside of both front legs there is little to no hair. Her skin is mottled dark grey and pink. Last week it was slightly inflamed and warmer than usual to the touch. She has the infamous demodex stink.

Also, down the outside of both front legs there are dried scabby areas interspersed with scraggly fur.

Now, we've already been through outbreaks on the head, the face, the sides, and all four legs at least once, not to mention the tail a couple of times. The only place she's not had an issue has been directly on her belly. The skin there is still nice and pink.

Since she's been getting this new stuff, her activity level has increased. Now she want's to play about every 3 or 4 hours for a little while. Her appetite has picked up a bit, too.

I've noticed that the inflammation on her chest and inside her front legs is virtually gone. Also, the areas on the outsides of her legs appear to be healing. If this is truely the case, I'll be elated.

You can go here to see why I'm so excited, or simply call this toll-free number for information about the product, 1-877-728-9708.

The morning "cheese" was really good

2006-01-23T15:05:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah. Sarah's liking the "3 a day" treats. Little does she know they're good for her.

Understand here, I'm not expecting miracles. But I could swear she's already dropped her "itch rate". Generally she'll wake me a couple of times a night with the "full body shake" as if she just came in from the rain. Last night, only once, was I awakened.

So far today, she's been pretty calm. Her normal routine is to lounge around most of the day and then play for a couple of hours in the evening. The morning duties were done quickly as it was raining, not something she likes much.

If you want to get a better handle on the stuff I'm using, give this toll-free number a call. There are several options you can choose from, and yes, it's all pre-recorded and short (less than 5 minutes per option). Call 877-728-9708

The stuff has arrived, and Sarah has had her first go at it...

2006-01-23T15:03:00.000-07:00

Time will tell now how she reacts.

She's so picky. I took the capsule and opened it. I spread it on a slice of processed cheese and cut that into four pieces so she gets 1/4 capsule at least a couple of times a day.

Now, she really likes cheese, and she did take this from my hand, so that's good news. Generally, if I want to give her something, I really have to work to disguise it.

Pastor took the pictures Sunday evening, but I've not yet received them. Here's a picture of her taken a couple years ago. You can see the bald spot on her back.

All week-end she either slept, or whined and scratched, or had me scratch her gently.

I really have hope that this will first calm her symptoms. If it does that, then I'll give her a medicated bath to wash as many of the little critters down the drain as possible. That's always one of the "short-term" fixes... bathe with medicated soap.

Just as soon as the new pictures arrive, I'll get them posted. Then you'll see where she's got bare skin on her chest and under her front legs, as well as scabs on the backs of her front legs. In short... she's a mess.

Now you can see why, if this stuff works, I'll be shouting from the roof-tops.

Ever have an itchy dog?

2006-01-23T15:01:00.000-07:00

I've got one of those. She's a real sweetheart, but she itches... all the time.

You see, she has chronic generalized demodosis (from the demodex mite). I've had her to the vet, and the original breeders had spent a lot on her, too. She's been dipped, shot with Ivermectin many times, and treated with antibiotics. I've even used essential oils on her. She sure smelled good.

For whatever reason, the whole litter was born with this problem. All five were beautiful little purebred Finnish Spitz potential champions. The worst of the litter had to be "put down". My little Sarah was the next worst. The others didn't have quite such a problem and outgrew their problem within a year.

I'm telling you all this as I've recently been introduced to something that may help her. It's all natural, and should stop her itching, and allow her immune system to strengthen and fight off the little critters.

One of my business partners, Ed Alvarez, hired me to write copy for his new venture. Wouldn't you know it, in my research, I've come to believe his product may help my dog.

He's shipping me a bottle of it today. I should have it by Tuesday or Wednesday.

What I'll do in the meantime is get some pics of Sarah, and make a record of her current behavior. Since she'll not know she's getting anything out of the ordinary, I believe I will observe a measurable improvement.

If she improves, I'll be shouting from the rooftops.

Do you know how many thousands of "itchy" dogs there are? Wouldn't it be wonderful if there was something to help their immune systems get better?

Want to see what it is that I'm so excited about? Check out what I've written for Ed. Follow the links and listen to the pre-recorded calls at 877-728-9708. It's a toll-free number, and the company has graciously kept the calls short.