Tuc Lost His Wag: Limp Tail Strikes Again!

Puppy Tuc lost his wag!

I've written about Limber Tail Syndrome (aka, Cold Water Tail, Limp Tail, Dead Tail, Flaccid Tail, Lost Wag, Broken Wag, Broken Tail, etc...) here before: in February, 2008, and in July 2005 (just click on the underlined dates to see those posts). In fact, my Limber Tail posts still generate the most reader "hits" at LabTails each day -- far more than any others. It's a little-known-but-more-common-than-you-think injury that happens to sporting breeds after swimming, bathing, or playing in cold water.

Thankfully it's not serious, though it is painful, and it clears up on its own.

For more information, feel free to read the previous posts listed above, or check out these articles from The Labrador Retriever Club, Inc. and Woodhaven Labs.

In any case, Tuc developed his first case overnight (the rest of the canine crew have had their turns).

I broke out the kiddie pools yesterday -- 80s outside, low humidity, clear skies, brilliant sun. A delightful day for the kids to get wet. And since it appears we won't be going to the cottage any time soon (our usual dock-jumping, Lab-swimming, water-retrieving place), the kiddie pools will have to suffice.

As expected, Tuc and Pinot had a ball:



That was yesterday (note Tuc's tail in the pool pics above - happy boy!).

This is how his tail looks today:






You have to remember, this is Tuc we're talking about here: always-happy-Tuc; wiggle-butt-Tuc; our gives-Kenya-a-run-for-her-money-as-wiggliest-Lab-at-our-house-Tuc; our drink-spilling-coffee-table-clearing-lethal-tail-Tuc!

Poor sweet boy. He looks so confused and pathetic. He's hurting. He can't wag. It's too uncomfortable for him to sit down. And I can't even give him a butt-rub in consolation (he's really tender back there).

I honestly don't believe I've ever seen Tuc with his tail down -- not even when we've reprimanded him. He is the epitome of spunk, spirit, and endless optimism.

Flaccid tail has tempered him a bit, though. A wee bit, perhaps, but a bit nonetheless.

Ahhhh, but there's good news for him.

BOTH Elsie and Kenya are in heat now, so he's got plenty of things to sniff to keep him distracted:


He seems happy enough to sniff, even if he can't lift his leg the usual way to mark his territory.

And besides, he's got a couple of weeks still to enjoy their pheromones. He just can't do anything about them for at least another year (Ridge still reigns in that department).

So if he's got to have Limber Tail it may as well be now.

Poor boy. He'll get over it, just as the rest have done over the years.

I'm still convinced, however, that there's nothing more pathetic than a Labrador retriever who lost his wag. Especially one like Tuc.

'Til next time,

Joan

Mr. Hose: Dr. Jekyl/Mr. Hyde

RR knows that when I turn on the water outdoors 23-month-old Pinot comes running. She relishes playing with the hose and its spray (if you have any doubt, look here.) Puppy Tuc enjoys the hose, too, but his water-frenzy is nothing compared to Pinot's.

Pinot adores Mr. Hose.

As far as she's concerned, Mr. Hose is a benevolent Dr. Jekyl who provides great fun and entertainment.

Ahh.... but Dr. Jekyl-Hose morphs into Mr. Hyde Hose when DH takes a bottle of shampoo, a towel, and a canine-filled collar in hand.

Or at least you'd think that was the case by Pinot's reaction.

I captured these photos a few weeks ago when the canine kids were about to come in from playing in the mud (a great time was had by all!). Though our Lab crew lives with us and has free reign of the downstairs (well, family room, kitchen, and kennel room), they don't have license to track mud all over the house. Quick baths were in order (or a least a quick rinse off).

Here's Tuc, completely unphased, happy to stand for Dad for hosing and toweling:





Now, here's Pinot:












Poor Pinot pup. She really doesn't like Mr. Hyde Hose, especially when he becomes an instrument of torture...er... hygiene.

But bring out Dr. Jekyl Hose (and a pool) ... and look out!

I so can't wait to get these guys to the cottage this summer. Who needs a hose when a lake is around?

'Til next time,
Joan

Such a Good Good Boy!

I'm so proud of one-year-old puppy Tuc (shown here at left waiting to be towel-dried by DH)!

He went to the people-park today with Don and I, his first time btw, and he did wonderfully.

Just him. None of the other canine kids. Tuc alone. The Tuc-meister got to have "Mom" and "Dad" all to himself...well...Mom and Dad and everyone else in the people-park, all of whom were Potential New Best Friends (PNBFs).

And therein likes the problem. Or what we expected to be a problem.

You see, Tuc has an Exuberant-Greeting Challenge (we'll call it EGC for short). He gets so excited when he meets someone (anyone) that his EGC kicks in, he can't contain himself (puppy-lack of self-restraint), and he bounds forward with leaping and licking and letting said PNBFs know they're abundantly loved.

We've been working on Tuc's EGC at home, but we had not yet tried him out in public.

So at the people park this morning, walking the cinder trails with Tuc on lead, we fully expected to run into other human types (that was the plan, man!). Since we didn't know what to expect, we prepared for a Marley-and-Me worst.

As we rounded the trail's first bend, Tuc alerted to the approach of his first PNBF, and we braced while he attempted his first lunge. DH, with lead shortened and firmly in hand, commanded Tuc to "sit" while I pulled out the treat pouch.

Ahhhhhhhh. Charlie Bear Treats.

Did I mention Tuc is highly food motivated?

Who cares about PNBFs when Charlie Bears dangle tantalizingly-snout-tip-close in Mom's fingertips?

Anyway, Don held Tuc in a sit while I held a Charlie Bear at Tuc's nose, making him "wait" for his treat (the canine kids are never allowed to take treats from our hands until we give the "okay" command).

Oh, yes, Tuc occasionally glanced at his first PNBF as she approached, passed us, and continued on her way. But once Mr. Charlie Bear appeared, he never broke his sit and didn't try to lunge again.

Phew. Tuc's first public PNBF made it past Tuc unslobbered.

A miracle.

Repeat this scenario for the next two PNBFs encountered.

After that, Tuc didn't even care about PNBFs. Over the next two miles, not only did he never even attempt to jump or lunge or pull in a PNBF's direction, he also started anticipating sitting and waiting for his Charlie Bear while the rest of his PNBFs walked past.

Such a smart, eager-to-please, loves-his-Charlie-Bears boy! :D

And what a relief for us! Reigning Tuc in in public was far easier than both DH and I anticipated. This was, however, only round one.

Our plan is work Tuc until he won't need treats to mind us and contain himself. That may be a long time coming though (hehe). All in due time.

In the meantime, we'll keep plenty of Charlie Bears around the house and an extra pouch of them in the car at all times for good measure.

'Til next time,
Joan

New Scents

I'm still recovering from my pinched nerve in my neck, so I won't write much, but I had to show you these.

RR knows that we've been working on powerwashing, cleaning, and water-sealing our deck -- a much bigger and longer process than we remembered, especially the prep work. The good news is that it's finally done.

The bad news (for the Lab kids) was that they had to remain indoors the entire time DH was applying the seal and then while the seal dried. Thankfully, DH used a power sprayer, so it went quickly (and we actually had a few days of NO rain!).

Here are a few shots of the canine crew (including Gracie, DTS's visiting Golden Retriever) exploring a new land of scents and odors that was once so familiar. These capture their first time out on the deck after the sealing was complete and dry.

The gang: Oooooo. Ahhhhhh. Hmmmmm. Lookin' mighty fine!
















Pinot: Sealed deck? So? Outta the way. Comin' through. I have a KONG!
















Pinot: No, really... a KONG!

















Elsie: Mmmmmmmm. New scents!
















Elsie: Yup, can still laze in the sun!

















Elsie: Huh. Still doesn't smell quite right. Better roll on it just to be sure.



































Gracie (DTS's golden): Oh boy, Elsie. That looks like fun! I'll try it, too!

















Tuc and Ridge: Who cares about scents? DAD's over here!
Whatcha doin' Dad? Can we help ya? HuhhuhhuhhuhhuhCanwehelpyahuhwhatchadoin?Huh?


































Kenya: Picnic table? Yup. Still here. Check.





























Tuc: You were right, Kenya. Good work. Thought I should double-check though. It's a guy thing. Picnic table, check!


















Tuc: Ahh... guess I'd better not pee here anymore. Dad won't be happy.
Ridge: I won't if you won't. Deal?
















Elsie: Railings. Check (don't even think about double-checking ME, Tuc!).


















Tuc: Okay, nevermind. Excitement's done. Too hot. Time to go inside. You can finish without me. I give you permission. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll just let myself in.


















Such helpful kids.

'Til next time,
Joan

Updates and Apologies

Once again, so sorry for my absence. The week after my last post was DTS's move week. She had to be out of her home of 19 years by the 26th (well, late the 25th), and then was scheduled to move into her new house on the evening of the 26th. All went well, but it was crazy, and pretty much 24/7 activity during that time.

Unfortunately, we think I pinched a nerve in my neck (cervical spine) carrying boxes or running up and down steps (who knows), because I've had increasing trouble with numbness in both hands, forearms, and now legs and feet, too.

We thought it was my old carpel tunnel issues at first (first symptoms were just in my hands), so I knew not to key much on the computer (data entry only compounds carpel tunnel). Hence my absence from the blog.

But with the numbness & tingling spreading to forearms and legs and feet, we're thinking more like a nerve thing in my neck (I did experience a few moments of sharp pings in my neck during DTS's packing/moving week, but didn't think much about them -- chalked it up to middle age aches and pains).

The doc has put me on steroidal anti-inflammatories for the next several days -- starting with high doses, then tapering off.

We're really hoping this does the trick. In the meantime, though "point-and-click" is fine on the computer, typing much is not (as in writing a whole lot).

So, I'm going to have to take a hiatus for at least another few days.

Just thought you'd like to know where we've been. Here are a few status updates:

• All canine kids are fine.
• None of the girls is showing any indication of heat cycles, so we're sane for a bit.
• We're still planning to mate Kenya with Ridge with her next heat cycle, which should be anytime, and we will try to keep you posted there.
  
• Tuc and Ridge are getting along fine, most of the time (hehe). No further incidents of aggression.
• Pinot is staying small -- we call her "Peanut" now -- but is still every bit as driven to retrieve as she's ever been.
• Kenya is still our wiggle-butt, has-to-have-something-in-her-mouth, happy-go-luck girl.
• Elsie is our lazy bear, but enjoying not being pregnant! :D
• Tuc is as adolescent as ever, but really growing in impulse control. He's also become our butt-in-ski, insistent lap-dog. Nobody else gets lap time if Tuc is around! :D
  
• Gracie (aka Poopsies), my sister's Golden Retriever has been with us here for the past ten days, throughout DTS's move and her getting settled. Poopsies is very happy here, but misses her "mom" a whole bunch. She gets to go to her new home today (which will be just fine because her mom, aka DTS, is there!). :D

That's it for now. Neck hurts, so I'm signing off. I'll be back as soon as I can!

Until then,
Joan

Sun! (and Ya Gotta Luv Him)

We've been going a little stir crazy over here.

I'm not complaining, mind you, but we've had weeks and weeks of rain (necessary and welcome here after consecutive years of drought), and that means the canine crew doesn't get much outdoor time.

So imagine their sheer joy when I took them outside this morning to no rain!

Okay, so maybe it wasn't their joy; it was admittedly mine (they couldn't care less what the weather is, as long as they get to be outside). The forecast for today (first time in weeks) was for no rain.

Yay... loads of outdoor play today! We can all be sane!

So I took them outside to romp, and I (of course) threw the Kong toy for who knows how long.

Then I thought to myself, ha cha! ... now they should be good 'n tired and stay out of mischief (my first erroneous conclusion). And then, continuing my thought, I should be able to leave them safely outside while I go inside and get some work done (second erroneous conclusion).

Mistake.

I forget that our big galoot of a sweetie pie is still a puppy. Yup Tuc. He's still a puppy, no matter how adult he looks.

Tell me.. doesn't he look close to grown (again, please forgive the not-quite-crisp images that follow; like the last batch, I took them on the sly through the window/screen so the canine kids wouldn't know I was taking them -- I wanted candid shots!).

Just look at that face!






















Look how handsome and regal he (standing) is with Kenya (lying down)! Don't forget to note his tail blur(hehe):



















Sidenote: yes, that's my nice clean picnic table again.

See how easy it would be for me to forget he's only a year old? I really can't be faulted for not remembering he's an imp.

So while I was hussling away inside, I happened to glance out the kitchen window. Here's what I saw:


My planter box:


















One of the plastic folding tables my human kids gave me for my birthday last year (well, what's left of it):


















My daughter's decorative end table (he likes the plastic floor guards on the ends of the metal legs):






















Not to worry; Tuc didn't ingest anything. He just chewed.

And it's my fault for leaving things where he could get at them.

Just so you know, however, Kenya, Elsie, Pinot, and Ridge, without exception, lazed about and slept while Tuc was up to his antics. They didn't get into trouble with any of the stuff I left out. It really wasn't that far-fetched to think I could leave end-tables and one dirt-filled planter (no plants) on the deck. The four of them left them alone.

Ah... but they're not puppies.

Tuc is.

So, the sun is shining; the canine crew is happily outdoors; and I'm get things done.

Funny though, I don't recall "clean up planter dirt" and "hide end-tables" on today's original to-do list. They're there now, though. And checked off.

How thoughtful of Tuc to help me feel productive.

Ya gotta luv him!

'Til next time,
Joan

Tuc's New Thing

The young Tucmeister has a fetish.

Yup.

We've got to face the bare truth here (and it is bare). Tuc, indeed, has problem.

Poor boy.

Yes, sir. Our Tuc -- our dear, sweet, retrieve-until-he-drops, bouncy baby boy -- Mr Butt-In-Ski and snuggler extraordinaire -- 85+ pounds of innocent-eyed exuberance -- Stoney Ridge's Sundancer Tucson (his registered name) is ...

(gasp!)...

(can I bare...oops...bear to admit it?)...

Tus is ...

(gasp)...

a strip-'em-right-off-the-girls collar thief!

He absolutely cannot tolerate the canine girls wearing their collars; he must have the wretched things - possess them. They have to be his, all his.

And it isn't enough just to have them; the world has to know he has them (well, all living beings in his world, anyway).

Poor obsessed boy.

He's not obsessed about his own collar, of course: just about those worn by his female pack members.

In stealth mode (the only way to observe a collar-fetished canine), I captured Tuc in action. Forgive the lack of crispness in the following images; they were taken through our windows, including double panes and screens.

They do, however, document Tuc's activities (hehe).


Notice the loot between his paws (Pinot's rolled-leather collar). He'd just wrestled it over Pinot's head.




















Oh, but possessing the collar wasn't satistfying enough. Nooooooo. The thief had to announce its capture. He tried barking to proudly proclaim his pilfering success, but the world ignored him.

No worries. Not for Tuc. He picked up his treasure (note collar in his mouth)...















climbed off the picnic table, loot in mouth...



















trotted over to where the rest of the canine crew were lounging in the sun (note loot in mouth)...

















and proceeded to flaunt his treasured possession, the object of his latest obsession, in their faces.

By then, said object's rightful owner had had enough. She wanted it back.






















Tuc, who is considerably bigger than Pinot, won the tug-o-war over her collar, and promptly fled to picnic table top to hide behind the umbrella (notice collar on table between Tuc's front paws).



















He may be a thief (all bluster, of course) and an imp, but he's also a tactical genius: the picnic-table-top ensures height advantage (as if height was ever a problem for him).

Did I mention that this is the very same picnic table I just spent four hours power-washing (cleaning every nook and cranny) and that Tuc has never shown any interest in climbing on before?

Aaargh.

Why?

So the Tucmeister has a collar fetish. If he keeps this up, it could get expensive.

And did I tell you? He's developed a second fetish (mercy me!). But I'll save that one for another post.

For now, I have to go find two collars: Pinot and Kenya just trotted in without theirs.

Okay, Tuc. Where'd ya hide them?

'Til next time,
Joan