The Adventures of Mollie

Mollie Frolicks in the Snow

2011-01-12T19:32:00.000-08:00

It's been five months since I've last posted anything about Mollie. She continues to be a true blessing in our lives. She's smart, playful, affectionate and a real part of our family.

Today we had a major snowstorm --- over two feet of snow. Being a country dog, Mollie loves the snow. Yael filmed Mollie frolicking in the snow. Click here for part one and part two.

Enjoy.

The Ice Cream Social

2010-08-01T10:18:00.000-07:00

One Stop Pet Stop had an ice cream social to which Mollie was invited. She selected "Apple & Cheddar" frozen yogurt. Within seconds she "woofed" it down. Needless to say, we bought her a supply to keep in the freezer.

Mollie & Baila Playing - Parts Two and Three

2010-07-04T13:22:00.000-07:00

Here are two more videos of the girls playing.

Part Two

Part Three

Mollie and Baila-- Good Friends

2010-07-04T06:20:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe that it's been a month that Baila has been staying with us. Mollie and Baila have become good friends. They enjoy taking walks together and playing. You can check out a short video at on You Tube.

Now that I figured out that I can take movies with my digital camera, more will follow.

It's very cute when Mollie tries to get on Baila's back. She will also climb on the table to be at the same height. Baila sometimes gets down on the floor to be on the same level as Mollie.

Health note... this week we took Mollie to the vet because Jessica noticed some green goop in her eye. Turns out that she had conjunctivitis. You can read about conjunctivitis in dogs here.

Then, we noticed that Baila was rubbing her eye and had some goop in it. Turns out that she has allergies. So, both are getting eye drops for the week. Happy to report that after two days, Mollie and Baila no longer have "pink" eyes.

Mollie's Has a House Guest

2010-06-08T15:17:00.000-07:00

This week, Rabbi Heyn brought his ten-year old golden retriever, Bayla, to stay at our house for a few weeks. We've had many discussions about Mollie's supposed need for another dog and thought this would be a good test.

As expected, Mollie is very protective. She constantly barks at Bayla and basically drives Bayla to find a quiet space downstairs. Whenever we pet Bayla, Mollie comes over to be petted too. In fact, if we show any attention to Bayla, Mollie immediately starts begging for attention.

For me the challenge is adjusting to a larger dog. For example, it seems as if Mollie could take a bath in Bayla's water dish. As you can see from the photo, Bayla's tail completely blots out Mollie!

I took Mollie and Bayla on my daily 3-mile walk. Having Mollie pull me on my right side and Bayla pull me on my left gave me a really good idea about what it was like to be stage coach driver.

However, by the time we got to the end of the road, the two of them were walking in step. In fact, it was the best walking I've seen Mollie do. Mollie kept trying to engage Bayla but Bayla seemed only interested in walking.

Of course, Vermont living is quite an adjustment for Bayla. After all, she just arrived from Ohio and her master, Rabbi Heyn, wasn't around. She's smelling everything and stares at the horses and cows. But, she seems to be unaffected.

I am hoping that tomorrow Mollie will realize that Bayla will be around for awhile. So far, it's fun having them both around.

Feel down? It may be better to talk to the dog

2010-04-28T13:56:00.000-07:00

Many married couples say they share their troubles with their pet, poll finds

By SUE MANNING

Associated Press Writer

The Associated Press

updated 9:23 a.m. ET, Wed., April 28, 2010

LOS ANGELES - Husbands, if you end up in the doghouse, consider it a promotion.

A third of pet-owning married women said their pets are better listeners than their husbands, according to an Associated Press-Petside.com poll released Wednesday. Eighteen percent of pet-owning married men said their pets are better listeners than their wives.

Christina Holmdahl, 40, talks all the time to her cat, two dogs or three horses — about her husband, naturally.

"Whoever happens to be with me when I'm rambling," said Holmdahl, who's stationed with her husband at Fort Stewart in Georgia. "A lot of times, I'm just venting about work or complaining about the husband."

She thinks everyone should have a pet to talk to like her horse, Whistle, who's been with her since she was 19.

"We all say things we don't mean when we are upset about stuff," she said. "When we have time to talk it out and rationalize it, we can think about it better and we can calm down and see both sides better."

It would be a toss-up whether Bill Rothschild would take a problem to his wife of 19 years or the animal he considers a pet — a palm-sized crayfish named Cray Aiken. His daughter brought it home four years ago at the end of a second grade science project.

Rothschild, 44, of Granite Springs, N.Y., considers Cray a better listener than his wife, "absolutely. She doesn't listen worth anything." He doesn't get much feedback from the crustacean, but it's been a different story over the years with family dogs and cats.

"You definitely feel much more comfortable sharing your problems with them," he said. "A little lick from a big dog can go a long way."

Overall, about one in 10 pet owners said they would talk their troubles over with their pets.

‘The dog doesn't have an opinion’
The AP-Petside.com poll also found that most people believe their pets are stable and seldom struggle with depression. Just 5 percent of all pet owners said they had taken an animal to a veterinarian or pet psychologist because it seemed down in the dumps. Even fewer said they'd ever given antidepressants to a pet.

But they weren't opposed to the idea: 18 percent of those polled said they were at least somewhat likely to take a pet to a vet or pet psychologist if it was dejected.

When pets become the therapists, the dogs have it. Twenty-five percent of dog owners said their canines listened better than a spouse, while only 14 percent of cat owners chose the feline.

Ron Farber, 55, of Hoxie, Kan., said it's easier to talk to his dog Buddy than his wife because "the dog doesn't have an opinion."

"I think better out loud. He doesn't care what you say or do. He looks at you, pays attention, you walk through the problem in your mind and eventually, the answer comes. It's not as easy when other people are offering opinions," he said.

Farber would take Buddy to a vet if he needed help, but "I doubt there's a dog psychologist within 300 miles."

A pet psychologist is also called a veterinary behaviorist. Veterinarian Karen Sueda, whose office is at the VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital is one of 50 certified by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Most of her canine patients have problems with aggression and anxiety, while her cats' biggest problem is failure to use a litter box, she said.

Karen Manderbachs, 38, has tried drugs for her dog Kensey, a Shiba Inu who is afraid of thunder. "She sits and full body-shakes. She tries to climb the walls, will hide behind the couch. She gets frantic."

But the first time, the pill didn't take effect in time. The next, "she was so out of it, I couldn't do it again."

Without thunder, Kensey is fine and listens with the other pets — three dogs and a cat — as Manderbachs talks.

The dogs seldom react, "but if I'm upset, if I cry, they will hover around and try, in their own way, to make it better," said the 38-year-old from Rocky Mount, N.C.

Sueda, the veterinary behaviorist, said she thinks everyone talks to their animals.

"Pets are great because they provide us with unconditional support. They never talk back, never give us the wrong opinion and they are always there for us," she said. "As much as we love our spouses or significant others, sometimes they are not there, sometimes they have their own thoughts about how we should deal with situations. And sometimes, especially when it's a husband or male significant other, they want to solve the problem rather than just listening to the problem."

The AP-Petside.com Poll was conducted April 7-12, 2010, and involved landline and cell phone interviews with 1,112 pet owners nationwide. It has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points.

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36823014/ns/health-pet_health/

Mollie Update

2010-04-18T14:18:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that I haven't written about Mollie for three months. Each day is an adventure with her. She has become such a part of our family and a truly loving dog. She constantly wants our attention and will quickly grab (and run) anything that she can. We have chased her up and down stairs in our attempts to retrieve a napkin, sock, pen or bra. She is also a great watch dog; ever vigilant to movement outside our home. One of her favorite positions is to stand on the settee and look out the window. Now that spring has arrived in Vermont, we are looking forward to long walks. In fact, last week we climbed Black Mountain. She had a wonderful time with all the outdoor smells. Speaking of smells, Yael and Jessica decided it was time for her first real bath. I am not sure if she enjoyed it but, for the most part, she stayed still.

Mollie is Feisty

2010-01-15T08:54:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Lorraine and Jacque, we think we have discovered Mollie's breed. She appears to be a feist dog, a wonderful breed of dog that has been around for hundreds of years in America. They're very well-known in the rural South, (i.e. Mollie was born in Kentucky) where they've always been prized for their excellent hunting skills.

The more I researched the breed, the more I am convinced that Mollie is a Feist. [NOTE: I am posting a photo of a Feist dog albeit not as cute as Mollie]. For example, I discovered that Feists have lots of energy, but around the home they aren’t likely to bounce off the walls—in fact, they are more than happy to cuddle on the couch.

Like Mollie, Feists have gentle, adaptable personalities, and they know when to adjust the energy level. Their solid terrier genes can make them slightly territorial, but they are generally good with new people. However, they do have nose when it comes to intruders—they will bark and alert the family if they sense a threat.

Because we love Mollie it really doesn't matter what she is but it's still interesting to know.

Happy New Year, Mollie

2010-01-01T14:24:00.000-08:00

We spent a quiet New Year's Eve at home with Mollie. She has really grown in the last six months and is a real joy to have around. However, she constantly wants attention. When I am on the computer she will nudge me with her nose or bite on my fingers until I play with her. She'll bring out all her toys to find the one that I will play "fetch." She's gotten really good at catching her green rubber ball in the air. Mollie is always searching for anything she either eat or chew. A piece of paper within her reach is automatically gone. This week I got a $5 coupon from the pet store so I bought her another bully stick. It kept her busy for about six hours. While I shopping at the supermarket, I noticed bully sticks that were only 6 inches long and cost considerably less. So, today she got one of those. It kept her busy for about an hour. I looked at the ingredients and found it was pure steer pizzle. A quick google search revealed that pizzle is another word for penis. Oh well it sounds disgusting but she enjoys it.

Yael and I took Mollie for a New Year's Day walk. It was the usual three mile route. Mollie remembers where all her animal friends live. She likes to stop by the horses. When we arrive, they always come over. They just stare at each other. Mollie just takes them in without barking.

Proof that Mollie is making me healthier!

2009-12-15T17:52:00.000-08:00

DECEMBER 14, 2009, 12:27 PM

The Best Walking Partner: Man vs. Dog

By TARA PARKER-POPE

Suzanne DeChillo/The New York Times

Is it better to walk a human or to walk a dog?

New research from the University of Missouri has found that people who walk dogs are more consistent about regular exercise and show more improvement in fitness than people who walk with a human companion. In a 12-week study of 54 older adults at an assisted living home, 35 people were assigned to a walking program for five days a week, while the remaining 19 served as a control group. Among the walkers, 23 selected a friend or spouse to serve as a regular walking partner along a trail laid out near the home. Another 12 participants took a bus daily to a local animal shelter where they were assigned a dog to walk.

To the surprise of the researchers, the dog walkers showed a big improvement in fitness, while the human walkers began making excuses to skip the workout. Walking speed among the dog walkers increased by 28 percent, compared with just a 4 percent increase among the human walkers.

“What happened was nothing short of remarkable,” said Rebecca A. Johnson, a nursing professor and director of the Research Center for Human Animal Interaction at the University of Missouri’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “The improvement in walking speed means their confidence in their walking ability had increased and their balance had increased. To have a 28 percent improvement in walking speed is mind boggling.”

Ms. Johnson said that because some people are afraid of dogs, the participants were given the choice of walking with a human or a dog as the companion. Ms. Johnson said the dog walkers were far more consistent in sticking with the program than those who were walking with humans.

“In the human walking group, they were regularly discouraging each other from walking,” she said. “Missouri is a hot state. We would hear them saying: ‘It’s hot today. I don’t want to walk, do you?’ ”

The response from participants in the dog-walking group — and their dog companions — was very different.

“When the people came to the animal shelter, they bounced off the bus and said, ‘Where’s my dog?”’ Ms. Johnson said. “And the dogs never gave any discouragement from walking.”

Ms. Johnson said she suspects differences will show up in other areas, like depression and anxiety, although that data are still under review and the final study has not yet been published.

But there were also other subtle indicators of improvement among the dog-walking group. Many people in the dog-walking group stopped using canes and walkers. “They would say, ‘Now I’m physically fit enough to take my dog for a walk,”’ Ms. Johnson said.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/14/the-best-walking-partner-man-vs-dog/?em

Mollie's First Snow Outing

2009-12-09T15:28:00.002-08:00

We had our first major snow fall of the season -- about 8 inches of fluffy white snow. We put Mollie's jacket on her and took her outside. She had a ball. The snow was so deep that you couldn't see her legs. For some reason, she decided to burrow into the snow. After we went back inside, she would go to the door pretending that she had to pee. Once outside she would frolic and burrow. She also enjoyed eating it.

I made a short video of Mollie walking/running in the snow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phYErQRQph8

We are thankful for Mollie

2009-11-26T15:44:00.000-08:00

Today was Mollie's first Thanksgiving. She spent the day hanging out in the kitchen with us. I think she really enjoyed the fact that we were all together. As we went around the table before eating our delicious meal, we discussed things for which we are thankful. Each of us included Mollie. She is such a sweet, smart dog. All you have to do is mention the word "ball" and she is off to find it. She loves playing fetch with it. We also put a treat inside the ball. Within minutes, she figures out how to get to the treat. Usually, she bites down hard several times to break it up and then she simply shakes it out.

She has brought a lot of joy into our lives. Even when she misbehaves we have to smile. For example, one day we were cleaning up and discovered that Mollie created a cave for herself under the sofa. We found a bathing suit of Yael's, a pair of Jessica's socks and a variety of shredded papers (mostly receipts that we for which we have been searching).

In a couple of days we are going to visit my sister. My niece will be there with her two kids. They had met Mollie back in July but I am looking forward to reacquainting them after these four months.

Loving Mollie definitely has strings attached

2009-11-24T07:45:00.000-08:00

While I was at a BAJC Board meeting last night, I got a panicked phone call from Jessica, "Mollie threw up and there's a string coming out of her butt!" I raced home to find Yael on the phone with an emergency call Vet. The decision was to bring her to the animal hospital in Deerfield, MA or take a "wait and see" approach.

We all tapped our fingers on the keyboard searching the Internet for an answer.

Meanwhile, Mollie was bothered but wagging her tail.

Our collective decision was to wait until morning. But, as recommended by a number of sites, we gave her some whole wheat bread.

In the morning, the string was visible. Mollie ate some more bread and, for added fiber, pumpkin mix. I took her for a walk and she pooped although she was clearly not comfortable.

I called our Vet and scheduled an appointment.

Mollie cheerfully entered the office. The string was getting longer. It took two assistants and the Vet to examine Mollie. The verdict was she had a string up her butt. Because she is not a "pull toy", the Vet cut off the visible rope and told me to give Mollie her regular food but add some pumpkin and whole wheat bread.

The Vet was confident that this too shall pass. The damage for the visit was only $37.

When we got home, Mollie wolfed down her food. I think she really enjoys the pumpkin.

With Thanksgiving only a few days away, we have another thing for which to give thanks.

Harnessing the Power of Mollie

2009-11-20T11:24:00.000-08:00

I would guess that Mollie and I have walked over 400 miles since she came into my life. She's been a good companion. However, she just never learned how to walk with a leash. I've had to shorten the leash and constantly stop to get her to "heel." This lasts for as long as something doesn't come along to distract her.

So, yesterday we went to One Stop Country Pet Supply to get some kind of a device to train her. The helpful clerk steered us to "The Sporn Halter" (www.sporn.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?preadd=action&key=SPUS100) which she said would help us stop Mollie from pulling.

Today, I tried it out. At first Mollie didn't like it but within seconds she adjusted. We took our normal 4-mile walk to the post office and back. It was probably the most enjoyable walk we had. Sure, she occasionally tried to pull, but a quick tug and she was back in step.

Can't wait to show Yael tomorrow.

Mollie Gets Ticked Off

2009-11-15T20:20:00.000-08:00

Last night, as we were playing with Mollie, Jessica noticed a small tick. We sprang into action. Jessica ran to get the alcohol and wipes. Yael got our new plastic "tick remover." And, I held Mollie. Within minutes the tick was removed. So, how did Mollie get this tick? Given the rainy day, we didn't go out for a walk. And, the day before, our walk didn't go anywhere near any woods. Adding to the mystery is that Mollie just received her month dose of Advantix.

Good News for Mollie

2009-11-06T17:37:00.001-08:00

The biopsy results are in. Mollie did not have a sebaceous cyst. It appears to be a nodular inflammation, which is a complication to a tick bite. Last week we found a tick. In the course of removing it with a tweezer, the body of the tick may have been squeezed that could have caused bacteria to be injected into the site. In turn, this is what caused the "lump." The Vet reported that there is no evidence of any other bacteria. In addition to her monthly dose of Advantix, Mollie received a vaccine for lyme disease. We have also purchased a tick removal tool that should minimize the chance of this happening again. Mollie's stitches are healing nicely and only has to wait three more days before she can return to her previous playful state.

Mollie Update #1

2009-11-04T05:31:00.000-08:00

Mollie spent a restful day and night following her surgery. She definitely wanted to get out of her pen but, despite her whining, that's where she stayed. We carried her outside to do her business and took turns holding her on our laps. She slept peacefully.

This morning, she was back being the active puppy that we love. She completed ripped apart the "indestructible" lamb and was jumping on top of her crate. Only six more days before she can "resume her normal activity."

I forgot to mention that at her weigh-in yesterday, she tipped the scales at 19 pounds.

FYI.... Sebaceous Cysts in Dogs

2009-11-03T12:19:00.000-08:00

Sebaceous Cysts in Dogs

By: Dr. Erika DePapp

Overview

A sebaceous cyst is a small sac containing an accumulation of secretions produced by the sebaceous glands. Sebaceous cysts are also known as epidermoid cysts, epidermal inclusion cysts, epidermal cysts, and wens.

The sebaceous glands produce an oily substance called sebum, which lubricates the skin. The ducts of the sebaceous glands empty into hair follicles. The development of sebaceous cysts is thought to arise from an obstruction of the follicles, leading to abnormal accumulations of sebum.

Sebaceous cysts are common in dogs. There are no breed, age or sex predilections with respect to formation of the cysts. There is no significant impact on your pet, as these are benign, non-painful growths.

What to Watch For

Smooth, round firm to fluctuant growths, roughly 5mm to 5cm in diameter. They may have a slightly blue color to them.

Release of a grayish white or brown discharge with a cheesy consistency.

Development of cysts on the head, neck, body and upper legs.

Diagnostic tests

Fine needle aspiration. A diagnosis can often be made by placing a small needle within the cyst and suctioning some cells out of it with a syringe. Microscopic evaluation of the cells will often be suggestive of a sebaceous cyst.

Biopsy. A definitive diagnosis may require a sample of tissue that has been surgically removed.

Treatment

In most cases no treatment is necessary. If the decision is made to biopsy the cyst, complete surgical removal is usually performed. This is curative.

Home Care

At home, monitor the cyst for changes in size or evidence of irritation. Although these are benign growths, fine needle aspiration does not always provide a conclusive diagnosis. For this reason, rapidly enlarging masses should be surgically removed and biopsied to ensure there is no evidence of malignancy (cancer).

Legal Disclaimer

If your pet is showing any signs of distress or you suspect your pet is seriously ill, CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN immediately.
All of the information presented on this website was developed by Intelligent Content Corporation staff members and is the sole responsibility of Intelligent Content Corporation.
See the legal terms on the website for additional legal terms.

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/sebaceous-cysts-in-dogs/page1.aspx

Mollie Has a Cyst Excised

2009-11-03T11:03:00.001-08:00

A couple days ago we discovered a small lump on Mollie's tummy. I took her to the Vet's office yesterday and the technician felt that the Vet should look at today. Mollie happily walked into the office. Initially, the Vet thought that Mollie had been shot by a BB gun because the lump was small and hard. I assured her that Mollie does not go outside without one of us and that no one heard a shot. The next course of action was to make a small incision to look at the lump. This revealed a small hard mass. The Vet felt that Mollie should have some minor surgery to excise the cyst. She also suggested that we send the cyst off to a pathologist for a biopsy, which we did.

We picked Mollie up three and one half hours later. Her tail was wagging but she was a bit unsteady on her feet. Once we got home she immediately went to sleep. She is not allowed to play for 7 days. That's right.... no fetching or running around. It will be interesting to see how she/we manage that direction. We should be hearing back about the biopsy results in 7-10 days.

Oy.

Mollie is definitely "chewish"

2009-10-28T09:49:00.000-07:00

Mollie continues to explore. However, anything that can be chewed, she finds. Paper, plastic bags, clothing etc is not safe. A squeaker toy is not safe because she doesn't stop until she's ripped it out of the toy. Yael decided to buy her new chew toys from the Internet that were described as "indestructible." The first one was a yellow triangle with two squeakers sown in with double stitches. Unfortunately, it's a little too big for her mouth. The second is a rubber ball that allows you to put a treat in the middle. It's supposed to keep dogs occupied as they try to figure out how to get the treat out. It took Mollie no time to get the treat. The third is a soft lamb with squeakers in each of its four feet. Each stitch was double reinforced. Within ten minutes, Mollie ripped out all the squeakers. The three toys cost $40. We sent the manufacturer an email but so far no response.

It's the Great Pumpkin, Mollie Cohn

2009-10-18T15:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, two pumpkin festivals took place. The first was in Townshend, VT. We were able to bring Mollie and she had a great time greeting all the people. I have come to expect that folks are going to be drawn to her. She is so friendly whether it is a person or another dog. Aside from seeing some interesting vendors, we got to eat delicious pumpkin ice cream and pumpkin pie. A good time was had by all. The second festival was in Keene, NH. It was a lot of fun with some unbelievable carved jack-o-lanterns. We got to eat pumpkin soup and pumpkin beer. Unfortunately for Mollie, dogs were not allowed.

Mollie Discovers Fall

2009-10-11T14:42:00.000-07:00

Fall has settled into Vermont. The trees are truly beautiful. Mollie enjoys walking down our road and gets excited with each falling leaf. We stop by the West River each day where she likes to sniff all along the rocks. We decided to take her with us as we attended the various fairs and festivals during Columbus Day weekend. Mollie continues to attract a crowd who all marvel at her winning personality. It is amazing how many smiles she puts on people's faces.

Mollie's New Addiction

2009-10-11T14:34:00.000-07:00

I bought her a "buddy stick" at the pet store. It is all natural and only 89¢. She chewed on it for over five hours. Then I realized that it actually cost $8.99. An expensive treat. We decided to try an all natural rawhide bone that cost $2.50. She enjoyed it as much.

A beautiful fall day

2009-09-21T11:13:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of fall. The weather is perfect and the leaves are starting to change. Mollie and I went for a long walk today. After she rested and ate, she was playing around my office space.

However, it was such a glorious day that I let her outside. After running around for a few minutes, she simply stretched out to enjoy the sun.

Mollie's First Wedding

2009-09-06T19:34:00.001-07:00

It was a gorgeous day for a wedding. So, Yael, Jessica, Mollie and I got in the car and headed for the Flag Hill Vineyards in Lee, NH to attend the wedding of Ray and Brannigan. It took us 2.5 hours and we got there just as the wedding was beginning. Mollie stayed in the car but we checked on her every 1/2 hour or so. The ceremony was held under the beautiful chuppa created by Yael. After the meal was served, I took Mollie for a walk in the vineyard. Then, I showed her off to our friends. Needless to say, she was quite the center of attention.

Mollie Gets Tagged

2009-08-22T10:39:00.001-07:00

This was a big week for Mollie. After getting her rabies vaccine last week, we took her to Newfane Town Hall where she became an official resident and received another tag for her collar (i.e. the first was the rabies vaccine certification from the vet). We drove over to Petco where we made her a name tag with our phone number. Mollie was excited about all the jingling. However after awhile, the tag noise was getting to be annoying. Jessica went online to EBAY and found a Pet Tag Silencer , something that she knew about from Colin's dog, Blake. She won the auction (i.e. no one else was bidding) and it arrived today. It's a little big and very pink. Mollie thinks that it is another chew toy. We're enjoying the quiet while she plays with it.

I should mention that Mollie went back to the vet this week for a distemper shot and a lyme disease vaccine. She's gained another pound (13lbs). The vaccine made her a little lethargic for a couple of days but she is back to her loving self. She has to go for a lyme disease booster vaccine shot in a couple of weeks.

Making History with Mollie

2009-08-15T18:21:00.001-07:00

Today, the Windham County History Fair took place on the Newfane Commons in Newfane, VT. We took Mollie along. Yael and Jessica decided to dress her in an outfit given to us by a friend. Mollie looked very cute. At first she tried to chew it but quickly just accepted it. She was quite the hit at the fair. We couldn't take too many steps before someone would stop us to pet her. Mollie took all the attention in stride. There were other dogs there, albeit larger dogs, with whom she tried to play. The fair was very interesting. There were tents staffed by folks from historical societies around Windham County. We go to see some maps, photos and other memorabilia. I picked up a first day cover commemorating the Vermont Bicentennial (1991) and we bought a glass ornament from the Brattleboro Historical Society. After about an hour we headed home. I should mention that Mollie really enjoys traveling in the car. She lays down in her crate and either looks out or falls asleep. She is truly a treasure.

Gill and Mollie among the daylillies

2009-08-08T13:32:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox photobook

Mollie become legal

2009-08-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

We went to the vet today for Mollie to get her rabies vaccine. She was a real trooper. Now, we can go to town hall and officially register her as a resident of Newfane.

The vet thinks that Mollie is NOT part lab but rather a mix of Jack Russell and Beagle. Regardless, Mollie is a very loving dog.

She's gained three pounds in the month (now 11.8) since our last visit and appears extremely healthy. We have to return in two weeks for a distemper booster shot.

Paid $98 for today's visit. Might have to look into health insurance for her.... possibly Blue Paws Blue Shield.

Mollie picks out a toy

2009-08-02T17:25:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, we stopped by the pet store to pick up some metal bowls for Mollie since she has chewed up her plastic ones. Mollie was very excited to go shopping. In fact she piddled on the floor. While searching for the bowls, Jessica spotted a display of dog toys that did not have any stuffing. Mollie went over and picked one out -- a rooster. She was very happy with the purchase and even carried it to the car.

Mollie and I find a secret spot

2009-07-30T14:54:00.000-07:00

Mollie and I have been taking some long walks. She's really getting good at the 3 mile trip (to and fro) the post office in town.

Yesterday, while walking down Upper River Road, we spotted an opening between some trees that had a path to the West River. Mollie led the way down and we discovered our very own secret swimming hole.

Flat rocks will enable us to set up some chairs. Across the way is some sort of beach.

And, what an incredible, relaxing view.

We went back today with Jessica. Last night rain has really swelled the river, making it fast and deep. But, by the weekend, I am confident we will be able to go back to swim.

Mollie Meets Denise

2009-07-27T13:36:00.000-07:00

Our good friend Denise visited us this weekend. She’s a real city girl from Boston and we truly enjoy showing her Vermont. We had an action packed weekend planned and Mollie was good to participate at every adventure.

On Saturday, we started out at Farmers’ Market in Brattleboro (NOTE: Happy Birthday, Laurids). It was a good day and we enjoyed picking up our vegetables and eating lunch there. Denise got to try Vietnamese food for the first time. Unfortunately, Mollie had to stay in the car so we finished up to give her some water and a snack. Then, we were off to Brattleboro. Mollie is a real people magnet. We couldn’t go to far without someone asking to pet her. I waited outside the stores while Yael, Jessica & Denise went shopping. Mollie really enjoyed the sounds and sights of “the big city.” Next we stopped at the Grafton Village Cheese Company on our way to Jamaica Old Home Day. It was fun being part of the event. There were street vendors and lots of people. Mollie was quite the celebrity. Denise was even able to find the glass grapes she was looking for a friend at the Hotglassworks factory. We then headed home for a barbecue dinner (London broil, potatoes, beets and salad). Mollie went right into her crate and fell asleep for a few hours. When we took her out to go to the bathroom, she crawled into Yael’s arms and went to sleep again. A very tired puppy.

On Sunday, Denise came for breakfast (Vermont eggs, potatoes, scallions and cheese) and then we were off. First stop, the Newfane flea market. It was overcast which kept the vendors away but we still found some bargains. We headed for Maplerama 2009 in Bennington, Vermont. We stopped in Wilmington along the way so that Denise could see all the great shops there. Again, I sat outside and attracted quite a number of folks to pet and see Mollie. We arrived around 2. There really wasn’t much to see but we had a fantastic lunch (barbecued grilled chicken sandwich with maple glaze, and potato salad with maple flavoring.) Mollie had a good time sniffing the ground and finding all kinds of garbage to eat. Across from the Colgate Park, we found the Antique Center At Camelot Village where there were rooms and rooms of really cool things. Rather than going home the same way we came, we went north on route 7 and got onto route 30 south. Great scenery, which put Yael and Mollie right to sleep. Back home we had another barbecue dinner (hamburgers, Yael’s homemade cole slaw and chips). A full fun day.

On Monday, Mollie and I went into Brattleboro to have breakfast with Denise. We sat outside Amy’s on Main Street. People passing by were all smiles when they saw Mollie. Many had to stop and pet her. Denise headed back to Boston and Mollie and I headed home.

A nice time was had by all.

Mollie's Pen

2009-07-14T12:58:00.000-07:00

We bought an indoor pen for Mollie. During the day, we have her crate in there as well. She is able to see us when she wants and go to sleep when she wants. She has become very active and loves running around the house. We really have to keep an eye on her because she loves finding all kinds of things to chew... shoes, wires, newspapers, etc. She's eaten through most of her cloth toys including her favorite cow. Playing fetch with her rope toy is a lot of fun. When she's not running around, she'll ask to come into your lap to fall asleep. A dog that plays fetch AND curls up in your lap... who can ask for anything more.

Mollie Goes for a Walk

2009-07-08T11:09:00.000-07:00

It wasn't raining so Rachel and I decided to take Mollie for a walk. Our destination was the post office -- 1.5 miles away. Mollie did great. She walked nicely and responded to "heel" and "sit" commands. Along the way, we met several folks who all wanted to pet Mollie. She is definitely a people magnet. When we got home, she ate, played a little, and then fell asleep. Our 3-mile excursion, which took 1-3/4 hours, tuckered her out.

Mollie Goes to the Vet

2009-07-07T10:14:00.000-07:00

Called up West River Valley Vet Services which is a mile from home and got an appointment today for Mollie to have a check up. Everyone oohed and aahed and said how cute she is. The doctor's exam revealed that she is in good health. However, she appears to be older than we were told by Puppy Angels. So, she may be 12-13 weeks old instead of 9 weeks. We'll know more at the next visit in one month when Mollie gets her rabies vaccine. At that point, we will be able to register her with the town. We also begin her heartworm preventative treatment today. Mollie was great throughout the exam.

Mollie Settles In

2009-07-04T18:45:00.000-07:00

We decided that Mollie could spend time outside of her crate if she had done her business outside. She loves to explore and requires us to constantly watch her. She's already chewed through Yael's computer cord and has mastered running up and down the stairs. She really enjoys looking at her reflection in mirrors and glass and playing with her chew toys (note: she's teething). In fact, "fetch" has been added to her vocabulary. Today we took her to Brattleboro. Yael tried to carry her in a basket to Farmers' Market but a "no dogs, please" sign made us leave her in the car. However, she seemed to enjoy walking the sidewalks of Brattleboro and received a lot of attention from everyone. Tomorrow, my sister and her family are visiting; including my 7-year nephew and 1.5 year old niece. Mollie should be the star.

Is the crate great?

2009-07-01T13:47:00.000-07:00

Mollie continues to amaze us. She has adapted to being in her crate. She pees and poops regularly on command. She sleeps through the night.

We keep the television on all day so that there is some noise near here. While watching Animal Planet, I saw a show on dog training. Based on the show, I am now confused about how long Mollie should be in the crate.

Right now, she is in the crate all the time except for her excursions to the backyard to P. We get to play with her after she does her business. Is this what crate training is about? Can she be let out of her crate to explore our home under our supervision.

Rachel and I tried this this afternoon. Mollie was excited not to be confined. But after a few minutes we put her back in the crate and she whined.

Any and all advice would be appreciated.

The First Night

2009-06-29T05:07:00.001-07:00

It is amazing how fast Mollie adapted to being with her new family. We placed her crate in the livingroom so that she could see us as we watched tv. Around 11:30 we went to bed and placed her crate in Yael and my bedroom. Mollie went to sleep and didn't wake up until 5 when Yael got out of bed to go to the bathroom. Yael took Mollie outside where the command "P" worked. Mollie then went back to sleep for two hours. At 7 she woke up and Yael again took her outside.

Mollie ate her breakfast, played with her new squeak toy (i.e. it's a cow she picked it out at PETCO) and went back to sleep.

The plan today is for me to take her into Pine Heights Nursing Home while I have a couple of meetings in Brattleboro.

Day One

2009-06-28T17:48:00.001-07:00

Today, we picked up a puppy from Puppy Angels in Warner NH. Yael found her online at http://www.puppyangels.com/

She was rescued from a puppy mill in Kentucky where she was slated to be put to sleep. She is part Jack Russell and part Lab. She had a sister and three brothers. After our application was approved, we drove the 1-1/2 hours to get her. We immediately fell in love with her and gave her the name Mollie.

She was fantastic on the drive home. In fact, she peed on command and fell asleep for most of the trip.

We are crate-training her using "How To Train My Puppy Fast Track System by Trey Stevens."

I am hoping to chronicle her life with us.