Dangerous Dog Toys: An Urgent Warning To Dog Owners!!!

If you read my last post, you know that our beloved dog, Remy,  is recovering from surgery. On Wednesday, from something completely unrelated, I thought she may die. Remy and my daughter were visiting at a neighbor's house when I got a call saying she swallowed 2 squeakers from a dog toy.

Choking hazard due to the flatness, silky smooth faux fur and squeakers located in the head and tail. This toy was purchased at Harris Teeter, which is where I went to take this photo,  but likely available at other retailers.

I rushed her to the vet and the x-ray showed a mass, which was thought to be food and/or shredded and chewed parts of the toy and the 2 squeakers.  After 2 failed attempts to induce vomiting to bring up whatever was in her stomach, I was told she could be sedated and have a tube and camera inserted down her throat to try and locate/remove what was in it, but depending on what else was in the stomach there was no guarantee of success.

My dogs stomach with mystery mass and 2 squeakers.

The recommendation of our vet after consulting 2 other vets and a specialist was to take her home, monitor her breathing and bring her back first thing Thursday morning to see if a new x-ray yielded any change before admitting her to surgery to open her stomach and remove the objects.

Needless to say it was a sleepless night and thank god, because sometime after 2am I heard her vomiting. The pile left on the laundry room floor was so large, it could have been elephant dropping.

Warning: the next two pictures are incredibly gross.

I really had no idea what I was looking at or if the squeakers were in this- no choice but to put on gloves and and go through the mess.

The contents of my dogs stomach.

I was in complete shock when I realized my dog had swallowed the toy whole and it was the length of a cookie sheet!

The whole toy and some carrots.

The vet was equally surprised when I showed up with the contents in a bag- there was clapping and cheering literally from everyone on duty the night before. She said we truly dodged a bullet because rarely will a dog vomit 6 hours later with no food or  injection administered. This toy would be the human equivalent of mixing chewing gum and spaghetti together and giving it to a child!

Lady Remington, aka Remy, exhausted, but on the mend. 

I share all of this with you so that others can avoid going through such a scary ordeal. Our vets office is also posting warnings in their office.

I'm hoping February brings a whole lot of this:

Under The Weather...

So far my ambitious plans for January have eluded me. Fortunately, I have not succumbed to the flu, though I suspect many of you have the nasty virus?

I had a bad cold and then an onslaught of migraines and currently a foot problem that I could no longer ignore. According to the podiatrist, I have something called capsulitis- it's common, especially in runners. That part made me laugh since I haven't run anywhere, on purpose, in nearly a decade! It also seems certain types of shoes can make it worse. A shot of cortisone relieved the worst of the pain and swelling. And, now I'm left with a bandage that has a little triangle pad inside of it to elevate my foot in the middle. Oh, and some new shoes from a place called The Walking Company. I must confess, I've passed by this place many times in the mall and always assumed it was for the very old...or nurses. My new shoes were as expensive as Jimmy Choos, but would most certainly make Carrie Bradshaw cry. Hopefully, this is temporary. The pain and the shoes!

And my beautiful little model has had a pretty crummy start to the new year too. She had 8 cysts removed during a 3 hour surgery.  I felt like such a bad pet-parent that she had to endure such torture and the Elizabethan collar, aka the cone of shame, and miss out on our snow days. It's been so sad watching her stare out the window and whimper, that most days, I've had to keep the curtains closed. Sniff-sniff.


Just after Christmas posing in front of an old oil painting- a gift from Mr. A&A


At least February is just around the corner and hopefully we will both be feeling some love!

Working With Models...

Models are high maintenance.

Not happy with the outfit,  photographer or freezing temps.

List of demands from model for 15 minute photo shoot:
A handful of baby carrots- organic.
A spoonful of peanut butter- Skippy All Natural.
A couple of biscuits- variety box from Trader Joe's.

Head shot

Profile

Out take



Diva



Strike a pose. Very nice, but give me more.



Looking good, work it!

YES, that's it!!!



I showed too much excitement. The model is demanding a bone--us for this shot.

The photo shoot is over. The model is bored.

Really bored.

I don't know what's worse, models or their owners shameless exploitation of them, all in the name of the Christmas card photo!

Falling Leaves

We have several large trees in our backyard. It was one of the reasons we picked this lot when we were house hunting way back in 1993. The other things that drove the final selection were the two other "must have" criteria: the house must located on a cul-de-sac and no sidewalk in front of the house. Why does that matter? Because my husband had the good sense to know that not only would it give us a larger front yard, it would reduce the chances that our lawn would become the port-a-potty for the neighborhood dogs, but instead a place for our then toddler son and yet to be born daughter to play!



Autumn 2010-view from the kitchen

  He also thought about the angle of the sun in relationship to the front and back of the house. This site was perfect to get the afternoon sun in the back of the house. This was highly desired since the kitchen, living room and library are all located in the back. The trees provide fantastic shade in the spring and summer, keeping things cool. In the fall and winter the scenery changes dramatically. The display of color with the turning of autumn leaves and the white snow that, nearly every winter, blankets the yard provide beautiful views.




Winter 2009-view from the library

  The down side to all these trees? Raking up all the leaves, of course! I attempted to handle some of it over the weekend. I had a few helpers. One of whom turned out to be a great big hindrance. I'll be making a call for assistance this week, otherwise I fear this pile will still be here in the spring. 



Oh sorry, did you just rake this pile?

I think I lost my ball in here somewhere?

  


Got it! Wanna play?

 



Busy day. ZZZZZZZZZ!



Designer Dog Dishes!

I've have a bone to pick. It drives me a bit nuts when I am visiting a beautiful home and there are hideous dog dishes lurking out in the open.  Especially in the kitchen! When I renovated my kitchen, I considered integrating them into a bottom cabinet. Out of the way and out of sight.  In the end,  my kitchen just wasn't large enough to justify giving up storage space. I am seeing this trend more and more. I would definitely suggest it to a client if space allowed.

Thankfully, there are some fantastic web sites offering super attractive dishes for inside and outside! So whether your poochy dines in the kitchen, laundry/mud room, or on the patio...there is an attractive option.  I think it's worth the splurge to try and buy dishes that are in keeping with the style of the room they occupy space in. Mine are raised iron and are kept in the laundry room.  And, now after doing research for this post my favorite may need a dish set for the deck too!!!

Doggy dining never looked so good...

English Garden

Rustic Retreat

Colorful Urban Country

Retro Rover

Stately Mansion 

Modern Loft

Country Manor

Treats too!

Iron Suburban

French Fleur de Lys

Royal Le Jardin

Italian Villa

Images via Calling All Dogs, Trendy Pet, In The Company of Dogs, Frontgate and Spode

Full disclosure...I made all the names up based on the style!  But, you can buy these feeders at the above sources.

Fabric & Wallpaper: Gone to the Dogs!

I became completely smitten the first time I saw this fabric by Eric Cohler in 2006 aptly named, Unleashed! I tore these pages out and slipped them right into plastic sleeves the moment I came across them.  I love the fact the design is appealing for both young & old!!! I've yet to come across a dog themed fabric I like better!

Red

Blue

Orange

And, the selections in canine inspired wallpaper are giving a case of puppy love! I think it's so wonderful when good design doesn't have to be too serious!

Osborne & Little's Best in Show-black

Peter Fasano's Maxx

Peter Fasano's Calvin & Lewis

Peter Fasano's Bow-Wow

Thibaut's Best in Show-aqua

Tuesday Tip

Barking inspiration! The Dog Days of Summer are upon us. Those last few days of August. Many of us are changing gears and revving up for new projects and the anticipation that a new season is just around the corner. It's no secret I love dogs...especially mine! So this week's posts will be dedicated to dogs in design & decor. There is a place for canines in every room!


On a special drawer





In the kitchen



On the walls



On the table



On the bookcase




In the laundry or mud room



By the door





Everywhere!!!



Sources: Anthropologie, Pottery Barn, Pierre Deux, Ballard Designs, Hugo Guinness from John Derian Co.