Happy "birthday" Sadie girl!

Yep, I have officially had Sadie a year now.

And our lives really have changed in the past year. We haven't had a back yard since last January, she has a boyfriend and a brother and she gets to play in the snow.

She really has calmed down a lot too from the poop-slinging pup I brought from the pound.

Of course, I write that as she disembowels a stuff frog in order to annihilate the squeaker ...

She started out as a foster dog, but I just can't imagine giving her up. Sure, there are days when I remember what life was like pre-Sadie. Cleaner, quieter and less chaotic. However, that life also didn't have nearly as much joy, companionship, or unconditional love.

To dew or not to dew

How many nails does your dog have on her front paws? Sadie and Eddie only have four, but Chester has five. Often, Sadie licks and moans at a red scar on either front paw. Tonight, I did a bit of research and found out why.

She is having phantom pains!

Apparently, most dogs are born with these front dew claws. Often, breeders will clip them off when the dog is only days old. Other times, if the dew claw is growing awkwardly or getting caught on things, the dog's owners will elect to have them removed.

That's what happened to Sadie. And, like most amputees, Sadie suffers from phantom pains!

There is an ongoing debate behind whether dew claw removal should be done ... and after seeing Sadie's pain, I would vote no. However, many say it is better to have them removed than for a dog to get the dew claw caught on something and it tear off (ouch!).

What is your take on this issue?

My Boxer

Sadie has taken to sleeping in the box of my summer clothes. It takes up a lot of space in the bedroom, but she's just so darn cute! And, thankfully, this is the first "dog" bed the cats haven't peed on - they like sleeping in it too!

Yo Quiero

Maybe she is part Chihuahua!!!

Sibling Rivalry

Sadie and White Kittie (yes, I know, not a very creative name) are not getting along. Just this morning, Kevin put the kids in my room and we were heading out the door when Sadie just started growling and barking and W. Kittie was hissing and growling in his own way. Kevin went up to break up the fight and saw that Kittie was in the litter box when Sadie came at him.

Kittie and Sadie have always had a funny sibling rivalry. Kittie will lay on my chest and then Sadie feels the need to lay there. Kitie will sit next to me, and Sadie feels the need to sit there. I pet Kittie, Sadie comes up forcing me to pet her.

I don't know what to do about this. Clearly, I need more space for everyone. A couple of weeks ago I found a wonderful house in a not-so-wonderful neighborhood. The house was perfect for my kids. The owner was even willing to put in a new fence just for Sadie! But, things being what they are, I had to say no because I can't afford it on my own.

Is it time to think about finding a home for someone? I am so attached to all of them - I just don't know what to do!

Greybrador?

Did you know that you can get a DNA test for your dog? It's true. The test will determine the breeds that can be found in your pup.

Of course, my fear that Sadie has Pitt Bull in her makes me not want to do this (not to mention, it is hardly free).

My roommate had a date last night with a guy who raises Labs. He says she isn't full-blooded Lab judging by the shape of her face. Fair enough. But what is she?

His vote?

Lab/Greyhound!

Now, we've thought this before. Besides her love of running (off), she just plain loves running. She has the Greyhound back end shape and her nose is a bit Greyhound-esque. Also, she rolls her ears back a lot - and that is what makes me think Pitt - but Greyhounds ear roll back, too! This also explains her skinny waist and her ability to lose weight so quickly!



Thoughts?

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So, I was looking to find a photo of a Lab/Greyhound mix and found something else that looks pretty close to Miss Sadie: German Retriever/ Lab mix!



Thoughts?

I really wish Sadie wasn't so picky about the dogs with whom she will play.

This past weekend I spent two days helping a friend do some home design. I had to leave Sadie behind, even though my friend has an awesome, huge backyard - because she has a dog in that awesome huge backyard.

It truly bums me out that my dog can't socialize with others.

Anyone have any ideas on how to fix this problem (without losing a friend, their dog, or both)?