Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Ghosts from Christmas past?

26 December 2012

Like many collies who come from questionable beginnings, Milo has moments of what seems like PTSD where he reacts with fear to seemingly normal situations.

Periodically he "forgets" how to come up the stairs from the basement and stands at the bottom whining and barking.  That occurs every few days where there is not confidence on how to do it.  When this happens, I offer encouragement and then have to let him figure it out and summon up the courage to do it on his own.

The kitchen still bears a stigma that is daunting to Milo.  Even though we have treats in there. I imagine that the periodic banging of pots and pans have a great deal to do with that.

Our latest hurdle has been coming into the garage from the back yard.   Milo has periodically felt "pressure" at doorways and I need to be very careful when calling him to me.  If I am full face on to him it is too much pressure and he can't do it.  So I turn to the side being very careful not to loom over him. I always pat my leg calling the dogs to me so as not to put pressure on them.

We've inadvertantly made this worse recently.  As I called in the dogs from the attached garage door to the yard, everyone trotted in and as I was shutting the door Milo suddenly turned to escape.  I didn't see this until too late and caught him in the door as a shovel propped next to the door also fell.  So now that entrance is REALLY scary. You can bet that we are working on changing that around with lots of treats and praise.  

We worked out his issue of being alone by putting his crate next to Leo's so they can "hang out" when I am gone.  He does take great comfort in being with Leo.

Milo does still panic if he can't find me in the house, pacing and pacing.  So being crated and calm with his pal is the best option for him.


Catching up with Milo

26 December 2012

Last week he spent the day at the groomer for his first official bath and groom.  Reports are that he LOVED the brushing out portion.  He was leaning into the brush and putting out his paw to ask for more.  He even tried to turn around the the table for better access.   The groom really fluffed him up and now he looks so big compared to Leo!  Leo is very long and lean and Milo is shorter and more rounded.  When you feel the difference in their chest cavities, Milo's frame is totally different from Leo.





Saturday, December 15, 2012

More from Dog Day event

15 December 2012

The official photos are in and the images speak for themselves:









Saturday, December 8, 2012

Milo's true calling

8 December 2012

Milo attended Dog Day Afternoon at Macalester College where alumni, faculty and staff bring their dogs to share with students who are entering into finals this week.  I knew that Milo would enjoy this event, but I had no idea how much.  Normally, I stagger my dog's participation so that they don't get overly stressed out.  As the organizer of the event, I am there for the duration of it - typically 2 to 3 hours.

Milo was working the crowd for 2 1/2 hours.  I'll let the photos tell the story:








Wednesday, December 5, 2012

the mystery continues

5 December 2012

Milo's tests came back and were all negative.  We tested for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Babesiosis (tick diseases) and a couple of fungal diseases.   So the mystery of monocytosis continues.

Since he seems to be feeling great - running, playing, wrestling with Leo - we are adopting a wait and see stance for the time being to see if he just needs more time to heal.