EZBoy May He Rest In Peace

Well, my dear friends, I have just not had it in me to blog about this, but I want to share with you the news that our EZBoy passed as a result of the bladder stone surgery. It has been a week or so, I am sure you all understand. He was such a warrior, he made it through the surgery and we picked him up the next day. He seemed a bit disoriented at the vet, but they assured me it was just the recovery phase he was in. So, Steve and I took him home and made him super comfy in a fluffy bed in his x-pen right beside the tv. He settled in and we gave him his medicine and comforted him throughout the night.

The next morning as I was getting dressed Steve came into the bathroom and told me EZBoy had passed. Steve then du his little grave next to my beloved Deuce. We put his little wheels on top of his grave for his tombstone…may he be running free on the Other Side.

EZBoy’s REHAB

EZBoy and I are still in Crystal Lake, Il with Kelly. We visited TOPS Veterinary Rehabilitation Clinic twice this past week. FIRST…we met our dear friend Kathi Luljak and her girl, Demi, and got to see Demi do her exercises. Demi was down in a swim tank and walking on a treadmill. We could even see her feet as she walked via an underwater camera.

The first visit, we met with Laurie MacCauley, DVM and she came him an uber-complete examination. He was measured, his range of flexibility was checked, every muscle was poked and prodded and examined. His spine was checked vertebrae by vertebrae and carefully noted. Then came the good word…he WILL absolutely be able to walk again!  

His muscles that are for walking are in great shape and the muscles that are used to STABILIZE him when he does stand up are NOT. So, we will be doing a series of exercises to strengthen his stabilizer muscles and get him walking! He also was fitted with carpal braces to keep his feet pointed the front way and to force him to get his back legs up under him and to…walk! Then he got a complete acupuncture session and it really helped him get up on his feet better and better. THEN he got to do his swimming therapy.

EZBoy’s Wheels

You are probably wondering what is up with THOSE classy wheels??? Well, I had shopped for wheels for him and was shocked, and saddened, at how expensive they are. No offense to the dedicated people who make and sell doggy wheelcarts…So, I put my proverbial thinking cap, ok, I Googled around and wahlah or however you spell that…oh yeah, Voila, and there I found it! Plans for a do-it-yourself wheeled cart for Dachshunds. With just a few modifications I knew it would be perfect for EZBoy!.

Almost two years ago, at Frenchie Fun Camp (that is another post), we decided to make a cart for EZBoy. We had seen the carts that were around $500 and I was sure that our creative group could make one for him. I Googled around and found plans for a cart on a Dachshund site. It was made of PVC and odds and ends…a MacGyvered dog wheelchair…just my style!

So, each of us Mary, Carol, Kathi and Ellen took a part of the cart and got to work! That way, we could all have a part in it. Carol and Mary cut the PVC (I am not allowed to use sharp objects). Kathi and Ellen figured out the velcro and I found some wheels. Talk about it takes a village!

 

 

An inordinately long period of time was spent measuring EZBoy and comparing the shape of a French Bulldog body to that of a Dachshund…talk about apples and oranges! We knew, from many hours of watching various hunky guys on HGTV and DIY Network, that we needed to measure twice and cut once.

Far be it from US to defy hunky Home Improvement Show Dudes…so we measured and measured. Then… Carol grabbed the saw and cut away! Before you knew it, we had pieces of PVC lying about and the next step was upon us. GLUING!

I stepped up and announced that I knew how to glue the PVC together…I grabbed that heinous smelling purple stuff and got after it. Yep, we were makin’ a cart! Eleen, who works as a costume designer for various theater groups (she gets paid to make doll clothes for people and then add glitter to everything), grabbed the super duper industrial strength Velcro we had obtained and proceeded to work her magic. She moaned and groaned about not having glitter braid or anything else decorative to adorn the velcro with. We assured her that EZBoy would not mind. I think he was relieved at escaping the glitter demon.

Hmmm, can EZBoy WALK?

Like I mentioned, we just do not have access to a physical therapist for dogs here in the big woods, but we have been working with him. Like using the Young Living Oils. As time has gone by, we noticed him using more and more of his back legs…but mostly to balance. Like when he eats, he stands four square and eats or drinks! He takes these funny steps and often pivots around (that is fun to watch).

But he never seemed to try and WALK. This summer, one of our guests who is a physical therapist (for people), did an exam of him and said that he HAS the muscularity to be able to walk again…he just does not TRY. Now to people that seems insane…if we could walk why wouldn’t we! But to a little dog, who only lives in the NOW, why bother!

EZBoy probably figures that he gets around just fine, thank you very much, and would have to go s…l…o…w to learn to walk all over again, so he would rather scoot!

EZBoy…Scrappy Dude

 Yep, that is EZBoy running (scooting) away from me today. He slipped past me and took off to play in the snow!

EZBoy is still a scrappy, bossy, ECW kinda little dog. He might be little and paralyzed, but he does not back down from anybody! We have decided he is like one of those crazy Frill Necked Lizards that puffs up and chase great big other animals to make them think they are tough. He puts on his CRAZY FACE and goes after any dog that LOOKS at his food bowl, walks NEAR his food bowl, or THINKS about eating EZBoy’s food….

Now Money, who has at least ten pounds on EZBoy is terrified of him and goes to great lengths to not come near EZBoy. Money will walk all around the house in a huge loop, around the back of the fireplace to not get anywhere near that crazy crippled dog. Sometimes EZBoy will wait and HIDE and jump out and chase Money! I know it is not very “PC” but we laugh and laugh as EZBoy chases Money (who by now is yelping) around and around the house.

Steve always teases Money about that crazy crippled dogs kicking his ass…ahhh, the winters are long up here and we take our laughs and entertainment where we can get them. Oh, no French Bulldogs were harmed in the making of this post.

EZBoy SCOOTS….

The hardest part of letting EZBoy scoot around the house was letting his little feet callous up. We tried soft socks and these rubber dog boots and he scooted them off. Yes, vet wrap, everything…but this little guy would not stand for any of that sissy stuff. So, he scooted around and made callouses on the top of his back feet. I guess like we have to get those tender winter feet ready to go barefoot in the summer!

EZBoy also has several methods for his famous scoot. When he is just bebopping around the house, he does this penguin waddle…not so fast and he kinda rolls from side to side. That earned him the nickname Flip Flop. When he cranks it up a notch he becomes Bouncey Bounce Bounce and makes pretty good speed around the humble abode. Then turbo power kicks in and I swear, he levitates and just FLIES like something on a Star Wars movie. The greatest part is that he grins from ear to ear as he tears across the yard or the beach. I cannot catch him when he is at FULL SCOOT…ok, I am a chubby 52 year old woman, so I am not moving at warp speed, but he is FAST.

EZBoy Continued…

 Today I will chat about some of the things we did to work with EZBoy in the initial stages of his recovery. Once the incision had healed and stitches were out, we started letting him scoot around more to keep his muscles toned. He lost quite a bit of weight (for a little dog) and it was so sad to see this buff little guy (picture is before all this) lose his rear end muscularity. But, he never, not once ever wavered in his brilliantly optimistic attitude. He would look up at us and just grin from ear to ear!

EZBoy had lost all use of his rear end at this time, so we would put a towel under his middle and walk him all around the house encouraging him to use his legs. We (ok, I did all this, but it sounds better to say we-hahaha) also filled the tub every day and floated him, letting him use his back legs. Actually, at this stage, they just floated, but it gave him a nice bath.

As you might have guessed EZBoy was, and is, incontinent. Of course, he scoots of any of the myriad of belly bands and diaper-like products we have tried and earned quite a few nicknames. Snail Trail is my favorite! Yeah, we mop a lot…

We also used my BooBoo Butter on his back, massaging in extra essentail oils. I also used Young Living Oil’s Raindrop Therapy and did essential oil massages along his spine.

EZBoy…Our Blissful Dog Mascot

 

EZ Boy, CH. Meneer Jackpot! Du Petit Fripon was a happy, scrappy, healthy French Bulldog until one day about two years ago. He just did not get up one morning. Nothing dramatic, no injury, we will probably never know, he just could not stand on his rear legs.

All we know is he went to bed with his BFF Nink Nink and was paralyzed the next morning. So, we rushed him to the vet who gave him a shot of pred and told us to call the University of MN if he did not get better. The next am, he was no better, so I called the U and was saddened by their complete lack of a sense of urgency about EZBoy’s condition. I had heard of another vet in Duluth who did spinal surgery, as this is a VERY specialized surgery, just like in people. I called Dr. Dougherty and he cleared his schedule for the following morning and told me to get right in. That made us feel soooo good. Dr. Dougherty was so very kind and had an amazing crate-side manner.

So, we opened a charge card (sigh) and EZBoy and I zipped the four hours over to Duluth. He had his surgery and was back in just a few days. It was one heckuva surgery and I was pretty horrified by the extent of the incision – yikes – looks like some bad plastuc surgery I have seen on a few people. Anyway, I kept him quiet beside my desk for the recommended time and then EZBoy let me know he was ready to be FREE!

EZBoy started scooting around like some deranged Sci-Fi channel creature…all over the house and FAST! It was shocking to be honest…he could out run me! No jokes, please!

Kelly…Animal Communicator Saves the Day!

My dear friend, Kelly, sent me this email. Her excitement and relief is just palpable…My mom called about 4 pm this afternoon in hysterics.  Her 17 year old terrier mix, Harley was missing. They have a doggie door which Harley would go out, do his business and come back in.  Mom worked today and while she was a work, Wally wasn’t paying attention to Harley’s whereabouts.  They typically don’t have to because Harley is blind and deaf, so he doesn’t stray.  

Well today Harley decided to stray.  Mom and Wally searched the neighborhood for hours.  They live in rural central AZ.  Tonight it’s dropping down to 20 and they are expecting snow. I told mom to email a picture of Harley to me.  I sent it to a friend of mine who is an animal communicator.

She went online and got a satellite picture of Mom’s neighborhood.  Linda was able to get in touch with Harley.  He decided to go on an adventure and got lost.  Linda told him to stay still, to find a bush to lay next to, since he is blind he couldn’t see where to go.  Linda then told my parents that Harley was between Telephone Rd. and Encanto Dr.  They know Telephone Rd., but never heard of Encanto Dr.  So Wally took off and drove down Telephone Rd., he pulled over and walked down a path, thru a field and found Harley laying next to some tall grass.  

Wally looked at a map to see when Encanto Dr. was, he said that was exactly where he found Harley.

Now, mind you, my step-dad WAS a HUGE skeptic, he only drove down Telephone Rd. because of his guilt of not watching the dog. We are all still amazed and thankful that Harley was found and is safe at home.

I’ve used Linda for animal communication, but never for a lost animal.  She is amazing.

Judging the FBDCA National Specialty Sweeps

As many of you know, I judged the FBDCA Sweeps this past October. Here are my thoughts on that auspicious event! This write up also appeared in the National Specialty issue of JustFrenchies…you all are getting a sneak preview!

Judging your breed’s National Specialty is quite an honor and one that I was thrilled to be voted, by my peers, to undertake. For months before the Nationals I obsessed over all the usual things…what will I wear, what if people do not like the winners I pick, what if I fall down or even worse, my pants fall down or what if everyone says I am old and fat. I babbled on and on about all of this until my husband, Steve, said…”Don’t you think all of them are older and some of them fatter since the last time you saw them?” I had to laugh and all of my worries and stress disappeared. I knew that none of you cared about ME, all you wanted and expected was for me to walk into that ring and pick the puppies that I felt best matched the standard on THAT day. And that was exactly what I planned to do!

We have a resort in far northern Minnesota (yes, brrr), and that going virtually anywhere involved planes, trains, automobiles and sometimes sled dogs (just kidding on that part!).To get to Kansas I drove three hours to Fargo, then hopped a flight to Denver and then on to Kansas City. I got in really late and there were no more shuttles, so I had to take a cab. After a bit of a ride, we pulled into the hotel parking lot and the very first French Bulldog I saw was Jackpot! Daily Double, now adored by Kathi and Jim Luljak and also renamed Chloe.  Chloe is now 13 and it was a delight to have the very first Frenchie I saw be one that I had bred and was a very senior citizen (don’t tell her I called her that).

I rested up and was ready for my assignment the next day. To my delight, obedience had so many entries they ran quite a bit over – time-wise. Isn’t that fabulous? So many French Bulldogs that are actually DOING something! My congratulations to all of the Obedience participants.

This gave me a bit more time to sit and ponder the importance of what judging the Sweepstakes at Nationals meant to me. You see, I have had a long and loving relationship with my French Bulldogs and have had quite a few generations of Jackpot! French Bulldogs. But with our move to the Big Woods, I just was not able to get the same level of vet care that we were used to in the Twin Cities area. That and I had achieved my goals and the whole competitive part was just not as satisfying as it once was. I made the oath to myself that I was going to select French Bulldogs that made my heart sing, no matter who bred them or showed them, if I even knew, it had been a while since I have been to a dog show! Yes, I knew that no matter what I had to stay true to myself and just judge the dogs.

<span class=”fullpost”>I am digressing and I bet you are all ready for me to get on to the FRENCHIES!

When I got back to the ring I was told that I had to move fast and make sure I was through before the time for the club meeting. I took a deeeep breath and said, “It will take as long as it takes, but don’t worry, all will be fine.” I do not wear a watch, but knew that it WOULD be timed perfectly. I am a huge fan and believer in Eckhart Tolle’s work and I knew that by staying completely in the moment and not allowing my “mind” to make my decisions, but to go with what the True Me knew to be so, that I would be just fine with my placements…and so it began.

The first class was a lovely class of 6-9 puppy dogs. There were two boys that caught my eye at the beginning, a golden fawn and a white cream. Both of them were gorgeous and moved perfectly…trained to the max! But the fawn puppy made my heart sing, he has a lovely upsweep of underjaw and was just the perfectly cute package I love to see. It was REALLY close, but I went with the fawn puppy for first in that class.

1 (125) Fabelhaft Robobull Hot Commodity. Dog. Owner: James Dalton & Shelley St John.

2 (713) Floresta’s Spontaneous Combustion. Dog. Owner: Gail & Dave Christensen & Jean Burns DVM.

3 (201) Jensign’s The Love Guru. Dog. Owner: Brenda & John Brown.

4 (111) Dreamlands Maybe Its All Jacks. Dog. Owner: Patricia Lamonica & Deborah Stocker.

The 9-12 Puppy Dogs were next and it had two lovely brindle boys that vied for my attention )I know that sounded like a romance novel, but they DID). Both had lovely heads, nice jaws and really pretty, expressive eyes. The boy I gave first in the class to was a bit more compact, so he won the class by a nudge. My second place boy had the sweetest expression and made my heart melt, I must admit.

1 (141) Fancibuls Famous Get Ready 4 Action. Dog. Owner: Fred & Jahmai Castillo.

2 (207) Shann’s Hollywood Egomaniac. Dog. Owner: Shauna Macauley McCanles & Bryan McCanles.

3 (213) Lionheart’s Sweet Baby James. Dog. Owner: Linda Eve & Jana Miklos.

4 (195) Fiesta’s Mister Denero D’Hegebrook. Dog. Owner: Gayle Lopez & Joyce Haas & Kelly Wilcox.

Next were the 12-18 Boys and in they came! These boys were, of course, more mature than the previous two classes and I loved seeing their potential almost fulfilled. In this class it came down to movement, as heads were all strong and they were all of nice shape. 

1 (159) Morgan Manor Chairman Of The Board. Dog. Owner: Sharon & Calvin Dykes.

2 (163) Rock N’ Rolls Shake Your Money Maker. Dog. Owner: Karen Robertson.

3 (155) Fabelhaft Lionheart Of Ruchi. Dog. Owner: Stephani & Dave Luedde & James Dalton

4 (177) Menace II Society d’ Assisi. Dog. Owner: Lori Hunt DVM.

Boys were through and now onto the Girls! 

I have always felt there is nothing more adorable than a fat, sassy Frenchie bitch puppy and this class did not let me down. Each puppy that sauntered into the ring was an amazing representative of the breed and it made me feel sooo good to see that our breed just keeps getting better and better. This was the biggest class and I knew that I had my wonderful work (more like play) cut out for me. Once again, it was easy to find four typey, correct, beautiful Frenchie girls to fill the slots. I just could not take my eyes off this one pied girl, she just sparkled and has quite the show presence. So, she walked out with the first placement.

1 (286) Enchante’s Dream Come True At Peach Hill. Bitch. Owner: Rhonda Waller & Sheryl Alkevicius.

2 (288) Fabelhaft Robobull Velveteen Rabbit. Bitch. Owner: Rachel Botts & James Dalton.

3 (292) Karendon’s Paris Rumor. Bitch. Owner: Susan Neidlinger & Karen E Cram..

4 (256) Petite Motif Tete-A-Tete Cassiopeia. Bitch. Owner: Carol O’Bryant & Helene Neer, Jerry O’Bryant & Judi McKissick.

The 9-12 Class was not as big as the 6-9 class, but the puppy bitches were of equal quality. Once again, I was so pleased to see such sound, classic French Bulldogs. I placed them easily and, as always, just wished I had more ribbons!

1 (392) Gladstone’s Byzantine. Bitch. Owner: Doreen R Horky.

2 (402) Monitaps Affair To Remember. Bitch. Owner: Pat O’Keefe.

3 (382) Ebullient Cometary Halo. Bitch. Owner: Christine & Mark Grether.

4 (324) Dygros Petite Alexis. Bitch. Owner: Ruby Grogg & Gretchen Dyson & Debra Allison.

The 12-18 Class was my toughest class to judge. The one who eventually got the first placement had a stunning pied bitch right on her heels. I went back and forth in my mind and could have virtually just as easily given that glorious pied bitch the first. In the end, I had to just had to go with showiness and the brindle edged the pied out by the most narrow of margins. That class is the one I have replayed in my mind, as those two girls were very different in type, but of such absolutely stellar quality! Agony! 

1 (440) Robobull Fabelhaft Fan The Flame. Bitch. Owner: Shelley St John & James Dalton & Perry Payson.

2 (416) Charlotte du Fiacre de Montparnasse. Bitch. Owner: Dr. Dorit Fischler.

3 (712) Fabelhaft la Coeur DOr of Ravencrest. Bitch. Owner: P Boles.

4 (338) Razmajazz’s Spotty Dottie. Bitch. Owner: Carla J Davis & Michael K Davis.

Now that the placements had been made It was time for the Grand Finale! My class winners trotted back in and I had the opportunity to see them all again. I was very, very pleased with the final roundup and I am not “blowing smoke” by saying that each and every one of them could have easily walked out with the Best in Sweeps ribbon and I would have been satisfied with myself on my judging assignment. In the end, I had to take it down to this…what if I were starting a breeding program from this selection of French Bulldog puppies. Which dog and bitch would I want to go with, from appearances alone, that was how I determined my winners. 

I will share this next bit with you, laugh, smile or shake your head, I want you all to know what I felt. Throughout the judging I had done as I had promised myself…I did not allow who the handlers were to affect my choices, I just watched the puppies, with delight, I might add, and placed them. I knew I could look anyone in the eye and tell them that I TRULY  judged the dogs. But, I could not help but know what I do know and I was very well aware that my two I had determined to be my Best in Sweepstakes and my Best of Opposite Sex were from the same breeders. Only at that moment did I waver and a teeny bit of doubt entered my mind. My delicious dilemma was this…Do I award the ribbons to the two I wanted to, that I yearned to, the top ribbons…or did I play it safe and pick a different Best of Opposite. I knew I HAD to stay true to myself and judge the DOGS, so I pushed my insecurities out of my mind and allowed my soul to be true to itself and I awarded the ribbons as I knew I must.

So there you have it! Probably the oddest accounting of judging a National Specialty Sweepstakes, but those of you who know me expected no less. And I do believe Eckhart would have been very proud of me.

PS – I have lost 30 pounds since this photo was taken…geesh, I could have lost it BEFORE, but what the heck!
And by the way…I did finish ten minutes EARLY!</span>