Finally Friday and Balding Bullie

Whoa, yippee it's Friday! The weekend forecast calls for on and off thunderstorms but you gotta take the good with the bad I suppose! Nala doesn't seem to mind bad weather at all. It's always lovely in Nala-land!

This afternoon I noticed a patch of sticky fur on top of Nala's head, I started to pull hairs aside and noticed some black debris fall out. Yikes! What is that mess? A colony of fleas or flea dirt? I took her outside and started to pull away some more fur. Now it was coming out in clumps. I examined it closely in the sun and couldn't make it out to be anything in particular. I got some hand soap and a a wet towel and tried to wash the area up. What ever it was it wasn't living so ....I surmise it was some unidentified gunk she got into. Now she has a little bald spot on top of her head. Sorry there Nala, but I had to clean it up. You know what they say about hair and fur... it grows back!

Have a great weekend everyone!

"Ouch! Easy on my head will ya?!"

Funny Bone Thursday!

"Did you hear the one about a Pug who walks into a bar with a parrot on his shoulder..so funny..haha!

Ice Tea Tuesday!

So the summer has arrived with a heat wave and today is going to be sweltering in the NY/NJ metro area. Thank goodness for air conditioning! Our central air unit was broke last month when we had that brief but very hot stretch of weather! I really appreciate our A/C now and so does Nala! 

Today is considered a Bulldog weather alert day. Bulldogs need to get out early morning to do their business and only return outside when the sun is down. It's not a day to take a walk or play out there! Even the air quality is on high alert and it is suppose to feel like 95 to 100 degrees!

Over the weekend Nala visited our friends Jim and Nancy who have a 2 year old female Bernese Mountain dog named Riley. The two dogs got along quite well and Nala played and explored the yard which was huge, all day and into the evening! She collapsed into a sleepy doggy dreamland on the drive home. The next day she still seemed a bit tired, but she had a lot of fun and we look forward to seeing them again.

Everyone take it easy out there today!

 Nala and Riley observing the humans from afar!

Nala taking a breather on the deck.

Finally Friday and Finally Summer!

1. 

Yea! TGIF!

Yes gang we made it through another week! I hate to wish my life away for the weekends but that always seems to be the way! We are going down south Jersey to visit some friends and have a BBQ this weekend. We are bringing Nala and she will meet for the first time, Riley a Bernese Mountain dog. (Yes another one!)

I 'll be sure to take some pics. In the mean time unwind and enjoy the beautiful weather ahead of us!

Wordless Wednesday

"We are half way there! That is until Friday!"

Here is a FB page link for Bull dog lovers. 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/BullieveInLove/460912677286049

Suddenly Saturday and Preventing Heat Stroke

"With warm weather on the horizon (finally!) we need to be aware of how our canine friends are effected from the heat. Bulldogs and other short nose breeds are more prone to breathing issues in warmer weather and can suffer from heat stroke more readily. The following link to Vet Depot contains a great reference chart for symptoms of heat stroke. Though it is helpful one should guard against this occurring to begin with. If its over 75 degrees it becomes uncomfortable for bulldogs and instead of taking them for a walk during the day please wait until evening hours when the sun is down and the weather has cooled off a bit! 

I have found that Ozzie and now Nala prefer to stay inside with the A/C going watching the Animal Planet channel! Probably the best place to be for a bulldog during the summer!"

I have found that Ozzie and now Nala prefer to stay inside with the A/C going watching the Animal Planet channel! Probably the best place to be for a bulldog during the summer!

"Say ahh!"

Wonderful Wednesday and Pass of Fail?!

So Monday night was the Therapy dog and AKC Canine Good Citizen test for Nala and her fellow classmates. Nala was first given the chance to test for the Therapy dog. I went into it knowing that she would most likely not pass since her fear of wheelchairs, walkers and crutches was still in full swing. Those things might as well be lions, tigers and bears to Nala! As the test began someone walked past her with crutches and she immediately cowered which was an instant fail.

We sat back down and watched the other dogs take the test. Nala's bulldog buddy Alfred (a.k.a. Nala's boyfriend) passed with flying colors, Some dogs only took the CGC test since they were under 1 year's old and not eligible for the TDT. 

The trainer thought that her taking the CGC test wouldn't mean much since the Therapy dog test trumps it. Though we thought it would be nice to have a CGC certificate to show something for her hard work?! We will try again in the Fall, and until then we will just keep trying to work past her fears.

Don't worry Nala you make us feel happy when we are blue .....you are our little Therapy dog!

Alfred taking his test.

Alfred comforting Nala. "Don't worry Nala you'll get it next time!"

Simply Sunday and the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test

So get ready Nala, tomorrow night is the test for the AKC Canine Good Citizen! We have been going every Monday night for several weeks training for this and the therapy dog test. Unfortunately we can't seem to get Nala over the fear of wheelchairs and walkers, so we probably won't even bother testing her for that. She will definitely pass the good citizen test, that she has mastered. We will just have to try to desensitize her to the assorted equipment I mentioned but this may take some time. It's too bad because she loves people and would be a great therapy dog if only.... oh well we will keep trying!

I will let you all know if she gets her certificate on Monday! In the meanwhile enjoy the rest of your weekend!

"It ain't easy all this training you know!"

Suddenly Saturday and Here Comes the Sun!

Warm sunlight....feels good...!

Wake Up Wednesday!

"Isn't it Friday yet?"