Milk Duds from the Sixth Grade

The title for this entry comes from a journalist's report of his ride in an F-14D tomcat. He got airsick and began "egressing" the contents of his stomach ... the milk duds were included in his very descriptive and humorous account of what came up. (See the whole article at http://www.f-14association.com/stories-13.htm)

So why the reference to milk duds on this site about our kidz? It's because our kidz had a similar "egress" experience last month. You see, the kidz decided that they're not only big enough to see what's on the kitchen counters but also just tall enough to take things off of them when they're close to the edge. In one of our rushes to get out of the house we neglected to properly secure Duncan's medications in a place where the kids couldn't get them. While we were away the kidz did what kidz do and took the meds off of the counter, chewed on them, and ate them all! What did they get?

• A new bottle of 320 fish oil tablets
• Prednizone (steroids)
  
• Opcon A eye drops
• Eye wash solution

We weren't too concerned about the eye wash, but we were very concerned about the kidz eating all of the Prednizone pills in one sitting. Mom was the one to call the vet, who gave the instructions to make the dogs throw up--NOW!

Well, you wanted to know another use for hydrogen peroxide, right? About 3 1/2 Tablespoons per 50 lb dog does the trick. First it was Dakota, who promptly ran all over the house, vomiting as she went--kitchen floor (where I had hoped to keep her--tile, you know), then the new wood floors in the living room, then the entry way, garage, and finally the dog run. I was more successful keeping it on the tile with Duncan, 3 places in the kitchen (on the rug of course) and 5 places in the pool room (2 rugs in there).

After that, I had to gather it up into separate bowls and call the vet to tell her what I found. Dakota had 2 rawhides, completely intact, pupperonis--undigested of course, softened dog food chunks, and lots of fish oil. (She wouldn't take them for medicine without us cutting the pill open and putting it on bread, but she had no trouble downing 300 pills when we weren't looking. We shop at Costco, large bottle.)

Duncan had swallowed a squeaky toy ball with loops whole. He also had pupperonis (in the same condition) and dog food. There was less fish oil, but Duncan's stomach contained twice as much of everything as Dakota's. There was foam everywhere (that's the Prednisone).

We had to give the dogs Pepcid every day for 2 weeks. They are fine now and we are relieved.
Sorry no pictures with this entry. I think you know why?

Home Remodeling Nearly Complete

It's been a long time coming but at last the remodeling of the kidz home is getting close to completion for 2008. In the upper photo you can see the new tile entry way along with the new wood floor. The kidz seem to be very pleased with the new look and like how quickly it cleans up. (We especially appreciate this feature too!). The bottom photo shows some of the concrete patching that needed to be done prior to the floor installation. Duncan is supervising and inspecting the job. The final carpet tuck will happen tomorrow and all that then remains is to get the new curtains installed. More pictures to follow.

Olympic Training

Now we know that they don't have any events in the Olympics for dogs, but we can hope. So in the event that at some distant point in the future there may be a doggie soccer game, we've started getting our kidz into shape, while at the same time working on some basic ball handling (pawing) skills. Our training approach is based upon things that our kidz love best -- food!. Our approach? --- You put food into a ball and let the kidz smack the ball around to get the food out. It's simple! Here's a video of our kidz in training with the football shaped "ball." Enjoy!

Duncanized!

These kidz can't grow out of their "got to chew everything and anything" phase soon enough. Duncan seems to be the leader of our pack when it comes to getting into trouble. We have a new term at our house for something that get's destroyed ... duncanized (named in honor our our infamous Duncan the Destroyer!) Here are two photos showing some of his most recent sorties against things most sinister that must be destoryed. The first is the wood sill on the window casement and the second, and most heinious duncanization to date, is the front panel on our leather couch. Hope that tasted good Duncan cause you're in deep trouble!!@#$!

The Flying Poodle Smash!

At last, we have proof! (or should I say woof?)We have been trying for quite some time to get a movie of our kidz doing some of their wrestle-mania moves. Our favorite is what we call the flying poodle smash. It's high energy and usually involves some growling, showing of fangs, and flying furr, but is nearly always harmlessly carried out. Here's a short video that gives you a feel for what tickles our innards. Enjoy!

LevelQuick Happens

Installation of the kidz' new wood floors began today. Here's a photo of the work in progress. The kidz are banned to the upstairs while there's glue on the floor so the most they can do is watch. We don't need paws tracking glue all over the house. Perhaps you think we're being a little to controlling ... well, let's just look at what happened this morning while Dad was teaching seminary.

The workmen left a bag of LevelQuick on the floor in the living room. LevelQuick is a concrete product that, when mixed with water, is used to level out uneven surfaces, i.e. our living room concrete pad. Duncan the Destroyer and his sidekick Dakota managed to rip open the bag and start playing in it. They spread concrete dust all over the place!!! The kidz' motto is, "The World is Our Playground" and they mean it. If there is anything in the world that can possibly be used in their romping and playing ... they use it! So we spent time sweeping and vacuuming. As for the kidz, we have learned another of their skills that could come in useful one day--ripping open large bags of concrete ... maybe...maybe not! Now off the bathroom to bathe our playful puppies.

Techno Kidz

The other day I was taking a power nap after an early morning seminary class. I was alone, except of course for the kidz. They were doing the usual morning wrestle-mania activities but at least they weren't being so disruptive that I couldn't snooze lightly. After a time, I became aware that there were voices in the other room. Who could it be? There was a woman's voice and a man's voice that I did not recognize. And then I heard some music! After fully coming to my senses I realized that the Kidz had managed to turn on the TV! I rose and went to the living room to verify my conclusion and sure enough...the TV was on. The kidz aren't really interested in watching TV, for the moment, but even without opposable thumbs I'm finding that "things happen" when you have kidz.