Bosun had a wonderful time at the Kennels in Ladner. Apparently for the first two days he was shy around the other dogs. Then he enjoyed himself!!! I heard that one of the dogs he went out to play with was a 7 month old Labrador. However she ran out of energy long before bosun did!
7 Oct 2006 Bosun is 33 weeks old today.
13 Oct 2006
I arrived back from the UK last night and landed early at 5 pm. However we were not able to colect Bo at this time as the kennels close at 6pm and we would not get their in time. So it had been arranged for me to collect him on the Friday morning between 8 and 11 (the times that you can collect your dog.) So Jaxx (who had stayed at the apartment while I was in the UK) and I went early to colect Bo! We were overjoyed to see him. Bo came bounding up to me and as I bent down to greet him he knocked me over! All his training seemed to have been forgotten. He was too excited to sit! His cushion and remaining food, toys etc were brought out to me and we took Bo to the car where he greeted the waiting Jaxx!!!! I thought I was in for a noisy journey but Bo settled very quickly and so did Jaxx and we quietly drove back to the apartment.
Once at the apartment he got excited all over again and played with the toys there. Then I took him out for a walk.
While in England I picked up some cheap plastic bags that I can fill with water and then drop the water bomb in front of Bo when he is pulling on the lead or going in front of me.
I used this technique since Bo was so high and had forgotten his training! After two water bombs he was walking briliantly and not pulling on his lead. I used the bombs everytime we went out to make sure he was behaving well. It stopped him getting excited and pulling towards the cars when they went by. If he was particularly excited then I used more water bombs to control him.
The idea behind this technique is it frightens the dog OUT of the bad behaviour and encourages them to exhibit the good behaviour.
14 Oct 2006 Bosun is 34 weeks old today.
16 Oct 2006
We set off just before 7 am to drive back to Grand Forks. As my husband was putting Bosun's cage in the car, Bo came out with him and jumped int he car, not wanting to be left behind! We thought he was secure since the patio sliding door was almost closed! Not enough for Bo! he managed to open it enough to come out! Jaxx however was still asleep and in no hurry to get up!!
Oct 17 2006
Bo was not allowed to have any food or water after midnight. Today he has his operation to neuter him. I had asked about his dew claws but they are attached. Initially they thought they would be no trouble to him, but after closer investigation they decided that they would be better removed since Bosun is such an active dog.
Bosun got weighed to see how much anaesthetic he will be needing. He now weighs 52lbs!!! He is not yet fully grown. I wonder how much he will weigh then? ( Otis weighed 54 lbs when fully grown.)
I filled in the required form giving permission for the operation and went home. About an hour or so later I got a phone call saying that Bosun had a hernia that he would have had since birth, and it needed fixing. So I gave permission for that too and also said I would like him to have the IV fluid drip since the operation would be a longer one, and they told me that this would help him.
At 4-30pm I collected Bo from the vets. The operation had taken two and a half hours altogether they informed me. They also said he was scared of the razor noise. Poor love!
Bo was carried to the car. He is not to have exercise for at least two days, and is not to use the stairs. He has to wear a collar to stop him picking at his stitches or his bandages.
Jaxx was delighted to see Bo back. He had been looking for him all day as he was asleep when Bo went off in the morning to the vets. The cats too have been wondering where Bo is as they are not being chased!
Bo was very very sleepy and settled himself down under the kitchen counter. I was told I coudl remove the bandage ont he front paw after half an hour. However Bo beat me to it and removed the gauze from it. So I had to put his collar on him then to stop him investigating his other regions. He did not like that and was decidedly unhappy abou it. He hung his head and looked dejected.
A couple of hours later Bo was still not strong on his feet. However he stood up in the kitchen and peed. He looked very unhappy about it but I told him it was OK.
Bo did not want to settle at all in the night time. He cried on and off and whimpered at times. Finally about two thirty he settled down for some sleep and when I woke at 6am he was there by the kitchen door of the utility room to greet me.
Oct 18 2006
We had one accident in the house today.. totally my fault as I didn't recognise that Bo was asking to go outside to pee. He has been quiet and subdued most of the day and definitely hates having his collar on. I take it off for him to eat but it goes on immediately after since Bo starts to clean himself and investigate his wounds.
Oct 19 2006.
We had another restless night. Bo woke at 3am and whined so I took him outside for a pee but he did nothing. Then he settled and whined again about an hour or so later so I repeated the process of taking him outside. Again he did nothing but just seemed delighted to be outside in the fresh air. More than I was!!! I think Bo is eager to go for a walk!
Bo is livelier today and is following me around the house. His collar gets in the way and hurts the back of my legs when he eagerly tries to get out the door after me! It is getting harder to prevent Bo from going upstairs, especially first thing in the morning when Jaxx is still sleeping in the bedroom! Once Jaxx is up then Bo seems happy to stay downstairs until I go up for something!
Oct 20 2006
Bo had his appointment at 11 am at the vets to look at his wounds. He went in the vets eagerly. What he has been through has not affected him adversely!The wounds are all doing nicely. Bo showed the vet, with his collar on, how he manages to get to his back feet and pick at his bandages. The vet thought it must be Bo's long nose that enabled him to do that. New bandages were put on his back feet, but I was told if they came off in the next day or two not to worry. However I am to keep an eye on the wounds to make sure they don't inflame.
21 Oct 2006 Bosun is 35 weeks old today.
Bo has been attempting to get rid of the bandage on his right rear leg. He got annoyed when I interupted him and got nasty with me, pulling a face. I put him in the utility room to calm down. However it didn't stop him pulling the bandage off. I think before the end of the day it will be completely off.
Oct 23
I took Bo's collar off today and he REALLY appreciated it! Of course once that was off he was picking at his foot bandage... the only one remaining out of the two. He had a big piece dangling so I relented and cut it off for him. Also today Bo has started to have short leashed walks.
Oct 26
Bo had his first run off leash since having his operation. he REALLY enjoyed it and loved chasing the ball!
28 Oct 2006 Bosun is 36 weeks old today.