The Aftermath

Hi All,
I am thrilled to report last night was quiet at Poodle Place.  Despite the vet's warning re: possible vomiting after consuming 38 Triple Strength Fish Oil vitamins, Baron slept peacefully through the night.  How do I know this, you might ask?  The answer is simple, Baron slept in OUR bed last night! Master was worried about the little darling (obviously not me).

Reader response to my last blog entry fell into 3 categories:
1) Concern about Baron's well-being.
2) Concern about our heroine's well-being (living with Baron and Master has its challenges).
3) Absolute delight in a lack of dog ownership from those readers who are denied the joys of a dog's company.
The response from you, dear readers, has been heartwarming, in a masochistic sort of way.
My newest worry is that Trainer #6 occcasionally reads my blog, and may notice  that Baron is still not a poster boy for dog obedience. Apparently no one is the "master" of a certain canine. 
All for now,
Botswain
PS
Do you know what "dog" spells backwards?

The ER

Hi All,
Unfortunately, the calm here at Poodle Place has diminished - greatly!!!  Tonight, our heroine (that would be me) took Baron to the emergency vet.  Our heroine (still me) had recently fed Baron, and added the oil from a Triple Strength Fish Oil vitamin to his dinner.  Yep, it is true, not only does our heroine slice a fish oil vitamin (the capsule itself could contain an ingredient that would upset dear Baron's stomach - see doggie dermatologist for details), she also adds the oil from a capsule of Evening Primrose (see same dermatologist for details). Fish oil reeks! Am I a heroine or what?

I went upstairs to prepare for an evening out; when I returned to the kitchen there was an empty bottle of Triple Strength Fish Oil vitamins on the floor!!!  Yes, dear readers, Baron got the bottle from the counter and managed to open it and eat the contents.  The vet was concerned about stomach distress(I'm not sure if she meant mine or Baron's) and suggested I bring him in so she could induce vomiting.  Yes, I know about hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting in a dog, but the vet has recently had a bad experience with this (translation: the vet did not get $$$$$ when the owner was able to induce vomiting).  I dutifully brought Baron in (I had already vomited, so I did not need the injection).  I left him at the vet's and returned after a hasty dinner during which I was lousy company.  The vet informed me that Baron would be lethargic and smell of fish oil for a few days.  The vet's assistant brought Baron to the waiting room and could hardly handle my "lethargic" canine family member.  He was jumping on our heroine (absolutely me) and licking my face.  The assistant observed a lack of lethargy. She warned that he may still vomit all over the house, in which case he would have to return to the emergency vet for further treatment. Our heroine (still me) may have to check into a spa to recover from the trauma!

All for now, thank goodness
Botswain

Calm

Hi All,
Things have been relatively calm here at Poodle Place.  Baron has lost interest in cooking and cleaning - I may need to hire help in the absence of his "assistance".  Let's face it, no one wields a swifter like Baron.  I keep hoping he does windows too!
Baron has enjoyed visiting his human grandmother, more about that in the next post.  It is time for Baron to take me for a walk.  I have to run.
Botswain

Household Help Available

Hi All,
It has been awhile since I have updated you on life with Baron.  The good news is that Baron's household skills are no longer limited to cooking.  That is right, dear readers, Baron is now available to take care of many of your household needs.  In particular, Baron has taken an interest in the "swifter".  He is now able to quickly remove the head of the swifter. Unfortunately he is still unable to replace it with a fresh refill, but he's working on it.  He runs around the house with the swifter in his mouth, valiantly trying to clean. He moves with lightening speed, particularly when our fearless owner (that would be me) tries to redirect him.  When it comes to cleaning house, Baron has potential!  Please consider him as you prepare your house for fall and winter.  He is available!
All for now,
Botswain

The Catapult

Hi All,
OK, I have to admit it. Trainer #6 might be on to something.  She insisted that Baron responds well to consistency, particularly in training.  She is trying to help Baron (and our saintly dog owner - that would be me) gain control at the door.  Hard to believe, but our guests still dislike being greeted by a jumping 75 pound poodle, regardless of how happy he is to see them.  Perhaps they don't share his pleasure at being reunited?

Baron and I (especially "I") are working hard to remedy this little glitch.  The good news ?  He is improving (though far from perfect).  The bad news?  The Olympic committee is no longer interested in Baron's ability to catapult himself on an unsuspecting guest without the aid of a springboard. We were hoping for a new Olympic sport which would allow Baron to shine and would allow us to regain some of the cost $$$$$ of maintaining our regal family member.
All for now,
Botswain

Stella's vacation

Hi All,
Baron is moping around the house because his new BFF, Stella, is on vacation (aka boarding).  He stands at the fence between our house and Stella's, looking attentively at the gap in the fence where Stella squeezes through to make her grand entrance.
He reminds me of a lovesick teenager, hoping for an invitation to the turnabout dance.  He probably thinks Stella is dancing elsewhere - hardly the case!
He just got a haircut and looks adorable.  I will take a picture and try to post it on the blog.  As I am not only challenged re: dog training, but also technologically challenged, don't hold your breath (unless blue is your color).  Hopefully, the pictures will be up soon, but no promises!
All for now,
Botswain

Baron's Back!!!

Hi All,
I am sorry about the laps in blog entries but life has been hectic, here at Poodle Place. Baron and his new BFF are busy creating havoc.  The dog next door, Stella (aka his new BFF), is quite the Houdini.  She either digs under the fence between our yards, or chooses to jump on the trampoline conveniently located next to the fence, and catapults over it.  She is small, sweet, and able to put Baron in his place (unlike a certain dog handler - that would be me).  She is, well, a mutt, but that doesn't bother Baron.  He is in love. 
Admittedly it was a shock to open the door to let Baron in and find not 1 but 2 dogs sitting on the stoop, wagging their tails.  While this may sound adorable, the damage done to our flower garden and our carpet (muddy paws are not cute) demonstrates the downside of dog ownership.  Don't tell Baron (his head is big enough), but the pros outweigh the cons re: ownership of a certain oversized (did I mention that he weighs 75 pounds?) poodle.
All for now,
Botswain