I finally found a few minutes to load some pictures in the computer. Here are a few for tonight...
First we have Molly, right after a walk. She goes into our room, lays flat on the cool floor, right in front of the vent so it is blowing right in her face. Randy is trying to get her in shape, but has to be careful not to overheat her (notice the Cesar Milan book on the floor behind her-we're studying lately).
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc295/twillisrdh/IMG_0697-1.jpg)
Here is Schatzi in her shirt I got for her at Target. I bought it especially for her to wear when my brother is around, since she always pees when she sees him!
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc295/twillisrdh/IMG_0680.jpg)
And, finally, this is they way Schatzi greets us and also watches us leave each day. She is just so adorable when she does this! It makes it hard to leave her sometimes.
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc295/twillisrdh/IMG_0671-1.jpg)
Very cute! Molly must feel the same way after her walk as I do after mine.
Janet
All of them great pictures !!! I cracked up at the first one.... I could hear Molly, in between panting breathes, saying... Dad, your gonna do me in.... pant, pant pant.... Love it !!!!
And that sweet nose poking through the lattice..... how hard to leave !!!!
I love the last picture...it just melts your heart! :heart:
Great pictures! Good luck with Molly. Getting in shape is hard, I know I'm still working on it. Thanks for sharing.
Darcel
Adorable pictures :heart:. Yes Molly, it is very hard getting in shape....been trying to myself...lol. How can you leave that sweet little nose in the mornings?
Poor Molly - she looks WIPED OUT!!
Seriously, be very careful with her. English bulldogs are in danger of overheating easily because they pant to cool down, and with a pushed-in nose, she has a much harder time cooling than a dog with a standard profile.
Have you tried the "Green bean diet" for her? Cut back on her food and mound it with green beans. It's like people eating salad - it fills her up and slims her down.
And Schatzi gets the L@@K of the Week" award. How you can stand to leave that face is beyond me!! I'm ready to jump in the car and come get some kisses. Are you far from Bawlmer, Hon??
Karen :hkiss:
Schatzi you have perfected the Oh poor me, Im being left. Molly keep cool girlie.
Roberta
Molly actually handles the walks well. She will come in and lay down on the floor like that after going outside anytime. Usually Randy also takes one or two bottles of cold water with him and will wet her chest area down if he needs to. He said last week that he would love to make a harness that would actually hold one of the ice packs up against her chest. Bulldog owners would love them. Sure beats sitting a dog on ice (such as they do with UGA at the Georgia games) to keep them cool! Molly's weight is normal for her size, she just needs the exercise. She isn't really a big eater at all, so that helps. I need to start her on one of the grain-free foods this week (since she is running out of her other food) and I hope the exercise may keep her from gaining any weight if the fat content is higher.
As for leaving Schatzi when she is looking out through the lattice-it is awful! She will not whimper or move. Just stare and occasionally wag her tail. Of course, occasionally, she does get a ride out of it! Of course, this is the same lattice that allows her to see the neighbors across the street and bark her head off at them. We've told them to let us know if they are going to be out a lot and we will keep her in or else be with her so we can make sure she is quiet. I'm still trying to find a chance to get her with my can full of pennies when she is really wound up. If I have a chance-she is quiet. Randy says she knows I have a plan!
Funny you should mention UGA - He just died of congestive heart failure last month. :crybaby2:
Have you looked for an "Outward Hound" velcro pack? I know they come in several sizes. I have one for Brekke because she is longhaired. It has the gel inside the collar, and you dampen it and put it in the fridge (maybe the freezer?) for about 20 minutes, and then fasten it around the neck to help in hot weather. I got one for Hunny(?) one time in the famous treat box series. It is along the idea of a bandana, so the gel chills and keeps the dog cool as a cucumber - at least I know it helps Brekke.
What great pictures! Although poor Molly does indeed look a bit wiped out! Comfortable though.... :thumb:
I was looking into one of the packs similar to the Outward Hound. I think I like the Outward Hound better and will have to get one of those for her. The one I saw had the crystals that you soak in water and they stay wet, keeping the animal cooler. Thanks so much for this idea. Molly will be really happy!
Here is a web site for directions on making one of those neck coolers... for humans or dogs http://www.instructables.com/id/Sew-Very-Useful-Neck-Cooler/
You can find the crystals in the garden dept. ..... the medium is used to keep moisture in soil .
Thank you Ruth. When I looked at the Outward Hound one I saw it used the same type of crystals as the other one I saw somewhere (who knows where now!) only Julia would put hers in the freezer and make it colder. I like the idea of making my own since I can make it the size I want. I had the pattern in the past to use for making these coolers for the soldiers in the Middle East. I had hope to get a some of us at work to make up a bunch, but it hasn't materialized yet. Maybe I'll mention it again since I've been reminded.
On the Doberman Forum they also have cooling jackets for dogs have seen pictures of Dobes wearing them the owners say they work great on keeping the dog cooler.I'm sure if anyone is interested they could Google Cooling jacket for dogs.
Papbouv