For those of you interested Only in TRAVEL, I (Jack) wrote the blog between MARCH 2010 and October 2010 during our travels west. We saw the most beautiful places and had the best time in our big truck and little trailer. See Blog Archive below.

May 3, 2013

My Funny Little Visitor and of course, Jack

My son has a pup named Bogey. Bogey is my guest this week. He is a great source of amusement for me, and I think I've even seen Jack smile a time or two. Bogey is a garbage hound.


When I went to therapy the other day, I made sure that all garbage was out of reach. I had bananas on the counter so I put them way back in the corner. When I got home, I knew by the look on Bogey's face that he had been up to something. He tells on himself. I looked around and couldn't find anything, until I got to the kitchen...uh oh, broken glass all over the place. He had been up on the counter! I scolded him and he went to his bed for a few minutes, but then came to ask for forgiveness. I'm just glad he didn't cut himself. 

He's as crazy about balls as Jack was before he got sick. Jack would still chase one until he dropped, so the vet has advised me to put the balls away. This is a picture that Michael had sent to me. I'm glad Jack had many good years playing ball, but sad to see that he can't do his favorite thing, any more.
Yesterday, I figured out with a myriad of gates how to confine him to the den yet give him and Jack access to water. Susan and I went to grab a bite to eat. Ah, now I outwitted him--silly dog! Did the little man really think I wouldn't figure it out?


We had a pleasant meal at Marlows about a mile from my house, but arrived home to garbage all over the place. I had a bag of garbage full so I wouldn't forget to take it out when I left, then walked right past it. DOH! We got home and there was the guilty look, again. After a scolding, Susan and I set about cleaning up. We cracked up because Bogey decided he would help. He knew where all the garbage was so he was bringing pieces over to be put back in the bag. He handed Susan a can! Too funny.


Michael tells a funny story. He had Bogey walking in a wooded area and a big buck appeared in a clearing. Bogey being Bogey chased him. They ran figure eights in and out of the clearing with Bogey running with wild abandon. Back out they came and the buck was chasing Bogey! He is a very athletic and fast pup.
Where's the cat? 
Could you let me out, please?
I can see why Michael loves this little guy. We call him the little guy because he's a runt--Bella was so much bigger than he is, and most Weimaraners are. I was raised with a huge one--not very many in this country at that time.

I don't know if you can see the pollen, but that porch is dark brown. I think the rain is clearing out the worst of it, but I guess I'll have to ask one of the kids to hose down the porch because it's covered overhead so the rain won't help.


Jack has decided that he needs help getting up on his couch so he wakes me in the middle of the night (I do think he's having a little difficulty seeing at night). I ask him if he needs help and he tells me yes with his eyes and his help me sound, and then jumps up on his own. We go through this several times day and night. Last night he woke me, I looked over by his couch and he wasn't there. He was two steps away from his bed on the floor. I got up to see what was wrong. I asked if he needed help and he told me yes with his eyes and his help me noise. Really Jack? It's on the floor! But, what the heck. I walked over to him, and he walked into his bed. <rolling eyes> Well, he has been my comfort, he was with us during the happiest of times and he's seen me through my darkest times so anything I can do to make him comfortable.


Leslie, the Physical Therapist asked me if he helped me when I fell. I told her, "Of course. He called 911." I think I had her convinced for  few seconds. People think of all yellow Labs as assistance dogs and think they can do anything! Funny. Well, at least he doesn't panic in the moment.
Jack tolerates Bogey. Here he's watching him howling at me because he wants to go out.

I stored my trailer at the place I had it repaired up in Dahlonega, GA until September. There was no way I could have hitched and unhitched, and then turned and twisted (thanks Gail) to back it into the driveway. When it was in the driveway, I checked on it a couple of times a week. I can't do that, so I'm a little worried about critters getting in. I'm going to do some research to see what would keep mice and such from getting in and I seem to remember moth balls would do the trick, but I want to see if there's a better way. I'll take a ride up there this week. I like this little town. It'll give Jack and me an outing. If you have a better idea than mothballs, please leave a comment, as most of you are the experts. :)

Just had to come back to post this:
Think Jack is Starting to Like the Little Guy?

17 comments:

  1. Peppermint oil on cotton balls will help to keep the mice out.

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  2. Aren't you nice to give me this information. Thank you. I was just starting my search, but I'll try you suggestion--hesitated with the moth balls because I don't like their smell.

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  3. Love those pictures of Bogey! He sounds like a real kick to have around, too. At least he helps clean up the garbage, that's good, isn't it?

    I know what you're saying when it comes to our dogs not being able to see well. Poppy has that problem too, she bumped into the picnic table on the deck this morning without seeing it, and really thunked her head on the bench. I put a cold wash cloth on her eyes and forehead after she got back inside and laid down.

    We have a box covered with a towel for her to use as a step up to the couch, if she wants to lay up there. Sometimes she gets up there on her own, but usually she waits for help. I always lift her out of the car when she goes for a ride. About the only thing that helps calm her down well in the evening is taking her for a nice ride in the country. She just loves to sit and look out the window and wants the window down so she can smell things, since she can't really see very well anymore.

    They are still so full of love, it's such a shame to see them struggle with things that used to be easy for them. We have a ramp for getting in and out of the car, but she doesn't really like that, so I help her in and out. She's always been there for us, and we want to do what we can for her when she needs us.

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    1. Russ, you and Donna are my kind of people. You love pups the way I do. He was with us during the best times of our lives and saw me through the worst. I hate to see him getting old even more than I hate seeing myself getting old. My heart went out to you and Donna when Rusty passed on--I remember thinking, "These are people who would understand my tears when I think of my Lizzie." I hate to hear about Poppie not doing too well--she sure is with the right people, though. Glad someone else helps their pup to get up on the furniture and is so intent on giving her the best life.

      The more I have Bogey around, the funnier he is. He reminds me of mine when they were young, but being a Weimaraner, he gets the funniest expressions on his face. They look crazy sometimes! My son can capture them--I'm not fast enough with the camera.

      Jack loves to ride in the truck, too, and with the windows open. I can't lift him - he's 92 pounds, but I have a ramp that Lizzie and he both used. It telescoped and was cumbersome for me to handle so I recently ordered a short one. He slid on it because it had a rug. Jim and Sandie suggested that I put some no slip safety tape on it. I did and I'm going to use that one for the couch. It's in Michael's car right now because I brought Bogey back in the truck and I didn't want it to fall on him. He took the seat belt quite well which surprised me. I found a full size, foldable light weight ramp with the non-slip surface that I'll use for the truck. There's nothing wrong with the telescoping one except that it is too heavy for me to use, now, so I'll wait until I know of someone who needs one and give it to them.

      I've ordered Peppermint Oil and Cotton Balls (thanks, again, Granny) and we'll take a ride up to the trailer as soon as it arrives. I hope I don't return with any stories about mice!

      Thanks as always for stopping by, Russ.

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  4. Our Skittlez has never had very good eyesight. I think that is what makes her so skittish and afraid. These furkids are so special and it's so hard when they get older. Just like us. But then you see the energy and those eyes of Bogey and you fall in love all over again. I have no ideas about rodents.

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    1. I always thought that the blue tint in an older dog's eyes were cataracts. That's not so. I've only noticed lately about Jack. Until last night when he couldn't see his bed, I thought it was his hips that might be starting to bother him. It may be, but I also think his night eyesight is a problem, as well.

      Yes, Bogey is a character, but I don't want to get attached to another dog. Losing Lizzie broke my heart. If I outlive Jack, I don't want to go through the loss, again.

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  5. I'm laughing at Bogey and his antics especially retrieving garbage but also at the idea of Bogey being 'the little guy'. He's as big as Jack!

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    1. Sherry, he's probably half Jack's size. I'd guess him to be 50 lbs of all muscle; maybe 60. I have to ask Michael. There isn't an ounce of fat on him. Jack ways 92 lbs so that's quite a difference. I could probably lift Bogey, but I can't lift Jack; especially now after the back surgery. Can't wait to follow you and David around tomorrow. LOL

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  6. Bogey has the look of pure innocence, yet here comes trouble. LOL When Fred does something wrong he can't get any closer to the floor and looks at you sideways. So you always know when he did something wrong while he was home alone.
    At least Bogey brings back the trash.

    Going to check on the trialer will be a nice trip for you and Jack. If anyone tells you to use fabric softner sheets don't waste your money. I hated to think what I was going to find when I got here but I found nothing. And I really didn't leave anything to keep them away. Hope you find the same.

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    1. Pure innocence my eye, but you're right...here come's trouble for sure! Fred and Bogey have consciences. Jack doesn't. He once reached up and took a loaf of French bread off the table and held it like he was smoking a big stogey. Walked right in to show everyone he had it. If he is scolded for anything (not much any more), he gives me a look that says, "Wha? I didn't do nothin'"

      Thanks, I hope there are no mice either, I'll let you know.

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  7. Love the expressions on Bogey's face. What a character. I know what you mean about Jack giving up balls. Rusty loved to catch balls but not retrieve them. He would jump up and pull them out of the air, twisting and turning as he did so. I always wondered if that exacerbated the deterioration of his spine in his later years. Of course by then he had given up his ball playing and that was sad for us. Now we are focused on helping Poppy through her latter years. It's sad but rewarding all at the same time. She gives so much and asks for so little.


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    1. Rusty and Jack would have gotten along famously. I've seen Jack do back flips and come up with the dog. I've often thought that it might come back to haunt him as he aged. Then, I think, "I don't remember doing back flips catching a ball!" :)

      It was sad to see him have to give up the ball. Whoops...the tears!

      You're right, Donna, they give so much and ask for so little.

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  8. What gorgeous eyes Bogey has. WOW...they should be on a little boy. Too cute.

    Love the photo of the two on the sofa. They look so peaceful.

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    1. Weimaraners' eyes photograph in all different colors. Bogey is a blue, but they come in grey--Bella was a grey. I took a picture of him this morning, and I couldn't help by laugh--he looked so goofy. That's why people like to photograph them. You never know what you're going to get. I wish I had had this picture to put on the blog, yesterday.

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  9. Great pic of Jack and Bogey on the sofa. It looks like Bogey has a real hero in Jack.

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    1. Yes, he seems to look for Jack's approval. Jack is slow at giving it, though letting him up on the couch with his head on his backside meant he's softening up a bit toward Bogey.

      Jack's a funny dog. He's a gentle giant, but doesn't pay much attention to other dogs--only Lizzie, who was the love of his life. Some people think dogs don't grieve. I disagree. I've seen it.

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