Category Archives: Dog Blog

June Gloom, Fireworks and Earthquakes

It’s June gloom in Santa Monica, I’m still headache hungover from the July 4th cacophony of noise and to top it off I’m queasy due to 2 earthquakes we had in the last 24 hours. Dad put my Thundershirt on me which helped a smidge. I’m sorry I’ve been MIA for a while. Mom has been crazy busy with trainings, patients and book writing and Dad has been taking some classes – hence less overall time with ME.

I’m not saying I’m that neglected but since it should be about ME all the time this has been a bit disconcerting.  To top it off I’ve developed a sore on my leg and I might have to go to the vet next week.  So things are pretty status quo around here unless you think earthquakes are exciting. Last might it was 7.1 and the house shook a LOT. We are thankful nothing happened or was broken. Dad has been praying.

Besides that all is well in the Dopart-Batchelor household.  We will try to write more often and hope all of you are having a nonevent summer – safer that way.

Much Love,

Perry
The Weather Weimaraner

It’s ALMOST Christmas!

It’s getting more interesting around Casa de Perry as we have this large plant in the middle of the living room with lots of interesting things hanging on it. It also glows and I’m fascinated by it all.  However, better than that Dad is cooking up all these fun foods and of course I get to sample MOST of what he cooks – I say most since not all – which I am bummed about but at least the scoobie snacks are more prevalent.

I’ve decided to calm down in my older days and sleep in since it’s been cold – even for Santa Monica. However, I am known as the “heater hog” as I put my face and eyes into whatever is warm. Dad keeps warning me that I’m going to burn my eye sockets out but I don’t think he realizes how us Weims are infallible – at least with respect to most things.

I have this thing on my body that keeps me warm but it’s a pain and I’m not loving it.  I am loving that the parentals have been around more than usual over the holidays and I’ve gotten TWO whole walks a day.  Besides the gentle-leader that I have a distaste for it’s great since people yell out the window of their car how beautiful I am as I prance by.

Hope you all have a Happy Holiday or Hanukkah – whichever you celebrate.  I celebrate all holidays as long as they involve treats.

Love Perry

Almost 7 Year Report Card

Hello Everyone,

It’s getting close to my 7 year birthday – well almost.  I’ll be 7 years old in January and sometimes I act my age but most of the time NOT! It drives the parentals crazy but it keeps me young. Mom has to have headshots in 2 weeks for her new website so she was practicing on me. I don’t like to have my picture taken as opposed to William Wegman’s Weims so she had to do a little convincing for this shot.

So in honor of my almost birthday my report card is as follows:

The things I am better at:

  1. I sleep in till 6:30 or 7 – this is a huge improvement from my 5-5:30 days of young
  2. Walking Mom to the door when she leaves in the am – I give her a sad look but she tells me her patients need her – what about me?
  3. I’m much more cuddly than I used to be but I still choose which days I want to be close or distant
  4. I’m great at communicating my needs!  Mom says it is not in a Motivational Interviewing way since I am not subtle when I want to be fed, covered, etc.

Things I still need improvement on:

  1. Pulling on the leash – I’m not sure this can get better especially if I see a squirrel
  2. Barking at dogs that do their business on my lawn – they are NOT being neighborly and I tell them so
  3. When I want to be covered up with a blanket in the middle of the night I go to one of the parentals and breathe hot panting air in their faces till they get up and cover me
  4. I am still the famous RELOCATOR of items. If I’m mad at Mom I’ll take her shoes in the backyard and hide them; I’ve been known to hide Dad’s wallet on occasion on the patio. I don’t damage anything – I just change the location and of course since I’m “just a dog” I can’t seem to remember where the item was relocated to!

So that’s the report. If you want to know more you’ll have to come for a visit. The weather in Santa Monica has finally become more temperate after our HOT summer weather and fall is finally in the air. Hope you all have a great fall and I’ll be in touch soon!

Love Perry

I’ve Graduated to a Shirt

I still have my licking problem with my incisions so now I’ve graduated to a shirt.  It’s not my friend since it’s TOO hot. What is this with the parentals trying to dress me up like a cabbage-patch doll?  However, one thing happened that was quite exciting and worth reporting. It was becoming dusk outside and Mom and Dad were talking about something and I saw noticed an unusual movement that captured my eye in the thick brush in MY backyard. Before they knew it I nearly knocked Mom over and dove deep into the bush, and captured whatever it was and NOW it was in my mouth.

I was a bit unsure what it was and tried to show the parentals my achievement. All I got from Mom was “crate, crate” and Dad saying “No, NOT in the house.”  I panicked and got mixed parenting signals so I dropped my trophy and ran into the house into my crate. I heard them later saying it was a possum and apparently it was playing dead, which they do, and then escaped since it was magically gone the next time I went outside. I think that was enough excitement for the week for everyone.

Life in the Dopart-Batchelor household has been nonstop with trainings, and projects but we wish you all well in the first half of the year and hope you are staying cool and safe.  The weather has been a bit more temperate thank goodness since our 100 year old house has NO AC.  Please still bring ice-cubes if you come – just sneak them to me so I don’t get in trouble.

Love Perry

I Had a Broken Tooth

My fragile tooth finally gave way and got infected from my brick chewing days.  Apparently I have CCD, also known as Canine Compulsive Disorder. In humans it’s known as OCD.  I don’t chase my tail like little dogs do but I do chew bricks and lick my skin which leads to things that are not good for me.  However, the licking sound makes Dad CRAZY so I am one up on that.

The day finally arrived to have my tooth fixed. I knew I was having dental surgery but I did NOT know I was having both of my armpits operated on since I had some growths that were getting bigger.  I realized all this when I woke up and had the cone of shame on again. I had a lot of bleeding the first day and I kept bumping into the walls with this piece of plastic they put around my head. I wasn’t feeling very good, even to the point that Dad slept with me on the floor.  I had to be hydrated with a syringe that was apparently left over from George days – a cat that I could have done some damage to if I had the chance.

There were complications with my stitches and I had to wear these appliances for a LONG TIME! I’ve been irritated and it’s been super hot in LA and that has made everyone in the Dopart-Batchelor household on edge – please bring ice cubes if you decide to visit.  Oops – I forgot I’m not allowed to have ice cubes because of my fragile teeth – it’s no fun getting older!

Love Perry

I’m SIX Years OLD!

I’m SIX: I’m finally at the “supposed to be” calming stage that most dogs hit at two but somehow it just hasn’t quite happened yet. I LOVE to exercise and get in my walks and still have lots of energy to spare. I’m way more energetic than the parentals but that’s not saying much since they are both almost a 1/2 a decade old.

My birthday was coming and I was feeling a little down and all of a sudden I smelt something or should I say I HEARD something and then I knew “the Tutu” was coming.  For most of you that don’t know this girl she is sort of this bossy gal who makes a lot of noise and steals my toys. I do secretly kind of like her, but I heard her coming and braced myself for the unexpected.  She came bearing birthday gifts from Beverly Hills so I must have done something right. These cookies were SO fancy that Dad even tried to eat one.  But we had to make sure that these fancy show cookies from Pussy Pooch were gluten-free as I am SENSITIVE and had a bad reaction in the past. But Tutu’s Mom made sure they were okay – she hooked me up with some birthday fun so I’m feeling better now.

Once we got the okay I was able to have a pre-birthday cookie in sheer SIX year old fashion – I chose the pretty blue star and here I am anticipating the deliciousness I am about to experience in my mouth. Life has been good in the Dopart-Batchelor house and I’ve missed all of you. As usual lots going on with books, trainings and work but I’m just glad to be a part of it all.

Happy New Year to all of you in 2018!

Love,

Perry

P.S. – I almost forgot my weather report. After only .12 inches of rain all year we are about to get a deluge of 2 inches so hopefully my back yard will start to turn from brown to green!

Hello Holiday People!

img_5431Yep, I am slowly getting into the mood of the holidays even with getting a late start. First the parental units decided to explore India and I did NOT get to go. They sent me to camp which meant no Thanksgiving treats. So I am late to the party of healthy holiday snacks.

Mom and Dad decided to go on a research outing that consisted of cultural adventure and vegetarian eating. They are currently working on a new cookbook and wanted to research spices, ideas for recipes and diversity to peoples eating choices on this side of the world.

That’s OK cause I am not really into vegetarian food unless it has broccoli in it as the crowns are my favorite.

However, I was a little jealous when I heard about all of the animals especially the dogs. I overheard Mom talk about one friendly dog where they stayed that would follow her around in the morning.  She was bragging that he was not even on a leash and just went where she went. What! Someone moving in on my property!  I was not happy about that.

fullsizerenderI also heard that most of the animals roam around like people without being tethered to anything. Maybe I should go to India since the animals seem to be the bosses – that would be the ultimate holiday gift!

And…there was a dog on one of their flights. Now that would have made me crazy to have to hold it that long so it’s probably better I stayed home.  24 hours of travel would have been a bit much both ways but then again I would have loved to roam the aisles of Air France eating all the leftovers from everyone who did not want their meal.

The one highlight upon coming home is there is a new puppy in our neighborhood – she’s a 10 week old Great Dane and Mom and I got to play with her on our walks the last 2 days. Hmm – maybe I can coax Dad into getting me a puppy for Christmas.

Love,

Perry

The Unwelcome Visitors

FullSizeRenderIt sure has been WARM this weekend. No matter where I try to lay down I am very hot. Even under the bed. Some El Nino!

Last weekend Dad was out-of-town so I got to go to the country and play. I love being able to run around and check out all the other dogs and sights on the farm. Maybe the parental will have a small farm for me some day. Then they can have their range free organic eggs, a big garden of healthy green vegetables and of course the little baby goats.

This last week was not without drama. I got into or actually avoided trouble. A few nights ago it was hotter than usual when I went outside before bed. As I perused the yard I realized there were some interesting visitors hanging out on our fence and it was not the squirrel or the possums from the past.

Of course I started barking up a storm, which sent Dad running out. Yes, this was at 10 PM on a school night so we all know how drawing unnecessary attention is not welcomed here at Casa de Perry. But People – it was NECESSARY! You see there were two raccoons on the fence. Not one but TWO and that increased my odds of getting one. However, that is not how it went down. Dad the downer had to get up in my situation, which made me go crazy trying to crawl up the fence.

I saw that I had done a great job at knocking the baby off. He was hanging on and then the Mom got a little testy and started to crawl down the fence in my direction.

This sort of thing just gets the adrenaline pumping but mine was not the only one. Dad was furious and took his shoe off to try to correct the situation and prevent a fight. Now that was pretty stupid because that area of the yard is where I do my evening routine.

Needless to say, Mom got involved and got me to come in the house. Still after I was locked away from the fluffy intruder I went postal pacing to and fro. That of course was not well received and Mom put me in my crate for the night.

I did not forget the visitors and as soon as I was let out that morning I went to the fence but unfortunately were gone. Bummer deal.

BTW – if you have extra ice please bring some to our Casa.   I’m rooting for air conditioning next year but I might have to get a job for that one.

Love Perry

 

Trump Wall has NOTHING on ME!

FullSizeRenderTrump has nothing on MY Wall!

Yes folks it is sad to say that “The Dad” decided my nonexistent “Love thy Neighbor” actions were not sufficient for this house.

Now wait, before all of you get your shorts bunched up like a political convention, hear me out.  No one hacked into my fan base or stole a speech. Worse yet we didn’t have an obnoxious parade of balloons for this wall.

This wall of chairs is to keep me from damaging the wall. I know it sounds pretty bad but let me explain myself.

Next store is this little, for lack of words ‘Sherlock Holmes,’ sort of creature. I could take him out if the Parental’s would allow but we all know that is not an option…sad face emoji.

Well every time that PITA goes out he comes real close to my house, barks at me, and has the audacity to relieve himself on MY bush. This behavior MAKES ME CRAZY PEOPLE!

IMG_4863I guess I really didn’t realize how postal I was becoming. It was not a pretty scene at all. Now we have “The Wall” and back to more training. Does this learning ever stop? At least I know that the row of chairs just drives Dad crazy…

Perry 1 – Dad 0

On a more serious note, wall or not, our wonderful friends from Italy, Antonella and Francesco, who have tried to gain legal citizenship for the least 2 years, are having to leave. They need to wait another two years in hopes of getting an opportunity to come back to the US legally. Very sad but we can always FaceTime them.  The good news is Dad did make some great food for their departing lunch and of course I had some great scooby snacks that day.

It has been VERY hot in our 100 year old house but Dad finally bought a swamp cooler so we are all a bit more comfortable.

Love Perry

 

A Visit from the Cousins

IMG_4737We got a visit from the NJ Twin Cousins Drew and Coulston.  They were in Los Angeles to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum at UCLA and then came to visit us afterward.

Dad drove them to see Pepperdine and UC Santa Barbara to see if those were colleges they might be interested in.  What?  Dad took a road trip with the cousins that I was not invited to – that was not so hospitable.

I did get some extra hugs and loves but they were hardly sufficient given their short time here.

It’s been quite warm here in Santa Monica so Dad’s taken to putting fans all over the house – maybe one day we’ll actually get air conditioning in our 100 year old house.

Until next time!

Love

Perry