The Dog Blog

Our pups have been troopers through all of our travels so far and we figure they deserve some love in this blog. They are Kirby, a handsome little boy with a bit of a Napoleon complex, and Maxwell, who we should have named Kramer.  They are both Maltese - Kirby is a better example of the breed but Maxwell has his own unique cuteness.

Kirby:  We're at the beach!  Maxwell:  What's a beach?  Also, what's that big dark thing behind us?

They were both rescues so they have a history we don't know about but based on their behavior we know it wasn't glorious. They like exciting new things to a limit, but really thrive on routine. Maxwell just loves to bark during transitions and I think it's because he knows what's about to happen (go to the car, go on a walk, go on a bike ride, that sort of thing). The routine gives him that knowledge and the knowledge gives him a thrill. Kirby knows what's going on too, he just doesn't get loud about it. He's the quiet one and Maxwell is the town crier.

Maxwell:  Kirby, we're on a boat!  Kirby:  What's a boat? Mommy, are we going to catch some crabs?  Also, what're crabs???

The dogs are both 9 years old, which surprises people because of their small size. Dogs weighing 6 and 9 pounds must be puppies, right? They are very dependent on us, especially on Deb who is their “Alpha”, and even though this is normal pack behavior, I think it is boosted some because of their history.

The adventures have really all been positive for them. Deb says their life is much better than it was back in our “normal” life. They get to go places much more than they used to, and they love that. At the same time, they seem to be quite happy when we leave them at home to chill together. Like people, they like their down time as well as fun times.

For fun, they've been to beaches (4 different ones so far), the pool at Mom's house (many times), on bike rides (many, many times in many different states!), to restaurants (quite a few – we seek out dog-friendly places), on my friend Kirby's boat, oh, and also a trolley!

They love to explore at each place we stay – Kirby really does this a lot, walking the perimeter of the yard, and wandering off if we let him (but we don't let him!). We call him Dora the Explorer, "Come on Dora, time to come in!".  Each time we get to a new place, (we're losing count, but we're well over 10 places we've stayed since May) they have to check it all out in detail, inside and out. And each time we move, they seem to settle in a bit quicker than before. We are careful to bring familiar things, like their chew toys, favorite blankets, that sort of thing. They really appreciate that, you can just tell.

B Double-E-Double-R U-N Beer Run! Let's go riding!

Many of our pictures of them are on bikes because they are so happy riding!  It's always hot out, and the rides give them the cooling breezes, as well as the wonderful new smells and the scenery they wouldn't see otherwise. It sure makes them happy!

To be sure, Maltese are not water dogs - they have been bred to be small companion dogs, very attached to their humans.  So getting them used to water has been a process, albeit a fun one.  In the pool, we each held one of them and slowly descended into the water.  It helped a lot that the pool water felt so good in the heat, they quickly learned that this was going to be OK.  Next we introduced a doggie float, it's basically a raft that will stand up to their clawing paws.  They really came to like that because they could be wet and cool AND close to their people!  We also bought them life jackets but the jury is still out on those. They work just fine, but aren't real "natural" to them, the raft seems to better for them.

This is pretty fun after all! Chillin...

As for the beach, they love it but are still getting used to the waves. We take them in the water with us, holding them, and it helps if there isn't much in the way of wave action. We dip them to their chests and get them to relax, trying to bob up and down with the waves.  They are slowly getting used to that, and we have them to the point where we can release them near the shore to swim a few strokes to the sand. Maxwell really lets us know then, how excited he is to have survived!

This picture is in the back of the car, but this is what he does on the sand when he has survived an ocean swim!  Yahooooo!  We had just come back from a doggie beach in Venice, FL.  They have a dog park, and then out the back of the park is a dog beach where they can run free.  They love running on the beach, especially after a swim!

Yahoo!  I'm alive!!!

The trolley ride was fun for us all!  The front part is air-conditioned but the back has open windows for dogs and humans who just like natural air!  It was a great day as we rode down to the restaurant/bar called, what else?  The Old Salty Dog!  They brought the boys ice water and we had a cold pitcher of beer - everyone was happy!  Followed of course by a trolley ride back to our stop and a short walk across the bridge back "home".

Maxwell on the trolley:  Hey look, a huge open window! Kirby didn't seem to mind either! 🙂

So, fear not - the dogs are being treated well and are loving their new lives!  They can't wait for the next adventure that awaits just around the bend.

UPDATE August 22:  Return to the Dog Beach!

Looks scary!  🙂

We had a chance to go back to the dog beach in Venice!  It's out the back of the dog park, down a boardwalk and right onto the hot sand.  It's right next to the local airport and there were several light aircraft (small Cessnas etc.) landing over the beach.  It's not exactly the famous beach in St. Maarten but they do come in low, pretty neat to see.

As for the dogs, we saw a French Bulldog, an Australian Shepherd puppy, a Jack Russell terrier, a Rottweiler, a German Shepherd, a Yellow Lab, and a Springer Spaniel.  All were free to run but most of them were in good control and nobody got out of hand.

We've been training the dogs to like the water, or at least not be too afraid of it, and we're making great strides!  When we set our stuff down near the water, Kirby immediately walked over and plopped down to cool his body in the washing waves!  This was a breakthrough!  He used to not like the approaching foam line, the edge of the incoming water, and we had to get him to jump over it.  He seems to be OK with that now!

Watch this!

One of the things we've been working toward is going snorkeling with the dogs.  The idea is to bring them along in their raft and let them chill above the water while we go below.  This was our first chance to try this after all the time in the swimming pool and it worked out great!  We had a short leash tied from wrist to the raft and were able to pull them around.  I want to get a much longer line, but this is going to work out well!

As long as we're close to Mommy, we're happy! (the raft has some holes to allow water in, so they get to stay cool, not just bake in the Sun)

Later, Maxwell actually swam to the raft from shore, only about 10 or 12 feet but that's a big deal for a little dog!, and he climbed on in!  He was motivated to get closer to Deb, but I don't care, it's another great milestone.  These guys will be water dogs if this keeps up, yay!

Family time in the water.

That's it for now, woof woof!

TODAY'S SPECIAL:  Trust Me!