Monday Morning at the Office

It's another Monday morning here at Deaf Dogs and Benevolent Gnomes world headquarters. There is a lot of work to get done. And we'll be having none of it. Though we will contribute in our own way, mostly by snoring at a distractingly loud volume and having periodic groaning stretch sessions. 

I like how this picture shows the full measure of her gigantic noggin', squishing down the side of her dog bed. "Well that's probably an old dog bed" you might be saying. Nope, it's relatively new, but not load rated for this level of pittie noggin.

Follow us on Instragram

Link to Our Online Store

Shadowfax and Her First Pup Cup

I'll get this out of the way now. Yes were are horrible dog parents. Shadowfax is 13 years old and has never had a pup cup before. In our defense we almost never go through drive through coffee shops, the kind of places that would hand out a pup cup.

Here at our new homestead on the Oregon Coast, there are a couple of drive through coffee shacks. On weekend mornings we will often pile in the car to visit a lighthouse or state park and stop by a coffee shack as a special treat. Our favorite place always offers Shadowfax cookies, which she has now come to expect. We never thought to request a pup cup and were always happy that Shadowfax was excited with special cookies.

But today we hit up a different spot that offered us a pup cup. "Of course, we'd love one!" we immediately responded. Shadowfax was initially skeptical but quickly realized that it was tasty deliciousness and gobbled it down.

We'll return to this coffee shop for sure and post additional pictures of future pup cups. 

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store

Wildlife Sighting - A Bear in the Yard

We knew that our little corner of the Oregon Coast was more rugged and wild than any of the places that we had lived before. A few weeks after moving, something was cruising through the backyard in the middle of the night that Shadowfax could smell through the open window. Her crazy barking fit sent whatever it was scampering on their way.

Chatting with our neighbors also alerted us to regular bear activity in the area. Supposedly there are cougar and coyote as well, but we haven't seen any sign of them. Other than the occasional deer sighting on our early morning walks, we hadn't seen much else either. Until yesterday.

I was pouring our evening tea and looked out the kitchen window, spotting this bear eating grass or (maybe grubs) in the lawn. Alycia decided that the bear had probably recently woken from hibernation as the bear looked a bit dazed and spacey. Some hurtful comments followed comparing how I look when I first wake up in the morning. Those comments will certainly not be posted here. 

Don't fret though, we take all necessary bear related precautions - removing our birdfeeders in Spring and Fall, securing our trash cans, and making sure there are no fruiting trees in the backyard. And when we venture out on our walks we always carry bear spray, just in case. It's fun to see cool animals like this bear, and with a few small adjustments on our part and a little bit more situational awareness, we can all coexist happily. The bears were certainly here before we were.

Follow us on Instragram

Link to Our Online Store

The View From the Back Porch

 This was our view from the back porch yesterday. 

A day of showers and wind cleared out by the end of the day and left a dramatic evening sky. The lights from the back porch illuminated the trees and made for a spectacular photo. We are very much appreciative of the beauty of the Oregon Coast.

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store

Double Rainbow and a Beach Stroll

The coast of Oregon is truly enchanting. Rugged and windswept beaches collide with dense forests. There's something for everyone. This morning I was working and looked out my office window to see a double rainbow.

The afternoon prior I had an hour to take a stroll on the beach. The temperature was in the mid-40's and light winds, enough to make your face red and your nose run, but not too chilly. This is the view to the South, footprints in the sand but nary a soul in sight.

The view to the North was equally deserted and no less gorgeous. 

There's something special about feeling like you have the whole beach to yourself. The only sounds were the waves breaking and the gentle rush of the ocean breeze.

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store

A Scenic Sunday Morning Drive

Sunday was a break in the rainy weather we've had for the last few weeks. A warm front was also rolling through that gave us temperatures in the 60's, balmy for this time of year. 

We piled into the car with Shadowfax for a quick morning trip. We stopped at our favorite coffee stand for coffee and dog cookies and drove about a half hour north along the coast to Yaquina Head Lighthouse. We've been a few times before and it's a lovely spot to watch the waves crash, look out for cool birds, and let Shadowfax mosey along and sniff.

It was a beautiful morning.

Shadowfax did a whole lot of sniffing, peeing on stuff, and barking at threatening Pomeranians. She was tired and spent the rest of the day in her dog bed-on-a-bed pile. She has a tough life.

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store

First Christmas at the New Homestead

We're spending our first Christmas at the new homestead in Oregon. It's a quiet day inside, with coffee and breakfast, and blustery rainy weather outside. There are lots of family and friends to chat on the phone with, catching up with the Holiday happenings and wishing good tidings.

Shadowfax is pooped from all the festivities. She's spending the morning in her cozy bed with a blankie and some heating pads. We're going to make our Fake Meatloaf (recipe here) and mashed potatoes for supper. It's a holiday favorite around here, the perfect gluten free vegetarian meal for a special occasion. 

We leave you with a photo from last week when we were exploring, watching waves crash at sunset. The official geo-located photo tag location is called "Devil's Elbow". There are a lot of Devil names here - Devil's Churn, Devil's Punchbowl. Some very creative names indeed. 

We hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store

Our Big Secret...Revealed!

It's time that we tell you the big secret that we've been skillfully keeping under wraps the last few months. We have have moved to Oregon!

The last several months have been a whirlwind of activity and attempts to find our new normal all while working at our respective jobs. Shadowfax is doing well and enjoying her new surroundings and new state. I'll insert our standard apology here for not posting for months and add the same stock promise to return to regular posting. We think you all know what that promise is worth.

The picture above is from Cape Perpetua, about 10 minutes from our new house.

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store

No Cookies You Say

"So you say it's not cookie time. OK. This is a nice pink pig you got here, be a shame if something were to happen to it. You sure about that whole no cookies thing?"

Please note that no pink pigs were harmed in the making of this blog post.

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store

Shadowfax on a Road Trip

We recently took a road trip out to the coast of Oregon. It was slightly longer than usual due to a rock slide that closed a highway and forced us to backtrack and take a longer detour route.

Shadowfax is really good in the car, she generally just lays down and sleeps once the car starts moving. She really only gets up and looks out the window when we slow down and pass through a town. This is her after a nice tour through a rest area, so many good things to sniff. 

We take car safety seriously, so we have her stay in her harness (it's a RuffWear Harness) while she's in the car. It has front and back clip on spots which makes getting in and out of the car easy, and she can stay leashed to the seat belt but still have some freedom of movement. 

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store

Summer Shadowfax

Summer has arrived here in Idaho. We went from pleasantly warm Spring temps to 80's and 90's quickly. Spring has been an incredibly short season here the last few years and we have gone from nighttime temps below freezing to summer-like weather in a matter of weeks.

Shadowfax was perfectly fine with the early arrival of sunshine basking season. There will be a lot more pictures like this.

And where have we been for the last few months? Well we've been busy and we have a big announcement in the works, but we'll have to leave it at that for now. Stay tuned. More to come. 

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store

Cushing's Disease Follow Up

Shadowfax had her two week vet checkup today to see how she is tolerating her new medication (Vetoryl) for Cushing's Disease. We will get the test results in a couple of days, but our experience thus far has been positive. 

After a few days of getting acclimated to the medication, she's back to normal. She has been participating in her normal walks every day, is drinking less (she drank a lot every day!) and has noticeably curbed her mulch and dirt consumption. She's probably going to always have the rounded midsection that is common with Cushing's Disease dogs. But unlike her male caretaker, she at least has a documented medical condition to attribute her husky figure to.

The tests are mostly to see how her liver and kidneys are tolerating the current dose of medication. If everything is OK with that, we're just going to stay the course until our next check up in a couple of months. We won't scare you with the gory details of how much this new medication costs, but we'll just say that it's a good thing we are both gainfully employed.

Shadowfax came back from a morning at the vet and crashed hard. She has three dog beds and one large fluffy pillow available (even more are out of frame), yet somehow she managed to sleep-squirm out of all of them and nap on the floor in front of the fireplace. To answer your questions: Yes, she has legs under her blanket. Yes, this is what a manatees' tummy looks like. No, she doesn't care what you have to say about all this. 

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store

Shadowfax and Cushing's Disease

Shadowfax has been diagnosed with Cushing's Disease. We thought her tummy was getting a little larger over the past year or so, but it turns out this is a symptom of the disease. Dogs with Cushing's can often have a "look", a midsection that looks slightly bloated. What we thought was her large torso build and a few too many tasty dog treats was in fact something else.

This is somewhat of a relief as it explains a lot of her recently developed tendencies; she's been drinking and urinating a lot more, seems to have an insatiable appetite (to the point of eating dirt and mulch in the back yard), and is generally a bit restless, unable to get comfortable. 

We are still in the process of learning more about the disease and are easing her into some new medication, but the prognosis is very positive. There is a chance of some side effects from the medication, but this should be a condition that we are able to manage for the remainder of her years. 

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store

A New Sweater from Overseas Cousin

Shadowfax's British cousin Gelato sent her a lovely sweater for Christmas. Gelato happens to be a Cane Corso, and understands what it means to be a full figured gal, with the big barrel chest of bully type dog. As such the sweater fit Shadowfax perfectly.

The sweater is pink and has a bone made of sequins on it, the works. Shadowfax looks smashing in it, and it's a velvety soft sweater, perfect for our chilly winter morning walks here in Idaho.

And we have the added bonus of pictures of Gelato trying on the sweater to make sure it would fit her cousin over here in the States. Thanks Gelato!

You can find a great dog sweater for your pup at Chewy.

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store

A New Kerchief from Grandma

Shadowfax got some great Christmas presents this year. A new bed from Auntie Alma, some tasty new snacks from the Grandparents in North Dakota, and this festive new kerchief. 

It looks pretty good on her, red is definitely her color. Thank you to all our awesome friends and family, Shadowfax felt well loved this year.

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store

Maximum Warmth on A Cold Day

When it gets chilly here in Idaho, there's lots of ways to stay warm. Shadowfax has probably mastered them all over the years. 

Shadowfax demonstrates the sunbeam on left side, space heater on the right side warming technique. This is a pretty advanced technique, not for newbies. 

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store

The Power of Cozy Laziness

Shadowfax maximizes her cozy-laziness potential, the perfect way to spend the Saturday after Thanksgiving. She may not have a tummy full of tasty leftovers to digest, but she won't take any chances.

It's a good thing we have her in our lives to inspire us to new levels of inactivity. We would feel guilty spending a lazy day on the couch if Shadowfax had a hankering for a 5 mile hike, but she obviously does not. And that's just fine.

She's an impressive beast, sandwiched between a comfy dog bed and a blankie, with another dog bed folded in half for her pillow. 

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store

 

12 Year Shadowfax-Aversary

Last week was our 12 year anniversary with Shadowfax. We had to go way back through the blog archives to find our original announcement post from 2010 when we told the world "It's a Girl!"

These are the first few pictures we got of her when she was being fostered and the first pictures we posted of her here at the world famous Deaf Dogs and Benevolent Gnomes.

It's hard to believe that we've had this silly beast in our lives for 12 years. She has slowed down a bit from her initial levels of puppy craziness, but we still have bouts of racing around and needing to roughhouse. 

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store

Shadowfax Chewing on a Tasty Bone

We've gotten some comments that all of the recently posted pictures of Shadowfax are of her napping or sleeping, or even snoozing. She does do stuff, but it's sometimes hard to capture her in all her majesty. Chasing after a squirrel in the backyard is tough to catch on camera.

When we had Shaak Ti we didn't give both of the dogs bones to chew on. The dogs would get weird and start resource guarding and being prickly towards each other, so we decided that we just wouldn't give them bones. Now that Shadowfax is an only dog we can give her things to chew on - bones, bully sticks, and other tasty items.

Chewing is a good low key way for her to release some energy, when she's too tired to play but not tired enough to nap. Chewing or licking is also a good soothing mechanism and keeps her relaxed. 

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store

Shadowfax Hunkering Down

Cold weather is upon us here in Boise, Idaho. Cold rain and snow overnight led to a lovely day of gentle snow flurries throughout the afternoon.

Shadowfax is prepared though. She's got her comfy bed and fluffy blankie from Chewy. 

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store

A Trip to the Oregon Coast

We spent a few days last week at the Oregon coast, our new favorite place. John had to work most of the time, but sitting at a computer with the ocean in the background isn't the worst office environment.

The weather was gorgeous, sunny and warm most days with some tastes of fog and ocean breezes.

Shadowfax accompanied us and enjoyed early morning walks on the beach. Because she's reactive to other dogs, we had to walk early in the morning. But that's OK. There was a full moon and the we had the silvery, shimmering moonlit beach to ourselves at 5:00 am.

Alycia's friends came to visit too and spent the day hanging out with us. They doted on Shadowfax and gave her love the whole time. 

Between the walks on the beach and all the extra attention, Shadowfax was exhausted by the time we got back home and had to sack out in her comfy dog bed.

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store

 

Shadowfax Making Faces

Shadowfax never fails to impress us with her majesty. Majestic, noble, the adjectives could go on forever. Or we could just let a picture do all the talking for us. 

She's a majestic beast all right. Other dogs might like a fancy orthopedic dog bed, but Shadowfax? She's happy with a stuff sack filled with old t-shirts and washable duvet cover for a bed. Head squished against a nightstand, teeth showing, that's our delicate lady. 

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store

Family Visit Aftermath

We had some family in town for the long weekend. My sister and her 3 kiddos, all boys under 12 years old. Even though they have dogs of their own, Shadowfax was a great attraction for them. We supervised carefully and explained what it meant that she was deaf. The boys were great with her and she enjoyed loving on them.

Shadowfax had kisses, hugs, fetch, tug-of-war, and more pets than she knew what to do with. Our house wasn't equipped for them to stay with us but they did visit for a few hours each day and Shadowfax had far more activity than she is accustomed to. Now that they've left, Shadowfax is exhausted, just completely done. I think it will be a quiet week around here as she spends a lot of time in bed napping. 

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store

National Dog Day

Did you know that today is National Dog Day? I consulted with Shadowfax about the holiday and she mentioned that she had marked the occasion on her calendar.

She also had a series of naps on her calendar. We had a discussion about time management and not double booking things. Actually I just mentioned it to her as she snored away on her fluffy pillow. 

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store

A Trip to Graeagle, California

We recently took a trip to Northern California and stayed at a The Gray Eagle Lodge for a few days. Shadowfax accompanied us and had a great time strolling around, sniffing, and lounging in the sunshine. The weather was lovely; warm and sunny with blue skies and no wildfire smoke. To top off the great weather we only counted 2 mosquitos and John only managed to get one mosquito bite.

The cabin we stayed in was a lovely little spot along a babbling creek. The picture above is our morning stroll just as the sun was coming up over the ridge.

We took a few short day trips to the town of Graeagle (yes that spelling is correct). There was a lovely park in the middle of town and Shadowfax enjoyed lounging in the shady grass. 

There was also the scenic and (according to Shadowfax) lovely smelling Gold Lake, a huge state park that only had a few visitors. This was a vacation that we had planned for some time, and it gave us a much needed chance to get out of town and immerse ourselves in some nature. 

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store

Saying Goodbye to Shaak Ti

Shaak Ti left us a few weeks ago. She was 16 years old and had been a part of our lives for 15 years. So much a part of our lives that the gaping hole her passing has left behind is impossible to escape. She's no longer watching us upside down from her dog bed or underfoot, demanding pets. No longer greeting us with enthusiastic "woo woo woos" when we come home. It's been a hard couple of weeks and life without her is too quiet.

She brought us 15 years of joy, love, and silly Shaak Ti antics. And though we might be incredibly sad now we won't let our sadness overshadow all the years of magic she brought. We will always have dogs here at the house and we will always love those dogs with all our hearts. But Shaak Ti was so, so special and she will be missed as fiercely and unconditionally as she loved us. 

There is so much more to say, so many happy memories, but this is all we can muster right now. Hug your pups, tell them you love them. Even if you are lucky enough to get 15 years with them, they still leave too soon. 

Shaak Ti Has Left Us

We had to say goodbye to Shaak Ti the other day. It was a heart wrenching process. Her little body simply couldn't take it anymore and she was telling us it was time. She left this world in her favorite bed, covered with her favorite blanket, laying her head on my leg and surround by the two people she loved so fiercely. 

Shadowfax is trying to fill the void, but it's such a monumental task. She is going to need to get acclimated to getting all of our attention.

We'll post a more comprehensive ode to Shaak Ti, this magical little beast who was so much a part of our lives. Right now everything is still too painful, and we are processing our grief.

Cedar Waxwings

We have had some interesting bird sightings around the homestead this Spring. There had been some cedar waxwings over the past weeks around the neighborhood. We'd watched them picking berries off various shrubs and trees on our afternoon dog walks.

Over the course of a few hours one morning though we got to see them up-close in large numbers. Cedar waxwings are a very striking bird with a dark eye mask and bright yellow tail feather tips.

They weren't interested in the thistle seed or black oil sunflower seeds at the feeders. There were only interested in the bird bath -  drinking, splashing, and making a ruckus. 

For a few hours in the morning they rushed in, drank and splashed, and flew away. Only to return minutes later. It was quite a show and we refilled the bird bath several times. 

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store

 

Shadowfax and Shaak Ti Send Greetings

 No posts since Christmas? Yoinks! Things have gotten away from us a bit. 

Hopefully some cute pictures of the dynamic duo will be the balm that soothes the ache of us briefly ghosting you. 

We're sorry. 

 We'll try to do better. 

Spring is here and things are warming up. We'll transition from snuggling in front of the fireplace to basking in the sunshine. 

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store

 

Happy Christmas to All

 Happy and/or Merry Christmas to all.

We will try to resume regular postings as soon as we sleep off the eggnog and Christmas cookies. 

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store

Shaak Ti Gets Comfortable

Shaak Ti. This silly bundle of dog has been part of our lives for so long we sometimes take her antics for granted. 

Laying in the grass on a sunny day is totally expected, normal for a dog.  

Getting in a neck stretch to make sure all those neck nooks get nice and sunny, still within the realm of normal. 

Laying in the gravel path though, well that's normal for Shaak Ti. She regularly gets covered in all manner of fluff and relish. She's not lacking for other comfortable places to lay down, there are half a dozen dog beds of all shapes and sizes throughout the back yard, she just prefers the gravel path. 

Follow us on Instagram

Link to Our Online Store