Welcome to this week’s edition of Follow-Up Friday, the post where I highlight reader’s comments, answer questions and generally just wrap up my week.

You Make Me Smile – January 25, 2015

Emma said, “Sampson, you are a funny boy! Bailie and I both give hugs and if we aren’t done and Mom tries to move our paws, we hug tighter! Bailie also sleeps on a pillow in bed sometimes.”

I think that’s super cool Emma.  My dogs don’t do a lot of hugging, I hope you’ll have one for me in Nashville.

Rebecca said, “What a great picture. We would play a game with Andy our standard poodle by throwing a couch pillow down on the floor and no matter where we threw it Andy would go over and lay down next to it and put his head on the pillow.”

Now that’s a neat trick!  I’ve never heard of that, did you have a command for it, or did he just naturally do it?

Jan said, “Dogs have lived with humans for so many thousands of years they think they are (superior) humans…”

Sometimes I do feel they are superior.  They have such a capacity for love and forgiveness, which is definitely a trait all humans could use.

Sherrie Petrie said, “This year for Christmas instead of giving our girls a bunch of toys we gave them each a soft cozy blanket from Petsmart (some of the $ goes to their charities) and with two of them being Chihuahuas it is so funny to watch them make their, as hubby puts it burrito nests at nite for their pre-bedtime naps. One will make a cave so all you can see are ears and a nose. Or they will whine until “daddy” actually wraps them up like a burrito and tucks them in until they get too hot and then they make what we call “the birds nest” and rest their nose on top of the rim.”

That sounds adorable!  Do you video it?  I would probably watch it over and over. 

Delilah the Defender

Sue said, ” My Lucy was the shop dog at my antique shop and greeted everyone with joy. However, one day when she and Tucker were home alone, a neighbor stopped by. He later reported he’d never seen such a big, furious dog before in his life. Lucy had jumped up on the glass door and went nuts. She took her home guarding duties very seriously. (And Tucker? The neighbor said he was sitting a few feet away from Lucy and wagging his tail.) These days it is quiet Rudy who really does not like strange men. Why? I dunno.”

Oh Sue, they sound exactly like my two.  I’ve seen Delilah with her face mashed up against the glass, teeth gnashing, barking furiously.  Sampson just wags his tail. 

Blueberry’s Human said, “Wait…you don’t have to pump your own gas????? I’m movin’ to Jersey!”

Not only do you not have to pump your own gas, I’m pretty sure it’s against the law.  AND New Jersey isn’t all that far from me.

Hawk aka Brown Dog said, “Oh, when something is seriously threatening I growl so softly only my Human can hear. If I’m leaping and barking at the door I’m just announcing that someone has arrived.”

YOU are a very well trained dog Hawk, my dogs aren’t nearly that good. 

Jan K said, “Luke is exactly like Delilah, though he backs off from people most of the time. If they ignore him he is usually OK. He will warm up to people, but it takes a long time. He’s kind of a “bark first, ask questions later” kind of dog.”

Delilah is the same way!!  It takes her a LONG time to warm up too.  She’s really very aloof with almost everyone.  In fact, I think this year she’s really begun to warm up to my mom and sister and it’s been almost 8 years!

A Wet Towel for Delilah, Some More Xanax for Me

Sand Spring Chesapeakes said, “Holy cow girlfriend, what next???? Poor girl, I can’t believe she wasn’t itching herself raw with all those hives. Yes defiantly a allergic reaction but from what??? Any thing unusual or different she did before that all happened? Glad the benadryl worked!”

I’ve learned not to ask that question, “What next?” LOL Generally the universe has an answer for that one. 

Daisy said, “OMG! That would totally freak me out.”

I think the look on my face would have been priceless.

Emma said, “Where do these weird things come from and why do they only happen on weekends when the vet is closed or during a blizzard?

I don’t know why it always happens like that.  I’m just grateful I took her to the vet before the big storm hit.

2 Brown Dawgs said, “How scary. I wonder what caused the reaction?”

From what I read on Pet36o an allergic reaction occurs about 20 minutes after ingestion.  I noticed the first hive after her breakfast and the second one after dinner.  My best guess is the joint supplement I was using.  I’ve been told that SO many pets are on supplements with shellfish in it and an allergic reaction for dogs from shellfish is rare, but to me that doesn’t mean it CAN’T happen.  She is a rare one herself. 

Frankie and Ernie said, “OMD that picture looked like you had a FURRY CROWN on your head…”

I was thinking corn row, but I’ll go with Furry Crown. 🙂

Lauranne asked, “How do you not have xanax on a permanent drip link to your arm??”

Is that a thing?  I need to get one.  In the meantime….I guess I’ll have some more whiskey in my coffee.

Sherrie Petrie said, “my experience with animals is one of the biggies is grains and dairy. Try a grain free diet for Delilah and see if that helps.”

Thanks Sherrie, we are grain free already and her dairy is limited.  I’m really thinking it’s the shellfish.

My Dog is a Doofus

Frankie and Ernie said, “WE think it is GRAND that the Doofus is so Friendly and Loves Peeps so much… It is like being a Pawsonal GREETER… butt BETTER than the ones they used to have at Walmart…”

Oh Frankie and Ernie, you always make me laugh.  I love how you called him the Doofus.

Rachele Baker, DVM said, “It sounds like Sampson just has a lot of love in his heart to share.”

You’re very sweet.  He really is such a loving guy.  He’s out to win everyone over.

Jan said, “Sampson is the dog version of a politician or maybe a beloved statesman or possibly a used car salesman.”

I’ll go with beloved….politicians or used car salesman….I’m not so sure. 🙂

Daisy says, “I think they’re just sociable and interested. At least that’s what I tell myself. ”

I like it Daisy.  

Well folks, that’s it for me.  Thanks for hanging in there and have a great weekend.