Birdy has hazed her last goose

 I am sad to report that Princess Birdy crossed the Rainbow Bridge the last weekend in June, 2021.  The cause of death was the Vet's needle in response to her loss of carrying capacity in her hind legs and bad pain in her spine.  She was taking Valtrex for Cushings Syndrome and Gabapentin for pain but her decline couldn't be stopped and I refused to keep her alive just because he was my co-carer for my husband, who has dementia and is on Hospice.

The since my last post was six years ago, I should note that Miss Birdy continued to walk in the Bend Pet Parade up through 2019 (the last year it was held).  She also continued to goose haze until around the time we adopted a toy poodle rescue named Winston, who we got as a companion for her but she never took to him.  

The picture is of Miss Birdy lying bravely in the vet's office, rocking her last blue Mohawk. 

After I received her ashes, I spread them over her pee spot in the front yard, then put down soil, then wildflower seeds.  It's probably too late in the season but someday something will grow there again, in the spot where she killed the lawn with 12 years of urine.

I cried pretty much every day the first week after her death.  I still miss her but I'm not crying so much now.  The little dog misses her so I'm making sure to take him out to visit with big dogs occasionally.

I miss her and I'm also happy I'm not walking with someone in pain anymore.  She was a truly great dog.

Birdy's Christmas Cut

July 4, 2015

Photo by Inge Fryklund

 Some of my friends took pictures of Will, Birdy and me as we walked in this year's Pet Parade. 

Photo by Mike Van Meter

 I decided not to do any filming myself.  Instead, I just looked at the crowd as Birdy, Will, and I walked in the parade.  Birdy didn't make into the Bulletin paper edition, but her upper torso and butt, separately, made it into their video in the first few seconds:  http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/3310977-151/pet-parade-goes-wild-through-downtown-bend#




I did take a couple of cell phone shots, including this of one of the many photographers who snapped her picture.  I assume they'll turn up on various blogs. 

She was such a star because I used Jerome Russell Temporary hair spray for her red and blue decoration.  And because she's so beautiful!
 

I noticed that a picture of her from last year was used by the Bend Oregon Visitor's Bureau as part of their post for this year's parade (of course, the little girl is more important)

After the parade, I shaved her way down to a short punk cut so she'll be more comfortable the rest of the hot summer.

Snow Dog

We had our first snow last week (nothing compared to New York State but still plenty).  It's still pretty messy.  But when Birdy got out into it, she loved it.  This year I made sure to get some of her pleasure on video.

First Snow of the Season Video

Poodle Party

Photo by Frank Groundwater

The people in the dog park are great.  A week or so ago this guy with a pack of four close-clipped poodles managed to coax them all, including Birdy, up onto a table in the dog park.  The old gray gentleman was Birdy's first poodle playmate in Bend.  His name is Ivan. 

Frank doesn't house all four poodles.  He was babysitting one of the black ones and the little oxblood.

Happy Birthday Birdy!

Today, May 12, 2013, is Miss Birdy's 4th Birthday.

This last year she enjoyed plenty of media coverage over the spring and summer.

In the late spring she was co-star of a photograph with my spouse, Will, that I sent in to the Central Oregon Council on Aging's "Beautiful Seniors" Photo Contest.  (You need to scroll down a ways.)

She was the shining star of the Bend Pet Parade on July 4th and had her picture featured on the front of the community section of the Bend Bulletin the following day.


One of my former students, Ian Smyth, a fine photographer, shot a picture of Birdy and me.

I also made a short Animoto movie of the parade.

Later in the summer she was one of the dogs featured in the Source's promotion of the Best of Bend.  In spite of the fact that the woman who invited Birdy to be part of that sales tool told me that the Source would co-pay for her $100 haircut, they didn't because she didn't tell me the rules for how to get them to pay.  Oh well.  She wound up looking beautiful and I sometimes see her face on walls around town.  

CBS Dogs and Procedurals

Well, this week CBS featured two champion dogs on their cop shows.  CSI had the more dog-centric plot as it featured a French speaking German Shepherd who lost his cop partner and then helped catch the killer.  According to the blogosphere, Sam the canine cop was actually played by a few different German Shepherds.  At the end of the show he is adopted by CSI Stokes who has achieved, almost instantly (and unbelievably) a close personal bond with the dog who did all the Lassie and RinTinTin anthropomorphic behaviors we've come to expect over 100 years of dogs on film.

Detective Marty Deeks explains to Chaucer that he is afraid of poodles because he was once bitten by one.

We preferred the beautiful poodle(s?) on NCIS: Los Angeles.  Unlike Sam in Las Vegas, the poodle Chaucer was not himself an officer of the law but was instead a decoy used to track down in a soviet era sleeper spy and the Cold War era nuclear device in his garage.  The two-episode plot will continue next week but, sadly, probably without Chaucer.

Best part of the show was the agility competition which pitted Chaucer against a beautiful black poodle named Uma.  Actor Eric Christian Olsen is seen at times running with the poodle actor.

New York Magazine Runs Poodle Stereotype

Much as I hate to be politically correct, I still felt annoyed when New York Magazine ran a story titled "Does Money Make You Mean?"  in its July 9, 2012 issue and illustrated it with a beautifully groomed male poodle first kicking dirty (and poop?) in the face of a "mutt" that looked like Disney's Tramp and then, on the next page, supposedly mounting said mutt.  I think this is very unfair as it suggests that standard poodles are given to the same viciousness as their owners which I find difficult to believe.  Perhaps that's because I have a beautiful curly girly who loves everyone and his or her primate.

Andrew Apostola has re-posted the image on his blogsite here.

Well, Birdy got hold of my credit card and just donated to KWAX because this rescue dog named Cody wanted matching funds.  I find it amusing that during their fund drives, this wonderful classical music station has regular contributions from various cats and dogs.  I'm listening as I clean my office.  It's a very rainy day which, perhaps, explains why my curly-girly was getting into mischief.

Sadly, on air they called her a "rescue dog" which she most decidedly is not.  (But perhaps they wouldn't have taken my money if they didn't say she was a rescue.)  She was contributing, she felt, out of noblesse oblige.

Poodle Attack!

Birdy in her Ruff Wear jacket

Met this dude called Frank in the dog park Friday.   Espying his two poodles from a hillside vista in our recently groomed dogpark, I rushed the Bird-girl down the hill, clomping in my Yaktrax.

This video shows the greeting I was looking for at the end of my clomp.

Frank and I chatted for awhile and he told me a bunch 'o' great stories about his dogs Ivan and Coco.  The older, taller Ivan I remembered, for he was Birdy's first poodle play date.  I'd met Ivan's female primate pack member at Bend Pet Express.  She made sweet noises at Birdy and invited us over.  We met once.  Birdy was soooo tiny then that she ran under Ivan's belly which, like the bellies of most poodles, was a finely-tuned concavity.  (Would George Orwell roll gravely over if he read that last sentence?)

As we spoke, the dogs played.  Mostly they stood around chewing sticks.  I'm not a big fan of Birdy swallowing outdoor stuff because she's had unexplained vomiting a few times.  So I spoke to her in a nasty tone to indicate I didn't want her doing that.  So, as she does in the house with Will, she trotted over to the male voice to be saved from me.

And he said, "Is your Mom punishing you for chewing that nice stick"  as he scratched her belly and hugged her.  And, because he had earlier told me that his folks had raised poodles, I deferred to his indirectly stated judgement regarding the safety of stick chewing.

And as usual, I didn't argue with this stranger over the use of the word "Mom."  I am very literal-minded when I encounter this word analogizing the relationship between a canine and primate as familial.  I believe that canines and primates are two different species and that they would not be able to interbreed and produce actual offspring.

I am reminded that Birdy is NOT a human every day.  And thank God for that!  I mean, like, everyday she takes a nap with her eyes half open -- she's obviously in some state between being awake and being asleep, a state that most humans cannot achieve! And dogs don't feel shame!  They simply learn to connect a certain action with a certain reward or punishment.  They don't hold on to bad feelings, unlike us higher primates.  And, of course, as a primate I have opposable thumbs!

Now, I'll admit that there have been a few occasions when primates and canines have confused their relationship.  Think of Mowgli.  But he was a rare case. There are just too many people claiming to be related to their dogs.   It's not statistically believable.

Beauty Running

I'm so upset I didn't have a film camera with me this morning!  Or at least the phone that takes movies.

Four upper-primates met and allowed their gang of dogs to run and play.  Kylie, Birdy's wrestling buddy, was there along with red-spotted Coco (Cocoa?) and a really beautiful rusty-cream moyen poddle named Bijou.  Or was it Bijoux?  Movie theatre or jewel?  I'm going with movie theatre.

ANYhooooo.....So, what would I have filmed?  Four dogs running through the woods:  Coco, followed by Bijou, followed by Birdy, followed by this beautiful young Golden Retriever with long, clean fur.  They were about a classroom's length away from us on the path, leaping through the junipers and brush, Coco bunching her muscles and springing ahead, body low to the ground, the poodles prancing behind.

from Alltypesofdogs.org

I told Coco's primate that Coco didn't look like a Coco unless I thought of it as Cocoa, because her spots are the color of a cup of milk chocolate cocoa.  When I think of Coco, I picture more fluffy foofy animals, not tough ones like this beautiful red hound with her perfect rectangular head.

Last Year

Last year Birdy became ever more socialized to the point where I'm sure she's hoping that we get her a little sister.

She plays this great game with her friend Monty, where his person Mandy throws the ball and both run to get it.  If Birdy gets it first, she'll either drop it or bring it in and then drop it so that Monty can actually return it.

These pictures were taken last summer.


More recently, Birdy met a newly adopted friend who lives down the street.  She couldn't wait to play with Happy, and pulled on the leash as we walked behind the pup and her person until we got to the park.  We were enjoying the only snow Bend got over the Holidays.  I took my camera along, just in case she did something interesting, and she did.

Good-bye, Simba

Simba was one of Birdy's very first dog park friends, as seen in this movie from her first winter with us.   Brand, Simba and Amy have flown off to Switzerland where the two humans will be teaching.  They left behind this wonderful good-bye poster in the dogpark.

Bend Pet Parade and Catch Up

Birdy once again enjoyed the Bend Pet Parade.  This year, rather than spending 8 hours dyeing and clipping her, like I did last year, I simply sprayed on her decorations.  Product used last year (and throughout the year for her head):  Top Performance Dog Hair Dye Gel.  Product used this year for myself and the pup:  Jerome Russel Temp'ry B Wild Bengal Blue and Jerome Russel Team Colors Red Zone Red  spray-in hair color.  I also used both on my own hair.

She seemed to have plenty of energy again.  She's had a bit of a problem since May of slowing down, so much so that I took her to the vet.  After a battery of tests (my wallet getting battered), her poop sample showed that she had coccidia.  She's been taking the delicious Albon Oral Suspension medicine this week.  I'm not being sarcastic about the medicine.  She laps it up.  I made the mistake of forcing the first dose down her throat when I should have just let her taste it.

I did have a bit of a contretemps with the Bend Veterinary business office regarding the cost of the medicine.  They charged me $72 for a small bottle, a price I found outrageous, especially after I googled it and found that it cost from $12 to $20 for the same amount online.  I called them and left a confused message and got a call from the business manager the next day, apologizing profusely for the error.  I got $57 put back on my debit card.

Dogs of Italy

This video is a slide show of photos I took while we were visiting Italy in March, April 2011.  The music is performed by the street group Virtuosi di Oltenia.  At the time of our trip, Birdy was at a homestay in Tumalo.

Muddy Paws DIY Dogwash

Birdy has a bath in spring, 2010.

Miss Birdy (or Admiral Byrd, if you want to be formal) is not a big fan of grooming, but she is VERY patient.  I've tried out many grooming options -- I've taken her to professionals operating out of their homes; to Pets (-Co and -Smart); and bathed her myself (see the picture to the right).  Today I decided to try out a new Westside do-it-yourself dogwash:  Muddy Paws Bathhouse.  Though we started our day at the Old Mill dog park, the Bird Girl did not get as dirty as she usually does in that venue.  Nevertheless, I decided that I'd still take the time to check out the new DIY prettifying site.  After couple of hours of shared learning at the park, we got to the Bathhouse around 10:00 a.m.

Admiral Josephine Byrd being brave.

What a great experience!  I made some mistakes but overall it was a super experience.  U of O business major Cody Moulton took my money (after dealing with a phone call from someone who had lots of questions) and showed me how to work the equipment.  (Should I have left him a tip?  I didn't.  Maybe next time.)  He also came over and chatted with me as I was shampooing the pup.  I fear I lectured his ear off on the problematics of poodle-drying.  (I noted he was not taking notes as I explained that first you need to wring her out like a washcloth, then  dry with a towel, and finally blow dry.)

Cody complimented Birdy on her calmness.  Certainly she was far  calmer than the dog I heard howling in the professional area.  Actually, that dog wasn't as annoying in its cowardice as was its person, who kept telling it to be quiet.  After what seemed a long period of blow drying, I asked Cody to get Miss birdy a treat to help her enjoy the experience more.  After her treat, she was calm for awhile and then got more and more wiggly.  Finally, I just gave up (that was my biggest mistake) even though she wasn't completely dry (just mostly de-moistified).

Birdy 12:15 pm 3/12/2011

As I was leaving, I chatted with John Legg, the handsome co-owner (with wife Jane) of Muddy Paws.  Did I ask him about his dogs or his business?  No.  That's what a REAL blogger would do.  Nope, I just talked about how wonderful my princess is and how I was planning to buy a steak at the Newport Market for the two of us (Birdy and myself) to share when we got home.  Which we did. (She did not get to taste my bloody mary, however, made with V8 and Crater Lake Vodka.) After our lunch I spent another hour combing and brushing her (while listening to Wait Wait Don't Tell Me) until she looked like she does in the picture to the right.

But let me back up.  When I left the story, Cody came out to my car.  I rolled down the window.  He told me to find them on Facebook and give the link to this blog.  So, that's the final step in today's blogging fun.

Meeting Up Accidentally

Is it better to meet accidentally or on purpose?  I've been wondering whether or not to make cards for Birdy with my cell # on them so that, if people and their dogs so choose, they can make play dates with Birdy. 

Or should I just TALK with the owners of the dogs I like? 

No way.  Nah.   I am WAY too shy for that.  Need to connect only with people I through other, non-dog associations.

Well, there is at least one person I know from a non-dog lifetime -- that's this talented and way outspoken East Coast gal who was part of 135 UP.  (An art association I was part of.  I always felt like I was the most outside of the outsider artists in that group.  [I have no ambition and my muse is desultory.])  This gal sometimes scared me with her directness -- I would take on her criticisms of others as criticisms of myself. (To the extent that I am like those people who are being criticized, to that same extent I feel the criticism.  Can anyone say "boundary issues"?)

[lack of transition]  Birdy really gets along with this gal's dog:  Nela.  They played this morning in the small patch of grass near the U of O site.  (I still call it "the silvaculture lab").  Nela has a strong background in herding.  She's part dingo, part European cow-dog.  She snapped at Birdy's rump, bit too much teeth.  But Birdy does look like a sheep.

So, I know where they live.  Maybe I should just forget the whole electronic messaging thing and just go leave a note on their door.  

[lack of transition] I'd love to do a whole little Animoto of Birdy being the herdee.  (See on the front page the most recent Animoto of old Facebook "Dog Album" photos.  I think I need to buy the $30 a year update so that I can make so called "full length" videos.  In Animoto terms, I believe this means the length of a song.  You don't get to be "unbranded" until you go "pro."  I can't find a suitable definition for"unbranded:"  I'm guessing it means not having the "Animoto" mark at the top of the screen.  Well, at least it's not like a tv network crawl ad with little people running around promoting an upcoming show.)

Flirting

"She's flirtin with ya, Monte!" said Mandy* to her tall, slim, cream-colored husky type dog.

Monte turned around, keeping his eye on Birdy.  She pranced around him with his ball in her mouth, making sure she presented her fluffy behind to him occasionally.  Usually, he didn't chase her, but just stood in one place maneuvering his slick long pantaloons into a slow spin.  Once he partially mounted her.  But two or three times she finally dropped the ball in front of him so that he could give it to Mandy who checked it up the grassy hill again. 

 _____________________________________
*  She gave me a Barry Manilow song to remember her by and I think it was that one.  Could it be Brandy?  No.  She said Barry Manilow, not Looking Glass.  And anyway, you know how names don't stick in my head and they never did.  Remember when I had to have the names of the students in the class play written down for me?  I think that was fourth grade.  Could have been sixth.  I remember that in sixth grade, Mr. Tetzlaff had us do The Cask of Amontillado.

Dog Park

There are many dog parks in Bend and one of the joys of sharing my life with the curly girly is experiencing the mix of primate and canine interaction.  Here she's running full speed with a friendly doberman pinscher she met at the Riverbend Off Leash area in December.

 In the picture above, Birdy is looking absolutely gorgeous with her blue hairdo.  Her stance and intelligent gaze show that she is a true daughter of champions, even though her life is pretty much that of a regular dog.  In the picture below is her small Westie playmate, Gracie, a dog belonging to my friend Kathy.

Pet Parade Movie

Very shaky camera movement (recorded with a Flip Video while walking).  Best to watch it small size.