Tag Archives: Sierra

Many people who have 4-legged fur kids can attest to their ability to know when it’s time for food and fun. This is one of those moments.

Recently I’ve included Iris to the morning supplement routine. What this includes is allergy meds* for Sierra, my super allergic Pitty-mix, plus some supplements to help boost her immune system to relieve symptoms of allergies.

The supplements have been fantastic for her while we continue to manage her severe allergies. Prior to the change in routine, Iris, my Maligator, knew the routine as “Peanut butter* puppy time” simply because Sierra would take her meds with PB and Iris would have some PB too for being present.

The kicker was after taking her allergy meds, Sierra would also take 6 supplement treats. Iris, ever intently, would stand guard should Sierra or I drop one. Iris is most definitely an opertunist when it comes to food.

Iris being a Belgian Malinois is acutely aware of her surroundings. She’s most definitely a high maintenance dog as a result. This is indicative of the breed and part of the reason why Belgian Malinois dogs are not ideal for first time dog parents. She’s tested my limits multiple times with her intelligent stubbornheadedness.

Back to the morning after being ever not so subtlety awoken by the infamous Maligator. Iris was ready for me to wake up. I, not so much from having fallen asleep in the early hours of the morning. That didn’t matter to her. It was getting lighter outside and that meant morning treats. She even managed to wake up Sierra to join her in her endeavor to get my butt up and downstairs.

I’ve lost track of the doggy nudges to wake me up between the two of them.

Not being a morning person, the girls know I make a beeline for the coffee pot. That is expected by both of them. Iris will follow me to the kitchen and Sierra will lazily work her way downstairs.

Upon entering the living room, coffee* in hand, the two of them are already in cahoots armed with the knowledge it’s morning and mommy is up with her coffee. THEIR TURN.

The girls staring wanting their morning “treats”

The two of them working together making sure that I know it’s their turn to recieve their morning treats.

Up until a week ago Sierra was the only one who had been taking supplements. Including Iris into the routine amplified the demand to ensure I make good on the morning routine. Iris is now getting supplements for her skin and coat* in case you were wondering.

Peanut butter is good. Peanut butter and treats are even better. The biggest instigator being Iris who earlier woke up Sierra to join her in waking me up. It was their time to enjoy the morning.

Needless to say the two of them got what they wanted. I did however walk them outside to relieve themselves prior to giving them treats. Two reasons. One, they needed to be taken out. Two, to help reenforce that I’m the Alpha and they are expected to listen to me. The latter mostly due to Iris being a Maligator.

The two of them are already taking their morning post treat nap and being very very good dogs. A tired dog is a good dog. Most definitely when one has a Belgian Malinois in their home.

I even got to enjoy some Maligator cuddles too.

Well, I’ll be letting them sleep for a bit so I can get my day started. Including letting you in on the life of these two treat loving cuties. Have a wonderful day!

Doggy Diary

Tired Dogs After a Bath

March 1, 2022 sukikatze Leave a comment

Since the weather has been a mix of cool weather and occasional rain the dogs have been spared from getting baths the past two months.

Luck would have it today. The weather was perfect. It was in the mid-70s, mostly sunny, and gentle breeze.

The two 50+ lbs dogs were also going to need to be tricked into a bath. Each dog for their own reasons.

Iris, the Belgian Malinois, simply because she’s both smart and stubborn. She knows…and I mean Knows, baths happen after going swimming. Typically boat day for her. By then she’s usually a tired good dog. Today wasn’t going to be a “fun” bath day for her. So the anticipation of her not wanting a bath because she didn’t get tired out was already popping into mind.

Sierra, the Pitty-mix, also the biggest sweetheart who’d go to the ends of the Earth for me, was going to be slightly easier. I say slightly for two reasons. One, she’s not a fan of the hose but will stay put. Two, she has terrible allergies and at the moment they’re flaring up again. Also, another big reason the bath had to happen.

With Sierra, I know a bath would do wonders for her. We even buy a special shampoo for her so it’s as gentle as effective at helping her skin given her severe allergies. Added bonus, we can use it on the Maligator Iris too. One bottle works for both of the girls. Can’t beat that.

How I tricked them. Iris was beginning to get restless to go outside and use the nature “facilities“. If you know what I mean. Sierra was also eager to go along and relieve herself as well.

Let them do their thing and upon our return we stopped short of going upstairs. Of course Iris was already onto me.

This is where one person (no backup) and two dogs needing a bath got interesting…and slightly aggravating.

First, hosed both of them down, twice. For Sierra, it was some extra rinsing to loosen and wash off allergens. For Iris, she just has a ton of fur with her coat.

Sierra was the first to get lathered up with shampoo. For the most part she was ok with getting washed but since she has a very short coat it felt cooler for her. She also needs to have the shampoo sit for a little bit. Both of which is helpful with her allergies.

Iris, was up next while the shampoo was soaking on Sierra. Iris, as anticipated, wasn’t as cooperative.

Since they were on their leashes secured to the bottom of the stair rail, Iris was up a few steps then down and around the side. Repeat the aforementioned a few times all while trying to get a dog soapy. Meanwhile Sierra, all soapy, just sat and watched me trying to wash Iris. She seemed to be enjoying watching having previously endured similar mommy treatment…except she stayed put and was done sooner.

Well, both dogs are both soapy, finally. I went back to Sierra to re-wet her a little and do one last lather before jumping back to Iris to do the same.

They both looked soapy, had had the shampoo sit, and were looking at me like, “Hurry up and finish this mom!”. Hosed both dogs off twice, unleashed them, and allowed them to go up to the upper part of the deck and sun themselves while the sun was actually still hitting the deck.

So you know, they both loved that part.

Iris, likes to chew on my lemongrass plant up there and Sierra likes to sunbathe. The latter makes me question if the Mix in Pitty-mix is part cat? Sierra does like to sit on top of the back sofa cushions and a new couch didn’t change things…

The two of them got to both nature and neighbor watch for about a half hour to an hour. It was warm enough to dry them without being too hot. Now they are knocked out inside feeling nice and clean. As you can see.