Vacation Notes Part I

     Some of you may know that I have recently returned from my honeymoon.  My wonderful husband and I went on a cruise to the Bahamas.  Our pups stayed with a close friend and colleague.  A few people have asked why we did not allow our dogs to travel with us.  Instead I made plans for them to have a "Doggie Vacation" with someone I trust.

     The drive to Charleston, SC was not too long.  Only about three and a half hours with one stop mid-way to stretch our legs.  We arrived a few minutes early to the dock to board our cruise ship, but there were already dozens of cars in line ahead of us.  We had to sit for almost an hour before pulling up to have our luggage loaded onto the ship, then wait again to park in the parking deck.  There were multiple stops along our winding mile long wait- to check our licenses and birth certificate (or in my case, naturalization certificate), to ask for our confirmation code, get our cabin number (to write on our luggage tags), to pay for our week long parking, to have our luggage taken, to get color coded stickers on our windshield, to get a piece of paper to place on our dash while our car was parked.  I know my dogs would have wanted to sniff and greet each and every one.

     Once we were safely parked, we walked with the amassing crowd to be crammed into a large bus to be taken to the waters edge.  I could not believe how large the cruise ship was!  I was astounded that so many people could possibly be boarding the same ship as us.  Over 2,200 passengers were aboard I learned later.  The buses dropped us off at a large building where lines snaked over almost every available inch of space.  Conveyors to place our personal items waited patiently to x-ray our belongings.  Security personnel ushered us one at a time through the metal detectors and reminded us that if we had over $10,000 on our persons, we would need to fill out a separate form.  It was load, crowded, and disorienting to my dull human senses, I was grateful my pups were somewhere relaxed!  Another hour passed before we were herded to another line of chattering passengers zig-zagging up a series of ramps onto the ship.

     At the top of the ramp, we were halted yet again, to have our documents checked over one last time.  Lunch was being served and our cabins would be ready in about an hour.  As we walked farther away from the door we entered the crowd thinned slightly, but more and more people continued to flood in.  I secretly wondered if having four paws to stand on would make it harder or easier to adjust to the barely perceptibly motion of the boat below our feet.  I fervently hoped it stayed this gentle the entire time we were at sea!

The view from one of the balconies inside the ship

   We made our way up one set of elevators, down some corridors, across an open deck with a pool, hot tubs, dance floor, and bars and then into the large dining area.  It was set up like a cafeteria, with several types of food available at each station.  Salads, cold cuts for sandwiches, TWO dessert bars, a sandwich bar, pizza, grill, stir fry station- all types of food were at our fingertips!  Enticing smells wafted our way from all directions, and just as exciting- the tables were set indoors, or out so we might enjoy the ocean view with our meals!  If I lingered too long, my pups would salivate with a whiff of my shirt when I got home, in just under a week.

     My sweet husband was not at all distracted by the cuisine.  We wound in and about the gaggle of sightseers oogling the buffet.  Stairways were hidden sporadically on the decks.  We chose those to avoid the multiple sets of crowded elevators.  We walked by dance clubs, teen clubs, bars, several lounges, an auditorium, two restaurants, a store, a casino and a spa.  All on our ship.  Until the intercom system sounded tones remniscent of those I heard in grade school, I hadn't realized how long we had been exploring.  Bong-bing-booo!  A smooth alto voice addressed us in surround sound.  She informed us that we could not leave until the safety drill had been practiced.  Every passenger must know where to go in the event of an emergency.

    That drill is on the top 10 Worst Experiences of my Life list.  Meeting in the auditorium was crowded, but tolerable.  Squeezing out single file and being lined up shoulder to shoulder and nose to back four rows deep for many minutes was sheer torture!  I was the second row from the wall.  At my height (for those of you whom I have not had the pleasure of meeting, I am 5'1") I could not see above many people's shoulders.  I was trapped in never-ending rows of flesh.  The humid, stagnant air did not help.  I was close enough to watch the perspiration blossom in the shirt's armpits of the man in front of me.  If I had my dogs with me would they be folded in this press also?  I was grateful to not have to find out!


     Finally, the exercise ended.  Bong-bing-booo! We were kindly thanked for our co-operation by the same velvety alto voice.  I could feel the large engines rumbling somewhere beneath us.  How exciting!  We were on our way!  Tomorrow we would be at sea, and the next day, wake in the port of Nassau!


....to be continued

Random Raw Rant

Grace, in all her 70lb splendor

     Today I went to see my Veterinarian.  Grace needed to have blood drawn for her annual heartworm and blood parasites test, phenobarbital blood level check and T4 measurement.  She weighs in at a petite 70.6 pounds, and is oh so patient with the assistant who coos and musses her face and ears.  

     I allow the large woman to bend over, fuss, pet and talk "baby-talk" to my sweet Shepherd because last time I asked her to stop, she was so offended, it almost effected Grace's visit by making the dog uncomfortable.  The woman seems oblivious to my body language too.  Thank goodness Grace has a very consistent work schedule to keep her tolerant of such overly invasive interactions!

     Grace quickly winds up until she is dancing frantically back and forth across the employee's feet.  As I put a hand on Grace's nose and tell her to "Settle" so the Vet can draw blood, I informed the helper quietly "She is much easier to handle if you don't amp her up in your initial greeting.  All that excited petting raises her energy level."   I still got a dirty look, but I made my point as politely as I could.

     As we pay our tab and prepare to leave, I comment on our recent dietary changes.  "Almost three months on kibble now, instead of their raw food... their coats are doing poorly, Grace's skin remains constantly irritated, and she has had her first seizure since coming to live with me."  The last time, I had conversed with my Vet, and he gave me the scripted answer "Raw food carries bacteria, it is dangerous" et cetera et cetera.  I eat meat myself, and certainly know how to be careful when preparing it.  That part I completely disregard.  What I do consider a valid point however, is that it is possible that with a raw diet they could be missing some needed nutrients.  

     At this point, I am not satisfied with the results.  I am going to continue with the kibble however, for approximately 6 more months in order to give it a fair trial.  Since I am exploring other brand options, the dogs will need time to adjust to their new diet.  I adore my veterinarian, and take his opinions seriously enough that I am willing to try another route on his advice.  Ultimately, the decision will be based on the health and performance of the pups though, not what anyone says.  

     What really made my blood boil, and prompted this peckish entry, was the comment the assistant made next.  "Well I won't feed my dogs the canned food at all."  At this point I was vaguely annoyed- I agree heartily, but what does canned food have to do with raw diet?  

     "I completely agree.  Canned food is garbage."  I stated.

     Then it dawned on me.  She believed this whole time that when I was speaking of my dogs' raw diet, that I was giving them canned food.  I saw the good Doctor turn to leave the room.  I smiled tightly and left also.

     People, please be careful who you ask advice of.  Just because someone works in a Veterinary Hospital, does not mean they are well informed, or pay a lot of attention to what is going on around them.

*     Massive amounts of information are available, both for and against raw food diets. Advertisements largely target things that appeal to a human consumer, not the dog's actual dietary needs.  (for a recent article on AVMA new policy concerning raw diet, click here)  Since I have been feeding my dogs raw food for quite a long time, I thought it only fair to give kibble a real trial.  I am willing to learn new things if they will help my pups!  After sifting through large quantities of information, I decided to switch Brutus and Grace to a high protein Canadian brand who use homeopathic veterinarians for their formulas. (for more information on this particular brand click here.)