A Little Bit of Summer of Shiva for You All

Lest you think we've forgotten about all of the Red Dog's followers and fans out there, think again. What follows is evidence of Shiva's aquatic progress (and of Mr. Man's hideous lack of a tan...I mean, really, could a human be any more pale?) as she goes through her paces in Aunt Rita's pool. We are amazed at the seemingly insatiable appetite in cyberspace for a partially-clad Red Dog splashing about like a three-legged (or would it be one-legged?) Esther Williams. Who knew?



Notice how at times she now seems to have a small outboard motor strapped to her backside as she plows through the water. Amazing, no?



The Red Dog also has allowed the broadening of the application of the car ride principle now to include both Katy and Joey in her evening "treatments". This has caused much mirth among neighbors as the human heads in the car now are outnumbered three to two. Snoopy and Daisy continue to be required to have separate appointments, however. This therapy has greatly improved the overall well-being of the canine population in Shiva's "queen-dom" and is fervently recommended to all who share their lives with dogs. Incidentally, proper technique must include very slow speeds (blind, head-below-the-steering-wheel, blue-haired Palm Beach slow) and open windows for maximum sniff-ability and bark-at-everyone-walking-by-on-foot-ability. You will know when you have achieved the optimum dosage levels.

On a more serious note, the Red Dog continues to build her walking and running stamina as she prepares for her trip to doggie beach paradise. She now heads down to the river every morning with Mr. Man, Shiva's Mom, Katy and Joey in tow so she can visualize her open water swimming technique (and sniff the goose poop...yum!) and say 'hi' to any humans lucky enough to cross her path. Both her attitude and fortitude are AWESOME! We count ourselves lucky to know her every day...she is a blessing. Now sit back and enjoy the Summer of Shiva...WOOF!

Hot New Man

The Red Dog wants everyone to see her handsome new crush Gibson, the world's tallest dog and recent addition to the ranks of tripawds! What a hunk!

Long Time, No Woof

So we were thinking this evening, the Red Dog and I, about how our pace of blog posts has slowed down and we wondered "why?"...and we realized that we have been living life and it's getting in the way of this cyberspace stuff. What to do? Get busy living or get busy dying, one of our favorite movie characters would say. And we will continue doing so. It's not that we don't want to share our activities with our friends, it's just that sometimes we don't want to take the time from the waking hours we have. We DO have more videos to share and we HAVE purchased a notebook computer so we can take our Flip video on the road to send daily updates from the beach...but we have learned along the way that there is no substitute for getting out there and doing. So please be patient, wag more, bark less and know that the Red Dog is busy LIVING! WOOF!!

Big Woofs!

The Red Dog would like to send BIG WOOFS out to one of her followers (Jenny N) for having that baby! Awesome job!!

Rolling Right Along

The Red Dog would like to update her legion of followers and fans on her amazing progress...she now is taking longer daily walks with increasing endurance. She also is enjoying her growing fame among her neighbors and the attention and love they have bestowed upon her. She sends a special "WOOF" to Laurel and the love of her life.

Today she is going back to Agri Feed for another fantastic retail experience. There also will be swimming on the horizon, she is certain. Perhaps her people will see fit to make more videos of her in the pool for your viewing pleasure. She will work on this for you.

Finally, she is hoping that all of you will think of her when she goes to this place in a few weeks for some three-legged fun in the sun...special thanks to Wendy for being so nice. The Red Dog cannot wait! WOOF!!

Grillin' with Snoop-Dog

Never before seen on film, our very own Snoopy (aka Snoop-Dog, Nooper, Noopie-Noo, Snapper McGee, Preacher Man & Pooplesworth) puts on a show of dental dexterity sure to please even the hardest of hardcore "Cribs" fans!

A Pirate's Life for Us!

As you can see, the pirate ship so generously provided by Aunt Amy is a huge hit with our little black-and-white friends. This should provide hours of endless amusement for them and an equal amount of annoyance for the Red Dog!

Hooray and Hallelujah!

The Red Dog and her people are pooped after a very long day, but they wanted everyone to know that the Red Dog's bloodwork and chest x-rays were PERFECT! See you tomorrow...WOOF!

The Red Dog Has Been Busy

The Red Dog is sorry for her recent absence...she has been busy enjoying the rigorous application of the car ride principle. This has taken up much of her time, but she assures her loyal followers that she will return to her duties later today. Right now she must go to the vet for some routine bloodwork, Honda for a quick service on her royal carriage and then on to Agri feed for a resupply of her most tasty food...and a glorious retail experience! The Red Dog has proof to share of the kitties' love of their new pirate ship (courtesy of Aunt Amy) and the glory of her new harness!

Note From the Red Dog

The Red Dog would like Mr. Man to quit being so melodramatic...she is fine and getting better every day. She further wants him (and everyone else) to know that even after the body gives out (which still is a LONG way away) she will be hanging around because that's how it works, regardless of what anyone else thinks or believes. That's the deal, and since the Red Dog sees all that's all we need to know. Now get busy and book that trip to the beach...WOOF!!

The Chemotherapy Dilemma

We are facing a very tough decision as we approach Shiva's next scheduled chemo appointment later this week. As a few of you already know, the first round of chemo has taken a pretty heavy toll on the Red Dog. She has taken almost three weeks to begin to behave like her old self again, and our vet friend has told us that this most likely was caused by her white blood cell count dropping too low and depleting her bone marrow. She also said that this usually gets worse with each successive treatment. Since the Red Dog was feeling FINE before the chemo and is beginning to feel FINE again, we think she deserves to stay that way. If this were about us, we would do whatever we could to keep her around regardless of the effect on her...but it's not. This is about her and her quality of life. We would rather have a few months (or years, of course!) of the Red Dog in her full Red Dog-ness than a shadow of her former self for a little extra time. The non-existent stamina, the middle-of-the-night panting, the depression and the grass-killing pee are too much to put a wonderful and dignified creature such as Shiva through at this point in her life. Because of all this, we are planning to stop chemo and monitor her blood counts, CBCs and x-rays while giving her great food, lots of love and a full life every day. This truly is a lesson for us in the importance of quality time, regardless of quantity. All of your support and prayers are so appreciated and though of on a daily basis by all of us. Now the outcome is in God's hands, and we can live with that. Next step, beach trip to Cape San Blas, Florida!

Wet 'n Wild, Red Dog Style!

After much anticipation, here she is in living (lime green!) color (THANKS FOR THE POOL TIME AUNT RITA!!):

Coming Soon: Wet 'n Wild, Red Dog Style!

Due to the size of today's video of the Red Dog taking her first three-legged swim in her fashionable new life jacket, Mr. Man is having to upload it to YouTube first, and then figure out how to imbed it in the blog or some such nonsense. Hopefully you will be able to see Shiva in all her waterlogged glory sometime before the pool freezes over!

Warm Fuzzies

The Red Dog has yet another friend to send love to as Sarah C. has sent her a blessing that she will treasure always. It is on the Red Dog's collar and that is where it will stay!

Aunt Amy Rocks!

Uncle Steve and the kids do too, but we know who the real rocker is down there in Spring, Texas! Our first video documents the initial reaction of her highness, the Red Dog, as well as Katy, Joey and Ajax when the contents of the care package are revealed:

The second captures the joy experienced by Daisy (the Black Dog) and Snoopy when they receive their wonderful squeaker-removal training devices. What fun!!

Still to come are the cats' reactions to their very own pirate ship. Stay tuned!

It's Time for a Swim!

For those of you who remember this, our wait is over...the lime green beauty has arrived and will be christened in Aunt Rita's pool tomorrow. Woooooohooooooooo!!

Yet More New Friends for the Red Dog

Lately the Red Dog has met and mingled with some of the area's best and brightest, sweet people like Jessica and her boy Cash, as well as Caroline and Susan in Maryville (AND SHE RODE IN A CAR TO GET THERE!!!). She is glad beyond words that so many people love the Red Dog and recognize her for the wonderful girl that she is.

Queen For a Day?

More like forever. Three legs or four, I am. There is no other than the Red Dog. Let your fears be eased and click that thingy over there and become a follower. This I command you. WOOF!

Reality...Exposed!

The struggle continues here between the "captives" and "captors". The following video (smuggled out at great risk to the "captives" this evening) exposes the dangerous reality facing us here in the Red Dog's world...a place where up is down and anything is possible...PLEASE watch at your own risk!