An Internet Holiday

First of all, I want to thank all my pals for their nice words about the seizure monster. It really helps momma to read your comments. Seizures are not particularly common in full sized doggies such as myself, but they are all too common for doggies in general. No medicines for me right now as the monster stays away for long periods of time already. I am feeling fit and hearty and am even starting at a new school today! Woo hoo! Break out the hot dogs.

Now, about this internet holiday. Well, the DOH told me that she is just feeling a tad stressy about all the "stuff" required to keep up in life and that "we" need to take a break from the internets for a bit to allow her to get her mentals back on track. Whatever.

So, starting today, no blogging, no facebook, no google reader, and daily application of the mark all as read button. Can you stand it? She will let me check my peemail exactly twice each day in case something super important happens in which case we will break radio silence (well, I should hope so).

Worse still, no more obsessive carrying about of the flashy to record each and every adorable and clever thing that I do. Are you freakin' kidding me?

No worries, there is nothing dire going on at the estate. All residents are healthy in body, if not in mind. Just a little experiment I suppose to see if the week goes markedly different by returning to prehistoric times when dinosaurs roamed the earth and computers were guided by punch cards.

Here is a photo of me and the Pea posing with the last of the snow just so you don't forget what we look like.

Mango Man! Oh yeah!

P.S. Any comments you leave on my bloggy go directly to my peemail. Thank goodness for small things, right?

Seizure Monster? You Decide.

So this morning I woke up to find that my bed had been moved to the living room next to the couch upon which momma was resting right next to me. Not an entirely unusual occurrence as the DOH sometimes has the sleepy problems and she says that listening to me breath helps her relax and get her rest.

But this time she was all worried and she told me that the seizure monster had come to visit during the night. Huh? How could I have missed that. I was sure she was making it up.

Then she made me watch a movie and sure enough, there I was plain as day and first I was all stiff as a board except for my chompers which were clanking together with a most disturbing sound and then all of a sudden it looked like I was going totally mental fits. I kid you not. Like total spaz time all legs akimbo and foaming at the mouth and, hang on, peeing?

Finally I was shown walking around with a stupid look on my face like my brains weren't in there anymore (OK, I'm going to concede that one because I am big enough to admit that I do often wear that, ahem, vacant expression). But I certainly DO NOT bump into things and get stuck in corners.

NO WAY! I know how clever momma is and that movie was a total fake. I told her, "go ahead and post it on the internets and we'll see what's what." But she said, "Oh no Mango, that is just too disturbing for your pals to see." Yuh, like seeing my head pasted onto Mollie Jo's wee little body or flames shooting out my butt isn't disturbing? As if!

Now I do recall having a dream about eating ice cream and the Pea growling at me. But we all know that was nothing but the night visions because I never ever get ice cream and the Pea would not dare growl at me.

Momma claims I also drank about a gallon of water and to be honest I was feeling a bit, er, full.

But seizure monster? Nope. Because I was feeling right as rain. Just to demonstrate my robustness, I proceeded to give the Pea a good round of bitey face.

Oops, where did the little dude get to now?

Yuh for sure, and does this look like a doggie with sickies? Seriously.

I am unclear how she made the alleged seizure movie, but if being convinced that the seizure monster is lurking means she is going to sleep out on the couch with me again, then I'll go along with it.

Mango Man! Oh yeah!

P.S. From Momma.

Mango had another seizure Thursday night. His first since January 7th. And yes, I do have a movie of one of his seizures which I made to show to my vet but it is not how I want Mango's pals to see him so I am not posting it. If you want to know what a mastiff seizure is like, you can watch a movie by clicking here. WARNING, it might upset you a bit (but I am grateful to the owners who had the courage to post it so that others can see).

The only common thread to his seizures so far is they always happen at night and they always come within an hour of him going to sleep. Other than that, I cannot point to any stress, food, day, time of day, anything that links them together. This one lasted about two minutes. He was pacing and disoriented for an hour afterwards.

A difference this time was that when he did finally lay down, his breathing was labored and he was moaning, but I stroked him and calmed my breathing and eventually we both fell asleep.

Oh to be a dog because Mango has no idea that he has seizures. He woke up happy as could be and Dexter was glad to see him and no longer afraid and growling. All fingers and paws crossed that the monster is gone for a while.

True Confessions on Friday by Dexter

What am I going to miss most about winter?

POOPING ON SNOW BANKS!

LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT!

Admit it. You do too.

Dexter done!

Wordless Wednesday - Car Cookie

Mango Man! Oh yeah!

Trying Out my New Therapy Disk Thingie

Yesterday I missed my morning walk, but was promised one in the evening.

Sadly, it snowed! Ish! And not nice snow, but wet and slippery... the worst kind.

However, physical fitness is important, so I requested some calisthenics in the dog cave.

Now lately we have been doing work with my big therapy ball, but to be honest, I am not very comfortable with it. So momma bought me a little inflated disk which serves just as well to exercise my large and sometime stiff bottom.

I am King of the therapy disk for sure. The Pea, well, not so much as you will see in this action movie.

Mango Man! Oh yeah!

Pea Goes Walkies and Some Zoomies

Having partaken of not one, but TWO, most stimulating walkies on Saturday, combined with curiously draining sun baking, come Sunday, I was more than happy to enjoy my meaty bone in the yard whilst the Pea went off on his walkies in search of the last of the big snow.

Nommy, nom, nom, nom.

There are still some wicked pissah big snow banks to be found, but they are not looking all that fresh.

Hey! See the cop car in the background? Must be a snow bank stake out.

It is always most intriguing to discover what is buried in the giant snow that lines our local parking facilities.

Here the Pea discovers a wheelie contraption that was likely abandoned by some drunken college student who had wheeled down to the center for additional libations only to forget his chosen mode of transport for the evening.

Ever the optimist, the little dude always takes a detour to the fence surrounding the cement pond to find out if it has opened for the season.

Almost, buddy, almost.

Upon his return, he was most oddly full of beans. Toot toot! Actually, I don't really know what that means, but he certainly was bouncy.

This was likely due to his less than labraspeed walkies of late and denial of tennis ball so that he can recover from his lyme diseases without becoming addicted to pain killers.

Well, I, Mango, was feeling a bit bouncy myself. After all, it is springtime which brings nice soft grass for running upon and hot sun to stimulate my mentals.

Oh do forgive the blurry photos. It seems the DOH has still not learned to hold herself still when chronicling our action. Or, perhaps, the breakneck speeds at which I move defy digitals.

Check out my hind quarters extension. Oh yeah, who has been doing his therapy ball stretches like a good doggie?

Here we come! The two best doggies in the whole wide world (just ask momma).

I don't know about the squirt, but I was WIPED OUT! Needed a rest before making my way across that big old yard to my water bowl for some refreshments.

Mango Man! Oh yeah!

The Hatchling Arrives

In order that I might enjoy my meditations without being concerned about the hatchling, I cleverly posted an action animated flashy over the nest. Sure enough, early this morning, there was motion!

I am convinced that there is Beastie DNA in there as the game little tyke was having trouble extracting his robust hind quarters from the egg.

But he was out soon enough and ready for action. Such grace! Now, THAT's my boy!

Aw, look, already walking.

EYIEEEEEE! NO! BAD DOG UNCLE PEEWEE!

Say hello to papa!

NO NO NO! Evil Pea keeps trying to eat my spawn.

It's OK, little yellow dude, the Mango is here for you.

Perhaps you would feel safer inside my jaws of doom, er, I mean, soft and comforting jowls.

Look at him. He loves stuffies as much as I do.

Whoops, slow down there. Don't want to overdo it on your first day out.

Sigh, this parenting is exhausting.

Ready for an action movie of baby's first day? Here you go.

OK, yes, I did show off my lipstick in the movie, but it's all Mango, it's all good, right?

Mango Man! Oh yeah!

P.S. Hey! You know how sometimes the YouTube recommends related movies? Well check this one out all about ME that came up on my hatchling video (WARNING - LOUD).

Mango Minster Administrative Announcement

I was finally able to get the DOH to help me do the official Mango Minster award certificates. You should all have received them in your peemail today, so let me know if there was a glitch.

I am posting little Bibi-Chan's here because for reasons that are unclear to me, it is most difficult to get peemails to France. So come and get it little kitteh.

The hatchling has emerged. I am going to try and get some action photos this weekend.

Mango Man! Oh yeah!

Paws for Japan - Count me in!

Mango Momma here to spread the word about Paws for Japan.

Today March 17th pet bloggers are uniting to help raise money for our pet friends in Japan.

Paws For Japan.

While most people are fleeing or being evacuated, certain individuals are going in head first to rescue those pet friends in need.

World Vets is one of the organizations that are over there now trying to help, but they need us to spread the word and they need help to keep going.
World Vets is a non-government organization that provides veterinary aid around the globe.
Please consider making a donation if you are able to help support them in the mission.

A Cautionary Movie (that doesn't even star me)

We have been very busy around the estate just keeping up with "stuff" and subsequently momma has not even gotten out the flashy in a few days.

So I thought I would pause to share this shocking yet informative documentary film with you. It shows the dangers of the Chew Waa Waa doggies.

NOT the cute and harmless beasts that some think (fast forward to 2:15 for the scary part).

DID YOU SEE THAT? That evil doggie pushed the hapless mastiff right off the couch and proceded to gasconade in a most unsightly manner (yuh, like I totally know how to use online thesaurus for sure).

Mango Man! Oh yeah!

Our Bathroom is Too Small and Hatchling Update

Friends, it appears that momma's work place has cut off access to all the funballs internets and subsequently we are falling behind in our readings once again. Of course, one always has to ask why what she does at the workplace affects MY reading of blogs, but there you go.

Now many of my pals have written about how they enjoy visiting their humans in the wet room. Sadly, that is an official no dog zone at our estate.

Nevertheless, on the occasions that the simple minded moo does not securely latch the door, I am Mango on the spot to investigate the goings on.

My visitations are NOT appreciated and frankly it is always a bit of a pickle for me as our wet room is far too small to accommodate my Mango-ness. Here is a re-enactment movie...

Note to Master! This is for demonstration purposes only. I never ever ever go in there for sure, you can count on it, and neither does the Pea.

Hey! Did you hear the DOH call the squirt "midget?" See? It isn't just me.

For this demonstration, momma was kind enough to open the door all the way because sometimes I kind of sneak in and the door is not all the way open and I back up and my bottom hits it and it scares me and so I go forward and momma tells me to get out and I back up and my bottom gets bumped again and so I go forward and, well, I think you get the picture.

Oh, did you ask how the hatchling is coming along? I made a movie update for you.



Several alert readers have suggested the DNA testing which might not be a bad idea. I am having a hard time mustering paternal feelings for whatever that thing is. Does that make me a bad dad?

Mango Man! Oh yeah!

Not for Joey, Kissing Booth, and Egg Update

If you are NOT Joe Stains, please read on...

My buddy, Ike, is planning a wee little surprise for Joey which requires some dollars to put together. I am super juiced about it. If you want to participate, just visit Ike, here, and you will see how.

In other news, Pea and I paid a visit to the kissing booths over at the auction for Richie and Ronnii.

You can bet that my first stop was to the lovely and charming Ruby. Oh yeah, that's what I'm talking about. Hehehe.

The Momma said I HAD to visit the Beastie because she is one of my oldest "friends." Well, I figured it was safe since she is in a cage. Here goes...

Dexter choose Morgan which is kind of funny when you think about it... Dexter Morgan, get it?

Now, of course I, Mango, am also available for smoochies. All you need is $1 and a paypal account and you are good to go. Come on over by clicking here.

Here is a current photo of my egg. I am a tad worried by the proximity of the red sauce and pasta. Master has been known to confuse anything on the kitchen counter with foodables and I would hate to see my spawn served up as a protein rich, yet disturbing entree.

Finally, it's me.... and Pea! Just hanging and resting between snow melt activities.

Mango Man! Oh yeah!

The Pea, the Snow, the Egg, and Joe Stains

Item #1
The Pea is already feeling TONS better after taking his antibiotics for the Lyme. Don't worry, I will make sure he takes them as prescribed for the full 21 days. But here is a short movie to prove that the spring in his step is back and he has even been pestering momma for tennis ball action, but she told him he needs to take it easy for another day.

Item #2

The big snow is almost gone. Hooray! This is due in no small part to my expert and ingenious snow removal services. Let's zoom in on the photo below to see how it works, shall we?

Yes, I, Mango have been strategically applying my large and generating most potent farts bottom on the snow causing huge melting to take place.

Rather than be appreciative for my services, momma accuses me of being so dim that I don't even know where my bottom is and that it takes many minutes for the fact that my nards are freezing to reach my brains.

As if! That sounds like an insult to my mentals if you ask me.

Item #3

My egg has started to hatch! Look! At first I was worried because it appears that my spawn has yellow furs, but I do know that many puppies are hatched with different color furs than they will have when they grow up, so I am not terribly worried.... yet.

Item #4

One of my oldest and bestest blogging buddies, Joe Stains is getting on in years and has developed a bad sickie. But his plan is to make life one big party as long as he can and I am all about that for sure. He does not want us to be sad which is kind of hard, but I respect and will do my best.

Mango Man! Oh yeah!

Pea has Sickies and I have an Egg

The Pea started walking funny yesterday. Then today he was walking really funny and he did not want to play with me at all. Look at this movie and see for yourself.

See? He just lay on the deck all sad. So momma took him to the vet and he has the Lyme disease. Oh dear. I have had that myself and I know how owie it can be.

The vet lady said that ticks never really go away, they just freeze solid and turn back into their nasty selves when it gets warmer... kind of like my poops.

The Mango is not heartless. I know that the little dude is feeling too sore to get on his couch so I let him have my favorite bed. How's that for being a good brother?

In other news, the Beastie sent me a peemail telling me there was a package in my PO box from her and to NOT GET IT WET no matter what.

At first I was worried that it might be some of those Sea Monkeys. Wow, those freaked my momma out when she was a pup because she got some and thought they were a little family just like on the package label.

Then when Grandma told her to "flush that mess down the toilet" momma was all crying mental fits because she thought she was killing that happy little family. Scarred for life, I tell you.

So, I was glad that the package did not contain those critters, but it did contain something equally concerning. To whit, an egg.

An egg that Beastie claims holds the spawn of a coupling between my large and not prone to wanton mating self and her large and visible from out of space bottomed self. Gah! How could that have happened? Possibly that night at Mango Minster when I had a bit too many smoothies?

Who knows? But momma was quite exercised about the whole thing and put the egg into a bowl of water.

Huh? Aren't you supposed to sit on eggs? I tried to save it! After all, there could be a little Mango in there.

But all I heard was "leave it! leave it!" from the evil witch and so leave it I did.

And now, frankly, I am a bit concerned. What could possibly be about to hatch from this underwater ellipse? Should I be excited and filled with anticipation or should I be exploring ways to flush it down the potty like those hapless Sea Monkeys?

Here is an actual movie which I believe conveys the seriousness of my situation.

Oh pity the poor Mango. A simple beast without the financial means for puppy support.

Mango Man! Oh yeah!

P.S. From Momma

Dex went to daycare on Thursday and they reported that his feet might be a bit sore as it was the first day they were outside on the gravel since the big snow. So when he had the faintest trace of favoring one foot that night, I wasn't concerned. He was limping some yesterday and then he was much worse today and also acting lethargic. The vet found some tenderness and did an x-ray which showed toes were OK, but by then I was already starting to think lyme and sure enough he tested positive.

Mango has had lyme twice and my airedale had it once. It is pretty easy to spot as the dog worsens quickly and has lameness that sometimes moves about and general sluggishness. My experience is that the antibiotics start to work within 24 hours and Dex also took some anti inflammatories to help with the pain.

So the prognosis is good, but it breaks my heart to see the little guy so down in the dumps. It clearly hurts for him to walk and he is giving me very sad looks. I know he feels awful, but hopefully he will rest and be better soon.

I was already planning to start the Frontline today, but apparently I waited too long as it just takes one or two days above freezing (which we have had on and off for the past few weeks) for those ticks to get to work and I have been walking Dex in the woods.

FDA Issues K9 Phenobarbital Recall Alert

Consumer Alerts - 3-10-11 FDA Alerts Veterinarians that the human drug Phenobarbitol has been recalled. This is often used for treating DOGS WITH SEIZURES. On 2/5/11 Qualitest Pharmaceuticals recalled several lots of Phenobarbitol 32.4 and Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminphen tablets. They were 10mg/500mg and this was apparently due to a mix up in labels.

Here's a quote from the FDA on March 10, 2011 regarding this recall: "Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen Tablets were incorrectly labeled as Phenobarbital tablets 32.4 mg.

As a result of this mix-up, pets may unintentionally be given Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen tablets instead of the intended drug, Phenobarbital". CVM has recently received 3 serious adverse event reports involving dogs treated with Phenobarbital tablets manufactured by Qualitest Pharmaceuticals. One report cited two of the three affected lot numbers for the recalled product. The remaining two reports did not provide the lot numbers.

Note from Momma - Mango was not on this anti-seizure medication, but many dogs were, so good to check. And one should always try to google medicine to make sure it is the proper stuff. You can usually find a photo online.

Almost Wordless Wednesday - The Headless Mastiff Bwahaha

Mango Man! Oh yeah!

P.S. Talk about losing your head... I know Momma is always slow getting the Mango Minster certificates out, but this is getting ridiculous. I have put several post it notes on her computer to remind her, but she keeps covering them with other stuff. I'll work on her priorities.

Mostly Melted Monday by Dexter

The big melt is on but we still have a long way to go. Well, at least there is grass to be seen. I can't be bothered with the stairs off the observation deck and am still throwing myself into the snowbanks to make my exit. Oh joy!

I did finally convince the DOH to break out my tennis ball and the past couple of days I have been chasing that beloved yellow orb until I drop. This is living!

The RH chases a bit but as we all know is easily fatigued.

Me? By the time the DOH walks all the way back to put the tennis balls away in the garage lock up I am ready to go again. Note that I am on the snow bank. I really disdain walking in the freezing water that collects on the patio. Leave that to less nimble dogs, thank you very much.

So momma helped make this little movie and she feels it is a commentary on my diminished retrieving skills. As any fool can see, the reason I don't bring the ball back is because the Relentlessly In My Face always wants to steal it from me. I can't believe he actually staggered out into the snow just to harass me.

Please excuse the poops in the snow. Momma is doing her best but she says that hauling five gallon buckets overflowing with deposits all the way to the back of the yard is quite a strain on her wee little muscles, so she is doing it in increments.

Dexter done!

Power of the Paw Needed for My Pals in Ohio

Please visit my friends Bubby, Hunter, and Scout in the beautiful state of Ohio. Their estate filled with freezing cold water and they had to flee and some of their fur family did not survive. Scout was so scared and his momma had to go and get him even though the water was up to her waist and so very, very cold. Now their family is all split up and Bubby might have to find a new family and it is just awful.

Slobbers,

Mango

Decisions, decisions...

I, Mango, so look forward to Momma's return from the work place. Weather permitting, I ask to wait on the observation deck as soon as I finish my evening meal so that I can monitor for her approach. As soon as I spot the mastiff mobile coming up the driveway, I begin my mastiff love song.

I know that momma has missed me too and has been busy collecting icky work smells, so I figure my first priority is to rub as much of myself on her as possible. Thus, her entry into the yard is met with most vigorous head butts and body slams. The Pea seems determined to stick his snooter in her eye socket and is all jumping cracker dog.

Now, for reasons which are unclear, this can make momma grouchy, especially when she has actually taken the time to put on the "work clothes" instead of nasty jeans.

So I decided that perhaps instead of mugging her, a more appropriate greeting would be to bring her a stuffie. Of course the midget always emulates my good example. Here we are heading for the toy basket.

I, Mango, am most serious about this and always take the time to consider which stuffie will make her the most joyful on any particular day.

Kitteh or moose, kitteh or moose...

But the indiscriminate labradoink just grabs whatever is on top and thrusts it in her lap most cracker.

Forcing me to abandon my mission and give him a smack down.

Get out of momma's face, fool!

Followed by placement of my large and never quite totally clean head in momma's lap to comfort her after the labrattack which results in slobbers on her work clothes and kind of renders the whole "get a toy instead of mugging me" exercise null and void. Sigh.

Mango Man! Oh yeah!

P.S. I have come to learn that the reason momma is mental fits of late is that she and master are adopting a foster house. That's right. A sad little house that needs lots of TLC before it is ready for its furever family. Apparently the deal will be sealed on Friday and then there will be many photos, so stay tuned.