Lack of Pictures

I am such a bad Lab mommy! A whole week of vacation and the only pictures I was able to get of my Labs was of them sleeping in our backseat on the way to Florida. I thought I had more and I did - the problem is that they were all blurry because the Lab Brats wouldn't stay still for even one moment. If they weren't running up and down the "river" of water in the front yard, they were playing with their doggy cousins or the neighbors dogs in the backyard. Alas, my apologies on the lack of pictures... but the Lab Brats did have an awesome time... I swear!

Dakota and Cheyenne would like to thank all the wonderful pups in Florida that made their trip extra special: Jesse (Rott/Russel Mix), Isaac (Schnauzer), Cloe (Lab mix), Max (Pom), Dutchess (Poodle), and another tiny poodle that has a name that keeps escaping me. *laugh* Each one greeted our dogs with nothing but friendship and made the time at our cousin's house even more enjoyable! Thanks to these wonderful dogs and we hope to see you soon!

Helping the Hips

Upon our arrival back from a week-long vacation, I happened upon a new comment posted in reference to my blog entry "Popping and Hips" that I could not let go unanswered...

"I have two labs- Maggie, a yellow lab a year and a half, and bruster-our chocolate lab, just 9 months who seems perfectly healthy, but from a early age Maggie has had trouble running, and even sitting. when she walks it sounds like her hips are breaking because of a terrible loud popping noise! Is there anything that I can do for her?" Signed: ~Anonymous

Both of the Lab Brats have popping of their bones when they stay in one position too long. Ironically enough Cheyenne, the one without the hip dysplasia, pops more often and louder than her sister. Cheyenne has been cleared of all bone, joint and hip problems but she still tends to get stiff and has joints that pop. So, we have Dakota and Cheyenne on the same regiment to help alleviate any discomfort their may feel.

1) Both Labs get a daily supplement of Cosequin DS. Three chewable tablets once a day as they are adult dogs and are at high risk for hip dysplasia and joint problems. (Dakota was diagnosed under 2 years old with hip dysplasia)

2) When the Labrador Retrievers get stiff, we give them Metacam to help alleviate any discomfort. This is most for Dakota when she is stiff but can be given to Cheyenne when needed. Check with your veterinarian though as dogs on Metacam will need to have yearly liver enzyme scans.

3) A high quality dog food is crucial! Forget the stuff on your local grocery store shelves as it is full of fillers! You want something that is packed full of nutrients and even made special for large breed dogs. Our family uses Eagle Pack Holistic Select Anchovy, Sardine & Salmon Meal Formula and have done exceptionally well on this food. We highly recommend for any dog but especially for those who have food allergies.

4) Exercise your dog! When Dakota was diagnosed with hip dysplasia our vet told us that the most important thing is to keep muscle on her legs. His recommendation was to exercise her as much as she could handle and nothing more. Exercise is best on even but soft ground to help decrease the shock on the joints. Not only are will you have a healthier pup but a happier one as well!

5) The most important thing is to have regular appointments with your vet to keep tabs on the joints and get an early diagnosis of any joint or hip problems. Labrador Retrievers should has a full hip x-ray and exam at the age of 2 years old. If the pup is experiencing problems before that age, get the pup to the vet to be checked properly. Don't assume the worst nor the best!

I hope this helps this anonymous blog comment poster as well as other dog lovers and owners. We have been through a lot with hips and joints in Labrador Retrievers and I am always more than willing to answer any questions on the topic. So, feel free to post them and the Lab Brats will help me answer them as quickly as possible.

Labrador Smiles!

Lab Brats on Vacation

The Lab Brats have informed me that they are on vacation and refuse to let their pictures be released until after the have had time off to review any pictures before posting to the public. They feel that posting their pictures prematurely will allow for gossip to surface about mud wrestling, wet t-shirts, and girls on their backs while exposing themselves in a less than lady-like fashion. Their reputation means a lot to them and they don't want any humans nor dogs to start thinking they are party girls on a vacation binge.

As their public relations representative, I must convey their wishes and hope that you respect their decision and right to privacy. The Lab Brats will allow posting of their vacation photos after they have reviewed them over the weekend. So, please feel free to check back on Monday for pictures and updates.

*snicker*

(Honestly, the Lab Brats' daddy refuses to let me let them run up and down in the "dog river" found at the front of the house again in order to take "muddy and fun" pictures for posting. Not to worry though, I think I am close to getting him to change his mind. *wink*)

Mud Dogs

The Lab Brats did remarkably well on the car ride from Wisconsin to Florida. We all arrived safe and sound and although Dakota really didn't want to get back into the car once we hit Kentucky, she was a trooper through and through.

So how are the Lab Brats doing now? Very well now that it rained last night. Why? Because our cousin has a long rain drain (divot along the road). When walking the dogs this morning, I left them off the leash in the front yard and the Labs took off running up and down the water filled "private" river that formed over night. Up and down they ran... up... down... up... down... water splashing all around them and loving the freedom and warmer weather.

Of course, as I was drying them with towels, I noticed that it was not only water but mud as well. *laugh* So the pups got an outdoor shower and are throwing a fit that they have to stay outside in the huge backyard in the warm sun to dry off. I know, I am just a mean, mean mommy! *laugh*

PS - Unfortunately, I didn't know they were going to have so much fun so I didn't bring my camera. I promise Lab Brats pictures from Florida soon. :)

2 Days of Doggy Daycare!

Can you see me jumping up and down with excitement? I am! I truly am!

Tomorrow night my husband, the Lab Brats, and I will begin our journey from the cold and freezing weather of Wisconsin down to the warm and toasty shores of Florida - by car. That's around 24 hours in a Saturn Sedan with two 80lbs Labrador Retrievers in the backseat. *laugh*

Lost our minds, have we? Not at all! Once the car gets going the Lab Brats will lay down until we make our next stop. Since we are driving straight through, we figure Dakota and Cheyenne should be made extra tired to sleep most of the trip. No, no doggy sedatives for this family. We are all natural! We have... doggy daycare!

Normally our dogs go to doggy daycare on Thursdays but since this week is special and we need to tire out the pups, they get today and tomorrow! Yep! Two whole days of doggy daycare will tire them out so well that we may need to wake them when we get to Florida! *laugh*

Yes, they are spoiled dogs but they are worth it. They are the Lab Brats!

See you in Florida!

Irish Twins

You are probably saying to yourself: "What are Irish Twins and what in the world do they have to do with Labrador Retrievers?" Well, in our family, a lot!

"Irish twins" is a slang term for siblings that are born less than 12 months apart. Normally the "twins" will have some very good similarities in the way they do things. This does not mean that they are similar in personality but they have a tendency to do the same things at the same time, which leaves people scratching their heads.

If there were Labrador Retriever "Irish Twins", then we have them. It always makes me laugh because, in our house, we have synchronized peeing, pooping, cleaning of certain part of the body, sleeping positions, responses to things we do, energy levels, etc. Just this morning, the Lab Brats both turned and cleaned their privates at the same exact second and in the same exact manner. One did not start before the other... they just did it! Although the action was less then pleasant for any human to watch, you can't help but laugh!

People stop us in dog parks when the Lab Brats are going potty and ask us if they always synchronize their bathroom habits. Most of the time, yes. It is tag-team Dakota and Cheyenne. The Lab Brats Irish Twins. Of course, when I think about this natural synchronization tactic of theirs, I try to think more about how cute they are sleeping in the same position rather than their bathroom habits. *shrugs* I guess some find dogs going potty funny and doing it together even funnier. Go figure! *laugh*

Pet Tags and Traveling

The Lab Brats and family will be heading on a 24-hour drive from Wisconsin to Florida next week and as the snow falls, we couldn't be more excited.

However, preparing for a long trip with "fur kids" can make any doggy parent nervous. What happens if they get lost along the way or something happens to them? Well, being one of those nervous parents, I decided that instead of hanging every one of the Lab Brats 5+ dog ID tags around their neck, I would simplify. (Yes, the girls have that many: city license, dog park license, rabies, microchip, contact information, etc.)

If your dog is microchipped, then here is my recommendation. Get a new dog tag for your pup at any pet store (usually around $6.50 a tag) and have 3 lines engraved: Dog's Name, Your Cell Number, and the word "Microchip" in parentheses. When your furry baby is found, the person will know what to call it, have your cell phone number so they can contact you no matter where you are, and know to bring your dog to the local veterinarian to have it's microchip scanned for all other crucial information such as address and your vet's contact information.

In keeping with this, the Lab Brats each got new reflective collars to not only wear on their nighttime walks locally but wear during the entire trip to keep them well seen. (Remember, they are chocolate and blend into the night well) Hanging from their collars is a single dog tag with the information listed above. Of course, their other dog tags will be coming along with us but we will keep those in the glove box should the need arise. Otherwise, the dogs will now be safer along the trip without a bunch of clanging and weight around their necks... which, needless to say, makes this nervous Lab mom very happy!

Imploding Possibility

The energy is just too much that she may just implode!

What am I talking about? Cheyenne, of course! The energizer bunny Labrador Retriever in our house. With the bad weather and holidays, Cheyenne has not been able to get all the exercise she needs; nor the mental stimulation. We have tried to play ball in the house and even a game of "find it" (where we hide treats around the house and the dogs find them) but nothing is getting rid of this energy. It has become so bad that our normally easy game of laser tag now turns her into a wild beast; her heart racing a mile a minute, her loud obnoxious barks if we try to get her to sit while playing (which normally is not a problem), and her even play snapping at her sister while waiting for me to turn the laser light on again. It is energy and it is directing itself in the wrong way.

So, no more laser light games at this time but the other games can stay. Between my bouts of laughter at her silliness, I can't help but think of other ways to get this energy out. Sure, we have dog training but due to the weather, we haven't been able to get there as much as we like. The dog parks have been either iced over or flooded (muddy) from all the rain and doggy daycare is just once a week.

Thank goodness we leave for Florida in a week. Yep! We are driving down and bringing the Lab Brats with us for a week filled with sunshine, dog parks, dog beaches, and their doggy cousins (who we are staying with while down there). Hopefully between now and the time we get back, I can think up some other ways to curb their boredom and stop Cheyenne from possibly imploding.

Help Us Help Labs!

There are hundreds of Labrador Retrievers across the United States that are in desperate need of a new home. Every day, puppies and adult Labs are put to sleep because there is a shortage of funds to rescue, foster, and help place these dogs into warm, loving, and caring environment. These dogs need a second chance at life and that is why, every month, 8PawsUp.com Labrador Retriever will donate 10% of its profits to the Labrador Education and Rescue Network (L.E.A.R.N.)

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Retrieving Skills

Some think this blog is just about our beloved Dakota and Cheyenne. Actually, that is half-true. You see, given our love of the Labrador Retriever breed, we feel that it is important to help inform other people about this specific dog breed. Too many people run out to buy a Lab from a breeder around their block and when they get it home, they are usually pulling out their hair.

Labrador Retrievers are a very particular breed. They are bred to innate skills that must be catered to in some fashion or the dog just isn't happy. That is why I like sharing video clips that I find on the dog breed itself.

This video helps give further insight into the Labrador Retriever dog breed and its need to use its mouth and retrieving skills. It is a great window into yet another aspect of this beautiful dog breed that all prospective dog owners should watch.



Sure, the video may seem a bit cheesy but the message is still real. Labs use their mouths and if you do not train them properly, they can easily train their mouths on your shoes, furniture, and other household items.

Happy New Year!

From our family to yours... may the New Year bring you blessings, love, health, wealth, and laughter!

From the Lab Brats to your pups... may the New Year bring you lots of doggy treats, more food dropped on the floor, loads of new Kongs, Frisbees, and Tennis Balls, and a real good belly rub at least once a day for the next year!

Happy New Year to one and all!