Decisions...decisions...decisions

PET INSURANCE, PRONG COLLAR, MICROCHIP ~ OH MY!

A new dog bed for Coco. She lives a life of Luxury & Prestige!

MICROCHIP ~ NO FREAKIN' WAY!

Coco is scheduled to have her spay on May 11th. The spay will include taking care of a hernia issue that Coco has, but it was also scheduled to include a Microchip. After some research via Google, I found that some cases of Micro-chipping have led to cancerous tumors. Adding a Microchip to Coco was not something that we were all that interested in, but our Vet suggested it because so many pet owners are doing it and it has been successful in reuniting lost pets with their family members. We were strongly considering it, and those ads with emotional testimonies from enthusiastic pet owners were persuasive. But Coco is not going to be running the woods unattended, nor will she EVER be unsupervised. So we're gonna pass.

Update: We decided on the Microchip

PET INSURANCE ~ A RELUCTANT YES

This was the most difficult of all of my most recent decisions, in regard to Coco. I honestly still feel a little indecisive about this. I signed Coco up for a Premium pet insurance plan through VPI. They were referred to me by my Vet and after I shopped around, they ended up being my best bet. They cover quite a bit, including 2 office visits per year, a dental cleaning per year and I'll be reimbursed for a decent sized portion of Coco's spay - so it will pay for itself over the next 12 months. A lot of my friends say that they just never used the insurance and advised against it. However, I work with quite a few people who SWEAR BY IT and have been reimbursed thousands of dollars after unexpected injuries/illnesses. Well, I'm gonna give it a try. There's no contract and I can cancel at anytime. Coco officially has better Health Care than millions of Americans. Any suggestions out there??

PRONG COLLAR - OH HELL YES!

Both Chris and I were skeptical of Prong Collars. We see Cesar Milan use them on The Dog Whisperer and have heard nothing but positive things from our friends about them. But to be honest - Prong Collars look like something out of a Torture Chamber. I mean come on -- they are down right intimidating looking and it's going to take some time before I walk Coco and not feel like a BAD DOG MOM. Well - this reluctance to even consider a Prong Collar completely disappeared after being dragged half way across the road this morning. I took Coco out around 7 AM, as usual. Things were going well, she was following commands but there were a lot of distractions between the HUGE Watership Down type bunnies, birds, the morbidly obese squirrels...the Canadian geese...it was a lot for Coco, but she was doing great.

Until we saw the jogger.

She wasn't being aggressive, but she wanted to run with that guy. I had her by the leash and could feel her pulling a bit, but once he flew by us things changed instantly. I was suddenly on the ground and being pulled by my baby 5 month old shepherd! It was unbelievable. Then the pain set in. I had twisted my left ankle and my lower back was throbbing. I hobbled home and I have to say - I've never been soooo PISSED OFF with another creature in my entire life.

I went to work and Googled Prong Collars and sought the advice from some pals, then we hit Huron Pet Supply on Jackson Rd right after work. The sales guy gave us the whole Dog and Pony Show and there was even a nice lady that said "Your dog will straighten right up!" Well, you all were right! She's turned right around and doesn't even seem that uncomfortable wearing it.

Coco LOVES Swift Run Dog Park!!

Oh hell YES! Coco is finally going to the Swift Run Dog Park! We wanted to wait until she was old enough and MATURE enough to handle all of the different personalities. I think that 5 months old is the perfect age to introduce her. She's got her commands down and she's not impressionable enough to disregard her commands while being distracted by the other dogs. She still needs to learn to deal with the rough-housing. There were some tough players out there, but she held her own.

We've never seen her so happy!!

COCO LOVES THE SWIFT RUN DOG PARK!

Auntie Amanda Zee and 'lil Brody

Stud Muffin Thor - a regular at Swift Run

Berg - she is a GREAT Dane and about as Sweet as it gets!

Coco ran around like a crazy pants for about an hour and a half. Luckily, we had Miss Amanda Zee, Brody, Argos and Poppa Box...so it was one big PARTAAAAY!!!

On the way home, Argos and Coco played in the back seat. Exhausted and ready to pass out. Coco loves her man, Argos!

Coco + Argos = True Love Always

DOG BATH = FAIL.

Don't let this cute face fool you. THIS is a bad puppy.

So Chris and I have been having problems bathing Coco and clipping her nails. Luckily, we walk her so much that her nails stay trim on their own - so we only have to trim them about once a month. But even still...Coco is beyond traumatized by the basics of bathing and nail trimming. She is downright INSANE.

Yes, my sweet little Boo Boos went over the edge today.

I took Coco to our neighborhood Dog o Mat and thought that working with a professional may be a better route for her to take. Get her out of her element...some new faces...new smells. Um, NO. She was way worse than I could even imagine. After a pretty drama free nail trimming, I was optimistic about getting her into the tub. Once she felt that water spray on her back, you would have imagined that she was being sprayed by sulfuric acid.

The groomer was shocked and we even had to muzzle Coco after a while, I have the red marks up and down my arms to prove it -- that pup went BONKERS! Ugh. After flailing around like a goddamn fish and biting and scratching and wailing...that groomer rinsed her off, smiled pretty and charged me EXTRA for dealing with a complete lunatic.

So right now, I'm settling for those super size Doggie Wipes and I tell you what -- we will ease back into the bathing thing. I'm not saying that I completely give up. But I am going to be realistic here...I've been to Crazy Town and I am NOT going back anytime soon.

Coco Taylor!

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Coco hits Downtown Ann Arbor!

DOWNTOWN GIRL!

Coco received first class treatment at Grizzly Peak!

Coco was actually very well behaved, considering that we were packed in like sardines at the FestiFools Parade in Downtown Ann Arbor! Every year, FestiFools draws packs of Ann Arbor townies to Main Street - larger than life 14ft+ puppets hit the streets and bring an abundance of creativity and energy to our lovely city. This is one of my favorite events and we were not going to miss it! However - I doubt that we'll subject poor Coco to FestiFools again. It was way WAY too intense and there were a lot over stressed dogs that were just not socializing well. We were lucky to have such a sweet puppy!

So if you're wondering what in the heck FestiFools is, please watch this fun video. It's a fantastic celebration of Grand Proportions! A stunning array of colorful puppets dance thru the streets. My favorite part of FestiFools is that it was created and maintained by Ann Arbor Townies of all ages and educational backgrounds. We adore this Festival! It may not be appropriate for pups, but it is a fabulous event for YOU!

Once FestiFools was over, my hubby and I grabbed some pals and headed for Grizzly Peak. I hear that it's against "code" to have a dog on a restaurant patio - but don't tell that to Grizzly Peak. They not only allowed Coco to join us, but gave her the Rock and Roll treatment. She lay at our feet quietly, while we enjoyed locally brewed IPA's and scrumptuous food! After a fabulous luncheon at Grizzly Peak, Coco hung her head out of the window and enjoyed a scenic ride home. Lotsa families outside enjoying a marvelous day and an exhausted pooch ready to pass out in 3...2...1...