Month: July 2009

It was with both, fascination and delight, that the words, “Chinese Crested” echoed through my ears having answered the phone.

The only image I could gather in my mind, about this breed, was nakedness! No hair, nada, bald… He would be the first I had seen up close, could not wait…

Jan, Pippin and Zebedee, visited us on site, to firstly, advise me about the pups, likes and dislikes, and also the antics that Zebedee could aspire to, and more importantly, to peruse their accommodation, to ensure it would be Zebedee proof.

The inspection took quite some time, of too-ing an fro-ing from inside to outside, but finally, Jan’s mind was made up. They would both stay in a big dog pen, as there was no avenue for escape.

Also, this young man was gifted with hair, another piece of education for me, they came with and without. Zebedee had a smart haircut, with a top knot, that dangled in his eyes, and from under which, he, no doubt, plotted his adventures.

The day arrived for the pups to begin their stay with me.

Both were an absolute delight, Pippin, who had a lot to say about everything, and Zebedee who wanted to be glued to me the whole time.

It was with absolute astonishment, that, at afternoon playtime, on entering the kennel area, I found a Chinese Crested, prancing down the main aisle, with not a care in the world. Not physically searching for a way out, but hoping, that I would be around the corner, somewhere.

The next step, of course, was, how and where was he escaping, when there was no visible sign of a breakout?

I didn’t have to wait long to find out.

Head underneath the corner, turn the body sideways, and swivel out. How ingenious.! If I had been told he would have been capable, I would not have believed, but there he was, large as life, out again.

I had already tried leaving him free, and pushing the large plastic crate up to the corner of the pen, and using a full watering can on the outside, to hamper the spirited young man. This idea, also, proved totally useless, as he pushed both out of his way, and was off on the freedom trail again.

Eventually, I decided he would have to be tied to the plastic crate, inside his pen to keep him confined. The reverberating thought going around in  my mind, “how could I tell Jan, I had lost her precious pup?”

He did not mind this idea, and of course, the crate served as a breakfast table as well, all that was required, was a quick jump, and “wella”, breakfast was served.

Pippin, of course, was not party to this method of viewing the surrounding area, he was quite happy to wait for playtimes, to amuse himself with his mates. He ate his breakfast, with no hesitation, in the same place as everyone else, from his bowl, on the floor.

Having discovered a new method of containment, and not the most ideal,  life continued without incident, until the call came, to advise they would be leaving.

I informed Jan I had some lovely photos of Zebedee, not intimating what they contained.

We all had a great laugh, and I was able to heave a sigh of relief, not that they were leaving, as the adventure had been a true learning curve, but that I had not been a party to a precious pup escaping, never to be seen again.

I am looking forward to the next time, this Houdini aka Zebedee the Chinese Crested, comes to stay, there will never be a dull moment.

Are your house, car, and contents insured?

What about your pet/s?

Where do I sign up for pet insurance?

For so long, New Zealand has not been a large provider of pet insurance. However, since 1990, this has become more acceptable for pet owners.

Why insure a pet?

As most pet owners will attest, an animal is prone to either, injuring itself, or being injured, through no fault of its own, and a large vet bill ensues. Or, there is a hereditary condition, that has become problematic later in the cat/dogs life.

Medical and surgical plans  begin from $7.15 per month. There is also cover for Homeopathy, Acupuncture, Physiotherapy and Chiropractic treatments for pets who require something that veterinary care cannot provide, or has failed, or, for those who simply want to try an alternative method. Also, varying degrees of repayment for medical procedures, are available, from 70% to 100%, and this is reflected in the monthly fee.

However, in reality, how many pet owners actually commence pet insurance, 2%, 5% or 10%?

It would seem that in these trying times, income has to be divided into areas of priority, food, rent/mortgage, children, and on it goes, so, do we have enough “left over” for our pet?

Do we really need pet insurance?

Can we not take the animal to the vet if/when he/she becomes ill, and then suffer the bill, instead of a monthy account for insurance?

How many of us actually do make the vet appointment, or, shudder at the thought of a $100 account for a consultation and  antibiotics?  Or, do we rush to the clinic regardless of the cost, because we are so scared of losing our beloved pet?

If we do not enlist for Pet Insurance, do we care, or love our pets less?

If we do not provide health insurance for ourselves, are we doing a disservice to our own health?

Is there a tall poppy aspect to this, for those who do provide insurance for their pets, that they are, “better off” financially than the rest of us? I hope not, they have chosen how they want to protect themselves and their pets from large bills crippling the family budget, while, at the same time, ensuring, that their cat/dog, will be provided the best care should he/she be unfortunate enough to require surgery.

It is, whichever way you look at it, still a personal choice, whether it be house, medical or pet. So, why are the providers not advising us the pros of having this for our pets?

I currently have five animals, and have no pet insurance at all, but that does not indicate that I care any less about them, or would not provide medical assistance for them if required.

There are two companies currently offering pet insurance. Pet n Sur, which is recommeded by the Auckland SPCA and also Ellenco.  If you are contemplating using their services, a diligent comparison, would be advisable, due to the number of options available.

What prompted you to insure your pet/s?

The rain halted, the sun was shining, what better opportunity, to take three dogs for a much deserved walk on their favourite track.

There were no vehicles parked outside the entrance, which indicated, that, hopefully, no one else would be walking, so I could let them run free without worrying about them upsetting any other dog.

Bryson and Chelsea were soon off their harnessess and sniffing to the best of their ability. Binka the wayward cocker spaniel, was walking with me on the lead, becoming very excited at the fantails flying high above him. He is definitely a bird dog, anything he carries in his mouth, is held very softly, without any hint of grabbing with his teeth, even when letting go, the softness remains.

I don’t know what made me do it, perhaps it was the shock of the fine weather, I’m not sure. There were several thoughts, that very quickly, flitted through my head, but they did not linger for any more than a second.

Freedom…

He was off the lead, running with Chlesea, as fast as his legs would carry him, there was no hint of running away, as I had feared he would. He was so excited, at running and sniffing with the others, and was genuinely, enjoying this rare occurance. No one telling him to “wait’ or “sit” or “no”, bliss, absolute bliss.

Naturally, the thoughts gliding through my mind were, ” why had I denied him this freedom for so long”, when it is obvious, he is going to stay with the big dog, and she was doing an exceptional job of keeping him in line?

Just before the pylon, I had a bit of a scare, he disappeared for about five minutes, then the doubt started to creep in, just a tiny bit, he would come back, of course he would. We retraced our steps, and then he was racing up behind us, so off we set again, on the final homeward leg, which would be about half an hour of pleasant walking.

Around the corner, he was sniffing at the edge of the pine forest, then, GONE….

I called, to no avail. Five minutes, ten minutes, what to do.

The day I needed my mobile, I had left it at home, of all the stupid things to do.

I could hear Jamie in my head saying, ” I’ve told you not to let him off, he has no idea of what he is doing”. A beloved  cocker we have owned since he was eight weeks old, a spaniel who came home in a cat box, who loves having a bath, being dried with the hair drier, who sleeps on his back with his feet sticking up, ramrod straight,  who loves his beanbag, and his spaniel brother, but most of all, who loves to go in the car with Jamie, to her house, where he rules, regardless of the fact that the cat is Queen.

How was I going to tell her, I had lost her beloved dog, because I felt sorry for him, and had decided he should have some fun with his mates.

Should I take the other two home and come back for him, only a couple of hours until darkness, then it would be impossible to find him.

Walking on the pine needles, rotten wood crunching underneath my feet, trying to be as quiet as possible, calling, Binka, Binka.

There he is, head down, in his own world, sniffing, not hearing me, not wanting to. Ignores me completely, and wanders off again, then………

NOTHING.

Walk back toward the pylon, perhaps he has gone out on the track further down.

Back again to where he entered.

Let Chelsea off the lead, however, she was on the other side, so no chance of her being of any assistance.

Walk further up the track and back again. All the time, thoughts, tending toward panic, had to get back to the other dogs, and the office.

To stay or go.

Panic becoming a little more profound now, he really is lost. Cannot hear the chinking of his registration tags on his collar.

My worst nightmare has been realised, what a stupid woman, was about all I could say. I’m sure there would be more to come as the day progressed, and the situation deteriorated.

A wet, blue roan, cocker spaniel, suddenly appeared on the track, with no warning.

Quickly bend down, so as not to be too overpowering for him, and also, not to let him know I am on the verge of sheer panic.

He comes straight to me, which is most unlike Binks, even tolerates me re-attaching his harness.

At last, we can continue our walk, music on the ears, the other two dogs running free.

The first and last time, the spaniel Binka, will be EVER, allowed off the lead. I’m sure his intentions were honest, but the sheer frustration, which then leads to panic, is not worth any amount of free running.