My name is Norman

Thank you to Williams-FoxterrierForum

2009-11-26T09:11:00.000+02:00

Thank you to everyone at

Williams-FoxterrierForum.de

for all your kind words and support!

Norman RIP my little angel-doggie

xxx

Just a Dog?

2009-05-28T06:08:00.000+02:00

My friend Charmaine from Pets as Therapy sent me a beautiful note about Just a Dog. I loved it so much, I created this little slide show about it for Norman. Thanks Charmaine for the awesome note, it really meant a lot to me.

Pictures of Norman's Grave

2009-05-21T21:08:00.000+02:00

To my dearest little Normie,

my sweetie, may you rest here in peace, away from all mommy's stresses in her life and all your horrible shakes. I know you are my little angel looking after me from your special spot in doggie heaven.

I miss you more than you will ever believe. I will be getting another Norman Doggie one day again - just to keep my memories of you alive. You meant everything to me and nobody will ever understand how sad I will always be about loosing you.

I love you forever my little darling. I visit your little grave by the ocean all the time and promise to look after it really well.

Thank you ever so much Kaytee for sending me the most beautiful little Tin-Tin and Snowy soft toy and heart shaped stone. I placed the stone in Normie's grave as promised and took a picture for you with the little doggie by his grave.

The pic below is Kaytee a long time ago.

I will always treasure the memories of Norman. He was taken away from us way too soon.
I will keep this blog, and promise to keep you updated for when I one day have the strength get Norman the II.

Thank you to everyone for reading Normie's blog and always being so kind and supportive to us.

Love
Juanita

RIP Normie Feb 2007 - Apr 2009

2009-04-09T19:19:00.000+02:00

To all Normie's friends out there,

It was a very difficult and sad decision that I made today. Normie's seizures have progressively worsened over the past few months and his recent episodes just did not want to end.

He started seizuring at 17h30 on Tuesday 7 April 2009, and they got longer and every single time. I had him at the vet 3 times and then he stayed overnight again last night, but when he got home today, he was running into walls and looking strangely at his toys. It was obvious that the brain damage started and he continued his fits until I had him back at the doctor at 16h00 today. By recommendation from the doc and my own trauma of seeing all this, we decided it would be better to have him put to sleep.

I will miss his love. I will miss his laughter. I will miss his wagging tale. I will miss his devoted love to me... he followed me every step that I made. The loo, the shower, the bath, the kitchen, the bedroom, even when i mowed the lawn... 100% devoted to his mom and never left my side. They say, if you want loyalty, get a dog. Well I had that from him all the way. He gave the best little kisses ever, and never slobbered over me. He smiled all the time and was always keen to obey my every request.

What an awesome little dog he was.

Normie, you were the light of my life from the moment you came into it. Thanks for all the smiles you put on my face. Thanks for showing me what true love really is.

Thank you God for sending me such a beautiful little angel.

I will always love you and you will always be exceptionally special in my heart.

We will meet again my sweetiepie.

Sleep tight and love you always.

Mommy
xxx

Hiking Constantia Neck Table Mountain

2009-04-05T21:03:00.000+02:00

Hi everyone,

This weekend I went hiking up a very steep side of Table Mountain, called Constantia Neck. Holy smokes, it was so high that I was so hot that I even decided to have a little swim on my own in the lake when I got to the top.

Mom shared some of her fudge and leftover pizza crusts with me when we stopped for a pic-nic. I know how to drink water from a bottle, so it was easy for mom to give me water when I got thirsty at any time. I met lots of other doggies on the way, but there was no time for me to hang around them for too long, cause I had to keep up with mom.

By the time we got back to the car, I had a little blister on my paw, so mom is fixing it now for me, and it should be better soon. All and all, I had the best walk I have ever had in my whole life. Mom took the leash off and I was free to run as much as I wanted to. I was a very good boy and listened to mom all the time. Table Mountain National Park is the only park in the entire South Africa that allows dogs for doggie walks. Mom sez we are very lucky and she will try to take me on more hikes with her in the future.

Ive just had a shower with mom to wash off all the dirt from the mountain.

Im going to sleep now, coz Im very tired.

Hope you are all well and love you all lots and lots like jelly tots and bones.

Normie
xxx

The diary of Norman

2009-03-26T08:28:00.000+02:00

Hi there everyone,

well, no photo's for today, as Mom has done something to her camera. But I have been very busy doing stuff:

I love to play with my soccer ball.
I love to chase the birds in my garden.
I have been teasing boogie every day. My best part is biting her in her neck and then pulling the skin as hard as I can. Then she tries to bite me back, but Im often just too fast for her.
I still go for runnies on the beach with mom. Mom has this new thing where she runs for 3km. I follow her and its such fun. By the time we get home, I cant even tease Boogie any more!
I got a new Rogz doggie as a present the other day, because my old one only has its head left, the rest of its body was pulled apart nicely by boogie and me.
I still hang out in the window sills during the day, only to catch up on what the neighbours are doing. Boogie asked me to keep her updated on why the yakking from the doggies next door. So I give her a complete run down of events as and when they happen.
Ive not had any funny shakes for a long while, so all is good with me.

lots of love
Normie
xxx

Does Your Dog Have "Doggy Breath"?

2009-02-10T17:34:00.000+02:00

Brush His Teeth.

Dog Breath Sure, you love those big, wet, sloppy kisses. But you'd love them a lot more without the doggy breath.
A simple tooth brushing can do a world of good. Brush your dog’s teeth, and that nasty doggy breath becomes "kissably" fresh. A healthy brushing only takes about a minute of your time, and over time those minutes could mean years of healthy living for your favorite four-legged friend.

Source: Pet Product Advisor

I like it when mom brushes my teeth. It makes them look bigger - Im sure if it!

lots of love
Normie
xxx

Sleeping on a soft cushion is my favourite!

2009-02-01T16:05:00.000+02:00

Hello everyone,

Mom caught me sleeping on my favourite spot a few days ago.

(Click on the images for a larger view,

and you can also save them as desktop wallpapers if you want to)

...and as evidence that its my favourite spot,

this is me a very very long time ago...

when I was about 3 months old.

Hope your day is as relaxing as mine has been.

lots of love

Normie xxx

A video of Norman having a seizure

2009-01-26T10:24:00.000+02:00

Hi everyone,

herewith a video which I took of Normie whilst he had 2 seizures last Friday. The seizures were less than 10 minutes apart and each seizure lasted about 1 minute. In total he had 8 or 10 seizures that morning. I rushed him to the vet who gave him some valium and Normie fell asleep immediatly thereafter for about 4 hours. After he woke up he was 100% fine again and back to normal.

This is what happens when Norman has seizures:

Im trying to find a pattern as to why he has seizures. Is it maybe the food Im giving him, as I dont give him anything other than his doggie food and often give him cow hoofs and cow hides to chew.

I mentioned to the vet that I was stressed out during the week and asked if that could have had an effect on the doggies? The vet said that dogs can often smell the stress we experience.

Normie is back to normal again, but I always have to keep an eye on the little bugger.

Asta's Happiest day of her life

2009-01-15T12:59:00.000+02:00

Hey everyone,

see what my buddie Asta got as a pressie the other day!

She looks like she is having so much fun.

I hope to get one just like this one day too.

Love Normie
xxx

Happy New Year to all my wirey friends

2009-01-10T10:52:00.000+02:00

Happy New Year everyone!

Cape Town has had some awesome summer evenings lately. We have hardly had any wind this summer, and walks on the beach at sunset have been so much fun!

This picture was taken of me 2 days ago.

Im lucky to be taken for these long walks, unlike our neighbour who left their sausage doggie alone since 20 December. (No walks, no attention, no love, only food and water from the people next door) I saw their lights on again last night for the first time again. Glad his parents have got back from their holidays.

Im also glad my mom will never leave me for so long like that, I know her too well. Mom said she will get granny to come stay by us if she had to go away for so long.

I suppose he was better off than being shuvved in a caged kennel for 20 days... ?

Hope you get spoilt with lots of time and love from your families this year.
Lots of love
Normie
xxx

Wire Fox Terriers do not have to be stripped

2009-01-07T13:13:00.000+02:00

Why do I insist on the following fact:

Wire Fox Terriers DO NOT HAVE TO BE STRIPPED.

Yes, you can strip them, its a nice feeling for them (sometimes, if the stripper knows what they are doing), but I firmly believe that there is no harm in clipping them.

According to my opinion, the outcome of stripping vs clipping is the following:
Stripping: The dog is ready for a dogshow.
Clipping: The dog is not ready for a dogshow.

What do I think of Dogshows?
- The owner gets all the credit (Thats MY dog! ...which I PAID A LOT of money for)
- A social status symbol.
OK appologies, thats the nasty side of me coming out.)
- However, being more realistic - If there were no dogshows (with dog breed rules), we would have a mass of nasty and or ugly dogs bred all over the place and no control over our precious varourite breeds. A endless Dog Breed War like in the 18th century. Luckily they dealt with all the fighting, now we just have to try and keep the dogs pure bred.

My Conclusion: Dogs should be treated with care and consideration. Making money or gaining status from animals is a long and open ended door to greed, and the only one that suffers when this state of mind sets in, is the animal. Which is why I always put on the brakes when people start telling me (or try to) what must and what must not be done to a certain breed dog.

And this is one of the reasons why I have started this subject of conversation, because some people have lost the plot a little: when the point of no return sets in (the point where the suffering of the animal is not part of the consideration of what they are trying to achieve).

Not all vets, dog owners, breeders and groomers think like this, but trust me on this one: if money or status is involved, think twice about what they say MUST be done to an animal (ie: in this case,the grooming procedure).

(btw, I would love one of these little dogs in the pic below - they are the cutest ever! oh and another thing I noticed... they are not stripped either ... love it.)

My resources of the my opinion above are the following:
(these are my resources, it does not mean I believe everything I read on the internet is true)

Below is an extract of some information that I have drawn from Wikipedia and various other websites and blogs.

More about The Wire Fox Terrier Dog

The Wire Fox Terrier is a breed of dog, one of many terrier breeds. It is an instantly recognizable fox terrier breed. Although it bears a resemblance to the Smooth Fox Terrier, they are believed to have been developed separately.

Their Traits:
Two of their most distinctive traits are their enormous amount of energy and intelligence. They have a low threshold for boredom and require stimulation, exercise and attention. The Wire Fox Terrier should be alert, quick, and ready to respond accordingly to anything from "mice to moonbeams" while being keen of expression and friendly and forthcoming.

A lengthy list of high expectations for a small-to-medium-sized dog, but the Wire Fox Terrier is a star. They can be very loving and exceedingly playful if they receive the proper care. They are bred to be independent thinkers, capable of tactical maneuvering for vermin and other sport. Their high level of intelligence makes them a dog that is not suited for everyone. Only the capable and appreciative owner need apply.

History of the Wire Fox Terrier
The wire fox terrier was developed in England by fox hunting enthusiasts and is believed descended from a now-extinct rough-coated, black-and-tan working terrier of Wales, Derbyshire, and Durham. The breed was also believed to have been bred to chase foxes into their burrows underground, and their short, strong, usually docked, tails were used as handles by the hunter to pull them back out.

Although it is said Queen Victoria owned one, and her son and heir, King Edward VII of Great Britain did own the wire fox terrier, Caesar, the wire fox terrier was not popular as a family pet until the 1930s, when The Thin Man series of feature films was created.

Asta, the canine member of the Charles family, was a Wire-Haired Fox Terrier, and the popularity of the breed soared.

This is a video clip that I found on Snowy:

Milou (Snowy) from The Adventures of Tintin comic strip is also a Wire Fox Terrier.

In the late 20th century, the popularity of the breed declined again, most likely due to changing living conditions in the Western world and the difficulty of keeping hunting terriers in cities due to their strong instincts. Among the less desirable traits of all fox terriers are their energy, digging, stalking and chasing of other animals, and yelping bark.

The wire fox terrier has the distinction of having received more Best in Show titles at major conformation shows than any other breed.

Source: Wikipedia

The Origination of the Wire Fox Terrier (The Black and Tan Terrier)

Working Fell Terriers (non-Kennel Club working terriers from the rocky Lakeland Fells region of the UK) have always been quite variable in terms of size and shape, but have always been colored terriers (tan or black or black and tan), as opposed to the white-coated "foxing terriers" preferred in the south of England.

Today, black and tan Fell Terriers are sometimes referred to as "working Lakelands" or Patterdale Terriers or simply as "black and tan" terriers.Whatever they might have called the dogs, this new Kennel Club "breed" appears to have been a put-up job comprised of a mix of terrier types that would not breed true.

In 1885 a survey of the winning dogs in the ring found that all of them were, in fact, first generation dogs, i.e. not Black and Tans out of Black and Tan sires and dams, but Black and Tans produced out of crosses with other breeds. For example, the winner of the first show in 1884 was a dog named Crib that was a cross between a blue-black rough terrier (what might be called a dark Border Terrier today) and a famous smooth fox terrier owned by L.P.C. Ashley called Corinthian.

Source: Wikipedia

This is the story that got my heart racing and got me to research this subject in more detail.

I can clearly see that this family loves their dog Fee dearly. But due ignorance this is yet another sad story about a loving family who have been told that they MUST STRIP their wft. They (and so many other wft owners) did not understand that a) they were doing it so wrong and b) they poor dog was traumatised so badly but nobody even noticed.

Hence this blogpost:

...more stripping. three pairs of hands (auntie pea’s, mom’s and dad’s) ran through my back, tail, neck, sides and face and there was little i could do although i did put up my best wft struggle and succeeded in nipping a few fingers. i called and glanced furtively at my wft parents for help, but they were resting their bloated bellies – too busy looking out at the garden and too engrossed with their tete a tete to hear their baby.i emerged after what seemed like an eternity (of stripping, clipping and scissoring), pink and almost bare like a piglet save for my legs (the ‘furnishings’, they call it) and muzzle. it was weird without my nice wavy fur – my security blanket gone! but i couldn’t care less. i was tired, and all i wanted was a nap.i climbed onto dad’s lap and dozed off, half draped over the armrest.

Source: Magic Fever

Did anyone notice how pink the dog is and not think that this is not right / normal?
Did anyone notice that this dog collapsed from pain and exhaustion?
Did anyone notice that this dog aparently faught for 3 hours to stop them from hurting her?
Why in heavens name did all the bloggers (Friends of Fee!!!???) not say anything?

Unlike me, which I know is sometimes to my detriment, I say it the way it is. I dont want this ignorance to continue. I want others who are thinking about getting a Wire Fox Terrier or who are new to owning a wire fox terrier to understand that you DO NO HAVE TO STRIP your wire fox terrier.

...That the message I want my readers to get...

The following website (Dog Breed Info) has good information about all sorts of breed dogs. Here they too mention a few facts of which I find some of it very interesting and some of it that I disagree with.

Dog Breed Info
Grooming

If your Wirehaired Fox Terrier will be a pet, you can get away with brushing it with a firm bristle brush and bathing only when necessary. To keep the coat looking its best, it must be stripped several times a year and more frequently for show dogs. There is a complex show-grooming routine. Professional groomers have quite a bag of tricks to keep the Wire looking its best for the show ring. The Wire shed little to no hair and are good for allergy sufferers.

What do I not agree with?
My wft gives off loads of fluffy fine hair and I do no t agree that stripping must be done to keep the coat in top condition.

Source: Dog Breed Info

This is a post published in 1999. I find it to be very interesting but still dont believe that you MUST STRIP your modern wire fox terrier. These dogs have been around for just over a century now and 'self grooming' was never something they did and now dont do. Stripping is something the breeders have started to do, since breeding and showing dogs became part of our society.

Why it is wrong to clip a wire Fox Terrier

By G. Ranken MRCVS, Cand. Med. Vet

Canine hairs are slightly different from human. (No shit!) The dog has 2 kinds of hairs- primary hairs and secondary hairs .In the wire fox terrier the primary hairs are what we call the wire coat . These hairs consist as you can see from the diagram of a shaft of hair with it's root and it's appendages (such as a sebaceous gland and a sweat gland). These hairs are hairs that give the dog it's colouring-they are also very coarse in texture-hence the term "wire coat". For every wire hair there are a number of fine woollen hairs (or secondary hairs) that do not have their own separate root.Now if the wire fox terrier were still living in the wild (which it of course it isn't!!!) it would it's coat would moult approx 2 times a year....Just like many other wild animals the winter coat would give way for the summer coat . The dog would simply relieve itself of the old coat by brushing itself against the lower branches of bushes and trees -thereby the primary hairs are pulled out from the root to give way for the next coat . Now this natural removal of the winter and summer coats is imitated by the modern groomers . By "stripping" or "trimming" a coat - the groomer is simply helping to remove the old primary hairs to give way for the fresh new coat .

I do not know how many times I have heard pet wire haired terrier owners out of ignorance saying things like- "oh this is just a pet and not a show dog".....or "doesn't it hurt the poor dog to pull out the coat". Stripping a dog is simply helping the dog to do what it otherwise would have done out in the wild....
What people -and unluckily I have to include groomers here-do not realize that by clipping the dog instead of stripping it you are actually doing damage to the dogs future well being .
A number of things happen when a dog is clipped.

The roots and shafts of the primary hairs when cut are still left intact and stop the growth of the new coat. As the primary hairs are the colour bearing hair layer- the first thing the owner notices is that the coat goes pale and eventually turns completely white. (Ja right! dogs which are never groomed (stripped or clipped) will become woolly and white)
The next thing that happens is that the wool or secondary hairs take over.....the coat goes woolly like a warm eiderdown and very warm . You see, when the coat is stripped both primary and secondary hairs are removed and air can get to the underlying surface of the skin .This is now stopped. In warm climates or warm central heated houses this excess growth of wool causes hotspots and rashes to appear- which left untreated can develop into various serious skin conditions . In my experience incorrect grooming of terrier breeds is the most common cause of skin complaints . All simply because the normal micro climate down by the skin surface has been altered.
So no , stripping is not a procedure that is reserved for the few show dogs around but should really be done to ALL wire coated dogs . The correct procedure is to wait till the dog's coat is ready to be stripped (the coat is ready when it starts falling out on it's own and you can literally pull it out). Get it stripped and then get an after trim after about 6 weeks . By this time the new coat has started to come through and some of the superfluous secondary woollen hairs need to be removed to demonstrate the lovely new colour and coat coming through. Then sit back and wait till the next time the coat is ready to be pulled out- which is generally 4-5 months later. Again you know when it is time as the coat starts coming out.

Q&A:
Is it possible to strip a dog after it has been clipped several years?

Yes, These pictures show a dog that was clipped on the right-notice there is hardly any colouring left-the coat is curly and woolly. To the left after he was trimmed a couple of times the coat started to re-grow and restored to it's healthy state- and the colours came back too. It is however essential when the coat is as bad as above NOT to start trimming or stripping till the coat is really ready to be stripped....so in this case you wait the necessary months till the coat starts coming out easily....otherwise it would be very painful for the dog .

Before (Notice how this dog is in serious need of just a groom)

After (Notice how the dog, since it was stripped, now has a different shape ear and the ear has miraciously gone from white to black, and his tail has now suddenly gone very straight too. Stipping does this to a dog?)

Again the above pictures are of the same dog (uhm, I dont think so! But then again - in 1999 nobody thought that the internet will let people start to think for themselves and not notice that these are in fact two different dogs. OK, ok, I get the point he tried to make. But if some of his article was not true, how much of the rest of his article is factual?) - before when he was clipped -as you see the coat is all white and woolly-and after he was trimmed back to his normal coat and the black saddle and brown head has returned. It is hard to believe isn't it?

Source: Scanwyre.co.uk

Anyone keen to comment anonymously or fictitious emails / links will be deleted. I enjoy challenges, but mostly just want the truth to be told. None of my opinion is hearsay as you will notice from some of the many sources and facts of above. If you disagree with me, please give me factual information and not hearsay.

Thanks for reading this post.

Juanita
(Normans Mom)

Pop Corn Doggie

2008-11-26T18:06:00.000+02:00

Hi there,

this is me doing some of my old tricks for some pop corn. Lurve pop-corn!!!

Hiking Doggie

2008-11-16T14:30:00.000+02:00

Hello friends,

I was super excited when mom decided to take me on a hike with her today up a place called Lions Head, which is next to Table Mountain.

This is uncle Pete and aunty Dani... they were really nice to me all the way, helping me up and down places that were too hard for me to climb.

It became very hot...

and shady spots came in very handy...

That is a place known as Camps Bay at the bottom!

More shade and a welcome break for us...

This spot is known as Clifton beach... mom sez it get super busy down there on warm days.

The hill behind me is known as Signal Hill. I live on the other side of that ocean that you see in this pic below.

The place behind uncle Peter is known as Sea Point

This was me enjoying the shade of a flowery bush.

there were so many flowers here... way more than in mom's garden. If I could spend more time here, I would love to dig them up a little too and see whats underneath them!

almost at the top... we turned around here, it was just a little too hot for me mom sed.

on our way down...

boy, was I glad to be back in the cool car!

Mom promised to bring me back and take me to the top on a cooler day. I cant wait for that day.

Love,
Normie
xxx

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Apple doggie

2008-11-05T19:37:00.000+02:00

I love fruit and this is me enjoying some more of mom's apple...

Lots of wire hugs
Normie
xxx

Boogie and me ...

2008-10-31T23:42:00.000+02:00

Hope you like my wire fox terrier video...

mOm aND mE, the Wire fOx teRrIeR

2008-10-20T23:13:00.000+02:00

Wire Fox Terrier or Cute Cuddly Teddy Bear?

I must say, my little curls look way curlier in the sea air :-)

Summer is on its way, so Im lookin fwd to lots of beach walks again.

See u soon.

Love

Normie

xxx

My favourite hang out spots (inside the house)

2008-09-23T13:46:00.000+02:00

Hi there,

These are my favourite places at which I enjoy hanging out at in the house (when mom is home).

When mom has a bath, I get to sit on the edge of the bath and chill out like humans do in steam rooms.
The Bath

A really good spot for me to hand out is in the window whilst mom is havin' a shower. I normally jump onto the back of the loo and then with a well balanced leap myself onto the windowsill.

The Shower (-window)

This is what it looks like from outside ...

Whilst mom is eating, I like to sit squashed up behind mom on the chair. And if she sits there for long, I sometimes fall asleep on the chair behind her too.

On the Chair

Watching TV will make me very sleepy...

TV

My head does not fit on the chair, and it often falls off when I am sleeping on it. Mom sez she feels sorry for me and holds my head up like a nice pillow! I think she is messing with me here!

The Study

Boogie's bed is the good for daytime cuddles. This is me and boogie takin a nap on her bed.

Boogie's Bed

Sometimes late at night, when mom is working, I like to sit on her lap and chat to her.

On Moms lap

Bedtime is playtime. This is my Rogz Doggie that I love playing with before I go to bed. He's been patched up a few times, but he's a tough one. I dont like sleeping without my teddie!

Bed time

I have also been very sick lately and I still get lots of seizures. This is me at the doctor last week.

hmmm... the doctor :(

Im ok now again, but mom has to keep a close eye on me all the time now.

The couch

Thanks for reading my blog!

Lots of love
Normie
xxx

Weekend walks for a wire fox terrier

2008-06-10T19:08:00.000+02:00

Hello everyone,

now that winter is setting the pace we get to visit the beach much less than we normally do in summer.

(right click on the image above and save as a wall paper if you like to)

An outing to the beach is always so much fun for us Boogie and me.

We often meet lots of friends who like to smell our bums...

Boogie also likes to enjoy the view of Table Mountain!

(right click on the image above and save as a wall paper if you like to)

This is when I made a wish when I saw the rainbow over Table Mountain! I cant tell you what I wished for or else mom sez it will not come true... :-(

Till next time...
lots of puppy love
Normie
xxx

Dogs are like People

2008-05-26T17:22:00.000+02:00

Being a very typical Wire Fox Terrier that I am, I did some reading and came across something I can relate to :

Dogs want to be people. That's what their lives are about. They don't like being a dog. They're with people all the time, they want to graduate. My dog would sit there all day, he would watch me walk by, he would think to himself, "I could do that! He's not that good." Jerry Seinfeld

Hope this clears much confusion going forward.

much love,
Normie
xxx

Going for a Drive

2008-05-24T10:11:00.000+02:00

I absolutely totally undeniably love going for a drive in the car.

There is always just one problem:

We cant get where we are going fast enough!

I firmly believe that if I stand as far forward as my wire fox terrier body possibly can in the car, that I will get there sooner... wherever that is which we are planning on going to...

ok, gotta keep moving.
until next time my friends!

love,
Normie
xxx

Wet Doggie

2008-05-01T09:21:00.000+02:00

Hi everyone,

I know its been a while, but mom finally managed to figure out the software for my camera. We have been very busy doing lots of stuff, but there was just too little time to upload and comment in my blog-diary.

These pictures were taken just after I was caught in the sprinklers outside.

My biggest problem with the sprinklers is the fact that I never know they are on until its just way too late and Im soaked! I think it must be my fluffy fur that is just too thick for me to realise that they are spraying water all over the place. I will have to keep my eyes open for these things next time.

Anyway, thanks to mom and her thick soft towels, Im always saved from getting too cold.

Untill next time
Lots of wet wirey hugs,
Normie xxx

Goodbye Rambo (Pluto)

2008-04-03T14:20:00.000+02:00

Tears poured down my cheeks as I received and read this message from Courtney about our mutual friend...

On Wed, Apr 2, 2008, Courtney Patrick wrote:

Dear Juanita

Its Pluto's mom, it's a very sad time for my family and me because at 6 tonight Pluto will be put to sleep, the vet believes that Pluto has a Brain tumour that might have started when he was hit by the car and has slowly grown.

This is still my loving Pluto but he has terrible mood swings - he can change at any second and has bitten my sister and then attacks people which the vet tell us that it is not actually him because he is not a mean dog it's the "other" Pluto.

Pluto slept on my bed last night and has been spoilt today!

I have sent some pictures. Pluto is a poser of note!

Love Courtney

P.S Thank you, for giving me this amazing opportunity of loving this little monkey! ;-(

Courtney Patrick
Ryedale Meadow, Hout Bay, South Africa mobile: 073 268 2275

Hi Courtney,

Im really sorry to hear this and thank you for letting me know. Thank you for taking so well care of Pluto in his short little life that he was on earth. He was obviously not meant to be here for a long time, and touched so many people with his courage and wagging smile. He is still a happy doggy in doggy-heaven and I know he will always love you for taking so well care of him.

lots of love
Juanita, Norman & Begeurah
xxx

Click here to read more stories about the history of Rambo, who was re-named by his new family as Pluto.
1. Our first experience
2. Recovering Doggie
3. New Home

Norman had an Epileptic Seizure

2008-02-24T23:18:00.000+02:00

Hi all,

just to let you know, on Friday night (22 Feb) Normie had an Epileptic Seizure. Im happy to report that he is 100% fine now, but I'm sad to know that this has happened to him.

This is what happened: On Friday night he woke me up because he was shaking so much. I though he was having a bad dream, so I tried to wake him gently. When I touched his little body, it was rock hard. I immediately realised he was not dreaming and became hysterical, to which I then calmed down instantly. I calmly held him in my arms while he was shaking like mad and foam coming out of his mouth, telling him in a calm voice that everything will be ok. It lasted for not more than 5 minutes. I waited for him to get strong enough and took him outside for some fresh air and water. He did not drink the water from his bowl, so I took him to his favourite spot (the basin in the bathroom), opened the tap, picked him up, and let him drink direct from the tap out of the basin... he loved that! He has been fine since then.

I will believe that this will not happen to him again and I would like to share with you some interesting information about Epilepsy in Animals.

Norman's Mom
xxx

Source: Peteducation.com

Epilepsy & Seizures

Race Foster, DVM
Marty Smith, DVM
Holly Nash, DVM, MS
Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.

What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy generally starts in dogs 6 months to 5 years of age, usually at 2-3 years.

Epilepsy is a disorder of recurring seizures. Seizures are described as an uncoordinated firing of the neurons usually within a portion of the brain called the cerebrum. The mechanisms of why these neurons do not function normally is not understood, but is similar if not identical to the causes in humans. Probably certain substances called neurotransmitters are not in the proper chemical balance, so the nerves do not behave in the normal coordinated fashion. A patient with epilepsy will exhibit periodic bouts of uncoordinated firing of the neurons within the brain. These episodes are called seizures and occasionally referred to as convulsions or "fits."

Causes of seizures

When we are first presented with a patient that has had a seizure, we initially attempt to find the cause. Seizures can be caused by many conditions:

* Congenital defects
* Blood glucose levels that are too high (e.g.; diabetes mellitus) or too low (hypoglycemia)
* Low oxygen levels in the blood that could be caused by anemia, heart problems, or difficulties with breathing
* Kidney disorders
* Liver disorders
* Infections such as canine distemper
* Tumors
* Toxins, like antifreeze, lead, or chocolate
* Fevers and hyperthermia
* Brain damage resulting from trauma or poor blood flow to the brain
* Certain medications
* Low calcium in females that are nursing young (eclampsia)
* Primary or idiopathic epilepsy

Types of seizures

Partial seizures affect only a small part or one side of the body. These are often caused by a brain lesion.

Generalized seizures affect the whole body and can be divided into two types, grand mal and petit mal. Grand mal seizures are the most common. A patient experiencing a grand mal seizure usually falls on her side and has uncontrollable muscle activity such as kicking her legs as if swimming or paddling. Salivation is profuse and often the patient involuntarily urinates and defecates. The patient is unaware of you, her surroundings, or her own actions. Petit mal seizures do not result in convulsions, but the animal loses consciousness. It may look like the animal just collapsed.

The worst form of seizure is one in which the patient exhibits one or more grand mal episodes without recovering from the first. This patient may actually be in a seizure for hours. This is termed Status Epilepticus and is usually referred to simply as Status. Seizures by themselves are not life threatening unless they progress into Status, in which case medical attention should be sought immediately.

What are the phases in a seizure?

If you observe closely, you can often recognize three phases to a seizure.

Pre-Seizure Phase: The pre-seizure phase is commonly called the aura. Your pet may appear restless, pace, seek affection, salivate, whine, or hide. These signs occur just minutes before the actual seizure begins.

Ictus: The seizure itself is called ictus. Your pet may appear excited, vomit, salivate, run in circles, collapse, and have uncoordinated muscle activity. This stage generally lasts less than 5 minutes.

Post-Ictal Phase: After the seizure, the recovery (post-ictal) period begins. Your pet may seem disoriented, uncoordinated, and occasionally blind (temporary). This may last several minutes to days.

Rarely does a patient become vicious during a seizure. In fact, most patients will actually feel the seizure coming on and seek out the owner for comfort. During the actual seizure, a patient is unaware of his surroundings so it does little good for the owner to try to comfort the seizuring patient. It is best to be there for comfort when the pet recovers.

What triggers a seizure?

The actual triggering of a seizure is unknown, but most patients tend to seizure during periods of excitability. Often, the owner will state that the patient seizures while playing ball or when the children returned home from school. We had one patient who seizured the day after visiting our veterinary hospital, no matter what the reason for the visit. Some patients have been known to seizure while sleeping. Please do not confuse this with dreaming, where it is common for the patient to bark or shake while sleeping. A dreaming patient can be awakened, but a seizuring patient cannot.

How is epilepsy diagnosed?

First, a detailed history is needed. A physical and neurologic exam are performed by your veterinarian, a panel of laboratory tests are run, and sometimes x-rays (radiographs) are taken. If a cause of the seizure can not be identified, the condition is diagnosed as idiopathic or primary epilepsy. There is no test to diagnose epilepsy per se, our tests simply rule out other causes of seizures.

What type of information can the owner provide to help the veterinarian make the diagnosis?

It is helpful if you, the owner, can give your veterinarian answers to the following questions:

* What does your pet look like when he is having seizures?
* What is the duration of each seizure and how often do they occur?
* Are there signs that only appear on one side of your pet (is one side worse than the other)?
* Has your pet had a high fever?
* Has your pet been exposed to any toxins?
* Has your pet experienced any trauma recently or years ago?
* Is your pet current on vaccinations?
* Has your pet been recently boarded or with other dogs?
* Has your pet had any other signs of illness?
* Has your pet been running loose in the last several weeks?
* What and when does your pet eat?
* Has your pet had any behavior changes?
* Do the seizures occur in a pattern related to exercise, eating, sleeping, or certain activities?
* Does your pet show different signs right before or right after the seizures?

Are some animals more prone to epilepsy?

Epilepsy generally starts in animals 6 months to 5 years of age, usually at 2-3 years.

adult collie and pupEpilepsy occurs in all breeds, including mixed breeds. Epilepsy can be a genetic trait. It can even be familial where the epileptic disorder can pass down through generations within one family. Beagles, German Shepherds, Irish Setters, Poodles, Saint Bernards, Springers, Malamutes and Huskies, Cockers, Collies, Dachshunds, and Golden and Labrador Retrievers are some of the breeds which have a higher tendency to develop epilepsy. It is recommended that dogs with epilepsy should not be used for breeding, since this tendency can be inherited.

How is epilepsy treated?

Treatment for epilepsy is usually not begun until a seizure is severe or multiple seizures have occurred and a pattern is observed. It is very important to know the pattern of seizures in your pet so your veterinarian can determine if the treatment is helping.

TREATMENT IS NEVER CURATIVE.The goal is to decrease the frequency, severity, and duration of the seizures.

Medications used to treat epilepsy are given orally. Each animal reacts differently to the medications. Your veterinarian may need to try different types or combinations to find what will be right for your pet. Many pets will become sleepy when they first start medication, but this soon wears off after several weeks.

The drug most commonly used to control epilepsy is Phenobarbital. Dilantin and Primidone are other drugs used in veterinary medicine. All are phenobarbital-related drugs. These medications must be given every day. These medications are classified as sedatives in which case the objective is to sedate the neurons of the brain, but not to the point where the patient becomes obviously sedated or "dopey." In the normal patient receiving these drugs, you can seldom detect that the dog is on any medication. These are the same medications used in humans with epilepsy and the goal of treatment is the same. Other medications, such as potassium bromide (KBr), clorazepate, phenytoin and clonazepam, dimethylglycine, and felbamate may be used alone or in combination with phenobarbital, if phenobarbital alone is not effective. Once medication has started it is IMPORTANT to NOT suddenly discontinue or 'skip' a dose of medication. Severe seizures could result.

If a patient experiences prolonged seizures referred to as Status, injectable drugs such as valium are administered intravenous for rapid effect.

Phenobarbitol and related anti-epileptic drugs can have side effects on the liver, especially if high dosages are required. We usually suggest liver function tests before we adjust dosages upward. Although this is a good practice, it is very rare to see liver damage even at high levels.

It is common for one dosage level of medication to work for a period of time, then have the seizures increase in length or frequency. In these cases, the drug dosages may be adjusted. If the treated patient goes months with no seizures, then we may try a lower dosage, which may still control the seizures. We might add here that we have all of our clients keep a calendar or log of the seizures, recording the date and length of time they lasted. This makes it easier for us to determine if adjustments are necessary. Obviously, the owner may miss some episodes, since they can not watch their dog every minute, but the calendar is beneficial.

What should I do if my pet has a seizure?

1. Remain calm.
2. Do not put your hand in your pet's mouth. This will not help your pet and you may be bitten. (Contrary to popular belief, a dog will not swallow his tongue.)
3. To prevent injury to your pet, remove nearby sharp or hard objects (e.g.; tables and chairs).
4. Observe your pet closely. Call your veterinarian if the seizure lasts more than 20 minutes, or if your pet has one seizure right after another. Severe and long seizures are a medical emergency and can be fatal.

A single, mild seizure is not an emergency and rarely indicates the need for long-term treatment. But at a convenient time, you should call your veterinarian and report what occurred. Be sure to record the date, time, and duration of any seizure.

Model Doggie

2008-01-27T17:08:00.000+02:00

Hi everyone,

I have been chosen to model in a photo-shoot, and they asked this very pretty kind lady to be an added prop. She seemed very keen.

Pictures by: Carlo van Wyk

Hope you like these pics.

Lots of puppy love
Normie
xxx

Norman does Doggie Training Video

2008-01-16T21:07:00.000+02:00

Hi there,

Im still busy practicing my tricks, but generally I will do anything for a good snack.

Much love,
Normie
xxx

My First Road Trip: West Coast of Southern Africa

2008-01-07T10:14:00.000+02:00

Hello everyone!

Compliments of the season. Hope you got lots of love and hugs and cuddles the festive season, and hope your family did not leave you alone at home when they went on holiday.

Mom sez a holiday without Boogie and I is not a holiday for her. I totally agreed with her.

Here are some pictures of me and Boogie on holiday all over the place...

This is me just outside Saldanha Bay...

This is us in a little town called Dwarskersbos where we stayed over for our first night.

The beach here at Dwarskersbos was the best beach ever!

Then we continued to travel further up north and stayed over for 2 more sleeps in a place called Elandsbay. This beach was the best ever too!

Boogie and I spent much of our time playing and guarding.

I found my favourite toy, a tennis ball in the flowers - what a bonus!

This dude in the boat gave mom some funny looking creepy red things which was for supper. I never got to taste them though... they looked way too scary!

We did many day trips to the surrounding areas and found some interesting places.

We came across this place called Muisbosskerm.

I could smell lots of good smells, but I did not find much here.

I love chasing seagulls, its my favourite!

I also saw lots of very strange looking things, especially this one!

Our next stop over was a place called Paternoster.

This is where I met a friend called Buddie. We played in the water for over an hour. He looked a little like me. I think thats why I liked him so much.

This is me having a look at Tieties Bay.

Boogie and I loved playing together on the beach too. I of course had to lead the way most of the time, because Boogie was not always sure where she wanted to go.

I had the best holiday ever! Thanks Mom.

Im glad to be home. My bed (eh and Moms bed) is always the best bed!

Lots of puppy luv,
Normie
xxx

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-20T15:19:00.000+02:00

Somebody say Hooooooo!

You betta watch out,
You betta not cry,
You betta not shout,
I'm telling you why...

Saaaaaaaaaaaaanta Clause is comin' to town

He's makin a list and checking it twice,
he's gonna find out who's naughty or nice!

Saaaaaaaaaaaaanta Clause is comin' to town
Saaaaaaaaaaaaanta Clause is comin' to town
Santa Clause is comin' to town

he sees you when u sleepin...
he knows when u're awake...
he knows when you've been bad of good...
so-you-betta-be-good-for-goodness-sake!

Santa Clause is comin' to town

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, jingle all the way,
oh what fun it is to have funny ears all day!

(This pic is large enough for a desktop item)

Merry Christmas everyone!
Hope you get lots of love and cuddles

lots of love
Normie
xxx

Window Doggie

2007-12-15T20:48:00.000+02:00

Hello again,

One of my favourite things to do is to climb into the window and look out at everyone all over the place...

Love, Normie xxx

Like Mom Like Me?

2007-12-07T20:31:00.000+02:00

Hi there,

There is a serious cause for concern if people are starting to try and look like me. Next thing my mom is also gonna want spots on her tummy too! Im getting a little teeny weeny bit worried now... I will have to monitor the situation and will report back any further irregularities to all you doggie bloggers.

Much love
Normie
xxx

Stand up for my rights

2007-11-12T10:06:00.000+02:00

Hi everyone,

Ive been very busy lately enjoying the summer. I like playing with all kinds of other doggies when we go to the beach, but when Im on my leash, Im very protective over my mom.

(Pic by Andre Myburgh)

We are going to DogStoneBay for the holdays and I cant wait! I will send you pics and stories of my trip.

much love
Normie
xxx

My new Sweater

2007-10-07T20:39:00.000+02:00

Hello my friends!

Even though we're about to go into summer, it is really chilly today. I thought Id show you my new hoodie sweater which I thought Id wear while working on my laptop in my study.

Normie
xxx

Rambo has finally found a loving home

2007-09-23T19:37:00.000+02:00

Mom and I went to visit Rambo today.

Rambo has found himself a loving home and a new name. His new name is now Pluto. This is Pluto and Courtney having fun in the garden.

The reason for his new name, is because the Patrick family already have a Rambo in the family. They decided that the name Pluto would be the best name for the change that needed to be made.

The K9 family in this home is (from left to right) Pluto, Toby, FireChief (at the far back) and Sam the leader of the pack - lazing herself by the pool.

Toby loves to play with his tennis ball, and has taken on full responsibility for Pluto.

Pluto had to give up his name Rambo because it belongs to the rooster in the penn.

This is Rambo - the rooster.

Courtney's mom (Lisa) is talking to Little Cameo the pony.

Pluto loves his new family and home on a small holding in Houtbay, Cape Town. He also sleeps in Courtney's room (next to her bed) on his own comfortable doggie pillow. This is what I call landing with your bum in the butter !

Unfortunately Pluto and I had a little bit of a scurrle. We measured and compared the size of our teeth, so Mom decided that I would be safer if I waited for her back in the car. Bummer. I was just about to have some fun!

But mom sez she is happy that Pluto is happy. And Im happy that mom is happy that Pluto is happy, and that Pluto's family is also happy with having a new member to their family. So we're all happy all over again.

Lots of fluffy cuddly huggs,
Normie
xxx

A big thank you to Lisa and Courtney Patrick and their family for giving Pluto a loving home and a second chance in life.

Other stories relating to this doggie:

Rambo comes back from the Hospital CLICK HERE
Meet Rambo CLICK HERE

Stripping a Wire

2007-09-23T10:11:00.000+02:00

Message from Norman's Mom:

Herewith an article that I found which is very informative regarding stripping your dog.

I still however disaggree with the facts of WHY they MUST be stripped vs clipped. I still feel that this method has no scientific relevance to the health of the dogs coat, but is purely for aesthetics and the overall image the OWNERS wish to maintain for their wire haired doggies.

Incorrect (private / home) grooming has brought me be so concerned about the (mental and physical) health of the animals. I am also still very concerned about the grooming methods in general that professional show dogs have to endure for the "pleasure" of their owners. If muzzles need to be used, then I question the method. A dog does not bite for nothing, and that is a scientific fact nobody can question.

_________________________________________________

Stripping: Reveal Your Wirehaired Dog's Show Quality Coat

By: Renae Hamrick, RVT
Source : www.PetPlace.com

Do you have a wirehaired dog, such as a Schnauzer, Airedale, or Cairn Terrier? Do you love his bright wiry coat and want to keep it looking that way? If you have the time and are strongly dedicated to keeping your wirehaired dog's coat well-groomed, then stripping might be for you.

What is Stripping?

Stripping is a grooming process that removes old, faded hairs from your dog's coat, leaving room for new wire hairs to grow. Stripping can be done using only your fingers, or you can use a tool, such as a stripping blade. Stripping may feel odd to your dog the first few times, but it is not painful. If introduced slowly and patiently, many dogs learn to enjoy it.

Stripping vs. Clipping

A wire hair has a hard point, but is soft near the base. Clipping removes that hard end, and the soft, faded portion grows farther out. Stripping removes the entire hair from the follicle, allowing for a new, wiry, brightly colored hair to grow.

Stripping is necessary for wirehaired show dogs to maintain them at breed standard. If you are not concerned about your dog's appearance being specific to his breed, then basic clipping is an easier, less-expensive grooming technique, which is perfectly okay for a wirehaired dog.

If you have been clipping regularly and the coat has become soft, it may be possible to restore the wiry coat with several stripping sessions.

The Groomer

Not every groomer offers stripping. Be sure to call around and inquire before scheduling your dog's stripping appointment. Be specific when asking for a strip cut, because it can also be a term used for close shave cuts!

Expect to pay significantly more for a strip than a basic clip, because stripping is a time-consuming, tedious task.

Can YOU Strip Your Dog's Coat?

Stripping is a challenging grooming technique which is more difficult to perform than it appears. If you are considering trying this grooming process, talk to a professional groomer or your veterinarian for some advice. Your local pet store may offer a book or video on stripping.

You can strip with only your hands, or you may prefer to purchase a stripping knife or comb to help you with this process. Wearing latex gloves or sprinkling ear powder (with rosin) on the hair may help your grip.

Below is a basic explanation of the process.

Hold a few hairs between your thumb and the side of your index finger. If you are using a stripping tool, place the handle in your hand, and grip the hairs between your thumb and the blade.

Using a firm but gentle motion, pull the hairs straight out in the direction they grow. Do not twist your arm or wrist. The hairs should pull out easily. Continue this process over your dog's entire body.

You can strip the whole outer coat in one session, which takes several hours and may leave the dog with mostly undercoat for a couple months. Another option is stripping in sections, or "rolling the coat". Rolling is the process of removing the longest hairs and leaving the rest for a couple weeks, then repeating the process. This allows there to always be a new coat growing.

A Simpler Method

If you prefer clipping as your wirehaired dog's grooming method, but would still like to try to maintain a wiry coat, try stripping a little just before the clip. Follow up by "brushing" your dog with a pumice stone once a week after the clipping. This will remove old hairs and stimulate new wire hair growth.

_________________________________________________

I disagree to the reasons (wrt to health of the coat) behind the stripping method. Its all hearsay and not facts at all. I believe people are free to have their own opinions. But saying that its healthy, and it must be done is incorrect. I wish not to argue or fight with anyone. I wish to voice my opinion. And in my opinion, muzzling a dog must be for a (painful) reason, and therefor this method is cruel and inconsiderate.

If your dog does not fight the procedure, then that is great. But if he does not like it, then maybe you should consider to stop doing it. Just a thought.

Happy Grooming.
Norman's Mom

Below is a link to the fairly controversial article which I wrote:
Stripping a Wire Fox Terrier is Cruel CLICK HERE to read more about that.

The Perfect Spot

2007-09-19T09:07:00.000+02:00

Hello all!

U gotta see this.

This is my latest spot where I like to hang out. I found this perfect spot just by chance when I was doing my normal sniffing rounds around the house (while mom was in the shower). This is where I can talk to mom while she is showering or doing her make-up. Now I dont have to sit on the floor looking up at her any more. We can now talk eye to eye.

While I am here, I sometimes also have a quick chat to the funny looking (lonely little) mutt living next door. He's cool.

Getting up here is easy as bones. Well, it goes like this: You jump on the closed toilet seat, (I dont climb up if its open), then you aim for the stern behind the loo, then a quick jump and Im ontop. Getting down is sometimes a bit slippery, but I've 'waxed' it now perfectly.

Try it! Try it, its such fun.

Wirey Hugs,
Normie
xxx

Chillin in the sun... my favourite!

2007-09-16T13:39:00.000+02:00

Hi everyone,
just a quick note to wish you all warm sunshine, love and peace - which is just what Im doing right now on this lazy sunday afternoon. And Im loving it.

Lots of puppy love
Normie
xxx

TeddyBear Time

2007-09-02T15:45:00.001+02:00

Today is the best day ever! I have officially been given the big teddy bear to play with. Mom sez Im big enough to play with big toys now.

These are just a few of my toys left over, because I ate all the others. And they tasted really yummie!

Some toys are very special, because they just seem to last for ever. This is my rogz surfing dog.

Oh boy! I hope Sharky understands body language.

See you all again soon.

All my love, cuddles and licks (kisses)
Normie
xxx

Flower Doggie: Wallpaper

2007-08-19T14:07:00.001+02:00

The above picture can be uploaded as a wallpaper.

click on the image
then once it has uploaded, right click and save it as a background / wallpaper.

My trip to see the Flowers in Langebaan

2007-08-12T20:47:00.000+02:00

Hello everyone! Guess where we went today!? You gotta believe it...

... to see the flowers in Langebaan. Jippeee!

The west coast of Southern Africa becomes a floral paradise towards the end of our South African winter. Doggies from all over the world come here for endless sniffing and playing.

There are so many flowers this time of year, we dont know where to sniff.

Boogie and I were not too sure where to start sniffing.

There are also lots of mousie holes around here...

eh... just a mo, I think I found something here.

Lets go to the water Boogie?

The Langebaan lagoon is declared a nature sanctury. Mom sez this is where she comes often during the windy summers. I look forward to coming back here then.

That seagul swims way faster than we thought :-(

"Not to worry, Normie. You will be able to chase many more in time to come, believe me"

After a long hard day of sniffing, swimming and playing, we eventually get back into the car and take the hour drive back to Cape Town.

So much action in one day justifies a nice long nap in the car on the way home.

What a day! I cant wait to come back here again. Please come visit me if you ever come this way.

Lots of wuv
Normie
xxx

Hungry Doggies

2007-08-04T09:34:00.000+02:00

We know when there is something good going on in the kitchen!

Carlo always shows me how to make food for when I grow up to make my own food one day.

... but when I dont get my foodies in time, its not a problem at all. There are many things in and around the house that I enjoy eating.

Thanks mom!

Much love
Normie
xxx

Welcome Back Rambo!

2007-07-30T09:31:00.000+02:00

Welcome back Rambo!

Mom went to fetch Rambo at the doggie hospital today... this was his home for the past 2 weeks.

this was his bed... (it was clean, warm and had a nice soft blankie for him to lie on)

This was the very kind lady doctor who cared for Rambo while he was in hospital...

I could not get enough of Rambo when he got home. I love to love! Its my favourite!

this is Mom trying to have a family pic taken of us... we all had a great big problem sitting still for the camera.

Mom sez I look funny when I look up at her...

... and this is my cute look again...

Well, after all the action, I had to make sure Rambo was comfortable in MY Rogz Bed, which I told mom to give to him for a little while... Its ok, he can use it for now, I dont mind.

Sweet dreams Rambo!

Click Here to read the story of Rambo when we first found him.

We are now looking for a willing owner. Please email me if you live in Cape Town and are willing to take on this very loving animal that so dearly now needs a good home. Thank you.

A Poem of my friend Tell

2007-07-28T09:46:00.000+02:00

Hi Tell,

I dont ever do this, but I loved your brothers' poem so much, I want everyone to see it. I hope you dont mind that I copied it onto my blog:

But you can all read more about Tell in his blog here : http://williamtellsspot.blogspot.com/

Well done to your brother, you both deserve a Noddy Badge from me!
Much Love,
Normie
xxx

This is Tell...

I'm thrilled (and humbled) that My Boy wrote a poem about me for a school assignment. It's been published in a hard cover book, too! Here it is:

My Dog, Tell

I got a present from my mother.

It was better than a brother.

It's a puppy I call William Tell.

He was the last one the breeder would sell.
He has little black polk-a-dots,
He chases squirrels and barks at rocks.
He is my dog.
I love him lots.
My silly little dog with spots.

He describes me pretty good, too, except for the silly part. Who's silly? Anyway, Mom bought a copy so we can all read it together. I like hearing my name.

Some things about me that only Boogie knows

2007-07-27T19:39:00.000+02:00

This is my not so cute look. This is actually the real me, but I dont often let everyone see this part of me, they might think Im a bit too mean now...

I know Im still a baby, because I still love my Rogz Dog...

This is me and Sharky when mom and dad get home. Sweet and innocent (of course!).

The picture below is because of mom calling me for no reason at all.

(The above image can be uploaded as a wallpaper if you like)

Gotta go, got lots more to do before I go to bed.

Much love,
Normie
xxx
(and Sharky & Boogie)

PS: Rambo is still in the doggie hospital, and we hope he comes home this weekend.

Its cold outside

2007-07-26T16:50:00.001+02:00

Hi everyone!

just thought Id pop you all a note to say hello, and let you know that Im not doing much today. Its very cold outside, and I prefer just hanging out inside today.

Im a little bored, but look fwd to my food in about 1 hour from now. Hopefully we will be able to get Rambo back from the doggie hospital tomorrow or saturday too.

Miss you all!
lots of love
Normie
xxx

My First Day At The Doggie Parlour

2007-07-14T16:18:00.000+02:00

There I was in the car, very excited to be spending another day on mom's lap, driving around and doing our 'thing'. Unbeknown to me, mom was actually on her way to take me to the doggie parlour.

When we got there, there were other doggies there too. They seemed very happy to see me, so I did not really expect much from it.

... untill mom picked me up and put me in the bathie. There I was ... getting all wet again. I really dont get why these humans keep on wetting me.

... after the shampoo, I got a layer of very expensive doggie conditioner (for my very expensive coat).

... once the kind lady finished bathing me, she put a nice warm towel around me and dried me a little. That felt really good.

Then I was combed, and dried with the hair dryer. The kind lady very gently removed all my knots in my coat, and combed me up like a furrball.

Even I got a shock when i had a glimps of myself in the mirror. I thought I'd turned into a poodle or something.

I cant wait to roll around in the nearest dirt again.

There I was, squeecky clean and ready to run and run and run and run and run and run and run...

Nice Colours (without having any hair ripped out of my body)
Healthy coat (without having any hair ripped out of my body)
No knots or clumps (without having any hair ripped out of my body)
No Pain! (because no hair was ripped out of my body)

Making use of The Stripping Method was not neccesary at all.

The Groomer:
BARKS & BUBBLES DOGGIE PARLOUR
Sharon Peirce,
4 Naguil Close, D'Urbanvale, Cape Town
sharon.butler@telkomsa.net
021 979 5660

Moms Rating on the above Parlour and my Groomer:
Sharon treated Norman with love and care. Not once did I see him get water / soap in his eyes or ears or nose. She never hurt him once. This was one of the nicest parlours I have seen. I would highly recommend making use of her services. Sharon also does not agree on the cruel method known as Stripping The Wire Fox Terrier.

Read more about the cruelty of Stripping a Wire Fox Terrier here.

Meet Rambo

2007-07-14T09:05:00.000+02:00

Last night we met Rambo for the first time. He is still not feeling too well, but mom sez he will be feeling better soon.

Rambo (a 6 month old Boxer cross) was hit by a car and was lying in the middle of the road, so mom and dad stopped to move him out of the way. This was when mom saw he was still alive, so she picked the injured doggie up and they rushed him to the nearest doggie hospital. Unfortunately his front leggie was just too damaged and this had to be amputated. These pictures are of us all investigating and meeting Rambo for the first time.

Boogie sez she thinks Rambo is similar to what her dad looked like... Boogie seems to like Rambo.

Sharkie is not too sure where Rambo's other leg is, but Im sure she will figure it out soon.

We promise to look after Rambo as best as we can.

Mom sez we are just looking after Rambo untill he is stronger, and untill we can find him a good home.

UPDATE ON RAMBO's PROGRESS: 18 July 2007

On Sunday 15 July we had to rush Rambo back to the vet, because his wound opened up a little, but a lot of yukkie stuff was coming out. He has been there ever since. He is on strong antibiotics and they have put a drain in for better drainage of the dead tissue. He is doing well and the Vet contacts us every day keeping us updated on his progress.

He is a strong boy and we hope to have him out of the doggie hospital soon.

UPDATE ON RAMBO's PROGRESS: 28 July 2007

Rambo is still in the hospital and the vet is still not too comfortable releasing him. There is nothing we can do but wait in anticipation. Please pray for Rambo to get better soon.

UPDATE ON RAMBO's PROGRESS: 31 July 2007

Rambo is back home http://norman-doggie.blogspot.com/2007/07/welcome-back-rambo.html

We are looking for a willing owner. Please email me if you live in Cape Town and are willing to take on this very loving animal that so dearly now needs a good home. Thank you.

Help! Garfield is gone!

2007-07-10T20:50:00.000+02:00

On Friday night Sharkie and I woke mom up because we heard these really funny noises outside. When mom opened the back door, all we could see was black smoke and big red hot flames all over the place.

Now our buddie 'Garlie' aka Garfield the fat Persian cat from next door is missing. Mom sez she hopes Garlie just ran away and might come back soon. Mom is putting food down for him now, just in case he is somewhere in the neighbourhood.

Sharkie and I now miss barking at Garlie! ...come back Garlie, your real mom is also looking for you.

we wuv you
Normie
xxx

Stripping a WFT is Cruel !

2007-06-23T09:13:00.000+02:00

A message from Norman's Mom:

As many of you can see (and know) my love for Norman (and all animals in general) is alot. He's growing up now and its getting time for his first trim. I have investigated stripping and I want all WFT owners to understand how strong I feel about NOT STRIPPING him and why.

(the pic below can be enlarged for a wallpaper on your pc or cell phone)

Why do you STRIP your Wire Fox Terrier:

because they say so
because everyone else does it to their WFT
because its healthy
because it brings out the colour
because thats what you are supposed to do

well, I say all of the above is -to say the least- BS:

because they say so: so many people own animals and do with them what the 'breed' guidelines require for them to do. There is absolutely no reason why you have to follow the breed guidelines when it comes to stripping your dog. I say : if the animal is in any way inconvenienced or discomforted, then what THEY SAY is wrong. Its 2007. Those rules were made in the 1800's! Just a thought.
because everyone else does it to their WFT: I run another large forum and I can honestly say that so many people just do what others do (follow the lead), regardless whether it is wrong or right. Its very sad that we live in a society where people have stopped to think for themselves, or is it just human ignorance? I say I dont like the Lion Style of the WFT hairdo... I like the scruffy teddy look. Why not start a 'scruffy (clean and tidy ofcourse) teddy' look? After all, the dog will be happier - and I believe they look way more cuter than that rigid Lion Trim the groomers are forcing down on the owners of the breed. Some like it, I grant them that. But those who just follow the lead... how about considering going the soft teddy look? why not?
because its healthy: No its not! ofcourse the dogs coat is going to look 'lovely and pink' when they are done ripping out his furr. will your skin not look the same if I do that to you? healthy my ass. I have a smooth fox terrier, and she also has the hard hair that norman has, except that it is straight and there is no fluff. Its the fluff that grows out, not the hard wirey hair. The groomers and the breeders might say so (because those before them said to think so), but there is nothing healthy about pulling out the hair by the roots. Stripping them of the fluff is not healthy. It might show the wirey furr more, but there is no health reason behind this insanely cruel act. It might increase the bloodflow to the skin, but thats about as healthy as you are going to get.
because it brings out the colour: nothing brings out no colour. The wirey furr is darker in shades of white, grey, brown and black. The fluff grows over and longer and therefor starts to hide the wirey hairs. Stripping the poor animal of its fluffy furr will show the wirey hairs more, thats all. Who cares anyway what the dogs colour is? Did you order his colours? They are born that way, why not love them for what they have been born into. Why be so insanely mean once every while and rip their furr out?
because thats what you are supposed to do: You are not supposed to do anything other than love and care for your animals. You are not supposed to rip out the animals fur from the roots. You can if you want to (because they said so over 200 years ago), but you are not supposed to do it.

Why do I not have to strip my Wire Fox Terrier:

he has a soft fluffy furr, and I am going to give him the cute teddy bear look that he has grown up to become
he eats healthy and that is how I will keep him HEALTHY. You are what you eat. No stripping of any kind will make his coat more healthy.
his colours mean nothing to me. He's my dog and I love him for what and who he is.
It is cruel, and probably one of the most cruelest acts of owning a pet - above clipping ears and docking tails - which have now become illigal in South Africa (Im not sure about other countries) and animals who have undergone docking and ear clipping, will be disqualified in breeding competitions.
Showdogs are getting to a point where they are starting to look ugly. People stop me all the time in the street and in the malls (today I must have had 5 compliments alone from strangers) to tell me how cute they think my dog is. So the 'scruffy teddy bear' look rules Normie!

I love Normie and he will NEVER be stripped. I hope you too will think about what I have said here and have the balls to join me and oppose the cruel act of stripping the wire fox terrier (because they said so).

My call on the above is the following: Its 2007. Not the 1800's.

Thank you.
Juanita

PS: Sorry to do this to you litte Fee (one of my favourite WFT's), but ...
...below is a perfect example of what these beautiful creatures have to endure -

(read the article, and you will read how they actually talk about the muzzle and the exhaustion) Is this what all the ranters call normal? and acceptable? see how many anon ranters this post has drawn.

just because the breed says so: (Please add more examples of this to your comments if you find any and agree with me)

Poor little Fee, darn. Look at her! I wish this will stop.
http://magic-fever.blogspot.com/2006/04/reunion-part-3.html#links

The article published by someone stating they are a vet:
http://www.scanwyre.co.uk/info/why_it_is_wrong_to_clip_a_wire_f.htm
I question the integrity of the article 100%. Please also note the final image comparing the dog 'before' and 'after' a stripping... is not the same dog.

The HISTORY of the WFT:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_Terrier_%28Wire%29#History

Also take note of the ORIGIN of the WFT:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_and_Tan_Terrier
the above Black and Tan Terrier (which is the origin of the wirey coat) never needed to be stripped, it was known to be an 'ugly' looking dog, hence grooming was not even considered as part of the upkeep of the animal.

24 June 2007: As you could imagine, so far this post has caused a stir within the WFT communities on the internet. I hope all aspiring future WFT owners will be educated by this post. Please read the comments below for further discussions.

Websites that are referring to this article:
www.petwise.co.za

Norman & Sharkie havin' a digg

2007-06-20T19:43:00.000+02:00

Norman: eh, hellow everyone! come and see what I found!

Norman: hey Sharkie, come see this...!

Sharky: ok Normie. What did u find?

Norman: I dunno. Look there. Im not sure what it is, maybe your genius nose can help me

Sharky: Oh Normie, this is easy as pie. its what you call a mousie hole. they are these tiny little furry creatures that you are supposed to chase and catch, like ya grandma and grandpa did... before we were born

Norman: oh wow! thanks Shark'. I thought you might know. Im sure there must be more in here, I can smell something... lets digg a little further.

Norman: I love this place, it has so many holes all over!

Sharky: Yeah, me too!

Wallpaper: Norman relaxing

2007-06-09T20:54:00.000+02:00

Picture compliments of carlo www.640pixels.com

much love
Norman
xxx

Daily Activities of Norman

2007-06-06T12:59:00.000+02:00

This is more or less the order of my day...

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk on the beach! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard, dug some holes! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

Window Doggie

2007-06-03T18:19:00.000+02:00

I got the hang of "the art of standing on the windowsill" like Sharky. Being a puppy, its not easy to always keep my balance yet, but I am sortof getting it right

Tummy Tagged

2007-06-03T18:15:00.000+02:00

One of my other WFT buddies tagged me for a tummy tag. So I asked mom to please take a picture of my very gorgeous tummy for you all!

Hungry Doggie

2007-06-03T18:12:00.000+02:00

This is me when I am hungry. I sit on moms foot while she is preparing my food. It helps keep mom focussed.

I have these soft floppy ears that flop all over the place and when I look up my ears flop backwards.

Wallpaper : Norman 3

2007-06-02T19:38:00.000+02:00

Please click on the image and save as a desktop item if you like it :-)

Picture taken by Carlo www.640pixels.com

Much love,
Norman

Shock Horror!!! I lost my first tooth today!

2007-06-01T18:25:00.000+02:00

Pardon the shocking graphics, but this was the only way I could show the world that I am now really growing up. I lost my first baby tooth today. Mom said the tooth fairy will be bringing me something nice in exhange for my tooth tomorrow.

I cant wait to look under my pillow when I wake up tomorrow morning! Im going to be a big boy soon and can't wait.

Wallpaper: Norman Chillin

2007-06-01T09:16:00.000+02:00

Here is another picture of me chillin' out in the sun with Dad's socks.

You can click on the picture and save it as a desktop if you like...

Wallpaper : Norman 2

2007-05-30T19:38:00.000+02:00

Please click on the image and save it as a desktop item if you like it :-)

Picture taken by Carlo from www.640pixels.com

Much love,
Normie xxx

DustbinDoggieDotCom

2007-05-29T20:16:00.000+02:00

Mom keeps our food in this pedal bin container thing...

When I'm super hungry and smell my foodies, I can't help myself.

Mom says I look like a dustbin doggie when I do this.

I dont care. Foodie time is foodie time, and I know exactly where I can find it. Yummie.

Wallpaper: Norman catching some sun

2007-05-26T15:48:00.000+02:00

This is me with chinese eyes - loving the autumn sunshine and of course dad's socks.

Please click on the picture and save it as a Wallpaper if you think I'm cute ;-)

My First Shower

2007-05-17T09:00:00.000+02:00

ja well no fine.... as they would say.

I hear all the time from mom how dirty I am. I dont understand what it means, because am having so much fun just being me.

Every single time Im done with this water stuff, I smell like a baby all over again.
I really dont get it. Im trying to grow up and become a big strong boy, but its just not happening. Mom says I will be her baby forever. hhmmm

Wallpaper: Wire Fox Terrier Puppy

2007-05-14T20:20:00.000+02:00

Hey friends, feel free to click on this picture and then save it as a wallpaper / desktop picture on your computer. I will be adding more as I get them. Much love, Norman

The Toilet Roll - I just love it!

2007-05-01T16:09:00.000+02:00

Growing up can give you many advantages.

One of them is the benefit of growing taller the other is being able grab hold of the entire toilet roll while still mounted to the wall. Chewing a on the toilet roll gives me much pleasure. So far, I have only managed to completely destroy one toilet roll. My aim is one per day. I will let you know when I get there.

Doggie Outpost

2007-04-28T12:18:00.000+02:00

Us fox terriers are very nozy pooches and we absolutely luuuuuurve to stare out the window. Its getting cold and rainy here now, so being able to play outside is not always an option any more. Our bed has now moved to right next to the window. This is where we can have a good look at Garfield the pursian cat next door, and possibly any other exciting furry creatures that happen to pass by our window.

Woof woof... how awesome!

I met a Doggie Celebrity - uncle Paul

2007-04-27T11:58:00.000+02:00

Last night mom and dad had to attend an End Of Summer Kiteboarding Dinner, and there was no time to find a baby sitter. Mom said it was a pretty informal dinner, so she decided to take me along, and let me sleep on the chair next to her.

This is me sleeping in moms arms, with dad, alex and lorna. I spent most of the evening sleeping in moms arms or on the chair next to her. Everyone loved me and I naturally got so much attention.

Then just as we are about to leave, I met uncle Paul. He is one of the owners of my favourite brand Rogz! Can you believe it? I could not believe how lucky I was to meet such a famous man. He even said I was very handsome young man too. What a nice uncle indeed. I hope to run into him again soon.

Bed Time

2007-04-21T10:08:00.000+02:00

Dog beds have taken all kinds of shapes lately.

You get a dog dog bed. Which is a normal, anywhere u get comfortable kinda sleeping place. generally this is on the floor and outside the human living areas.

Then you get a dog bed for humans... uh, actually lets rather not go there for now!

... and a human dog bed for dogs. This is what Boogie has. I hope the universe will provide this kind of bed to me someday too.

You also get a dog bed for dogs, I would say a Rogz Pod is about as close to the perfect bed as you will get.

For me bedtime is just about any time (and any place). Thats because Im still a baby and mom is getting a bed for me as soon as I am big enough to have my own beddie.

Its getting a bit chilly this side of the world lately, so we need a little extra cover. Sharky also likes to sleep where it suits her, this Rogz for Dogz bed is actually supposed to be mine (also known as a Rogz Pod), but she's taken it over for now. Thats ok with me, I really dont mind for now, she is older than me, and her teeth are still bigger than mine. I will let her have it. Its her right to have what she wants in our doggie world.

Boogie has it all. She's the oldest and her teeth are way bigger than mine or Sharkies, so she gets the best bed. It comes with 2 soft pillows, a soft mattress and a warm duvet. She may have any of my teddies to sleep with, I dont mind that either. She does not like it if I walk over her while she is sleeping, so Ive decided to stay clear from her when her eyes are closed.

My First Day Shopping with Dad

2007-04-21T09:58:00.000+02:00

Aparantly us furry creatures are not allowed in shopping malls, so dad decided to disguise me a little under a green sweater.

I sure did not mind being pushed around all over the place, and loved the ride so much, I ended up sleeping most of the way.

Some of the people had a sneak peak at me, others oogled about me every now and again, but otherwise, it was a pretty chilled day to be out with dad.

Another Day At The Beach

2007-04-21T09:42:00.000+02:00

Things seemed to be going a lot smoother on the beach today. Sunny warm skies, no wind... still loads of sand every where (as you may notice on my snout), but way more fun than the last time.

This is mom protecting me from Boogie and Sharkie (every now and again...)

Sharkie often tried to chase me, but I was way fast enough to out-run her. Just watch my new moves, well thought through.

You gotta watch and see how I managed to out-manouvre her! at first I pretend to go right, then I do a swerve to the left, do a slight dive down, and I'm home free...

... uh, untill we decided to get busy again. I dont know why, but I sure luuuurve digging holes. This hole was just perfect for us all to play in.

Sharkie has this thing with rocks. I still want to figure out why she loves them so much.

I would love to be as fit and happy as Sharkie one day. Boogie is a bit old by now, but Sharkie loves the beach. It just one adventure to the next for her.

My First Day At The Office

2007-04-19T16:55:00.000+02:00

Mom decided it would be good to take me with her to the office today, as all she had to do was work and do some office stuff.

It was pretty exciting, meeting all the nice people. They all loved me ofcourse. There was so much to do in Moms office I just got to tell you all about it!

At first, soon after we arrived, I took my much needed morning nap. Moms lap kinda seemed like the best place at first.

After the nap, I decided to take a walk around and get to know the place a little better. These cables tasted really nice! note the smile in my bite.

The legs of the table seemed rather tasty too.

I begged mom for another session on her lap, but she was not too keen, and showed me where my bed for the day actually was
.

After mom bought me a hambuger patty for breakfast, I naturally needed another nap.

I had this chewy thing I brought from home, and enjoyed it on the couch in the office.

Oops! this was a little mistake. Sorry mom!

I took another stroll through moms open cupboard and found this very tasty calendar.

Then moms chair also seemed very attractive and I can tell you, not as tasty as breakfast though.

I could not resist the knowing the unknown. I just had to investigate the treasure chest! I found many tasty things in there too!

After all this action, I needed a cuddle again. Mom would not let me lie on her lap, so her feet had to do for now.

What a great day! I look forward coming back here again soon.

My First Day at the Beach: Sunset Beach, Cape Town SOUTH AFRICA

2007-04-08T11:25:00.000+02:00

I could not understand why Sharkie and Boogie were so excited. We got out of Dads car and Mom carried me to this place where there was sand everywhere. My nose, my mouth, my body, everywhere! This place, the sand does not end... yuk!

Mom told me this was the beach and it is a place we will be visiting alot more in the future. Sharkie and Boogie were running around all over the place. They said it was gonna be fun. It was not only sandy, but wet too! my soft furr was getting wet - oh no! this must be a mistake. Im not too sure if I want to come back here again.

Aaaahhh noooooo, this water is making me feel so dizzy. I feel wheezy, I have no balance. Whats happening to the earth below my very balanced little body? First it was all the wind, and then all that sand, and now? ...All this water stuff, and it does not even taste nice!

Sharky was all over the place. Just watching her made me wheezy too.

The beach. Whats all the fuss about?

Some pictures

2007-04-06T15:28:00.000+02:00

Dad took some pictures of me while I had my afternoon nap.

Video

2007-04-05T19:34:00.000+02:00

My Dad made a cool video of me and my family.

My First Post

2007-04-05T16:23:00.000+02:00

Hi everyone,

my name is Norman, but my family say Normie. Personally I think I prefer Norman, it sounds better. "Norman , here Norman!" hmm, yes Im not too sure about this Normie business.

I was born yesterday. My mom and dad took me out of the tummy of this really big monster bird. I came in a small wooden thing, together with my teddie. They said they just loved the way I smelt. They said I smelt like baby powder. So I said, but I am a baby! Anyway, we got into another big monster thing, and moved really fast past many other montster things for a long time. They don't scare me any more, but they did in the beginning. We stopped somewhere and I did my first poop on a grass patch somewhere in a place called Parow. That was really nice of them, cause I was 'dying to go' if you know what I mean.

Soon we were moving fast again, untill we reached what I now know as home. I was exhausted from all the travelling, but they introduced me to my new granny (Boogie a Xsomething) and aunty (Sharky a smooth fox terrier). At first I thougth they were furry monsters too, but they are ok to me now.

After we all had a bite to eat, the lights went out and we all went to bed. I was not used to such a soft bed, but gee I begun to like it real soon after that. Can you believe that I got to cuddle with my mom and dad the whole night.

This is my aunty Sharky when she was my age. I see granny Boogie can take a lot of nonsense from a person. This gives me ideas...

Today: Thursday 5 April

I woke my mom up twice last night to go out, and she was still nice to me this morning. I also met Erika this morning. What a nice lady. Dad took me to this place full of people and lights and stuff. All the people were telling him how cute I am. I know that I am cute, and I love it when people say so. So I just continued to make cute noises and stuff, so that they make more fuss of me. It really worked.

Once we got back home, dad let me play outside a while and video taped me. We went to the beach, but it was so windy, mom said she will take me back to the beach tomorrow when the wind has dropped a bit. I can't wait.