Bulldogs in general

I am very thankful for Panalog. Not only does it keep Tugboat's ears clean, especially his dirty-icky-brown one, it keeps his nose-to-mouth fold clean. Otherwise, it clogs up with the nastiest dark junk whose composition is a complete biological mystery.
He does have a continuing problem with a crusty nose. I can add Bag Balm, but I have to keep it up, and Digby tends to immediately lick it off him. Besides, you really need a some sun to bake the Bag Balm into Tugboat's mud-flat nose. However, the vet told me it probably doesn't hurt him. It's just unsightly. That's OK. Tugboat's handsome otherwise.

Tugboat/Cat in the Hat scenario

What does my boy do when I'm away? Ride on some sluppalumpp thing out of Dr. Seuss? Sleep? Wish he were eating? Wish I were with him? It would be interesting to install a Webcam or videocamera to see Tugboat Home Alone (With Digby). I bet there's not much action, though.

Tugboat at Monday's dog park outing

I think it's called the Northern Tail Dog Park, but whatever — Tugboat, Digby, Sassy (the new foster) and I had a good time Monday. We went after work, which apparently was a hot time as the place was hopping, literally. A young collie, an Airedale, a beagle and other canines filled the park. Tugboat mostly went up to people to get his bum rubbed, but Digby and Sassy engaged in more active pursuits, such as chasing and being chased.
We will try to go again today.

Tugboat at Aviation Day

Tugboat had a good Sunday, or at least it's what I think should have been a good Sunday. I took him to Aviation Day at Mason Jewett Airfield, where he enjoyed mingling with the crowd, sharing a steak dinner with me and lying down and panting by a soybean field. I wish he could have taken a helicopter ride, assuming it could have gotten off the ground!
Later in the day Tugboat, Digby, foster Sassy and I went to the East Lansing dog park where there were two other bulldogs! Both were much smaller than Tugboat. He showed interest at first, then was indifferent. It might have been too hot, but there was plenty of water and shade around.
Later at night at home when I was trying to watch the Olympics, Tugboat showed his gratitude by annoying me and barking almost every time I sat on the couch to relax. I didn't take it well. I feel bad when I become angry with him, but dogs are like kids. You love them, yet they have the propensity to annoy at the worst times. Well, we all settled down at last.

Wild at night

Just when I think Tugboat is really slowing down, he doesn't, especially some nights when I'm really slowing down for the day. Our biorhythms aren't always in sync, but we make adjustments, especially when I yell "Shut up!" Then I feel guilty. I like it when Digby can get him to play. But I must remember that someday when he's gone I'll miss being pestered. Maybe not every single time, but I'll miss rubbing his wrinkly forehead.
I think I will have to give him a forehead rub when I get home from work.

Tugboat with new foster

Sassy is a 10-month-0ld border collie/terrier mix that has weasel-like tendencies in that she can squeeze through a 5-inch gap in the door and run away. Tugboat can't catch her, but doesn't try anyway. Therefore I have to go after her.
However, she is good at getting Tugboat to play and can be rougher than Digby. It's good for Tug's big heart!

Tugboat is home from the kennel

Tugboat loves the kennel, aka doggy camp. He was treated to two belly rubs this time while I visited Michigan's Upper Peninsula (Tugboat would have liked Lake Superior, but I wasn't up to bringing along dogs). I picked up Tugboat and Digby Monday, and promptly got a flat tire as I left the kennel. A call to AAA and I was on my way, although I had to buy four new tires. Something new that Tugboat can mark if he wants.

Tugboat on the Fourth of July

We opted not to go for the fireworks in Mason, Michigan this year. Since they were out of town, I decided I didn't want to wait the hour and a half. Maybe next year; last year was fun.
Anyway, Tugboat was a big hit at the Fourth of July parade. I spoiled him with cheeseburgers and bottled water, and he got to lie down in nice sod, or at least grass that's a lot lusher than our lawn.
He also only barked a few times during a cannon rededication ceremony.
As usual, people stopped me to ask about him. Since the mascot of Mason High School is the bulldog, kids made note of that.
I take Tugboat to as many of these events as I can (cheeseburgers and a cool sidewalk are a bonus).

Tugboat and fireworks?

Tugboat still isn't his usual perky self, but maybe taking him to a Fourth of July fireworks display will help. Last year he wanted to attack those little fountains that people set off in the parking lot. It might have stressed him a bit, but he likes the company of people. And I think he will enjoy Mason's Independence Day parade as well, and people will enjoy him. After all, the mascot of the local high school is the bulldog.

A tough couple of days

When Tugboat can't keep down his evening meal, something's wrong. That's what happened Monday and Tuesday. Fortunately, Wednesday was fine. However, he keeps hacking at night...wheeze, wheeze, wheeze, HACK! I hope it's just a temporary thing, like those insidious "bugs" I catch now and then. You never can tell with bulldogs.
However, we sat out at dusk at the end of the driveway, just the 'Boat and me, like the good old days when it was just us two. Tugboat seems serenely happy in these moments. Plus, only a mosquito or two dive-bombed me. I think mosquitoes leave Tugboat alone, or he just likes the attention and ignores them. And yes, he's on heartworm medication.

Another bulldog tale

http://www.ohio.com/lifestyle/home_garden/19625844.html

This is a very heartwarming story. The things we do for our bullies!

A Tugboat moment

Getting ready for work this morning, I looked down and saw Tugboat sitting by the bathroom vent, one of his comfort zones in my house. I decided it was time for a forehead/ear rub, so I obliged. Tugboat then gave me one of those eyes-closed, highly appreciative looks, which made me kiss him on the lips. Sometimes he makes a soft sigh or I-like-this grunt. Anyway, I hated to leave him this morning.

The household gets a new addition

Sherwin the cocker spaniel is our latest foster dog. He has an old-man face and a summer haircut, which I plan to let grow out. Sherwin used to be called Flame, but that name, to me, more aptly describes a flashier breed, or at least one with a red coat.
Sherwin is very friendly, but is an incessant whiner and barker, and I'm not always sure why. He's a bed hog, though, so that means Tugboat probably won't be sleeping with me anytime soon (three dogs and a human are a tight fit on a twin bed).
I plan to work on the whining/barking, but it might stop as Sherwin gets used to his new digs.
Tugboat and Sherwin each is a bit on the alpha side, but Tugboat usually wins. Make that always wins.
More later ...

Tugboat comes home

Tugboat and Digby just came home today from a four-day stay at their "doggy camp," a nearby country kennel. Tugboat was treated to two "extras" — sessions in the Belly Rub Club, of which he should be a charter member.
Digby was less certain of the place when he got there; I had to take off his leash instead of making an employee do it. However, although he was extremely glad to see me today, he eventually warmed up to the staff.
Even though I'm pretty certain Tugboat loves me, he doesn't always want to go home. This leads me to suspect he gets extra special treatment at the kennel. That's OK by me. It's hard to love the 'Boat too much.