42.6kg

This morning, Kane and I went on a long walk to the vet, but only to use their scales. Kane's weight is now down to 42.6 kg.

It took about 25 minutes to walk to the vet, allowing time for stop and smell time. As it was a new route, Kane creates a "smell map" in his mind. We weren't at the vet for very long, but the walk home took a little longer as we walked at a meandering pace. In all, it was an hour exactly and Kane was tired towards the end.



Kane's blog will have a rest until 9 June as I will be in Brisbane while Kane spends time with his family.

more new smells

I was even more late returning home from work today, but Kane was happy to see me as always. Our walk tonight was towards the shops, then a new route home. Kane enjoys discovering new paths as they are full of new and interesting smells.

before the storm

Poor puppy. I didn't return home from work until it was dark and then Kane had to patiently wait an hour before we went out on our evening walk.

We only walked around the block across the road, which was a minimal walk. As it wasn't our regular route, Kane spent most of the time smelling nearly every bush along the way. I had intended to continue a few blocks, but thunder and lightning started. Just as we returned home, it started raining.

a puppy party with a real puppy

Poor puppy, we didn't go on a walk this morning as I did house cleaning and tidying instead.

I did spend some time in the kitchen making a frittata and Kane enjoyed watching me. We had visitors and Kane was the first to greet them at the screen door, but he did not bark. Kane has decided to retire his guard duties!

Anyway, Kane enjoyed having visitors, which included baby Olivia who only started walking a few weeks ago. She didn't mind Kane lying down, but was startled at how big Kane was when he stood up!

This afternoon was also one of the rare weekends when Kane was able to watch our team's football game live on TV. Yes, our team as Kane is also a paid up member of the club! A few of my footy player mates also ask about him, when I see them in Melbourne or Brisbane.

After the game had finished, we went to visit Jake at his house and then walked together to Macquarie oval. Rosie the Kelpie was there, along with two Staffordshire Terriers who didn't stay with the group. Viva the Labrador arrived and then a new Border Collie puppy called Bess.

Bess played with all the dogs and at one stage was roughing it with Viva. Kane always wants to join in the rough play, but he couldn't keep up with them.

Tonight, Kane had raw (sirloin) steak for dinner, along with some more cooked cabbage.

A contented Sunday.

day walking

It is much more fun to go on walks during the day and it is less cold.

I was a bit disorganised this morning and we didn't set out on our Saturday walk to the shops until the early afternoon. We took the regular route except for the way home. This time we went around to the other end of the green way and walked the entire distance, meeting a Beagle called Charlie along the way.



It was quite a big walk.

A few hours later, we walked to Cook oval just as the sun set while there was plenty of light. There was only a small party on with Charlie the Border Collie, Maurice the Fox Terrier, Pepper the Blue Heeler, Kel the Labrador and Rosie the three legged dog there. Maurice as usual clung to Kane. We didn't stay to long, with the dimming light, we headed home and I thought to take Kane to Macquarie oval as well. Outside of Jake's house, we went home instead. Kane seemed to be tired. Poor puppy.

bone demolition

This morning I gave Kane a bone. Actually, only part of a bone. It was a beef leg bone that had been cut along the bone and then across it, so it was half a knuckle.

When I returned home from work, the size of the bone had been reduced down.





This evening Kane and I walked by torch light to the shops and returned the long way via the green way. I only spent 10 minutes or less in the supermarket but we ended being out for an hour and 20 minutes, so it was a long walk. We met a little white something terrier on the way, who initially growled at Kane, but then decided to say hello.

here, there, everywhere

The nights are getting really cold. It was very cold when we went on our walk this morning. I was going to walk Kane to Cook shops again but he turned left instead and walk straight over to Jet's house. Jet wasn't inside so we said hello to Jet through their gate.

We continued on in the direction Kane wanted to walk, which was around the block on our minimal walk. Instead of going home, we continued on to the green way (reverse to when we return from the other shops). I was intending to visit the shops, but Kane turned the other way instead so we walked home via another long way.

Kane took me for a walk, not the other way around.

Tonight, Kane had corned beef and cabbage for dinner, along with three mussels. Mussels are good for him as they have anti-arthritis properties. Another batch of pig skin strips are in the oven tonight at low heat to make treats.

walking in the spotlight

This morning, I left Kane on the deck with no treats as I left for work. He had found the pig ears yesterday and gobbled them up. I forgot I had made another batch, which were still in the oven from last night. Poor puppy. I always leave Kane with a pig ear or a bone when I leave him for work.

I returned home earlier today, by 5.30pm but it was dark already. This evening we walked to Cook shops by torch light. On the way back, I was ready to continue on to the green way, but Kane had already turned the route to go home.

Kane casts a scary shadow


a monster dog!


an 'artistic' shot

naughty puppy!

This evening, we went on our regular walk past Macquarie oval using a very bright torch. It cast a huge shadow of Kane which made him appear a frightful beast like a werewolf!

On the way home, we saw Nick outside his house so we went over to say hello to him and Jake. Jake is always wagging his tail, but the torch also cast his shadow as a beast.

When we returned home, I noticed a container on the table outside was on the deck. Kane had somehow reached it while he was outside during the day and eaten two dried pig's ears. Naughty puppy!

happy Monday

I returned home just before 6pm from an extended weekend away in Melbourne. Kane was home (Margie dropped him over this morning) and he gave me a wonderful greeting with lots of nudges.

After I had unpacked, we walked to the shops for supplies and then back home.

On Saturday, Margie took Kane to the vet for his final Pentosan injection for his arthritis. Kane's weight was 43.0 kg (down from 43.8 kg a week ago). Hopefully, his weight should be down to 39-40 kg in the next month or two.

Kane-less

Last night was cold so I lifted Kane on to the bed (he's heavy). He only stayed a couple of hours before he hopped off. Keiser used to do that too, and she was a cat. Thankfully Kane is not a lap dog given his size.

I returned home from work early enough for Kane and I walk to Cook oval. When we arrived, it was nearly dark and it seemed from a distance that nobody was there. Thankfully there was still a small puppy party, with Desker and Tully the Shelties, Bosely the Border Collie and Millhouse the Labradoodle there.

We didn't stay long as Kane didn't seem interested in playing and decided to lay down. So up we stood and continued walking. We did the other loop via the green way, but in reverse. It was a brisk walk for 30 minutes apart from the brief rest at Cook oval.

Tonight I tried Kane on fresh chicken giblets for dinner, which he enjoyed.

Margie came over to take Kane back to his family for the weekend, as I will be away in Melbourne for an extended weekend.

Even though Kane doesn't bark much, it is a bit quiet without him as I talk to him a lot and sing songs to him. And he likes to be near me and keep me in his sight.

Kane's tails will be taking a break until Monday or Tuesday.

a Saturday shop walk on Wednesday

Everyday when I return home from work, I let Kane back inside from the back door and he greets me with nudges and a wagging tail. He then heads towards the front door ready for our walk.

This evening we not only walked to the shops, but we took the usual Saturday morning route, with a torch - to the shops, around the perimeter and returning home the long way round via the green way. It is a nice length for a regular walk and we were out for nearly an hour walking at a brisk pace, except when I was inside the shops for five minutes.

We didn't meet another dog at all.

party and walking with Melba

I decided to leave work earlier today and returned home just before twilight.

As always, Kane was ready to go walking. This evening, we walked to Cook oval. There was a puppy party already in session. Even Molly the black Labrador ran over to greet Kane. I think it was Molly.

We also met up with Kel the blond Labrador, Zulu the Labradoodle, Tazzy the Cocker Spaniel, Margot the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, Desker and Tully the Shelties, plus another poodle. Melba the Border Collie arrived soon after but Adam wanted to take her on a longer walk, so Kane and I joined them.

We've walked with Melba before and it is a good walk, towards the bigger shops but turning into the green way (bicycle path). We met a strange dog along the way who growled at Kane. The strange dog's person thankfully had a leash and said that her dog wasn't friendly. Poor Kane, after the growling, even Melba came over to make sure he was alright and not scared.

After we returned home, Sue came over with Jake and asked if we had been on our walk yet. She was going to Cook shops. Alas, I said yes we had. Jake invited himself which is perfectly understandable as Kane does that at Jake's house.

street walkers of the night

Though it was twilight when I returned home from work, Kane and I didn't step out on our walk until it was dark, with a torch. Poor puppy, he gets so excited when I return home from work and looks forward so much to an outing and I made him wait tonight.

Anyway, we went to visit Jet first as his family had adopted a rescue kitten. Kane wasn't even interested in the kitten who hissed at him so we went outside to play with Jet for a few minutes. We continued on and went past Jake's house and saw that he was outside with Nick, so went went to say hello. From there, we walked around another block.

w00t, another puppy party

Today was mostly a rest day, especially for me!

We only went on one walk today, which was in the afternoon. Along the way, we saw Jake's person Sue doing some gardening and Kane went over to say hello. She was planning to walk Jake, so we waited for them to get ready and then we walked to Macquarie oval together.

We hadn't been to Macquarie oval for a little while so it was a nice change. At the oval there was a big puppy party in session, with Kel the blond Labrador, Bruno the chocolate Labrador, Nell the Cocker Spaniel, Rosie the Kelpie puppy, Milco the Beagle puppy and a new puppy called Jemima, a Dachsund Kelpie cross. Then a huge Golden Retriever called Zeus arrived.

Bruno was again fixated with Kane and followed him around like a puppy. Kane was obsessed with Milco and followed him around like a puppy, although more to exert his top dog status. Nell wanted to play with Kane. Little dogs seem to love Kane.

After a bit of fun, we walked back with Jake. We were out for about an hour.

I was going to take photos, but the light was too dim. We should have gone earlier.

Kane Day Saturday

Today was very déjà vu but only because it was like last Saturday.

This morning, Margie came over and we took Kane to the vet for his third Pentosan injection for arthritis. The vet office was very quiet and we only saw a cat. Kane's weight today was 43.8 kg (down from 44.0 kg a week ago, and 45.2 two weeks ago). It would have been less if we had been going on regular walks, instead of the minimal walks because it has been dark when I have been returning home from work.

After Margie left, Kane and I walked to the shops, walked around the perimeter after I had finished, and returned home via the green way. We also met a Kelpie cross puppy called Indi who was tied up outside the video (rental) store. She was very excited to meet Kane, but he mostly ignored her.

This afternoon, while I was taking the dry laundry off the clothes line, Kane barked at the house next door (not the other side with the Dobermanns which he ignores). I walked Kane over the fence and told him that those people live there and were not being burgled. I found out that Glen had two human visitors and a puppy Labrador called Chief who also barked back.

Anyway, after I had finished bringing in the laundry, we set off on our late afternoon walk with a visit next door to check out Chief. Chief wanted to play but could only greet Kane through the low wire gate.

We then walked to Cook oval. Millhouse the Labradoodle was already there, then Molly the Labrador and Clyde a something breed arrived. After a little while Millhouse departed and Charlie the huge Border Collie and Maurice the Fox Terrier arrived. Of course, Maurice continued to be fixated with Kane, which was rather amusing to watch. Later, Jake the Kelpie Labrador cross (and one of Kane's best friends) arrived.

I let Kane enjoy himself, even though he could not keep up with the young dogs running around. After what I thought was enough, I restrained him putting his collar on with the lead. Poor pup pup (another pet name), he so wanted to keep playing.

Nick wanted to go to Cook shop so we walked there and I held Jake, and Kane. Then we walked home.

An almost perfect canine day!

poor puppy

Poor puppy, I went straight from work to a birthday dinner and didn't return home until 10pm.

Like a cat, Kane has become a creature of habit. He knows that I always take him out for a walk as soon as I return home from work. He has his light breakfast and dinner around the same time every day.

Tonight he may have thought that I had abandoned him. Poor puppy.

As soon as I returned home tonight, I gave him his dinner. We didn't go out on a walk tonight.

where's the party?

Poor puppy. I haven't been able to return home from work early this week, so we haven't been to a puppy party all week.

I had to go into the city in the afternoon for an appointment and thought it would be possible to return home early. Not so. I also had to catch the bus that goes to Cook shops and walk home from there. At Cook shops, I bumped into Kel the Labrador and she greeted me fondly.

When I returned home, Kane could smell Kel on me. Thankfully, he didn't think that I went to a puppy party without him, unlike cats who get jealous.

Anyway, I didn't take Kane out until 7pm and it was a gentle stroll around our block.

I will have to make it up to him on the weekend.

happy Wednesday

Although I returned home by 5.30pm, we didn't go on our walk straight away as I waited until Stella and Ian came over. I began heating up some Bolognese pasta sauce first, which Kane enjoyed watching in the kitchen.

When Stella and Ian arrived, I sent Kane to the door by himself with "visitors Kane" and he barked. Twice, until I let in our visitors.

Even though it was only about 5.45pm, it had become dark, so we only went for a stroll around another neighbourhood block. We met Sherlock the Beagle along the way and he wanted to play. As did Kane, but we continued on our way.

Kane wanted to be fussed by our visitors, especially when we were having an early dinner, but they weren't 'dog people'. Poor puppy.

I then left with them for a few hours as we went to the theatre.

Kane is always pleased to see me when I return home, as he nudges me with his head while wagging his tail.

a one dog night

A really cold night is a three dog night in Australian Aboriginal lore. In remote communities in the outback, some Indigenous Australians still depend on cuddling their pet dogs to keep warm, particularly where heating is not common. A cold night is considered to be a two dog night while a really cold night is a three dog night.

Last night was cold so I carried 44 kilograms of Kane and put him on the foot of the bed. He was shocked to be invited but rather pleased as he went straight to sleep. Mind you, the body of a large furry German Shepherd actually generates a fair amount of warmth. After a few hours, even Kane must have been too warm and jumped off the bed.

A big furry dog isn't quite the same as a smaller fluffy cat. Keiser used to like going under the covers during winter and doubled as a hot water bottle substitute. Plus she was much more cuddly as she had very soft fur.

Returning home from work before it gets dark is becoming more difficult as the days are getting shorter. I should try and start work earlier in the morning, but I hate to rush in the mornings.

This evening, as it was dark when I returned home from work, we missed out on joining any puppy parties. Instead, it was a gentle stroll across the road and a loop of the block in 20 minutes.

every drop is precious

Margie came around today after work to drop off a re-supply of Kane's medication - desmopressin for his Diabetes Insipidus. Without the medication, Kane's kidneys are not able to reabsorb water, making him drink and urinate excessively. Without his nightly injection, Kane drinks water all night and needs to go out all the time to urinate. Poor puppy, it also means he wouldn't get much sleep during the night or day, needing to drink and urinate constantly.

The medication comes as an intranasal solution of 2.5mL by volume, which is a small amount. Margie and I cut the tiny bottle to pour it into another small container so that a syringe could take up the liquid. We spilled a few drops and had to salvage as much of the tiny drops as possible as it is quite expensive (it is only government subsidised for human use).

After Margie's visit, Kane and I walked around the block as it was already dark. We saw a Dachshund but couldn't catch up as the little dog walked at a faster pace with its little legs than we did!

Kane Day part 2

Today was Kane Day Sunday.

I was going to veg at home all day, but Kane was keen to go out. In the early afternoon we went to visit Jake. Jake wanted to play with his plastic toy bone but I teased him by waving it around which made him turn his head all ways.

After the brief visit, with a play date set up for the late afternoon at Cook oval, we ventured on, strolling leisurely to the hardware store where I bought some items to make a sculpture, and then to the local markets. We met two very friendly Samoyeds before going into the pet store to find Splat the cat, but he was hiding. Kane enjoyed the smells of all the food and I picked up a new bag of weight control biscuits, which he approved. Then we walked home.

Later in the afternoon at 5pm, Jake and his person Nick came by and walked to Cook oval together. Along the way, we met the elderly gentleman canine Sully, who wanted to play yet also wanted to dominate.

At the oval, Jed the German Pointer (whom we haven't seen since early February) and the Shelties Desker and Tully were already there. We had just missed Millhouse, the funny looking Labradoodle. However, we were soon joined by Pepper a Blue Heeler, Charlie a huge Border Collie, Rosie the three legged dog and Maurice a very friendly Jack Russell Terrier. Morris was fascinated with Kane and wanted to play with him. Kane loves making new friends, assuming that nose to nose contact and tails wagging is a sign. Sorry not to have taken any photos, maybe we will see the new puppy pals again.

As it was getting dark, we walked on to Cook shops (a tiny suburban one, unlike the larger centre we usually visit on Saturdays) as Nick wanted some supplies, while I minded Jake who very obediently sat when I told him to sit. Then we walked home.

To round off Kane's super Sunday, he had a raw porterhouse steak for dinner diced into bite sized portions and a small tin of sardines, along with a small amount of dry biscuits.

Kane Day

Today was another Kane Day Saturday.

This morning, Margie came over and we took Kane to the vet for his second Pentosan injection for arthritis. Kane met a little shepherd looking dog with sable markings and a Whippet. The vet also provided the prescription for Desmopressin. Kane's weight today was 44.0 kg (down from 45.2 a week ago). His target weight is 40 kg.

After Margie left, Kane and I walked to the shops, walked around the perimeter after I had finished, and returned home via the green way.

I went out for a few hours in the afternoon. When I returned, we walked to Cook oval. We met Sherlock the Beagle along the way. Sherlock wanted to play and amazingly for a dog still with his balls, submitted himself lower on the pecking order.

At the oval, we joined Kel the Labrador, Millhouse the Labradoodle and a new brown Border Collie called Bosely. Melba came over for a very quick visit. Kel kept on bringing Kane her ball. Of course, Kane would not lower himself to act like a common dog and ignored the ball. It wasn't a long stay at the party and we followed Millhouse and Bosely when they left.

Two walks in one day. A perfect canine Saturday.

visiting Momo

I stayed home today with Kane, though we didn't venture out until the late afternoon.

We walked to Macquarie oval and joined in a small puppy party with Jack the Jack Russell Terrier (who also has Fox Terrier in him), Rosie the Kelpie puppy, Viva the Labrador, Nell the Cocker Spaniel and Bingo the spotted something cross.

We didn't stay for long and continued walking to Momo's house on the other side of the suburb. Momo was fascinated as always and when Kane laid down, Momo walked around him and sniffed him from ear to tail. Kane also decided to finish off Momo's dinner, which was snack sized. We stayed for about 30 minutes, enough time for a glass of wine and a chat (for me, not Kane) before returning home.

another funny looking pup

I was home from work early again this week.

I didn't spot anybody at Macquarie oval on my walk home, so we walked to Cook oval instead. The Shelties called Desker and Tully were already there, along with a new pup called Tai, a Llapso Apso. Tai was fascinated with Kane and just wanted to look at him. In fact, he looked a lot like Momo.

There were also two young Border Collies whom Kane greeted, but they weren't really mixing with the party.

We didn't stay long as it was getting dark, and cold.