Monday, January 30, 2012

Henry's Town Tour


Notes From Henry's World

Henry took a trip to town this morning. He was greeted at two bank drive in windows with treats, at the county dump with play time with the attendant, and a trip over to the pet store. He modeled his new life vest for a photo shoot. He can't swim so I got him a new life vest. He can now keep up with his friend Shane Knellinger at Fair Oaks without concern for his Mommy. Now he can jump in the pond all he wants. Yay!!  Everywhere he goes he is greeted by fans who want to love him and play!! What a star!!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Henry the Studio Dog- His new play yard is finished.

Henry's little house. Sorry it is sideways. We covered his little house with tarps to protect him from wind and rain and to give him a shady place.

Henry checks out the new fence line. He gave his paw print of approval.

Henry like to go out early in the morning and sit in the sun. He loves his new play yard.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Henry The Studio Dog Gets a Play Yard

Henry and Mark talk over the plans for Henry's play yard.
 

Mark gets ready to dig holes for the posts.



Henry gives Mark advice.



Notes from Henry's World

There is big excitement around the yard these days. Henry will soon have a wonderful big play yard thanks to his pal Mark. He is carefully supervising the building process and talking over the plans with Mark. His little safe house kennel will be moved into the play yard so he will have a rain proof kennel where he can be locked in if I am not home. He is still a total house dog/couch potato, but the yard will give him some freedom to run around and do whatever dogs like to do. He can harass squirrels, the deer that wander through the yard, and sniff to his hearts content, his favorite past time.


Thursday, January 5, 2012

Wednesday is Henry Fan Day at Linda Blondheim Loft Studio

Henry's Fan Wendy Jo

Notes From Henry's World

Henry comes to my Loft Studio on Wednesdays unless I am traveling. He has a regular fan base of friends who want to play and pet him. My friend Linda Pottberg is a regular on Wednesday and brings Henry dog biscuits. My friend Wendy Jo from Texas visited yesterday. How is that for a loyal fan!! Wendy has bought several paintings over the last few years and she was visiting Florida, so I'm so glad we finally got to meet her in person.

 Henry has his own dog bed at the loft and stashes of treats. He goes downstairs to meet people in Paddiwhack Gallery and we walk around the shopping center to greet other fans. Life is good when you are a French Bulldog.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Exercise is Good


Notes From Henry's World

Frenchies aren't exactly high energy dogs as they grow older. Henry is the ultimate couch potato. He would sleep about 20 hours a day if left to his own will. Here is a good article from his Vet at
Hilltop Animal Hospital in Alachua Florida.

DAILY EXERCISE RECOMMENDED

Exercise is as important for your dog as it is for you. Young dogs and healthy adults alike need lots of it, and even senior pets need a regular daily workout to maintain their health. The type of exercise you choose depends on the age and fitness of your dog and your own lifestyle. Dogs are adaptable and are happy to play Frisbee in the park or take long walks in the neighborhood.

Exercise is one of the best ways to spend time with your pet. It's especially important for large breed, working, and active breed types. Dogs are wonderful athletes and most adapt to even strenuous exercise, provided they have had adequate opportunity to "train" and the environmental conditions are not too extreme.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Daily exercise is recommended unless the weather is especially dangerous or a medical problem limits your dog's activity. If there is a medical problem, consult your veterinarian about exercise limitations. Keep in mind that obese dogs and those with heart and lung diseases may have a problem, and be sure to consult your vet before starting a new regime.

Be certain your dog has plenty of water available at all times, and provide a place to cool down out of the sun. When the temperature drops below freezing, exercise should be limited, unless your dog is really used to this weather. This will often vary with the breed and hair coat. If the wind picks up to more than 10 mph, be careful to prevent hypothermia or frostbite. If your dog is shivering, get him back indoors or in some form of warm shelter. If you live in an area that gets cold and icy, remember that road salt can burn your dog's feet. Don't forget: even in cold weather, an exercising dog needs plenty of water.

Almost all dogs, especially those with heart and lung problems and those with thick hair coats, are likely to have trouble with hot and humid conditions. It's better to exercise in the early morning or evening when the heat is less than 80 degrees and the humidity is less then 30 percent (avoid hot and humid conditions).

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Henry With His Friend Mark



Henry's World

Henry collects friends everywhere. Mark is a dear friend. He is a graduate student at the university full time and in his limited free time he takes care of Fair Oaks, a hundred and sixty acre estate in Evinston, FL and does yard work for me, time permitting. Henry is wild about Mark because Mark will get out in the yard and play ball, run around and carry Henry like a sack of potatoes. Henry is ecstactic when Mark arrives. This week Mark is building a huge fenced play yard for Henry. No more being begged to go out at all hours on the leash. I don't know who is more excited, me or Henry.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Henry's Adventures as a Youth



Henry's World

Henry drove me crazy as a puppy. He was into every kind of mischief imaginable. Once he found a small battery dropped on the floor in my studio and ate it. I turned around to see foam pouring out of his mouth. He vomited the battery up. I had to rush him to the Doc and they fixed him up but not before his tongue was stripped of flesh.

Then there was the time he ate part of a bag of lawn fertilizer. The funny one was his finding a tube of blue watercolor paint in the studio so his poop was blue for a couple of days.

The Doc got almost daily frantic calls from me for about 6 months. To this day, I don't dare leave shoes on the floor, but at least he doesn't eat anything else that is non food. Through the miracle of time, he transformed himself from a bratty adolescent to a very fine dog indeed.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Henry's Favorite Lap

Henry's World

Henry's favorite lap belongs to his Aunt Becky. My sister, Becky Kalb is retired and likes to watch TV, so Henry is the lucky recipient of her devotion when I am at the Loft Studio or on the road traveling here and there. He likes dog movies, and Walker, Texas Ranger the most. We often eat dinner while we watch TV so he patiently waits for her to finish and put the plate aside before he jumps up to be held and petted for his nap time. Henry is a very lucky dog to have two caretakers who adore him.  Mom is for fun and adventure. Aunt Becky is for snuggling and comfort.