Brutis

Jan 2015 Update: I keep thinking I should write to you but never seem to get around to it, sorry. We are all well and also hope that your family enjoyed a wonderful holiday season! Brutis is doing awesome and is a terrific addition to our "pack". We haven't needed to go back to the vet since to middle of December. I think since I last talked to you he went twice around the beginning of December. He had broken out with pyoderma on his chin which was cleared up with another round of antibiotics. My vet made a note that I can just call to get antibiotics for him and I don't have to wait for an appointment anymore. She said that it's just the breed and it will happen no matter what I do. The cool thing is that we haven't needed anymore meds. He also has been completely ear infection free since the beginning of December as well! I will use antibiotics again if needed, but with his anal gland issues (not emptying on their own) we felt that he might benefit from some probiotics to bolster his digestive tract. So, we've been giving him a bit of plain fresh yogurt from our local creamery with his meals for a couple of months now and he's doing great on it, he doesn't even have anymore anal gland issues! We did notice that he gets quite cold and on the vet's suggestion we had a thyroid test done, but thankfully it came back negative. So, we got him a coat for walks and outings, and after he goes out (especially in the a.m.) he likes to be covered in a warm blanket. We can tell when he knows a word or not and sadly he did not know the word "Christmas". We decided to try to show him that it's a wonderful thing and since he is so mouth oriented we bought him a variety of bone-type chews and toys. It will take another holiday season or two but he's off to a good start in understanding it. He pretty much goes everywhere with us and is really a very good boy. He even went to family Thanksgiving in Connecticut with us where he got to pal around with my brother's two dogs, he loved it. However, when we started packing up he wouldn't leave our side and hopped in the car as soon as he could as if to say "I'm having fun here, but I still want to come home with you". He's truly easy going and is happy just to be with us. He is very loved by us all! Thank you for thinking of him. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Brutis is happy and loved! Of course he is still getting used to our routines but he acclimates quickly and is actually well trained. Justin affectionately calls him "Brutikins". I've also found that he totally LOVES very soft fuzzy blankets. I'm getting him one to also help in the car or other insecure times, it seems to comfort him. Let's see, otherwise he loves the generally mild weather we are having, he'll keep you outside all day if you let him. We had one cold rainy morning and he actually waited to go out and pee. He likes playing catch though he doesn't care to bring it back, lol. By the time we went on our second walk he seemed already used to the routine and is good on the leash though he definitely prefers to be in places where he can go off the leash. We all love him and give him his belly rubs regularly; how can you not? I've shared a picture of him and the kitty sitting together looking out of the window. The other pictures are of him practicing catching the tennis ball. He is our shadow which is how he likes it.