The Results Are In !!!

I got the e-mail results of Penny's Mixed Breed DNA Test last night. I printed off the results and asked a gal at work to scan and e-mail to me but she did so as a PDF file and I feel awfully stupid but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to take this file and post it here on the blog. I will re-scan tomorrow and save it as a .JPEG file and I know that will work.

Anyway, the test I selected was the Wisdom Panel Insights test; you can find them in many places on the Internet with a variety of prices. I chose on from eBay and paid $ 49.95 . The price of the test kit also includes the sample processing fee. We had the results back within 2 weeks m/l.

The test indicates that on one side of Penny's genetic make-up she is Beagle/Chow Chow cross. This was no surprise to us as she has the general body build of a Beagle but also has the dusky blue tongue which would indicate a Chow somewhere " in the woodpile".

Where the surprise was is here...on the other side, it was determined that Penny also had a mix of Treeing Walker Coonhound and...get this...ALASKAN MALAMUTE !! That was really the shocker there...not so much the Hound part ( although Treeing Walker was determined at a "lower confidence" level...thus this was the best guess per the DNA sample ) ...but MALAMUTE ???

Then, I looked at Penny from a full side view and compared her basic body build...sloping topline and large robust chest structure and when I looked again at the side view of a Malamute, I could see a resemblance there.

I will admit at first, I had my doubts as to the actual validity of these DNA tests, but again, when my friends had their dog done, they seemed very confident and in agreement with the results sent to them.

Too, the only questions asked about the dog itself are it's weight and approximate age...no photos are submitted nor any other description.

That being said, since there was NO way they'd known about Penny's dusky Blue tongue nor would they have known anything about her conformation ( thus the Beagle )...then I would have to admit to everyone that I am convinced that in many respects, these tests are about as accurate as anything else available.

Most of the people guessing had Penny down as a Labrador-Beagle mix...and that too seemed about as possible as anything but not one spit of Lab DNA was apparently indicated and the test attempts to go back several generations.

To determine a winner in this contest, then, I took the names of everyone who guessed Beagle as part of the mix...and our winner is:

HOPE TAYLOR of Coldspring, Texas.

Hope wins a 2.5 lb box of M & Zee's Treats for her crew and gets to select where I am to send the $ 50.00 prize donation.

Penny's prize....which she's had for nearly 8 years now is LOVE and adoration from her family for the rest of her life....so everyone wins !

Guess The Mix ??

Spring is in the air and along with it threats of severe weather...much to our dismay. We are always grateful when we are spared any damage in our area and pray for those not so fortunate.

I'd like to take a little time to tell you about Penny....the HEART DOG of my husband of almost 36 years, Ron.

Penny came to us very much by accident ...or was it by Divine intervention ?? I suspect the latter.

It's late June 2004...Ron is still grieving the loss of his beloved Labrador, Bonnie.

(We'd helped Bonnie to the Bridge that January because the ravages of old age and arthritis made her incapable of walking more than a step or two before her legs would collapse underneath her. I, too, grieved Bonnie's passing....I had owned her mother, Deja, and Bonnie was whelped in our spare bedroom while Ron was serving in the Army in Germany. When he came home in late 2001, Bonnie, then aged 14 months fell madly in LOVE with Ron and once he retired from the Army and was home to stay, he and Bonnie were inseparable.)..

So....it's an early, warm morning and Ron was at his job on Ft Leonard Wood and was taking a break in between runs of transporting soldiers to various training locations. For some reason, he felt that Colyer Park was as good a place as any for that break.

As he was sitting in his truck in the early morning silence, he heard a car pull up to that same park...a window opened...and OUT literally flew two puppies...a small brown one and an even smaller furry puppy....and the car sped off.

Unfortunately, the early dawn haze did not enable Ron to get a license plate number on the car , so he decided to see if he could catch the puppies and at the very least take them to the shelter on the Fort and hopefully they'd find REAL homes.

The brown puppy was clearly the protector of the furry puppy and after several mad dahses, the puppies tired and Ron was able to catch them and put them into the cab of his truck. By the time he got back to the motor pool, the brown puppy was curled up in his jacket...sound asleep.

He called me at my job several times that morning and at last said " I like the little brown one "; he had no idea what breed or whatever they were....so I told him to bring them home and I'd take a look and see what he'd found.

When I got home...I came inside and two happy , waggy tail puppies came running up to me...the furry obne looked like a Shih Tzu type and I wasn't sure about the brown one...I just knew when she jumped on my leg ... and I saw Ron's beaming face...there was NO way I was going to say he could not keep her.

And, thus...Penny came into our lives and hearts and while she has her snippy spells, she is truly a joy and she makes Ron happy and with the love that those two have for each other...that was the most IMPORTANT thing, right ?? Ron believes that, in some way, Bonnie's "spirit" led him to that park on that particular day...it wasn't his norm to take a beak in that location...and who am I to argue ???

We figured she was about 4 or 5 months old when Ron found her; she was beginning to shed baby teeth and by my internet research that seemed about as good a guess as any...so we made Valentine's Day Penny's birthday...so now she is just past 8 years old and still the light of Ron's life.

A few weeks ago, a co-worker had one of those Mixed Breed DNA test kits given to her and she and her husband did the swabs on their dog and sent them off...and when they got the rtesults, it looked pretty much "spot on" with what they were told the dog was ( a Cocker mixed with some kind of terrier )...so I thought...

What the heck....we've always wanted to get some kind of clue as to what kind of mix Peny was...so I bought a similar kit...did the swabs and we should get the results back in 2 or 3 weeks; they are in the processing stage now.

I have some gut feelings...and with Penny's very Alpha attitude, I 'd almost think she's part alligator...LOL....

It's been a long time since I had done a Rescue Challenge and this seems like as good a time as any.....

Take a look at Penny's pictures and see if you can determine her mix.....she is approximately 40 lbs ( yes, a tad chubby ) and about 15"-16" at the shoulder

The winner will be the one who either gets it right or comes as close to guessing Penny's heritage as determined by the DNA test. If more than one person gets the right guess, a drawing will be held amongst all correct entries...if NO ONE gets it right, then a drawing will be held amongst ALL contestants.

The winner will have a $ 50.00 donation sent to their favorite Rescue or shelter and as a bonus will receive a 2.5 lb Variety Pack of delicious M & Zee's Pet Treats.

Please e-mail your guesses to: merrymutts@aol.com and include your name and where you are from ...city & state only... and your selected Rescue or shelter should you be the winner.

My Perfect Saturday

We got up early because we were joining Ronnie, Sherry and our grandson Robert to go on a trip to Lake of the Ozarks for the Annual Eagle Days celebration. Ronnie had invited us last week and I was so hoping Ron and I would be able to go. I figured since the day was going to be nice, weather-wise, that we should take advantage

We got to Ronnie's and of course were met at the door by their dogs, Yogi & Bailey...

Ohohohohoh....Gramma's here...did she...did she...YESSSSSSS...she brought us COOKIES.... Bailey has only seen me twice but she sure remembered Christmas Day and the bag of treats that I brought to begin to make friends with her...so she was right away looking for the cookies.

We got to the Lake shortly before dawn and saw some eagles but photo opportunities were not that good....so after a few hours of watching and waiting, we went to breakfast and then to an Eagle Days presentation held at the local golf club by the Wild Bird Sanctuary from St Louis. They brought a Bald Eagle as well as some other birds with them and the presentation was very good and very educational.

The guys wanted to go to a gun shop and the one they went to had a great firearms museum as well as some taxidermy exhibits. I SCORED big time when I found a darling Labrador Retriever Wine Bottle Holder and Salt & Pepper Shaker holder and bought them both to donate to the Labrador Lifeline Heart Dog Auction coming next month. I also have a couple of T-shirts and a Fleece hoodie to donate as well as the usual M & Zee's Gift Certificates.

We soon had to go back but of course had to make a stop at the Petco store for some small purchases and we got home to some very happy, hungry dogs around 2:00 PM.

So...we missed the Newfs usual trip to Lowe's today...but this day for FAMILY TIME was much more important. Ron and I had a great time together.

SONGBIRD

Good afternoon Friends,

For this installment of the Blog, I'd like to introduce you to a very pretty and extremely TALENTED singer/songwriter who just HAPPENS to be owned by a Newfoundland.

Sydney Stahl hails from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and has been singing semi-professionally for many years and is working her way up to the professional ranks.

This gorgeous redhead has been likened in appearance and music style to Wynonna Judd, favoring Country and Country/Pop.

Never far from her side is Sydney's 145 lb Newfoundland dog. Big ‘ol Murphy goes just about everywhere with Sydney and has developed a following of his own-

Here's some brief words from this VERY exciting girl whom I feel truly is RISING STAR....

***********************************************************************

I am really excited to share my latest song with the group. I wrote this song as a tribute to my wonderful love Sky, and my fabulous furball Murphy. Together they bring me so much joy. Both of them inspired the lyrics of the song....it's about love, loyalty and trust.

Some of you might enjoy to know that Murphy travelled with me and was at my side during the writing, recording and production of this song.

A little funny story about that....we had done quite a few hours of vocal recordings one day, and were exhausted by the end of it.

We took a break to rest our ears and came back to the studio to listen again with fresh ears. My producer kept scowling and searching the sound files for a very faint noise that he didn't recognize. I listened in and couldn't figure out what it was either.

We checked cables and the mic, trying to figure out what the sound was, and then I began giggling.....Murphy who was in the studio the whole time with us began snoring, soundly asleep!

My producer spun around in his chair and looked like the light bulb had just gone off! The sound in the recording was my vocal mike picking up the faint snores of Murphy! After a good chuckle we got back to work and finished the song.

"Sydney James is an artist that has the goods to take her career to the next level"

Mitch Merrett

"

I heard Sydney singing from outside, and I had to come in and know who that voice belonged to! Wow...what power!"

Susie McGregor - artist

"Sydney James is a singer/songwriter who understands how to craft a song that grabs the listener's attention. Her emotionally delivered vocals and great song structures make you want to hear more from this budding new talent." Angela Kelman lead singer - Farmer's Daughter

Some terrific samples of Sydney's song talent ( I hope they are working links ) :

http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_6731974

http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_2122950

GO SYDNEY....... your Star is definitely rising.....

Oh What Fun It Is To Cart....

Last year about this time, I had wonderful plans in my head to train Zander to pull a cart.

Why not ??? After all, we HAD the cart...the very same neat wooden training cart I had built for my Mollie in 2002...still in great shape....all we needed was a harness.

Obviously Mollie's old harness was NOT going to fit the Big Guy...so we sold it to another Newf friend and bought one from yet another friend. Unfortunately THAT harness was WAYYY too small ... but I decided to keep it anyway and went to Sandy Gabel ( www.dogworks.com ) in search on one which would fit Zander.

Sandy, who always takes the BEST care of her customers, immediately fixed us up and sent a lovely bright red Siwash for Zander.

Then...heartbreak....Zander developed some terrible back pain which necessitated several trips to the vet and radiographs. In addition to some nasty Spondylosis in his lumbar spine area, we were HORRIFIED to also see multiple buckshot/BB pellets scattered in the tissues near Zander's spine....somehow...somewhere...SOMEONE had shot my dog !!!

Sadly, I made up my mind to put the harness away in a safe place because caring for Zander and helping him manage the episodes of pain became the MOST important thing to do. I even thought briefly of selling the cart and harness but never got around to it.

Zander's pain finally subsided with daily Deramaxx but because some dogs can develop liver problems with chronic use of NSAIDS we began to look into other options for pain control. A mound of research later, we asked my ever faithful Newf-L friends and decided to give Zander a trial of Adequan injections. Our vet faxed in the Rx for us and gave me instructions for administering the Intramuscular injections myself to save us the cost of the office visits to do this.

Within 3 weeks, I noticed a definite change in Zander....he was moving better...seemed to have less stiffness and just looked better all around. We then decreased the Deramaxx use and scheduled routine blood work. By the end of that vet visit, it was apparent that the Deramaxx would have to be stopped as two of the Zander's three liver enzyme values were elevated...not dangerously so...but enough to take him completely off the medication and also to add Milk Thistle to his supplement regime.

Zander's liver values improved, we found out happily 8 weeks later ...and then I started looking forward to Spring....could Zander still, at the estimated age of 9 years old, still be healthy enough to begin cart training ?? ??

Last weekend, I decided...what the Heck....dusted off the cart. pulled the lovely harness out of it's safe place...and put it on Zander .

I had had errands to run and Peggy Sue needed her weekly socialization outing ...so I told Zander he'd have to stay home because his "sister" needed some one-on-one training...but I'd be home soon and then it would be HIS turn.

When I arrived home and unloaded the van and out the dogs out for potty...it was the moment of truth...

We had a time at first getting the harness adjusted to where the forward girth would fit around Zander's mid-section ( yes...he probably needs a minor diet reduction ..LOL ) AND still have enough material left for the loops to fit over the tennis ball "brakes" I had had on the cart shafts.

Remember...this WAS Mollie's cart and she was a much smaller Newf ...so it took quite a few frustrating moments...and suddenly...Zander was hitched....

As expected, he was a bit spooked at first but then with lots of encouragement and several offerings of his favorite treats...he settled down and pulled the cart like he'd always done so.

We practiced starts, stops , backing up and a few turns and went up and down the road from the house twice plus some time in the yard and I could not have been any prouder of Zander ...he is such an intelligent Newf and so very eager to please and I could tell that near the end of our session, he was beginning to really enjoy himself because his lovely tail was up and WAGGING.

We will be continuing our training as the weather gets nicer and Ron, my hubby, fixed the cart shafts with eye bolts for brakes and I removed the tennis balls so this will allow me to make the shaft loops smaller and thus give Zander more girth space.

Because Zander IS 9 years old, we probably will not continue too much into him hauling things in the cart...freight training ...or doing work towards a Draft title ...but we will just be having fun with some recreational Carting and lightweight hauling.

I am looking into getting Zander the collapsible crate cart that several people told me about and showed me where to get. I have e-mailed the company Zander's measurements and hopefully can have his new cart ordered by next week.

Now just in case you may be wondering what i am going to with the OTHER harness...the one I bought which was way too small for Zander...guess what....it fits Buttercup, the silly Yellow Lab perfectly so after I get Zander to working with his new cart, maybe that ditzy Lab will take to pulling the training cart and thus get some more exercise and a sense of purpose, too....

Here are some quick pictures I took of our amazing training session....

Oh....what FUN it is to go Carting.....

Remember, this is an activity that dogs of ALL sizes can enjoy. several companies make carts for even the smallest of dogs ... any many types of harnesses are available.

For the BEST customer service...remember... WWW.DOGWORKS.COM

Sandy Gabel will do her BEST to help you fit your dog for a harness and cart if you decide that this is an activity you'd like to pursue with your dog.

Zander still gets his Adequan shots but we are now titrated down to one shot every month and I pray it helps keep my 155 lb " Mr Mooshie" happy and pain free.

1st Annual " Payin' For The Spayin' " 5 K Walk/Run for Pulaski County Humane Society

Oh....did we ever have FUN today. The Pulaski County Humane Society held it's First Annual 5K Winter Walk/Run to help in " Payin' for the Spayin' " and what a delightful way to get out with the dogs, get some exercise and support this fine group of volunteers.

"Payin' for the Spayin' " is a program which gives discounted Spay/Neuter certificates for people adopting dogs and cats through PCHS and also, on a case by case basis, issues certificates to other people who may not be able to afford to have their pet altered.

Me & Peggy Sue & Zander Getting Started

While the weather PROMISED it would be 60 degrees, in truth, it was FAR from that. By the time we got to Crocker (MO) Park, I think the temp was maybe 35 degrees, breezy and with a threat for showers.

Still, this threat did not deter the other contestants and their kids and pets as well and it was a VERY successful event and one which I am sure we will continue to participate in.

My guess-timate was that there were over 200 people and about 40 dogs participating, The route was manned by off duty soldiers from Ft Leonard Wood, MO and our THANKS go out to them. They watched check points, gave directions and managed the hydration stations all along the route.

Peggy Sue got some good, informal socialization; no lessons today but I did have her walk with Tina, a co-worker just to see how she'd do. I was proud of Peggy Sue...although at first she kept looking back to see where I was...she did very well walking with Tina and it was a good piece of extra training for her.

Needless to say, I had two very tired and happy dogs...each was promised and did receive their very own cheeseburger from Mc Donalds on the way home.

I am looking forward to the next event held by this great group.
http://www.pulaskicountyhumanesociety.org/index.asp

Here are some of the photos from the event:


Family With Brittanys










Cute Mixed Breed with his Mom













Labrador and Family












Shepherd with his Runners












Beautiful Doberman and Family













Nice Couple With Their Dogs
















Another Family Supports PCHS











More Walkers & Dogs








Two of my Co-Workers...Janie with Boston and Tina walking my Peggy Sue












Nice Golden & Pit Bull and Owners














Pair of Boxers and Pit Bull



















Almost Half-Way









My friend Tina walks with Peggy Sue















There all different kinds of dogs.















Tina Walks Zander






Socializing at the End















Walkers Congratulate Each Other













Lots of New Friends
















Top Runner With her Labrador











Nice Donation of $ 500.00 to the "Lily Defense Fund ". Lily is a local dog who was maliciously shot on Christmas Day and received severe injuries. Miraculously she survived and her alleged shooter in pending criminal charges.

Happy Valentines Day

It's been an eventful New Year so far and M & Zee's now enters it's FIFTH year in producing some of the best holistic, home baked dog treats you'll find. I still stick to the "One Woman Orchestra" way of doing things...it's to be sure that I have total responsibility for every single treat that comes your way.

I have picked up several new clients in the French Bulldog world and have received rave reviews from the pooches and their families as well....this really makes me feel good.

I get a lot of regular orders for the Happy Birthday Platters and while I am late posting this...have decided to do something really special for Valentine's Day because we all love our pets.

So....ask yourself this question....are YOUR dogs your Valentines ???


If they are...SHOW THEM...with this luscious platter of M & Zee's frosted Valentine cookies. You get 1 dozen large Heart shaped cookies in a variety of flavors...at least two flavors per platter ...frosted and decorated to excite even the most stoic dog.



Platters are $ 8.50 plus USPS Priority Mail shipping. You will be sent an Invoice via PayPal when your order is ready to ship.

Platters are by PRE-ORDER only and you have until February 12, 2011 to order.

Platters are going out as fast as I can bake, decorate and assemble them...so get your order in NOW.

E-mail order to: landlubbernewf@yahoo.com and include a shipping address and Pay Pal address so I can calculate shipping when I send the Invoice.

Now to come up with something equally pretty for Easter..... back to the kitchen.