Stevie is a smart little girl. She does really well with "sit" (usually in connection with feeding time... go figure). She gives kisses on command . "Stay" is a foreign concept to her, but it's kind of difficult without being able to use hand signals at the same time.

Here's what I was supposed to post yesterday: Megan informed me that Stevie has a Russian name. Go ahead, ask.

It's Vladimir.

So when I say "Vladimir", you say...

"Putin".

I'll just let you all ponder that one and figure it out on your own.

If we determine any other foreign language names for her, we'll be sure to let you know.



G

You'll all be glad to know that Megan and Stevie's apartment complex office has begun stocking dog treats. Ya know, just in case Megan and Stevie happen by on one of their walks.

At some point this afternoon, it had grown rather quiet in the apartment -- always a sure sign of someone of the canine persuasion getting into something she ought not. Megan called to Stevie and found that she had been voluntarily napping in her crate. Stevie stumbled out of the crate a little bleary eyed and Megan said she looked downright worried, as if to say, "What? Did I miss something? Why are you calling me when I'm in the middle of a very important puppy nap?" Megan said it made her laugh. Those of you with Min Pins know how they get those serious worry wrinkles on their foreheads, and evidently, it was the first such occurrence at the Megan and Stevie household.

You'll also be interested to know that the daily walks are working wonders for both Megan and Stevie: Stevie is getting much needed exercise to work off some of her puppy steam and Megan has lost several pounds (yes, she's going to be mad at me for putting that part in here, but TOO LATE!). We are lucky that the Texas summer hasn't heated up too much yet, so early morning walks are still quite enjoyable. You enjoy them even more when the rewards are that noticeable!

There's something else I'm supposed to be posting here, but I can't remember what it was. Well, grist for the mill tomorrow, I guess!

Cheers!
G

Today after their morning walk, Stevie ran (bonk) back into the apartment, turned around about 400 times (bonk), then ran into the bathroom to do some potty business. When she was done, she came back into the living room, stopped and stood stock still... stared at the couch (okay, well, it looked like she was staring at it)... and barked at the couch.

Megan has not been able to discern any pattern, rhyme or reason to why Stevie barks at what she does. She doesn't like the "Free Cell" game on the computer, and some tv shows.

At least we can all rest easy knowing that the whole neighborhood is safe from that new couch...



G

Today Stevie decided to help Megan with the laundry. Megan does the washing part at the apartment complex laundromat, but she has her own dryer. Today, as Megan was taking clothes out of the dryer, Stevie determined that she needed some assistance. She started trying to pull out socks, t-shirts, underwear, etc. With each attempt, Megan would tell her "No, Stevie, No". UNTIL the Pooh Bear blankie showed up. A tiny corner of it hung temptingly out of the dryer door. Stevie sneaked up on it, and "watching" Megan out of the corner of her eyes [doubtless waiting for another "no"], she grabbed it and ran down the hallway, trailing between all four legs, and dragged it into her crate. She was so pleased with herself, triumphant with her little victory. Megan was laughing so hard, it wouldn't have mattered if she needed to say "no" or not.

On another note, I got an email from my brother-in-law (he's a veterinarian in El Paso, TX) about Stevie's eye exam. He said, based on my report of the visit, he doubted that, even if we determined there is some brain damage, surgery could/would make a difference in her eyesight. Kinda good to know.

I guess the interesting/good thing about all this is that her eyes shouldn't get any *worse*, at least not until she gets much, much older and has normal aging issues.

So goes the tale of Stevie, the Wonder Dog.

Stay tuned for more adventures.

G

Today was Stevie's visit to the eye specialist. Diedre from my IMPS Group (Internet Miniature Pinscher Service - www.minpinrescue.org) was there and got to meet, hold and receive kisses from Stevie.

The doctor, Dr. Terri Baldwin, did a thorough exam and concluded there is nothing physically wrong with Stevie's *eyes*. Her retinas are fine (not detached, partially detached or anything like that), her corneas and pupils are normal. There is no physical issue with her eyes that requires or can be "fixed" by surgery. Dr. Baldwin did say that she could do an ERG (electroretinogram) at a reduced fee to confirm this, but that's all the test would do: confirm that there is nothing physically deficient with Stevie's eyes.

Needless to say, this is so totally not what I or Megan expected to hear. Quite honestly, *I* thought the doc would say she had cataracts and the question would be surgical procedures on one or two. I'm not sure what Megan thought she'd hear.

The only other thing they can do to help with further diagnoses is a CAT Scan (how humiliating for a DOG...), which might show brain damage. I know that's not really funny, but Megan and I chuckled about how brain damage would explain SOoo much...

In any case, the CAT Scan would be expensive and might or might not show anything useful. If it showed some kind of operable brain condition, then we would have the very painful and difficult decision of whether or not to pursue that surgery.

The doctor said regardless of what the ERG or CAT Scan show, it's extremely unlikely we will ever know for sure what happened to cause her sight impairment. One possible theory is that the mother and/or baby contracted some kind of viral infection either in vitro or shortly after Stevie was born. Again, we will probably never know.

For now, we are still digesting this new information and are not inclined to go much further with any other tests or procedures. Stevie is so well adjusted and still learning so much every day, it's hard to think of her as anything but what she already is.

Anyway, that's the report from the specialist. If Megan decides to get any further tests, I'll be sure to post it here, naturally.

Cheers!
G