Ebbey Blog

Though sometimes my ear needs cleaning, and I lay down to have it done, I really don’t like it.

Dogs with allergies, often have ear infections. Allergies irritate the ear’s mast cells which leads to increased production of ear wax and other secretions, which can then become infected by skin bacteria and attract yeast spores unless regularly cleaned. Infections occur much faster in floppy eared dogs, due to increased temperature and less air flow. No matter how careful I am with Ebbey’s diet, allergies flare up from time to time. Strangers sometimes feed her a biscuit without asking, which can lead to her vomiting. Even chewing the wrong tree branch or eating a bug can trigger itching. Luckily, Ebbey’s health is now very good and most reactions now involve a bit of scratching and increased ear discharge. You can always tell when there is a problem, as she either starts shaking her ear or it may also feel very hot. I’ve avoided any ear infections by cleaning the ear daily.

Coyotes followed us home and I must protect the house.

Ebbey got into a bit of trouble today. A couple coyotes followed us home and she stormed into another room to bark at the window. Unfortunately, her fast movement and her leash whipped into a soundproofing panel and broke off a wedge.

Several loud bangs, brought back bad memories.

Found starving in a reservation garbage dump, where feral dogs are often used as target practice, several distant gun shots spooked Ebbey during our walk. Even though eighteen months have passed, the memories of those sounds frighten her to the core.

While my mistress is scared of the big black shadow and the rottweiler is eager to investigate, I’m still not sure if I want to see what it is.

Several times this summer, after dark, we’ve seen a large animal at a distance. Size wise it could be an extra large porcupine or a younger black bear. Once it was rummaging through someone’s flowers, another time it was sitting slumped over on a hill. We always see it at a distance and generally under poor lighting conditions. As a writer, my imagination can invent all kinds of unearthly explanations. Handling two large very strong canines, I don’t want to push my luck by venturing too close. So the creature’s identity remains unknown.

Not sure what it was, but there was an incredibly great critter to chase on the highway.

Sometimes we use a footbridge to cross over a highway and one night we spotted a porcupine walking up the grassy median below. Both dogs were captivated, and watched the prickly rodent silently for over five minutes.

Three kitties were guarding their house, two of whom came after me and the rottweiler.

I’ve now seen four houses, which are guarded by cats. This particular one has two large ones and a smaller backup kitty who all have an intense dislike for dogs. The two larger ones came within swatting distance as we walked by. The rottweiler was eager to oblige, but Ebbey is more cautious when it comes to cats. She’ll chase if they run, but respects any kitty who holds their ground.
Another house has a stalker cat who will aggressively escort you off his property.