SOPHIE RULES THE WORLD

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Brador) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:15:00 +0000

SNOW

Sophie is envious of the storms that hit south and east of us.

She thinks nothing could be more awesome that this.
The storm and the dog in the photo.

Thanks to everyone who offered their kind thoughts over the last few days.
I appreciate it and I know that if Sophie could read, she would appreciate it too. She definitely knows something is amiss. This morning, for the first time in 10 1/2 years, she rolled over on her back for full-on belly rubs. What an amazing beast my Sophie girl is.

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Brador) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 02:39:00 +0000

So Long Graham

You truly were the most amazing and gentle beast I have ever known.

I hate that life was so unfair to you,

but I feel so privileged to have known and loved you these last few months.

Graham Rabbit Riggins McGrey

05-05-05 to 12-16-09

Run free and

may you never wobble again.

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Brador) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:26:00 +0000

Graham has taken a turn for the worse.

He has gone almost completely lame on the left side of his body.

I can no longer deny that there is a neurological problem.

My heart is breaking for him.

My beautiful boy. At least he knows he is loved.

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Brador) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:17:00 +0000

The Graham Lean

Variation on The Graham Lean

Sophie would like to be absolutely clear that she was NOT leaning on him. At no point did SHE lean on HIM.

While we're at it, here's an update on Graham.

He is doing pretty good. His back has healed quite nicely and there is no immediate need for an MRI (thank god!). He definitely hurt his back leg, which is still causing some issues and some wobblies. Hopefully, he will continue to heal. He is still under observation and may go in for x-rays soon. But x-rays on his leg, not his brain!

Despite the good brain news, he is still not the brightest bulb on the block. But he is the most snuggly.

Who needs brains when this genius is on the case.

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Brador) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:59:00 +0000

Here she is.

The beautiful Sophie Brador

Any guesses what she is obsessing about?

Here's a hint.

Here's a bigger hint.

A new car for anyone who guessed a dead tennis ball she found on the way to the park.

And now you may admire the beast.

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Brador) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:11:00 +0000

Sophie would like to be clear that she was on the couch first.

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Brador) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:14:00 +0000

My birthday -- me, the human -- is December 18th and I want to go somewhere.

Sophie & Graham are booked into the spa for a relaxing five days in the country,
and Sophie could not be happier.

I need to book a flight today. But where to go?

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Brador) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:35:00 +0000

Food for Thought

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Brador) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:35:00 +0000

Quick Update

no pics

Graham is doing a lot better since he started Metacam, but he is still dragging his toes when he walks and occasionally gets the wobbles. He will go in to see the vet again next week and most likely be sent for a neuro consult.

Send good vibes, because those MRIs cost $1500 smackers up here in Canada and Graham doesn't have that much cash -- and if he did, I'm sure he would prefer to spend it on chicken necks.

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Brador) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:42:00 +0000

A Special Report
on Graham Rabbit Riggins McGrey
starring Sophie Brador

Here's Graham

hogging the new honking pig and sheep.

I did get some alone time with the sheep.

Here's an excellent close up of me.

Here's Graham with the honking pig.

He was pretty happy when we got back from the vet this morning, because it seems like the diagnosis of Primary Brain Disease that some stinky vet gave us a few nights ago was jumping the gun just a little.

What?
you ask.

Well, far be it for me to say that Graham's brain is, um, a good one (he is no where near as smart as me), but apparently, I am not allowed to make jokes about this anymore.
But really, look at how small his head is!

It is true that Graham may have some neurological issues, but it could be anything and right now we just don't know. What seems probable is that his teeny little brain is making him all wobbly.

Wobbly like a Weeble that wobbles, except that unlike a Weeble, he actually fell down -- the stairs -- four times. Poor dude. Even I felt bad for him, because holy doodle dogs, that had to hurt!

THEN
A vet who is not our regular vet scared the sheeeeeeeeit out of us the other day. Literally. My IBS acted up and I was in one of those dire rear situations, and Graham started pooping all over the house. It was bad, and stiiiiiiiiinky. Woo.

SO
This morning, we went to our regular vet, who is a really smart guy and figured out pretty quickly that Graham has a herniated disc, which is definitely causing some of those wobbles. He's on some meds and rest, and his bloods are being done, and once he feels better from all that, we will investigate the neurological stuff. He might actually have Wobbly Syndrome ... or something like that. Really. It's a thing.

We're kind of hoping he doesn't and that fixing that herniated disc fixes everything.

Paws Crossed!

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Brador) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:02:00 +0000

Back by Popular Demand
or at least Wally T. Corgador's demand

The Adventures of Sophie Brador

and her brother Graham Rabbit Riggins McGrey

___

Last Sunday was a beautiful fall day, so I bundled the beasts into the car and drove them up to the summit of Mount Royal for a walk.

The summit is a fabulous, wooded off-leash area where all dogs are free to run.

All except Graham Rabbit that is.

Being a Greyhound, he's a wee bit inclined to running away at the speed of light,

so he has to contend with being tethered to me

while the blond one romps.

Even this Irish Wolf Hound got to run free,

as did his owner with the nice camera hanging off his back

Now you may be thinking to yourself that some of these photos are not very good.

NONSENSE

This is art!

Sure, it might be better art with a camera like the Wolf Hound's owner had,

but I seem to be incapable of remembering to take a camera with me anymore.

These photos are all made with my iPhone.

Not the best ad for iPhone,

but fortunately, the beautiful Sophie Brador always looks good, no matter the technology.

Looking back on the day, Sophie thinks it was a marvelous adventure, even though she didn't attack anyone.

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Brador) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:29:00 +0000

This is Sophie's Blog

This is Joey looking super handsome, thinking about Sophie

(despite whatever else he might have told you he was thinking).

This is Sophie, knowing it.

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Brador) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:48:00 +0000

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Sophie insists she had nothing to do with this, but she was comfortable enough with the arrangement to have a good, sustained snore-fest.

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Brador) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:09:00 +0000

Sophie in the Nude
(just imagine how many hits this page is going to get)

and
Graham in his Duds

Sophie thinks Graham looks like a total dork and I kind of have to agree. At least when in comes to the pyjamas, which are a bit much. But that rain slicker looks dapper. He is one natty dresser.

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Brador) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:45:00 +0000

Sophie's 500th Post

and she's decided to share with you how much her life has changed.

No, she isn't losing her vision.

But some days she wish she was.

Sophie has had to make room in her life, and house, for her brother.

Graham doesn't actually get on her nerves at all,

and she even secretly likes him.

But she doesn't want to admit it and tarnish her tuffie-girl exterior.

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Brador) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 01:20:00 +0000

Sophie & Graham Visit the Dog Sitter

Graham is a little pink in this video. Sophie would like you to believe he is always that colour, but it's simply not true.

Also, please turn down the volume so as not to hear my voice.

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Brador) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 18:54:00 +0000

Just for Joe

All others should avert their eyes.

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Brador) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 18:43:00 +0000

The Case of the Classy Dog 

Defending herself, Sophie would like to admit into evidence, two photographs.

Exhibit A: Sophie's Slumber

Exhibit B: Graham's Slumber

Now really.  Sophie wants to know. 

Who is the classier dog? 

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Brador) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:54:00 +0000

Sophie Special

Since Graham the Greyhound arrived, Sophie's blog has been a bit over-run with photos of the beast with the freakishly long legs. Meanwhile, all the boys (and lots of girls) who love Sophie have had to patiently wait for more pin-up shots of the beasty girl.

Well the wait is over!

Here, for your viewing pleasure,

Sophie Brador

Stunning

Notice the heart on the sidewalk, created simply by Sophie's light steps across the asphalt.

Oh yeah.

Thank you

Thank You

No ... really ... no need to applaud.

Thank You

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Brador) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 22:29:00 +0000

This is how I know Sophie loves Graham

That, and this.
A full-fledged, authentic Sophie smile.

That last picture was from a long walk the other day.
Sophie wanted to show Graham her favourite parks.

and guess who we ran into?

No really.
Guess.

CHA CHA!

Sophie was pretty excited, because she hasn't seen Cha Cha in about 8 months, but her attention was diverted by a dog of a whole other sort.

They just walked on by, without even an obligatory sniff of the bum.

Stuck up dogs.

***

So we all went home and my dogs did this.

This is how I know Sophie loves Graham.

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Brador) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 14:33:00 +0000

Sophie & Graham

Tolerating the kitchen renovations.

Sophie has lived through many renovations, including one when the house collapsed (really).

Graham is sort of oblivious to the whole thing.

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Brador) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:49:00 +0000

Graham Rabbit Riggins McGrey
is settling in nicely

And Sophie Brador is totally content

to watch him check out all her squeakies.

Even the ones from Joe Stains.

Sophie is a bit shocked by his super long toe nails and bad, bad breath.

But realizes that even Greyhounds need some diva training .... and a few Greenies.

P.S. We are super skeptical about Greenies. Do they really do anything?

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Brador) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:16:00 +0000

Introducing Sophie's Brother
- Son Frere (en Français) -
Graham

Graham is 4 years old and ran 18 races. He won 2. I don't know if that is good or bad. Some dogs run no races and some run 200, so I don't really know what this means. The rescue told me his former owner is one of the better ones, who actually cares about his dogs and where they go after their racing careers. I hope that means that he was treated well during his time on the tracks .... or as well as can be expected. It is a crappy industry.

He is settling in very well and Sophie seems quite content with his presence. There is no jealousy at all, but then Sophie is not the jealous type. She is probably relieved that there is another beast around who is getting hugs and pats so that she doesn't have to put up with it as much.

So far, Graham has mastered going up stairs. Down is still pretty wobbly, but he'll get it. He has also met other dogs of all shapes and sizes (from pitty to puppy) and is totally cool with all of them.

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Brador) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:44:00 +0000

OKAY

I like my brother.

But he still needs a name.

noreply@blogger.com (Sophie Brador) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 18:16:00 +0000

He's Here!

Introducing

The as yet unnamed Greyhound

who came from the track with the name Valita,

and was renamed Marley at the rescue.

He has a beautiful new collar

But he still needs a name.