We had Missy the dog’s DNA tested shortly after getting her over a year ago. That test result said cattle dog, miniature poodle, bichon frise, and mutt. Widom Panel updated her results recently and the profile changed. I imagine that as they grow their sample set and the computer algorithms get better, things are going to shift, but I was surprised at the 16% Chihuahua. Hm. Let me adjust that, I was happily surprised there wasn’t significant Chihuahua DNA in the first result, because the rescue said she was a Chihuahua mix. The rescue was right. Looks like dad was cattle dog and mom was a poodle chihuahua mix.

She is a neurotic little thing. Happy and cuddly in the house, just still afraid of everything outside the house. The backyard is a gray zone because chasing balls is fun, but the creatures outside the fence can be scary. She has given herself a job, which is good for the cattle dog half. She is officially the disrupter of cat fights. If she hears a hiss, or sees a stalk, she is over in a flash, putting herself between the two cats. Probably because she thinks they are playing and wants desperately to play too. Whichever the reason it is a positive contribution to the household.

Griffin, our older dog, doesn’t get an updated result; his DNA test is too old. I think his would still show mostly lab and schnauzer. The shifts would be in the single digit percents.

We are still working on getting our youngest dog, Missy, able to ride in a car without a nervous breakdown. We discovered after her last vet appointment that a trip to the treat store for a pup cup (whipped cream in a small cup) made her outlook completely different! After her treat, she didn’t shake at all the rest of the way home. Hmm. So about a week later we loaded both dogs up and did a trip for treats, and only treats. She rode on my eldest’s lap in the passenger seat on the way there (which is where she has historically been the most comfortable), but then on the way back sat with Griffin on his chair, which shows an improvement in her anxiety (and he is such a good boy to put up with it!) The plan is to repeat this treat-only trip about once a week, without introducing anything more scary (like getting out of the car or side-quests).

We did get some anti-anxiety meds from the vet, which do work in the car, but don’t work at home. On the meds (which we didn’t use for this trip), she is calmer in the car, but at home she is just as barky, but more sleepy. Medicated, she wakes up barking when her ears pick up a strange noise, then it takes a little longer for her brain to engage and stop barking. So the meds will be saved for long car rides. By the way, we do have a middle seat insert for the middle row. We will put that in for the next trip to give Griffin a little more room!

Missy was quite concerned when I opened up the seam on her bed and started stuffing polyfill in.

The round was decidedly not round, but rather sad and nearly flat. I obtained more stuffing and, in a matter of minutes, had the bed filled to a firm feel and the seam resewn. Once the dog bed was back on the ground, Missy relaxed and crawled in. I guess I am forgiven!

Little Miss Missy had to get a shot at the vet. I gave her Benedryl, rescheduled the appointment for after the sudden unexpected thunderstorm, gave her Benedryl again hours later, put her harness on while she tried to hide in a corner, and then carried her and her cuddle bed out to the vehicle. The cuddle bed helped her in the car; she at least stayed in it for the trip. I tried the windows down and she did sniff the air a bit, which was good. At the vet she shook like a 21-pound leaf, but didn’t growl or bark. Headed home, she again stayed in the cuddle bed on the seat, but didn’t want the windows down. She drooled and panted, but didn’t vomit. So that’s progress?

At home, when she has not been traumatized by a car ride, she is happy, engaged, and totally obsessed with her ball and giving kisses. We have been getting her in her harness and leash and doing short walks outside the back fence, away from the road and other walkers. She sniffs around (again, awesome), and plunges headfirst through the thickest grass (um trail?). Little steps. It will still be a long road with this small reactive dog.