Westie - A day in the life of a West Highland Terrier dog

This is an informational record of our life with West Highland Terrier dogs. We also hope to share what we learn or tips while training our Westie.

Name:
Location: United States

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Tea Tree Shampoo for dogs

Zachary has problems with itching and we have something that helps. Tea Tree Shampoo for people also works wonders for dogs. He itches much less when we use this for his bath. Because it is not meant for puppies, we are careful around his eyes.

"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yahoo.com

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Cornered a Snake


I heard loud barking come from under the motorhome this morning. I looked under and saw Zach guarding a tire, now I knew this was not good. I dragged Zachary out away from tire so I could investigate. At first I saw nothing, then a quick slither caught my eye. Since I had Zach in arms, I went inside with him to grab the camera. Back outside I found Zach's snake.

"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yahoo.com

Monday, May 29, 2006

Memorial Day

Take some time…today…to remember what this day is all about.
Our journey ended way to soon and we are home from RV travels. We are home tired but well relaxed. Zach as usual checked out his yard to make sure nothing had changed while he was gone. When he was content that nothing changed, he rolled in the grass and just laid in the sun.

"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yahoo.com

Sunday, May 28, 2006

Duck races



Today duck races were a highlight of the day. Each family received a duck to decorate and send down a stream that surrounds the putt-putt course which we played this morning. Zach is so tired from meeting all kinds of dogs and walking. He almost hates when we come back to the RV, because that means he has to walk again. We do this so he is tired and will sleep while we are away from the motorhome.

"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yahoo.com

Saturday, May 27, 2006

Double Rainbow


We were blessed last night to see this double rainbow after raining for about one hour. Zachary slept through most of the storm. We are finally getting some much need rain. This morning Zach helped us do a scavenger hunt here at the campground.

"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yahoo.com

Friday, May 26, 2006

Let's go RV

Zach is always the first one to be packed. Easy for him, throw in food, treats, leash and he is ready. Me I get all the other stuff together. Actually just throw in food and replenish used supplies is all the is needed in the motorhome. One of the nice things about having an RV, you are always ready. We will head out this afternoon and I will be blogging from the road for the next couple days.

"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yahoo.com

Thursday, May 25, 2006

Packing Motorhome

Started packing motorhome today and as usual Zachary is helping. We hope to get away from the ratrace for a couple days to celebrate the holiday. We are not going with our normal RV goup, but it will be nice to relax for a couple days. We are camping at a place close to home that we have been to many times. Zach loves to walk there, meeting lots of dog buddies along the way. He also loves to people watch out the window of the RV, staying nice and cool in the A/C.

"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yahoo.com

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Good Vibrations

Zachary loves my new vibration chair and lays in it daily. This morning the phone rang while I was sitting in the chair. When I got up to answer the phone Zach decided that he would borrow the chair. What he did not know, was that the virbrations were still going when he placed a paw on the chair. His face was priceless and did not know what to do, he was not used to the chair moving. The virbations scared him so he laid on the foot rest until I can back. After I was sitting back down, he came up on my lap and laid.

"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yahoo.com

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Hawk too close for comfort

The past few days I have been seeing a hawk around the neighborhood. This afternoon, the hawk came too close for comfort. He flew over us while walking and when we came around the corner he was sitting on the wood fence. Normally they will see a human and fly, not this guy. It just stayed there as we walked closer. We were within 3 feet of this thing when it finally took flight. I was surprised that Zachary was quiet, he never barked once. I will continue to keep a watch for this hawk, I do not want him getting any closer to Zach.


"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yahoo.com

Monday, May 22, 2006

My worst fear

No this is not Zachary in the picture, but could have been. When I saw picture, I knew I had to share with others who could relate to what this puppy's owner must have been feeling. The feeling when your heart drops to your stomach and you feel sick. At that point you do not know whether to yell or cry. I am just glad I have a habit of closing the lid on my laptop, when not in use.

"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yahoo.com

Sunday, May 21, 2006

Prized find

Zach has loved sticks since the first time he picked up one. He is always finding them in the backyard. Chewing and playing with are one of his favorite pastimes. Tonight when out walking, Zachary spied a stick that he was unable to resist picking up. We had just started out walk, not even 2 houses from home when he found a 3 foot stick. I told him that he could take it, but must carry it himself. I had to laugh, the stick was so big he was tripping over and dragging it on the ground. Finally I broke the curled part off, remaining part 2 feet. We continued our way around the block with him carrying his prized find.

"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club

Saturday, May 20, 2006

Grandma and Grandpa visit

Today Zachary had a visit from Grandma and Grandpa. They came over so we could celebrate two occasions. He was very good too, since Grandma was walking on a walker. I know it was hard for him not to get in the middle. He had been up close to crutches, but not a walker. They brought with him a toy that Grandma mended. Zach acted like it was a new toy, queaking and playing with the old toy pig.

"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zachary_fan_club@yahoo.com

Friday, May 19, 2006

New Harness Picture


For those that wanted to see Zach in his new harness, here it is. It is very soft and more flexable than a his old harness. I does not seem to move around on him and much as the other one either.

"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yahoo.com

Thursday, May 18, 2006

New harness

Zachary's old harness start to cut him, so we started looking for a another. One of Zach's dog buddies got one from the http://thenewyorkdogshop.com/ that is a little different than most. I liked the look of it so much I ordered a Sky Blue soft harness for Zach. We have been using it for about 2 weeks now and are very happy with the product.

"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_an_club@yahoo.com

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Unsafe Vertical blinds

You may recall the day that Zachary became tangled in the vertical blinds. I have the orginal veticals that have a chain and weight which hold together the slats. After finding Zach caught up in the blinds twice, I have decided that I have unsafe vertical blinds. Today I ordered the new style that is pvc and has no chain or weights at the bottom. I was not able to get the exact color match, but these will go well with my furniture. The new verticles will be puppy safe, and will make me feel more comfortable know he will be safer.

"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yahoo.com

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Rain is here

Rain is here, that is a good thing. Zach's lawn and the brush fires are happy to see the rain. Each time we walked today we were dodging drops. Zach at first did not want to walk, but after a 1/2 block he did not care. Remember I mentioned a street sink hole, well it is getting a little bigger each day. Still no sign the county is ready to fix hole.

"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yahoo.com

Monday, May 15, 2006

New chair taken over


We bought a new chair for the livingroom. It came in a big box so some parts had to be put together. Well anyone that has tried to put anything together wth a puppy knows, it is almost immpossible. We finally had put Zach out on the porch because he kept walking on the pieces and trying to pick up the screws. After the chair was complete and the box picked up we let in the baby boy to check out our new chair. At first he just sniffed at it, then he decided to test drive the new massage chair. He was so relaxed, he fell asleep.


"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yahoo.com

Sunday, May 14, 2006

Zachary's Ibis

We have been watching 4-6 white Ibis birds each day when we walk for several days. Today an Ibis got within 2 feet of Zachary. I was not sure who I was going to put my money on if they tangled. ZAch went into his stalk mode as we came close and the Ibis just kept coming closer. Zach made the first lunge and I was ready, he went nowwhere. I was able to hold him back as the bird flew the coop. I was not sure whose heart was pumping harder; Zach's, the bird's or mine.

"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yahoo.com

Saturday, May 13, 2006

Walked our legs off

Zachary had more energy since it was cooler this morning. He started out his morning with a 1/2 mile. Three hours later he wanted to go out and and walked 1 mile. When he got to the driveway Zach pulled away and pulled my parntner another 1/2 mile. Then tonight we walked 1/2 mile. When my partner and I totaled up all the times he walked it turned out to be 2 1/2 miles. You would think he would be super tired after all this walking. Nothing doing, he still wanted to play.

"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yahoo.com

Friday, May 12, 2006

Road sinkhole

Zach and I noticed an impression in the street yesterday morning but it was still fairly dark. When we walked later in the day you could see about a 3 foot in diameter hole with safety cones around the outside. Today it has grown and they now have a large board over the hole. When I saw one of the workers, I asked about the board. He said it keep little kids and rain out. Also if anyone drives through the cones they will drive over the board and not fall through the hole and break an axle.

"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yaho0.com

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Scared of thunder

It is thundering an lighting and Zach is sticking close. Loud noises still scare the little guy. It was tough to get him outside before the storm became close. We were able to hear the thunder rumbling a good hour before the rain started falling. Zach may not be glad to have the rain but, we are very glad to have the rain to chase away our areas brush fires.

"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yahoo.com

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Dog balls

I went out to luch and shopping with a friend of ours today. Before I left she gave me dog tennis ball with which her dog no longer plays. When I brought it home Zach bit and played with it for a couple of minutes, I know he smelled Chin. Zach loves play fetch with tennis balls, so this was a good addition to his others.

"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yahoo.com

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Walking in the rain

We woke up to the wonderful sound of thunder this morning. Our area has been so dry that we have had 40 forest fires in our state. Zachary and I could not resist walking in the rain around the block. Everyone we saw this morning was in a great mood and almost giddy from the rain. It is amazing that just a little rain can make a whole city happy.

"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yahoo.com

Monday, May 08, 2006

Elusive squirrel

I heard a high-pitched barking coming from Zachary this morning while we were in the backyard. I ran towards him scared of what I might see. I was scared because his barks are low pitched and I had seen a snake around the area he was standing. I looked on the ground and saw nothing but a Westie pacing back and forth with his nose to the ground and occasionally looking up a tree. As I looked up I found what caused all the commotion, his squirrel was back to tease him once again.

“Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy”
zacharys_fan_club@yahoo.com

Sunday, May 07, 2006

Water sprinkler walking

When we are out walking here in the evening most people have sprinklers going because of our lack of rain. It is funny, sometimes Zach wants to walk thru the water, sometimes not. I think the difference is sometimes the water sprinklers make noise and scares him. When this happens he makes beeline for where we are walking in the street. If you have any rain in your area that you do not want, send it to Zachary's house.


"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yahoo.com

Saturday, May 06, 2006

Thrill of the hunt




What a thrill to watch a hunter in action. If you have a Westie or terrier you know what I am going to describe. Some dogs will see a squirrel and care less, but a terrier thinks he is mine. You know they have spotted a squirrel when they stop dead in their tracks. A paw up in the air and the head slightly turned usually follows. Sometime they concentrate so hard at not moving they will quiver in anticipation. It is almost like Zach is visualizing what it would be like if he caught the squirrel. So far the squirrel always escapes along the top of the fence. After chasing the squirrel for what seemed like a hour he came on the porch and plopped on the ottaman.

"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yaho.com

Friday, May 05, 2006

Playing in sprinklers

Zach was out again with us as we continued plugging the front lawn. In between when we were weeding and digging the plug holes I turned on the sprinkler. I turned around and there was Zachary out in the middle of the water chasing a lizard. Now this is a Westie who is not crazy about about getting wet, but throw in a lizard and anything can happen. We all came in dirty and Zachary came in dirty and wet.

"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yahoo.com

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Plugging the lawn

Zachary was outside most of the day today. I am in the process of putting grass plugs in the lawn to fill in most of my bare spots. It is a time consuming task, so I thought I could use a helper. Zach had a blast people watching, chasing squirrels and being on lizard patrol. He had almost 2o feet of leash to wander the front yard, while I plugged the lawn. When it was time to come in for breaks and dinner I had to almost drag him inside, he wanted to stay outside. We did manage to work in 2 walks to our busy day. Zach is sleeping now from all of his activity today.

"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yahoo.com

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Stuck in vertical blinds

Tonight while I was outside moving around the sprinkler, I heard Zachary barking. I thought he was barking because I was close to the front window. Well I found out the reason when I walked in and did not see Zach waiting for me at the door. I called and all I heard was a movement of blinds. Zachary had gone through the vertical blinds looking outside then back out inbetween another and then back through again. It took a good 10 mins to get him untangled without breaking the blinds and him panicing. I am still shocked he did not try to chew his way free. I imagine if I had not come inside when I did, the blinds would have been ripped apart.

"Never a dull moment when you have a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yahoo.com

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Bath and sleep time


Today baby boy got a bath and caught up on sleep from our RV trip. It is not uncommon for him to sleep more for one or two days after we come home.

"Happiness is being love by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yahoo.com

Monday, May 01, 2006

Glad to be home safe

We are glad to be home safely after this RV trip. Fri, while we were camping there was a large fire that jumped a major North-South interstate. Saturday there was a large fire that jump a major East-West interstate. When we left we were not sure which route would be the safest. After considering all options we picked the route we went Thursday, back over the East-West route which had the fire. Most of the smoke had lifted but the median and both sides for about a mile of the interstate were charred. It is so sad to see our state burning and under a high fire alert. We did come back rested and everyone including Zachary took a nap after coming home.

"Happiness is being loved by a Westie puppy"
zacharys_fan_club@yahoo.com

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