Sick and tired. Literally.

I've been fighting off a bit of a cold all week, and today it might just get the best of me.

And I'm also so ungodly tired I can't even think straight.

The new drugs the dog is on? Makes her pee Every. Two. Hours.

It wouldn't be so bad if I could just lean her out the door to go, but NO! I have get fully dressed, get my shoes on, grab my keys, go down the hall, wait for the elevator, go down seven floors, go through the lobby and out the front door and down the driveway to the lawn. Then coming back in it's wrestle with the first set of doors, unlock the second set, cross the lobby, get the elevator, etc. etc.

Mike does this all day while he's home with her, I do it all evening while he's at work. Next week, he's gone to the States. How on earth am I going to manage her? I'm thinking I should buy doggy diapers. Thank goodness she goes down half a dose soon, because then this all might just become manageable.

Even, in my state of desperation last night, put a HUGE pile of papers on the balcony, hoping her paper training puppy days would come back to her, and she would pee out there during the middle of the night. No go. Not even remotely.

aaarrrghh.

The worst thing of all? This medication doesn't seem to be helping her one. single. bit, so it feels like we're doing all this for nothing.

*sigh*

Mom is taking her tomorrow afternoon, and I had her at work with me yesterday. Sheesh.

People say we have no responsibilities because we have no kids - let me tell you, with 14 pets (two of which require daily medicine and extra care), we have TONS of responsibilities.

And I obviously haven't learned my lesson, because tomorrow night I pick up our three-legged kitten.

Guestbook

Hey, someone sign that guestbook down there, so I know it's working.

Say hello, dammit!

:)

A new home

I went out after work to water my impatiens, and found this. I hope I didn't scare away the creator! 

Nephews

Leif and Tanner 

I spent a few hours with two of my nephews this week. I truly cherish them, and just cannot believe how fast they are growing!

Trifle's Diagnosis

Ok. So here's the goods on Trifle.

She has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Essentially, it's emphysema for dogs. There is no cure.

However, it can be moderately controlled (for a while) with corticosteriods, bronchodilators, and cough suppressants.

Although it is a technically fatal disease, the vet says she really never sees a dog actually DIE from just this. She says more often than not another disease or old age ailment gets to them first (organ failure, etc.), or works in conjunction with it.

So, while this is still not *good* news, it's not anywhere nearly as bad as what they had first thought it was - cancer.

We have to limit her exercise, and not let her do anything that makes her cough. She will be on medication for the rest of her life, and she needs to lose a couple pounds. This will shorten her lifespan, and possibly cause heart trouble because of the stress on her heart, but we hold out hope that she will still live into her teens.

She was an exceptionally well behaved dog today during the ultrasound. Both doctors were very pleased with how good she was, and they didn't have to sedate her at all - even for the tummy shaving!





Lookit her belly!!

Playing catch-up

Whew.

It's been an incredibly busy week. Work has been a little nutty, as usual, for both Mike and I. He's actually going to the States (Kentucky) next week for training. It'll be odd, not having him here. We've only been apart one other time, and that was last year when he went to the States for training for his job. Then they are sending him to Indiana in May, again for training.

We're still having some animal concerns. Trifle went in for another round of xrays, and they now say her lungs look better, but her heart is enlarged.

Make. Up. My. MIND!

I told the vet we really need to know what's going on with her, because all of the rollercoaster diagnosis stuff is starting to get old. She apologized profusely, and explained that they can only go by what they see on each xray, and the previous bloodwork she had done. They are not completely sure what is wrong with her, but they do want to continue trying to find out. So our next step is an ultrasound. I'm just waiting now for them to book an appointment with their ultrasound tech. I've taken a leave of absence from volunteering at the hospital, at least until we get a better idea of what's going on. Most times she shows no sign of being sick, except she gets *very* tired, very quickly.

And then there is Mo. She's nearing 22 years of age, and just will not give up the ghost. She's one of the strongest little fighters I've known. Numerous times this year, I seriously thought I would find that she had passed during the night, or during the day while I was at work. Nope, she kept on going. Last month she had an upper respiratory infection - I thought that would be then end of her. Nope, she fought that off and was as spunky as ever. But now, unfortunately, I think we're really looking at the end. Her kidneys are failing, and at her age, I'm not putting her through dialysis or any other invasive procedures. We want her to go as painless and with as much dignity as possible.

In much lighter news, we are planning on bringing the kitten home at the end of April. She (I keep calling her she, but I don't know for sure) and her siblings are eating solid food and using the litterbox. They are super-curious, and SO playful. Pictures?? Why, ok!!






Isn't she getting big?! One thing we have noticed about her 'stump' though, is that it seems to be growing with her. In fact, it feels like she actually has a partial limb, but that it is *stuck* under her skin! So, as soon as we get her home, she goes right to the vet. We'll have xrays done, and find out whether surgery is required. They may have to either free the limb, or amputate it completely.

And now I'm suddenly thinking that I should get a second job to help pay for all these vet bills.

*sigh*

Theo

Theo
Originally uploaded by Jenn W.

A visit with the new kitten

I went to see the kitten last night. She's growing fast, and is now becoming rather independent. I think she should be able to come home by the end of the month.

We've nicknamed her 'Hobble' until we find out for sure if it is a 'she'. She gets around very well, and loves to play with her littermates. Now that she's growing, the stub where her arm should be is more noticable, and I think there is actually a bit of bone formation and muscle there. When we take her in to get fixed, we'll have xrays done too, just to make sure everything is where it should be internally.

Her littermates are incredibly adorable too!

Money from the Government!

I didn't get any of my GST rebates last year, although I was entitled to some. I thought about calling Revenue Canada, but actually just never did. I only thought about it during rebate time, which was three times last year, so as much as it was money owed to me, by the government, no less, I kept forgetting about it.

I figured I'd call today. I had an hour I could spend on the phone on hold if I had to. The office is quiet, so I could have just put the speakerphone on and waited. Well, shock of all shocks, there was no need to prepare myself. I was barely on hold for ten seconds when a real live person answered. At tax time, no less! I explained that I hadn't got any GST rebates all year, and he said they should be coming to me in one lump sum. 'Check your bank account tomorrow', he said.

That was it.

That was just too easy. Why am I so suspicious??

Letters to the Universe

Dear Mother Nature;
Right now, you are my hero. I didn't have to wear my coat all day, and I've still got the windows wide open at home tonight. But I hear you may become my enemy again; snow tomorrow? Please, don't.
Springingly yours,
J.


Dear Little Cuddly Forest Animals;
The streets are NOT safe for you, please learn this. Did you not see your furry little brother smoooshed all over the road not 15 feet from where you are? Go back! Into the shelter of trees! Quickly!
Playing Roadkill Bingo,
J.


Dear Teens Smoking Pot on the Corner;
Holy shit, I think I got a contact high just waiting for the light to change. Knock it off.
*cough*
J.


Dear Falstaff Restaurant,
Please, use a spellchecker, or hire a proof-reader. I really don't want to eat 'Chiken'.
Not hungry anymore,
J.


Dear Bacardi,
Thank you, once again, for making the Strawberry Smoothie cooler. Will you marry me?
*hic*
J.