Jarie, Please Eat

Jarie is such a pretty girl, don't you think? I had just finished giving her a bath in these pictures so she was still wet. She enjoyed running up and down the street with hubby, air-drying! What is it about a dog and water? When she gets wet, her energy level triples.
She is still not well. Does anyone have a magic potion to make her eat? I am afraid she is getting worse. We have been battling the eating issue now for a month. It is really getting old. I don't mind when she skips one meal, or eats a few hours late, but now she is skipping days. She didn't eat yesterday, hasn't eaten this morning.

Last week I was able to get her to eat a piece of cheese, even a slice of bread, (I know, not the best choice, but if it works, well you get the point) to get something in her stomach so she can take her supplements. Now she won't take anything, and I have tried everything. Her tummy is growling, she acts like she wants to eat, but she won't.

We are limited at what we can give her because of all of her food allergies, yet, at this point I just need her to eat.
Unfortunately her not eating has started to affect her IBD. Once that happens, we have to keep that under control, so it doesn't affect any bleeding in the intestines, or lower GI tract or that will then affect her vWD (von Willebrands Disease). A domino effect, which we do not want.
She is still a happy girl though. Always wanting to run, play, tear up the toys, following me around the house, looking for something to get into.

This photo you can see her round spot on her side where she chewed all her hair off back in October. Finally, after all these months, the hair is coming back. A very slow process.
I know Jarie will recover in time, this is not the first time we have gone through this with her, and it won't be the last. Honestly, I don't think she is even aware that she is not as healthy as she could be.

What We Did This Weekend

We spent all weekend at our local dog shows. Turned out to be a very nice weekend. Rain was in the forecast, but all we had Saturday were clouds. The weather was perfect for all the dogs and the humans. Sunday, clear blue sky, with just a light cool breeze. We couldn't ask for better weather. Below are a few of my favorite random photos I took of the weekend.

German Shepherd competing in Rally obedience

Newfoundland showing in conformation

Isn't he just gorgeous!

Doberman competing in Utility Obedience.

Border Collie in Agility.

Scenery

Golden Retriever competing in Open Obedience.

Australian Shepherd in Agility.

Burmese Mtn Dog and Flat Coat Retriever in Sit stays in Obedience .

Belgian Tervuren in Agility.

German Shepherd Dog in Novice Obedience.

Australian Shepherd in Agility.

Group sit stays in Obedience.

Yellow Labrador in Agility

Belgian Tervuren in Agility on the teeter.

Scenery

Shetland Sheepdog in Agility

We had a really nice time visiting with all of our friends, and discussing dog club news, upcoming events, and just relaxing. There is nothing more relaxing then spending the day at a show among our human and canine friends.

Little Lacee

Time for another Lacee update. She has now learned the girls don't want to play with her, so she tries to stay clear of them, or they may smack her in the head a few times. Although last night Mama Cat was washing her face just a little, HUGE deal for Mama to do. Mama Cat kisses and washes NO ONE!! She likes Lacee, she just doesn't want anyone to know, she has to keep her alpha status of the cat pack!
Lacee is all play. She loves to run and jump on an unsuspecting Mac. He is very interested in her and does play with her, but she often sneaks up on him for a quick *attack the cat game.*
I have no idea how I managed to get this picture with Ashley in the background, open mouth, wide eyed, scary kitty. I did catch Ashley trying to play with Lacee right before this photo was taken, I was so pleased, as I have never seen Ashley play with other cats except when she was living feral outside. Perhaps Lacee is helping bring a little normalcy in the cat room.
I have been having to clean her ears everyday as they build up with wax very easy, trying to control that. She is so easy, and just lies down and lets me clean them with such ease. She is very trusting.

She is just learning to climb up on the shelves a little more, but for some reason if she tries to go too high, Mac runs and gets in front of her and doesn't let her climb up. I have no idea why, he is not being mean, he just jumps in front and above her, and does not let her pass him, so she ends up climbing back down. I had to hold him once so I can let her get up on one of the trees, but she couldn't figure out how to get down, silly girl. She is still learning her way.
Isn't she just the cutest little thing? She has so much personality. I fall in love with her a little more each day.

She Makes Me Stop

I try really hard to make sure I spend one on one time with each of my dogs. Playing and interacting as a group is good too, but I feel they all need that individual time. Sometimes my schedule gets hectic, and there just is not enough hours in the day to get everything done I set out to do that day.
Jessi, although second to the youngest, with Jarie being the youngest, Jessi will always be my baby. She prefers me all to herself. She doesn't like sharing, and really seems to thrive when it is just her and me. Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day, 80 degrees out, nice cool breeze, perfect for her and I to just enjoy.
Those of you that have read my blog for awhile, know that Jessi does not stop. Very difficult to take photos, she is a very high drive working line Aussie. Her mouth is always open, tongue hanging out, running from this corner to that corner, sniffing the ground, watching the planes fly over. She doesn't miss a single bird, butterfly, or the wave of a tree branch, always always busy.

Of course the only time her mouth shuts is when she is told to sit, she hates sit, for that just means she has to quit moving, something she just doesn't like to do, but she complies, although you can clearly see it in her face, she wishes *sit* was not a word in my vocabulary.
I have never seen a dog as happy as Jessi. She will play with anything you throw for her, she really doesn't have a favorite toy, as long as she gets to interact with me, whatever toy I choose to toss for her, she is content.
Yesterday was a day that was very much needed, I think for both Jessi and I. She makes me stop. Even for just an hour, she makes me stop and forget about all my worries, all my chores that need to be done, life happenings. Spending time with a dog that is non-stop action, I really have no time to think of anything else but her and the smile on her face, the sparkle in her eyes when she looks up at me, as if she is saying "Life is good, lets play".

Introducing Karl

Yes, I finally gave him a name, so let me formally introduce you to Karl. I will spare you all the details of how I came up with his name, but it fits, so he is now affectionately referred to as Karl, or how I normally refer to him as "The Karl". Makes him sound much more important.

He still is not neutered. I feel very guilty about that too. I put off trying to trap him after I was unsuccessful a couple of times. Then I became just too ill and too tired to really try.

He is so mean too, always protecting his territory. He has staked his claim with the cat shelter and my yard. He guards and patrols all day and night. Several times a week he wakes us up in the middle of the night, yowling and fighting with the other tomcats in the neighborhood. My poor hubby is the one to get out of bed and run outside to break up the fights. I always ask who he was fighting with, but my hubby never gets the chance to see the other cat by the time he gets outside. I very rarely see any other toms anymore except for Karl. Perhaps after he is neutered and a little more settled, I can trap the other toms too. I really must get busy!
He now sleeps most of the time in the shelter or on the cat walk. He spends a lot of time in the backyard, until I go out there, that is when he will just jump up on a wall or the cat walk and watch my every move. He won't let me get any closer then maybe 10 feet. He never use to sit still for long when I was outside, but now, he allows me to just watch him, as he watches me. Something about him makes me sad though. In his eyes, the way he looks at me, there is such sadness in his eyes that tear at my heart. Not all ferals have that sadness, that unmistakable look in their eyes, but when you see it, it is a look you don't forget.

So, I have to quit neglecting what I had set out to do, a very long time ago. I have to get busy working with "The Karl". First things first, I need to trap him, and soon!

On to other things, I want to thank all my wonderful friends here for emailing me and asking how I have been. I did finally go to the doctor, this past Wednesday. I had a lot of tests, still have more to do, had a brief scare, but I am ok, and I am going to live, Hooray! I will be starting my antibiotics tonight and hopefully will be feeling much better soon. I think I forgot how feeling well feels, hopefully I will experience that feeling again, soon.

Random Thoughts

I remember when my favorite veterinarian retired. He had treated so many of my past pets. When he retired I was devastated. he knew us so well. He knew, we knew our pets, and trusted us just as much as we trusted him. When he introduced us to the vet who took over his practice, we had no idea how things would go. By our surprise, we loved him even more then our original vet. Who knew?! He was perfect, and had the very best bed side manner with our fur kids. Then he moved out of state a few years ago. Could we possibly be as lucky again with another new vet? You know, three times a charm? No. We were so unhappy with the new vet, and he just didn't seem to be what we wanted for our pets. So I did my research. A lot of research. I got recommendations from friends. Made several calls over several weeks, talked to Office managers at all the clinics I might have been interested in, and asked a lot of questions. Yes, that is what I do. I just don't go to any clinic. I want what is best for my dogs and cats, and I want the vet to be as comfortable with me, as I am with him/her. I researched for weeks before finally settling a couple years ago.

With human doctors, I do the same thing. It seems like every time we find a good family practice physician we like here, they move out of state. When my husband wasn't feeling well a few years ago, I again was back to researching, asking questions, about different practices, getting referrals and such. Last month I had to do the same thing. Find a certain type of doctor for my Father in Law. One that he would be comfortable with. Lots of research and telephone calls again.

So why is it so easy for me to do my research and find doctors and make appointments for everyone I care about, but so difficult for me to do this for myself?

I know I haven't been well for several months now. I just kept brushing it off as a stubborn cold. But things just are not right. I'm having breathing difficulty, pings in my chest, my lungs hurt, well, everything hurts. I am so stubborn. I hate going to the doctor because anytime I go, they always seem to find something else wrong that I didn't even go in there for. So, now I have to start my research all over again, but this time for me, and here I am writing about it, instead of doing it. If this was for my hubby or my dogs or cats, you better bet, it would have been done already, and they would have already been there and back.

Sometimes I think I am just too picky, nah, I'm just stubborn. I never complain, and just keep on going about my chores, my daily routine, but I know now, I really need to find a doctor. I don't think this would even be a problem for me if Doctors would just stay here. But it seems every year I have to start all over, and it gets really frustrating. I don't do well with change, and changing doctors, and finding new doctors, takes me out of my comfort zone.

Happy Anniversary

Tomorrow March 23rd will be our 23rd wedding anniversary and it has been an amazing, 23 years. Please bare with me while I tell you about some of the reasons why I love my husband like I do....

• He has a very sexy wink. ( etc, etc)
  

• He can fix just about anything in and around the house.

• He always helps me put my coat on.

• He opens doors for me everywhere we go and even opens the car door for me too.

• He cracks me up when he says goofy stuff and keeps a straight face!

• He's extremely thoughtful and giving, not just with me but with others too.

• He pays attention. When we go out shopping , if I see something that I like and mention it, he will remember it, And then one day for no reason at all, he will have that something I liked as a gift for me, sometimes even months later.

• He is so smart and has so much useful knowledge, I get amazed at some of the things he knows.

• He sings to me. I love his voice, and can listen to his singing for hours.

• He cooks dinner many nights for us, and always cooks Sunday breakfast.

• He's always there to listen to me if I need to talk, or if I need a shoulder to cry on.

• He's my biggest fan and cheerleader.

• He is a good daddy to all of our cats and dogs.

• He is a huge animal lover, and an excellent dog trainer.

• He gives me a kiss and a hug before leaving for work every morning, and surprises me when he walks back in and says he needs one more kiss.

• He's my personal hero, my everything.
  

I couldn't imagine being married to anyone else. He is always looking for ways to make me smile… especially when I’m not in the mood to smile. He is always complementing me, telling me I look beautiful even when I don't think so. He is a dedicated, committed man in everything that he does. He is very committed to our marriage.

He hasn't been taking much time off work in quite awhile, but with this being our anniversary weekend, he took the time off so we can have the weekend together. Despite that I have been really sick, and have spoiled our plans, he has made sure he has been right here with me to take care of me.

My husband is my best friend in the entire world. There's no one I'd rather spend my time with than him. He takes such great care of me and invests so much of himself in me and in our marriage. He has made the last 23 years of my life absolutely wonderful!

Happy Anniversary Honey!