Sometimes you just have to run away from it all...
Gigi has been sighing heavily for days, whining more than usual, clinging more than usual. You haven't lived until you have had a bouv in your lap for 3 hours a night, eating popcorn with all noses following lllleft, rrrrright, llllleft as we ALL watch the Olympic downhill skiing or the uuuuuuup, downnnnnnnn, uuuuuuuuup, downnnnn of that half pipe snowboard thingie.
So this morning she declared an agenda by walking up to the car and sitting down. Not moving til we go somewhere. Nope. That's now 121 lbs of definite nope.
It isn't a problem to get her into the car at home - we can put the ramp from the porch to the back of the Subaru wagon. Someday I'll get the hatch fixed. And the post on the porch, too. But for now, the door still closes and the post is still in the upright position...
The ramp down from the car to the ground is doable, even though it is a bit steep. But the ramp up from ground to car is too steep.
I think the problem is more a traction issue than anything else, but it is too risky so our outings are somewhat limited. If we want to get out of the car to walk on flat land (we have none of our own) we have to make sure we back up to a good high curb... like the one at the vet's. I'm sure the staff is wondering why we keep arriving and leaving without coming in the building. "What on earth is she doing? Did she forget something? How bad can her memory be??? She doesn't look that witless..." But they can't complain; their portico posts are still standing and we don't stay for long.
Then it's off to visit a friend - a real friend. The kind that comes out to the car despite the winter chill and gives "tailgate hugs" and feeds you carrots one at a time with lots of kisses in between bites. Gigi's tail/stump wags vigorously and she is utterly devoted to her friends. Until the distractions take over.
Good thing she was in the car, because had she been on the ground we'd have been setting our own ice-slalom records...
First there's the traffic. We don't have cars at our house. Come to think of it, she's never really had a chance to just sit and watch traffic go by. And then there were the people, coming and going from neighboring houses - very normal for most, but not a scene Gigi gets to experience. Our neighbors are only sounds - cows, sheep, and occasional voices, all hidden behind acres of trees. But the squirrels...now those we have plenty of and they all need chasing! And someone mentioned cats, and they always need licking.
It was, by people and dog standards, a great outing. Gigi came home happy and thirsty, with a much lighter step and promptly put herself to bed for a looooooong Olympic nap.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
I'm a Sad-Eyed Dog Friday 2-19-10
After having the whole pack together for 11 days (snow) it has been hard to get back to the routine of Mom leaving Gigi behind. The mornings start out ok - the usual routines of Mom going out to feed the sheep, then walking the dogs, then eating breakfast (first mine, then yours). But when it comes time to pick up the keys, the bag, the phone and the coat, Gigi's head comes up with ears perked and a hopeful look in those big brown eyes...Are we going to work? Upon hearing the dreaded phrase "No, sweetheart, you're gonna be Big Dog In Charge today", the dog deflates. Head down, ears slide down to her shoulders, the eyes close and I can almost see a tear roll down to that big black gumdrop nose.
She's losing some steam and I suspect it is depression. I can see the drop in stamina, the wistful look down the steep driveway. We're planning to take her for some drives this weekend - get her out of the house and maybe even over to see people friends. It takes orchestration - we have to plan to land where there are curbs so we can get her in and out of the car easily using her steps - not too long an outing but enough to give her hope.
I've read all the dog behavior books. The ones that say dogs don't live beyond the moment. Now is now and that's all that counts. And I think that's a nice way to absolve oneself of responsibility for an animal's emotional wellbeing. If a dog can remember how to get from the office to the post office, then what prevents the dog from remembering the trip and anticipating it in the future?
Clearly, Gigi accepts the reality - more people would benefit from learning that skill - but she retains the hope it will be other than how it is - another skill people would benefit from practicing.
So tomorrow, we'll head out for a lark. Something brief and visually stimulating - explore a new road, maybe take the scenic routes from old commutes. Some new smells. Maybe a new scratch and sniff book...
We're doing the range of motion exercises but not often enough. It doesn't take long to do them, but when the entire day of hugs, bellyrubs, dinner and after dinner routine (my dinner, your dinner, a walk outside, a few pounces on the woodpile, a carrot or two, a bone, tapioca ritual and the blackberry snowcone) is compressed into a few hours after work, there isn't much time to do much more. I think I will rearrange things - do the range of motion before the dinner routine starts, so that we aren't trying to end the evening on a less than fun note. The exercise isn't horrible but it is clear Gigi doesn't like it. Don't MESS with my foot, Mom.
Mom will be in traction shortly from supporting the "hinderslingen". Gigi is eager to walk and has much better traction on the accrued ice than I do. The "heel" command is losing its punch. Gigi has always had a ripsnorting walking pace, and nothing has changed. But trying to keep up with the front end and hold up the back end is doing in my arm and shoulder.
LESSON FOR NEWBIES: Build up your forearm and upper arm muscles before scheduling the surgery. You will need them, especially on the 125 pounder puppies.
She's losing some steam and I suspect it is depression. I can see the drop in stamina, the wistful look down the steep driveway. We're planning to take her for some drives this weekend - get her out of the house and maybe even over to see people friends. It takes orchestration - we have to plan to land where there are curbs so we can get her in and out of the car easily using her steps - not too long an outing but enough to give her hope.
I've read all the dog behavior books. The ones that say dogs don't live beyond the moment. Now is now and that's all that counts. And I think that's a nice way to absolve oneself of responsibility for an animal's emotional wellbeing. If a dog can remember how to get from the office to the post office, then what prevents the dog from remembering the trip and anticipating it in the future?
Clearly, Gigi accepts the reality - more people would benefit from learning that skill - but she retains the hope it will be other than how it is - another skill people would benefit from practicing.
So tomorrow, we'll head out for a lark. Something brief and visually stimulating - explore a new road, maybe take the scenic routes from old commutes. Some new smells. Maybe a new scratch and sniff book...
We're doing the range of motion exercises but not often enough. It doesn't take long to do them, but when the entire day of hugs, bellyrubs, dinner and after dinner routine (my dinner, your dinner, a walk outside, a few pounces on the woodpile, a carrot or two, a bone, tapioca ritual and the blackberry snowcone) is compressed into a few hours after work, there isn't much time to do much more. I think I will rearrange things - do the range of motion before the dinner routine starts, so that we aren't trying to end the evening on a less than fun note. The exercise isn't horrible but it is clear Gigi doesn't like it. Don't MESS with my foot, Mom.
Mom will be in traction shortly from supporting the "hinderslingen". Gigi is eager to walk and has much better traction on the accrued ice than I do. The "heel" command is losing its punch. Gigi has always had a ripsnorting walking pace, and nothing has changed. But trying to keep up with the front end and hold up the back end is doing in my arm and shoulder.
LESSON FOR NEWBIES: Build up your forearm and upper arm muscles before scheduling the surgery. You will need them, especially on the 125 pounder puppies.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Making Progress Sunday 2-14-10
I think we're winning. Gigi is walking better these days - she still limps in the morning or when she does not want to go somewhere (cute, eh?) but overall she is walking more evenly on her hind legs. We maintain the sling for extra protection against slipping but she is much steadier these days. She gets a little goofy at times, and I think that sling may be necessary as long as we have a wild child on wood floors, but on carpet she does very well.
For the first time since even before surgery, Gigi was interested and able to make her way up the ramp with only steadying support (not lifting) on her hind end. In fact she tried to climb onto the ramp in the middle instead of coming up from the end...we had a little conversation about that and she's now clear on the ramp procedure. At least for a while.
Boredom is a huge issue, so we started a few games outside. Her favorite is "what's in the woodpile?" where she gets to stick her nose under the tarp and snuffle around. Mom makes little chittering noises and occasionally tweaks the tarp - which Gigi interprets as evidence of Somethings. She did a 2-footed bouv-bounce onto the tarp but apart from a few holes, and some wind-sucking by Mom, all was fine. Mom is watching now for pre-bounce positioning - bouncing has the potential to be an "oops" since she lunges a bit in the process. No lunging for now. But fully engaged attention is good.
Next favorite game is "snow cones" - Gigi gets herself a snow cone every time she goes outside - this is much encouraged, however I fear it will take her many months to clear the drifts...
Gigi is watching a great deal more television these days - she wants to cuddle more and it was quite chummy last night as we all gathered around the Tapioca pudding and then piled onto Gigi's bed. Cato (the cat) was unusually kind, sharing Gigi's bed without biting her feet. In the past this has led to growls, chases and other now-illegal activities. So it seems even Cato is invested in this recovery process. He saves his ambushes for Pirate (our other bouv).
We're doing the range of motion exercises, but Gigi is not happy about it. Leave my feet alone, leave my leg alone and if you want me to walk, lemme get up!!! That the range of motion is limited is particularly clear when she tries to sit - the knee doesn't bend enough to make it comfortable, and she has continued in her old style of "sitting sloppy" - with her leg cocked out to the side. Kinda of a Cleopatra-style...waiting for the grapes to be peeled, or in Gigi's case, the mandarin orange segments to be delicately placed on her tongue...
Monday will be the first day we can get the car up and down the drive, so we're hoping to take her for a ride. She's been asking daily; this will make a nice treat!
For the first time since even before surgery, Gigi was interested and able to make her way up the ramp with only steadying support (not lifting) on her hind end. In fact she tried to climb onto the ramp in the middle instead of coming up from the end...we had a little conversation about that and she's now clear on the ramp procedure. At least for a while.
Boredom is a huge issue, so we started a few games outside. Her favorite is "what's in the woodpile?" where she gets to stick her nose under the tarp and snuffle around. Mom makes little chittering noises and occasionally tweaks the tarp - which Gigi interprets as evidence of Somethings. She did a 2-footed bouv-bounce onto the tarp but apart from a few holes, and some wind-sucking by Mom, all was fine. Mom is watching now for pre-bounce positioning - bouncing has the potential to be an "oops" since she lunges a bit in the process. No lunging for now. But fully engaged attention is good.
Next favorite game is "snow cones" - Gigi gets herself a snow cone every time she goes outside - this is much encouraged, however I fear it will take her many months to clear the drifts...
Gigi is watching a great deal more television these days - she wants to cuddle more and it was quite chummy last night as we all gathered around the Tapioca pudding and then piled onto Gigi's bed. Cato (the cat) was unusually kind, sharing Gigi's bed without biting her feet. In the past this has led to growls, chases and other now-illegal activities. So it seems even Cato is invested in this recovery process. He saves his ambushes for Pirate (our other bouv).
We're doing the range of motion exercises, but Gigi is not happy about it. Leave my feet alone, leave my leg alone and if you want me to walk, lemme get up!!! That the range of motion is limited is particularly clear when she tries to sit - the knee doesn't bend enough to make it comfortable, and she has continued in her old style of "sitting sloppy" - with her leg cocked out to the side. Kinda of a Cleopatra-style...waiting for the grapes to be peeled, or in Gigi's case, the mandarin orange segments to be delicately placed on her tongue...
Monday will be the first day we can get the car up and down the drive, so we're hoping to take her for a ride. She's been asking daily; this will make a nice treat!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
I'm SOOOOOOOOO Bored, Mom
After yet another blizzard, Gigi was once again seriously restricted in her activities because of the snow. We're over 50 inches now. The yard stick disappeared at 37 inches (go figure) and we are at the "frankly, Scarlet" stage.
That there were two storms and the snowfall set a new record for our area seems to be lost on her. She will, no doubt, recall it as The Week of No Car Rides. She led me to the lump that hid the car and made it clear that she KNEW there was a car there. Then snorted derisively at my protests that it just wasn't possible to go anywhere.
There were several times during the storms when she was given the option of going out, but when we opened the door, the high winds blew snow up her nose. That ended that. She'd turn around and head to the kitchen. That the trip was "not productive" does not preclude payment of one carrot...she'd have pulled out a contract if I hadn't just given in.
We did what we could on rehab - hot moist compresses and gentle range of motion exercises. I watched several range of motion videos on YouTube but... I can't see pinning Gigi down and manipulating her leg in a way which seems like it is creating pain. Vet says "gentle range of motion" so we do gentle. Vet says "make her holler", we hire somebody else...
Toys are for sissies. Gigi has a definite penchant for TV watching. In Mom's lap. Getting actively petted the WHOLE time. Even during commercials. I can see where this is going. When she gets back to the office and her regular duties, EVERYone will have to sit on the floor and pet her.
Tomorrow, there is a chance of some melt. Not enough to take an r-i-d-e but perhaps enough to smell something new.
Hugs to all bouvs with bolts. And a snow shovel salute to all their moms and dads.
That there were two storms and the snowfall set a new record for our area seems to be lost on her. She will, no doubt, recall it as The Week of No Car Rides. She led me to the lump that hid the car and made it clear that she KNEW there was a car there. Then snorted derisively at my protests that it just wasn't possible to go anywhere.
There were several times during the storms when she was given the option of going out, but when we opened the door, the high winds blew snow up her nose. That ended that. She'd turn around and head to the kitchen. That the trip was "not productive" does not preclude payment of one carrot...she'd have pulled out a contract if I hadn't just given in.
We did what we could on rehab - hot moist compresses and gentle range of motion exercises. I watched several range of motion videos on YouTube but... I can't see pinning Gigi down and manipulating her leg in a way which seems like it is creating pain. Vet says "gentle range of motion" so we do gentle. Vet says "make her holler", we hire somebody else...
Toys are for sissies. Gigi has a definite penchant for TV watching. In Mom's lap. Getting actively petted the WHOLE time. Even during commercials. I can see where this is going. When she gets back to the office and her regular duties, EVERYone will have to sit on the floor and pet her.
Tomorrow, there is a chance of some melt. Not enough to take an r-i-d-e but perhaps enough to smell something new.
Hugs to all bouvs with bolts. And a snow shovel salute to all their moms and dads.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Sunday 2-7-10
Somewhere after 34+ inches of snow...
You know your priorities have changed when the first thing you plow out is the pooping parlor. Ken is still working on the driveway today and by tomorrow afternoon we should be able to get to the main road.
From where Gigi stands, the driveway looks clear enough and there's no reason not to take a walk. It was interesting to see her mind at work when she looked down the driveway, realized the gate to the upper pasture was buried in the snowbanks, and opted to create a whole new routine. Frankly, I was thrilled, because I just couldn't see us taking the Chinese Dragon up the mountain. Not even for medicinal purposes. Not even when it is her "mostest favorite-ist" walk in the world.
Inside, we have new rules. All Gigis are to be tether at all times. She knows this new rule. And she knows why. So she hasn't bothered to get excited about anything all day, not even when the tractor comes home for "refills". I was watching a documentary on TV that featured a hooting owl - that was of great interest to Gigi, but not worth getting up for. She just barked from her boudoir. It would be reasonable to think she has learned her lesson, and that she wouldn't need restraining. Reasonable. But very wrong. Underneath that currently compliant fur coat is an opportunistic renegade.
Odd, that before the surgery, Gigi always walked at heel better without a leash than on. She was very reliable in a down/stay and being told she was "big dog in charge" was good for hours of quiet resting. Not no more, babycakes.
Hugs to all those delightful, contrarian bouvs.
You know your priorities have changed when the first thing you plow out is the pooping parlor. Ken is still working on the driveway today and by tomorrow afternoon we should be able to get to the main road.
From where Gigi stands, the driveway looks clear enough and there's no reason not to take a walk. It was interesting to see her mind at work when she looked down the driveway, realized the gate to the upper pasture was buried in the snowbanks, and opted to create a whole new routine. Frankly, I was thrilled, because I just couldn't see us taking the Chinese Dragon up the mountain. Not even for medicinal purposes. Not even when it is her "mostest favorite-ist" walk in the world.
Inside, we have new rules. All Gigis are to be tether at all times. She knows this new rule. And she knows why. So she hasn't bothered to get excited about anything all day, not even when the tractor comes home for "refills". I was watching a documentary on TV that featured a hooting owl - that was of great interest to Gigi, but not worth getting up for. She just barked from her boudoir. It would be reasonable to think she has learned her lesson, and that she wouldn't need restraining. Reasonable. But very wrong. Underneath that currently compliant fur coat is an opportunistic renegade.
Odd, that before the surgery, Gigi always walked at heel better without a leash than on. She was very reliable in a down/stay and being told she was "big dog in charge" was good for hours of quiet resting. Not no more, babycakes.
Hugs to all those delightful, contrarian bouvs.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Look Ma! No DOG! - Saturday 2-6-10
uh. Did someone mention snow?
Friday
8 pm - The last time we went out for a potty run, the snow was already too deep to walk a tall dog and the wind smelled peculiar - apparently there is a major thunderstorm and we are smelling the ozone. Kinda fun. Even the dog's are sniffing the wind. Then again, with the winds coming up this could be air smells from middle Ohio... great farm smells and such.
midnight - The winds started howling and the log house is shifting - and we're on the the lee side of the mountain so we don't usually feel the wind at all. I'm hoping it blows the gnats out of the county for the next several summers...
3 am - Gigi is whining and there is NO way I'm going to entertain any outdoor action. So I offered her water - that seemed to appease her. We're weaning her off the anti-inflammatory stuff and today was her "on" day, so I'm guessing it makes her very thirsty. She was equally thirsty when we brought her home from surgery.
Saturday
6 am - The cat wants out. And in. And out. And in. The snow is packed against the windows - it looks lacey and not too high. Then again, it is a second floor window. It is too dark to see much more. Probably would be lighter if I opened my eyes, but I'm no fool.
Gigi is resting comfortably and I'm relieved. Friday afternoon she got a bit wild while we were out shoveling snow (the first 5 inches). I heard her barking and came in, expecting to see her sequestered in her "quiet space". She had expanded her quiet space a bit. The chairs, the barricades - all moved out of her way. Fortunately, the floor was under carpeting, so if she bounced at least she didn't slip. Nonetheless, I'm watching her for any sign of damage. And wondering what we could possibly do given that we cannot get out to get to the vet's, and the vet can't even get to the vet's.
8 am - People in the city don't have a clue what people in the country do for fun. Well, let me clue you in...first on the agenda is digging out the sheep.
The snow is deeper than the sheep are high. The snow is actually up to the llamas' bellies. Now one would think that given a choice, everyone would stay under shelter, which happens to mean under the deck since we didn't have a flat enough place to put a barn. But BooBoo, the antique sheep, was not content under the deck and apparently made her way to the sheep shed sometime during the night. It makes some sense - it's not as tall a space so it probably feels more snug, and the hay bedding that we didn't clear out this summer is probably composting - a heating pad for antique hips.
However, she is now trapped in the shed and the llamas are humming with anxiety. So this makes for the first shoveling excursion of the day...Two shovels wide and 5 shovels deep to make a path so she can navigate from the shed to the deck, where breakfast is served... It takes me about 30 minutes to create the 40 foot channel. BooBoo waits patiently until I break through that last little bit of snow and clear the channel of all vestiges of loose snow. Not that these sheep are spoiled or anything like that.
Meanwhile, Ken is shoveling out the kitchen door. Literally. Forget fancy, the goal is to create enough space for the ramp down and a turnaround space once Gigi gets to the end of the ramp. We're on an austerity program today. If you have to go, go there. In fact, she can't go anywhere else because the snow is now higher than her back.
Gigi makes her way down the ramp with enthusiasm and then comes to the reality that there isn't anywhere to go. The pleading eyes - "Could you just shovel a teensy bit in that direction?" Nope. Get over it.
It will take us a day to get the tractor dug out. The carsophagus will take another day to clear. And then we'll tackle the other 1/3 mile of driveway down the mountain.
Meanwhile, I'll redesign the "quiet area" to include tie-down straps.
Friday
8 pm - The last time we went out for a potty run, the snow was already too deep to walk a tall dog and the wind smelled peculiar - apparently there is a major thunderstorm and we are smelling the ozone. Kinda fun. Even the dog's are sniffing the wind. Then again, with the winds coming up this could be air smells from middle Ohio... great farm smells and such.
midnight - The winds started howling and the log house is shifting - and we're on the the lee side of the mountain so we don't usually feel the wind at all. I'm hoping it blows the gnats out of the county for the next several summers...
3 am - Gigi is whining and there is NO way I'm going to entertain any outdoor action. So I offered her water - that seemed to appease her. We're weaning her off the anti-inflammatory stuff and today was her "on" day, so I'm guessing it makes her very thirsty. She was equally thirsty when we brought her home from surgery.
Saturday
6 am - The cat wants out. And in. And out. And in. The snow is packed against the windows - it looks lacey and not too high. Then again, it is a second floor window. It is too dark to see much more. Probably would be lighter if I opened my eyes, but I'm no fool.
Gigi is resting comfortably and I'm relieved. Friday afternoon she got a bit wild while we were out shoveling snow (the first 5 inches). I heard her barking and came in, expecting to see her sequestered in her "quiet space". She had expanded her quiet space a bit. The chairs, the barricades - all moved out of her way. Fortunately, the floor was under carpeting, so if she bounced at least she didn't slip. Nonetheless, I'm watching her for any sign of damage. And wondering what we could possibly do given that we cannot get out to get to the vet's, and the vet can't even get to the vet's.
8 am - People in the city don't have a clue what people in the country do for fun. Well, let me clue you in...first on the agenda is digging out the sheep.
The snow is deeper than the sheep are high. The snow is actually up to the llamas' bellies. Now one would think that given a choice, everyone would stay under shelter, which happens to mean under the deck since we didn't have a flat enough place to put a barn. But BooBoo, the antique sheep, was not content under the deck and apparently made her way to the sheep shed sometime during the night. It makes some sense - it's not as tall a space so it probably feels more snug, and the hay bedding that we didn't clear out this summer is probably composting - a heating pad for antique hips.
However, she is now trapped in the shed and the llamas are humming with anxiety. So this makes for the first shoveling excursion of the day...Two shovels wide and 5 shovels deep to make a path so she can navigate from the shed to the deck, where breakfast is served... It takes me about 30 minutes to create the 40 foot channel. BooBoo waits patiently until I break through that last little bit of snow and clear the channel of all vestiges of loose snow. Not that these sheep are spoiled or anything like that.
Meanwhile, Ken is shoveling out the kitchen door. Literally. Forget fancy, the goal is to create enough space for the ramp down and a turnaround space once Gigi gets to the end of the ramp. We're on an austerity program today. If you have to go, go there. In fact, she can't go anywhere else because the snow is now higher than her back.
Gigi makes her way down the ramp with enthusiasm and then comes to the reality that there isn't anywhere to go. The pleading eyes - "Could you just shovel a teensy bit in that direction?" Nope. Get over it.
It will take us a day to get the tractor dug out. The carsophagus will take another day to clear. And then we'll tackle the other 1/3 mile of driveway down the mountain.
Meanwhile, I'll redesign the "quiet area" to include tie-down straps.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Look Ma, no staples! Wednesday 2-3-10
Ms. Jones was full of herself this morning...trying hard to walk sedately as we wove our way along the snowy path to the NEW P**'n Palace...recently relocated because I ALREADY WENT THERE.
It was rather like walking a merry-go-round horse...up and down and up and down. She'd rev up with every step until she'd shake her head and do a frisky little hop at which point Mom says "settle down" and we'd try again. "But it's SNOW, mom. You just don't GET it!"
We're backing off on the pain meds now, the antibiotics are done, and apparently "we" are feeling much better as a result. Appetite continues to rev up, and Gigi has started barking and growling at my husband (back to normal!) to bring her whatever he's having in the kitchen.
This evening we got Gigi's staples removed - must have been 30 of them, and even though it has only been 13 days, the skin was starting to cover over, so it was a little bit tricky to remove them. Gigi has never in her natural life rolled over onto her back willingly, so it took 4 of us to roll and hold her. Singing sometimes calms agitated animals, and Gigi has a particular song that she likes...now picture 4 of us, on our knees, singing "The Bellyrub Song" - some of us with slightly clenched teeth...I couldn't tell if Gigi was fighting or laughing at us, but we got the staples out. Of her. I'm still finding them in my hair.
And for her celebratory dessert, she demanded one HUGE carrot, one bone, 8 bites of tapioca and 1/2 a tangerine popsicle. Good thing she is on a diet.
Hugs to all bouvs with bolts, and to the mother who sing them silly songs!
It was rather like walking a merry-go-round horse...up and down and up and down. She'd rev up with every step until she'd shake her head and do a frisky little hop at which point Mom says "settle down" and we'd try again. "But it's SNOW, mom. You just don't GET it!"
We're backing off on the pain meds now, the antibiotics are done, and apparently "we" are feeling much better as a result. Appetite continues to rev up, and Gigi has started barking and growling at my husband (back to normal!) to bring her whatever he's having in the kitchen.
This evening we got Gigi's staples removed - must have been 30 of them, and even though it has only been 13 days, the skin was starting to cover over, so it was a little bit tricky to remove them. Gigi has never in her natural life rolled over onto her back willingly, so it took 4 of us to roll and hold her. Singing sometimes calms agitated animals, and Gigi has a particular song that she likes...now picture 4 of us, on our knees, singing "The Bellyrub Song" - some of us with slightly clenched teeth...I couldn't tell if Gigi was fighting or laughing at us, but we got the staples out. Of her. I'm still finding them in my hair.
And for her celebratory dessert, she demanded one HUGE carrot, one bone, 8 bites of tapioca and 1/2 a tangerine popsicle. Good thing she is on a diet.
Hugs to all bouvs with bolts, and to the mother who sing them silly songs!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Look Ma, No Sling!!! - Monday 2/1/10
Oh brother.
Gigi is starting to feel better. MUCH better. First, her appetite is back. She's starting to compare what's in her dish with what is on our plates..."lemme smell your breath, Mom...is that cashews I smell???...I think you're holding out on me, I KNOW my RIGHTS!"
There we were, sitting at the breakfast table, minding our own business when Gigi popped up from her extra-special, princess-approved, portable, therapeutic warming bed with the sheepskin topper, and bounced up to the table..."Whatch got there?". She puts her nose on my plate to clarify. Because this exuberance was only a little over the top from her normal behavior (she doesn't usually snort my vegetables) it didn't dawn on us for a moment that she was supposed to be lying down beside me. Once she had verified we were all eating the same fare, she was content to lie back down and munch out of her own dish.
We spent much of the day in my office, me plundering the treasures of the internet and Gigi snuggled down on her aforementioned bed. Eventually the woodstove needed reloading, so I wandered off and ended up across the greatroom, talking to my sister on the phone and tending the fire. Something caught my eye and I glanced up to see Gigi, positively dancing across the sea of carpets between us, a smile on her face and her stumpy tail just waving with glee..."Look Ma, no Sling!!!" She was truly proud of herself, with her little bouv bounce picking up speed as she headed for me, just the other side of the one and only patch of bare wood floor.
WAIT! I dropped my sister on her head. Fortunately, Gigi is well trained, and she froze in place. And I was able to get her saddled up and back to the safety of carpeting and her bed.
My heart will never be the same. And my hair is a wee bit grayer.
I had to put her collar on today - the first time she's made any attempt to lick her surgical wound. The stitches are coming out soon. Maybe I'll wear the collar for a while...to keep my head from spinning around.
Gigi is starting to feel better. MUCH better. First, her appetite is back. She's starting to compare what's in her dish with what is on our plates..."lemme smell your breath, Mom...is that cashews I smell???...I think you're holding out on me, I KNOW my RIGHTS!"
There we were, sitting at the breakfast table, minding our own business when Gigi popped up from her extra-special, princess-approved, portable, therapeutic warming bed with the sheepskin topper, and bounced up to the table..."Whatch got there?". She puts her nose on my plate to clarify. Because this exuberance was only a little over the top from her normal behavior (she doesn't usually snort my vegetables) it didn't dawn on us for a moment that she was supposed to be lying down beside me. Once she had verified we were all eating the same fare, she was content to lie back down and munch out of her own dish.
We spent much of the day in my office, me plundering the treasures of the internet and Gigi snuggled down on her aforementioned bed. Eventually the woodstove needed reloading, so I wandered off and ended up across the greatroom, talking to my sister on the phone and tending the fire. Something caught my eye and I glanced up to see Gigi, positively dancing across the sea of carpets between us, a smile on her face and her stumpy tail just waving with glee..."Look Ma, no Sling!!!" She was truly proud of herself, with her little bouv bounce picking up speed as she headed for me, just the other side of the one and only patch of bare wood floor.
WAIT! I dropped my sister on her head. Fortunately, Gigi is well trained, and she froze in place. And I was able to get her saddled up and back to the safety of carpeting and her bed.
My heart will never be the same. And my hair is a wee bit grayer.
I had to put her collar on today - the first time she's made any attempt to lick her surgical wound. The stitches are coming out soon. Maybe I'll wear the collar for a while...to keep my head from spinning around.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Day 11
3 am -Lots of whining and fussing this morning - judging from her blankets, she'd been shifting position frequently. Food, water rejected, so I tried putting a blanket over her. She settled down quickly after that - apparently she was too cold. Checked the thermometer and discovered the bedroom was about 58 degrees. Great sleeping weather IF you have all your hair - Gigi had a serious haircut before surgery so I wouldn't have to bug her with grooming demands. I'll put more wood on the fire in the night to come.
10 am - She finally rolled out of bed, appetite intact! I've started her on dog vitamins after reading lots about bone regeneration...I want to make sure she's got the stuff bones are made of.
Off for a brief walk in the snow - it is about 6'' and makes for work as she pulls her leg thru instead of lifting it over. Luckily, the snow is light and still fluffy. For the first time in forever, Gigi isn't interested in eating snow. I know just how she feels...
2 pm -To the vet for #4 laser treatment - Gigi's wound is healing well, and she's putting a bit of weight on the leg. She insists on visiting the Potty Park before her appointment. I can just see it coming... the day she insists on being driven to the vets' in order to relieve herself.
Laser treatment seems to have made a huge difference in her healing and inflammation. The swelling is nearly all gone. We've been putting on moist/warm compresses 3x daily and Gigi now rolls over for her "spa treatments" when I come in holding the compress.
The next laser treatment is nearly a week off now. We'll have to bring her in to get staples removed in a few more days. I hope that means no more collar at night.
Coming home was a little trickier than somewhat - although Ken plowed the driveway, the snow was greasy going up and it took 3 tries to get home. My imagination was already in gear after the first failed attempt up that last hill...I'm trying to figure out how to get The Princess du Furz up the mountain and somehow, I cannot picture her in the bucket of the tractor. Fortunately, after backing nearly all the way down, I was able to get a better running start, and aiming for the far side (how appropriate!) was able to catch enough gravel to make it past the last crest.
We had tried to get the driveway paved several years ago. Since most of it faces south, we figured it would make life easier, both in terms of plowing and melting. Funny, but the contractors we called to bid never called us back. Ever. Not even when work was slow.
10 am - She finally rolled out of bed, appetite intact! I've started her on dog vitamins after reading lots about bone regeneration...I want to make sure she's got the stuff bones are made of.
Off for a brief walk in the snow - it is about 6'' and makes for work as she pulls her leg thru instead of lifting it over. Luckily, the snow is light and still fluffy. For the first time in forever, Gigi isn't interested in eating snow. I know just how she feels...
2 pm -To the vet for #4 laser treatment - Gigi's wound is healing well, and she's putting a bit of weight on the leg. She insists on visiting the Potty Park before her appointment. I can just see it coming... the day she insists on being driven to the vets' in order to relieve herself.
Laser treatment seems to have made a huge difference in her healing and inflammation. The swelling is nearly all gone. We've been putting on moist/warm compresses 3x daily and Gigi now rolls over for her "spa treatments" when I come in holding the compress.
The next laser treatment is nearly a week off now. We'll have to bring her in to get staples removed in a few more days. I hope that means no more collar at night.
Coming home was a little trickier than somewhat - although Ken plowed the driveway, the snow was greasy going up and it took 3 tries to get home. My imagination was already in gear after the first failed attempt up that last hill...I'm trying to figure out how to get The Princess du Furz up the mountain and somehow, I cannot picture her in the bucket of the tractor. Fortunately, after backing nearly all the way down, I was able to get a better running start, and aiming for the far side (how appropriate!) was able to catch enough gravel to make it past the last crest.
We had tried to get the driveway paved several years ago. Since most of it faces south, we figured it would make life easier, both in terms of plowing and melting. Funny, but the contractors we called to bid never called us back. Ever. Not even when work was slow.
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