Hot Dogs

We're here in Palm Springs and I just had to check in with bloggerville. (Besides, it's tough to catch up if I really stay away for a whole 2 and half weeks!) 

AND, I couldn't resist posting some funny pictures of my dogs and how they reacted to the major temperature difference here.  It is about 35 degrees warmer than at home.

So, here is my Hailey and her maxin' and relaxin' attitude:

Ah, if only we humans could actually relax to such a level.  She didn't even have enough energy to finish her chew stick and that dog loves any kind of food or treat.

Now remember that my Parker is a bit scatter brained these days.  Keeping that in mind, all he could do at first was wander around in an effort to find a cool spot and in 106 degrees there really isn't much of a cool spot to find.  So he wandered for a long time.  What he did find though was that this place has several large mirrors.  And in those mirrors there was this other dog that looked just like him.  Hmmm, imagine that.  At first he barked at the dog in the mirror and tried to growl and sneak up on him.  Then, when he did finally figure out there was actually no other dog, he decided that the mirrors were holding an extension to the room that he just could not figure out how to get into.

I may or may not have laughed so hard that I choked.  Yup, Parker is still providing free entertainment after all these years....

Updates For Those Who Pay Really Close Attention

Today I am going to give several quick updates to a few loose ends that exist among the archives to this blog. It's for people like me who are always wondering, "What ever happened" with this or that.  I have a shockingly good memory and am always thinking things like that.  If you have only stopped in once in awhile this post may be strange for you or, at best, annoying.  You've been warned!

1)  I saw my friend with her special needs child the other day and absolutely could not believe how well the first of many surgeries that her child will go through has turned out.  If this is an indicator of the future, then God has decided to take his own hand and literally heal her.  The surgeon who did this surgery noticed a small imperfection in the result right as he was about to finish and proceeded to do the entire thing over.  Yeah, God is doing his thing.

2)  My friend with colon cancer is getting worse.  She doesn't have much energy and can't tolerate the chemo very often anymore.  On the positive side, her husband finally got a job after a whole year without one.  Talk about a stressful situation.  I know it may sound weird, but I feel like now that he has a job and she sees that as him being O.K. she is starting to allow herself to go.  I'm sad, but then I see how much she suffers.

3)  My husband has decided to get himself into better shape before having any reconstructive work done.  He seems pretty serious about his efforts and definitely paid special attention to the results that my friends baby got out of her surgery work.  It is such a good example of how different results can be when you go into the work as a completely healthy person, instead of being on the verge of death!  It gives us both a lot of hope.

4)  We have also realized that barring total collapse of our plans, my husband and I should be in a warm weather place in no more than a year.  Based on his work towards associate level and then fellowship in the Society Of Actuaries and the tests that he has already gotten through this year, his progress is ramping up.  We are thinking that maybe one more winter is worth waiting through to be sure we end up in Texas, but are not opposed to some wonderful opportunity that arises elsewhere!

5)  My nephew, Nathan, is healing up quite nicely from his bike wreck.  His Dad says that the scar on his cheek is already barely visible.  It does my heart good to hear this, even though I know I can't save him from all of his boyish antics.  I will see him again for the Independence Day holiday.  I can inspect him myself then.  As a side note:  I sent his teacher a great big bouquet of flowers for today- the last day of school.  She has been just what we needed for Nathan this year and I know it has not been easy having him come into her class in January of this year.  She has gone above and beyond the call of duty for him.

6)  We are still experiencing June-uary type weather here.  We have had a total of 3 days that have edged up into the low 70's.  I know some of you would like some relief from your relentless heat and humidity.  Until I can get an audience with whoever is in charge, we'll just have to suffer through and continue to believe the grass in greener on the other side.

7)  My dog seems to have hit a nice mellow spot in his journey with dementia.  The meds. are really helping and he has not had any problems with negative personality changes at all, which I have been warned can get ugly.  He is continuing to stay true to his nature of always bouncing back just when you suspect that he might be headed downhill.  I will be so grateful if he can just fade away quietly in his sleep one day...

I think I have hit on just about everything I can think of.  So, if there's anything else- feel free to ask.  I like keeping up with others and what they're up to as well.

Doggy Dementia

Who ever knew that there was a form of Alzheimer's that affects dogs?
Apparently CDS or canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome is something that is affecting my dog.  He was diagnosed the day after his 14th birthday.  He had started to act a little funny here and there.  One thing he does that is a bit weird is go over and stand in a corner, staring at the wall.  He also has gotten louder over time, kind of as if he has lost his inhibitions.  I thought these things were just a part of aging since I know he can't see or hear very well anymore.  But, I finally took him in to see the vet when he stopped making it to the door when he needed to go outside.  He would wake up groggy and stagger about, then pee all over himself like some kind of drunk!  (If you're curious about CDS or want to know the symptoms, click here.)  The news that my dog is compromised by more than aging is a little sad, but not really a huge shock as he has well outlived his expected time on this earth of 10-12 years. 

The good news is that he is super healthy physically and has been on medication for a few weeks now and is responding quite well.  So for now, he is still the life of the party.  My Boston Terrier has always loved a good party. 

And who ever knew that dogs could really get together to have a party like they do in my favorite Dr. Seuss book, 'Go Dog Go!'  Check out these pictures from a dog birthday party at my friends house back in February. 

These are the 'cupcakes' that I made for the dogs.  Their ingredients include oatmeal, carrots, olive oil and canned dog food with gravy and crumbled kibble on top.  And, of course, some dog treat 'candles' on top for the dog that was turning 3 at this party.

Yes, these stink while you are cooking them and the dogs go nuts sniffing all over the kitchen!

My dog is always the last to fall asleep at these dog parties.  I think he's a lot like me in the way that he never wants to miss anything.  Once the other dogs have all passed out, he finally gives in to his exhaustion.

 

And yes, he wears a great hat, just like the dogs in the Dr. Seuss book!  I love my little party animal.