Ah! I picked up my new computer last Tuesday night, so things are so much easier now! My tech was unable to immediately extract some of the programs and my photos from my old machine because of the virus, but he will keep working on it when he can, so hopefully not all is lost.
It was good timing. I was spending both Wednesday and Thursday at home and needed to log onto the office site at a distance. It was in preparation for my colonoscopy, overdue by 2 years, but even if I was swilling down that liquid-a-go-go, the employee pays had to done. Fortunately my home office is only a hop and a skip from the bathroom.
The ordeal is over, the results good, and I’m off the hook for 5 years as per my doctor. When I returned to work on Friday, those cheeky girls remarked that I seemed to have lost weight. Hmmm.
This is just a note to let you know that I’m back in circulation; the tablette was not dropped in the water so I still don’t know if it will float, and I think I’ll let that test pass because the thing is handy to look up information on players while watching my hockey games. Blogging on it is another story altogether!
I’m doing housework now, have some work to catch up on too, so will be back in during the weekend and maybe with something more interesting to write. It was great spending some time in Blogit with the means to comment without it taking an eternity to do so!
Leaving you with a SMILE – it’s a biggie!!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Sunday, November 9, 2014
IT'S BACK!
Snow! I am one of the few who still really loves that cold, slippery, beautiful white stuff. I stood, sipping my first coffee and gazing through the window during the wee hours, watching Grump as he buried his nose, searching out the best spot for his needs. I could feel Bandit weaving around my legs, his purring just slightly louder than the crackling of the kindling in the fireplace. ‘The world is aglow’, I said to him. He rubbed his head against me, maybe not really agreeing. I noticed he did a kind of high-step dance when he made his way across the gallery to come inside last night, and he didn’t seem so anxious to follow Grump through the door this morning.
Grump was back, and I felt the chill of crisp, winter air enter with him. I hummed Frosty the Snowman as I prepared breakfast for them both, singing the words in whispers when I set their dishes down. My friend was still sleeping, and I didn’t want to wake him. I relish the quiet of these early morning hours spent with my pets. They dug into their food enthusiastically; Grump gobbling, and Bandit far daintier. They were so content in this moment, and that emotion prevailed in our softly lit kitchen. We were warm, our bellies full; happy in our little cocoon, surrounded by the silence of Nature’s awesome white blanket.
Yes, I am very aware that in this world there is strife and war and pain; I don’t wear rose-colored glasses. However, I am a firm believer in appreciating those perfect moments – the ones where you know all those you love are safe and sound and at peace – and the arrival of snow enhances those moments for me somehow. Maybe it’s memories of other winters, growing up on the farm. Who knows?
Whatever it is, I’ll take it, and I’ll greet it with a huge, warm SMILE!! I’m brushing the icicles away and sending it on to y’all!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Grump was back, and I felt the chill of crisp, winter air enter with him. I hummed Frosty the Snowman as I prepared breakfast for them both, singing the words in whispers when I set their dishes down. My friend was still sleeping, and I didn’t want to wake him. I relish the quiet of these early morning hours spent with my pets. They dug into their food enthusiastically; Grump gobbling, and Bandit far daintier. They were so content in this moment, and that emotion prevailed in our softly lit kitchen. We were warm, our bellies full; happy in our little cocoon, surrounded by the silence of Nature’s awesome white blanket.
Yes, I am very aware that in this world there is strife and war and pain; I don’t wear rose-colored glasses. However, I am a firm believer in appreciating those perfect moments – the ones where you know all those you love are safe and sound and at peace – and the arrival of snow enhances those moments for me somehow. Maybe it’s memories of other winters, growing up on the farm. Who knows?
Whatever it is, I’ll take it, and I’ll greet it with a huge, warm SMILE!! I’m brushing the icicles away and sending it on to y’all!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Sunday, October 5, 2014
HOCKEY-HOCKEY...BUT....
I like this time of year; so much to smell. The little creatures out there are scurrying around trying to hide from the cold, so they’re not really paying attention and it’s much easier to get closer and boy! Their faces when they realize I’m right behind them! I give a bark or two to show I mean business, that I can catch them if I tried. I don’t, because my mistress would be so upset with me! She laughs when I tree them, and doesn’t mind if I stand there barking up at them, but I remember how she scolded Smooch when he caught a young chipmunk, and there’s no way I want that! Funny how the cat can come back with mice and leave them right beside her bed, and HE gets petted and praised. Then that smartass just struts his stuff, showing off. I get him back by eating his food when the mistress isn’t watching, ha-ha!
Another reason I like this time is because my Mistress perks right up. Most days I can sense that she is very tired when she gets home from the place called work. But the master is back now, and we have a new routine. The black stick makes a bell sound, the master picks it up and talks to it, then about 30 minutes later he calls ‘Come on, Grump’ and outside we go and I’m all excited because I know the Mistress will be here soon, and sure enough, there she comes in her truck, around the corner and up the lane. I run down to show her how happy I am to see her, and she seems to understand that I can’t make it all the way down and back up anymore, so we meet halfway. She opens her window and talks to me and calls me her baby and she continues as we come slowly together up the hill, then she opens the truck door and before she even steps out I go to her and get hugs and kisses and my tail wags so hard it slaps, slaps, slaps against the door, against the master’s legs who is laughing behind me, and even against my Mistress as we turn and wiggle and just LOVE!
So not too long ago, after the hugging, and the words ‘food now, Grump?’ we’re coming up the stairs and I hear her say ‘Hockey-hockey-hockey, Grump!!!’ and I knew we were in for good nights. The dancing will begin, with longer neck scratching scenes and cuddling up on the couch beside the fire whenever she says ‘hockey-hockey-hockey!’ She hadn’t said it for a long time; it only starts when the leaves begin to fall.
And here we are; she’s on the couch looking at the moving box in the corner and I come to one side of her and put my head on her knee for the neck scratch, and suddenly she gets very quiet and I can feel waves of sadness from her. I look up and her eyes are leaking and this isn’t normal and I lick her face, wondering why hockey-hockey-hockey doesn’t make her happy anymore. Then she speaks to me, but the only word I understand is ‘Smooch’. And I remember.
From habit I had come up to her on my side, and he used to come from the other side, and her two hands would be busy scratching and rubbing both our heads. This is the first hockey-hockey-hockey since he disappeared. Mind you, I don’t mind not having to share, but I hate it when she’s sad, so when she stops scratching and bends over to pick something off the table I go around the back of the couch and come up to her on Smooch’s side, hoping it will make the sad go away (and the extra scratching wouldn’t hurt either) and it works! She stares at me for a second, then I see she understands and there is ‘you beautiful doggie’ and she throws her arms around me and hugs real tight, and even if her eyes are still leaking it is a good kind of feeling, and then more hugs and kisses and plenty of scratching to boot! Hockey-hockey-hockey is back where it belongs!
Except – well, my breathing isn’t so good, partly because of the medication she said, so we don’t dance right now. She claps her hands and makes noises and I bounce my head up and down and we get by just fine. A bonus is that it makes the cat nervous, so he stays in the bedroom instead of crawling up on her knee as he is prone to do if she is sitting anywhere else. Ha, Feline! Hockey-hockey-hockey is a dog thing!! And my human’s thing... because it sure does make her SMILE!!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec
Another reason I like this time is because my Mistress perks right up. Most days I can sense that she is very tired when she gets home from the place called work. But the master is back now, and we have a new routine. The black stick makes a bell sound, the master picks it up and talks to it, then about 30 minutes later he calls ‘Come on, Grump’ and outside we go and I’m all excited because I know the Mistress will be here soon, and sure enough, there she comes in her truck, around the corner and up the lane. I run down to show her how happy I am to see her, and she seems to understand that I can’t make it all the way down and back up anymore, so we meet halfway. She opens her window and talks to me and calls me her baby and she continues as we come slowly together up the hill, then she opens the truck door and before she even steps out I go to her and get hugs and kisses and my tail wags so hard it slaps, slaps, slaps against the door, against the master’s legs who is laughing behind me, and even against my Mistress as we turn and wiggle and just LOVE!
So not too long ago, after the hugging, and the words ‘food now, Grump?’ we’re coming up the stairs and I hear her say ‘Hockey-hockey-hockey, Grump!!!’ and I knew we were in for good nights. The dancing will begin, with longer neck scratching scenes and cuddling up on the couch beside the fire whenever she says ‘hockey-hockey-hockey!’ She hadn’t said it for a long time; it only starts when the leaves begin to fall.
And here we are; she’s on the couch looking at the moving box in the corner and I come to one side of her and put my head on her knee for the neck scratch, and suddenly she gets very quiet and I can feel waves of sadness from her. I look up and her eyes are leaking and this isn’t normal and I lick her face, wondering why hockey-hockey-hockey doesn’t make her happy anymore. Then she speaks to me, but the only word I understand is ‘Smooch’. And I remember.
From habit I had come up to her on my side, and he used to come from the other side, and her two hands would be busy scratching and rubbing both our heads. This is the first hockey-hockey-hockey since he disappeared. Mind you, I don’t mind not having to share, but I hate it when she’s sad, so when she stops scratching and bends over to pick something off the table I go around the back of the couch and come up to her on Smooch’s side, hoping it will make the sad go away (and the extra scratching wouldn’t hurt either) and it works! She stares at me for a second, then I see she understands and there is ‘you beautiful doggie’ and she throws her arms around me and hugs real tight, and even if her eyes are still leaking it is a good kind of feeling, and then more hugs and kisses and plenty of scratching to boot! Hockey-hockey-hockey is back where it belongs!
Except – well, my breathing isn’t so good, partly because of the medication she said, so we don’t dance right now. She claps her hands and makes noises and I bounce my head up and down and we get by just fine. A bonus is that it makes the cat nervous, so he stays in the bedroom instead of crawling up on her knee as he is prone to do if she is sitting anywhere else. Ha, Feline! Hockey-hockey-hockey is a dog thing!! And my human’s thing... because it sure does make her SMILE!!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec
Sunday, September 14, 2014
DISTRACTIONS
For some reason most modern offices have the employees shut away. One sits there from 4 to 6 consecutive hours under artificial light, without birdsong or a gust of breeze, sharing germs that float around in the air conditioning. I am actually luckier than many because my desk is beside a part of plate glass; I won’t call it a window, it can’t be opened, but I can at least see outside.
The building beside us is a warehouse, and my view is of the huge, paved lot behind it. There’s a high wire fence and gate between the warehouse and the lot, then behind the lot again is an undeveloped property with tall weeds and a few trees. I believe it is owned by the City, this belief reinforced by the activity that goes on there. On any given day there will be a fire truck or police cars on site and I can watch drivers practice racing around strategically placed cones, both forward and reverse, or spinning donuts, starting and stopping on a dime. Once an ambulance pulled in and the paramedics spent a few hours running back and forth with equipment, all under the careful eye of a supervisor who would halt them on occasion to show them how to pick something up or how to hold it while on the move. It’s a welcome distraction, and I have to be careful not to spend too much time looking instead of working. The event there this past week had me throw caution to the winds, and I can add that I wasn’t the only one who stood up to gaze at what was going on.
The police cars arrived first, then a van drove in to join them. I guessed what was going to happen before the driver opened his back door – I have seen this type of van before – and sure enough out jumped a beautiful German shepherd. While the officers watched, the trainer put the dog through his paces. The animal was a magnificent specimen of his breed, and he responded to his commands swiftly and perfectly. It was awesome, and I was so proud of that doggie! It was obvious that his trainer felt the same, and that the policemen were impressed, as was the accounting team who had gathered around me for the show. Fortunately it only lasted for 30 minutes or so; it’s difficult to punch numbers into a computer with one eye on other things. If the boss made a snide comment about the incident, I didn’t hear it. I was too busy SMILING.
Sending it out to y’all – it may have a bit of fur attached.
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
The building beside us is a warehouse, and my view is of the huge, paved lot behind it. There’s a high wire fence and gate between the warehouse and the lot, then behind the lot again is an undeveloped property with tall weeds and a few trees. I believe it is owned by the City, this belief reinforced by the activity that goes on there. On any given day there will be a fire truck or police cars on site and I can watch drivers practice racing around strategically placed cones, both forward and reverse, or spinning donuts, starting and stopping on a dime. Once an ambulance pulled in and the paramedics spent a few hours running back and forth with equipment, all under the careful eye of a supervisor who would halt them on occasion to show them how to pick something up or how to hold it while on the move. It’s a welcome distraction, and I have to be careful not to spend too much time looking instead of working. The event there this past week had me throw caution to the winds, and I can add that I wasn’t the only one who stood up to gaze at what was going on.
The police cars arrived first, then a van drove in to join them. I guessed what was going to happen before the driver opened his back door – I have seen this type of van before – and sure enough out jumped a beautiful German shepherd. While the officers watched, the trainer put the dog through his paces. The animal was a magnificent specimen of his breed, and he responded to his commands swiftly and perfectly. It was awesome, and I was so proud of that doggie! It was obvious that his trainer felt the same, and that the policemen were impressed, as was the accounting team who had gathered around me for the show. Fortunately it only lasted for 30 minutes or so; it’s difficult to punch numbers into a computer with one eye on other things. If the boss made a snide comment about the incident, I didn’t hear it. I was too busy SMILING.
Sending it out to y’all – it may have a bit of fur attached.
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
CAN YOU SAY SLEEP?
The worst case of insomnia I have had in years, with an average of 3 hours sleep per day...UGH! By the time my Rug rats showed up for their weekend stay, I was a walking zombie. Fortunately they are older now, and were kept amused by Grump and Toolie, the new cat. Bandit peeked around the corner of my bedroom door, saw all the little humans running around, and went into hiding for the duration of the visit, LOL.
I did enjoy having the boys, and they were excited to sleep over in their former bedroom, but I wish I’d had more energy to play with them instead of just sitting on the gallery watching them climb my rock walls...
“Tao – be careful – that’s high – you could fall!”
“Don’t worry Mémère. If I fall I’ll just get back up again.”
...race Grump up and down the hill on a ball chase, roll in the grass with Toolie...
“Where do you guys get all that energy, Bali?”
“What’s mergy, Mémère?”
“The running and running but not getting tired.”
“Oh. Don’t know. Ice cream, I guess.”
They left on Sunday afternoon, and I finally got 6 hours of straight sleep that night, and woke up feeling like a Wonder Woman, keeping my fingers crossed that I was over the hump. Nope. The following days were more of the same...3 hours and wide awake. Grump enjoyed it – from pure frustration we were outside walking at 4:30 AM, there was plenty time spent with Mistress before she would leave for work.
I guess it’s from being used to my condition and years of job experience that I can function at all in the office. The scariest part is the driving to and from the city; that’s when I really feel the need to nod off. More than once I’ve been forced to pull over and walk around for a few minutes to keep from snoozing behind the wheel.
I suppose I’ll give in to my children’s entreaties and see a doctor for help. I hate the thought of taking medication – my mom lived on that stuff and I really don’t want to go down that road. In the meantime, and in another effort to avoid such a fate, I decided to take some time owing, relax a couple of days alone at home, and see if I can’t chase that elusive Morpheus down. That bugger has lots to answer for – he’s definitely slacking in my case!
I’ve been up wandering dozily around for a few hours already, and Bandit is comfortably curled up in my bed, so I’ll mosey back in there and try counting some sheep. Or maybe not. One of them always stumbles and gets caught in the fence...very distracting when monotony is needed.
There’s no energy needed to SMILE though – that comes automatically – so will share one with you as I go...hoping it adds to y our day!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
I did enjoy having the boys, and they were excited to sleep over in their former bedroom, but I wish I’d had more energy to play with them instead of just sitting on the gallery watching them climb my rock walls...
“Tao – be careful – that’s high – you could fall!”
“Don’t worry Mémère. If I fall I’ll just get back up again.”
...race Grump up and down the hill on a ball chase, roll in the grass with Toolie...
“Where do you guys get all that energy, Bali?”
“What’s mergy, Mémère?”
“The running and running but not getting tired.”
“Oh. Don’t know. Ice cream, I guess.”
They left on Sunday afternoon, and I finally got 6 hours of straight sleep that night, and woke up feeling like a Wonder Woman, keeping my fingers crossed that I was over the hump. Nope. The following days were more of the same...3 hours and wide awake. Grump enjoyed it – from pure frustration we were outside walking at 4:30 AM, there was plenty time spent with Mistress before she would leave for work.
I guess it’s from being used to my condition and years of job experience that I can function at all in the office. The scariest part is the driving to and from the city; that’s when I really feel the need to nod off. More than once I’ve been forced to pull over and walk around for a few minutes to keep from snoozing behind the wheel.
I suppose I’ll give in to my children’s entreaties and see a doctor for help. I hate the thought of taking medication – my mom lived on that stuff and I really don’t want to go down that road. In the meantime, and in another effort to avoid such a fate, I decided to take some time owing, relax a couple of days alone at home, and see if I can’t chase that elusive Morpheus down. That bugger has lots to answer for – he’s definitely slacking in my case!
I’ve been up wandering dozily around for a few hours already, and Bandit is comfortably curled up in my bed, so I’ll mosey back in there and try counting some sheep. Or maybe not. One of them always stumbles and gets caught in the fence...very distracting when monotony is needed.
There’s no energy needed to SMILE though – that comes automatically – so will share one with you as I go...hoping it adds to y our day!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Sunday, July 6, 2014
MY NAME IS GRUMP
Hello. My name is Grump. I’m a pit-bull terrier, now 7 years old, spotted brown and white. Quite handsome, if I do say so myself!
I met my human when I was just a little guy. I was tussling with my brothers and my one little sister and suddenly there it was – this new smell. I wandered over to get a better fix on things and she bent down and Whoa!! My feet were off the ground and there was a nose nuzzling on my neck; not a wet nose like my siblings but it was kinda the same, so I joined the play and growled and grabbed what I guessed was an ear...there was no hair on it...and I heard a soft cry, then a sound like gurgling (it’s called a laugh – something my human does often and I later learned it means she is happy) and then her human voice saying ‘You little Grumpy! You’re coming home with me!”
We spent a few minutes with my mother, petting her and saying goodbye, then this human put me into a crate and there was a noise (a truck – I love going in it now!) and I was a very frightened because my brothers were left behind. There was a new house where I introduced to an old grandpa – Ben – and I met the cool dude whose name was Bud. The old fella ignored me for the most part – didn’t want to play at all – but Bud was an immediate big bro, showing me the ropes and how to tussle real hard.
Over time the old grandpa seemed to have no energy at all, and my human appeared very sad, and Ben disappeared, then there was only me and my best bro, Bud.
What years we had!! Running and smelling and lots of cuddling and dancing with our human. It was such good fun until one day Bud told me he was too tired to play. I kept going back to see if he had changed his mind, but no; he stayed very quiet and my human looked very worried, then she took Bud with her in the truck, leaving me behind. They were gone for some time, so I was real happy to greet them when they came back.
There was something wrong – my human was sad again, and Bud tried to make the best of it, but somehow I knew he wouldn’t be running around with me anymore. I lay beside him for a few days, but he wasn’t eating, so I didn’t feel like it either. It got so that he whimpered every time he moved – he was in pain – and one day a strange truck drove into our yard and my human made me stay inside but carried Bud downstairs and I barked and barked, calling Bud to come back, but my human came in alone and this time she was so sad her eyes were leaking and the noises she was making distressed me terribly. I tried to comfort her, cuddled close beside her on our couch for three days while these noises would start and stop. Finally she started to move around again, and I began to look for Bud everywhere. I found his scent at the bottom of our hill, right beside the big rock he liked, but I couldn’t see him, so I sat there and waited for awhile, and my human came down and said ‘No more Bud’ and I knew “no more’ meant it was over.
It took me a long time to stop missing Bud, but the upside was that my human took me everywhere with her. We went for long walks every night and drove around visiting her friends and some of them had dogs too. We got closer and closer and I learned to read her thoughts and gestures really well; we are best friends.
Then one day another young runt entered the picture. He was a real pain at first, and I found my human was paying way too much attention to him. He grew on me after awhile, at least once he realized I was the boss even if he did eventually stand taller. I showed him the ropes like Bud had with me, and this Smooch became a good companion. Then Smooch started to tire easily or refuse to play at all. Once again my human showed worry. Suddenly she and Smooch were leaving together in the truck and each time they returned my human was sadder and sadder.
When he finally couldn’t play at all anymore, I sensed what was coming – he was going to disappear too. I lay beside him, trying to keep it from happening, but it didn’t work. One night they left together and when my human came back she spent some time outside with that neighbor who was there with his backhoe. They were down by the big rock where I had waited so long for Bud. When my human came into the house she was alone, and there was the two of us cuddling on the couch, and her eyes were leaking and she was making that noise.
We began roaming around in the truck, my human and me. She takes me everywhere but to her ‘work’. When she says that word, I know there is going to be some long sleeping time! Lately I haven’t minded so much – I seem to be tired more often and my stomach hasn’t felt so good. I know I’m not supposed to do it in the house, but a few days back I just couldn’t hold it in while she was gone – everything came out of me like water. I was expecting a scolding when she got home and saw what I had done, but she seemed more frightened than angry; a good thing too, because it kept happening and my stomach seems to be getting worse.
Anyway, a couple of days ago we went for a long drive and she led me into a big house and there were dogs and cats and even a huge bird sitting around. I remembered this place; we had come here after my fight with a neighbor’s mutts! We followed another human into a little room, and I was prodded and checked and then came the rubber glove...UGH...and I heard the other human say ‘blood’, then a word that sounded familiar somehow...’cancer’...and suddenly my human was beside me on the floor, burying her face in my fur, and I sensed fear and pain and more sadness...and I was going to bite the other human who had to be causing this, but realized the same vibes were coming from her too, so I was confused. I turned to lick my human’s eyes because they were leaking again, and she hugged me hard, and finally we got out of that place that was upsetting her so much.
She has been trying to sneak bad tasting, round things into my food, but I’ll have none of that! One can only ask so much of a best friend, after all. I’m not hungry in any case, although I do sneak some of the cat’s food just because....
We’ve been going outside more, no leash, and we throw some squeaky balls, but after one or two races up the hill my stomach hurts too much to continue. My human is very sad when this happens; even if she tries not to show it, I can tell. Her eyes leak and my bum leaks. What a pair we are!
I think I’ll go bug the cat – that usually works – when my human watches us play it makes her SMILE.
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
I met my human when I was just a little guy. I was tussling with my brothers and my one little sister and suddenly there it was – this new smell. I wandered over to get a better fix on things and she bent down and Whoa!! My feet were off the ground and there was a nose nuzzling on my neck; not a wet nose like my siblings but it was kinda the same, so I joined the play and growled and grabbed what I guessed was an ear...there was no hair on it...and I heard a soft cry, then a sound like gurgling (it’s called a laugh – something my human does often and I later learned it means she is happy) and then her human voice saying ‘You little Grumpy! You’re coming home with me!”
We spent a few minutes with my mother, petting her and saying goodbye, then this human put me into a crate and there was a noise (a truck – I love going in it now!) and I was a very frightened because my brothers were left behind. There was a new house where I introduced to an old grandpa – Ben – and I met the cool dude whose name was Bud. The old fella ignored me for the most part – didn’t want to play at all – but Bud was an immediate big bro, showing me the ropes and how to tussle real hard.
Over time the old grandpa seemed to have no energy at all, and my human appeared very sad, and Ben disappeared, then there was only me and my best bro, Bud.
What years we had!! Running and smelling and lots of cuddling and dancing with our human. It was such good fun until one day Bud told me he was too tired to play. I kept going back to see if he had changed his mind, but no; he stayed very quiet and my human looked very worried, then she took Bud with her in the truck, leaving me behind. They were gone for some time, so I was real happy to greet them when they came back.
There was something wrong – my human was sad again, and Bud tried to make the best of it, but somehow I knew he wouldn’t be running around with me anymore. I lay beside him for a few days, but he wasn’t eating, so I didn’t feel like it either. It got so that he whimpered every time he moved – he was in pain – and one day a strange truck drove into our yard and my human made me stay inside but carried Bud downstairs and I barked and barked, calling Bud to come back, but my human came in alone and this time she was so sad her eyes were leaking and the noises she was making distressed me terribly. I tried to comfort her, cuddled close beside her on our couch for three days while these noises would start and stop. Finally she started to move around again, and I began to look for Bud everywhere. I found his scent at the bottom of our hill, right beside the big rock he liked, but I couldn’t see him, so I sat there and waited for awhile, and my human came down and said ‘No more Bud’ and I knew “no more’ meant it was over.
It took me a long time to stop missing Bud, but the upside was that my human took me everywhere with her. We went for long walks every night and drove around visiting her friends and some of them had dogs too. We got closer and closer and I learned to read her thoughts and gestures really well; we are best friends.
Then one day another young runt entered the picture. He was a real pain at first, and I found my human was paying way too much attention to him. He grew on me after awhile, at least once he realized I was the boss even if he did eventually stand taller. I showed him the ropes like Bud had with me, and this Smooch became a good companion. Then Smooch started to tire easily or refuse to play at all. Once again my human showed worry. Suddenly she and Smooch were leaving together in the truck and each time they returned my human was sadder and sadder.
When he finally couldn’t play at all anymore, I sensed what was coming – he was going to disappear too. I lay beside him, trying to keep it from happening, but it didn’t work. One night they left together and when my human came back she spent some time outside with that neighbor who was there with his backhoe. They were down by the big rock where I had waited so long for Bud. When my human came into the house she was alone, and there was the two of us cuddling on the couch, and her eyes were leaking and she was making that noise.
We began roaming around in the truck, my human and me. She takes me everywhere but to her ‘work’. When she says that word, I know there is going to be some long sleeping time! Lately I haven’t minded so much – I seem to be tired more often and my stomach hasn’t felt so good. I know I’m not supposed to do it in the house, but a few days back I just couldn’t hold it in while she was gone – everything came out of me like water. I was expecting a scolding when she got home and saw what I had done, but she seemed more frightened than angry; a good thing too, because it kept happening and my stomach seems to be getting worse.
Anyway, a couple of days ago we went for a long drive and she led me into a big house and there were dogs and cats and even a huge bird sitting around. I remembered this place; we had come here after my fight with a neighbor’s mutts! We followed another human into a little room, and I was prodded and checked and then came the rubber glove...UGH...and I heard the other human say ‘blood’, then a word that sounded familiar somehow...’cancer’...and suddenly my human was beside me on the floor, burying her face in my fur, and I sensed fear and pain and more sadness...and I was going to bite the other human who had to be causing this, but realized the same vibes were coming from her too, so I was confused. I turned to lick my human’s eyes because they were leaking again, and she hugged me hard, and finally we got out of that place that was upsetting her so much.
She has been trying to sneak bad tasting, round things into my food, but I’ll have none of that! One can only ask so much of a best friend, after all. I’m not hungry in any case, although I do sneak some of the cat’s food just because....
We’ve been going outside more, no leash, and we throw some squeaky balls, but after one or two races up the hill my stomach hurts too much to continue. My human is very sad when this happens; even if she tries not to show it, I can tell. Her eyes leak and my bum leaks. What a pair we are!
I think I’ll go bug the cat – that usually works – when my human watches us play it makes her SMILE.
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
24 LITTLE HOURS...
I will stick these last few weeks into a steel box and hide them deep, deep in a closet somewhere....but not here. Watching my precious boy deteriorate until I lost him, the constant pressures and harrowing occurrences at the job, my sweet DIL’s obsession to get pregnant and both her and my son’s misery about it all, my inability to sleep which totally screwed up my attitude and capacity to deal with any of this adequately....it can all be described with one word: UGH!!
So be gone with it!! UGH on outta here.
I still miss my boy terribly; I hear him come stealing into my room at night, sense the mattress give slightly as he puts his big head down on it, nearly feel his wet nose touch mine to let me know he is there and wants something....
Grump has been missing him too. He had stopped eating when Smooch did, and would only take things from my hand when I insisted. He has lost weight, which doesn’t really do him any harm, but I was getting worried. Then I remembered he had reacted the same way when he lost Bud.
So we are still in mourning but things are looking up. Finally, last night, a week later, my lonesome doggie ate a little food out of his bowl. Suzie arrived from Detroit for her 2 week stay. That girl has the knack of turning up just at the right time.
On the work front, I spent the past 8 hours training a girl who will be my assistant, and best of all my Japanese DIL tested positive today!! I should tell you that my granddaughter is pregnant too, so the great grandchild and grandchild (or grandchildren...she has had 2 intrauterine inseminations and has been on hormones for the last six months!) will make their appearances about the same time.
My, oh my – what a difference a day makes! I’ve found my SMILE again.
Of course I am sharing it with y’all!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec
So be gone with it!! UGH on outta here.
I still miss my boy terribly; I hear him come stealing into my room at night, sense the mattress give slightly as he puts his big head down on it, nearly feel his wet nose touch mine to let me know he is there and wants something....
Grump has been missing him too. He had stopped eating when Smooch did, and would only take things from my hand when I insisted. He has lost weight, which doesn’t really do him any harm, but I was getting worried. Then I remembered he had reacted the same way when he lost Bud.
So we are still in mourning but things are looking up. Finally, last night, a week later, my lonesome doggie ate a little food out of his bowl. Suzie arrived from Detroit for her 2 week stay. That girl has the knack of turning up just at the right time.
On the work front, I spent the past 8 hours training a girl who will be my assistant, and best of all my Japanese DIL tested positive today!! I should tell you that my granddaughter is pregnant too, so the great grandchild and grandchild (or grandchildren...she has had 2 intrauterine inseminations and has been on hormones for the last six months!) will make their appearances about the same time.
My, oh my – what a difference a day makes! I’ve found my SMILE again.
Of course I am sharing it with y’all!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec
Thursday, June 12, 2014
IT''S A SAD DAY IN THE BUSH...
My Smooch was not one of the 40% who made it, although even the vets had to admit that the medications they were stuffing into him in an attempt to heal did as much damage as the disease itself. My poor boy had very low tolerance for drugs. We helped him as long and as best we could, but it was not good enough, and last night I held him in my arms as he made his way to Rainbow Bridge. This morning even the sky was weeping as I laid him to rest beside Bud.
Grump and I are in mourning; so terribly missing that eternal puppy who has shared our lives for the past two and a half years. Together we cuddle on the couch, as we did when we lost Bud, supporting each other in our loss, knowing that the sun will shine again, but not today.
Then again, today is my youngest Rug rat’s birthday. He is all of four years old. I’ll call him tonight and I know our conversation will, in spite of my pain, make me SMILE.
Luv from the Bush in Quebec
Grump and I are in mourning; so terribly missing that eternal puppy who has shared our lives for the past two and a half years. Together we cuddle on the couch, as we did when we lost Bud, supporting each other in our loss, knowing that the sun will shine again, but not today.
Then again, today is my youngest Rug rat’s birthday. He is all of four years old. I’ll call him tonight and I know our conversation will, in spite of my pain, make me SMILE.
Luv from the Bush in Quebec
Saturday, May 17, 2014
NIGHT OWL RAMBLING
It’s 2:00 AM. I have country music playing (been thinking of Bird all day), the doggies are sleeping; Grump on his couch and Smooch at my feet in my office. I folded the last load of laundry and just finished washing the dishes while beside me Bandit haughtily ate up the treats he demanded (he is a member of the superior species we call cats, after all), before insisting that I open the door and let him out for his nocturnal romp. I’m sure every little chipmunk or squirrel scurry for cover when they hear that door this time of night.
Insomnia. I can handle it easily enough when I can snooze an hour or two throughout the day, but it sure plays havoc with any kind of routine when working full time. I occasionally slip out to my car at lunch and grab 20 or 30 minutes of blissful shut-eye. It beats me how easily I drift off during the day, but can’t seem to do much more than 3 to 4 hours when any normal person is sleeping. I have managed to talk the boss into letting me change my schedule to arriving early in the morning and leaving early afternoon. I’m awake at 4 AM anyway, so might as well make use of it. There are more benefits: avoiding traffic, thereby saving at least 8 hours a week in commuting, and having some quiet time to work without the chatter and phone interruption. For years and years I have had my own office. I still haven’t quite adapted to working in the shared and noisy space. This should help some, but permission was only granted when I was leaving on Friday, so the coming week will be a test drive.
The new system is causing all sorts of problems and because I am the one using it for payroll, it’s been tough. We had a meeting with the head honcho of the system company in an attempt to rectify the situation. It appears that I have a reputation for having a ‘hard head’. His programmers actually are surprised that I am still there; it seems they think that most people would have given up and walked out. I’m not sure if the administration in our office considers that good or bad, but I don’t really care. Although it was purchased before my arrival, I was hired to make it work, and I am determined that I will succeed. I will admit that I have been so frustrated at times that the computers came very close to flying out the window. I get up and take a walk outside to reinforce the walls of my Happy Bubble.
Because of such events, I was unable to keep the vet appointment for Smooch last week. It was either call and reschedule or have over 60 employees without pay deposits. Not acceptable, of course. I also missed the first period of the 7th game between the Habs and Boston. But Smooch seems to be stable still, and the Habs won to move onto the semi-finals, so I didn’t stay grumpy long. In fact, I was dancing and laughing and going on like a crazy lady!! And that group of employees did get their pays, albeit a couple of days late. All’s well that ends well.
I’m off to hunt for that Morpheus. When I catch him I’ll box his ears. Wishing you all a great, sunny Sunday and sending you huge SMILES to keep it warm!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Insomnia. I can handle it easily enough when I can snooze an hour or two throughout the day, but it sure plays havoc with any kind of routine when working full time. I occasionally slip out to my car at lunch and grab 20 or 30 minutes of blissful shut-eye. It beats me how easily I drift off during the day, but can’t seem to do much more than 3 to 4 hours when any normal person is sleeping. I have managed to talk the boss into letting me change my schedule to arriving early in the morning and leaving early afternoon. I’m awake at 4 AM anyway, so might as well make use of it. There are more benefits: avoiding traffic, thereby saving at least 8 hours a week in commuting, and having some quiet time to work without the chatter and phone interruption. For years and years I have had my own office. I still haven’t quite adapted to working in the shared and noisy space. This should help some, but permission was only granted when I was leaving on Friday, so the coming week will be a test drive.
The new system is causing all sorts of problems and because I am the one using it for payroll, it’s been tough. We had a meeting with the head honcho of the system company in an attempt to rectify the situation. It appears that I have a reputation for having a ‘hard head’. His programmers actually are surprised that I am still there; it seems they think that most people would have given up and walked out. I’m not sure if the administration in our office considers that good or bad, but I don’t really care. Although it was purchased before my arrival, I was hired to make it work, and I am determined that I will succeed. I will admit that I have been so frustrated at times that the computers came very close to flying out the window. I get up and take a walk outside to reinforce the walls of my Happy Bubble.
Because of such events, I was unable to keep the vet appointment for Smooch last week. It was either call and reschedule or have over 60 employees without pay deposits. Not acceptable, of course. I also missed the first period of the 7th game between the Habs and Boston. But Smooch seems to be stable still, and the Habs won to move onto the semi-finals, so I didn’t stay grumpy long. In fact, I was dancing and laughing and going on like a crazy lady!! And that group of employees did get their pays, albeit a couple of days late. All’s well that ends well.
I’m off to hunt for that Morpheus. When I catch him I’ll box his ears. Wishing you all a great, sunny Sunday and sending you huge SMILES to keep it warm!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Sunday, May 4, 2014
ONWARD WE GO!
The week before last I was running out of medication for Smooch, so had the vet’s technician fax the prescription to my regular pharmacy. I noticed the antibiotics were not the same as the ones he had been taking previously, but dosed him anyway starting Friday night. On Sunday morning my doggie struggled, but was unable to get to his feet. Research on the internet told me all sorts of horror stories about this new antibiotic, and I discontinued them immediately.
I contacted the vet early Monday morning. He told me to hold off on that medicine until our Wednesday appointment. By this time Smooch was again walking but not without difficulty; I had to push to help him make it into my truck. The ride did seem to energize him some, but climbing the 4 steps to the examining room sent him sprawling on his face; I was happy that the vet was able to witness it. He agreed (and didn’t seem really surprised) that this was caused by the type of antibiotics – it seems some dogs are allergic to them – in which case they can be highly dangerous, even to inflicting death.
Yeh – thanks for the heads up when prescribing them, huh? To be fair, he wasn’t aware that the technician had changed the medication, and by the look in his eye, I’m sure she’ll be warned.
The blood test was done, and while waiting for the results I received a text message from my daughter. Cloé, her BF’s beautiful, 2 year old German shepherd, had been just been euthanized. Cloé’s disease was very similar to that of Smooch, but was past help, even if she had been sick for a shorter time. (My daughter was full of apologies when she learned where I was and what I was doing when she gave me the terrible news).
But...my vet was smiling when he came back into the room. Not only was my boy’s red blood cell count up by 3.9, the white blood cell count has decreased!!!
“I don’t know what you’re doing right,” he said. “But whatever it is, don’t stop!”
“Massive quantities of liver and Brie!” I grinned back at him. “And B12. So can we start weaning him off the cortisone now?” He shook his head no.
“If it wasn’t for the cortisone, and his good reaction to it in spite of the side effects, your dog would be gone,” he answered firmly. ‘You know the two other dogs that had the same thing? They didn’t make it.”
What?? But they had been diagnosed after my Smooch..... I thought silently.
He paused, and maybe he took my shocked expression for disbelief and wanted to get his point across because he added, “They are both here in the fridge.”
Emotional turmoil. My heart was heavy for Cloé, and the other doggies and owners I don’t even know, but my Smooch was getting better, and the gratitude won out. I cheered him on and sang to him all the way home.
The fight is not over – for the past few days Smooch has suffered severe diarrhea (a left over effect from those damned antibiotics), but pumpkin and rice water and some Imodium are taking care of it. There is a distinct odor of Lysol in my house at the moment, but who cares? Actually, it’s a better smell than the alternative...
It’s a long haul, but whenever I get even a wee bit discouraged I picture strolling in our yard, surrounded by a high, solid fence, while Smooch and Grump gleefully chase their squeaky balls down the grassy hill, and I SMILE.
Sharing that SMILE with y’all!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
I contacted the vet early Monday morning. He told me to hold off on that medicine until our Wednesday appointment. By this time Smooch was again walking but not without difficulty; I had to push to help him make it into my truck. The ride did seem to energize him some, but climbing the 4 steps to the examining room sent him sprawling on his face; I was happy that the vet was able to witness it. He agreed (and didn’t seem really surprised) that this was caused by the type of antibiotics – it seems some dogs are allergic to them – in which case they can be highly dangerous, even to inflicting death.
Yeh – thanks for the heads up when prescribing them, huh? To be fair, he wasn’t aware that the technician had changed the medication, and by the look in his eye, I’m sure she’ll be warned.
The blood test was done, and while waiting for the results I received a text message from my daughter. Cloé, her BF’s beautiful, 2 year old German shepherd, had been just been euthanized. Cloé’s disease was very similar to that of Smooch, but was past help, even if she had been sick for a shorter time. (My daughter was full of apologies when she learned where I was and what I was doing when she gave me the terrible news).
But...my vet was smiling when he came back into the room. Not only was my boy’s red blood cell count up by 3.9, the white blood cell count has decreased!!!
“I don’t know what you’re doing right,” he said. “But whatever it is, don’t stop!”
“Massive quantities of liver and Brie!” I grinned back at him. “And B12. So can we start weaning him off the cortisone now?” He shook his head no.
“If it wasn’t for the cortisone, and his good reaction to it in spite of the side effects, your dog would be gone,” he answered firmly. ‘You know the two other dogs that had the same thing? They didn’t make it.”
What?? But they had been diagnosed after my Smooch..... I thought silently.
He paused, and maybe he took my shocked expression for disbelief and wanted to get his point across because he added, “They are both here in the fridge.”
Emotional turmoil. My heart was heavy for Cloé, and the other doggies and owners I don’t even know, but my Smooch was getting better, and the gratitude won out. I cheered him on and sang to him all the way home.
The fight is not over – for the past few days Smooch has suffered severe diarrhea (a left over effect from those damned antibiotics), but pumpkin and rice water and some Imodium are taking care of it. There is a distinct odor of Lysol in my house at the moment, but who cares? Actually, it’s a better smell than the alternative...
It’s a long haul, but whenever I get even a wee bit discouraged I picture strolling in our yard, surrounded by a high, solid fence, while Smooch and Grump gleefully chase their squeaky balls down the grassy hill, and I SMILE.
Sharing that SMILE with y’all!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Saturday, April 19, 2014
MIND OVER MATTER
I’m wondering if I am just impatient...or is Smooch’s illness really taking too long to heal? I hate giving him such strong doses of cortisone and antibiotics for this length of time. It can’t help but play havoc with his immune system, which is already not strong. This week’s blood test showed only a one point increase; the Vet says normal is 35, and it is now at 30. Bad enough that it costing from $100 to $200 per week for the medication, the visits, the blood tests, but the poor doggie is still moping around, showing hardly any signs of energy at all. I’ve been looking at natural products to feed him, and am wondering why vets don’t suggest more of these? It could have nothing to do with the cold, hard cash.....?
Don’t mind my ranting this morning. It has been a turbulent week with problems at work, the constant running so that the doggies won’t be alone too long, making sure they get some exercise, getting back and forth to the vet (which I wouldn’t mind if I could see improvement), the normal housework, once again bills piling up, and very little sleep...Arrrgh!
On the up side – it’s to be a beautiful weekend weather-wise, Early as it is, the sun is shining, the birds are calling, there have been geese flying over for the past few days, and grass is beginning to peep through the snow here and there. My Habs have their first 2 games in their pocket, and Sam’s Wings beat the big, bad Bruins last night too. There was some dancing going on in this house, and some Yippee-ki-yay’s, LOL!
I have 3 days away from the office, but at least 5 days of work to do here at home for a couple of former clients. Something always shows up to help out, and I know that from experience, but I needed to vent the negative stuff out of my system. It’s done now – I’ll get to it and use some positive action instead of griping. A little Latin music on the radio, a shower, a short walk with the doggies before diving into mounds of paper that will help pay the bills...and you see? I’m already SMILING....
Sending them out to you, all wrapped up with best wishes for your Easter weekend!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Don’t mind my ranting this morning. It has been a turbulent week with problems at work, the constant running so that the doggies won’t be alone too long, making sure they get some exercise, getting back and forth to the vet (which I wouldn’t mind if I could see improvement), the normal housework, once again bills piling up, and very little sleep...Arrrgh!
On the up side – it’s to be a beautiful weekend weather-wise, Early as it is, the sun is shining, the birds are calling, there have been geese flying over for the past few days, and grass is beginning to peep through the snow here and there. My Habs have their first 2 games in their pocket, and Sam’s Wings beat the big, bad Bruins last night too. There was some dancing going on in this house, and some Yippee-ki-yay’s, LOL!
I have 3 days away from the office, but at least 5 days of work to do here at home for a couple of former clients. Something always shows up to help out, and I know that from experience, but I needed to vent the negative stuff out of my system. It’s done now – I’ll get to it and use some positive action instead of griping. A little Latin music on the radio, a shower, a short walk with the doggies before diving into mounds of paper that will help pay the bills...and you see? I’m already SMILING....
Sending them out to you, all wrapped up with best wishes for your Easter weekend!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
BEDTIME
One B of a thunderstorm happening here right now, and I have two very scared loving pit-bulls curled up to my feet as close as they can get, and a kitty hiding under the blankets on my bed – one can only see his big eyes peering out as the big BOO-BOOOM shakes the whole house, competing with the loud drumming of the rain on my tin roof.
It is pouring. Apparently there are flood warnings issued for different places around here, and I imagine people are scurrying down to basements regularly to check on their sub pumps. They say it is to continue all day tomorrow and into Tuesday, so my beautiful, white snow will be replaced by mud...and more mud...and then will come Spring with her colorful array of blooms and green, green grass, and my regret for the lost snow will change to delight in the arrival of a new season.
I went with Helen today to visit her house. It is just perfect for the two people who have found love in each other again; roomy enough, but compact, with a well-cared for yard just big enough to keep her busy with her flowers, but not too busy. She will finally begin to enjoy life – and is quite determined that nothing or no-one will spoil it this time. Hats off to the lady! It’s about time!
Now – because I have much to say, and can’t decide which is important enough, and am too tired after a hectic day to even start, I shall instead wish you all sweet dreams, send you a huge, sleepy SMILE...and catch you tomorrow.
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
It is pouring. Apparently there are flood warnings issued for different places around here, and I imagine people are scurrying down to basements regularly to check on their sub pumps. They say it is to continue all day tomorrow and into Tuesday, so my beautiful, white snow will be replaced by mud...and more mud...and then will come Spring with her colorful array of blooms and green, green grass, and my regret for the lost snow will change to delight in the arrival of a new season.
I went with Helen today to visit her house. It is just perfect for the two people who have found love in each other again; roomy enough, but compact, with a well-cared for yard just big enough to keep her busy with her flowers, but not too busy. She will finally begin to enjoy life – and is quite determined that nothing or no-one will spoil it this time. Hats off to the lady! It’s about time!
Now – because I have much to say, and can’t decide which is important enough, and am too tired after a hectic day to even start, I shall instead wish you all sweet dreams, send you a huge, sleepy SMILE...and catch you tomorrow.
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
UNACCEPTED LIVER BARTER....
Well now – I was booted off Blogit again for a week, until I could get some things caught up. Needless to say that Smooch’s healthcare is costing a bundle. He is worth every penny, of course. I can’t understand why Blogit wouldn’t take some of the chopped liver, of which there is plenty in my freezer, as payment...
Nevertheless, I’m back, and Smooch loves eating the liver, and all’s well that ends well.
My boy’s last blood results were not encouraging; the red cells should have been higher. If they are the same next Wednesday we’ll do a lung x-ray. His breathing is not so good either and that could be caused by the high doses of cortisone it seems, but the vets are talking tumor again. He has trouble negotiating the stairs, being as weak as he is, poor baby. He still loves to go outside, but needs to use the stairs then, and I’m leery about taking him out too often even if the mild exercise is good for him. I have been doing research and have started mixing Vitamin B12 in his food. I got the ok from the Vets – they say it can’t hurt – and I purchase it from the natural food store so there are no pharmaceutical chemical simulations.
My regular Vet was not available this week, and the new one asked me about using a muzzle while doing the test. I said no – no muzzle – you might get a kiss though. Ha-ha! And that’s what happened – Smoochie gave him a Wet Willie as soon as he was in reach, and the poor man spent a few minutes wiping doggie saliva out of his ear when it was done.
I had heard another client come into the waiting room during our procedure, so asked the assistant if she could keep an eye on Smooch while I paid the bill. He gets hyper now when he sees a strange canine – the constant attacks from my neighbor’s dogs have him on the defensive – it would be easier for everyone if I could take him straight back to the car without dawdling at the reception desk. She said sure, no problem, so off I went, completely forgetting to warn her that Smooch is quite adept at opening doors. I heard his howling protest when I left, so I hurried, but had no sooner arrived at the desk than here comes my boy, galloping down to me , dragging his long leash, with the assistant running behind, trying to catch up to him, LOL! The look on her face!! And her tone in which she declared “He just opened that door!!”
We did leave without further ado, and he kept his big head on my knee all the way home, just to make sure I wasn’t going anywhere. He follows me from room to room in the house, and sleeps beside the bed every night now. I get ‘the look’ when I leave to go to work in the morning, and I am so proud of him especially because, unlike Grump, it’s a new thing for Smooch being alone for over 10 to 12 hours. I only found that one puddle the first day, and nothing since.
It’s time to go cook his supper now, and the sun is still shining out there, so maybe a little walk to help digestion, and then both doggies will watch their mistress either dance or swear for the Habs’ game tonight, who are playing Jimmy’s Rangers....
Leaving you with a SMILE, and now that Blogit has allowed this delinquent lady to enter their portals once again, there will be plenty more SMILES on their way...
Luv from the Bush n Quebec.
Nevertheless, I’m back, and Smooch loves eating the liver, and all’s well that ends well.
My boy’s last blood results were not encouraging; the red cells should have been higher. If they are the same next Wednesday we’ll do a lung x-ray. His breathing is not so good either and that could be caused by the high doses of cortisone it seems, but the vets are talking tumor again. He has trouble negotiating the stairs, being as weak as he is, poor baby. He still loves to go outside, but needs to use the stairs then, and I’m leery about taking him out too often even if the mild exercise is good for him. I have been doing research and have started mixing Vitamin B12 in his food. I got the ok from the Vets – they say it can’t hurt – and I purchase it from the natural food store so there are no pharmaceutical chemical simulations.
My regular Vet was not available this week, and the new one asked me about using a muzzle while doing the test. I said no – no muzzle – you might get a kiss though. Ha-ha! And that’s what happened – Smoochie gave him a Wet Willie as soon as he was in reach, and the poor man spent a few minutes wiping doggie saliva out of his ear when it was done.
I had heard another client come into the waiting room during our procedure, so asked the assistant if she could keep an eye on Smooch while I paid the bill. He gets hyper now when he sees a strange canine – the constant attacks from my neighbor’s dogs have him on the defensive – it would be easier for everyone if I could take him straight back to the car without dawdling at the reception desk. She said sure, no problem, so off I went, completely forgetting to warn her that Smooch is quite adept at opening doors. I heard his howling protest when I left, so I hurried, but had no sooner arrived at the desk than here comes my boy, galloping down to me , dragging his long leash, with the assistant running behind, trying to catch up to him, LOL! The look on her face!! And her tone in which she declared “He just opened that door!!”
We did leave without further ado, and he kept his big head on my knee all the way home, just to make sure I wasn’t going anywhere. He follows me from room to room in the house, and sleeps beside the bed every night now. I get ‘the look’ when I leave to go to work in the morning, and I am so proud of him especially because, unlike Grump, it’s a new thing for Smooch being alone for over 10 to 12 hours. I only found that one puddle the first day, and nothing since.
It’s time to go cook his supper now, and the sun is still shining out there, so maybe a little walk to help digestion, and then both doggies will watch their mistress either dance or swear for the Habs’ game tonight, who are playing Jimmy’s Rangers....
Leaving you with a SMILE, and now that Blogit has allowed this delinquent lady to enter their portals once again, there will be plenty more SMILES on their way...
Luv from the Bush n Quebec.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
PEE PROUD!
I am SOOO proud of my boys!!
This is the first time in his life that Smooch has ever spent over 5 hours without a human being around to open the door and let him go out. What’s more, the heavy doses of cortisone make him drink a lot, and he pees like a small horse when he gets outside, so I was expecting some huge puddles and a couple of piles when I arrived home from work tonight.
What did I find? One puddle (near the door), no piles, and two very happy doggies!!
I cleaned things up singing ‘How much is that doggie in the Window?’ My boys like that tune, and they sure deserved one, and if they like my voice ...well...they are only doggies. And it was much better than being scolded.
This lady is SMILING, and sharing it with y’all!!
Luv from the Bush in QUebec
This is the first time in his life that Smooch has ever spent over 5 hours without a human being around to open the door and let him go out. What’s more, the heavy doses of cortisone make him drink a lot, and he pees like a small horse when he gets outside, so I was expecting some huge puddles and a couple of piles when I arrived home from work tonight.
What did I find? One puddle (near the door), no piles, and two very happy doggies!!
I cleaned things up singing ‘How much is that doggie in the Window?’ My boys like that tune, and they sure deserved one, and if they like my voice ...well...they are only doggies. And it was much better than being scolded.
This lady is SMILING, and sharing it with y’all!!
Luv from the Bush in QUebec
Monday, April 7, 2014
AUTHORIZED HOOKY
I’m at home. Morpheus made himself scarce last night, showing up only at 4:30 AM, one whole hour before the alarm would go off to give Smooch his medication. Helen and her son had departed in the late afternoon, so I was alone with the beasties. Dogs are very sensitive to change, and I don’t know if it was the unusual silence in the house that kept Smooch wandering in and out of my room, or if it was pain. I certainly hope it was the former; he didn’t seem to be suffering, just restless. Whatever it was, it kept us all awake (doggies and kitty and me). Fortunately I have plenty of banked hours, and my boss texted back her ‘ok’ quite readily, in spite of it being only 6:30 AM when I let her know I would be using some of them today.
And because I am now able to go back to bed with a clear conscience....and it’s where I should be instead of wandering dozily from window to window... I don’t feel like it. Contrary is me. The beautiful day outside is a deterrent; that and the files of the couple of clients kept over from my former business and which need to be addressed. Although I was planning on taking some time off any way to get them done, the nocturnal activity of my youngest doggie means I’ll be pushing numbers around in a sleep-deprived brain. Not ideal, but I’ll give it a go.
And you know what? I kind of enjoyed doing the dishes last night, something I have hardly touched since Helen moved in. Ha! I have no doubt that novelty will wear off very soon.
Well, I’ll see what I can get done, and some snoozing if work is too boring. Wishing you all a great day, folks – hoping the SMILES I am sending along make it just a bit better!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
And because I am now able to go back to bed with a clear conscience....and it’s where I should be instead of wandering dozily from window to window... I don’t feel like it. Contrary is me. The beautiful day outside is a deterrent; that and the files of the couple of clients kept over from my former business and which need to be addressed. Although I was planning on taking some time off any way to get them done, the nocturnal activity of my youngest doggie means I’ll be pushing numbers around in a sleep-deprived brain. Not ideal, but I’ll give it a go.
And you know what? I kind of enjoyed doing the dishes last night, something I have hardly touched since Helen moved in. Ha! I have no doubt that novelty will wear off very soon.
Well, I’ll see what I can get done, and some snoozing if work is too boring. Wishing you all a great day, folks – hoping the SMILES I am sending along make it just a bit better!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
YOU ARE ONLY A HUMAN...
“His white blood cells are still far too high, but his red cells are multiplying too, you see?” The vet pointed to the chart showing the results of Smooch’s blood test this week. “We seem to be on the right track. How is his eating?”
“Good,” I answered. “Liver and salmon and kale, plenty of it. And any other red meat I can afford.” Afford after paying your bills, I thought grudgingly. But not really grudging. Smooch is worth every penny spent.
The vet nodded. “Good! Keep up with that menu. How about the medication? Any problem getting him to take his pills? Keeping him on schedule is important.”
I shook my head. ‘No, no problem. I wrap the pills in Brie cheese. He loves it.”
“Liver and Brie?” His eyebrows raised and he grinned at me. “Can I come and eat at your place?”
“Sure!” I quipped. “But I buy that stuff for the dogs. The humans in my house get toast and peanut butter.”
We both laughed, but his glance told me that he suspected my statement was serious. If anyone can affirm exactly how we feel about our pets, it would be those in his profession. Their fees reflect this too. Still, they spend as many years studying as do doctors, and have to continue doing so even while working, and they are far more accessible than those caring for humans. I could hug the dude whenever he walks out of that laboratory with my doggie’s chart in hand and he’s smiling!
So, all in all, Smooch is holding his own so far. He has good nights, and some bad ones. Those nights he comes into my room and lies as close to my bed as possible, which means using the books on the floor as a pillow, and I put my hand on his head, comforting him as best I can. Most mornings he bounces back, others not so much; then it’s difficult to leave him when I go to work, even if Helen is here and cares for him well. She won’t be here this week – I’m not looking forward to it, but we’ll adapt. We always do.
Other than that, it is a lovely morning – blue sky and sun and icicles dripping from the roof! Right here, right now, the scene is a perfect winter wonderland, yet I am quite sure one won’t need 3 layers of clothing if venturing outdoors today. Maybe my Dunany Demons have decided to give it up finally, and our spring will catch up to the rest of the country.
Life is good – and it keeps me SMILING! Sharing them of course!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
“Good,” I answered. “Liver and salmon and kale, plenty of it. And any other red meat I can afford.” Afford after paying your bills, I thought grudgingly. But not really grudging. Smooch is worth every penny spent.
The vet nodded. “Good! Keep up with that menu. How about the medication? Any problem getting him to take his pills? Keeping him on schedule is important.”
I shook my head. ‘No, no problem. I wrap the pills in Brie cheese. He loves it.”
“Liver and Brie?” His eyebrows raised and he grinned at me. “Can I come and eat at your place?”
“Sure!” I quipped. “But I buy that stuff for the dogs. The humans in my house get toast and peanut butter.”
We both laughed, but his glance told me that he suspected my statement was serious. If anyone can affirm exactly how we feel about our pets, it would be those in his profession. Their fees reflect this too. Still, they spend as many years studying as do doctors, and have to continue doing so even while working, and they are far more accessible than those caring for humans. I could hug the dude whenever he walks out of that laboratory with my doggie’s chart in hand and he’s smiling!
So, all in all, Smooch is holding his own so far. He has good nights, and some bad ones. Those nights he comes into my room and lies as close to my bed as possible, which means using the books on the floor as a pillow, and I put my hand on his head, comforting him as best I can. Most mornings he bounces back, others not so much; then it’s difficult to leave him when I go to work, even if Helen is here and cares for him well. She won’t be here this week – I’m not looking forward to it, but we’ll adapt. We always do.
Other than that, it is a lovely morning – blue sky and sun and icicles dripping from the roof! Right here, right now, the scene is a perfect winter wonderland, yet I am quite sure one won’t need 3 layers of clothing if venturing outdoors today. Maybe my Dunany Demons have decided to give it up finally, and our spring will catch up to the rest of the country.
Life is good – and it keeps me SMILING! Sharing them of course!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Saturday, April 5, 2014
AND LAST YEAR...
My foster grandmother handed me the gift when I was 8 years old. I can remember how I cherished that little hard covered book with all its white pages, the tiny key hanging by a ribbon from the top.
“It’s a diary,” she told me. ‘You write whatever you want to in there.”
It was the first of many, unfortunately most of which were lost when a careless friend moved out in the middle of the night, leaving all my stuff behind her. I still have some of the later books though. Bird and I spent some time going through a couple of them, recalling events that had happened years before.
Most of the recording is done by blogging now; not a bad thing when compared to my awful handwriting. It serves nearly the same purpose; I can tell you that last year on this day I was boarding an airplane to go to Japan, and the year before that I was packing my suitcase to leave for Mexico, and the year before that we were dealing with Bird’s cancer diagnosis and the stroke he had a couple of days before.....
And April this year? Well, from having a house well peopled, I expect to soon find myself alone here again. Helen and her husband are back together (so cute, this young old love!) and have purchased a small house where they will be moving on or before May 1st. Helen’s son, who has spent the winter here with us, is returning to his construction job in the Ottawa area next week, so he’s out of here tomorrow. That leaves me and the doggies and the cat, and they will have to adapt to my being away to work – something Smooch has never experienced. It worries me some, with him being so sick, but hopefully he’ll be in better shape by the time Helen leaves.
Note that I said I ‘expect’ to find myself alone. If there is one thing I’ve learned it is that each day has its own surprises – it takes but a moment to send our life barrelling away in a completely different direction than what is ‘expected’!
There you go – the reason to jump out of bed in the morning, looking forward to a new adventure, be it good or bad, large or small; our own personal storybook. How can it not make one SMILE?
Sending mine out to y’all....
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
“It’s a diary,” she told me. ‘You write whatever you want to in there.”
It was the first of many, unfortunately most of which were lost when a careless friend moved out in the middle of the night, leaving all my stuff behind her. I still have some of the later books though. Bird and I spent some time going through a couple of them, recalling events that had happened years before.
Most of the recording is done by blogging now; not a bad thing when compared to my awful handwriting. It serves nearly the same purpose; I can tell you that last year on this day I was boarding an airplane to go to Japan, and the year before that I was packing my suitcase to leave for Mexico, and the year before that we were dealing with Bird’s cancer diagnosis and the stroke he had a couple of days before.....
And April this year? Well, from having a house well peopled, I expect to soon find myself alone here again. Helen and her husband are back together (so cute, this young old love!) and have purchased a small house where they will be moving on or before May 1st. Helen’s son, who has spent the winter here with us, is returning to his construction job in the Ottawa area next week, so he’s out of here tomorrow. That leaves me and the doggies and the cat, and they will have to adapt to my being away to work – something Smooch has never experienced. It worries me some, with him being so sick, but hopefully he’ll be in better shape by the time Helen leaves.
Note that I said I ‘expect’ to find myself alone. If there is one thing I’ve learned it is that each day has its own surprises – it takes but a moment to send our life barrelling away in a completely different direction than what is ‘expected’!
There you go – the reason to jump out of bed in the morning, looking forward to a new adventure, be it good or bad, large or small; our own personal storybook. How can it not make one SMILE?
Sending mine out to y’all....
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
JUST A NOTE...
My Dunany Demons are making a grand exit – the wind was howling and snow was falling and blowing when I got up this morning at 5, and still at it when I left around noon to go to the village. Smooch’s special dog food was running low. The cortisone he is taking can cause stomach ulcers if we’re not careful, and I wanted to be sure that there was enough for Helen to feed him tomorrow night, just in case I get home late from the office.
Clad in a warm sweater, topped by a padded vest and a down winter coat, with my snowmobile boots completing an outfit to survive any blizzard, I arrived in the village to find people (lots of them!) strolling around in spring jackets and running shoes. Yes – quite balmy temperatures only 30 minutes from the bush storm! I was slightly overdressed. The Demons must have been laughing in glee. They do love to put one over on me.
I made my rounds anyway, deciding to pick up some veggies for a Béchamel Vegetable Medley – I’d been working all weekend at home, and a couple of hours cooking were exactly what I needed to relax. Back at the house, I threw myself into the chopping and stirring (and tasting) with enthusiasm, the result being a huge pot of chicken/tomato noodle soup, the Medley, and an Apple crisp. It works every time! Not only is the activity a stress buster for me, whoever else is in the house gets to reap the benefits by filling their faces!
It’s an early morning for me tomorrow, and I think I can hear Morpheus moving around in my bedroom already, so it’s off the bath and snooze I go. Wishing you all sweet dreams with plenty of SMILES!!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec
Clad in a warm sweater, topped by a padded vest and a down winter coat, with my snowmobile boots completing an outfit to survive any blizzard, I arrived in the village to find people (lots of them!) strolling around in spring jackets and running shoes. Yes – quite balmy temperatures only 30 minutes from the bush storm! I was slightly overdressed. The Demons must have been laughing in glee. They do love to put one over on me.
I made my rounds anyway, deciding to pick up some veggies for a Béchamel Vegetable Medley – I’d been working all weekend at home, and a couple of hours cooking were exactly what I needed to relax. Back at the house, I threw myself into the chopping and stirring (and tasting) with enthusiasm, the result being a huge pot of chicken/tomato noodle soup, the Medley, and an Apple crisp. It works every time! Not only is the activity a stress buster for me, whoever else is in the house gets to reap the benefits by filling their faces!
It’s an early morning for me tomorrow, and I think I can hear Morpheus moving around in my bedroom already, so it’s off the bath and snooze I go. Wishing you all sweet dreams with plenty of SMILES!!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec
Saturday, March 29, 2014
I'LL GO WITH TRAUMA...
This week Smooch’s 4th blood test was disappointing, to say the least. Although his red blood cells are growing, they are still what the vet calls ‘babies’, and his white blood cell count had gone up again. He has been on antibiotics for at least three weeks now, so that puts paid to infections, the usual cause of an increase. The vet mentioned a pathologist friend; he would let her log onto his machine and maybe she could tell us if it is leukemia or not. In the meantime the intense cortisone treatment will be continued, and we’ll see what next week’s blood will say...unless the pathologist can define something concrete before then, in which case the vet would call me immediately....
I didn’t hear from him, so I’m taking that as good news. I turned to the internet for more information, and discovered that trauma can also be a cause of a high count. Of course! The day before the appointment I was outside with both dogs, Smooch on his leash, when the beautiful Louka ran up to join us. Smooch was quite happy to see his friend...until she tried to take his ball. If he had been well, she never would have done such a thing – there is a certain element of respect among canines. But he is sick and weaker, and the strong prevail in doggie rules. She attacked him, he fought back, and Grump attacked her, and the three were a turmoil of growling, biting fur with poor Smooch on the bottom. Fortunately Helen’s son was here and ran outside to help me get them apart. Louka was sent home, but the damage was done. Smooch had some wounds on his throat, and was shaking with exhaustion and probably shock too. I much prefer trauma to leukemia, so I’m going with that unless it’s proved different; trauma is not a long-lasting affliction.
I contacted the friend of Louka’s master who is doggy-sitting her while he is away, asking that Louka be kept at home. It seems the friend can’t handle Louka; keeping her inside means damage to furniture and walls, and tied outside has the neighbours complaining because of the constant howling. We’re not quite sure when Louka’s master will be coming back, but it won’t be before June.
“I’m so fed up! And now this!! No one else wants her – I’m thinking of having her put down!” the lady exclaimed.
Ah no! Not our beautiful Louka! A compromise needed to be made, so I told Helen not to tie my boys downstairs for the time being, just to let them out on the galleries. Louka has no access there unless the gate is open. I’ll do the walks, and will head her off before she approaches until Smooch is well enough to discourage her from trying it again. Spring will be here soon (we think!) and the first thing on the agenda is a long fence; once installed my doggies will have free rein on my property without the worry of problem pets owned by incompetent neighbours!
I’m working on a short video of my ‘dreams for my future’, this commissioned by our motivational speaker at the office meeting last week – something each of us are to hand in by April 11th for our brownie points. I wasn’t too keen on it, but it’s rather fun. My first picture on the track is what else? A field with trees, a dog and a long, long fence. I’ll share it with you all when it’s done. It’s to be set to music, and I’m having a heck of a time deciding between AC/DC’s Thunder or Tiny Tim’s Tiptoe Through the Tulips.
Yeh, right! As if!!! There you go – that phrase just brought on a giggle and a SMILE...they’re both on their way to y’all now!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
I didn’t hear from him, so I’m taking that as good news. I turned to the internet for more information, and discovered that trauma can also be a cause of a high count. Of course! The day before the appointment I was outside with both dogs, Smooch on his leash, when the beautiful Louka ran up to join us. Smooch was quite happy to see his friend...until she tried to take his ball. If he had been well, she never would have done such a thing – there is a certain element of respect among canines. But he is sick and weaker, and the strong prevail in doggie rules. She attacked him, he fought back, and Grump attacked her, and the three were a turmoil of growling, biting fur with poor Smooch on the bottom. Fortunately Helen’s son was here and ran outside to help me get them apart. Louka was sent home, but the damage was done. Smooch had some wounds on his throat, and was shaking with exhaustion and probably shock too. I much prefer trauma to leukemia, so I’m going with that unless it’s proved different; trauma is not a long-lasting affliction.
I contacted the friend of Louka’s master who is doggy-sitting her while he is away, asking that Louka be kept at home. It seems the friend can’t handle Louka; keeping her inside means damage to furniture and walls, and tied outside has the neighbours complaining because of the constant howling. We’re not quite sure when Louka’s master will be coming back, but it won’t be before June.
“I’m so fed up! And now this!! No one else wants her – I’m thinking of having her put down!” the lady exclaimed.
Ah no! Not our beautiful Louka! A compromise needed to be made, so I told Helen not to tie my boys downstairs for the time being, just to let them out on the galleries. Louka has no access there unless the gate is open. I’ll do the walks, and will head her off before she approaches until Smooch is well enough to discourage her from trying it again. Spring will be here soon (we think!) and the first thing on the agenda is a long fence; once installed my doggies will have free rein on my property without the worry of problem pets owned by incompetent neighbours!
I’m working on a short video of my ‘dreams for my future’, this commissioned by our motivational speaker at the office meeting last week – something each of us are to hand in by April 11th for our brownie points. I wasn’t too keen on it, but it’s rather fun. My first picture on the track is what else? A field with trees, a dog and a long, long fence. I’ll share it with you all when it’s done. It’s to be set to music, and I’m having a heck of a time deciding between AC/DC’s Thunder or Tiny Tim’s Tiptoe Through the Tulips.
Yeh, right! As if!!! There you go – that phrase just brought on a giggle and a SMILE...they’re both on their way to y’all now!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
PLEASANTLY SURPRISED
One of my responsibilities when working as a Recreation Director was to organize and assist meetings and events. I enjoyed it at the time, but after 10 years it became too much of a good thing, so I was less than enthusiastic when I was told that yes, I was obliged to attend a ‘kick-off’ reunion being held by the Company where I am presently employed. There just seemed to be too much real work at the office to waste time sitting around in a hotel conference room all day, meal provided or not.
As happens to all of us at one time or another, I was pleasantly surprised. The motivational speaker in the morning was quite good; an old message delivered originally and with much humor. During lunch I met many of those I contact at least once a week, usually only by phone or email, and it is nice to be able to put a face with each voice. The afternoon taught me the history and goals of the enterprise – it would no longer be just a ‘job’ I need to pay the bills, but a team of which I now feel I am a member. A very informative and interesting few hours well spent.
I stopped on the way home to stock up on more liver for my ailing doggie. It was cooked and medication taken, then we headed outside for a short walk. I don’t want Smooch’s bones getting too weak from lack of exercise, and I can’t forget my Grump, who is healthy and has the ordinary needs of any energetic hound.
I chatted to a couple of friends for a bit, and was in bed by 9 PM. Morpheus was kind, and let me sleep until Smooch came into my room at 4 this morning. The cortisone increases his thirst; he drinks more and what goes in must come out, right?
The hour was fine; I have loads of work to do here today for those clients I kept on, and it will give me an early start. Well, I did cheat some ...I sneaked into Blogit and kinda got stuck there for awhile. That’s okay; it was a visit long overdue.
We’re expecting another 15 cm of snow today...the 3rd day of spring, is it? Fortunately I am one of the rare few who are not yet heartily sick of winter, so I’m still SMILING!
Sharing it with you – sure it will be returned!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
As happens to all of us at one time or another, I was pleasantly surprised. The motivational speaker in the morning was quite good; an old message delivered originally and with much humor. During lunch I met many of those I contact at least once a week, usually only by phone or email, and it is nice to be able to put a face with each voice. The afternoon taught me the history and goals of the enterprise – it would no longer be just a ‘job’ I need to pay the bills, but a team of which I now feel I am a member. A very informative and interesting few hours well spent.
I stopped on the way home to stock up on more liver for my ailing doggie. It was cooked and medication taken, then we headed outside for a short walk. I don’t want Smooch’s bones getting too weak from lack of exercise, and I can’t forget my Grump, who is healthy and has the ordinary needs of any energetic hound.
I chatted to a couple of friends for a bit, and was in bed by 9 PM. Morpheus was kind, and let me sleep until Smooch came into my room at 4 this morning. The cortisone increases his thirst; he drinks more and what goes in must come out, right?
The hour was fine; I have loads of work to do here today for those clients I kept on, and it will give me an early start. Well, I did cheat some ...I sneaked into Blogit and kinda got stuck there for awhile. That’s okay; it was a visit long overdue.
We’re expecting another 15 cm of snow today...the 3rd day of spring, is it? Fortunately I am one of the rare few who are not yet heartily sick of winter, so I’m still SMILING!
Sharing it with you – sure it will be returned!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
"IT'S MAKE HIM OR BREAK HIM..."
“...that’s where we’re at.”
I had asked her to be straight with me, and even while the vet’s voice was matter-of-fact, her eyes told me she knew what effect her words would have on any pet lover. I felt my stomach hit my feet. Smooch’s condition was worse than I had even imagined. The word ‘cancer’ bounced around in my mind, making concentration extremely difficult.
The thyroid medication we had tried didn’t bring the improvement we had been hoping for. In fact, he was worse. The 3rd vet I consulted obtained Smooch’s records from the other two, then told me none of them had seen such an increase in white blood cells in so short a time. After x-rays and ultrasound, followed by a discussion among themselves about this ‘problem case’, they decided to use strong doses of cortisone and antibiotics in an attempt to stop the ravage. I showed some reluctance when they mentioned cortisone, and that’s when the vet warned me...there really wasn’t any other option.
I took my boy home and spent the week feeding him liver and praying that his red blood cells would fight back. The appointment for a follow up blood test was last night, and I sat in the waiting room, hugging my doggie and holding my breath. Fifteen minutes later, one of the vets came out with the results. Not cancer, but Hemolytic Anemia...a very dangerous condition where the immune system goes berserk, cause unknown.
“But look!” he said, pointing to the graph he was holding. “The white cells are still very high, but these are baby red blood cells.” He was cautiously optimistic, telling me that Smooch’s system, for the moment, is what he would call stable. Another week of treatment, then check the blood again, and make adjustments to the doses if necessary.
Just knowing it is not cancer gives me some relief. I read up on the condition last night and, although they say only 40% of such cases survive, I have this feeling that Smooch will be part of the group who makes it. The dreadful cortisone will give his red blood cells a chance to become warriors. They will take over, there will be the slow withdrawal from the drugs, and already I can picture my boy once again energetically romping in the long grass, searching for his green, squeaky ball. The picture makes me SMILE.
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
I had asked her to be straight with me, and even while the vet’s voice was matter-of-fact, her eyes told me she knew what effect her words would have on any pet lover. I felt my stomach hit my feet. Smooch’s condition was worse than I had even imagined. The word ‘cancer’ bounced around in my mind, making concentration extremely difficult.
The thyroid medication we had tried didn’t bring the improvement we had been hoping for. In fact, he was worse. The 3rd vet I consulted obtained Smooch’s records from the other two, then told me none of them had seen such an increase in white blood cells in so short a time. After x-rays and ultrasound, followed by a discussion among themselves about this ‘problem case’, they decided to use strong doses of cortisone and antibiotics in an attempt to stop the ravage. I showed some reluctance when they mentioned cortisone, and that’s when the vet warned me...there really wasn’t any other option.
I took my boy home and spent the week feeding him liver and praying that his red blood cells would fight back. The appointment for a follow up blood test was last night, and I sat in the waiting room, hugging my doggie and holding my breath. Fifteen minutes later, one of the vets came out with the results. Not cancer, but Hemolytic Anemia...a very dangerous condition where the immune system goes berserk, cause unknown.
“But look!” he said, pointing to the graph he was holding. “The white cells are still very high, but these are baby red blood cells.” He was cautiously optimistic, telling me that Smooch’s system, for the moment, is what he would call stable. Another week of treatment, then check the blood again, and make adjustments to the doses if necessary.
Just knowing it is not cancer gives me some relief. I read up on the condition last night and, although they say only 40% of such cases survive, I have this feeling that Smooch will be part of the group who makes it. The dreadful cortisone will give his red blood cells a chance to become warriors. They will take over, there will be the slow withdrawal from the drugs, and already I can picture my boy once again energetically romping in the long grass, searching for his green, squeaky ball. The picture makes me SMILE.
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
AND ABOUT SMOOCH...
We noticed his energy had diminished, but put it down to some boredom, some maturity, and probably lack of exercise and her company since Mistress has been working so much and so long. One night I noticed that even his greeting, usually very enthusiastic, seemed to be a huge effort. I called and made an appointment with the vet.
My Smooch is a very sick doggie. Blood tests show that his white blood cell count is extremely high, his immune system is very low; there are sores coming out all over his body, his eyes are leaking, and my two year old is looking and acting like he is 15; in dog years that is way up there. Without procedures that can only be accomplished by an internist, the costs of which are far beyond my means for the moment, the Vet took her best guess.
“Thyroid, Cush disease, or cancer,” she said gently. Last Friday she started him on medication for his thyroid and antibiotics for his infections. Because these need to taken on a full stomach and he is not crazy about dog food, I went shopping for beef and chicken. He lifted his nose to catch a sniff when I opened the oven door, so I knew it would work...and it did. I’m sure it’s not just my wishful thinking that he is already feeling better. He is still sleeping a lot, but has come out of my closet (where he goes to hide when he is hurting) and is back on his couch.
I worked long hours on both Saturday and Sunday – and there we go. The end of the month has arrived. Overtime, for the most part, is over. Today Helen was going for her cataract operation, and I didn’t want to leave Smooch alone, so I took the first of the many days owed to me to stay at home. There are some T-4’s to be done for the two clients I had kept from my own business, but a nice snooze is on the agenda too; needless to say that I haven’t been doing much of that, what with worrying about my boy.
And tonight...ah yes! Habs are not playing hockey, and I’m planning on spending a pleasurable time looking at my friends’ pictures from their tour in Indonesia, and diving into Blogit. Hours of my favorite pastime – reading – and I’m so looking forward to it!
For sure I’ll be SMILING!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec
My Smooch is a very sick doggie. Blood tests show that his white blood cell count is extremely high, his immune system is very low; there are sores coming out all over his body, his eyes are leaking, and my two year old is looking and acting like he is 15; in dog years that is way up there. Without procedures that can only be accomplished by an internist, the costs of which are far beyond my means for the moment, the Vet took her best guess.
“Thyroid, Cush disease, or cancer,” she said gently. Last Friday she started him on medication for his thyroid and antibiotics for his infections. Because these need to taken on a full stomach and he is not crazy about dog food, I went shopping for beef and chicken. He lifted his nose to catch a sniff when I opened the oven door, so I knew it would work...and it did. I’m sure it’s not just my wishful thinking that he is already feeling better. He is still sleeping a lot, but has come out of my closet (where he goes to hide when he is hurting) and is back on his couch.
I worked long hours on both Saturday and Sunday – and there we go. The end of the month has arrived. Overtime, for the most part, is over. Today Helen was going for her cataract operation, and I didn’t want to leave Smooch alone, so I took the first of the many days owed to me to stay at home. There are some T-4’s to be done for the two clients I had kept from my own business, but a nice snooze is on the agenda too; needless to say that I haven’t been doing much of that, what with worrying about my boy.
And tonight...ah yes! Habs are not playing hockey, and I’m planning on spending a pleasurable time looking at my friends’ pictures from their tour in Indonesia, and diving into Blogit. Hours of my favorite pastime – reading – and I’m so looking forward to it!
For sure I’ll be SMILING!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec
Saturday, February 22, 2014
SOME GOOD CORRUPTION....
“Umm...Boss? You do know that the Olympics are starting next week?” The rather formidable lady stopped and looked at me.
“Yes, I do,” she answered. “And?”
“My guys are over there. Two of my Hab guys. And they play at noon instead of in the evening.” I grinned at her. I knew it would take her but a moment to realize what I was asking. One of the things I had stressed when being interviewed for this contract (besides Brad Pitt being my notion of an ideal boss) was that there be no overtime on hockey nights. In spite of their agreeing, I had missed most of the games in January and February due to working late in the evenings and on weekends for setting up the new accounting program. I hadn’t grumbled...much....yet.
Now the Manager not only gave permission, she had one of the more computer savvy administration dudes come and download the site onto my station, and she made sure I had ear pieces to also hear the plays. Work at my desk was pushed aside for 90 minutes of play.
I can’t help it – I get so into the game that when our Canadian team scored I yelled out a ‘Whoop! Whoop!’, startling more than one co-worker. I had remarked that not many at the office seemed too interested in our National pastime, even the men, so was slightly surprised when one or another would stop by and ask me how we were doing, or who had made the goal. For the second game, I noted that I wasn’t the only person watching, and then there was more than one cheer ringing through the building when our girls won the gold.
Last Friday the Head Boss (who couldn’t help but see my enthusiasm for the upcoming game between USA and Canada) got into the spirit of the thing too. At his invitation, we filed into the conference room where he screened the game onto the projection wall, pizza and French fries were ordered for all, and the business was put on hold while we encouraged the lads to win, and I wasn’t the only one jumping up and down ,laughing gleefully, when it happened.
Haha!! My son tells me I’ve corrupted the office! More like educating, I would say.
My daughter arrives from Cuba at midnight, and I’ll be picking her up at the airport, then I’ll be off to the city where I’ll watch the final game for gold with my son, and that’s happening at 7 AM tomorrow morning. I’ll be finishing up the day at the office, one of my last overtime stints (March 1st is to be the limit date for that nonsense!) and perfect timing, because the NHL is back to its schedule next week.
I can’t wait to get some of my life back: time with my doggies, hockey, Blogit, writing, and reading...not necessarily in that order.
Life is good – I’m sure you can tell by this huge SMILE on my face!!
Sharing with y’all as always!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
“Yes, I do,” she answered. “And?”
“My guys are over there. Two of my Hab guys. And they play at noon instead of in the evening.” I grinned at her. I knew it would take her but a moment to realize what I was asking. One of the things I had stressed when being interviewed for this contract (besides Brad Pitt being my notion of an ideal boss) was that there be no overtime on hockey nights. In spite of their agreeing, I had missed most of the games in January and February due to working late in the evenings and on weekends for setting up the new accounting program. I hadn’t grumbled...much....yet.
Now the Manager not only gave permission, she had one of the more computer savvy administration dudes come and download the site onto my station, and she made sure I had ear pieces to also hear the plays. Work at my desk was pushed aside for 90 minutes of play.
I can’t help it – I get so into the game that when our Canadian team scored I yelled out a ‘Whoop! Whoop!’, startling more than one co-worker. I had remarked that not many at the office seemed too interested in our National pastime, even the men, so was slightly surprised when one or another would stop by and ask me how we were doing, or who had made the goal. For the second game, I noted that I wasn’t the only person watching, and then there was more than one cheer ringing through the building when our girls won the gold.
Last Friday the Head Boss (who couldn’t help but see my enthusiasm for the upcoming game between USA and Canada) got into the spirit of the thing too. At his invitation, we filed into the conference room where he screened the game onto the projection wall, pizza and French fries were ordered for all, and the business was put on hold while we encouraged the lads to win, and I wasn’t the only one jumping up and down ,laughing gleefully, when it happened.
Haha!! My son tells me I’ve corrupted the office! More like educating, I would say.
My daughter arrives from Cuba at midnight, and I’ll be picking her up at the airport, then I’ll be off to the city where I’ll watch the final game for gold with my son, and that’s happening at 7 AM tomorrow morning. I’ll be finishing up the day at the office, one of my last overtime stints (March 1st is to be the limit date for that nonsense!) and perfect timing, because the NHL is back to its schedule next week.
I can’t wait to get some of my life back: time with my doggies, hockey, Blogit, writing, and reading...not necessarily in that order.
Life is good – I’m sure you can tell by this huge SMILE on my face!!
Sharing with y’all as always!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
MEANWHILE, BACK IN THE BUSH...
When I first joined the office, I warned my colleagues that if there was something that wasn’t functioning quite right, I would be sure to stumble on it. They believe me now.
The reports the antique accounting program wasn’t able to generate were the ones I requested. The alarm sensor on the warehouse door loosened and the system wouldn’t come on; being the last to leave the building, I made that discovery too. It didn’t help that the person responsible for such things had omitted to give anyone the passwords needed when reporting problems to the alarm company.
The filing drawer in my desk had lost some screws and fell apart; the day it was my turn to prepare coffee I found the container empty...the designated purchaser forgot to bring some in.
Yep – a walking ‘Law of Murphy’ – that’s me!
It has been a hectic 3 months of reintegration: dressing in something other than pyjamas very early each morning, commuting, punching a clock (so to speak), being surrounded by people constantly, relearning, reorganizing, readapting; I remember it being much easier when I was much younger.
Through all this I did manage to brave the storm of the century and drive down to Detroit one weekend to bring Suzie home for Xmas. It took 13 hours to get there, and another 15 to drive back the next day. And we made it safe and sound, quite happy we were not one of the vehicles found in the ditch every 40 KM or so. People in Ontario should look into changing their all-seasons radials for winter tires!
I made up for having no Christmas last year by having two full-houses, one after the other, during these holidays. The lovely Léna, my great granddaughter, was cuddled and spoiled, as were my 3 rugrats, and the crowd swelled with bf’s and gf’s of the older grandchildren. Some of Helen’s family also joined the fray. Rock and roll!
If you have wondered why I haven’t been writing, it’s because there has been overtime nearly every evening and most weekends, and I’m totally pooped when I get home, where the doggies and kitty are waiting so patiently for my company. I have to admit that I have less insomnia now; Morpheus is beckoning from my bed before I make it all the way upstairs from the garage! In fact, I have to struggle to get out of his arms at 5 AM in the morning – isn’t that a nice turn-a-round?
We introduced the new accounting system this week. When we get over the adjusting and finish ironing out the bugs my workload should be greatly reduced. I miss my reading and my writing and my hockey and can’t wait to get back to it.
In the meantime I’m sending y’all big, lonesome SMILES!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
The reports the antique accounting program wasn’t able to generate were the ones I requested. The alarm sensor on the warehouse door loosened and the system wouldn’t come on; being the last to leave the building, I made that discovery too. It didn’t help that the person responsible for such things had omitted to give anyone the passwords needed when reporting problems to the alarm company.
The filing drawer in my desk had lost some screws and fell apart; the day it was my turn to prepare coffee I found the container empty...the designated purchaser forgot to bring some in.
Yep – a walking ‘Law of Murphy’ – that’s me!
It has been a hectic 3 months of reintegration: dressing in something other than pyjamas very early each morning, commuting, punching a clock (so to speak), being surrounded by people constantly, relearning, reorganizing, readapting; I remember it being much easier when I was much younger.
Through all this I did manage to brave the storm of the century and drive down to Detroit one weekend to bring Suzie home for Xmas. It took 13 hours to get there, and another 15 to drive back the next day. And we made it safe and sound, quite happy we were not one of the vehicles found in the ditch every 40 KM or so. People in Ontario should look into changing their all-seasons radials for winter tires!
I made up for having no Christmas last year by having two full-houses, one after the other, during these holidays. The lovely Léna, my great granddaughter, was cuddled and spoiled, as were my 3 rugrats, and the crowd swelled with bf’s and gf’s of the older grandchildren. Some of Helen’s family also joined the fray. Rock and roll!
If you have wondered why I haven’t been writing, it’s because there has been overtime nearly every evening and most weekends, and I’m totally pooped when I get home, where the doggies and kitty are waiting so patiently for my company. I have to admit that I have less insomnia now; Morpheus is beckoning from my bed before I make it all the way upstairs from the garage! In fact, I have to struggle to get out of his arms at 5 AM in the morning – isn’t that a nice turn-a-round?
We introduced the new accounting system this week. When we get over the adjusting and finish ironing out the bugs my workload should be greatly reduced. I miss my reading and my writing and my hockey and can’t wait to get back to it.
In the meantime I’m sending y’all big, lonesome SMILES!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
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