EASTER THIS YEAR

Grrrr.

My brain is whirling with numbers and I am slightly fed up. Once again I have made the decision to slow down, to let go of some work. We’ll see if I can manage to do it this time. Well, after this weekend.

Because I was working, I’ve spent Easter alone with the doggies and my son’s kitties. They are under my care while he is in Japan. The oldest one needs to take pills every day, twice a day, so you can imagine the mini-battle going on here each morning and evening. Unlike dogs, who are usually fooled into swallowing the medication disguised in tasty treats, this cat waits until I let go of him, then spits out the offending object. And the process starts all over again. I hold him, force his jaw open while avoiding batting paws, attempt to shove the pill into his mouth without touching those sharp fangs, then hold his mouth closed and rub his throat and belly for a few minutes. When it seems safe, I let him go and listen for the sound of the pill hitting the floor, which happens 2 times out of three. The third time is what counts, and he keeps it in (or will have to give up breathing altogether!), so should still be healthy when his family returns from holiday.

Our youngest baby, my great grandson, Zack, is in the hospital with pneumonia. Big sister Léna is staying with her Mamie, my daughter, while Mommy and Daddy take turns keeping Zack company. Poor wee tyke; poor parents. I can remember going through that with my own son.  It’s scary and family support is very important during the ordeal. We all keep in touch to be updated. My son and his Japanese father-in-law went to a temple and asked Buddha that Zack heal quickly and well. My son is not religious, but he is very family-oriented and compassionate and decided that it could possible help, and certainly not harm, especially with his FIL being such a devout believer.

It’s still raining here, melting all the once-sparkling-but-now-dirty muddy snow from my hills. Actually, it is removing the snow and leaving the mud! Ah well. I’ll cheer up when I see the dandelions’ yellow heads dancing on those same hills in a couple of weeks. Canadian geese have already started flying overhead, and that’s a sure sign.

And speaking of Canadian, have you seen our hockey teams on a roll?? The Habs will be playing again tonight. I’m loving it, and because they won the last game, I’m SMILING!!

Sending that SMILE out to y’all, wrapped in a yellow ribbon and carried by a bunnywabbit!

LUV FROM THE BUSH IN QUEBEC.

MORPHEUS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING...

It’s 4 AM and here I am, needing to be alert for the drive to work in a couple of hours, which is probably the exact time I COULD sleep. The house is quiet; my little Miko and her parents are on holiday in Japan; my youngest son and his rugrats spend most of their time with his new lady friend at her house now; that leaves my three doggies, my son’s two kitties, and me. I do miss the family, but this comfortable silence is also very welcome.

Both the office at work and at home are sky high with papers, stuff all to be done yesterday. I plow through so much of it during the day and most evenings, only taking timeout to watch hockey, but never seem to get ahead. I don’t even dare peek at what needs to be done for house cleaning except the bare minimum. When I have a brain freeze I pop into Facebook or Blogit to relax it a bit, a mental breathing through the nose.

My Mommy (the first pit rescue) has been having problems. She’s suffering from separation anxiety, badly. She ate through 3 of my walls, right down to the wiring and struts, even with my DIL trying to calm her down. I have been bringing her to work with me while waiting on the trainer to come back from vacation. We’re not sure what set it off, but when we take in rescues there is always the possibility of former trauma rearing its head.  I tried a crate, but she pulled a Houdini and escaped, hurting herself while doing so. She’s fine as long as I am with her or she can hear me close by, but goes into frenzy when I’m not around. The trainer I have chosen is young and cheerful and, from what I’ve seen so far, quite competent. Hopefully we’ll bring Mommy back to the confident, sweet girl she was up to a couple of months ago.

My health problems are resolved for the most part, and for that I am very grateful. No surgery required for the moment. The specialist was surprised when I hugged him, LOL! I came out of his office with the biggest SMILE!

That SMILE is still on my face, and I’m sharing it with y’all!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

WHAT IS HAPPY?

I had been having health problems off and on during the past year and suspected that a low immune system caused by the various medications I was taking was the culprit. A month ago it all caught up to me. It was a chore to drive home from the office, and when I finally did arrive, it was straight to bed. I stayed there for 3 days while my flock gathered, braving the doggies who surrounded me in protection mode,  worrying but not quite sure how to deal with my refusal to do anything but groan and sleep. My daughter finally put her foot down and said she would be here early the next morning to take me to the hospital – be ready or she was calling an ambulance. Oops! I was ready.

A day at the hospital did give me results. Scans, tests, examinations...then another long period of antibiotics, which my system constantly fights, and a meeting with the surgeon scheduled for the end of February. I am surprised but appreciate that things are moving right along considering the lamentable state of our provincial medical program. 

The house was full that night when I arrived from the hospital – my youngest son was preparing supper in the kitchen with the rest of the offspring playing or sitting around chatting. I changed into p.j.’s and housecoat and joined the crowd.  I was leaning on the fridge when my second Rug rat, the little blonde bombshell, touched my arm in passing and said ‘Hello, Mémère!’, his grin a mile wide. I responded with my own grin, and he turned back to me and threw his arms around my waist.

“We haven’t seen you for a long time, I want a hug.” I hugged him. He pulled away to leave, then decided he wanted more. “But it’s been too long,” he said. “I need a bigger hug!” I obliged, of course, and it was the beginning, because what one sibling does needs to be copied by the others. Little Miko was the last one to emulate her cousins, and their daddy’s decided they would keep it going. Ha-ha-ha and I love you too but now I need to breathe so back off, boys!!

I really don’t know what I’ll do when they all go on their merry ways, although this house has a way of alternating between quite empty to quite full, LOL! We never know what tomorrow brings, but another adventure is sure to come knocking on the door.

What do you think, folks? Does this keep me SMILING? And y’all know I’m sharing it – it’s winging its way to you as you read!

Love from the Bush in Quebec.

PITBULLS AND KIDDIES

Once again it has been awhile. My life seems to rotate in cycles of busy, very busy, and extreme busy with short breaks where there is total quiet. I can’t remember many of the latter.

Our oldest Rugrat was at first quite reluctant to join us. Life was much easier living with a permissive Mommy who let him do pretty well whatever he wanted whenever he wanted.  Knowing that there were feelings resulting from the separation, my son didn’t pressure him. The school called a meeting and stressed that, yes, the boys needed to follow along – his grades were plummeting and his attitude was deteriorating. He needed his Dad. The first day of his arrival was a little tense; he was keeping his distance from all of us. It didn’t take long for that to change. It’s very difficult to fight attention, especially when it’s what you want anyway. I knew it would turn out fine. This was the Rugrat, after all, who had once told me that he really loved his life while living here.

Little Miko is thriving in these surroundings, and how could she not? She bosses the dogs around when they are in her way, will hug them when they’re not, and has learned to hit the floor and throw her arms up to hide her head when she sees Eli come running at her. She isn’t crazy about the ear washes Eli bestows each time there is an opportunity, LOL! She’ll look around and make sure it’s all clear before getting up to resume her play.

Eli and the youngest Rugrat have made their peace. The child has realized that one needs to be kind to animals, and Eli has decided that he too is one of her pack, so all is well. Sam, except for his size (he thinks he’s a Chihuahua), was never a problem – he’s just big and noisy but extremely affectionate, and is now Miko’s guardian. If she even whimpers he is beside her immediately, and he checks out anyone else approaching her with a stern eye.  Mommy always was a sweetie, and when she gets tired of all the activity she’ll disappear to relax on my bed.

Working full time, then coming home to a full house means very few free hours for anything other than sleeping, but I’ve never done much of that anyway. I do miss writing, but I read daily in Blogit so keep up on your doings at least.

People shake their head when they hear about the situation, wondering aloud how I am able to handle it at my age. Handle it??? I love every minute of it, and it shows by the size of my SMILE!

Sharing it with y’all, aren’t I??

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

It’s New Year’s Eve – just another hour to go before we’ll be in 2017. I’ve been alone with my doggies since late afternoon. The kids are out and about at different parties. I was invited to at least 3 of them, but refused. Pyjamas, a glass of eggnog and rum, the hockey game, then listening to music I used to enjoy with my mom and brother and sister once upon a time. This is exactly what I wanted.

I’m amazed at how well all of us have been able to adjust to the recent changes in our lives. The Rugrats are quite calm in spite of the separation, and the more I watch their dad (my youngest son), the more I admire him as a father; my oldest son and wife and little Miko deal very well with the noise created by so many in one house (there are 8 of us, 4 being children), the doggies are enjoying the extra attention, and Mémère? Well, she grins and repeats what she seems to have been saying forever: “The more, the merrier!”

Blessed – that is what we are. A close and loving family facing together whatever comes our way, which, thankfully, has been mostly all good. We’ll greet 2017 with SMILES!!

Sending lots of them out to you all, with the best wishes for a great NEW YEAR!!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

TROUBLE IN PARADISE

I noticed that Eli stares at our youngest Rug rat whenever they are in the same room, and that she lowers her head when she hears his voice from anywhere in the house. It is not a good sign. For some reason she has a total aversion to him.  I stayed close by on Friday morning as the boys prepared for school. Six year old T was coming down the stairs and she raced toward him, barking and growling. The child backed up in fright, but Eli kept closing in. I grabbed her collar and it took all my strength to quiet her enough to shut her away in another room.  

Eli is short for Elizabeth, and she was one of the five puppies who spent her first couple of months here with her mommy before being picked up by the rescue group for adoption. She was my favorite, and I cried a little more for her than for the others when she was gone. From the litter she had been the brightest, the most curious, the first to try anything, confident and a bit bossy, but oh so loving!!  Still, I had convinced myself that I only wanted ONE dog, so let her go in spite of my desire to keep her. I should have heeded that desire. I kept checking on the Rescue site and little Eli was the only one of all the puppies still up for adoption. I couldn’t understand it, and inquired often, but it seemed each potential taker didn’t work out.

I don’t know what happened to this poor little girl while she was gone; I just know she was not the same playful, sweetheart when she came back to spend time here while her present fosters were on vacation. She was skinny and extremely hyper...and so fearful, lashing out at Mommy and Sam, shaking and defensive when anyone approached her. It took a least a week before I could even let her interact with the other dogs. I only released her to play when Sam and Mommy were outside, and each night I dragged her cage into my bedroom so that she could sleep beside the bed, while Sam and Mommy would cuddle up with me. One evening I put her in Sam’s crate with HIS cushion and HIS blankets instead of her own. After spending the night surrounded by his smell, she decided that he was a friend after all, and they were soon playing together.

 It was maybe 2 days before they were to come and pick her up. The three doggies were romping around me, and she looked much calmer. At one point she broke away from the game and came to sit beside me, much as she did in her puppy days, gazing up at me with such a happy face. It was 11 PM but, my decision made, I texted the rescue group immediately. This baby was going nowhere; she would stay right here where I am sure she was meant to be from the get-go. I had already been investigated, so her adoption went through without a hitch.

Eli has come a long way from the behaviour she exhibited on her arrival. She has learned to trust again, and to do doggie things without always looking around to see who is near her. She prances, much like Bud used to do, and is high energy but very sweet and listens well.  The reaction she has to T makes me suspect that one of her many foster homes had young children, probably boys, who were not kind to her at all. She is afraid of him, and a frightened dog will bite. There doesn’t seem to be a problem with the other children – her gaze centers on young T. Immediate steps need to be taken. I had already looked into behaviour modification sessions awhile back, but they are very expensive, she was doing really well, so I had decided to wait and see.  There will be no more waiting; tomorrow I’ll call and book her evaluation, stressing the urgency.

Sorry – I know my post is long, and with the family all returning today I have no time to edit. I’ll try to do better next time. Hoping my sending out a HUGE SMILE with it will make the reading easier!!! Here’s to y’all!!

 

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

UPDATING....

Things have been so crazy around here lately that I’m wondering if I’m coming or going. From the way the doggies are stuck to me right now, I believe they are wondering the same thing.

Our daily routine, if one could call it routine, has changed. My son and Japanese DIL and little Miko are here more often than not, and will be moving in completely by the end of next week. They have not yet sold their house in the city, but with my son’s job transfer and the hours required for commuting back and forth, they will stay with me temporarily until being able to purchase their own place in town. The Rug Rats’ parents are separated again, so my youngest son has also moved in. We’re still waiting to see what the final arrangements will be for the Rug Rats, but more likely than not they will be here 2 weeks out of every three.  How temporary this proves to be remains to be seen.

The doggies, for the moment, no longer have total free access to the house. Little Miko is not solid on her feet yet, and one swipe of any of their tails will send her flying. That involves much opening and closing of doors here and there, and when I am working they are restricted to one room. They are adapting quite well, I dare say better than their mistress. I have a massive guilt trip each time I need to shut them away. It doesn’t help that the hours at the office, instead of being reduced in this low season, have been increased due to staff shortage, which means I am away more often than I care to be or, even when home, spend many hours in my office playing catch-up.

Yesterday morning I left the house at 4 AM. We needed to be at the city hospital for 6:15, and the heavy traffic requires an early start. I was expecting to be back at the house for noon, not realizing that a biopsy in the day clinic would take so-o-o-o-o long!  Of course it would be a day when no-one else was here at home, so my poor dogs were completely alone. I finally reached my neighbour around 3 PM, and she came in to feed them and let them out for a bit, then they were back into the room until I arrived at 8:30 PM. I was pretty exhausted, so lots of hugging was as much exercise as I could give them. Sweethearts that they are, they cuddled up quietly when we hit the bed. When I got up in the wee hours, Sam wasn’t the only one to follow me; both ladies, contrary to their usual antics, were right behind me too.  It is the first time their behaviour indicates any reaction to the change in our habits.

Well, there you go. I’ve managed a few months’ update in 4 short paragraphs! Right now it is snowing softly outside, the fire is crackling, and there is just me and my beasts spending some quiet time. After a couple of hours playing outside, we’re heading back to snooze. There hasn’t been a lot of that lately – so it will be welcome. Tonight the house will fill up again, family enjoying each other, and that makes me SMILE!

Sharing it with you folks!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.