Distractions

I know. Nearly a month ago I said I had another post running around in my head. I still do. But this isn’t it. Like I said. Distractions.

Having my brother here for 11 days. It was good having another human in the house to talk to.

More distractions. Some time shortly after my brother left I noticed that Zen was struggling to get up on the bed, the couch, and his favorite chair at times. 😢

So I made an appointment with our vet to come to us to do X-rays. Meanwhile I increased Zen’s dose of Zoey’s (Chinese) herbal meds. So by the time Dr. Simpson and his tech arrived the following week, Zen was starting to feel better. He was still struggling but not as much.

And even more distractions. During the week in between the phone call and the appointment, one of our pet sitters found our beloved TCVM vet via Facebook. Or maybe it was Substack. Whatever. At first I was skeptical because Dr. B. had dropped social media like a hot potato when she left clinical practice to spend more time with her kiddos. (Can’t say as I blame her, either, considering some of the attitudes I heard about later on.) But I made some phone calls to folks who would know and got the answer I was hoping for. That really was her whom Jen had found and told me about. So, I reached out and got a response. 💕

More distractions: reading Dr. B.’s articles on Substack. Back when she was giving Ducky acupuncture treatments, she had gotten me interested in TCVM – fascinated, really – but with Bogie’s tragic death and then losing Ducky while trying to manage Sam and his demons, I couldn’t keep up. Anyway, fast forward to last week….

Dr. Simpson did an all-over hands-on exam once Zen finally realized that the guy who stole his manhood was here to help him and relaxed a little. A little insight here: Dr. Simpson is like the Energizer bunny on steroids and that high-frequency energy just wears my poor, low-key boy out. 🥹 That’s why I was so thrilled when Dr. B. started working with Dr. Simpson. And heartbroken when she left. Presumptive diagnosis: a muscle strain or soft tissue injury in the left pelvic region. Treatment: 15 days of Carprofen to reduce the inflammation. It’s Working! Zen isn’t struggling any more.

Meanwhile, I had a ZOOM call with Dr. B. on Friday to discuss TCVM options for Zen. And on Tuesday I received her report with recommendations. Too many to list here and now, but I’m working on them. One is to get a little bit of weight off the boy. Thankfully – I guess – it’s been hot and humid all week so the Z Kiddos haven’t missed the food and treats I cut back on. (Zoey still needs to lose a few pounds, too.)

So, once I have all these distractions worked into our normal day-to-day life, I’ll try to get back to the post I’ve been meaning to write for the past month. But for now I’m just going to say have a great weekend!

Here’s a pic of Zen dealing with Zoey’s sass….

I’m gonna sit on your head until you chill out.

Happy Father’s Day To All! 💙🩵💙

This is indeed the best Father’s Day I’ve had in a long time! 💙🩵💙

My Zoey has healed beautifully – the incision looks great and the surgical glue has dried/been absorbed/whatever it does to become invisible – so I took the surgical recovery suit off of her this morning. Now it can be washed and put away until it’s needed by another family member.

Good time for a rest

My big boy Zen is home, too! And it feels wonderful to have him here! I have my little family back together again, the way we should be.

He loves his half a tennis ball!

When we got home from visiting with their Grandpa, we all got some water and went back outside for a little bit of fetch. But 10 minutes of that hot, humid air was about all this dog mom could stand. So, we’re back inside chilling out in the air-conditioned house.

Zoey’s happy to have Zen home, too!

Tomorrow and Tuesday are Zen’s 27-Month and Zoey’s 21-Month birthdays respectively. Friday (the 14th) was their mutual monthly Gotcha Day. Where have the months gone??!

Have a Great Week Everyone!!!

Zoey’s Vet Appointment

It’s nothing to worry about. My little girl is being spayed today, three months, two weeks, and one day before her second birthday.

My Wild Child

I have absolute, complete faith in her doctor and I know she will come through the surgery with flying colors.

And to make sure she heals completely and properly, big brother Zen will be spending these next two weeks at his Grandpa Chuck’s house. Not because he would ever do anything to harm his little sister, but because Zoey is a little instigator. And she will need to rest and stay calm for these two weeks.

My Soul Dog in Training

I will miss my big boy so much! This is the first time he’ll be away from home for more than a day since hubby was admitted to the hospital (for the last time) in July of 2022. Zen has been “there” for me through the roughest months of 2022 and beyond. He has truly been my soul dog in training – with Ducky as his spirit guide – helping me to heal, letting me cry into his furry, wavy, Golden locks, and giving me the best human-like hugs.

But while I’ll be missing him – and Zoey will, too – this will be an excellent opportunity for Zoey and I to work on our bond. She’s going to have to be calm and not take running leaps onto furniture, not run around the yard like a lunatic, not do her”acrobatic” leaps to catch her ball; and I’m sure there will be other restrictions. So, I’m going to start her with some of Ducky’s food puzzles, and some games of easy tug of war, and some easy scent work games. And hopefully start working on her confidence so we can ease her separation anxiety with some games.

Zen’s Sunday Selfie

Hi Everyone, Zen here! I hope you like my selfie! I love curling up in Mom’s recliner. And the end table* is a great place to rest my chin.

*Mom wanted me to tell you that she is particularly fond of this end table. Why would anyone be fond of a piece of furniture I asked her. She told me “because, my love, your sweet human Daddy built it himself out of walnut and oak that he got from his parents’ house back when we were newlyweds. And, he used the table saw that my father gave him just because.”

Well, that’s it for me today. Hope you like my selfie! Zoey was sound asleep on the floor in front of the couch. Maybe she will do the Sunday Selfie next week.

Friday Morning Snuggles 💜💜🐾🐾

My sweet little girl. Zen’s sweet – and sassy – little sister. This munchkin is approaching her teenage months, bless her heart. I think she’s close to coming into her first season…she has a hard time getting comfortable, panting hard at times and then relaxing for a few minutes.

And for now she’s quietly resting – still here on the couch with me – while Zen sleeps at my feet. The perfect way to start a weekend…with my (fur) babies at my side or at least close by. 💚🐾💜🐾

Happy Tuesday

Hi Everyone! The Z Kids’ mama here to tell you all is well in our part of the world. The Z Kids are resting here in the living room with me.

Chilling out

We spent about an hour playing out in the back yard after they had their breakfast. Zen has become a bit of a fresh air addict – like Ducky was – so sometimes I have to watch him to be sure he doesn’t overdo playtime. But he’s a teenager now – God help me! – so he needs more exercise than he did this time last year. He LOVES chasing down balls that I throw around the yard. He also loves playing “keep away” from me and “tug war” with Zoey.

Z Kids Playtime

Well, my big boy is letting me know he wants to go back outside so I’ll make this a short post. The Z Kids and I hope “all y’all” have a Happy Tuesday!

Zen’s Chillin’ with Grandpa

My little boy is spending some time with his grandpa, doggie mama, auntie, and cousins – being taught doggie manners by five adult dogs in the same house. And getting a break from the stress of dealing with his human daddy’s dementia. And giving me a break from his teething. 🐊 🦈

Exploring Grandpa’s Yard
The room where he spent the first 8 weeks of his life.

“Grandpa Chuck” has been enjoying Zen’s time with him, too. I get glowing reports – and photos and/or videos – daily. Zen is being an absolutely perfect house guest. No teething, no biting, and no “accidents” to clean up. He did need a bath though after spending part of last Saturday helping his grandpa wash his truck. 🤪

Meanwhile, I’m here at home, working with hubby’s dementia doctor, trying to help him deal with the challenges of the dementia. I’m alone physically but I do have emotional support in the form of family and friends. And I can call our medical professionals any time I have questions.

I miss my canine emotional support team (Ducky and Bogie) and my “little ray of sunshine” (Zen) but I’m managing. At least I don’t have to worry about any of them getting hurt or feeling neglected.

My K9 Emotional Support Team
My “Little Ray of Sunshine”

So, on this Friday after Thankful Thursday, I’m thankful for caring, supportive medical professionals, family members, and friends (both online and IRL). More thankful than any words can convey.

Have a great weekend everyone! If it’s hot where you live – like it is here – stay cool and hydrated! If it’s cold, then keep warm (and hydrated). Love you all! Thanks for being our friends!

Just Ducky

Since Bogie joined our little family, Ducky’s hardly had any posts of her own. So, here goes.

Just watching the world go by.
Hi Mom!
Worn out after a wrestling match with baby brother.
My turn in Mom’s chair!

This little girl has been, still is, and will always be my rock, my earth angel, my canine soulmate, and my sweet baby girl. She helps me with Bogie, tells me when “Dex” is lurking in the shadows somewhere, and knows me better than I know myself sometimes.

I love you to the end of the universe and back, sweet girl. And I always will. ❤️❤️

Lucky Ducky

A few weeks ago I shared a story about Ducky’s curiosity when it comes to bees and other “critters” in our backyard. If you missed it, you can find it here.

Well, this morning, while we were enjoying the fresh air – and, I, my first cup of coffee – I noticed Ducky rubbing her snout in the grass by the narrow end of the driveway.

I walked over to investigate and guess what I found?

Only, when I first found him, he was resting in the dirt next to that blade of grass. Right where Ducky had been rubbing her snout! (I didn’t have my phone with me when I first went to investigate.)

This crazy dog of mine had been rubbing her snout on the bee!! My crazy, lucky dog! I don’t know how she managed to not get stung! She’s staying away from him now, just chilling out not far from my chair, with her favorite toy.

Thanks to our friends The LLB Gang for hosting the Nature Friday blog hop. Please visit them and other blogs through the links below!

This is a Blog Hop!

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…

Ducky’s Nemesis

Ducky – like Callie and Shadow before her – is curious about almost everything in the backyard. But sometimes her curiosity turns her into her own worst enemy….

See the hole on the right side of the photo, where the dead leaf is? Well, that’s the entrance to a beehive. I’m not sure how many bees are living in there, but I’ve always only seen one hovering around the hole.

A few days ago, Ducky’s curiosity got the better of her and she started digging and sniffing at the hole. And a bee came out to chase her away. And harass the living you-know-what out of her. I don’t know for sure if it stung her – I couldn’t feel or see any welts – but I brought her inside and gave her a Benadryl just in case. She settled down for a nap and I sat down to read for a while.

Then, when we came outside on both Thursday and yesterday, her curiosity got to her again. And her nemesis came after her, again. She just does. not. learn. 🙄

So far this morning her curiosity has been overruled by her prey drive. She’s only been interested in chasing the resident squirrels and chipmunk around the yard. And trying to find the chipmunk’s nest under the leaves against the back wall of the house. She hasn’t found one yet, but she’s been sniffing like crazy. 😂 At least the chipmunks won’t sting her. Or harass her.

Right now Miss Ducky is interested in one thing: chillin out in the fresh air and sunshine.