Back to work Wednesday

[Colliemom]

Hmmmm, here it is, 7:21 a.m. and no coffee ready yet. Everybody sleeping in today? Or off to work, the which of I will be doing later on. Afternoon shift for me today, 10-6:30. So I just finished up a toasted bagel and will have a bowl of strawberries in a little while.

BarbZee, I'm so sorry to hear about your parrot. Although sometimes those of us who have animals not birds, don't think of a bird as a pet, they are just as much in our lives as dog, cats, ferrets, and any other type of pet. And we miss them just as dearly. Hopefully your husband and also you, will get over the loss as time goes on. My grandfather always had a canary in his house and they sang so sweetly. It was very quiet when one died and it wasn't long before he got another one.

Well, the latest on Tessa is showing a little more improvement. As to the bed wetting episodes (only a couple in the last couple of weeks and a small accident on my breezeway carpet), we are increasing the Proin she is taking to a whole pill a day, half in the morning and half at night. And yes BJ, he did mention hormones. If the Proin doesn't work, then Estrogen is the next course of action. The antibiotics she is on right now seem to be helping, so we are going to keep her on them for probably the next 6 weeks. There is really no saying just what the underlying cause of all this is. Could be a kidney infection or anything. Her BUN count is a bit high yet as is one other count. Possible there could be some cancer lurking or maybe a tumor starting to form and press on the bladder. She did put on a pound though He told me that if I want to, I can take her down to Michigan State University School of Veterinary Medicine as they have the means and equipment to pin down what might be causing all this. But my feeling is that I'm going to let nature just take it's course here. She's doing fine other than this issue, is eating, drinking, going for walks and just being her normal doggy self. I can't afford the expense anyway and I don't want to subject her to a battery of tests and being scared to death in the process. And surgery is out of the question, no way can i afford it. There comes a point in time when no matter how much we love our pets, sometimes we just have to realize that they are only here on this earth for a period of time in which they enrich our lives and then it's their turn to move on. But to have them suffer through tests, surgeries and sometimes even chemo therapy should it be the case, is only prolonging their suffering and it gets to a point where we are doing if for us and not for them. It's time to let go. And if it comes to this for Tessa, so be it. But by the same token, my cousin's both have dogs. One had a big mass in her abdominal area that was pressing on her organs and my cousin decided to just let nature run it's course. The other had a shadow between his heart and lungs and surgery would have cost over $5,000, so they too said no. Both dogs are older but in good health otherwise. I just found out yesterday, the in both cases, whatever these things were, they have both disappeared and both dogs are fine. So who knows.

Wonder what today will bring at work. Probably same old as we are slowing down each week and gradually will be changing over to doing other things after Labor Day. So I figure that I will be doing my usual daily routine of cleaning the toilet/shower buildings and so forth. Will keep busy though. wish I were home painting the trim on my deck, but one needs to make money to buy the paint, so.......

Enough chatter for this morning. This is getting too long anyway. So I'm outta here. See you all later. Have a nice day.

[Dawn309]

Sue, I am hoping the increase in Tessa's medication does the trick for her and other than her intermittent bed wetting issue she seems to be doing fine. That is encouraging. I agree with you about not letting an animal suffer just to keep them for ourselves. I had to learn that one the hard way. Rascal's sister Sissy bad a lot of congenital birth defects in her heart and other organs I was not aware of until she got Salmanella because of one of my great nephews. He fed her chicken poop. He was only 3 at the time and didn't know any better. He had gotten outside from my Mom's with no one noticing. I took Sissy to the vet and we started the antibiotic treatments and I had to feed her through a tube. Her organs started to shut down and the vet and I fought with everything he could do to keep her going. It finally came down to she would have to be put on dialisis for the rest of her life. The vet finally told me that she was just hanging on because she loved me and I could not stand the thought of losing her. She did not appear to be in pain, but did not have any quality of life anymore. All she could do was lay here while I held her and took care of her needs. I could not afford the dialisis and it would have entailed a long drive to get it done. I finally did have to let her go. I know it was the best thing for her.

All that being said, since Tessa is doing mostly well, enjoy your time with her as I am sure you do.

[Redwahine]

I hope Tess does better. Any person that has pets knows how hard it is when your beloved pet gets older. It is so hard to let go. I just wish we could be as humane with people when it comes to end of life issues.

BarbZee, sorry about your parrot. Even though he was your DHs, parrots grow on you and they are smart. I had a Macaw named Tiki for many years. Birds are great pets, but they imprint to one human. Tiki was hilarious. He would follow me around the house while I did chores and jump on my back when I was kneeling over scrubbing the tub. He could imitate each one of our dog's bark and would have me running to see why they were barking, then he would laugh with a deep throated chuckle. He stood on top of his huge cage, flapped his wings and bobbed his head and say, "I'm an eagle, I'm an eagle". He had a very large vocabulary. He was really jealous of the first baby and tried to attack. Then he would mimic the cry of the baby and kept me running to check on the baby. I loved him and miss him, but will not have another at this point of my life.

This morning I was having a training session with Tyler. I'm working on teaching him "DOWN". I had the treats and I said, "sit". He sat. I gave him a treat. Then I said, "Down" and expected him to go into the down position. He got up, ran to his bed and lied down, and looked at me expectantly.....I couldn't stop laughing. I didn't give him the treat, but latter I gave him a favorite chewy thing. ( I don't want to reward him for not doing what I was trying to get him to do).

I'm gonna see if there is any coffee left and then I'm off to the grocery store because the cupboards are bare. Everyone stay safe. Aloha y'all

[Nasoosie]

My empty campsite on this beautiful Adirondack morning.

GOOD MORNING SUE AND ALL!

I know the agony of having aging dogs that develop sicknesses, tumors, heart problems, and so on, and it is as sressful on us as any family member's ills would be. Each time I go through the decision-making time, it tears me apart, and I have to force myself to have as much fun and as normal a life with my four-footers as I can, keeping in mind that they, if they are not suffering pain, have no clue that anything is any differenct than it has always been. I am hoping Tessa has a long time to still enoy doing her favorite things with her beloved mama, and that her mama shares that enjoyment.

Dawn is getting down to the last of her "stuff sorting and moving, and I am hoping you will find that being on the road with your mom will give you new direction in your life! You have been very strong to go through the necessities of breaking free, even though I am sure it has been a super stressful time for you. I am very thankful for the family help you have had, and the chance to build a new relationship with your daughter. I have felt each and every tear you have shed as you have moved through this tough time----now upward and onward!

Red, it sounds as if Tyler is quick to learn things! It seems as if he can even out-think your commands! When I get to FL, I really need to house-train Dinah, and make it so she can be left in the house without peeing on things, or eating anything she can get her mouth on. It won't be easy, as I am convinced she was never in a house until I found her. I wish I could afford the dog whisperer!

I took down the screen room yesterday, shucked stuff in and out of this trailer trying to free up some space for Kathy, my friend, if indeed she still is coming south with me. We have both been so busy this summer that we haven't found the time to track each other down and sit to make plans. The oil company came and, hopefully, fixed the leaky filter on my kerosene storage tank. Time will tell. I did several loads of laundry to get all clothes clean and ready in case I decide to go to VT this upcoming weekend for another bluegrass festival. It would be about a 150 mile trip for me, one way, but entails 8 days of free camping with four days of music by some neat bluegrass groups for 60 dollars. The big cost right now, of course, is gas to get there and back. Not sure if it will be a go, or not yet. I put more stuff back into the leanto yesterday, also, and now just need to get bedding out of there. I am slowly crossing stuff off my list of to-dos.

Today I need to get the Women's GTG banner in the mail, organize all my cupboards in here (trailer) and maybe begin to drain my pool. It was 37 when I got up this morning! I can let it drain and then get dry enough to store properly this year in a bin rather than just dragging it to the shelter where the mice can eat it as they did my larger one over the winter. Speaking of which, something was climbing over this trailer last night, and I found a strange scat on my mat this morning----much larger than a mouse or squirrel, and much smaller than anything but a baby coyote. I couldn't identify it by smell, so I have no idea what visited us in the dark!

Today I will tackle the paddleboat at the pond, making it secure for this upcoming winter, and get the canoes back into the porch of the cabin down there.

Hope all is well weather-wise with you all, and that you are finding fun stuff to keep your life exciting and challenging!

[BarbaraRose]

Soos, you are always so busy! I wonder if that critter could have been a raccoon or a possum?

I got woken up in the middle of the night by what sounded like a cat fight, but I only heard one cat, so am thinking the other critter was a raccoon or something. I ended up going outside to find my roommate's cat and he came running inside when I called him.

Red, that story about your Macaw is funny! I had a friend with some kind of little bird that would dive bomb my head and then laugh! I hated that little guy!

I have the day off today. Need to do laundry and get caught up on some phone calls and misc stuff, like manicure, pedicure and maybe frost my hair too. There will probably be a nap in there somewhere as well Maybe even sit outside and read for awhile, as long as I don't get attacked by the bees that have a hive under the deck! (one of my roommates got stung 12 times last week and had to go to the hospital!)

Hope you all have a great day!

[Barbzeee]

Oh my I attempted to enter and each time I got booted off...mmmm someone telling me something ??? LOL...any way I'm now on the Afternoon shift...but my heart was in Morning time..really...

Thank you all for those kind words...Yes, it's difficult cause the house is so quiet and cleaning and throwing out toys of Medusa's was a strange feeling...but had to be done..Now we look at this empty huge cage..

Red, I was smiling as I was reading your post about your MaCaw.. I have a friend that has breed them for years and when I'd go visit with her I'd duck cause they do look so intimidating..and I use to tell my friend I have an Amazon (Medusa) who could give these sweeties a run for their money LOL.... but you know these birds are amazing..and yep, my house is so quiet..but again I'm leaving this decision up to hubby.. I mean she was with us 35 years and I truly thought she'd out live me..!

Sue (Colliemom) I sure hope things go better for you with Tessa...never easy and I've been in critters since I was a teenager and each time something happened to one it just breaks your heart..but I'm keeping you and Ms Tessa in my prayers that things will go a little better for you..

Soos (Nasoosie) ...Goodness women you tire me out.. but I know you have one heck of a layout with lots of work to do....and you know you may be right about Dinah... she may very well been just an outside dog..(oh I hate that ) and the breed she is..sometimes they are stubborn...but ya know like I said to Dawn, "You can teach them no matter what age"...pssst I've been accused of being a "Dog Whisperer"...as no matter what breed it was or how bad it was I was able to show them...

Barbie...did I read correctly.. you are gonna "Move Again"...girlfriend you are good ! I'm exhausted with the thoughts of the up and coming move...you have to have a science to it...Glory Be...LOL... but you know there is nothing like having your own space..so that part I understand..and the apt looks really nice..loved the fireplace too..oh yeah... S'mores for sure

Ok...now I need to wake my critters up and get their butts outside...Yep, I've got mine on schedules cause when we go back to Florida..(hoping no major damage with this storm a brewing ) I have no doggie door and it's up and down ..good exercise for me too..and them...

Hope you all have a great day and those traveling...Keep Safe...and most of all...God's Blessings Shine Down On All..


Psst...Mitch my little kitchen smoker came today....next will be to use it...!!!

[BarbaraRose]

Barbzee, I have barely unpacked anything yet and I don't have much to begin with, so moving again won't be a big deal. I plan to stay put for quite a while tho, this time. I am tired of moving so much so it will be nice to finally settle down in a nice affordable place now that I have a nice comfortable place to work. I am already looking for some cheap/used furniture since I don't have any other than my bed and dresser.

[Dawn309]

Wish you were here, Barbie. We will have good furniture for cheap (free) from Mom's house in a few days. She has a recliner she just bought less than 6 months ago along with a kitchen table and chairs, and her bedroom set. We are going to leave the furniture in her house. Matt said he knew at least 50 people who could really use these items. His guys are already making use of the furniture my DD and SIL could not take from my house. My niece has been taking what pieces she wanted from Mom's house this week. That has sure helped me get an idea of what I will need to clear out of her house. I am already bringing her pots and pans to Sunshine since she just bought her set a few months ago. They are red Paula Deen and go really well with my red ice machine and soda stream.