Last Tuesdsy of April

[Colliemom]

Morning. Got my morni g shower and dried my hair, so ready to start my day. First order of business is to get urine sample from Piper and take it to the vet. She’s been wetting her bed at night, so want to get ither checked out.

Cloudy and damp here this morniNg, so no outside work. Got my lawn tractor going on Sunday and went over my yard with tge dethatcher and then yesterdsy, did the entrance area to the sub here. Now the rain can soak in. Since we are going to have rain next couple days, I will get into my closet paibting project and finish the area of stairway I ran short of paint on.

Martha, your UFO is Skylink satellites. They are in a line of about 12. Barb, if you get the dimensions you need for lattice Under your porch, Hone Depot or Lowes can cut it for you.

For thoseof you who remember ROberta Kallay, she was at a GTG with some os us in Shipshewana and one the covered bridge tour in Rockville. She just returned home from being in the hospital with a pulmonary embolism. She made this post after she came home.

Things are closed and we have all slowed down a bit - perhaps too slow. When I was in the hospital, the doc commented that they are seeing a lot of folks with strokes, pulmonary embolism, deep vein clots since the COVID shut down. Some have speculated hat the clots are COVID related and caused by COVID. But at the hospital where I was treated the docs say they are treating many clots where COVID is NOT present. They theorize that the clots are not caused by the COVID, but rather caused by inactivity of folks with and without the virus. The doc said to spread the word that everyone needs to get up off the couch and MOVE!!! So - I am doing that. Please be sure to remain active. Find some activities where you are moving around. walk outside, go up and down your steps a few times. Think about - we are not even walking around in the grocery any more - it is pick up or a quick in and out. BE ACTIVE - get busy, get up!! Have a good day! Take care and God bless you all!

So please make sure to follow the advice, don’t want any of my forum sisters to wind up with a stroke or worse.

Got to get moving here and get that sample for the vet. Have a nice dsy everyone

[Bethers]

One good thing about having Ty... We go on walks. That said, I'm getting plenty of movement working now.

Ty gets to go to work with me a couple more days, but he'll need to stay home starting Friday when we open. That said, I need to get him walked (I'm procrastinating... It's windy, chilly, and drizzling out right now... Hoping at least the drizzle stops).

Happy Tuesday!

[OregonLuvr]

Good morning, sun is shining and think this will be our hottest day yet this year, they are predicting 82. Wahoo then maybe some rain showers on Thursday, we shall see.

I find one thing each day that I must do. I usually do more but if I dont pick something that is a must do, then sometimes I do nothing. I dont want to get lazy just because I have to stay home. I work in the mornings then come in have lunch and I am done, so usually just a few hours in the mornings. I do need to go get some fresh veggies and fruit this afternoon. Just going to run the vacuum and dust this morning. Then go out and plant a few flowers in a pot. Nothing hard LOL

Salmon and brussels sprouts for dinner tonite. Maybe a small salad, we shall see.

[Acadianmom]

My coffee cup holds 12 oz so after two cups of coffee I don't have to worry about moving. I will be going to the bathroom until noon.

It was cloudy last night so I couldn't see if the lights were there again. It's over cast and windy today. They are saying we could get 2 inches of rain over night so I think I'll go mow.

My neighbor's tom cat is over here causing trouble again. He's too wild for me to catch so I'm going to tell the neighbor I will bring him to the spay and neuter clinic if she can get him in a trap. I have two young male cats that need to go to the clinic. The clinic is closed now and probably won't open back up until after May 15 if the governor doesn't extend the restrictions.

Martha

[MandysMom]

It's been warm here in my part of northern California , a couple of 90's but mostly 80's. Got warm fast. We have had a tiring weekend. One of my kitty girls would not eat Thursday or Friday, and slept more than usual. I got up early Saturday and called my vet, soon as they opened. They were booked solid. So they had me call the ER vet here in town. They were handling two critical animals but said call at 10:30. When I called back, thy said come on over and call when you get here and triage tech will come out. So loaded very unhappy cat in carrier and off we went. She hissed and spitted and growled the whole way, not her usual style. Got to vet, thankfully there was a shady spot as parking was about half full, with cars parked with a spot In between where possible. Got there at 11:10. Around 11:40 a tech was out stopping at each vehicle to triage. It was 1:00 before the vet called to discuss and plan treatment,( read that as give me a $$$estimate). Finally a short while later they took her inside. Sedation, blood work, X-rays, exam. Vet called and said white blood cells up a bit, not a lot. 1 of 5 liver enzymes elevated a little. Creatinine, a kidney indicator up some. X-ray negative except air in intestine which could be inflammation or all the hissing she did. Then during our chat, the urine test came in showing very concentrated. Vet said that could explain the elevated liver and kidney values, but not the white blood cells up. So, they hydrated her, gave her injected antibiotics, and something to settle her stomach ( she had not had gastro symptoms other than not eating). I gave them my entire stimulus check and home we went. Later that night she ate a few bites. She was very sedated and had some neuro symptoms that scared me. Sunday she ate more. Monday I cut pieces of chuck roast and she ate both raw and cooked. Late in evening, I got out her favorite chicken leg and sliced off bite size pieces and she eagerly ate them. Overnight, she woke me hollering to let me know she had her chicken leg in my room to eat. She has been a raw carnivore her entire life by her choice. The only cooked she eats is if I have a steak or cooked fish, she loves to mooch. Tentative conclusion, agreed on by vet, my sister in law who is a feline expert and was founding breeder of the Savannah cat breed, and the owners of the cat food store where I buy my other Savnnahs food (she has been commercial food only by her choice since a baby: Stormy has eaten Costco Organic Air chilled chicken for years as her main source of food ( eack leg I cut slits and add vitamin powder designed for exotic felines). When I stopped going to Costco early March, I had some chicken in freezer for her. A couple weeks in, I was getting low and a friend brought me organic chicken from the store near her. Then a couple weeks later I got regular non organic chicken from local store near me. She was less enthsiastic about the local store chicken. She has eaten the local store chicken since that was what I had. I suggested and all agreed, there was something in that chicken which either caused infection or stomach upset. Last night I thawed one of the last packages of Costco chicken, and that's what she got excited about. So I have several people looking for organic chicken when they visit stores today. I have no idea what the plant does different with Costco organic vs store brand grocer store but seems obvious something is different. Needless to say, I've been short on sleep since last Thursday. I finally got a good sleep last night, except for Stormy proudly showing me her chicken at 02! I can do without this excitement.
I'm trying to get some activity each day, yesterday it was pulling weeds and trimming spent blooms off roses. I'd rather be camping of course. That's my report for the week. Stay safe everyone as the SAH continues. Keep your fingers crossed someone happens to find organic chicken for my girl! The good news In all this, I had planned to take Stormy in for sedation and exam and teeth check at my regular vet but that was delayed by CoVid. Because she got blood work , X-ray, and complete exam, we have ruled out any tumors, any catastrophic things such as kidney disease or liver issue and pancreatitis, amd the vet said her teeth were the cleanest 15 year old feline teeth she has ever seen, due to her raw diet ! So my vet just needs to go over tests and call me. She should be good for a while.
Velda

[BirdbyBird]

Velda, have you ever posted pictures of your cats. I would love to meet them. I know that most of you know me for my dogs but I love cats.

Beth, I was wondering if you aren't having to deal with food service if Ty couldn't still come to work with you if there was a space in the office or the back of the store for a crate....and if he would accept the crate as a good thing...meaning he gets to keep coming to work. We both have been to stores that have their "animal" supervisors.

And Sue, has Piper ever had seizures? If she is having small seizures in her sleep that could explain the urine also. Just so you could have something else to worry about.

Lark and Audrey have successfully gotten me out to work on my rehab program of building up my stamina after a winter of avoiding walks outside because of my intolerance to the cold. She still has faith in me, though she was disappointed to hear that I have accepted another small project from the scoring center that starts next Monday and will take me through the better part of May. I reminded her that there really is enough daylight after 4-4:30 to still support the health care program she envisions for me......

There was water involved.....She explained that if I let them swim and get wet they would allow me to rest..... and yes there were sticks and retrieves......

[Colliemom]

Oh, thanks Tina. Just what I need is something Else to worry about But no, the urine sample showed UTI, so she’s on Keflex now. That should take care of it.

[BarbaraRose]

Have actually been up and busy today! I got a small table I ordered, to put on my deck to work on gourd stuff out there when it is nice out. Have been using the patio table by the shed but it is in the sun and it gets too hot. This area is under the carport so is in the shade. I can also use it to eat on out there if I want. Was hard to find just the right size that was affordable. So I put that together and it fits perfect in the corner area by the door which has been kind of wasted space up til now, due to the small size of the area between the steps and porch.

It pays to procrastinate sometimes. I painted the trim around one window a couple months ago with the teal blue latex paint. Now I have been noticing it is peeling off. I used latex outdoor paint. Not sure what I need to do to keep that from happening, but am glad I didn't do all the rest of the windows back then. If I grab an edge of it, I can peel off a large piece at a time. It stuck fine to the metal trim on the shed.

I had a few small pieces of lattice laying around and I zip tied those to the front railing on the deck so no more packages can be put there from the driveway (the delivery guys get lazy and don't want to come around to the steps.). They are not the right size but will do OK for now. I will check with HD and see if they will cut pieces for me. My deck has a lot of different angles so I need several different lengths for each area. The previous owner had a small piece across the front of the deck the first time I looked at the house but later she removed it for some reason. I thought it looked really nice there.

OK, back to work on something else around here...

Have a good day!

[Cudedog]

So I have several people looking for organic chicken when they visit stores today. . . . Keep your fingers crossed someone happens to find organic chicken for my girl!

Good afternoon, Velda.

I have had really good luck with having my local Walmart do grocery deliveries for me. I just checked online for the Roseville Walmart (I think you are near Roseville, correct?) for organic chicken, and this is what I found:

drumsticks:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Foster-Farms-Organic-Drumsticks-1-5-2-2-lbs/135860890

breast fillets

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Foster-Farms-Organic-Boneless-Breast-Fillets-1-1-5-lbs/193624581

breast tenders

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Foster-Farms-Organic-Chicken-Breast-Tenders-0-8-1-4-lb/106263610

thigh fillets

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Foster-Farms-Organic-Chicken-Thigh-Fillets-1-2-1-7lbs/127624573

Looks like Raley's in Roseville might have some too - they might also deliver:

https://shop.raleys.com/search?search_term=organic%20chicken

Good luck!

Anne

[JudyJB]

Velda, I wonder if they marinated or soaked the regular chicken in something. ( I have heard that some chicken is rinsed in bleach, but it is supposed to be a very mild concentration and used to kill bacteria.) The reason I suggest it is that there might be something in the chicken you bought that tastes bad to the cat, but that we humans would not notice, especially after it is cooked. She is eating it raw, which might mean there is a taste that only shows up in the raw meat.

I do not like the normal packaged port tenderloins most stores sell because they have flavorings added and are marinated. Check the labels and you will see what I mean. If you go back to the store, check the labels on the chicken packages. I often will ask the butcher if they have any pork tenderloins that do NOT have flavorings added. Sometimes they have them and sometimes they don't, but I want to add any chemicals or flavorings myself!

I drove 258 miles today and then after setting up, cooked up a bunch of bacon for BLTs and other meals. Also made the batter for crepes that I will make tomorrow, but now I am really exhausted! I get more tired as I get older, I guess. Anyway, finally sitting down after a very nice sandwich on homemade bread! Nice campground here in Tennessee on the Tennessee river, and I even have a view, so will be happy here for the next week, assuming there are no more teenaged girls who like to play loud music here!!

[snowball]

accomplished a bit more than I did yesterday but didn't get all done that I should have... my girl friend called and we talked for over an hour was glad that she remembered to call me back
just got a picture of Rider so cute...will be glad when they will accept company..so I can love on him... kisses and hugs and grandma squeezes
guess my dd didn't go to the store when I was out with Shadow the cars were all accounted for oh well nothing that I needed super soon.
saw a recipe today for tomato egg drop soup.... looked good
and I have seen a couple of recipes this week that I wish I had whipping cream to make them
need to quit watching food video's
just received the 3 picture of what looks to be the same photo... not sure what is different
so asked
some what frustrated my nephew told me what colors he would like his afghan made with. one of the colors I thought would be what he wanted is evidently not being made and if you can find it it's on clearance found a place in Utah had 2 skeins if they had had all the other colors might have risked getting it but didn't have bone had the autumn red... and I am sure the white and then there is the getting it picked up... so if anyone finds Blue Mint by Caron pick it up I'll will pay for it and shipping of course let me know if you do find it.. Michaels and Jo Anns carries Caron brand as well as some Wal Mart's
I may have to look at another brand but so prefer Caron.
so spent some time making calls on that perhaps I ought to call Pocatello
sheila

[BarbaraRose]

I went out a little while ago to Walmart to get a couple things. I parked by one of the doors only to discover that door was for employees only now, so I had to walk all the way to the other door and then back when I left. Not normally a big deal, but it was 108* today and sunny, so it was a hot walk both ways.

I stopped at Home Depot and asked if they would cut lattice pieces to the sizes I need and they said they don't do that anymore. Maybe I can find someone around here that can cut pieces for me.

I also stopped at a farm stand close to my house (yes there are still farms in the city that are hanging on for dear life!). Picked up some ears of sweet corn and an overloaded pint of strawberries. I have been munching on the strawberries all evening! I had bought some at WM a week or so ago and ended up throwing most of them out because they were hard and tasteless. Big difference with local grown and fresh picked ones! These are SO sweet and juicy!

A neighbor across the street from me asked if I wanted some of her plants since she and her husband are finally heading back to Washington. He had a stroke last month so they had to stay longer than planned until he got the OK to travel. He seems to be doing pretty good now, taking short walks, etc. I said I would take the plants. I hope I don't kill those too!

I got paid again from unemployment and got the extra $600 for two weeks plus my regular pay. It is on a debit card and I will leave it all there for now since I have enough left in my checking account from the $1200 to last me for another month or so of bills.

I saw that in Iowa the governor wants to open up most businesses now and said that anyone who refuses to go back to work when there job opens up, will be considered at quitting and will lose all benefits. That is harsh! If my shop opened up this week, I sure would not go back yet. I don't see our governor doing anything like that tho, or my boss. I don't really know how we could work yet anyways. With such close physical contact with our clients it would be risky especially since we cannot wear gloves to cut hair, and how do we work around their mask? And keep from getting hair all over it? It will be interesting to see what happens.

Good news tho! I saw a story on the news saying that a group of scientists in the US think they have figured out a treatment for the virus and are testing it now on people. It has worked excellent with monkeys. They said if it does prove to be very effective it could be available in a few months! That would be awesome! Hoping it works well and can put the brakes on this virus finally!

On that note, have a good night!

[Cudedog]

I saw that in Iowa the governor wants to open up most businesses now and said that anyone who refuses to go back to work when there job opens up, will be considered at quitting and will lose all benefits. That is harsh!

I think that is more than harsh. I think that is unconscionable.

One wonders if the governor will also be paying all medical bills - and all funeral costs - for those who become ill.

Anne

[MandysMom]

Stormy won’t eat Walmart chicken or Foster Farms. She refuses it! Something they use I think in preparation.
BelAir near me does not have organic and it was their chicken that made her sick and I certainly won’t pay $5 for 4 legs! Wow. I have no need to pay for delivery when stores are under a mile for BelAir and about 3 miles for Costco. I’ve heard too many people say they got only 1/3 of what they ordered around here. So I carefully go out as needed. I’m going to check Costco Thursday.
No Judy I don’t buy marinated chicken for her or us, they always put sugar in it. Not good for people or cats. I’m very careful with her and this whole mess has me upset. My vet called today to let me know she got all copies from ER vet of test results and agrees Stormy got something in the chicken. A dear friend said, all stores are using so much disinfectant, maybe it got on the chicken packages. Surprisingly enough, when I mentioned to my vet, she said, wow yes that’s possible! So it’s still a mystery, but she appears to be on the mend. She ate chuck roast, ground beef and some chicken today and was more back to herself.
I’ll try tomorrow to post a couple of pictures of my girls.
Barbara, hair salons and barber shops plus gyms will remain closed per the governor, for as long as two more months ! We are in stage 1 and salons and gyms in stage 3. You will have plenty of time to work on gourds ! I’m looking forward to seeing that cat one you are working on !
Very warm here in 90’s today. I went out front to work on roses and weeds again but didn’t last long in sun before I came back inside.
Velda

[Cudedog]

Sorry, Velda. Hope you can find some of the chicken you are looking for. It really is a stressful time. When a 4-legged loved one becomes ill on top of everything else, it just adds to the nightmare.

I am having a problem with my Joe, and wondered if you might have some input for me. He has seasonal allergies that seem to be getting worse year-over-year. In the spring and summer he becomes very "itchy" and uncomfortable - to the point where he will lick himself raw, and then "nibble" on the raw places.

I am nearly at my wits end for him. I used to give him Dipenhydramine - which only seemed to help a little - but have stopped that (forever!) when I found out from Sandi that this drug is implicated in dementia. I researched this a bit, and this is true.

I gave it regularly to my sweet Rodrey James (gone now for many years) and he ended his days with Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. I had never, in more than 40 years of keeping this particular breed of dog (Staffordshire Bull Terrier), had this happen to one of my dogs. I never put two and two together until Sandi mentioned it. Thanks again, Sandi!

I was using for a while a drug my vet recommended- Apoquel - last year it seemed to help his seasonal allergies quite a bit. But when I looked it up after finding out about Dipenhydramine, I discovered that one of the main side effects for Apoquel is that is causes "neoplasms". That's right. Tumors.

I just about lost my lunch - Staffords, as a breed, are prone to tumors anyway, particularly as they age. I surely don't need to add any irons to this fire. I had liked this vet pretty well, but now I'm thinking GREAT - prescribe this drug now, make $Big Bucks$ doing tumor-removal surgeries later.

So that's where I'm at. My favorite vet retired a year ago, have tried several vets since and have not felt confident with any of them. Longer story here, I'm keeping it short: I am an old bag, and have been around the block a time or two - I can look up information on vet school websites as well as anyone (University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine is pretty good for researching stuff). I tend to get very P.O.ed when a vet looks at me, sees "old bag", and gives me what I know to be a quickie b.s. diagnosis.

So far I have tried (have not changed his food - the allergy outbreak always comes in spring/summer): Medicated baths (using a $$product$$ I got from the aforementioned vet - doesn't seem to help much); DIY oatmeal baths (Joe really liked this one, he thought he was getting some new kind of lunch); daily rinsing/wiping down with wash cloth and warm water (seems to help a bit - theory being he is picking up allergens on his skin). Tonight or tomorrow I think I might try an epsom salts bath, followed by a good rinse.

It distresses me to see him so uncomfortable, especially now, with the seasonal lick granulomas starting up again.

I'm open to suggestions. I have visited 4 different vets here in my area since my guy retired. Have not been impressed with any of them.

Thanks in advance, Velda.

Anne