We recently agreed to add our voice to Louis Dog’s Life Endangered Species Challenge. Mom however missed the date so I’m posting it for her albeit a couple days late. Why not use all that groovy technology you have at your fingertips for crying out loud, I ask? Sheesh, pawrents!
Sam here. I think we can all agree that far too many of the world’s fascinating animals are in danger of disappearing from Planet Earth. To figure out which threatened or endangered animal we wanted to highlight, we went to our state Parks & Wildlife website for their comprehensive list. Sadly there were waaay too many listed and it was hard to single out one in particular until we saw the beautiful and elusive Lynx. With its trademark ear tufts and huge feet, it was clear we wanted to shed some light on this beautiful mammal. Besides, I’m fascinated by cats!
Lynx are a large bob-tailed cat about 3 feet long weighing anywhere from 20-30 pounds, possessing a black-tipped tail about one-eighth of its total length, and only about half the length of its huge hind feet even if mom’s photo makes it look like Mr. Lynx is ginormous compared to moi. For comparison, I’m about 50 lbs. when I hold my breath 🙂 [sizing–yet another technology fail on mom’s part-ugh]. Their coats are grayish with some obscure spots but their single most recognizable characteristic is the fabulous ear tufts that might be nearly as long as the actual ears. Often referred to as a ‘silent predator,’ the lynx is a patient hunter, waiting for the right moment and helped by those enormous hind feet which allow them to move easily across the snowpack to pounce on their preferred meal of choice: snowshoe hares. Their feet are huge at around 8 inches long. Can you say, “Big Foot?!”
Endangered Lynx (Lynx Canadensis) in Colorado
Although you’re more likely to see Sasquatch than a lynx in Colorado, there was an ambitious and controversial reintroduction plan in the late 1990’s in the remote San Juan mountains. Nearly 30 years later it has been deemed successful with between 150-250 of these magnificent felines being monitored by radio-satellite collars. Lynx are still considered critically imperiled in Colorado and with a recent population explosion in our state, it does remain to be seen if lynx and humans can eventually co-exist again. We’re rooting for this ‘fur-tastic’ mammal to survive. Have you ever seen one in the furs?
Well…it was bound to happen. Again. Right? Sam here. The sister who shall remain nameless is back at it again. No, it’s not that she’s having seizures (she has been seizure free for just over 6 weeks now) but she is on another spree of destruction. Recently yet another pair of reading glasses (Oakley’s no less–gah!!) fell victim to the massacre inflicted by those chompers of her’s. What IS it about eyewear that so intrigues that dog??
She also managed to destroy an alligator watchband. An $85 watch band that was a special order last year. Could that be karmic? I mean, no doubt the folks at PETA would be very unhappy with her knowing about that watch band.
When mom first saw the carnage, she though perhaps the glasses could be salvaged but once you put on a pair of glasses that aren’t defective, you can see the deep scratches/pits on the lens and she also left the deep teeth marks on both of the temple pieces (even if they were able to be straightened out…which said puncture marks end up scratching the skin). The glasses were relatively new as well. #ohthatdog!
If that wasn’t bad enough, she ate mom’s breakfast over the weekend when we went to visit my Grandma who had surgery about 10 days ago (P.S. it was a success-yay…color me one happy hound dog…I 💗 Grandma!!). Mom was helping her out when that sneaky little nameless Ninja scarfed down her breakfast muffin in a nano-second. When mom went to eat her breakfast, all she saw was the upturned plate on the floor and a couple of crumbs. That little monster just blinked at her like she had no idea about what had just happened…not to mention not showing the slightest bit of remorse, I might add. At least mom’s got religion about disciplining her especially where food is concerned. With the ‘howlidays’ around the corner, it’s even more important that she doesn’t ingest something toxic from our recent article about foods dogs should not eat.
Have you ever had such a knuckleheaded brat for a sister that causes all sorts of havoc in your household? What did you do, short of exiling her to an abandoned island?
Thanksgiving was always the most favorite of all holidays for mom growing up as a kid. Sam here. Her favorite dog came to live with her on Thanksgiving day, a small white Boxer-mix puppy with patches on her eyes who quickly outgrew her promised diminutive size. They named her Beans and she was quite the card with a snapping whip of a tail. Mom loved her so much but she didn’t stay with the family all that long. She outgrew her body and the yard and moved to a family with more space to take care of her.
This Thanksgiving though, despite the best laid plans for a family get-together, life decided not to allow a family get together, offering something different instead.
Sam: I’ve been taking care of my mom for the past 10 days because like I mentioned in our last post, she’d been under the weather. What I didn’t mention, was it was pretty serious. So, mom, tell me what was it that ailed you?
Mom: Hi-ya Sam. I started to feel bad late Monday and it developed into excruciating back pain with a fever by Tuesday. On Wednesday I knew something was seriously wrong and scheduled a doctor’s appointment.
Sam: Yeah, I kind of figured as much. You weren’t your usual chipper self and you NEVER go to the doctor. You just went away and I had no idea what was going on.
Mom: After visiting with the doctor, she said I needed to go immediately over to the Emergency Room so they could start administering antibiotics and fluids. I was pretty weak. The diagnosis was Pyelonephritis…a fancy way of saying ‘kidney infection.’
Sam: Sounds miserable. I was concerned when you finally came home later. Notice how I stayed right by your side?
Mom: Yes, sweetie. I noticed both you and Elsa were great nurse mates taking care of me. I very much appreciate it.
Sam: Oh yeah, the sister who shall remain nameless. She kind of got in the way a few times. I don’t think she knows how to be the kind of therapy dog you needed then.
Mom: Sam, she did fine though I could have managed with a little less “observation” on both of your parts and maybe a little more room in the bed. After being in bed for so long, I started to feel like I was never alone with two shadows attached.
Sam: I was just making sure you were going to be ok and to remind you when to take your medication. Who knows what the sister who remains nameless was doing. I gave up trying to figure her out shortly after you brought her home.
Mom: Sam…be kind now. She had a rough start in life and just needs to properly learn how to be a dog. It’s our job to help her figure that out. I noticed you played with her for a few moments the other night so she can’t be all that bad.
Sam: Uh, what…noooo! That wasn’t play, I was just avoiding her from crashing into me. Yeah, that’s the ticket, it was just avoidance. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Not to change the subject, but….how are you feeling today?
Mom: Sure, if that’s how you want to play it, I’ll go along. I’m doing better, almost feeling like a human again. It’s good not to be stuck resting all day. Do you know how bad TV programming is? It’s so bad, you can barely sleep because you keep having ear worm commercials screaming in your head. If I hear this commercial one more time, I may go insane!
Sam: Yeah, that song bugs me too. But I hope you don’t over do it like you usually do when you start feeling better. I don’t want to have to guard take that kind of care of you for long-term. I mean…I only have so much healing power available at any given time.
Mom: I promise not to over do it now that I’m feeling better. But there are now other things on my mind besides trying to get well that have me sad and teary. Our fur-iend, Easy Rider left this earth a few days ago. We were stunned and saddened at the news that this wonderful Weimaraner left for the Rainbow Bridge to make ‘snowfetti’ there. We are heartbroken for his pawrents, Katty and Mark who loved their boy with all their hearts and who have provided such joy and laughter in Blogville. If you aren’t familiar with the “king of comedy” and his family, go over to his website and poke around. I guarantee you’ll smile at all his adventures. We also learned our fur-iend, Sammy will be joining him later today. We send our love and condolences to his mom, too. Run free sweet boys. You will never be forgotten by us.
Sam: Oh no, not Sammy too? Why has this year been so hard on us ‘anipals,’ mom?
Mom: Not sure, Sam. We definitely lost way too many dear fur-iends this year and can only hope the new year begins better. Of this we pray. Now come here, you knucklehead and give me some sugar, I need puppy kisses and a hug from you.
Sam: Mooommm…you’re squeezing me too hard! [Shakes head hard, gains poodle composure and gets off the sofa]. You know I love you…but don’t strangle me!
Mom: I know sweet boy, I just want to keep you fur-ever. Us ‘pawrents’ are like that. As we say goodbye to our dearest fur-iends this year, we bid 2016 a curt farewell. Goodbye and good riddance. We hope your cousin 2017, is kinder to our world.
Sam: Yup, goodbye 2016. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. For me, I’m going back to loving my mom and tolerating the sister who shall not be named and have a good time playing therapy dog tomorrow with my Grandma who had surgery a couple of days ago and who is recovering nicely at home. Woof, woof. Way to go, Oma, we 💗 ya!
Sam here. Ever notice how uprights have a double standard when it comes to us dogs? Remember…keep your eyes on the path and not on your social media so we can both enjoy our walking time together.
A few years ago mom started a small at-home dog treat business because she didn’t want chemicals, additives or other unacceptable ingredients in my treats. With the addition of the dreaded little sister Ms. Elsa and her epileptic seizures, making sure we have top quality, healthful treats is even more important.
Last week mom and I had hospital shifts (more about that later this week) and met up with our good friends, Teddy and his mom, Mary Ann who were coming to town for their shifts. We both were going to work one day selling the pet therapy calendars too so mom wanted to make sure we had some treats to give to Teddy. She dipped into her huge recipe book and found this one.
Peter Peter, Punkin Eater Treats
2 cups whole wheat flour (or another if your pup has wheat sensitivities. Mom experimented using coconut flour and it was quite yummy)
1 cup oats and 1/4 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup plain pumpkin
1 cup water (mom used The Honest Kitchen’s Bone Broth instead because she ALWAYS has to tinker with recipes and in this case, boy am I glad she did-that stuff is f.a.b.u.l.o.u.s!)
Mix all ingredients until well combined. Press into a ball, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight. Lightly flour surface and roll dough out to about 1/2″ thick. Use cookie cutters or a small glass to cut out the treats. Bake at 250º for 25-30 minutes and allow to cool before serving.
I had hoped that by sitting pretty they’d cool down quicker. Nom, nom, nom. The use of the coconut flour sure made them super tasty even if mom said they were very hard to mix together and crumbled too much for her. Me personally, I don’t care…just give me the treats, woman!! She used the tiny cutters because sweet Teddy is a little boy and missing a number of teeth. Oh, and he LOVED them more than he usually loves mom’s treats. And he always loves her treats.
Hope you had a ‘wagnificent’ weekend. Sam here. The weather was amazingly gorgeous. We love this time of year…the bright blue Colorado sky with the amazing light of autumn is just beyond gorgeous. Both of us pups are extra frisky on the morning walks. But not too high spirited to engage in some pup training with Ms. Elsa to build up her confidence and to get her used to commands. We’re hoping she’ll end up becoming a zen master like this soon.
Photo courtesy of Bark Post
Stay, sit, roll-over. Elsa is getting better with the “leave it” command when it comes to squirrels though she just lost it yesterday morning when a raccoon ran out of the alley and across the street. She seems to have a high prey drive so it’s back to square one on critters. What IS it about squirrels that make dogs nuts? Sisters…ugh!
Sam here with an update on my baby sister, Miss Elsa. We encountered a bit of a ‘hiccup’ over the weekend. Last Friday marked the 2-week mark for bringing her home and she had been making lots of progress on the socialization dog-o-meter. Friday evening she started having seizures. Mom and dad whisked her up and took her to the ER vet. While they were both very concerned about Elsa, they both remained calm until the tech took her to begin anti-convulsive drugs. Then mom lost it. She sobbed, her eyes got puffy, she couldn’t speak. How can something so inexplicably rotten happen to such a lovely girl you ask? No doubt because of genetics. If behavioral issues don’t shanghai puppy mill dogs, health issues certainly will. Since we have no idea of Elsa’s pawrents or lineage, we can only presume the worst. Damn puppy mills! Grr.
Elsa suffered multiple cluster seizures, meaning she’d start to come out of one and then immediately move back into another. These can be very serious neurologically speaking so the vet gave Elsa a big dose of Valium. Valium is frequently used to stop seizures right away and then they started her on a dosage of Phenobarbital along with fluids. Phenobarb is often used in the treatment and for preventing future seizures. One drawback is it pretty much resets the clock on brain activity and all of Elsa’s socialization progress went ‘poof!’ Bottom line…we went back to square one. That initial dosage also seemed to give her quite the ‘hangover.’ She’s has been a little unsteady on her feet. Her back-end hadn’t quite been receiving messages from the brain to move in conjunction with the front half. She slept a lot.
At first her legs splayed out but then she started getting used to the meds. I heard something about “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” but really don’t know what that means. We were able to bring our little girl home the next day where she slept and stumbled…repeatedly. Mom starting calling her Weebles. I still called her a pain in the tuchas but sure missed her going on my walks. I was kind of getting used to the brat her.
After a few days, the fog seemed to lift a bit and “Weebles,” I mean Elsa’s, personality started coming back. She began playing with some of my toys (the nerve!) and re-learned how to jump up on the sofa after a couple fails. She’s not fully coordinated yet, but seems to improve daily. I hope her goofy personality comes back, I think it is since she barked back at the mean Akitas that live next door who alway try to scare us when we go outside. Man those dogs scare me and I’m just glad my little sister protected me decided she’s not taking any guff from them. Mom started taking Elsa for short walks yesterday and she started tracking the squirrel scents shortly after starting our walk. It made my mom smile and whenever she smiles, I smile.
Mom took my sister back to our regular ‘dogtor’ to follow-up after our weekend of hell. Dr. Olivia fell in love with her for being super patient and letting her poke and probe her from stem to stern. She thought she was in good shape considering what she’d been through and thought the initial diagnosis of “idiopathic epilepsy” was probably accurate. That’s what they call it when they can’t identify any other cause for seizures. She goes back in 3 weeks to have her blood retested and to make sure her blood levels are within therapeutic range. Phenobarb inhibits seizures by decreasing neuron activity. Sadly, it affects all neurons and its side effects are well documented. Sedation, lethargy, excessive urination and thirst plus a loss of coordination or hind end weakness are common long-term side effects. Monitoring her blood levels for liver damage will be critical and will need to be part of her ongoing healthcare. Long term liver damage can become irreversible and even fatal so we have to really watch for that.
Miss Elsa must be feeling more like herself (whatever that is-hard to tell since we just got her) since she has been dragging shoes and MY toys out and chewing on them. It’s kind of exciting to have a soul-mate leather chewer in the family though.
Elsa isn’t the first dog mom diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy but at least she kind of knows what to expect, though it’s been over 20 years ago. It’s still scary to witness seizures knowing the potential problems that come with treatment. We’re staying optimistic about Elsa’s condition and hoping for the best. It’s all we can do.
Have you ever had a dog with epilepsy? Got any tips or thoughts to share?
We want to thank our friend, Rowena over at Beyond the Flow for nominating us to participate in the 3-Day Quote Challenge. Mom thought about it for about 87 seconds and then realized it could be a very cool way to check out some pawsome quotes by uprights about dogs.
Hi there, Sam here. Poor little Elsa was a little overwhelmed at all the nice things every one said to her yesterday so I said I got this one, li’l sis [appaws…graciously accepted here]. As her big brother, I just want to say many thanks for all your kind words. It means the world to mom who is absolutely rabid about spreading the word on the horrors of puppy mills.
So back to the quote challenge. Here’s the first quote mom found that made her smile. Dave Barry is a Pulitzer Prize winning columnist of whom we are big fans. We had gone to a large park in the city a while ago and took some photos of me in the gorgeous autumn light. I’m not prone to cocking my head very often, so she started making all these goofy noises and flapping her wings paws to catch my attention with the hopes of capturing a pic like this one. My thought was “WTH” is wrong with that woman? I have never been so embarrassed to see everyone in the park looking at her like she had lost her marbles. A dignified dog like myself has to maintain a certain level of decorum and poise and mom just blew my whole ‘cool dude’ reputation. Now I know how teenagers feel when their pawrents say or do something totally weird [insert eye roll here]. My mom…I think I’ll keep her. “You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, ‘Wow, you’re right! I never would’ve thought of that!’” — Dave Barry
Ever say anything ‘foolish’ to your dog? What was his reaction?
We recently were invited to participate in a photo shoot for the hospital’s ongoing efforts touting our group on the website. Hi there, Sam here. Because I’m one dashing looking dude, I volunteered immediately. Here’s a collage of some of the many pics the photographer took of our group. Some of us were so excited (Fergie, the American Bull Dog never stopped wagging her tail while she was visiting with the “Dogtor.”) and others were so happy to get to lay on top of with patients. Even Pepe, the party colored Standard got to met with a cute little girl in the lobby. You should be able to click on each pic for a bigger view. So, who do you reckon is the fairest one of all? Think I’ll get the call from general casting for more closeups?
All of us enjoyed showing off ourselves, and visiting with the people and staff who helped complete our stagings. A big thank you to each and every one of the dogs and their uprights who take the time to visit patients, staff and visitors at the hospital throughout the year. You guys are the best!
Have you ever seen pet therapy at work in a hospital or at a nursing home?
P.S. Sam’s mom here. Many thanks to everyone who left such sweet comments about “Elsa’s coming out” post. One week with us and she’s doing great, has gained some weight to go with her improved confidence and has taken to liking furniture.
We visit hospice patients, staff and visitors all the time. And we really like it, too. But did you know there is hospice for dogs too? Sam here. Last weekend, Mom and I went to the annual anniversary picnic of our photographer friend, Ariane at DelaFoto Studios. You may remember her, right? She’s the one that makes me look soooo good here and here. Each year, Ariane hosts an anniversary picnic for her clients and hosts a rescue group. This year one of the rescue groups that participated was Cayleb’s Kindred Senior Dog Rescue (“CKSDR”). We were able to meet with the Executive Director, Sophiane Nacer and Rebecca Shattuck, Behavior Specialist. These two amazing women work tirelessly to provide foster, forever, and sanctuary homes for senior dogs in need. This small rescue accepts adoptable, terminal, and special needs dogs over the age of eight and firmly believe that no dog is too old or too “un-adoptable.” Sophiane introduced us to little Annie, a sweet, albeit slow moving 16 year-old Pomeranian who was quite the life of the party. She entertained everyone with her always hanging-out tongue and tiny arthritic steps around the picnic area. Don’t you just want to put her in your pocket?! Little Annie attends vet classes with Sophiane and goes with her everywhere and is one of several grey muzzles currently with CKSDR. While Annie has only 3 teeth left, that ‘minor’ fact doesn’t seem to keep her from filching Cheerios and giving loads of kisses. Even though she has many physical ailments including kidney and heart failure, a collapsed trachea, severe arthritis, and difficulty hearing/seeing, she still manages to enjoy life to the fullest. According to the website, Annie is “a little dog with a big heart (both figuratively and literally), and an even bigger personality. She continues to bring us joy each and every day that she’s been with us-now going on three years.”
We were so impressed with their program where they provide a sanctuary home for senior dogs so they can live out the rest of their lives in a home environment. It’s basically a hospice center for canines. While it’s been said all dogs may go to heaven, on occasion some of them go to hospice first.
How does it work? Volunteers open their homes to terminally ill or otherwise un-adoptable senior dogs, giving them a place to live out their lives however long they have left, and then they can pass away peacefully in a home environment rather than in a shelter. Even thought it’s a very tough part of senior dog rescue, it is also the most rewarding knowing you made the end of their lives just a little bit better.
CKSDR provides all medical expenses with arranged vet visits. Basic supplies such as leashes, collars, ID tags, blankets, crates can be provided if needed and food when donated. Behavioral training is also provided free to the pets. Volunteers are expected to care for the pet for the rest of its life. Many of the terminal dogs may only live a few weeks, some rebound in a loving home environment when expectations are exceeded. But when the time comes for the dog to cross over the Rainbow Bridge, CKSDR provides assistance through that process for both the volunteer and the dog.
Since mom and I work at our local hospice, we know how tough it can be, and how wonderful the staff caters to patients and their families. CKSDR does the same thing for these dogs. How cool is that?!
Do you have a canine hospice in your vicinity? What are your thoughts on canine hospice?
We recently agreed to add our voice to Louis Dog’s Life Endangered Species Challenge. Mom however missed the date so I’m posting it for her albeit a couple days late. Why not use all that groovy technology you have at your fingertips for crying out loud, I ask? Sheesh, pawrents!
