tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76841699823291202782024-02-07T20:11:00.133-06:00Black Dog BlogTwo, NO THREE Black Dogs, a Jack and their girl. Our story together.Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138784561825870865noreply@blogger.comBlogger245125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684169982329120278.post-69603427473263591192017-01-02T10:22:00.001-06:002017-01-02T10:22:18.293-06:00Oh My, Oh My!Wow, so much as changed since I wrote on this old blog. First, I took a MUCH NEEDED break from blogging. It was too much. In the past years, I've experienced an insane amount of change and upheaval and decision making and I couldn't blog. It just wasn't happening. I know that I have lost much of my readership but maybe that's ok. I'm reinventing myself. Again. It's a new year and it's time to make some changes. I guess that means bringing back the blog and maybe finding a new place in the blogging world.<br />
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So, for my inaugural post of 2017, I want to share projects I'm starting. I have joined two challenges this year. The first is to make a temperature blanket. It's a cool concept that involves knitting which I love. Everyday, you knit a row of your blanket, based on a colour assigned to the temperature outside. So, I created a list of temperatures and corresponding colours. I've knit the first row so far, but today I can add another. Yesterday was Dark Blue, indicative of weather that wasn't so bad (-19 C) at the time I checked. Today, it's black... it's bad out. (-33 C).</div>
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Secondly, I've decided to create a stitch journal of the year. The object is to stitch at least 1 stitch everyday for a year, and write a sentence about that stitching. <br />
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Day 1: I stitched a heart to start the new year. Love at the end is all that matters.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYgFKdGyZo28FMcUJP4ii-n4bPlveWdHdrMECUEK0Qfky0oBHLfVn8EHzGMrx0aMDTvbB8KdqQgu-Md9eqV5rJVU4c5CRbCz9u9XWCyOQpxMffbQIvOBdnJplMnXXmQYePEisxGVTJrtH/s1600/IMG_2475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYgFKdGyZo28FMcUJP4ii-n4bPlveWdHdrMECUEK0Qfky0oBHLfVn8EHzGMrx0aMDTvbB8KdqQgu-Md9eqV5rJVU4c5CRbCz9u9XWCyOQpxMffbQIvOBdnJplMnXXmQYePEisxGVTJrtH/s320/IMG_2475.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Day 2: I feel optimism despite the cold and it being the last day of holidays. Gentle blue stars to match my optimistic but somewhat sad outlook. I go back to work tomorrow and I've hardly done anything over the holidays to support myself in working. I needed the break. I have today to plan and mark like crazy. It's ok although I would rather clean the oven than work. Haha, yeah. It's that bad today. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5HmY2Rbofasgbg9nLC99fH1N4m2VgNs9Q-CsDtnr8HOL-m5Pro17VT23_wRogZOV1Nr1jXdVkRVPY29brDftWGTdOgs9Q6KXdQM_kBqYwC4qc3KHBfHLA3S2uuP9n5_fepezSqM-VXyu/s1600/IMG_2477+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5HmY2Rbofasgbg9nLC99fH1N4m2VgNs9Q-CsDtnr8HOL-m5Pro17VT23_wRogZOV1Nr1jXdVkRVPY29brDftWGTdOgs9Q6KXdQM_kBqYwC4qc3KHBfHLA3S2uuP9n5_fepezSqM-VXyu/s320/IMG_2477+%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Pictures are coming for the temperature blanket. I promise but there's not much to see yet. </div>
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Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138784561825870865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684169982329120278.post-73092001600380671862014-09-29T08:35:00.000-06:002014-09-29T08:35:03.138-06:00A new venture!I attended my first every Saskatoon Modern Quilt Guild meeting yesterday! They gave me free fabric, so I am hooked! Seriously though, a member had a box of Batik material and was giving it away so I walked away with a stack of lovely, yummy batiks... The way to my heart these days...<br />
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Otherwise, I am working on this fun, scrappy String quilt at the moment. I don't get many moments to sew between the dogs and the cats (and I promise a post updating life with them next!) but when I do, this is sewing up fast and furious and I don't think it'll be long before it's done. I am not sure I want to write a tutorial on how to make these as there are lots of great posts out there, but if you are thinking about it, do your homework (read a blog post or two to learn how!) and jump in! It's my first attempt at working with paper foundations and it's fun!<br />
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Ryder was helping me show off my blocks!</div>
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Here's what I have so far. I need MORE obviously, then I need to sew them together! So far to go until it's a completed quilt but it's coming along!</div>
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<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138784561825870865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684169982329120278.post-60061925752109286212014-09-01T14:57:00.000-06:002014-09-01T14:57:14.058-06:00QuiltingI've been quilting... and I love it! I've become quite fascinated by colour and fabric and how it all works together to create something functional, useful and lovely. I've worked on MANY projects over the summer, but I thought I would share one with you now...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmWSh8rPm4jEn5XStVWw5mFuJYrbcRv8ASLbNKdYmqOVhsjTK1uivGoeI0P4aMMkolMxuCUSjjX0b1V_E-JlfTmUpz6dFnIByc2Lylpo0GEuQQV7CdQntIahh6p1Q7-OvgHjnqJHWtjo6/s1600/IMG_1624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmWSh8rPm4jEn5XStVWw5mFuJYrbcRv8ASLbNKdYmqOVhsjTK1uivGoeI0P4aMMkolMxuCUSjjX0b1V_E-JlfTmUpz6dFnIByc2Lylpo0GEuQQV7CdQntIahh6p1Q7-OvgHjnqJHWtjo6/s1600/IMG_1624.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is made from Tula Pink's Shoreline pattern. I couldn't get her original fabrics that were used when she created it. But, I do like what I ended up with.</div>
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Ryder cat helped me work on sandwiching the quilt. Let me tell you, it's not easy pinning a quilt when you have cats lying on it. </div>
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Anyway, I am in process of free motion quilting this- my first attempt. It's going SLOWLY and I am not that confident with it yet. But, it's coming. I love this quilt- it will be used on my bed I believe.</div>
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I've missed this old blog and it's good to be back! </div>
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<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138784561825870865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684169982329120278.post-55202881433393674312014-01-29T14:02:00.000-06:002014-01-29T14:02:06.939-06:00Update on Sophie!Sophie, Sophie, Sophie! What can I say? <br />
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I will start with she is going to be just fine! But, it was a scary situation- far worse than I imagined when I got up yesterday morning. I called my friend who told me that the symptoms were suspicious and confirmed what I was worried about- Sophie should go to the vet. Unfortunately for me, I was already at work and as a teacher it's not easy to drop everything and run back to the city to take her. But, Rebecca drove in, picked Sophie up and dropped her off for me; thank God!<br />
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By the time Sophie got to the vet she was majorly dehydrated, she was starting to shake and her heart rate was very elevated. She couldn't keep anything down, not even water. So, they quickly checked her out and started an IV to get her fluids back up. My vet decided an Xray was in order because all signs pointed to a blockage somewhere in her stomach/GI tract/Intestines. The Xray showed the possibility something was stuck in her tummy so they did an ultrasound. This showed for sure there was something but they couldn't tell what.<br />
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Next step? Surgery. Poor Sophie as it turns out had eaten a freezer bag that was lodged between her stomach and bowels. It required 2 incisions to get the bag out and make sure that the blockage was cleared. Poor baby! My vet decided to keep her overnight on IV fluids to make sure she was no longer dehydrated and to make sure that she was ok, post surgery. I don't have my Sophiedog back yet but apparently she is looking much, much happier this morning. She is wagging her tail and it sounds like my girlie is on the way to recovery.<br />
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I learned SO MUCH from this experience-- if your labrador looks like she isn't feeling well, she isn't. My vet confirmed my worst fears; Sophie was in excruciating pain but wouldn't show it.And, if she won't eat, that is BAD! Sophie started down this path by throwing up multiple times but we turned the corner when she refused to eat. It's serious. Also, I knew her tummy was sore- I could feel it. Don't question it; if you think you need the vet, you need the vet. 8 hours would have meant a different outcome for Sophie because her heart rate was already so elevated. She was in danger of her organs starting to give out in the process. I am scared to think what would have happened if I had let this go and decided to wait it out and see if she would perk up. Soph would be gone if I had done this.<br />
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Another lesson learned: the deep freeze will be moved to a place where Sophie is not able to access it as easily as she has been able to in the past. UGH!<br />
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Sophie is going to be just fine now- likely it's a 4 week recovery from the surgery until she is really back to normal but she will be fine. I will be fine eventually; this was an incredibly traumatic experience for me, one that I won't easily forget or shake off. It's not even fully real to me yet because I don't have my dog back. But, it will be and I know what to look for, heaven forbid I go down this path again.Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138784561825870865noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684169982329120278.post-24834738622524597312014-01-28T11:55:00.001-06:002014-01-28T11:55:18.121-06:00SophieIt's been nearly 7 years since I learned a dog named Sophie was going to join my little family. And, it's been quite the journey throughout her life, I must admit.<br />
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Sophie got sick yesterday and I decided this morning to send her to the vet. I have been through many episodes with her over time-- lots and lots of times of her throwing up but she crossed the line this morning and refused to eat. That's a scary place for Sophie. So, I originally was going to wait the day but I talked with a friend who said "no! I will take her for you now!" I fearfully but gratefully accepted. So, Sophie is at the vet right now awaiting X-rays to see if she has an obstruction. And I am at work, feeling anxious and worried and nervous. And sad, so incredibly sad! She is not herself at all and it's heartbreaking to see how scrawny she got so quickly and how sad she is looking herself.<br />
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She just isn't feeling well and I know it.<br />
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It's hard when our fur babies aren't well and we don't know what is wrong. It's even worse that she is at the vet and I am not. <br />
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Please, send happy, healing thoughts for my special girl Sophie. She needs it!!<br />
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Sophie a couple years ago helping me quilt. Love this girl so much!</div>
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138784561825870865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684169982329120278.post-37216500428109803452014-01-20T08:12:00.000-06:002014-01-26T07:02:28.149-06:00Cross-Stitch, yet another hobby.I love to cross-stitch but haven't picked any up for years. I have lately been into knitting like a crazy fool and I have also been quilting. I am working on my first "real" quilt which I am not nearly finished but have set a goal to be done in the next 4 months. So, that has been a focus.<br />
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However, sometimes change is good! So, I picked up an old project that I love and feel very much re-energized to work on... especially with the advent of cats in my home. Ophelia is my personal Maggie!<br />
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Anyway, here is a photo of where I am at.<br />
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Not far into the project at all!!<br />
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However, when its finished, this is what it should look <a href="http://www.colray-crafts.com/DimensionWebE/newhtm/big.php?ProductID=17515" target="_blank">like.</a> This is the link to the dimensions kit. I personally do NOT like using Dimensions kits and this one really is no different except that I love this Charles Wysocki print and I really wanted to stitch it as a tribute to all those happy but bratty cats who love craft and sewing rooms.Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138784561825870865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684169982329120278.post-8064716655568700612014-01-17T11:32:00.000-06:002014-01-18T08:32:38.575-06:00While one is sick.... I have been sick this week with some sort of H1N1 viral flu, maybe, or perhaps a viral pneumonia. The doctors were unclear with me but what I DO know is that I am SICK! I have been coughing up a lung and napping for hours everday-- it's been going on for a week already and I have been starting to get a little bored of the nap, pet kitten, play with puppy, nap, repeat, repeat routine.<br />
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So, I have gotten busy and decided that I NEED to finish this baby gift for a dear friend.... It's not quite big enough yet and I have to admit I have fumbled the pattern in a few places, but generally speaking, I am very pleased with the results!<br />
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I also splurged and used a gorgeous Cascade Wool... check it out, if you are into fancy wools to knit with... <a href="http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-superwashPaints.asp" target="_blank">Cascade Yarn Superwash Paint</a>. I used the tropical seas colour scheme because I think it's an interesting set of bright, vibrant colours for a baby. No pastels here! Hope she agrees with my choice!!<br />
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Can't wait to show off the finished product at the end of this!Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138784561825870865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684169982329120278.post-54819442511883660432014-01-17T08:19:00.001-06:002014-01-17T08:19:52.465-06:00PLEASE, save this cat so I don't need toI met this cat yesterday. <br />
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<a href="http://petharbor.com/detail.asp?ID=A114220&LOCATION=SKTN&searchtype=ADOPT&start=4&stylesheet=include/default.css&frontdoor=1&friends=1&samaritans=1&nosuccess=0&orderby=Name&rows=25&imght=120&imgres=thumb&view=sysadm.v_animal&nomax=1&fontface=arial&fontsize=10&zip=s7l%205&miles=200&shelterlist='SKTN'&atype=cat&where=type_CAT" target="_blank">Porter</a>. Please click the link; I tried to post his photo but it wouldn't let me.<br />
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He broke my heart- he is a huge cat, so big I wonder if he is a Maine Coon mix or something and they say he is just a year but he looked older to me. He looked at me and I opened his run. MISTAKE! He immediately climbed into my arms and refused to go back into his kennel. I walked away with tears in my eyes as I was immediately drawn to the sadness in this cat. He acted like his heart was broken and he was desperate to find someone who can see beyond the messy mass of fur he has, the matts by his ears and the unkempt look he has to him.<br />
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I am trying to block him out, but its painful and difficult. I CANT have another cat, I really can't! SO, please my cat loving friends, go and see him. Give him a chance so I know he is ok! Otherwise, I am a little afraid that my catty family will expand by one more!<br />
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<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138784561825870865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684169982329120278.post-90419486705559526042013-12-19T13:19:00.000-06:002013-12-19T13:19:19.192-06:00To agility or not to agility?I love agility. I really do! However, I have not been committed to training my dogs at all in the last couple years. I am not sure why this is the case, but my motivation has really fallen off. I guess, sometimes when you hit inertia, it is easier to stay there. So, once I quit attending classes I stopped really doing any work. Last winter, I thought maybe I would train a bit on my own. I went maybe 3 times; I rented a great space to use but even that wasn't enough to inspire me. I did some work in the yard but it was tough; once the snow sets in, I cant say that I am all that motivated to work on weaving,<br />
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So, I thought maybe I would try something new. I called a local Obedience trainer but they didn't return my call. Frustrating! Then, I contacted the Local Retriever Club, hoping to train Reason in retrieving. They hold practice times at 9AM on Sunday AM's. I have just been asked to assume responsibility for the 9AM mass at my church, as well as playing piano for the 11AM. So retriever classes are totally out as I am committed to doing music at St. Mary's. I am not prepared to take time away from that at the moment.<br />
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I ended up sitting with it for a few days and really pondering what I want with my dogs. The reality is that I have trained Spike to a point where it is wasteful to not continue. He has several titles: he is Spike SJATD, FD-CHs, ADC, SGDC. The first title is his therapy dog credentials. The second is flyball and the last 2 are agility. We are 3 legs short of his advanced games dog title (out of 9). I want to do that. I want to continue to run Spike. I have started training both Murphy and Reason. There is no reason (haha) to not continue this work with them. Really, I have no excuse to not train Sophie in nosework either; this is a sport that she will LOVE and be able to do with no mobility issues at all.<br />
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I made my decision yesterday officially. I am taking my 3 dogs back to agility classes and I am prepared to work HARD with them. I also have LOADS of work to do on myself as I am so incredibly out of shape at this moment. But, it's a turning point for me, I believe. I am starting over, allowing myself to find the fun and joy in an incredible sport where I get to play with my dogs. I love working with them and this is an exciting decision to make.<br />
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So, watch out world; Spike and I will be trialing this winter for sure. Reason and Murphy may well trial as well! It's a good, good place to be!Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138784561825870865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684169982329120278.post-84198379180193142272013-12-16T16:40:00.001-06:002013-12-16T16:40:17.928-06:00I wonder if I should be concerned...I brought the cats home a present today. I think they like it! I wonder if I should be concerned or worried??<br />
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Can cats OD on catnip??</div>
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138784561825870865noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684169982329120278.post-82391086034542636372013-12-12T12:00:00.000-06:002013-12-12T12:00:56.418-06:00Life is so complicated sometimes....I have been away from this blog in so long I doubt I have any readers left. I'm tired of promising to write and not do so. Or promising to start reading blogs again and not doing it. So, I am just going to jump back into the swing of life and show you bits of what has kept me going and busy over the last months...<br />
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First, it started with this little black bundle of fluff...<br />
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This is Ryder.</div>
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Then, these two quickly followed. <br />
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This is Ophelia.</div>
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This is Oliver. </div>
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They all have a story behind them but I want you save that for another day. Just know that Ryder, Ophelia and Oliver have captured my heart, the dogs attention and they have begun to rule the house with their quick to strike out at a wayward Murphy, should she decide to chase. It's been interesting integrating 3 cats who all arrived within about 2 weeks of each other into a home where dogs have ruled supreme forever. <br />
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Spike has reacted to the cats with curiosity then a shrug of his shoulders as if to say "I guess they are staying. I'm afraid of them, but if I don't get too close, I'll be fine!" Sophie is more interested in their food than in the kittens themselves. Reason hasn't even seemed to notice them. Murphy is the only one who seems to a have a death wise as she pursues them and they tell her off with a quick hiss and swipe of the paws. I have to admit, I am worried about Murphy and how she is responding to them; her freedom is restricted in the house now and it's been a little rough.<br />
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In other news, I have started teaching some piano lessons this year. I am loving being back in the world of music, of playing and even of accompanying again; I play weekly at mass and that is great. It's going so well, I am going to attempt to teach out of my home this next year. I am wavering on how to make this work out--- do I renovate my garage and create a fantastic studio?? Or renovate my front porch and create an all season space so I can keep the dogs out there and actually gain some room? Big decisions! In the meantime, I am going on a cleaning binge and I plan to overhaul the whole house. You know, be ruthless and get rid of stuff as I have realized that my house is small and I have stuff. Lots of stuff. So, the fun begins. I just have to decide where to start.... It's time though!!<br />
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Anyway, I have to admit its nice being back at the blog. I think it won't be so long between postings again. Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138784561825870865noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684169982329120278.post-69214650940961075612013-08-16T19:01:00.000-06:002013-08-16T19:01:02.398-06:00Sir Paul McCartneyI saw Paul McCartney this week. What an experience!! I will never forget being part of a crowd of nearly 40,000 singing "Hey Jude" with him. Amazing...<br />
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Photos to share the experience with you all too!<br />
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The crowd and the stage.</div>
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My friend and I- we went down together.</div>
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More of the crowd. I have never seen Mosaic Stadium so full in my life.</div>
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The stage view we had. Not great seats, but it didn't matter. The energy was high, the crowd was great and Sir Paul does a show that is amazing!</div>
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Sir Paul</div>
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His funky piano. I tried to get decent close up pics but it was hard. Sorry for the quality, but it gives an idea of what this amazing experience was like.</div>
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I have some video of it too, but I am not sure whether I will attempt to load the clips or not; they are large and I am a bit nervous of copyright laws. In any case, I will never forget Sir Paul singing some of my favourites- Let it Be, Yesterday, Hey Jude, Helter Skelter, and mostly Blackbird.Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138784561825870865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684169982329120278.post-45712245642608544952013-08-02T20:57:00.000-06:002013-08-02T20:57:58.683-06:00FINALLY...I have missed blogging. I have no excuses about why I haven't blogged, but I can tell you this; I miss it.<br />
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So, here goes... an attempt to revive this old blog and get back to it! <br />
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I just spent 7 days on a little vacation to Alberta, without the dogs. It was great; I spent time with my parents then I went to Brooks, to visit an old friend, Al. We haven't seen each other in about 4 years and it was so good to see her, to get caught up on life and to learn a few new things along the way. Seriously, Al is a pretty wise gal; I doubt she is even 30 yet, but she is darn smart and taught me a few lessons about budgeting and meal planning. I will share those another day, but for today I just want to share some photos of the trip. Oh, and you can meet Al yourself by heading over to her blog.... <a href="http://alspolkadotsandpaisley.blogspot.ca/">Al's PolkaDots and Paisley</a>.<br />
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In the morning before I left, we drove out to Dinosaur Provincial Park to hike in the badlands. I haven't hiked in a long, long time and for me, this was a pretty serious adventure. It showed I am out of shape but it was pretty amazing and I loved it!<br />
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First of all, I had a nearly 5 hour drive, but some of the scenery was absolutely spectacular and I couldn't help but photograph it.<br />
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Somewhere, in the middle of nowhere, Alberta.</div>
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Pretty canola, all yellow in the field... love it!</div>
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The rest of the photos are images from Dinosaur Park. We hiked up through these hills on a trail that is marked for people to walk. There are several throughout the park and we chose a middle of the road difficulty one. I loved it; so beautiful!</div>
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I know this post is very "photo" heavy but I fell in love with this area! I haven't had a real holiday in years so it felt so good to get away and actually just do something for me. I can't leave it this long ever again.<br />
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<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138784561825870865noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684169982329120278.post-23331059582821191522013-04-27T12:26:00.000-06:002013-04-27T12:26:41.970-06:00Pink Boots and Metaphorical Life Lessons, thanks to um, well Dog Poop.I have beautiful pink rubber boots. At least they WERE clean. Now they have been broken in and used to clean up the yard. I will spare you the pictures as I should have taken a photo of the boots before I went to the yard!<br />
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It's the first really beautiful day we have had this spring- like REALLY beautiful, wear short sleeves and sweat hard while cleaning the yard. I couldn't help but smile and think, yeah. Life is good! Even though I have a tiny yard that has been under snow for 6 months, and also own 4 dogs. Yeah. That's LOADS of presents out there for me.<br />
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Despite the presents and the fact that they are starting to smell a little, I still couldn't help coming back to my life. I just spent 5.5 days at a Retreat; a renewal seminar. It was 5.5 days of what I consider to be my personal hell but also my personal heaven. We spent the whole time in intensive group therapy. I needed it more than I could have known. I have long kept parts of myself isolated from the rest of me; I prefer to keep my personal life away from my professional life for example. Or my spirituality away from my dog world. But, I am tired of that. Time to integrate the blogs all down into one and be integrated. I learned that this week.<br />
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I also learned that I CAN clean up my own personal messes and have a happy, whole life. It is possible to work through what I have to work through and smile through the tears. It's good. I couldn't help but think I am metaphorically cleaning up the dog presents in my own life as I am physically cleaning the yard. Life is good.<br />
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So good, I even asked my doctor about going off all my meds. It might just be time to spread my wings and see if I can fly. Or, face my anxiety without medication. Or, face my IBS (newly diagnosed and on a very strict diet for- no more gluten, no more dairy and I have a gut that feels GREAT!). Anyway, face my IBS without meds. Just dietary interventions. I think I can do it.<br />
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I think I can lay on my back and watch my kite fly high in the sky, proudly. Yup, lessons learned from therapy.Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138784561825870865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684169982329120278.post-12213664752147888292013-04-15T20:34:00.001-06:002013-04-15T20:34:52.349-06:00Simple things bring simple pleasureIt has been a very emotionally moody sort of day. I went to Oprah last night and was motivated, inspired and taught about finding one's purpose in life and living in it. That high was quickly squashed with the bombing of the Boston Marathon. I have no words to describe the grief I feel for the people affected. Another tragedy in a complex, unpredictable world.<br />
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But when I struggle, I come back to the simple things in life. <br />
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Spring. My dogs. My yard. My piano.<br />
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All these things help me slow down and refocus my attention into living gratefully in the moment.<br />
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So, when I had an opportunity to catch my dogs wandering and sun bathing in the weak spring sun, I had to try for photos. We still have TONS of snow, but it's coming along. And, with that realization is the joy of knowing my yard will soon be full of green growing things.<br />
(And, the horrifying realization that I have a winters full of clean up to do. You do the math: 4 dogs, 1 small yard, no cleanup most of the winter= NIGHTMARES! Ha, ignore any potential sightings of doggy doo doo in the pictures, I promise you all I will start the massive clean up tomorrow).<br />
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Sophie, coming in to say hello through the window. Yes, there is NO screen there. Yes, the dogs wrecked it last summer. Yes, I am crazy enough to put one back this summer. </div>
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Sophie loving the sun beam. (Please ignore the winter gunk to be cleaned off my deck. This is getting scrubbed down and refinished this summer. It needs some stain for sure).</div>
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Reason, wandering around sniffing on the snowy half a yard.</div>
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Spikey, lying in the sun, by the tunnel. Sorry he is hardly visible, but he avoids the camera at the best of times. Murphy is next to him the grass, out of sight of the camera. She was avoiding me at this point; she had just tried to jump through the window and come in but was forcefully stopped by a spray of water to her little face and she marched off, out of sight to pout indignantly. </div>
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Another image of my long but narrow lot. </div>
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Spring is coming, I am sure of that. And, with anticipation, I am filling out the first of my trial entries for the outdoor agility season tonight. There is a simple joy and hope in that.</div>
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138784561825870865noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684169982329120278.post-54661495342925644182013-04-05T09:15:00.001-06:002013-04-05T09:15:21.940-06:00Sleeping Beauties....My girlies, napping.... <br />
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Murphy..... so sweet when she is sleeping!</div>
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Sophie in the chair- (ignore the mess!! :) )</div>
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Reason, in a rare moment when she has stopped moving, all sleepy on the back of the couch.</div>
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Love my girlies!</div>
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138784561825870865noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684169982329120278.post-78313418044093509012013-03-24T16:56:00.000-06:002013-03-24T16:56:53.313-06:00We're BACK!!!!Hey all!<br />
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We are back. My apologies from the unexpected hiatus in my blogging world; I had no intentions of taking a break but I guess I needed it. After Mango passed, then another dog blog friend (one of the very first I made!), Sophie Brador also crossed the bridge, I kinda felt like I lost my desire to blog. So, I stopped.<br />
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I think it's time to come back; I have to admit this is an intensely crazy, busy time in my life but I am thinking I would like to get back to this old blog and to the friends I have made along the way. I've missed you all! And, unfortunately, I deprived you all of cute baby Reason pics along the way, too!<br />
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Anyway, there's no sense rattling through my busy, but mundane last few months. Instead, I'll show you what the dogs and I have been keeping busy doing the last few days. We were hit by a HUGE blizzard on March 20, the first day of Spring and I had a quilt started that I thought deserved to be finished over the evenings when we couldn't go out and do much. Too much snow. I'll show you pictures soon of my front yard. It isn't pretty!<br />
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Alright, back to it... the quilt. And, the dogs, enjoying the quilting time. :)<br />
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Sophie and Murphy, curled up on top of the quilt, in progress along with my fabric bin of scraps. It can't possibly by comfortable, but they stayed there for a long time.</div>
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Spike.</div>
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Sophie, in the midst of chaos created by Reason. My house WAS clean, really... one loose puppy in the house and all mess breaks loose, ha!</div>
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The whole clan, in their usual spots. Murphy and Reason, balanced on the back of the couch. Sophie and Spike, always the more sensible, lying on the pillow and blankie. I do manage to squish in there between Spike and Soph. It's the perfect spot for Rease to nap with her head on my shoulder. </div>
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The new Rag Quilt- it hasn't been washed yet, and I haven't notched all the seams yet so they fray, but it's all sewn up at least!</div>
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All in all, it's a good way to spend a Blizzard- hunkered down with some movies, a quilt to make and my favourite dogs in the world. Life is good.<br />
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<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138784561825870865noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684169982329120278.post-3278826181333639692012-11-18T13:15:00.000-06:002012-11-18T13:15:12.866-06:00I love Sundays....Life is good today. I've been knitting Christmas presents and hanging out with the dogs, catching up on my Chicago Fire addiction (great show, by the way!).<br />
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My girlies decided that they wanted, no needed to be close too.... Spike, being an old grump headed upstairs to nap on the bed but the girls stick close to me, almost all the time.<br />
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Rease, chewing on a bone. Complete with the envelope she stole off the table too, ha!</div>
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Sophie on the couch. Samples of a new knitted blanket to be, on the chair. It's going to be a soft, cozy blankie when it's finished!</div>
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Rease- why stay on the dog bed when you can lounge on the back of the couch?!?</div>
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Yummy bone! Great spot to chew on a bone; she can reach over and give kisses from there.</div>
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Murphy- why not steal Sophie's place on the couch?!?</div>
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Murphy and Sophie. Sunday cuddles!</div>
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138784561825870865noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684169982329120278.post-8840807403226675862012-11-13T08:23:00.001-06:002012-11-13T08:23:31.629-06:00Blogging Changes....It has been so long since I have written, I have wondered if it was time to shut the blog down. But, I don't think so- I think I am realizing that life is just starting to shift and change and my blog is reflecting that (or would if I wrote!). Anyway, so I am back and I want to warn you, this all may morph but it's ok. There will still be dogs. But, there might be more- plans for the future ( I am again seriously thinking career change!), crafting I've been up to, maybe even some book reviews will show up here. Maybe even stories from teaching- so hard to know. But, the dogs will still be here, I promise. :)<br />
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Anyway, just to catch you all up.... Reason is 8 months old today. She is a total smarty pants- a quick learn who can have focus when she wants to. But, she's turning into a bratty teenager and Spike and Sophie have become WAY too easy going and let her get away with murder. Seriously, I need some tough dogs to sort her attitude out! She needs it, just a little! ;)<br />
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Murphy went through a phase this fall where she broke out of her crate, numerous times, until she actually demolished the old one. I had a mouse problem and Miss Murph took it upon herself to help- once I figured out what she was doing, I felt much better. Mice are gone and she's content in her kennel again.<br />
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Sophie is becoming a bit of a stately ole' gal at times. She is happy to sleep on a bed, cuddle on the couch and be spoiled rotten. I love that girlie of mine; she has rough edges to her for sure and she can be SUCH a brat but she's totally wormed her way into my heart.<br />
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Spike has been struggling with gaining weight of late and I kinda wonder if his back is out. I think a trip to the vet is shortly in order- he's 7.5 and it was recommended I get blood work done. I haven't done it yet, but I think it might be time. I just want to make sure he's ok. In his last agility trial, he was slowing down, jumping 22" so I decided to move him to the veterans class- he is now jumping 16" so it'll be interesting to see what that does to help him out.<br />
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Otherwise, I've become very focused on the idea of bringing Dock Dogs to Saskatchewan. I have no idea where to start, but I am feeling pretty determined to figure this out. Step 1: Find a pool to train in!!<br />
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Oh, and the current idea of what might be ailing me is that I may have Seasonal Affective Disorder. So, I am doing a trial with a light box, trying PhotoTherapy. For anyone who lives in Canada and struggles with shorter days in Winter, I have to say the lightbox is AMAZING! Try it!!Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138784561825870865noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684169982329120278.post-47465750037993538332012-09-27T13:30:00.000-06:002012-09-27T13:30:04.525-06:00A Relentlessly Huge Hole in our Hearts....The world lost a beautiful dog yesterday. Mango Relentlessly Huge passed during the night, in the company of the Mango Momma, after he suffered an intestinal rupture and infection that was just to great to fight. And, the bloggy world caught their breathe at the moment of the announcement and a gigantic wave of sadness rolled through us.<br />
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Mango was a gorgeous, brindle mastiff, a gigantic dog with a heart just as big. Mango Momma blogged about his antics over the last years and we all fell in love with him. I spent yesterday afternoon crying in fits and spurts over this news and I've grieved alongside the blog community.<br />
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Mango, Dexter (his labrador brother) and Mango Momma welcomed me into the bloggy world when I started on this journey. Their blog was one of the first I started to read and comment on, and I was always touched by the responses I received back. Mango Momma always responds with compassion, sharing in tears and laughter. She made me feel like I was part of the community!<br />
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I am so sorry Mango's family for your loss! We grieve alongside you, as everyone was shocked by how fast Mango was gone. I am grateful for your wisdom and compassion as you knew it was time to say goodbye to your very special boy. Know that I am praying for you during this time. Thank you for sharing his beautiful spirit with us.<br />
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Run free, Mango! Bounce in peace and say hi to Mortimer for me!Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138784561825870865noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684169982329120278.post-4191929341137229692012-09-14T10:47:00.000-06:002012-09-14T10:47:13.675-06:006 Months Already?!?I can't believe Rease turned 6 months old, on September 12th. Where does time go??<br />
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She is turning out to be a lovely, sweet, gentle dog who is quite crazy-high energy when she wants to be. But, she can chill on the couch with me, as long as I'm willing to cuddle. I rarely say no to puppy cuddles! :) Rease is all legs still- a bit gangly and lanky and she is still a bit uncoordinated. But, at 38lbs and a little shorter than Sophie, I suspect she is pretty close to full grown.<br />
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So, all in all, Rease is EXACTLY what I wanted!<br />
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Not great pictures, but you get the idea at least of how big she is... Rease, and big sis Sophie.</div>
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Rease, Sophie and Spike. OF COURSE, no one wanted to look at the camera. Sigh.</div>
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138784561825870865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684169982329120278.post-77552650170638912992012-09-10T19:26:00.000-06:002012-09-10T19:26:30.101-06:00We're back!!Well, Black Dog Blog has officially moved and we are residents of the "big" city! It's been a bit of an adjustment getting used to traffic again and a smaller yard, but I haven't regretted the decision yet. I LOVE my new house, the dogs are getting used to it, and are even starting to cope with the really slippery laminate floors, ha!<br />
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Anyway, I am back to work- been back to teaching for a week already! It feels like I didn't get a summer and the dogs have been telling me it's not an easy adjustment for them to be crated again while I work. But, we will settle in. Fall is definitely on the way; days are getting shorter and my leaves are starting to turn. I know that routine will come back soon.<br />
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Everyone is fine around here. Sophie and Spike look a little greyer. Murphy has been struggling with a big, huge, horrible hot spot on her neck but I think we've turned the corner on it for now. And, Rease has become all legs. She's tall and scrawny at almost 6 months. She's a beautiful, fine boned, lovely little lab and she's a darling to live with.<br />
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I promise video clips of Reason and Spike swimming next post. And, maybe some updated puppy pictures.... at least I posted and let the few of you still following my blog know we are kicking around....<br />
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<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138784561825870865noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684169982329120278.post-21181954522292820492012-07-22T08:43:00.000-06:002012-07-22T08:43:13.316-06:00We are MIA....The big move is coming fast.... sorry we have been a bit absent lately from posting/commenting. But, I am in the countdown until I get possession of my new home! Once I have the dogs there and a bit settled, I'll post for sure. Until then, know that I am reading as much as I can, but commenting is just beyond me. And, know that Sophie is feeling better (her tail is healing!), Murphy is continuing her quest for world domination, Spike is his same gentle self and Reason is growing like a bad, bad weed!<br />
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Later all... from the new house!! :)Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138784561825870865noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684169982329120278.post-57405788542819131872012-07-06T19:27:00.002-06:002012-07-06T19:27:34.159-06:00We figured it out!I am away this week, marking Provincial Exams. So, my dogs have been left in the very capable hands of Rebecca, my go to dog sitter extraordinaire. Rebecca took Sophie back to the vet yesterday to get her thyroid function retested and the results came back... Sophie's T4 level was 1.0 weeks ago- normal is 1.0-4.0. Because it was so borderline and she's a high risk breed, she was placed on a very low dose of Thyro with instructions to bring her back in a couple weeks. So, her test yesterday came back at 3.0! The meds are working!! It remains to be seen if her tail is healing up- it takes weeks for that hair to grow back and I haven't seen her since last weekend so I have no idea. But, when I get back, I am sure I'll notice a difference. If she wasn't having issues with her tail not healing plus some flakey, scaly skin on her tummy, I would likely not realized for some time that she was starting to show thyroid symptoms. Glad I caught it and she's starting to feel a little better!<br />
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Can't wait to get back to the clan early next week... then it's on to packing up the dog toys and making the big move to the new house! :)Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138784561825870865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684169982329120278.post-80207060189123169392012-06-22T19:45:00.001-06:002012-06-22T19:45:30.768-06:00We MIGHT have a diagnosis....Sophie is my expensive dog. If someone is going to get sick, have a joint issue, do something stupid and blow a knee, it's Sophie. So, no surprise I guess that yesterday's vet visit was a $300 touch just for blood/urine tests. And, they are somewhat inconclusive.<br />
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What we do know is Sophie has a bald tip of the tail that refuses to heal. She has a couple other balding/scaly spots too. She is just not her bouncy, happy usual self. So, Dr. O took one look at the tail and took it seriously- so seriously that if Sopher's tail doesn't heal soon we may have to amputate the last inch. :(<br />
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But, Sophie's bloodwork came back and while early tests showed an issue with her white blood counts, but the further CBC tests showed they are low normal so she isn't fighting an infection or anything worse we don't think. Her thyroid test came back as Borderline. Thyroid issues in Labs are very common so I think this is likely what's causing the issues. So, Sophie is starting on a low dose of the thyroid meds with a repeat of the test in two weeks to a month. If she perks up, her tail heals and her other spots start to grow back in then we know. But, it could also be Addison's. I figure, let's start with the more common problem and take it from there...<br />
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Poor puppers. I wish she felt ok. I am sure I'll be keeping you posted on where this all goes. Cross paws that Miss Sophie perks up and starts to act herself. :)Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138784561825870865noreply@blogger.com5