Posts from the ‘Pets’ category

Back to sunshine

Yesterday started with snow and a temperature of 34F.

But it ended with sunshine and a temperature of 52F.

Mr. Bob had another ear check at the vet. An internist is being consulted as although Bob is certainly improving, the ear is still very messy and obviously we haven’t kicked the infection…or the wobbles. The eardrum has healed, though and I think Bob is hearing a little bit. He is getting around easier, eating and drinking normally and interested in life with Bear and me – AND enjoying the sun when it is out.

The sun that followed the snow also brought the first lupin blooms in the woods. Last year’s lupins were a bit feeble due to the very wet spring. So far, it looks like there will be a bumper crop this year. I love the lupins!

And as I write this, it is Friday morning before a hopefully short work day and a 3 day weekend for which I have no – nada – zilch in the way of “have to do items”. Depending on the weather at any given moment there are bits of things I can do outside and inside or I might just putter in the kitchen or read or snuggle with Bob and Bear.

Happy Friday!

Sunday morning

Saturday was off and on drizzly with off and on brilliant sun breaks – the week looks to continue the same. Today dawned misty and drippy. It is the kind of gray that makes the new grass and foliage almost glow.

Bob and I shared the morning quiet on the front porch. I think Bob is hearing a bit and is slightly less wobbly. We finished the premium antibiotic yesterday and proceed with a lower dose ear drop. Bob is looking more himself and generally more comfortable – yea!

Bear manned the lookout on Beardog Point before joining us for a treat near the front porch.

Puddle water is the best! There are 5 water bowls between the front porch and various venues in the house – full of sweet, clean well water…but puddles are always first choice when available.

Beth, a friend and blog reader – and family are in the area on vacation this week and stopped for a visit yesterday bringing with them a gift of baby herbs to start my 2013 herb garden. Woo-hoo – and Beth must be a bit clairvoyant as she brought all herbs I wanted to try this year: cilantro, sage, oregano (!!- this is a new cooking favorite), lemon thyme and my must-have basil.

A beautiful Sunday morning.

And so it goes

The good news is that yesterday’s vet visit for a progress check on Bob’s ear infection showed that Bob’s ear drum is already healing. Dr. Clark (and me, too!) was happily surprised.

Also, the ears continue draining. As Dr. Clark noted: “Lots of good ear snot!”. (My apologies if you were eating something when you read that). At any rate, a lot of stuff is coming out, but when Bob shakes his head, it still sounds kind of liquid-y so we have a ways to go.

The wobblies continue. BUT! – Bob is eating and drinking normally. He was having some trouble getting in and out of the litter box so his bathroom corner has been converted to an indoor sandbox on the floor and he is negotiating that fine.

Fortunately, Bob has never been fussy about what kind of box or what kind of litter. He stopped, looked a minute and then apparently recognized the litter and that was that.

He has been sleeping in his house aka my photo light box – a short trip to his food and the sandbox. Tomorrow, when he is out of it, I am going to take the door out and replace it with the foam mattress pad for a softer surface for him.

Other good news is that Dr. Clark said the dryer vent venue was not to blame for the ear infection, so I moved Bob’s bed back there. It is a sunny spot in the morning and a guy needs a sunny spot to close his eyes and stop the world from spinning.

Our mid-May heat wave came to an end and we are ramping up for our typically cool and rainy Memorial Day weekend. But along with the cool and cloudy, there have also been some sun breaks and very comfortable 60F daytime temps and blue sky. It is perfect for getting yard work done and I am happy that I found some nice people to do mine! I am still pretty sore and I am not a stoic, “just power through it” kind of girl. Nosirree!!! When the going gets tough, I hire help :) !

Bear continues to do very well. We are walking a lot and he has gained confidence being a bit further from me so we have opportunities for him to run and build muscle. His gate and stance look very good.

Below…another exciting Video by Liz. Bob IS a “just power through it” kind of guy and despite the wobbles, determined to make his rounds. I follow and when it seems like he’s had enough, he gets a ride home.

Bob Unbalanced from Liz Summers on Vimeo.

It’s Friday and we are all still alive

Mr. Bob has had a rough week.

Two vet visits and then he had a bad reaction to the first antibiotic – nausea after a bit of throwing up. He was a sad sack on Wednesday.

Bear and I made a run back to the vet and traded meds. Bob got a reprieve from all until Thursday afternoon.

He perked up yesterday and has been fine on the new stuff which is a once a day liquid so happier for both of us!

I am moving easier and more comfortable each night. Ribs tend to be a bit of a long haul but I’d rather deal with that, than a problem with a moving joint like ankle, wrist, shoulder or hip. Thankfully, the soreness in my left wrist/arm was slight. I wear ankle supporting light hiking boots in the woods and for trail walking and often carry ski poles used as hiking poles. I am ever grateful that all of me works well so that I can enjoy being outside and I’d like to keep it that way.

And speaking of things working well…the Bear boy is doing so well. He is a week off leash and doing more running and jumping every day. He has had no signs of soreness from increased activity. He has shifted easily back to our pre-op/pre-injury routine. Yea, Bear!

Yep, seems like old times :) !!

Everything is as it was.

And, per typical mid-May we are having a Montana heat wave: upper 70’s daytime, upper 40’s night time, i.e. darn near perfect.

Happy Friday.

Simple Delight

Sunday was gray with a few sun breaks here and there.

Bear and I walked, took a Jeep ride and another walk, and we all enjoyed some time outside.

I was warming up the grill to cook burgers, sitting on the front porch with a cup of tea, enjoying the sounds of the woods and the company of Bear and Bob.

The gentle happiness of this simple, quiet time with Bear and Bob bubbled up inside me and especially as I thought about the early days with Bear when all was so new that he was not comfortable relaxing in the yard. And much less comfortable, relaxing with Bob!

The word that came to my mind as I sat was delight. I love things that delight. It is more than “happy”. It is joy from the heart that brings a smile and an inside laugh at the wonderful-ness.

Simple Delight.