VIA is up and running, so thank God there was no permanent damage to the program. AND... amazingly enough all of the information I entered into the laptop was miraculously transferred to the desktop... so there's no need to re-enter all the data. I'm soooooooo relieved. Dr. B is going to a conference on Monday, so I'll be going there a few days during the week while she's gone to get some work done for her and return phone calls. I'll be going over there this afternoon to see what she has for me and set a schedule for next week.

Mike has been doing fairly good during the day, but on occassion he groans in his sleep or even when he's awake, and I can tell he's in pain. The last few nights, he's had a heck of a time going to sleep and staying asleep. Last night I could tell he was really in pain. I ended up having to give him the second half of the Benedryl, because he was panting so hard and just couldn't relax. He was like that the night before too. The Benedryl seems to help him, but then I stay up to listen closely to his breathing. It sometimes gets so loud and labored sounding and then other times is so shallow that I have to check to make sure he's still breathing. As I type this, I can hear him groaning in his sleep behind the couch. It breaks my heart. I just wish he was healthy.

Gidget is still a gidget. She's a handful all right, but she is so damn cute and sweet and cuddly (especially when she "want's" to be). I still have to go around the house picking up my dirty laundry throughout the day. Emptying the laundry basket seems to be one of her favorite (quiet) pasttimes.

Oh... some great news!! I'm going to visit my son and daughter-in-law in Missouri for Thanksgiving. I am sooooooo excited. I'll fly out Wednesday and come back on Sunday. I went there last year, and I've got to tell you... when I go there, I always feel so welcome and loved. I just love going there. We just hang out together (the three of us) and do whatever we feel like doing or nothing at all. Last year all three of us were in the kitchen together making Thanksgiving dinner, and while we waited for it to cook, we watched Miracle on 34th St and It's A Wonderful Life. Sadly though, this year, Bailey won't be in the kitchen with us. They miss her terribly, and it's going to be hard for me to go there and feel that void there too.

Since Michelle has Scrappy now, there's no way Mike could stay with her while I'm gone, and he wouldn't live past the second day in a kennel (wouldn't do that to him anyway). So Karol, from church, will come and spend the entire time here at my house and take care of my babies. Karol is about my age, and has made a career of dog sitting. She's not cheap... she charges $50 a day/night... but it will be soooo worth it just knowing I'll have someone I trust, who loves dogs, to be here for Mike and Gidget.... especially for Mike. The dogs will never be alone at night (she'll sleep here too) or forced to stay in cages all day. They'll be able to stay in their own home and stick to their own schedules, and Mike will have the special care he needs. She's going to come over Sunday after church to meet them. I know they'll love each other. Now the hard part is saving the money to pay her. I hope Dr. Blaha was serious about adding hours (and it would be nice if I did get a raise... but I'm not going to mention that to her unless she brings it up again).

I hope everyone is having a great week. Give all the furkids hugs and scritches from me and nose and whisker kisses from the Westies.

Love & Blessings