Oh my gosh.. I didn't realiz how long it's been since I've posted. I'm so sorry. I guess time just has a way of slipping away really fast lately. I've been on the go every day this week, and by the time I get in and settled, well.. I guess I'm just too tired to even think straight. I promise, I'll try to do better. I feel even worse because I haven't been to the IMOM threads lately either... I hope and pray everyone is doing well.

Mike has been on again/off again. He has times that I can almost believe he's not sick, and then there are other times that I look at him and my heart breaks. Last night he was groaning all night long... I know he was in pain, and I couldn't do anything about it except pet him try to give him comfort.

The PESTie is still being a little pest. She's cute as can be and a real clown, but it was brought to my attention by a wonderful friend.. that "she's" training "me" (thanks Roberta :-D ). I guess I have been lax in her training... and I think I've realized that the reason she's harder to train than any other dog (or puppy) I've ever had is because I've spent so much time concentrating on Mike, that I've pretty much let her run the show. I guess it's time for "me" to take control... an easy task right???? LOL She is really ... really... smart... smart enough to know I've been a pushover, so I know she's smart enough to learn to listen when I tell her something. She's happy to please, but when she's focused on something besides me (like barking at the wind) it's been almost impossible to re-direct her attention to me. Ok.. I've got my work cut out for me.

The other day, I was gone for 9 hours. I left at 8 in the morning and didn't get home until almost 5:30. She didn't pee in her room / cage at all. What a good girl!!! Of course once I was home, she "had" to go outside at least every hour. While I was gone though, Mike got sick. My poor guy had the pukie pukes twice. I felt so bad that I wasn't here for him.

Oh.. I wanted to tell you something else too. Mike scared the crap out of me the other day. I was going to let Gidget out and called Mike to go out too. He wasn't coming, but I knew it had been quite awhile since he had been out and kept calling him. He still didn't come. When I went to the living room to check on him, he was standing in front of the couch with his right front leg pulled up almost to his chin. Oh man.. was I scared. I got on the floor to check his leg and realized his nail had gotten caught in the ring that his tag was on. Oh my gosh... what a relief. I had to take the collar off to get it undone, but when I took it off, it fell right off. WHEW!!! I felt so bad for him though... he had been laying behind the couch, and I can't imagine how much pain he was in and how hard it was for him to move from behind the couch to the point he was at when I found him. I had heard him whining a little earlier, but I thought it was because Gidget was bothering him. I was just so glad he was ok... my heart was pounding like crazy... and I'm sure his was too.

Well... my car has been in the shop twice already, and today I found out I need a fuel pump. I can't really complain, at least I've got a car and a little bit of freedom. I'm trying to look at this in a positive way... after all... I figured I really did get the car at a good price, and even if I have to put some money in it, at least it will be safe to drive. If I had paid more for a car, I'm sure it would need work too, and I would have had to put out more money. My brother told me that no matter what car I bought to be prepared to put from $500 to $1000 in it... and he was right. My mechanic is the same one I've used for years, and thank God for him... he lets me make monthly payments to him. He held a check for August and now is holding one for September and October. After he puts the fuel pump in, he'll be carrying me through the end of the year.

The job is going great. Dr. Blaha is wonderful to work for. We're trying to work on a program she bought specifically for veterinarian hospitals. The program cost her a fortune, but it's in no way as easy as they portray it to be on their website. It's really involved, and from what she tells me, she has spent hours and hours trying to get it to do what it's suppose to do. She has the original program on a laptop and then had it installed on her desktop (she hates the laptop), so she gave me the laptop to bring home to see if I could figure it out. My gosh.. I think it's gonna take a super-geek to figure this thing out.

Hey Debbie...

It was awesome talking to you again. I'm so glad you've got the phone again. I was wondering why I couldn't get hold of you to post for you... thought maybe it had been turned off again. I'm glad I was wrong.
Hey.. I just thought of something... wanna use my mechanic??? He'll let you make payments, and you could get your car fixed. :-D
Give Jack and Finn and all the furkids hugs from me and nose kisses from the Westie and PESTie.

Hey Splight...
I'm so glad you and the kids stopped in. We love having the Westie cousins visit us. Mike is still my best, perfect buddy who does no wrong, and Miss Gidget is the activity director in the house. I just know she is NOT full Westie... too much of a yipper (sooooooo unlike her brother)

Give Sunny & Buddy some gentle hugs from Auntie Jo and nose kisses from the Westie & PESTie cousins.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend (gee it's the weekend already.. where does the time go?)

Love & Blessings

Debbie and Jack said...

Oh Jo, it was so good to hear your voice last night. I am so unused to having a working phone that I actually walked out the door this morning and left it at home. Hence, I never called you to post for me. I guess I will have to get used to being in the loop with everyone again.

I sent you some pix of my mom's new pup, Finn. Hope you got them.

Smooches to Mike and Gidget,

Love and Husky hugs,
Debbie and Jack

ps. I am so jealous. I want to go to Sunnybank, too!

August 11, 2008 5:16 PM

Debbie and Jack said...

Just wondering what Miss Pestie is up to today. And how is Mike doing. He is always on my mind and you, too, Jo.

Love and Husky hugs,
Debbie and Jack

August 13, 2008 5:20 PM

Debbie and Jack said...

Checking on my best buds today. Hoping all is well and you are just busy. Have fun at work tomorrow (?).

Love and Husky hugs,
Debbie and Jack

August 14, 2008 7:39 PM

Splight said...

Hi Jo and kids,
The CT westies are checking in on your two. Wondering how the kids are doing?
splight, Sunny and Buddy

August 14, 2008 11:26 PM

Good Morning All!!

Well.. it rained last night, and it looks like we might "finally" get some green grass back again. It got pretty cold though. The temp went down to 58 during the night, and it's only 65 right now.. Fall weather... but I can live with this. Today and the rest of the week should be in the 70's.. so I'll be happy with the weather for a change.

Mike had a great night last night... only had his panting spell for a short time and was able to sleep the entire night. He actually stayed on my bed for almost three hours before jumping off to find another spot. I really love when he sleeps with me... even if I "do" have to sleep "around" him. He will start off at the foot of the bed and end up sprawled out in the middle of it... but I don't care, I just love knowing that he's there with me.

Little Gidget is just so full of piss and vinegar. She really does make me laugh (as long as she doesn't leak that piss and vinegar on my floors LOL). Right now, she's taking joy in going in the laundry room and, one by one, pulling any dirty clothes she can out of the basket, bringing it here (in the living room) and jumping up on the couch with it. When I look back at her she looks at me with such pride and a questioning look as to why I don't share that pride with her. Although dragging my underwear through the house is her first passion, she's graduated to the fact that my bra, t-shirts and shorts are almost as much fun. However, she's also not beneath pulling out towels and wash rags too. She's such a stinker.

OH.. GUESS WHAT!!! Debbie called me last night!!! I was sooooooooo happy to hear her voice. She's been stuck in the house with no phone, no car, no computer and no air conditioning. That poor girl has really been isolated. But she sounds wonderful... and happy to have her phone back. She's going to call me later and dictate so I could post for her on the IMOM thread.

Hey Judy...
You are going to have such a terrific time at Sunnybank. Oh how I wish I could go with you. I've read so much about it... and talking to Roberta makes me want to go even more. Oh well.. maybe next year. Have a safe and fantastic trip, and give Roberta a big hug from me when you see her. By the way.. how is Gracie doing? Has she figured out that Rylee and she could play like sisters yet? I just know she's settling in with you. I'm so happy you found each other. Give them both a big hug from me and nose kisses from Mike and Gidge... and some for you too :-D

Oh by the way.. as far as keeping the faith... faith is all we have isn't it? I couldn't live without it :-D

Ok... gonna get going. I pray everyone has a beautiful day!!

Take Care and God Bless

Judy said...

Joanna, just a quick post to let you know that I have been keeping up with your postings on you and your "kids". I am busier than usual getting ready for a trip next week end to our annual event at Sunnybank. I know I will be seeing Roberta and hopefully Linda there...

I am so thrilled that you like your job...you have a car and all in all things are going well for Mike...

Keep the faith...Judy

August 10, 2008 8:34 AM

Not much to report today. I guess that's a good thing. But then again Mike's still the same, so that's not good.

He finally got a bit of an appetite back yesterday, so that made me really happy. He actually ate the shredded cheese and some kibble. Of course I had to hand feed it to him, but at least he ate.

I fed them both around 2:00, and normally, if I was home, I'd feed them again maybe around 7:00 or 8:00... but last night I went out (for the first time in a very long time)... left around 5:30 and figured I'd be home by 9... but.. didn't get home until 11:30. On the way home, I realized that they must be starving. I didn't want to take the chance of Mike not eating again, so I stopped at Arby's and got them a roast beef sandwich. Oh my gosh.. I don't have to tell you how quickly his appetite came back. I was pretty careful as to how fast I was giving it to him, because I knew he'd scarf it down faster than he should if I didn't. As I fed him, I just prayed that he'd keep it down. And guess what... he did!!!!

Ya know... Gidget is really something else. I was gone for over six hours last night, and she didn't mess in her cage (of course there was only once or twice when she was younger that she did that, but being gone so long, I couldn't have scolded her if she had).... so.. tell me... why in the world does she have to go out so many times during the day when I'm home. I mean, she spends the night (up to 9 hours at a time) in her room and then again last night (six hours)... and even if she is just laying down instead of being so active, you'd think she'd have to go potty... I mean after all.. she does have a small bladder. She's such a little stinker... I think she just wants to go out because she's bored... but she's got to learn.. I'M NOT BORED and have other things to do than to let her in and out all the time. LOL At least it's not every five minutes like it was when she was learning... my gosh, I didn't think those days would ever end.

Hi Jennifer (and Emma too of course)... I hope you're feeling better now. The weather the past few days has been absolutely beautiful... in the 70's with low humidity. I can take this weather all year long... I know I"m dreaming, but it would be awesome wouldn't it?

I know how fast time can go sometimes. In October, it will be a year since I went to IMOM... thank God they were there for us... I would have lost Mike back then if they hadn't been there. I will be forever grateful to everyone there. As it is, this month (August) is when Mike first started having problems... I thought I would lose him then too... as a matter of fact, at that time, the vet told me I'd probably have to put him down because they thought his liver was failing (or at the least had liver cancer and wouldn't survive more than a month or two).... thank God they were wrong. While bladder cancer is no fun, at least my boy has had a chance to survive and have a decent quality of life this past year. I just feel so blessed that he's still with me, and all the diapering and cleaning and medication involved is so worth the effort just knowing that I can pet him and give him hugs and feel that beautiful soft hair against my face. I love seeing and listening to him eat and snore and even bark (although barking can be annoying, at least when he barks, it lets me know he feels good enough to do it). And the nose kisses I get from him are the closest thing to pure love anyone can imagine.

Give sweet Emma some big hugs from me and nose kisses from the Westie and the PESTie. LOL

I hope everyone is having a beautiful and healthy weekend. God Bless.

Love & Blessings

Jennifer & Emma said...

It has been awhile since I have had the time to post. It sounds like you have your hands full with miss gidget. It is frustrating when you know they get it. It took me forever to potty train emma and she still will have accidents every once in awhile. She justs stops pees and goes on without a thought.
I am sad to hear mike is having rough nights. I know how hard that must be for you. I hope that when it starts to cool down he wont feel as bad. I live near cincinnati and we are suppose to have great weather this weekend. I have been sick for a week and hope that the temp drop will help me breath. You and mike are always in my thoughts and prayers and I think about you often. I hadnt realized how long it had been since I first asked imom for help. I truly hope that things get better for you and I know that you are the best mom mike could have.
Lots of aussie hugs and kisses to you all,
Jennifer and Emma

August 9, 2008 7:45 AM

Well... Princess Gidget made it to 11 months old today. If she was going to make it was questionable since she decided to pee in the laundry room last night. I was sooooooooo mad at her. She didn't even bark to go out. Here I thought she had it down pat. I'm thinking she just did it because she was bored... but that's no excuse. It's been a very long time since she's done it, and I thought it was over with. She thinks she can do anything she wants to when she wants to and where she wants to. She is such a Diva.... but she's got to learn there are rules that she has to stick to.

I try not to compare her with Mike... but it's hard not to, because he never once peed in the house from the time I got him. I think I may have told you before, but when Mike came to live with us, he was about a year old. My grandson ended up in the Cleveland Clinic with spinal meningitis, and I spent 22 hours at the hospital with him and my daughter. Charlie was at his son's for the weekend, and Mike was alone the entire time. That sweet puppy never made a drizzle in that house... for 22 hours... no pee... no poop. Why oh why can't Gidget be more like her brother????? I don't expect her (or any dog) to hold it as long as Mike did, but my gosh... to just pee cuz you're bored??? Nope... uh huh... nada... zip... zilch... NOT A GOOD ENOUGH REASON.

Mike was still pretty uncomfortable last night but not as bad as the night before. He slept on my bed for about an hour and then woke up panting really hard again. It took awhile for him to calm down enough to fall asleep again. My poor boy. I just love him so much. It's really odd though that most of this (almost always) is at night. He seems all right during the day (for the most part) as far as the panting is concerned. Panting is the night time problems, and his lack of appetite, blood in the diaper and occasional nausea are day time problems. Oh how I wish he was younger again and didn't have all these problems. I miss him being young, healthy and active, and I know he misses it too. It's hell getting old... for people and pets.

Hi Cynthia... It's hard knowing he's so uncomfortable. And the worst part is.. there's not much more I can do for him. Sometimes what I do really seems to help... but other times it's really frustrating.
I am soooooooooo happy to see that the funds are there for Benji to get to the specialist. I'll be praying for a good report. Please keep us informed.

Ok.. gonna get on with the day. I hope everyone has a great day. It's beautiful here right now .. 71 and very low humidity.. the perfect day. Love You All!!

Love & Blessings

Sequia said...

I am so sorry to hear that Mike is in such discomfort. Poor little guy.
You are in my thoughts always,

Cynthia

August 7, 2008 8:09 AM

I guess I spoke too soon. When we went to bed last night, I had given Mike the Rescue Remedy in hopes that he wouldn't need the Rimydal... no such luck. He was panting like crazy, and for the few minutes he was able to sleep.. I heard him groan. I gave him the meds, and after awhile they kicked in.. but during the course of the night, I could tell he was uncomfortable.

He still didn't have much of an appetite today. When he ate yesterday, he almost immediately threw it back up. I was hoping it was because he ate too fast (mixed up a little tv dinner with his kibble)... but it seems it was the beginning of his losing his appetite. He ate a little bit tonight, but no where near what he should have if he was feeling well.

This afternoon when he was sleeping, I could hear him groan in his sleep.. and then again this evening.. same thing. I didn't want to give him the Rimydal when I first heard him or I wouldn't have been able to give it to him tonight before bed. Also, there's much more blood in his diaper again. I'm sure that's what's causing the pain.

Gidget has just been full of piss and vinegar... getting into just about everything she could... and trying to get into things she can't. I had to laugh earlier.. there's a big bird cage under the table in the laundry room (figured someday I might get another cockatiel)... I heard her do something in there, and went I looked.. I saw her trying to get in the bird cage. Oh my gosh.. I'm thinking she really does think she's a cat and hoping there was a bird in there. What a goober she is.

Ok.. going to give Mike his pills and get him in bed. I hope everyone has a wonderful evening and great day tomorrow.

Love & Blessings

Good Morning All...

It was a great night last night. Mike slept like a lump. :-D It seems the Rescue Remedy really works. I put a couple drops on a cookie before bed, and in no time, he was able to make himself comfortable.. and... the best part... no panting at all!!! I've been giving him 1/2 of a Rimydal about an hour before bedtime, but tonight I'm going to try going without it. If he doesn't need all that crap in his body, I certainly don't want to put it in there.

Yesterday was a beautiful day. I think the highest the temperature got was 82, but the humidity was low. I was able to put both dogs in the car and go for a ride. Mike was so happy to be in his car... and... surprisingly enough, Gidget is getting use to it too. I think I'd hesitate to take her on a long ride yet, but she seemed pretty happy with about a 20 minute ride (which is much longer than the last couple of times we've gone). I even took her through the drive through at the beverage store and KFC... of course she started barking at the guy at the beverage store and the girl in the window at KFC, but she only yipped a couple times and then settled down. Both people commented on what beautiful dogs I have... I know it!! :-D

I still had to pick her up to put her in the car. She (again) put her feet on the bottom of the door and acted like she wanted to get in but was afraid to. Even with a treat in my hand, she wouldn't jump in. Mike stood on the seat looking at her like she was nuts.... "Come On.. We're Going For A Ride.. Are You Nuts?" LOL

It was so beautiful outside that around 5:00 we all sat out by the table and ate dinner together. Of course, I had to feed the pups theirs before I brought out my chicken or they wouldn't have eaten any of it. Mike didn't have much of an appetite at all yesterday ... until I brought out the chicken. I'm hoping he eats better today.

I am so grateful that he hasn't had anymore seizures (or even the staring and quivering). I'm sure now that it was caused by the Tramadol. Never again will it pass through his lips.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and have a blessed week. We love you all.

Love & Blessings

Mike was off sorts all day yesterday, but at least there were no more seizures. He just slept and didn't want to be bothered all day. So, I made sure that Gidget stayed as far away as possible.

Dr. Blaha told me about Rescue Remedy. She thought it might help Mike to relax at bedtime or when he gets his panting spells. I gave him the Rimydal around 9 last night and a couple drops of Rescue Remedy before we went to bed. He still had a bit of panting at bedtime, but I'm glad to say it didn't last long, and he was able to sleep through the night. I'm trying it again tonight and praying this works for him. He needs a good night's sleep without waking up panting. Fingers crossed that it works again tonight.

He was finally feeling good enough today that I felt safe in giving him a much needed bath. He's so good for me when I groom him or bath him. Wish Gidget would cooperate like he does.... hummm... dreaming again. LOL

Dr. Blaha was really busy yesterday... so busy that she didn't have time for me to go there until 5:30, and we worked until 8. That poor lady has so much to do... it's no wonder she was frustrated when it came time to try to keep up with all the paperwork.

There's not a lot to report today. So I guess that's a good thing.

Oh... two things I'd like to mention. Today is three months that our good friend Manuel lost his best friend Winster. He wrote a beautiful letter to Winster on Winster's thread. If you get a chance, stop by there and read it. I know he would appreciate any comments you would leave for him. Also... Manuel and his new friend Zorro have made it to being celebrities. Florida Basset Rescue has started a new program called "Seniors for Seniors"... Manuel and Zorro are the first match in this program. The rescue has created a brochure with the new duo's story on it and a picture of the two of them. Again, if you get a chance, check out Zorro's thread too and leave a comment.. I know he'd be really excited to see comments from all his friends.

Ok.. gonna get going. I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.

Love & Blessings