The kids just finished about 5 minutes of a game of tug with the Westie Baby. I love watching them play. Mike just has to stand his ground and sound vicious, while little Gidget pulls, shakes her head and gives a low, girlie growl. It's so funny to watch. If Gidge loses hold of the toy, Mike will hang on to it and continue growling and shake it, and she looks at me like asking "is it safe to grab it again?"... so I'll grab part of it and give it back to her so they could continue the game. On the other hand... if Mike accidentally loses grip of it... she takes advantage of it and runs really fast behind the couch with Mike at her heels. She is SUCH a girl. LOL

I'm happy to say that, except for extreme leakage, Mike has been doing really well. I just can't ask for more than this. He's eating fairly well and playing (on occasion) and barking (sometimes a bit too much), so for all that... I am grateful. He does still groan when he gets the bladder spasms (which still come at least 15 to 20 times a day), but I haven't seen any blood or granules passing for about a week. Even though I know what's wrong with him, when he's doing as well as he is now, I try to make myself believe that his problems (mainly needing the diapers) are only due to old age.

Gidget is still testing me. I don't want to say this too loud, but she hasn't peed in the laundry room for almost a week... of course that could change the first time I don't pay attention to her when she goes in there and barks to go out. When it seems like she's going out "too" much (like when she was younger and going out every 5 minutes and driving me nuts), I put her in her room for about an hour and "then" I'll let her out. It seems to be working again... I can only keep my fingers crossed and pray she gets out of the habit of every going out every 20 to 30 minutes. I know it's not a urinary infection because half the time when I let her out.. she doesn't even go pee... just wants to sniff around or play with her leash. Oh my... kids... they can drive you nuts sometimes.

I took the laptop to Dr. Blaha last night and showed her what I had done with the VIA program. I was soooo excited... she was really happy with it and said, "this just might work... how did you do what so many others have tried to do and couldn't?" ... LOL... I didn't tell her that all I did was take the time to read the "help" sections. In her eyes, I look like a female Bill Gates. ROFL. It does feel great though knowing that she's happy with it and all those hours weren't wasted.

Hey Alex...

It's so great to see you here!!!
I don't know about being a great photographer... I just have great subjects. I'm going to have to buy another disposable camera to take some more pictures soon. And speaking of great pictures... the ones of Maleah and Shakespeare are priceless. Everytime you post them, I just want to scoop them up and give them all kinds of cuddles.

As far as the paycheck... I can't believe I'm actually getting one after all these years. I mean I was working for West up until last September and got some small ones and a few good sized ones, but it's been almost a year since I've earned any money. I put 23 hours in this week, and she's given me enough work to do this week that I will probably have another 23 this week... HALLELUJAH!!
Oh my gosh... it feels great to be able to know I'll be able to tithe again and have a little extra money to put on my credit card... especially since I've put so much money into the car since I've had it. Hopefully, now the car is done draining me.

By the way... I've had a couple of people e-mail me about commenting here. Just to let you know.. just scroll down to the bottom of the last post... a box will open up where you can leave your comments. The comments don't automatically post on the blog itself but stay in the boxed area, so anyone opening that comment link can read them. When I come on here to post, I open it up and copy and paste the comments here on the blog so everyone can see them. They don't automatically post on the blog itself (that's the question I get the most).

I thought I'd re-post the picture slideshows of Mike and Gidget here. I was looking at them the other day and realized how much she had really grown since she came to live with us.

Oh.. by the way... when you click on the link, it will take you to Photobucket and may take you away from the blog. If you don't want this to happen, just right click on the link and left click where it says "open in new window" or "open in new tab", that way you can just come back to the blog to click on the next one. I know most of you already know this, but just in case you didn't.. it works better that way.

March 2008
http://s268.photobucket.com/albums/jj4/joanna930/Mike%20And%20Katie%20March%202008/?albumview=slideshow

April 2008
http://s268.photobucket.com/albums/jj4/joanna930/Mike%20And%20Gidget%20April%202008/?albumview=slideshow

April thru June 2008
http://s268.photobucket.com/albums/jj4/joanna930/Mike%20And%20Gidget%20April%20Thru%20June%202008/?albumview=slideshow

Hope you all enjoy the pictures. I'll take more soon.

Praying all of you have a very happy, healthy and fun weekend. Love you all!!

Love & Blessings
Joanna, Mike & Gidget

Alexandra said...

Hi Joanna,

Everytime I see your page I just love your pictures so much. You are a great photographer!

Your post of them playing made me laugh. Every time we go someplace Maleah jumps in the car first and then guards the door waiting for Shakespeare. As soon as he jumps in she climbs on top of him and rides him around the back seat...kind of like what I think you described:) I'm laughing right now thinking about it. I, too, wish your Mikey could play more with Gidget. It's so fun to watch them and it brings a joyful atmosphere over the house. Especially needed when you live alone. At least for me it is.

I'm also glad you are getting so much work and it does sound like SO MUCH! Good for you. I can just imagine those paychecks rolling in. Well, I hope so anyway.

Anyway, take care and I'm glad I saw the really really fine print where I can post a comment:) Couldn't find it before.

Love,
Alex, Shakespeare, and Maleah

August 29, 2008 5:06 PM

I can't believe it's Wednesday already. Where does the time go anyway? I've been doing a lot of work for Dr. Blaha, and it's pretty much taken my days. I amaze myself sometimes, not to brag, but I figured out how to change "almost" everything that needed to be changed in her VIA program to suit her needs. It's a long and involved process, but I'm getting it done. I pray it will be worth it to her. I'd hate to have her pay me for so many hours and then not have it perfect. Anyway... I feel good about being able to help her out. She is such a wonderful lady, and I enjoy doing this for her.

Mike had another great night's sleep last night. No panting at all!!! What a treat that was. He slept on the bed until around 3:00 this morning.

Last night he and Gidget were playing tug again. Oh man... how I love to watch them play. Mike hasn't been up to playing much lately, and I know his little sister was as happy to see the shift in him as I was. After playing tug, they continued to play for a short time. She is so funny... she loves to put her front legs over his back and ride him like a horse while he "tries" to jump up enough to make her slide off. I wish I had a video camera for that. It'd be great on Funniest Home Videos... a $10,000 winner. Unfortunately, they don't play often enough, so the times they do play really warm my heart. The sad part about it is that Mike never wants to play for very long, and Gidget can't understand why he'll growl at her and show his teeth every time she wants to play (which is quite often)... she just doesn't understand the mixed messages he gives her.

Hey Michelle, Daisy & Blue... It's great to hear from you. I'm sorry I haven't been on the kid's thread lately. I'm still very lax in getting to IMOM as much as I use to. Please know you guys are always in my thoughts and prayers too. Oh.. I've got to tell you... I was at my niece's house last week, and her kids were watching Blues Clues. I immediately thought of little Blue and told the kids that I know Blue. You should have seen their eyes light up. It was really cute. So, tell Blue she has a little fan club here in Ohio. Give both the munchkins some gentle hugs from me and nose kisses from the Westie and PESTie.

Hey Cynthia... I'm soooo happy the funding is going well for Benji. You guys really deserve a break. I know what you're going through with the fundraising.. keeping track of it, e-mails, etc. I remember when I was doing Jack's blog and trying to raise funds for his surgery... it totally engulfed my entire day until it was over. Give sweet Benji and Bugsy some little skritches from me and (of course) nose kisses from the Westie and PESTie.

I pray everyone is happy and healthy today and remains that way forever. Take Care and God Bless.

Love & Blessings

Bluedazy said...

It's the worst when our babies are not doing well!

I'm glad that Mike finally had a half way decent night. I hope that he gets some rest so that you can! At least the Little Missy slept in so you got a few extra zzzz's there. :)

Just been busy on this end, but wanted to let you know that you and your "kids" are never far from our thoughts! Sending you all hugs and kisses as well as wishes for more restful nights!

XOXOXOXO
Michelle, Daisy and Blue

August 26, 2008 11:23 PM

Sequia said...

Joanna, I am so sorry for not posting in awhile. Even though I may not be here, I never stop thinking about you all.
With all the donations that is rolling in for Benji, it keeps me on the computer for hours at a time sometimes tyring to keep up with all the email and comments I get. Things are going well and Benji should have enough for the surgery real soon.
I am glad to hear that Mike and his sister are getting along. I so wish though that there was something to make Mike comfortable all the time. You have been such a wonderful mom to him.
You are always in my heart and thoughts,
hugs and love to you all,
Cynthia

August 27, 2008 9:57 AM

Well... Mike finally had a half way decent night last night. He slept for about three hours and woke up around 1:15 panting like crazy. Thank God it didn't last too long. He jumped off the bed and went to sleep on the floor in the bathroom (he loves that tile floor) but during the night came back into the bedroom, as always, where he was this morning.

Little Miss Gidget let us sleep until 8:15 this morning! :-O My gosh... maybe she "is" growing up. She's just so damn cute... except when she pees in the laundry room and incessantly barks that high pitched bark for no reason at all, I can't help but laugh at her. She has such personality, and when she looks at me with those huge questioning eyes, you can't help but giggle. I know I complain about her alot, but I'm hoping for the day when I won't have anything to complain about with her. (gee.. miracles happen.. it "could" happen someday right?) LOL

Hi Cindy...
You are just too sweet. Mike and I aren't going through anything compared to what you and the boys are going through. If it's a wonder that anyone can take the time to write and "put two sentences together"... it's you. You truly are a Super-Mom. I don't know how you do it, especially since you have so many physical problems yourself. You are one tough cookie, and the boys are so blessed to have you for a Mom.

To answer your question... I haven't seen any clots for a long time (thank God). But when he gets the bladder spasms, I think he has the sensation of fullness. He stands really still with all four legs stiff and pushes really hard. I know it hurts him more lately when he does this because I can hear small groans, and the look in his eyes tells me this is no fun at all. For quite awhile, he was passing a lot of tiny granules of something... they were as small as a grain of sand and hard like sand too. I still see them in his diaper sometimes but nowhere near as often or as many as before.

Thank you so much for the hugs... and yes, I can feel them. It's so awesome to have you as such a wonderful friend... I needed those hugs. Thank You!!!

I'm sending hugs right back to you and the boys... you're always in my heart and prayers.

I've got a lot of work to do for Dr. Blaha today, so this is going to be pretty short. I just wanted to touch base with everyone and say thank you for keeping up with my big boy. He's the best thing that's ever happened to me on this earth. I've been so blessed to have him in my life, and knowing I could have lost him so many times in the past year... well... I'm even more blessed that he's still with me and still living a fairly good quality of life. Thank you Angels!!!

Love & Blessings

Cindy said...

Hey, don't u ever apologize for "complaining".
You and Mike are going through so much, it's a wonder u can put a sentence together!

I wish with all my heart that I could do something to help Mike...and u.

Is it clots that he is trying to push out-or does he just maybe have a feeling of fullness and think something is there?
I am thankful he isnt' having the huge amt of clots and bleeding that he was, but this is just as bad for u to watch and not be able to help.
It's great he still has play times with his little sister.

I think of u all so often every day.
Just know u always have hugs surrounding u-feel the gentle squeeze??????

Sending loads of love and hugs.
I hope this posts!!!!

Cindy, Tuck and Justice

August 23, 2008 10:00 PM

Sorry to say but Thursday night was a horrible night. Mike was up on and off almost all night panting and groaning. He stayed on the bed only about ten minutes and jumped down to try to find someplace else that would be more comfortable... he couldn't do it. Needless to say I had a hard time falling asleep too knowing he was in such discomfort, and when I did fall asleep for even a few minutes, I kept dreaming weird dreams and would wake up shortly after I closed my eyes. It was really a chore to get through anything yesterday. Thankfully though, Mike seemed much better during the day.

I don't remember if I've mentioned here (if I did please forgive me for being redundant) but lately with his bladder cramps he's been groaning a lot. He's no longer silent when he pushes as he's trying to relieve his empty bladder. I was chatting with Debs yesterday, and she asked if there has been much blood in his leakage. I told her that there hadn't been, so for that I was grateful. But, as if on que and knowing we talked about it... last night when I changed his diaper just before bed... there was blood.

We both had another restless night last night. His panting lasted about a half hour before he finally fell asleep, but then he woke up at 1:30 and started again. Again, it went on and off the rest of the night. I imagine he will be sleeping most of the day again today to try to catch up on some much needed rest. Oh how I miss my young Mike... running, playing, chasing the ball and bringing it back to me. The only joy he gets anymore is occasionally playing with his sister with her jumping all over him or playing tug with her with the Westie baby and occasional car rides. We've gone on rides, but since the car has been in the shop so much, I don't want to take a chance on it breaking down when he's with me, so I'm cautious as to how often and how far we go.

Speaking of the car... the stinkin' service light came on again last night. (oohh wish I had a mad face icon to put in here). I just got the fuel pump replaced and now this. I can't afford getting it fixed again. As it is, I've got post dated checks to the mechanic going into December. I have a little money put away and a small amount available on my credit card, but I have to keep it liquid in case I need it for Mike or Gidget. I'm beginning to doubt my decision as to getting a car. It does allow me a lot more freedom than I've had in the past two years without one, but can I keep up with repairs? Maybe I should have waited another four years until I could have saved up for a brand new one. Of course, I probably would have gone even more stir crazy before that would ever happen.

Oh my God.. I am so sorry to be complaining so much. There are so many out there who have it so much worse than I do. I know I'm blessed, and I'm grateful... more than grateful. I guess I just needed a place to vent a little. Please forgive me. Mike and I are going through stuff right now, but it's minimal in comparison to what some of the rest of you are going through. I think someone should just give me a good kick in the ass to straighten me out and make me stop feeling sorry for myself.

Ok.. enough rambling. I'm really sorry to complain. I know I could go back and delete everything I wrote, and I probably should, but like I said, I guess I just needed a place to vent.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day.

Love & Blessings

Last night wasn't quite as restful as the night before for my boy, but his panting didn't last more than maybe a half hour. That's still a long time, but it's better than the two hours from the other night. Other than that, so far, he seems fine today.

Gidget made me so mad last night (again)... just before bedtime, she decided to pee in the laundry room. I don't know what gets in to her. It's not like I don't let her out. About 9:45 she went to her room... normally, during the day, that would be a sign of "oops.. hope Mom doesn't see it"... but being that it was close to bedtime, I thought... and hoped... it was because she was ready for bed. Nope.. not ready for bed. I'm really looking for the day when a roll of Bounty lasts me more than a week. This morning, she's being as good as gold. Oh my... what have I gotten myself in to??? LOL

I looked at her this morning and as she stared at me with those huge beautiful eyes, I told her "ya know someday, I'm hoping to say, it was tough but it was worth it. You're going to be a year old pretty soon... you've got to get with the program." She just looked me in the eyes and listened, but I could hear the laughing behind those puppy dog eyes.

I'm going to work at Dr. Blaha's in a little while, but I wanted to do a quick post here and let you all know things are going well. I hope and pray everyone is doing well today (and always).

Hey Cynthia, I'm so glad Benji had his appointment with the specialist, but (of course) so sorry that he's going to need the surgery. I'm praying big prayers that he gets the funding he needs. He is so lucky to have a loving Mom like you.

Sending lots of love and hugs.

Love & Blessings To All

Sequia said...

Joanna I am sorry I haven't posted here for awhile. I am still thinking of you guys all the time.
I am glad to see that Mike had a good sleep last night. hopefully tonight will be a repeat of that!
Love you, big hugs,
Cynthia

August 21, 2008 12:09 AM

What a great night!! Mike was actually able to fall asleep quickly and sleep all night without a problem. He actually stayed on my bed ALL night... what a treat for me, since that hardly ever happens.

His leaking is getting worse than ever though. I was giving him a much needed trim, and while he was laying on his side for me to clip him (he's sooooooo good for me when I do this)... he just started leaking so bad that I had to put a diaper underneath him to catch it. It wasn't just dripping but a fast flow.

Gidget is still Gidget. She "tries" to behave herself, but she isn't always successful. Last night I took her and Mike for a walk to the back of the property (about an acre deep). She was fine until she saw one of the neighbor's dogs out. Mike just wanted to play with Casey, but Miss Gidget had her hackles up and yipped and barked and pulled trying to get to her and totally wiped me out. She was on the retractable leash, and it was pretty impossible to even real her in. My gosh that puppy is strong. By the time I was able to (literally) drag her back to the house, she had given me a headache and a muscle spasm in my back, and I was ready for a shower. Yep... time for some heavy duty training. When she's set on something... nothing can take her attention away. I'm hoping that collar will help... even if it's just to get her attention back on me. We'll see.

I hope everyone is having a great week. Take Care and God Bless.

Love & Blessings

Mike had a really hard night last night. I could tell he was in pain all evening, because when he had the bladder craps (when he stands really still and pushes on his bladder like it's full) he was groaning. Then when we went to bed, he slept on the bed for about 1/2 hour, jumped off and started panting. The panting lasted for almost two hours. Poor guy... I gave him a second dose of Rescue Remedy hoping it would work. It didn't. Nothing. He was panting from around 11:45 to almost 2 a.m. There was absolutely nothing I could do. I think he finally just passed out from exhaustion when he finally stopped.

I noticed too that lately he's been leaking so much more than he had been in the past. Most of the time it looks like he's just leaking in his diaper, but more and more lately, the diaper is full... especially in the morning. I just thank God for Debbie putting me on to using the diapers and the fact that they have belly bands that fit around him so I could put a baby diaper inside of it. If not for them, I wouldn't be able to keep him going. It's so sad to think of people putting their dogs down because of problems like this, but if I hadn't learned about them (since I had never heard of them before) I may have had to do the same thing.... and that would have been horrible... because even with his bladder the way it is, he still has a wonderful quality of life.

His appetite isn't what it use to be now either. It's almost as if he doesn't care if he eats or not. There have been many times when he'll tell me he's hungry, and when I feed him, he eats very little... just enough to satisfy any hunger pangs. I know that's better than overeating and vomiting, but I have a hard time believing he's getting enough to give him enough nutrition.

Gidget is doing pretty well. She still loves bothering her brother when he's sleeping.... yep... definitely a little sister. Yesterday when Mike came in from outside and was doing his happy dance (rolling all over the living room floor), she decided she wanted in on it too. So, as he rolled around, she was circling him barking that high pitched yip at him. When he didn't pay attention to her, she grabbed his back leg and pulled (while he was on his back mind you).... thank God he had the belly band on... don't know what else she would have considered grabbing. LOL

Other than the incessant barking and an occasional "accident" (not really accidents since she "knows" better)... she's really doing well. I've ordered a bark collar for her. I don't want one with an electric shock... don't want to hurt her, and I considered the one that sprays citrus when she barks, but I figured she'd probably like that too much. They also have one that supposedly emits a high frequency when they bark, but I know that doesn't work because I tried one of those with Mike years ago when Charlie and I moved into an apartment... it didn't work. But.. I found one that has a combination of either a tone or a vibration just to get her attention... also, it has a remote so I can control when it goes off. I'm hoping it will help... especially when we go outside and no one in the neighborhood is safe from her breaking the sound barrier. I'm going to use it on my arm before I put it on her so I will know exactly how it feels. She's a brat, but I wouldn't hurt her for the world (well... I say that now... but when I'm mad at her, I might say something different LOL)

Hey Alex, Thanks for e-mailing me... and especially thanks for stopping by Mike's blog. You asked how to leave a comment here. Just go to the bottom of the last post on the blog, and where it says "comments" click there. It will open up a window and you can leave it there. The comments will show when anyone clicks in that same place, but normally, when I come here... I copy them and paste them on the blog so everyone could read them without clicking there.
I hope Shakespeare is feeling better. Lymes Disease is not good... especially for a little guy like him. Give both the kids some gentle hugs and nose kisses from us.

Hi Michelle... Thanks so much for stopping in. I'm so very sorry about the vet visit for Sydney. It's so hard getting news like that. I'm saying some extra special prayers for her and you. Please give her a huge hug from me and a whole bunch of nose kisses from the kids.

Michelle said...

Sending our hugs and kisses :)
Michelle, Syd, and Charlie.

August 18, 2008 7:45 PM