Friday - It’s now three days in for operation Eradicate Kennel Cough. The joint sounds like a smoker’s convention, full of raspy, dry coughing that you’d swear they could hack up a lung over; the sound sand paper would make if it could talk. No one is ready for a discharge, and speaking of discharge, there doesn’t seem to be any liquid coming out of Henri’s weepy eye anymore. Eye irritation is common with Kennel Cough and he continually rubs it. We have drops but he's persistent, I’ll give him that. I tried to make an eye patch but he wasted little time rubbing that off.
The coughing is less frequent. Fiz is almost 100%. Honey still does the occasional coughing fit; it’s the boys that persist. Henri is the worst off. Jake sleeps a lot and while they are dreaming they are peaceful so I try to keep them as quiet as possible. Excitement aggravates the situation.
This morning I was disappointed when I didn’t see any change in Jake from the previous day. I was hoping for a slow but steady incline. Still too early to tell what kind of damage was done, if or when it might subside. He didn’t do the number two this morning but that is typical of antibiotics. I’m giving them all yogurt for the acidophilus so they don’t’ get the diarrhea. Four dogs with the squirts is the last thing they need.
I did see a bit more enthusiasm out of Jake, wanting to kiss me and even suckle a toy. When I took them out to pee this afternoon he grabbed a stuffed chipmunk to take with him. Jake is all about the toy, he carries one with him wherever he goes. Brings one to the car when we head for the shop and selects another for the ride home. One of his endearing and entertaining little characteristics we love.
I spent a good hour watching videos of dog massage and acupressure. I’m no stranger to the latter and maybe should have pursued it as an occupation as I’m what you would call a self-proclaimed natural. I truly believe I saved Henri’s life with it when the vet had given up hope that he would survive parvo a few years back. I hit the meridians easily, my fingers feel the pulse of the heartbeat every time, like little shoots of low voltage electricity in my fingertips. His little body lay so still I think he enjoyed it, a couple of times he closed his eyes, possibly falling asleep. He never once tried to get up or move. Being that hands on is a very strong connection with another living creature. And it was peaceful, I felt soothed as well, helping to melt the stress away of the last few days. At one point my face started to burn and I wondered if I was releasing something in him, or possible in me. My body is breaking out in eczema type rashes all over my chest and neck area. I’m going to soak in an Epson’s Salt bath this evening and try to draw out those toxins piling up in my system.
This afternoon, I had Aunt Audrey come by to watch my patients so I could go to the shop and get some mail out. The workshop with Michele was going full swing and it looked like a lot of fun. Tomorrow I will take pictures and post the progress of the projects on the go. Nancy, our baking angel supplied the most delicious brownies you’ll ever eat, a lemon cake and zucchini cake for the students. It looked pretty cosy up there!
I am hoping by Sunday I can go to the shop, with the workshop upstairs I’ll get a few things done. I’ll just take the pups with me and gate them in the kitchen. Shane has been wonderful, taking care of things in my absence. I don’t know what I would do without him generally, but with Michele here, I really needed the backup to allow me to take time for my most precious little bundles.
Saturday - It’s Saturday morning and the sun is back for a wonderful fall day. Jake is walking with more of a struggle this morning. I hope I didn’t do anything to aggravate the situation. I was so gentle it is hard to believe. Aunt Audrey told me that sometimes after a massage you can feel sore. I won’t carry on with that treatment but I’ll stick to the acupressure as I don’t believe in a million years that could hurt. He is more like his old self personality wise but has realized his limitations and won’t do certain things that were easy before. He did a #2. His first attempt landed him arse over kettle, but managed in the end to get his end in the right position. He doesn’t bother to try to lift his leg to pee as it is always a fail, but this morning he crouched forward in a better position and managed to spare his front legs from another golden shower.
I am really trying to feel happy but its work. My heart keeps breaking as I see him struggle. I want my old guy back but of course that may not happen. I’m so very sad for him. He might not be able to play and he lives for chasing ball. He could probably run after the ball but the others might accidentally knock him over in their excitement to get to it first. It might have to be one on one with him for a while. Before, every day I came home from work he is waiting at the door with a ball in his mouth and says “Let’s go mom!” All four rush out into the yard and to the lower lawn for a strenuous workout of either chasing the ball or the one who gets it first. I loved that!
Of course none of that really matters, I’ll take him any way he comes but that doesn’t mean I can’t mourn the loss of what could have been a little bit. I’ll snap out of it. Dogs live in the moment, I could learn something from them.....
The coughing is less frequent. Fiz is almost 100%. Honey still does the occasional coughing fit; it’s the boys that persist. Henri is the worst off. Jake sleeps a lot and while they are dreaming they are peaceful so I try to keep them as quiet as possible. Excitement aggravates the situation.
This morning I was disappointed when I didn’t see any change in Jake from the previous day. I was hoping for a slow but steady incline. Still too early to tell what kind of damage was done, if or when it might subside. He didn’t do the number two this morning but that is typical of antibiotics. I’m giving them all yogurt for the acidophilus so they don’t’ get the diarrhea. Four dogs with the squirts is the last thing they need.
I did see a bit more enthusiasm out of Jake, wanting to kiss me and even suckle a toy. When I took them out to pee this afternoon he grabbed a stuffed chipmunk to take with him. Jake is all about the toy, he carries one with him wherever he goes. Brings one to the car when we head for the shop and selects another for the ride home. One of his endearing and entertaining little characteristics we love.
I spent a good hour watching videos of dog massage and acupressure. I’m no stranger to the latter and maybe should have pursued it as an occupation as I’m what you would call a self-proclaimed natural. I truly believe I saved Henri’s life with it when the vet had given up hope that he would survive parvo a few years back. I hit the meridians easily, my fingers feel the pulse of the heartbeat every time, like little shoots of low voltage electricity in my fingertips. His little body lay so still I think he enjoyed it, a couple of times he closed his eyes, possibly falling asleep. He never once tried to get up or move. Being that hands on is a very strong connection with another living creature. And it was peaceful, I felt soothed as well, helping to melt the stress away of the last few days. At one point my face started to burn and I wondered if I was releasing something in him, or possible in me. My body is breaking out in eczema type rashes all over my chest and neck area. I’m going to soak in an Epson’s Salt bath this evening and try to draw out those toxins piling up in my system.
This afternoon, I had Aunt Audrey come by to watch my patients so I could go to the shop and get some mail out. The workshop with Michele was going full swing and it looked like a lot of fun. Tomorrow I will take pictures and post the progress of the projects on the go. Nancy, our baking angel supplied the most delicious brownies you’ll ever eat, a lemon cake and zucchini cake for the students. It looked pretty cosy up there!
I am hoping by Sunday I can go to the shop, with the workshop upstairs I’ll get a few things done. I’ll just take the pups with me and gate them in the kitchen. Shane has been wonderful, taking care of things in my absence. I don’t know what I would do without him generally, but with Michele here, I really needed the backup to allow me to take time for my most precious little bundles.
Saturday - It’s Saturday morning and the sun is back for a wonderful fall day. Jake is walking with more of a struggle this morning. I hope I didn’t do anything to aggravate the situation. I was so gentle it is hard to believe. Aunt Audrey told me that sometimes after a massage you can feel sore. I won’t carry on with that treatment but I’ll stick to the acupressure as I don’t believe in a million years that could hurt. He is more like his old self personality wise but has realized his limitations and won’t do certain things that were easy before. He did a #2. His first attempt landed him arse over kettle, but managed in the end to get his end in the right position. He doesn’t bother to try to lift his leg to pee as it is always a fail, but this morning he crouched forward in a better position and managed to spare his front legs from another golden shower.
I am really trying to feel happy but its work. My heart keeps breaking as I see him struggle. I want my old guy back but of course that may not happen. I’m so very sad for him. He might not be able to play and he lives for chasing ball. He could probably run after the ball but the others might accidentally knock him over in their excitement to get to it first. It might have to be one on one with him for a while. Before, every day I came home from work he is waiting at the door with a ball in his mouth and says “Let’s go mom!” All four rush out into the yard and to the lower lawn for a strenuous workout of either chasing the ball or the one who gets it first. I loved that!
Of course none of that really matters, I’ll take him any way he comes but that doesn’t mean I can’t mourn the loss of what could have been a little bit. I’ll snap out of it. Dogs live in the moment, I could learn something from them.....
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