Hi Eve,
It's been months since I've posted. It's been almost exactly a year since I lost you. So much has happened, and yet there are days where it feels like just this morning you chased your last squirrel. Maybe it's the similar weather? Who knows.
I think of you often, and hope you are well. Nina is making an ebony box for your ashes--it should be done very soon.
Much love,
Paige
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Head bashing = Emergency Room Trip
Hi Eve,
Paisle had an interesting day today. The morning was normal enough--lots of time outside as it was 13 degrees even before the sun made an appearance. It snowed most of the day--dusting really--and the temp went all the way up to 23. What a great day to play with the new Jolly Ball!
I had planned on making today's post all about the Jolly Ball, but other events booted the new toy to below the fold news.
Paisle and Marshal were throwing the new toy around, with reckless abandon. M also threw Paisle around a bit, also with reckless abandon. I don't know the exact motion that did it, but I heard a shot like a rifle and looked up to see a tangle of Crew members in the raspberries fall apart with the Bean looking at me sideways.
She'd banged her head into the corner of the teak patio chair that is frozen in the ground, by the raspberry bushes. She hobbled toward me, listing a bit, and the chunk of hair and skin missing above her left eye was obvious. I warned off M, who wanted to keep playing, and ushered her inside.
Her left eye remained clear. She sat in the kitchen, watching me but squinting a bit like her head hurt (what a shock). I went to the kennel to get a blanket and wrap her up, knowing she might get chilled as a side affect of shock, and to warm her after being outside for the past 30 minutes. Her scalping did not bleed, but remained bright white. It's about the size of my fingertip.
I picked her up and put her on the footstool the dogs use as a day bed. She followed all my moves, completely cognizant of her surroundings. We sat there looking at each other. Then she sneezed.
Blood went everywhere, and remained dripping out of her nose. I rushed for the phone to call the Emergency room, and she sneezed again, this time on the rug, with the same shower of blood everywhere.
We arrived at the emergency room, just behind two other people, both of whom had their animals in carrying cases. One was clearly a cat by the sounds it made. We were ushered into a room where Paisle's vitals were taken, then asked to wait at they went through triage with the others. The vet tech asked me to yell if Paisle passed out or started having convulsions.
An hour later, I went out into the hall, asking if we'd be seen soon. Paisle's bleeding had subsided to snot markings--snuffles on the edge of the garbage can, the cabinet containing vet tech things, the wall, the floor, the door. For some unknown reason, I'd had the forsight to bring the Purple with us, which brought delight to Paisle. She finally asked to go out, so we ventured forth from the room a second time, heading outside. Her scalping had started oozing the tiniest amount of blood, but did not drip.
I do not want to minimize the trauma going on in the emergency facility. One of the pets that came in before us had just been hit by a car. I know they were able to stabilize the pooch, but I am unclear of the extent of damage. I do know, however, that whatever it wounds were, a mop was required to clean up the body fluids from the tech room floor. After the dog was moved to the back room, Paisle and I could hear it crying. Another dog had also just come in with congenital heart failure, so since the Bean was stable, she'd fallen far down the priority guest list.
We were finally seen by a young vet, who apologized profusely for the wait. Paisle climbed all over him, tail wagging, showing him the Purple. She had been asleep on the cold floor before he came in, while I'd watched her like a hawk for any sign of convulsive behavior. As soon as he opened the door, however, she jumped up with the Purple, and greeted him properly.
He needed a bit of help holding her wiggle butt still so he could listen to her organs, and he closely examined her head. Prognosis--this was a good bump, not quite a goose egg, but no lasting damage. I explained the sneezing blood, and pointed out the evidence of continued bleeding around the room. By pressing and holding the scalping, he told me he was feeling for fratures, or even bubbling which would indicate the orbital bone had punctured her sinuses, allowing air to bubble into her skull. Her eyes were equally dilated, another good sign she does not have a fractured skull nor a concussion.
Since we'd been there so long, he was fairly certain any seizures due to brain swelling would have already started. Watching her play with the Purple, he indicated she seemed sharp and well aware of her surroundings, not dizzy nor unstable on her feet.
The blood could be from ruptured vessels in the sinuses, or perhaps from some of the smaller, fragile bones also in the sinuses. Both of these rely on Father Time for healing. He said the real danger would be if blood started dripping from her nostrils, but as of this writing, 6 hours now, there has not been any dripping. She has not sneezed since the first two splatterings. Keep her quiet for a few days, he said, and if you notice something, please call us. We left,after more than 2 hours.
I am freaked out by this accident, because of how Bandit died when Nina and I were in high school. Bandit was Nina's dog. She was hit by a car while out running with our dad. I don't remember if we took her to the vet, but the whites of her eyes were blood red from broken blood vessels. A few days later she started having seizures. A few days after that, at age 6, she died.
Paisle is eating dinner now, with her usual gusto. When she finishes, I'll put her back in her crate--not her favorite real estate but safe, comfortable, and washable if she should start sneezing, or worse. It is also located right next to where I sit, so convenient for me, too.
I am hoping this is nothing more than a big bump on her little head.
Paisle had an interesting day today. The morning was normal enough--lots of time outside as it was 13 degrees even before the sun made an appearance. It snowed most of the day--dusting really--and the temp went all the way up to 23. What a great day to play with the new Jolly Ball!
I had planned on making today's post all about the Jolly Ball, but other events booted the new toy to below the fold news.
Paisle and Marshal were throwing the new toy around, with reckless abandon. M also threw Paisle around a bit, also with reckless abandon. I don't know the exact motion that did it, but I heard a shot like a rifle and looked up to see a tangle of Crew members in the raspberries fall apart with the Bean looking at me sideways.
She'd banged her head into the corner of the teak patio chair that is frozen in the ground, by the raspberry bushes. She hobbled toward me, listing a bit, and the chunk of hair and skin missing above her left eye was obvious. I warned off M, who wanted to keep playing, and ushered her inside.
Her left eye remained clear. She sat in the kitchen, watching me but squinting a bit like her head hurt (what a shock). I went to the kennel to get a blanket and wrap her up, knowing she might get chilled as a side affect of shock, and to warm her after being outside for the past 30 minutes. Her scalping did not bleed, but remained bright white. It's about the size of my fingertip.
I picked her up and put her on the footstool the dogs use as a day bed. She followed all my moves, completely cognizant of her surroundings. We sat there looking at each other. Then she sneezed.
Blood went everywhere, and remained dripping out of her nose. I rushed for the phone to call the Emergency room, and she sneezed again, this time on the rug, with the same shower of blood everywhere.
We arrived at the emergency room, just behind two other people, both of whom had their animals in carrying cases. One was clearly a cat by the sounds it made. We were ushered into a room where Paisle's vitals were taken, then asked to wait at they went through triage with the others. The vet tech asked me to yell if Paisle passed out or started having convulsions.
An hour later, I went out into the hall, asking if we'd be seen soon. Paisle's bleeding had subsided to snot markings--snuffles on the edge of the garbage can, the cabinet containing vet tech things, the wall, the floor, the door. For some unknown reason, I'd had the forsight to bring the Purple with us, which brought delight to Paisle. She finally asked to go out, so we ventured forth from the room a second time, heading outside. Her scalping had started oozing the tiniest amount of blood, but did not drip.
I do not want to minimize the trauma going on in the emergency facility. One of the pets that came in before us had just been hit by a car. I know they were able to stabilize the pooch, but I am unclear of the extent of damage. I do know, however, that whatever it wounds were, a mop was required to clean up the body fluids from the tech room floor. After the dog was moved to the back room, Paisle and I could hear it crying. Another dog had also just come in with congenital heart failure, so since the Bean was stable, she'd fallen far down the priority guest list.
We were finally seen by a young vet, who apologized profusely for the wait. Paisle climbed all over him, tail wagging, showing him the Purple. She had been asleep on the cold floor before he came in, while I'd watched her like a hawk for any sign of convulsive behavior. As soon as he opened the door, however, she jumped up with the Purple, and greeted him properly.
He needed a bit of help holding her wiggle butt still so he could listen to her organs, and he closely examined her head. Prognosis--this was a good bump, not quite a goose egg, but no lasting damage. I explained the sneezing blood, and pointed out the evidence of continued bleeding around the room. By pressing and holding the scalping, he told me he was feeling for fratures, or even bubbling which would indicate the orbital bone had punctured her sinuses, allowing air to bubble into her skull. Her eyes were equally dilated, another good sign she does not have a fractured skull nor a concussion.
Since we'd been there so long, he was fairly certain any seizures due to brain swelling would have already started. Watching her play with the Purple, he indicated she seemed sharp and well aware of her surroundings, not dizzy nor unstable on her feet.
The blood could be from ruptured vessels in the sinuses, or perhaps from some of the smaller, fragile bones also in the sinuses. Both of these rely on Father Time for healing. He said the real danger would be if blood started dripping from her nostrils, but as of this writing, 6 hours now, there has not been any dripping. She has not sneezed since the first two splatterings. Keep her quiet for a few days, he said, and if you notice something, please call us. We left,after more than 2 hours.
I am freaked out by this accident, because of how Bandit died when Nina and I were in high school. Bandit was Nina's dog. She was hit by a car while out running with our dad. I don't remember if we took her to the vet, but the whites of her eyes were blood red from broken blood vessels. A few days later she started having seizures. A few days after that, at age 6, she died.
Paisle is eating dinner now, with her usual gusto. When she finishes, I'll put her back in her crate--not her favorite real estate but safe, comfortable, and washable if she should start sneezing, or worse. It is also located right next to where I sit, so convenient for me, too.
I am hoping this is nothing more than a big bump on her little head.
Rally...and Agility in her future...if only PAL/ILP...
Dear Everett,
Paisle had her first combined class yesterday, on both agility and rally.
Rally is a relatively new type of Obedience training, which can lead to AKC competitions in rally. Since Paisle (and Marshal, and Ansel) are all rescues, none of them have papers. The good news--the AKC has decided paperless dogs may compete as well! Any of our crew can get Purebred Alternative Listing/Indefinite Listing Privilege (PAL/ILP) papers, as long as the pooches are of a REGISTRABLE BREED.
The American Staffordshire Terrier became a recognized AKC breed in 1936 (well after WWI's most decorated dog, Stubby, earned the rank of Sergeant). The American Pit Bull Terrier is not an AKC registered breed.
So who does Paisle look like? This beautiful Am Staff boy is copied straight from the AKC web site.
Paisle had her first combined class yesterday, on both agility and rally.
Rally is a relatively new type of Obedience training, which can lead to AKC competitions in rally. Since Paisle (and Marshal, and Ansel) are all rescues, none of them have papers. The good news--the AKC has decided paperless dogs may compete as well! Any of our crew can get Purebred Alternative Listing/Indefinite Listing Privilege (PAL/ILP) papers, as long as the pooches are of a REGISTRABLE BREED.
The American Staffordshire Terrier became a recognized AKC breed in 1936 (well after WWI's most decorated dog, Stubby, earned the rank of Sergeant). The American Pit Bull Terrier is not an AKC registered breed.
So who does Paisle look like? This beautiful Am Staff boy is copied straight from the AKC web site.
And here is the Presa Canario, which is supposed to be her cross (from the AKC FSS link)...
FSS stands for Foundation Stock Service. It means the AKC has leant it's name to these breeds, not as a registered breed but at a lower level, where the breed can use association with the AKC as a note of validity, but they are not an AKC registered breed. The Presa Canario is one of the FSS breeds that is able to compete in Companion Events, including rally and agility. Lucky for me, these dogs are behemoths, and the Bean is just a tiny little thing. According to various breed sites, females must be at least 85 lbs, and Paisle is only 56lbs. I am extremely skeptical that Paisle has any P.C. in her. P.C.s are very often brindle, as is the Bean, but she has none of the bulk or stockiness these beauties have. It would be better to compare head shots without cropped ears, but I could not find any.
So...we'll try registering Paisle. As the judging is subjective, it is possible the AKC will reject her. Her application must be accompanied by two photos, one clearly showing her head, the other of her entire body, taken on firm footing (not grass) and at her eye level.
The class itself is great! There will be four total, three hours each. We're learning rally and agility at the same time, and I bought some fun equipment to enhance our training--weave poles and one jump.
I'll write more about rally and agility tomorrow.
Much love to you Everett!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
A Year Ago
Today is my dad's birthday--Happy Birthday Dad.
Today is Martin Luther King, jr's birthday.
Today is the day Everett's tumor was removed, one year ago. It turned out to be malignant melanoma.
So much can change in a day.
Today is Martin Luther King, jr's birthday.
Today is the day Everett's tumor was removed, one year ago. It turned out to be malignant melanoma.
So much can change in a day.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Double shot of snow, followed by a sub-zero chaser
Hi Everett,
We are creeping up on the day your tumor was discovered. Boy are you glad you are absent (physically only, little girl), as tomorrow's high temperature should be about 5 degrees below zero. Welcome, the historically coldest week of the year.
The pups loved our new snow today. I went to work early, and came home early too before the driving conditions followed the temperature. I passed 5 spin outs, and two accidents (one already had an ambulance on hand) on my way home. What a mess! We have about 6 inches of new snow on the ground.
The pups didn't seem to care.
I introduced a tennis ball, and the temp might as well have been in the 70's. I lost feeling in my fingers holding the camera; when I almost dropped it for the third time I finally herded the pups inside.
Knowing the super-cold is on the way, we went for a walk as soon as my work day ended, and then went back to the yard for some more running around. It will be cold, colder, coldest these next three days, so I wanted to wear them out as much as possible today and tonight, in the new fresh snow.
Marshal posed nicely in the dark--that is the moon behind him. Clear skies mean the temperature is dropping....
We are creeping up on the day your tumor was discovered. Boy are you glad you are absent (physically only, little girl), as tomorrow's high temperature should be about 5 degrees below zero. Welcome, the historically coldest week of the year.
The pups loved our new snow today. I went to work early, and came home early too before the driving conditions followed the temperature. I passed 5 spin outs, and two accidents (one already had an ambulance on hand) on my way home. What a mess! We have about 6 inches of new snow on the ground.
The pups didn't seem to care.
I introduced a tennis ball, and the temp might as well have been in the 70's. I lost feeling in my fingers holding the camera; when I almost dropped it for the third time I finally herded the pups inside.
Knowing the super-cold is on the way, we went for a walk as soon as my work day ended, and then went back to the yard for some more running around. It will be cold, colder, coldest these next three days, so I wanted to wear them out as much as possible today and tonight, in the new fresh snow.Marshal posed nicely in the dark--that is the moon behind him. Clear skies mean the temperature is dropping....
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Action Packed
Hi Everett.
Today was action packed into a very short period of time. Action was not on the agenda, especially for Marshal after yesterday's romping with Martha.
And yet, Big Boy seemed ready for anything today, and I let him do as he pleased. Does this make me a bad parent? Probably, because I am supposed to know better.
8:05am and M is looking for the kong (that's Beanie behind him, perhaps sitting in order to consolidate body temperature)
2:30pm and Ansel leads us out into the south lawn.
It appears Paisle is not yet ready to play.
And yet all Big Boy has to do is steal the kong, and the chase is on!
2:32pm In just 2 minutes, the pups have gone from walking, sniffing, stretching, to acrobatic ballet. I think this might be my new all-time favorite photo of Marshal and Paisle, though on a small screen it is very hard to see the Bean. I encourage anyone reading to click on the photo to see how the two pups are going opposite directions, in almost perfect synchronization (with the kong in the middle, of course). 
2:36pm Just four minutes later, M appears to be winding down.
2:37pm Looks, of course, can be deceiving.
2:38pm (the kong is that dark lump near Paisle's back feet)
2:39pm
2:46pm M does not follow Paisle as she takes off for a few rotations.
2:46 (again) Marshal looks on in disbelief as Paisle, his girlfriend, charges Ansel with the kong, instead of him!
2:46 (still) Looking to catch up, Marshal hurries over, only to be intercepted by Ansel.
2:46 (...) Now who is chasing whom?
2:47pm As the boys bump and run, Beanie enters the frame (still, as ever, with kong).
2:47pm (again) Is Marshal herding Ansel?
2:47pm (sigh) C'mon Ansel, play with me?
2:47 (still) PLAY...WITH...ME...!!!
2:47 (...) Everyone together, the Crew seems to reach consensus, that play time is over.
And Beanie still has the kong....
Today was action packed into a very short period of time. Action was not on the agenda, especially for Marshal after yesterday's romping with Martha.
And yet, Big Boy seemed ready for anything today, and I let him do as he pleased. Does this make me a bad parent? Probably, because I am supposed to know better.
8:05am and M is looking for the kong (that's Beanie behind him, perhaps sitting in order to consolidate body temperature)
2:30pm and Ansel leads us out into the south lawn.
It appears Paisle is not yet ready to play.
And yet all Big Boy has to do is steal the kong, and the chase is on!
2:32pm In just 2 minutes, the pups have gone from walking, sniffing, stretching, to acrobatic ballet. I think this might be my new all-time favorite photo of Marshal and Paisle, though on a small screen it is very hard to see the Bean. I encourage anyone reading to click on the photo to see how the two pups are going opposite directions, in almost perfect synchronization (with the kong in the middle, of course). 
2:36pm Just four minutes later, M appears to be winding down.
2:37pm Looks, of course, can be deceiving.
2:38pm (the kong is that dark lump near Paisle's back feet)
2:39pm
2:46pm M does not follow Paisle as she takes off for a few rotations.
2:46 (again) Marshal looks on in disbelief as Paisle, his girlfriend, charges Ansel with the kong, instead of him!
2:46 (still) Looking to catch up, Marshal hurries over, only to be intercepted by Ansel.
2:46 (...) Now who is chasing whom?
2:47pm As the boys bump and run, Beanie enters the frame (still, as ever, with kong).
2:47pm (again) Is Marshal herding Ansel?
2:47pm (sigh) C'mon Ansel, play with me?
2:47 (still) PLAY...WITH...ME...!!!
2:47 (...) Everyone together, the Crew seems to reach consensus, that play time is over.
And Beanie still has the kong....
Martha's Visit
Dear Everett,
Did I already mention Martha is smallish?
But certainly not meek!
She knocked Big Boy over a few times. 
Most of the early morning pics didn't turn out, due to lack of light. 
So we headed back inside, to wait for the sun. Boy was it worth the wait!!
This is my favorite photo of Martha and Marshal. I've placed it in all the posts I've done of them, but I hope it is the only redundant photo in all of these. I took over 1000 pictures of M & M. 
Martha completely wore Marshal out. That panting you see above was real--in 10 degree weather he is overheated! Later in the day he struggled to rise, so shame on me for letting him overextend himself. While I really hope Martha comes to visit us again, I will be more mindful of Big Boy's exersion. And maybe Paisle will come into the mix too? We'll see!
For just a few hours, Marshal had yet another girlfriend. Her name is Martha, another foster with A Rotta Love Plus (the wonderful organization who brought Big Boy to us).
Martha is another pit bull. Unless we end up with a Rottweiler, all the pups we bring home from ARLP will be pibbles. She is all black with white accents, including a little white snip on her nose. She's slight--weighed yesterday at 42 lbs--and estimated age is 7 - 8 months. Her foster mama had to work today, so we picked up this little delight early, for some extra attention prior to the Adoption Day in the afternoon.
Martha has been in foster care since August. She is a treasure. Her foster mama, Marie, expects the same polite manners from Martha as her own two resident labs. The results are obvious! Martha is a very well behaved, confident, inquisitive young lady. 
Martha completely wore Marshal out. That panting you see above was real--in 10 degree weather he is overheated! Later in the day he struggled to rise, so shame on me for letting him overextend himself. While I really hope Martha comes to visit us again, I will be more mindful of Big Boy's exersion. And maybe Paisle will come into the mix too? We'll see!
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