The Dog Days of Summer

Yes, well these days of summer have not been Ellie Mae's finest. I know she would agree. Her bo's bo's, as I talked about in an earlier blog (July 3), have gotten infected and she actually has a staph infection. She has had her tail wrapped up this week but after another trip to the vet it is time to let some air get to it. This demands constant attention to her where abouts. At bedtime she wears an Elizabethan collar. (She hates this). She looks at me with such disgust each night. But I have learned what tough love is.

Her meds consist of nine strong antibiotic pills a day. Two pain pills a day. Three sedative pills a day for her, not me and watching her every move that she does not scratch, gnaw, bite or rub the sore areas. Basically we are back to umbilical cord training that we learned at Canine Assistants many years ago.

This has been quite a process, but worth every minute. When she looks up at me and still hands me her paw, it certainly makes it all worthwhile. Maybe she needs some chicken soup. Not really, but an extra Milkbone would be nice.

Pleasures With My Sis

My sister, Jill was here this week with her grandaughter, Campbell. They came for a summer visit so we could give the two 4-year olds some time to play together. Our daughters grew up together and now it is their daughters who want to be with one another. The grands are five months apart and enjoy each others company. So we think it is necessary to make the time available for these two little lives to experience life as cousins.

While Carly was riding heard at romper room, (thank you Carly) Jill and I shopped, decorated, ate and visited. We talked about family matters, our great husbands and the fact that we are so blessed to have two grandaughters who are so much like their mothers (our daughters).

We remembered dressing Carly and Courtney alike. (they brought "happys" that were matching "jammies"). So it sounds like the tradtion will continue.

After three days of dress-up, tea parties, crayon masterpieces with their great grandmother,
MiMi and countless pleas of "Jack get out of here", Jordan Ann and Campbell hugged and kissed and promised to see each other in another month for more summer fun.

Now Jill and I do not need much excuse to get together but now we have another generation of girls, who like that great old song says " just want to have fun".

Ellie Mae's "bo bo's"

Golden Retrievers have alot of fatty lumps on their skin. That just goes with the breed. Last week Ellie Mae had a large lump at the beginning of her tail just below her back along with several on her side. We had our vet look her over and all were checked and came back benign. Two days later they became infected and were "hot spots" that she would not leave alone. Back to the doctor we went to hear that this problem is very painful for a dog. An operation on her tail followed. Well I went to pieces when I saw the struggle she gave before being put on the exam table. Her big brown eyes looked at me as if to say "Mom, please don't leave me". Tearfully, I left the office knowing she was in good hands, but also knowing that this was the first time we have ever been separated since 2001.

You hear about pets becoming like children, but this experience hurt as much as when my children were sick with fever and I felt inadequate to care for them.

After a long night, we picked her up sedated and somewhat dazed. Her big brown eyes were half closed as she glanced at me. I know she was thinking "why did you let them do this to me?"

Her tail was shaved with a bright blue compression bandage wrapped tightly around down to the end and a little pom pom of hair (like a rabbits tail) was left. On her back there was a 5 inch square of hair shaved in the middle of her back with several stitches exposed for all to see her battle wounds. She had two more places on her side where tumors were removed. Her leg had an area shaved for the use of an IV. All in all she looks pretty good for the war she has been in.

After two days of drugs and a sedative that made her "zombie-like" she is becoming more like herself again. The bandage comes off today and her tail will look more like a snake than a beautiful plumb she once had.

They say time heals all and I know that is true. I have learned once again (as if I needed to be reminded) how important this dog is to me.

Have a safe 4th of July! Ellie Mae says "ruff."