Time.......

Well, it's been a little while. Much has probably happened since I last wrote. What? Well, let my addlepated little mind wrap itself around the past couple of weeks.

Skally's energy had been waning. I gave that up to her age, and the fact that she wasn't completely thrilled about having to share with another being. All seemed well, until one day I came home to find her in the bed, with the bed soaking in her urine. Yuck! I know.

However, my first thought was 'What is going on?' This was completely out of character for her. I also noticed that there was poop two days (not in a row) in different parts of the house, when I awoke. She wasn't going to tell me anything - this, a little vomit, and peeing at night, as well as during the day in the house. This from the girl who, as I recalled from her youth, howled when she couldn't quite make it outside (hence the dog door); this happened once. It had been approximately 12 years since anything like this had happened - and it was one time when she darted through the house to go outside - I didn't open the door quickly enough - never happened again - until now.

I decided, after washing all the bed linens, etc, that we needed to walk further, and I needed to ensure all the pee was out of her before I headed off to work. Didn't happen. She seemed quite tenuous to go outside. In fact, she nearly flat out refused! It was as though she had been traumatized by something out there.

I was perplexed. After watching her a few days, and realizing this wasn't going anywhere good, I called Dr. Leddy.

We went to the good doctor's office, weighed Rusty (78 pounds! Yay! Down 9!) and Skally (68 Pounds - good sign). She examined her, and we determined to try hormone therapy - yes, the same therapy as women have after menopause.

So, after the first pill, the next day, Skally had more vigor. She seemed much better. After the second day, even more.

The second night, Rusty, apparently used to having his way with the chew bones, etc., in the family room, decided to wander in to Skally's territory which had been fine before - until that night!

I was in the other room, when I heard a great violent and raging cocophony. Skally had her mojo back, and she warn't gwanna give up her bone! It was settled, and Rusty came running to me. Skally eyed him warily.

I was thrilled. She was coming back to herself, as I hadn't seen in months!

Dr. Leddy will phone tomorrow or Wednesday with results of the tests they ran on her; I'm praying there isn't anything else that might be amiss - like kidneys, or cancer or anything else; I can't stand to lose her - she must needs be immortal.

Other than that, Rusty is coming along well. After my chat with him about dawdling on walks, he seems to have given in. He trots at a pace with Skally, and it seems as though they make fantastic pack partners in this milieu.

At the park, Rusty is playing, and Skally began to show her colors from months ago, where she plays and barks with the other dogs - usually through the fence with Ziggy, where they talk smack.

I pray all is well with the world.

Yesterday, too, a woman approached me and began to ask about Syd & Cubby. Her dog used to play with them years ago, and I had forgotten who they were. When she mentioned her dog's name, I remembered. He had died of cancer- I thought they had just moved. She was moved by the stories of Syd & Cubby and their ailments that led to their deaths. It was sobering.

So, now, after our walk, and a little breakie, Daddy is going to take his shower and hie to work and the gym. When I get home, I hope it's warmer than the 37 degrees it is outside, and we'll head to the park to play with Bella Blue, Pepper, and all the others we have come to know.

And Skally will be even better!

Mid Week October 6, 2011

I've created a monster.

I've created a monster.

I've created a monster.

Did I mention I believe I've created a monster?

Yesterday, rather than hit the gym (I figured if Rusty could go on a "boot camp regimen, then must I!), I rushed home to beat the rain. Skally was asleep - but not for long. Rusty was gadding about the house, happy to see me, and happy to be let out (he still can't understand the doggie door).

As soon as I opened the door to the garage, they both rushed to the car. I put Rusty in - it seems as though he was ready to leap in, but doubtful he could - and Skally immediately followed suit (she gets in the front. Usually, she wanders around the car, making me stalk her - much as Syd used to do - until finally she wanted to get in.). WE got to the park - nice, sunny, and moist.

Skally got out with her leash on, and Rusty came out the back, but didn't stop when I told him. No. He began to rush to the dog park. Yes. He ran ahead of us, and when I told him to stop, he did, then turned, smiled and with a little leap of evil, he continued to run.

Upon entering the park, Rusty ran over to a new dog, and then did his business, as did Skally. I went over to talk with Victor, and they double-teamed me, barking and refusing to let up. So, I ran with them. And run they did. Rusty was trying to out-maneuver Skally, and Pepper and Rusty were vying for me - whilst Skally went a'sniffin'. This continued for several minutes, with Skally coming to me and me chasing her while Rusty was off chasing a young yellow lab and Pepper.

Rusty, after a bit, realized that if he were to pick up a ball, other dogs would come to him - as it was their ball they had been playing with. This was quite new. I even threw a ball for him a short distance, and he fetched it, brought it back, and refused to let go, no matter what. There was evil mischief in his liver-colored eyes!

I found a rope for him to tug with, and Pepper took the other side. Rusty pulled, and Pepper let go- Rusty went tumbling, looking at me as though I had done him a great injustice - so rope was no longer an option, at least for now.

This was how it continued, until the rain began to come down heavier and heavier. Others left, and some more came, but my two just stood there, as statues, guarding me, growing damper and damper. So we left.

At home, the frivolity continued for them both. I swear. It has been so long since I've seen Skally be so animated for so long. The aura of the house is good.

This morning, though, neither had tons of energy - but there was something in the air that made them badger me until we finally left and walked; Rusty, though, was hardly the epitome of energy once out the door. It wasn't until we crossed back over the street on the downhill side of the hill that he picked up steam - and then it was to take the short walk route, and they both flew.

This is happiness, with a touch of evil mischief.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Wow! It has been some time since I posted, and things are looking up!

Well, Rusty and Skally are getting along famously. There was one instance where Rusty knocked Skally when we were leaving for our morning walk, and Skally "vented" on Rusty - he certainly took notice! But, since then, they seem to be doing fine. I did have the talk with Skally that she was a hunter and he was a herder, so it was fine they had different jobs, but he was her underling. That seemed to do the trick.

Since then, we have visited with Miss Yvonne and her cat, Nitro, for lunch. The dogs wandered around her yard - Skally kept schlepping through the gardens, much to Miss Y's chagrin, until she had to be leashed and kept by my side. Rusty, just kept near me - apparently hoping I wasn't leaving him. Well, he got his wish, of course.

We also went to PetUtopia for the Doggie Spa Day. No, we didn't get the pawdicures, or the massages, but we did buy some things for noshes, and they had their pictures taken by Aaron McNally from 12amphotography. They are marvelous pictures. When I posted them, I received all sorts of comments on Facebook, and other people came up to me to compliment them. I would certainly expect no less of my pups and their photos - they are the most beautiful critters in the world!

Last weekend, we headed up north to Port Angeles to spend the weekend with my mum. Of course, Skally spent the entire trip with her head out the window enjoying the freeway breezes! I was a little concerned, as she stayed in the backseat with Rusty, but then I figured they were bonding. We finally arrived around 930 pm to Mum's. When she first saw Rusty, she said, "Oh my God! He's huge! He's as big as a piece of furiture!" I assured her he had lost a ton of weight (which he has - probably close to 15 pounds), and she would appreciate him. She did. But she has a strong affinity for Skally - I overheard her talking to Skally, spoiling her - she later denied it, but it did my heart good.

We went for a walk on Ediz Hook, where I was happily surprised to see Rusty hopping on logs and moving gracefully over them. His back legs are much stronger now! He got more workouts when we went to Salt Creek Park, and Lincoln Park. They spent most of that time off leash, rushing through the woods, brush, and Skally immersed herself often in the waters, either of the resevoir, or the straits. She was in heaven, as was Rusty.

ON the day we left, we headed out to Port Williams, and Mum wasn't feeling so good. The tide was rather high, and we had to do some extra climbing to get to the real beach, which is more of a marsh and spit. As Mum was feeling so ill, we decided to head to a park in Sequim, where they ran and ran. Of course it wasn't really legal, but they are creatures of the wild. Skally went into the creek, and Rusty simply marched by my side.

We headed home, and hadn't seen much rain. Skally rode in the front seat with, of course, her head out the window, enjoying the cool breezes along 101 and the Hood's Canal. Then it began to rain. Did this stop her? Certainly Not! By the time we stopped for a rest break just outside Hoodsport at Potlatch Park, her head and upper toro were soaked. So, as I closed the window before we got out, she shook all over the interior. I was not amused.

From there, She decided to remain in the back seat, much to Rusty's annoyance. He refused to move over closer to the other window, so Skally straddled him as she kept her head out the window for the next 2.5 hours. Once in a while, though, she re-adjusted, and her feet went into Rusty (he still wouldn't budge. I swear he's ever so stubborn!)and he barked at her. But, she decided it was her car, first, so he could move. Two bull-headed pups.

Monday night, I realized Skally was not walking properly. I watched her closely, and her left leg seemed to be quite stiff. This was concerning. So, I gave her a little hip massage, and she went to sleep in the bed, where I joined her. Eventually, she left and went to the hallway.

Tuesday, we went for an abbreviated walk, as the weather was rather moist, and neither seemed interested in anything longer. She was still stiff. And more so, and demonstrating some pain that night. So I massaged her a bit more - hoping that the morning would find decent weather for a goodly walk, where we could actually go out.

We did head to PetSmart for some snacks (Duck and Yams), and they had a marvelous time sniffing about. After 20 minutes, though, it was time to leave. We came home, did our regular routine and went to bed.

This morning, we got up, and she seemed to be moving much better. Perhaps it was the car ride and the straddling that got her. We had a good hour plus walk at a very nice pace - Rusty, many times, leading the way, and when they were both off leash, he was trotting after Skally! Usually, he's lagged behind. Another sign of progress!

So, now we're home, about to eat our breakfast before I head off to work. This evening, I'm hoping the weather holds out and we can convene with Sonny and Aaron at the park for them to play. It would do us all some good!