I was featured in St Luke’s June Happenings Newsletter as the Church Dog. I am a valued employee. Below is the main picture. Just click the link and scroll down to page 2 to read the whole article. 🙂
For those who might be wondering, I feel much better today. I have been eating well, and the “urge to go” has finally gone. I decided to enjoy life today. Even though it is too hot to stay outside for long, I have been spending a few minutes throughout the day lazing in the sunshine, smelling the flowers and rolling in the grass.
From Lexi’s Mom: Thank you to everyone for your prayers and POTP. Please continue; the battle isn’t over yet. It’s just great to finally see Lexi feeling good again.
It’s been a rough kind of week. As many of you know, I had my first chemo treatment last Thursday. Being the good employee that I am (and not eligible for sick pay) I went on in to work at St. Luke last Friday. Here is me getting everything done so I can go home when Mom is ready:
Some of my friends sent me get well cards. First, Noodle, Macy and Molly e-mailed me the cutest cards.
My boyfriend Noodle also sent me a video card:
Then I got some real live cards from the mail person. They were actually from Noodle and his family (he wrote he loves me on the back of the envelope!) as well as the beautiful goldens, Bonny, Belle and Bess and their family. They both had slips of paper in them that made Mom get all teary-eyed. I wonder what they were…
I like my cards, but where are the treats?
I have been taking two different pill for nausea, a pill to stimulate my appetite, and a pill to stop the squirts. I’ve been getting up lots during the night ’cause I keep feeling like I have to go out, but all I do is strain and dribble from the back end. All I want to eat is steak and sometimes chicken, and sometimes I can’t even eat that. Today I ate chicken, and Mom made me pumpkin and oatmeal cookies from a healthy dog cookie cook book. I ate most of one.
I don’t feel good, Mommy.
Then, a little later, everything I ate came up all at once. I felt like I was going to die! Obviously, I didn’t. Mom called the oncology vet at UTK, Dr. Walters, and she said I had to go to the hospital here in Chattanooga, and that she was going to call the doctor there herself. Mom took me right away, and of course they stuck a glass stick up my poor patootie. The vet tech took my pulse, too. It was odd, no one has ever taken my pulse before. At least it wasn’t invasive like that awful stick. She said my temp and my pulse were normal. Dr. Smith came in and checked me and did what Dr Walters had suggested. He stuck another needle in me (this is really getting old) and started fluid running sub q. That is short for under my skin. Then he gave me a shot to help with the nausea. Mommy told me I was going to get that shot and that it would burn a lot and that I had to be brave. The dogtor said I keep having the squirts because my intestines are very irritated from the chemo and it makes me feel like I have to go potty all the time. I now have more medicine to take with all the other medicine I have. This one is to sooth my intestines and help with that almost constant feeling of urgency, if you know what I mean.
After they were all done and had finished taking all Mom’s money Mom had paid them, I got to go home. I was sooo glad to see Mom! I felt some better when we got home, so I helped Mom eat her pan fried hamburger, then I ate some more of that store broiled chicken, then some of my homemade cookies. I have still been running outside with the feeling that I have to “go” but all my food has stayed down. That is very important to me.
Hoping for a more restful night and no more urgent potty misery!
I haven’t felt much like blogging lately, but Mom insisted that I let everyone know how I am doing. By folks’ hesitation when they went to ask about me, Mom thinks there was a nasty rumor going around the Methodist church where we still work that I was…well, not alive. She thinks she has squelled that rumor and has everyone praying the right way for me!
Speaking of work, I was right back to work the first day after surgery. Can you believe it? Not even a day to recuperate (with sick pay). I ran everything from my bed behind Mom’s desk that day. I decided to give everyone a break and not growl. That was Wednesday. Thursday I felt a bit better and did a lot of therapy, especially on the folks coming in to get food vouchers for the Food Bank. One fellow in particular seemed to need it, so I kept flipping his hand for him to pet me and standing real close so he wouldn’t have to reach. After watching this for a while, Mom finally explained to him what was going on. He smiled real big and said yes, he probably did need that.
Mom asked me to post a picture of the yummy new soft food I am eating. She said she knows there is probably still stuff in it that people wouldn’t eat, but at least it doesn’t say “meat” and she can pronounce all the natural ingredients.
I don’t understand why Mom moved my stairs away from the bed. She mumbled something weird about me not being allowed to “jump.” Doesn’t she know I can’t get in bed with her without my stairs? Wednesday I was feeling good enough to protest this travesty, so I pawed at the side of the bed during the night and made sure Mom didn’t sleep. After work Thursday, Mom groggily pulled the mattress off the guest bed onto the floor and we slept together on it all night. That made me so happy that Mom slept there with me again last night. This is how it should be. I love Daddy, but he crowds us. I am glad Mom finally got her heart right and chose to sleep with me!
Mom has been a bit on edge lately. She says it is hard to wait for the labs.
I keep thinking, “Why on earth is Mom waiting for labs? Why are they coming? And why don’t they hurry up?”
Anyhow, I had to go back to the vet on Thursday because my right eye was full of pus. And the incision on my forehead was starting to seep. I got eye ointment and antibiotics. My eye is all cleared up now, but the area around the incision is swollen and still seeping. Mommy is going to take me back to the doc on Monday if the medicine doesn’t clear it up by then.
I’m home. It was a rough day. It started out with me not getting any breakfast. In the car, I suspected something was up.
Where are we REALLY going, Mom?
We ended up at the vets, in the bad room, not the good room where I get my acupuncture. Mom handed me over with empty promises and I sat in a hard cage until after lunch – which I didn’t get, either. My suspicions were then confirmed: the worst was yet to come. They made me go to sleep and cut off 4 bumps from my skin and a humongus bump from my gums. The gum invader had destroyed bone in my jaw, so 2 teeth came out with it. Just when I had about given up on Mom, the nice lady at the vet took me out of the hard cage and carried me oh so gently out front. You will never guess who was there waiting for me…my Mom! I heard the nice lady tell Mommy what a sweet girl I am. 🙂 Oww, it hurts to smile. It hurts to do pretty much anything. I got some pain pills, and they help. Since everyone had starved me half to death all day, I couldn’t wait to get something to eat. Instead of mixing the special soft food Mom makes (pureed chicken and carrots) with my hard food, she put the puree in a bowl all by itself and warmed it. I couldn’t quite get it in my mouth without it hurting where the stitches are, so Mommy used a soft spatula and fed it all to me. Mmmm. 🙂 Oww. What Mom? This bite is from Noodle? Hi Boyfriend! 🙂 Oww.
Can you see the stitches between my eyes? (You can click on the pictures to make them bigger.) I think I look like something Gentle Stitches would do. Mommy says I am still her Gorgeous Worgeous. 🙂 Oww. Daddy went to the store and you will never guess why! He came home with a whole bunch of Caesar’s dog food. OMD, it is soooo good. 🙂 Ow. Why have they been holding out on me all these years?
Anyhow, Mom says I need to tell you that at least part of the pathology report will be back in 48 hours. Depending on what it says, there may be another report from the bone that came out with the teeth a little later. I have to go back to the vet in 10 days for them to remove my stitches. Mommy promises she will stay with me for them to do that. I am not allowed to jump (ha, ha) or run or exert myself or eat anything hard or have a bath. At least there is one bright spot in all of this. 🙂 Oww.
Mommy said she got an extra day at her job at St. Luke where my friend Dave helps out since she doesn’t have the job at the church on the mountain anymore. She asked me if I want to go with her tomorrow and I am still thinking about it. I probably will. She said I don’t have to work hard, I can take it easy for a couple of weeks.
Oh, and before I take my evening nap, I wanted to thank everyone for their love and prayers and support. Bark on! (No I am not going to smile – it hurts.)
P.S. Noodle, I heard you were naughty last night and even made yourself sick worrying about me. Stay sweet and well for me, OK? And we will go on our excellent adventures. ❤
Here I am in my Auntie Cary’s office at work at the church on the mountain. I said, “What’s that, Mom? I need to say goodbye to my Auntie Cary? I might not ever see her again? I don’t understand.”
“Auntie Cary, I have loved our lunches together, especially the eating part. You always bring me good treats. You have been a good friend. Where are you going? Please don’t look so sad.”
That was Wednesday at my work at St. Timothy’s. Today, Mom told me we didn’t have a job anymore. Our position had been eliminated. How can they possibly eliminate Church Dog? Mom said no, technically they only eliminated Parish Administrator, but the Church Dog position was critically linked to it. *hurumph* Well. it wouldn’t be the same without Mom there, anyhow. Mom had only told a few parishioners that today was our last day, and one of our special friends came by with a present.
For me? It smells nice.
Wait, there’s no treats in here.
Mom is feeling sad today, so I reminded her that this leaves her more time to work on my Campaign for Mayor. Me and Mom, we can’t wait to find out where we will be needed next. This is going to be an adventure!
I am Lexi, the hopeful Church Dog and the next Mayor of Blogville (I hope).
If elected Mayor, I intend to give you helpful tips to make your lives better. I will start now, pre-election, with Tip #1:What to do when you don’t like what is in your food dish
OMD, OMD, OMD! How could I have lived this long without knowing about professional massages? They are better than anything!
“Gracie”
Do you remember when my new friend Gracie came to stay with us? Mom wouldn’t accept any money for keeping her, so, as a thank you, her Mom and Dad gave my Mom and Dad AND ME gift certificates for massages. I’ve been waiting a long time to get mine because I am not allowed to go to the massage place because of some stupid health laws. (Can you think of anything dumber?) Anyhow, Mommy told me I was going to get a big surprise at work today, something I would like lots. Finally, mid-afternoon, sometime after Mom and I had our lunch, in came this lady named Sky. With a name like that, you would think she would be blue, but her skin was basically the same color as Mom’s. It really wouldn’t have mattered, I just thought I would mention that. Mom says I am rambling because I am still so excited, in a relaxed sort of way. He, he. She and Mom set up the massage table in the room adjoining Mom’s office. Mom and Sky started feeding me treats and put me up on this big cushy table. Sky was petting me in the nicest way imaginable, and it didn’t take me long to just relax on the table and go with the flow. I laid down and Sky kept petting me, only she was really massaging me. It felt better than anything, ever. I started yawning and stretching with pleasure. Mom had relaxation music playing on her computer. This sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? But it wasn’t. It was real, and it really happened to me today. Mommy’s desk was right through the doorway in the next office, and she stayed where I could see her in case I got anxious, but I didn’t really care where she was. I just wanted Sky to keep massaging me. My muscles all relaxed, the tension left, lots of knots got worked out. Even the hip with the dysplasia relaxed. OMD I felt so good! Someone came to Mom’s closed office door and she told them, “Not now, and I know you will think I am crazy, have lost my mind, but my dog is getting a massage.”
When we left for home today, Mom said she could see what a difference there was in how I was moving – I had a lot more spring in my step.
Ms. Sky has a small dog that needs groomed, and I heard her asked Mommy if she would like to work out a trade. I sure hope they do that and I get lots more massages. This is what I want for my birthday next month. Plus maybe some Mickey D’s.
Oh, and Mom said sorry about no pictures. She was so amazed at my reaction that she totally forgot. She promises for next time. NEXT TIME! Yay!
I have had a very unsettling couple of weeks. It all started a week ago when Mom was out late with my Auntie Jen and Auntie Jen’s fiance Bill and some more people who had come in from out of town to be in the wedding. They did something called “bowling” and something else called “shooting pool.” Dad was gone to band rehearsal, so I was home all alone, and I am not used to that anymore.
The next day Mom left again early in the afternoon and Dad left again while I was eating my supper. That night, Dad came home without Mom! He told me Mom was staying at Auntie Jen’s with “the girls” all night before the wedding. Hey, I am a girl, why wasn’t I there. Piper was there, and he’s a boy! Piper drank some of Mom’s white wine to try to fit in with the girl’s night. How lame is that?
Saturday Dad left me all alone again, sneaking out while I was eating an early supper. It was wedding day for Auntie Jen and Uncle Bill and I wasn’t invited again! You can see how this would upset me. She says I am her favorite niece. Hurumph. Finally, around bedtime, Mom and Dad pulled back in and who did they have with them, I ask you? Piper and Ella! It wasn’t bad enough that Piper and Ella were at girl’s night and Piper and Ella were in the wedding. Now they were at my house! Ella came bouncing in and asked me to play with her. I. Said. NO. Then they got to eat in front of me, since they hadn’t had their supper yet. The final blow of the day came when they piled in the bed with Mom and Dad. I got out of what used to be our bed and slept on the dog bed on the floor.
Sunday was a bit better. After everyone got fed and let out to do our bizness, Dad left for church and Mom and I jumped back into bed and slept until 1:30 in the afternoon. We were exhausted. I was in a better mood after that and asked Mom to take a picture of me and Piper since I saw Pipes still had on his bowtie from the wedding.
Piper and Me
Both Piper and Ella gave out early on Sunday from all the excitement the last few days – excitement I didn’t get to have. 😦
My exhausted friends.This is Piper, not me. I guess we really do look a lot alike.
Things started looking up for me Sunday night when Mommy shut Piper and Ella out of the bedroom. She told them they could sleep anywhere else they wanted in the house, but she needed a good night’s sleep. I took advantage of the situation and slept with Mom and Dad.
Monday, they were still here when Mom got home from work and they were rested and ready to play.
My Auntie Jen came and visited after work and, when she left, took her pups with her. Whew.
Along with everything that happened with the wedding, I started having trouble with allergies. Apparently it is allergy season in Tennessee. I never knew what people were talking about until this year. My ears have itched, my eyes have itched, and the paw that I had surgery on has itched. Even with the benadryl I was licking my paw until one knuckle started to get raw, so Mom taped the baby sock back onto my paw. I just sat in the kitchen and held it up and looked at her like, “Really?” “Yes, really,” she said. So I have had to contend with that since Tuesday night.
Speaking of Tuesday, my faithful readers know that I got in some big trouble at work. I growled at someone. Mom knows she needs to work with me on this and Mr. Colin gave us some good advice. She even had the treat jar outside the office for people to get into and give me a treat as they are coming into the office. Mom said she just has had too much to do to watch my every move at work right now, so, after I growled at someone else just before we left, I got put on disciplinary leave without pay! I had to stay home the rest of the week. Of course, some of that might have been because when Mom bent over to put me in the car Tuesday night, her back went out. And not out for a good time, either. She has been going to the chiropractor all week and said she just couldn’t deal with me and my stinkin’ attitude too.
Thursday morning I figured she had forgotten and would take me. Mom shook her head and explained to me again why I had to stay home. I just stood in the kitchen and hung my head. Dad begged her to take me – isn’t he a great Dad? – but she still said, “No.” So I have been stuck at home since Tuesday night.
Mom said she will post some pictures of the wedding when she gets them. That’s right, Mom, just rub it in. I sure hope next week is better. Love you all!
The last Thursday of every month Mom takes me to T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital where I first meet up with one of my besties, Lois. I lead her to the play room to get my “start of therapy” treat.
Next, it is time to do my job. I have so many jobs – St. Luke, St. Timothy’s, T.C. Thompson – and I always remember what I am supposed to do at each one. At this job, I smile a lot and work on making the sick and hurting kids smile. I never, ever growl at anyone. You might say I am like a marine at the children’s hospital – the best that I can be. Today, Mom asked if she could take some pictures, and Miss Lois said some of the children’s families had signed releases, so if they said yes, it was ok. I hope my visit helped everyone to feel better.
I am sorry I have not posted lately. Mommy and I have been very busy. I hope you missed me!
Exhibit H for (my) Hair
First, grooming: Dad said, “Amy, wait until the end of March. The weather could change.” Does Mom listen to Dad? (You decide.) Mom grabbed me up early on a Tuesday morning before work and this is what happened before Dad could even sneeze.
Next, work: After I forgave Mom, I told her I would help her at work. It was a St. Luke day.
Here, do this paper first. Hey, what’s that on your computer?I think I can work this mousie thingy!
I got my computer work done and I moved into guard dog mode. One of the “Parents Day Out” workers and kids started to invade our office, so I growled. “No! Bad dog!” Mommy said. I hung my head and felt bad. Then they came back and oh my, I just couldn’t help myself, I did it again. This time Mom grabbed me by my beard (I hate it when she does that) and really scolded me. She said that lady was terrified of dogs and, after nine months, was just starting to warm up to me, and I go and act like that!
I’m sorry Mommy.
Next, decorating: Mom finally forgave me and let me help her decorate for Easter:
I can’t wait for there to be food on these plates! Can you see me sitting patiently at the head of the table?Dance, anyone?
Now, selling: Dad gave Mom a whole bunch of old videos to sell. They mostly teach how to ballroom dance, but some teach how to do yoga, how to swim, and even how to do Irish dance! It took Mom a couple of weeks to list all these on ebay and Craig’s List, while I lay around staring pitifully at her. She’s finally done and starting to ship out the ones that have already sold.
You didn’t put ME up for sale, did you, Mom?
I am Lexi, the groomed, hard working, not-really-a-bad-dog, decorating schnauzer for sale. What?! Oh, only if you can get $10 zillion for me, Mom? Well, maybe I am safe, just maybe.
We went to work to the Church on the Mountain this morning. First things first:
Finding just the right spot.Waiting at the back door.
In case you were wondering what is on my left foot in the first picture, here’s more of a close up. Oh, just a reminder, you can always click on a picture to make it bigger Mom is now making me wear a baby sock on the foot that had surgery so that I can’t lick it.
I hurried down the hallway to see my Auntie Carrie. Since she brings me both yummy treats and my very own special lunch, I have made her my official Auntie. She packs me a lunch with chicken, broccoli, carrots, and other yummy stuff that even Mom approves.
Outside Auntie Cary’s office
I always forget Auntie Carrie doesn’t work on Fridays. I resisted entering Mom and my office – which is in the next door – until I was positive Mom wouldn’t open Auntie Carrie’s door to give me one of the treats Carrie keeps for me. Mom, I can show you where they are!
Outside Mom’s office
I finally gave in when Mom filled my water bowl with my special water.
I decided to rest my eyes, but soon left work for dream land.
I got too comfy.
I tried to stay awake after that, but it was hard with the heater on in the office and no little munchkins running through the hallway today. The day care center is just past our office but is not open on Fridays.
While I was asleep, my Auntie Jen sent this to Mommy.
Nothing much going on around here. Last Wednesday I had my acupuncture because my hip was starting to hurt again. Then Dad took me up the mountain so I could visit with Mom and have lunch with my friend Carrie. On the way home after work we stopped at another church where Mom and Dad are starting to go on Sundays. Daddy met us at the door and introduced me to Pastor Mark. Pastor Mark welcomed me into his office and told me to feel free to explore while he talked to my folks. After about an hour I knew it was past my suppertime so I started to remind Mom. I had to remind her loudly. She finally got the hint and we all headed home.
Thursday, before going to the children’s hospital, I stopped by work and got my treat from my friend Dave. Then I went on to the hospital, saw my friend Lois who always gives me a treat when I get there, and therapized some kids and nurses and a doctor or two. My friend Beth had a treat for me when I went back to work with Mom.
Friday, I really goofed up. I thought Mom wanted me to go downstairs to get groomed, so I kept running away from her. She finally gave up – and left without me! Later I found out that I had been invited to a birthday party!! I still can’t believe Mom went without me!! Happy birthday Jentry. I hope you had fun without me. I know it would have been better if I had been there. Oh, what, Mom? There was no food, not even cake? Well, I am sure Jentry had plenty of fun without me there.
This morning I got groomed. I knew I was picking up grooming vibes. Tomorrow is my teeth-cleaning-at-the vet day. They will do blood work first to make sure it is ok to help me go to sleep while they clean my teeth really good. The teeth cleaning has been scheduled for a while. Now I also have to have my paw checked. I have had a tiny pink lump on my front left paw for a long time. Mom caught me licking that paw last night and of course she had to stick her nose in and see why I was licking. This is what she saw:
Exhibit A
You can’t tell real well from this picture, but it is a raised lump. By Mom’s reaction, I sure hope it isn’t anything bad. I sure hope I don’t end up having to wear a cone of shame. I sure hope I don’t lose my paw! Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! POTP for me, please.
Woo hoo! Another award! I love awards. Like my Annie Award for being the best ever dog in a play (or something like that). And I love this award. It is so pretty. Thank you, Puppy Doc and Samantha at Musings of Puppy Doc. You are my newest friends.
Now, according to the rules (below) I have to share 7 facts about myself. Hmm, how can I limit this to only 7… he, he.
I am a svelt 20.5 pounds because I lost 4.5 pounds over the last few months. Mom took away my canned food and topped my kibble with veggies!
My most favorite thing in the whole world is acting on stage. I even got a special blue lucite award with my name on it (the Annie Award I mentioned above) for “Director’s Choice.” I could be on stage every night and never get tired of it.
My second most favorite thing in the whole world is therapizing kids at the kid’s hospital. I only get to go once a month because there are so many dogs who like to do this, but I am the only smaller dog. I sit in the bed with the little ones, and grin the whole time I am there.
Of course, my very, very most favorite thing in the whole world is treats. I get treats while I act and before I therapize. I get a go to the mailbox treat when I am home with Dad and a night night treat. My BFF Carrie brings me treats to work at St. Timothy’s and my new BFF Dave brings me a treat to work at St. Luke. And now my newest friend Beth brings me a treat on Thursdays to St Luke.
I hate being groomed and I hate getting baths. Mom says I creep when I am on the groom table, and I should know better after 12 years of getting groomed every month. I still think I could creep right off that table one of these times.
Even more than being groomed, I hate wearing clothes. I mean, I hate, hate, hate, hate, hate wearing clothes of any kind. When I was younger I would stand like a statue if Mom put clothes on me. She could pick me up and set me down somewhere else and my body would remain rigid like it was made of plaster. Now, I run around in spurts like a crazy dog. Run, freeze, run, freeze.
I am not a cuddler or a huggie girl. I like my space. If I want pet I will let you know. I will continue to let you know until I feel you have pet me enough. Then you need to leave me alone. Don’t hug me. I let the sick kids at the hospital hug me, and my Auntie Jen, but that’s it. Don’t cuddle me. I will run away from you.
Yes, I can count, but I have one more thing to tell you. Here it is: I am smart. Don’t try to pull anything over on me, ’cause it most likely won’t work. And if it does work, and I figure it out, I will pee in your bed, on your side of the bed. And you won’t know it until you are so tired you can barely stand up and you start to slide into bed and suddenly realize it is cold and wet and smells bad. Bwahaha!
Here are my nominees: (Noodle, dear, you have already been nominated, or you would have been first on my list, sweetie pie.)
1-Thank the person who nominated you and link their blog in the post. 2-Copy the rules and add the blog award badge as an image 3-Share 7 facts about yourself to your fellow bloggers. 4-Then nominate 15 people (I of course didn’t do this many ).
Mom got me a new dog bed as a belated Christmas present. Sheesh. Doesn’t she know all I want is treats. On the bright side, I did help pick it out at the pet store. After trying most of the beds there about 4 or 5 beds, I smiled when I sat down in this one. It’s a Martha Stewart original, with a reversible bottom cushion. I didn’t understand at first why she put it on the floor at the bottom of our bed. I wouldn’t go near it. Why would I sleep there when I have a queen size bed with lots of blankets?
Still not too happy about this.
This morning Mom said my bed at the Methodist Church – where we work two days a week – is too big and in the way, so this will be my new work bed. When she brought it into our office this morning I still wasn’t sold on the idea. I tried it but soon went and laid down in the spot nearer to Mom that I like best. Mom finally had the light bulb moment and moved the bed along the other wall, which was near to her, as well as more out of the way – of the door to the mini-fridge, that is!
This might be better.
I thought I had better try it out a little longer.
My first day back to work – Thursday – was a busy one. Dave remembered my treat, so the day definitely started off good. We were getting a new phone system and I had to supervise that. My minions the church volunteers gathered in the front office in the afternoon to be trained on the new phones. I paid close attention in case no one is around and I have to take a call.
I had been sitting while being trained on phones, but decided I could learn as much in a more comfortable position.
Today was a better day. I went to work with Mom to the Methodist Church. Some people I had never met came in and I didn’t growl, not even once! It is after Christmas and I am still trying to be a good dog. When I need to go outside there, Mommy insists on putting a leash on me. There are lots of neighborhood posts about coyote sightings. Mom said it’s one thing rescuing me from another dog, but it would be quite another trying to snatch me out of the jaws of a wild coyote. Although I agree, sometimes my nose leads me toward the trees, hence, the leash.
I also went to the children’s hospital today. One teenage girl was a good petter, plus she seemed to really want or need me there on the bed with her. I kept snuggling in closer, and when Mom said it was time to go I pulled back and tried to make myself really heavy so she couldn’t move me. Miss Lois, the hospital worker, was as surprised as Mom, knowing I had never done that before. That made the nice girl smile, so I sat with her a little longer before I told Mom we could move on to the next child.
This was our last day of work for this entire year. I was so excited all day, knowing Bogie, the parti colored cocker, was going home tonight. Can anyone say Hallelujah? In line with my resolution to be good, I let him sniff me all over. He started sniffing in – yes, in – one ear, worked his way around my face, shoving his nose in my beard, and finished in the other ear. At one point he even tried to stick his nose in my mouth, but I kept it firmly closed. He left a little while ago, after Mom cleaned up more pee and poop. Mom promised he won’t be back to stay, just to be groomed.
Finally, I am an only dog again. Hmm, I wonder what Riley is doing tonight…
Why, Mom, why? Just because I growled a little bit at some people at work on Tuesday…I didn’t think you meant it when you said Gracie would come Thursday if I did that!
I laughed this morning when Mom tossed Gracy into the tub before work and gave her a good bath. I was so lost in the moment that I didn’t stop to think what that might mean. Yep, she went to work with us. I was not at all happy about that. She rode in my car, she ate my food, she drank my special water and she got all the attention that should have been mine. I growled every time someone pet her instead of me. Mom says I am my own worst enemy. I don’t know what that means. The pastor’s 8 year old daughter was there today and she played with Gracie and took her outside and took her in the pastor’s office to watch a show together. Then she thought she could be all nicey-nice with me after that huge betrayal. I wasn’t having any of it. Dad stopped by and Gracie thought she could have all his attention too. I was so upset that I managed to get out the door and took off. Mom had Gracie on a leash and was holding the door open for Dad to move some big stuff into the church, so she couldn’t exactly chase after me. She took Gracie to her office, hollered for Dad, and by the time they got outside to look for me I had decided to return, since it was drizzling rain. Mom was so mad she swatted me with the leash as I tore up the stairs. It hurt my feelings more than anything, and I knew I was in deep trouble now. Mom had a lot of work to get done, which meant that I only got a short lecture this time.
By the time we got in the car to head home Mom was in a better mood, the sun was shining and I didn’t even care if I had to share the front seat with Gracie. I’ve been thinking, and I realize that I have to change my attitude to keep my job as the church dog. I think it will be a better night. I hope it’s just me and Mom going to work tomorrow.
Love and kisses to all. May the Lord be with you. (I am practicing.)
If you are squeamish about b-l-o-o-d, then skip the parts I tell you to skip. Remember, I warned you.
I have been getting treated for my left hip having dysplasia. B12 shots, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, all good. I was starting to feel much better and not even limping, then I started limping on my right foot and licking it incessantly. Mom couldn’t see anything wrong with it, but we both knew it hurt or I wouldn’t be licking it. Finally, she saw that my middle toenail was jutting out at an odd angle. She trimmed it back a little so it wasn’t hitting the floor when I walked and that helped, but not enough. Alert, skip the next paragraph if you are faint of heart (FoH).
This morning started out with me tracking blood all over the kitchen floor. Other places too, but no one noticed until I hit the white tile floor.
You FoH people can start reading again.
Mom put a cheap, disposable plastic glove over my foot, then tied a cheap green bandana – that I refused to wear around my neck – around the glove. She called the new vet and we got the first appointment of the day. I was in the car about 3 seconds before I had that horrible glove-bandana contraption off and was back to licking it. Pretty soon not only my breath but the whole car smelled like blood. Oops, sorry, forgot to give the warning.
We got the the vet’s office and a different doctor, Dr. Smith, saw me. Let me add here that when Mom saw the vet tech walk in the room with the glass stick, Mom said, “No, I don’t think Lexi will need her temperature taken today. Let’s try to keep this a good place for her to come.” Yay, Mommy! While we waited for the vet to come in, Mom explained to me that he might have to do something that would hurt a lot, but it would be quick and my foot wouldn’t hurt any more after that.
This next part might be a bit much for you FoH folks. Just sayin’, proceed at your own risk. Hey, there’s a nice picture at the bottom!
The doc examined my nail and told Mom it was only hanging on by a thread, or the quick, or something like that, and he would have to pull it off. Mom said he could get her from the waiting room when he was done and she deserted me. I knew she was waiting to hear my scream, so I just gritted my teeth and didn’t make a sound. I waited for my revenge, which came as soon as the vet let go of my foot. I shook it as hard as I could and blood sprayed all over the entire room. Ha, ha, ha. That’ll teach them. They had to clean everything before they could go get Mom and tell her I was ready to go.
OK, you FoH folks. You can finish reading now.
I went to work with my foot all bandaged up. They even put a little no-slip pad on the bottom to keep me from, well, from slipping. Tonight Mom had to take it off to check it and re-wrap it. She didn’t do as good of a job, but I guess that’s cause they are professionals. She even lost the tape sometime between removing the old wrap, spraying cold water on my poor foot to remove the dried b-l-o-o-d, towel drying it, and wrapping it again. Now I have a layer of gauze, a layer of vet wrap, and a layer of white duck tape. Sheesh.
I'm Dalton, a Rat terrier mix and I came here in Sept, 2017, I was rescued from Hurricane Harvey. My birthday is 8-20-2016. My Gotcha Day is 8-27-2017. And I am Benji, a terrier mix of unknown origin. MY Birthday is June 6, 2018, and my Gotcha Day is Dec 28, 2018. I also was a rescue from a different part of Texas. We also have Angel MrJackFreckles, (2-5-2018); and also we have Angel Minko, (6-18-2017); and Angel Pipo, (11-3-2020);There are also Angels Groucho, Simba, Suki, & Toki. We meezers used to be known as WeBeesSiameezers. We'e all from Michigan, Dalton and Benji both came here from Texas, as rescues..
Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess with Lucy and Chia 