Tuesday, June 29, 2004
We're a little worried about our cousin, Annie, the cat. (Actually she's probably technically our aunt.) She just found out her kidneys aren't too good - her BUN and creatanine levels are up. Cori can sympathize - it doesn't feel good when extra waste products are clogging your bloodstream. Nausea, vomiting, fatigue - kidney disease is crummy.
But for now, Annie has gone onto a kidney diet and seems to be feeling a little better. Hang in there, Annie!
But for now, Annie has gone onto a kidney diet and seems to be feeling a little better. Hang in there, Annie!
Monday, June 28, 2004
Everyone's feeling much better here. No late night diarrhea interludes; no neverending vomit sessions. Things are looking up!
Plus we got to go swimming and sunbathing yesterday, always a great joy...
Luci had a giant, engorged tick on her though - yuck. It came off in a cloud of fur and blood. What a buggy year. Then, magically, most bugs were gone yesterday. That's a turn for the better.
Plus we got to go swimming and sunbathing yesterday, always a great joy...
Luci had a giant, engorged tick on her though - yuck. It came off in a cloud of fur and blood. What a buggy year. Then, magically, most bugs were gone yesterday. That's a turn for the better.
Friday, June 25, 2004
Luci blogging: Cori's feeling much better today. No vomiting after 4pm yesterday. She wasn't hungry last night, but kept a Pepcid and some water down in the evening. Had a great night's sleep and is hungry and eating and drinking well today.
We all have Tess to thank for keeping us up half the night though. She had to go out every hour from 2-7am to have diarrhea and apparently had some inside as well that Cathy was fortunate enough to step in in the dark. Naturally all the lights came blazing on and there was lots of water running and scrubbing noise. The whole thing really interrupted my beauty sleep. I'm glad she cleaned it up though because it certainly didn't smell pleasant.
We all have Tess to thank for keeping us up half the night though. She had to go out every hour from 2-7am to have diarrhea and apparently had some inside as well that Cathy was fortunate enough to step in in the dark. Naturally all the lights came blazing on and there was lots of water running and scrubbing noise. The whole thing really interrupted my beauty sleep. I'm glad she cleaned it up though because it certainly didn't smell pleasant.
Thursday, June 24, 2004
Cori's still not feeling well. It's a tough day. She's not keeping any food down and water is difficult too. She's not interested in grass now. No food appeals. Hopefully when her stomach rests for a while, she'll feel differently.
Cori's having a rough day with her stomach. Despite her early am Pepcid, she has had several biley vomit sessions and a desperate desire to eat grass. She's not too comfortable today. Hopefully she'll keep some food down later...
Monday, June 21, 2004
Sorry for the delay - our busy summer calendar has kept us racing around.
And now the moment you've all been waiting for - we reveal the Diggy Box:
This was once called the "herb garden"...
Then it was the "flower garden"...
We proudly present our "Diggy Box"!
A sad, little toy stored for later.
And now the moment you've all been waiting for - we reveal the Diggy Box:
This was once called the "herb garden"...
Then it was the "flower garden"...
We proudly present our "Diggy Box"!
A sad, little toy stored for later.Thursday, June 17, 2004
We have been dreadfully busy the last couple days. First we had to rest from our delightful trip on Tuesday. Then today we went BACK to camp and spent another glorious day, wading, watching fisherpeople, greeting neighbors, guarding the couch - a very demanding day.
But, the piece de resistance and crowning glory of our last couple days is something we call our "diggy box". We'll leave that to your active imaginations (write a comment if you THINK you know what it is). All will be revealed tomorrow in our Diggy Box Photo Essay.
Happy Summer!
But, the piece de resistance and crowning glory of our last couple days is something we call our "diggy box". We'll leave that to your active imaginations (write a comment if you THINK you know what it is). All will be revealed tomorrow in our Diggy Box Photo Essay.
Happy Summer!
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
We had the best day!
It was gorgeous out - sunny, warm, a nice breeze. We thought it was going to be boring, as most weekdays are. But then suddenly the collars went on, the keys jingled and we heard the magic word "ride". Such excitement we have never felt. Our tails wagged. Our ears perked. We raced out the door and waited impatiently for the gate to open. We bounded into the van.
It was a ride to our cottage and then an afternoon of sheer bliss. We took a walk. Cori went wading four times. Luci went wading once. Luci and Tess nibbled the delectable grass morsels. Cori was allowed one little taste. Tess sauntered out on the dock. We all shared a ham and cheese sandwich. We lapped lake water. We snoozed on the couch and on our beds. We heard birds. We watched ants. We soaked it all in.
Then another ride home. We're exhausted. Time for bed.
It was gorgeous out - sunny, warm, a nice breeze. We thought it was going to be boring, as most weekdays are. But then suddenly the collars went on, the keys jingled and we heard the magic word "ride". Such excitement we have never felt. Our tails wagged. Our ears perked. We raced out the door and waited impatiently for the gate to open. We bounded into the van.
It was a ride to our cottage and then an afternoon of sheer bliss. We took a walk. Cori went wading four times. Luci went wading once. Luci and Tess nibbled the delectable grass morsels. Cori was allowed one little taste. Tess sauntered out on the dock. We all shared a ham and cheese sandwich. We lapped lake water. We snoozed on the couch and on our beds. We heard birds. We watched ants. We soaked it all in.
Then another ride home. We're exhausted. Time for bed.
Saturday, June 12, 2004
Do they really think THIS is news? Rico the Dog Prodigy
Frankly, we're surprised Rico isn't a greyhound. (Thanks to Grandma Jan for the link.)
Frankly, we're surprised Rico isn't a greyhound. (Thanks to Grandma Jan for the link.)
Luci's Current Favorite Toy
Friday, June 11, 2004
A few slow days in a row. We've been doing a LOT of relaxing.
But now the temp is back down. The breeze is cool. A good day for fun. We took a lovely walk on the blueberry hill this morning. No, the blueberries aren't out yet, but soon. We stomped around in the bushes and did our best to fertilize them well. We even avoided all the field ticks, not an easy task.
The grass on our lawn is growing well. We don't think it's the rain. Again, it's our powerful and effective fertilizing system.
Cori had an extra-special event this morning, a ride to Petscripts to pick up her minocycline prescription. The weather was just perfect for tooling along in a cool, yet sun-filled car.
Cori likes to sit between the driver and passenger seat and peek just over the dashboard to watch the road. She likes that sensation of moving fast, low to the ground. Reminds her of her racing and lure coursing days. She did so LOVE to run. Sigh.
The ubiquitous road construction was a bit hard to take though. Cori indicated her displeasure (aka nausea) by drooling during the couple episodes of unpaved, poorly graded construction surface en route (luckily no vomit sessions). She appreciated the alternate route, sans construction, on the way home.
But now the temp is back down. The breeze is cool. A good day for fun. We took a lovely walk on the blueberry hill this morning. No, the blueberries aren't out yet, but soon. We stomped around in the bushes and did our best to fertilize them well. We even avoided all the field ticks, not an easy task.
The grass on our lawn is growing well. We don't think it's the rain. Again, it's our powerful and effective fertilizing system.
Cori had an extra-special event this morning, a ride to Petscripts to pick up her minocycline prescription. The weather was just perfect for tooling along in a cool, yet sun-filled car.
Cori likes to sit between the driver and passenger seat and peek just over the dashboard to watch the road. She likes that sensation of moving fast, low to the ground. Reminds her of her racing and lure coursing days. She did so LOVE to run. Sigh.
The ubiquitous road construction was a bit hard to take though. Cori indicated her displeasure (aka nausea) by drooling during the couple episodes of unpaved, poorly graded construction surface en route (luckily no vomit sessions). She appreciated the alternate route, sans construction, on the way home.
Wednesday, June 09, 2004
Hot and humid. Thunderstorms. Oh no...
Monday, June 07, 2004
You've read about him for months and now finally some views of our favorite non-greyhound, our new young cousin, Little Man. As you may know LM lives with Uncle Greg and Auntie Bub. He is a bundle of energy and quite the whippersnapper. He needs to learn some MANNERS, but we think he's ok and Luci thinks he's pretty wonderful.
Some training needed here...
Obviously LM should be on the couch
Little Man - ready for action
Is that B&J's World Class vanilla?
His nose isn't quite long enough and he's a shorty, but he has the Luci "bat ears". All in all, we think he shows great promise and we'll keep you informed about his progress.
LM, we're VERY PROUD that you are an obedience school graduate (although we suggest that you skip the whole concept of "sitting" - that's for humans, not us). To continue on your self-improvement path Luci recommends a consultation with Emily Post and that you spend some time studying Doggy Etiquette...
Some training needed here...
Obviously LM should be on the couch
Little Man - ready for action
Is that B&J's World Class vanilla?
His nose isn't quite long enough and he's a shorty, but he has the Luci "bat ears". All in all, we think he shows great promise and we'll keep you informed about his progress.
LM, we're VERY PROUD that you are an obedience school graduate (although we suggest that you skip the whole concept of "sitting" - that's for humans, not us). To continue on your self-improvement path Luci recommends a consultation with Emily Post and that you spend some time studying Doggy Etiquette...
Saturday, June 05, 2004
Ode on A Rawhide Bone
By Cori
O' glorious Bone
What tender morsel pulls from thy unyielding shape
once hard as stone, through much licking made soft
And pliable as a mortal soul
Grown tender through the passage of time
What mad pursuit? What wild ecstasy?
Chew'd rawhides are tasty but those unchew'd
Are better, More endear'd
In Sweet Anticipation
The tongue doth loll
The teeth do gnash
Hide Stripp'd away - yet do not grieve;
It doesn't fade to naught, small clumps remain
Ah, happy, happy log
wrapp'd tightly to preserve the tender core
Now almost gone, I bid this one adieu
For ever warm and still to be enjoy'd,
The bone now gone and I remain For ever panting
A parch'd tongue which desperately seeks the drop
Water oh so cool and perfect-moist
Soothe the thirst and ready one for more
The rawhide is truth, truth the bone - that is all we need to know.
By Cori
O' glorious Bone
What tender morsel pulls from thy unyielding shape
once hard as stone, through much licking made soft
And pliable as a mortal soul
Grown tender through the passage of time
What mad pursuit? What wild ecstasy?
Chew'd rawhides are tasty but those unchew'd
Are better, More endear'd
In Sweet Anticipation
The tongue doth loll
The teeth do gnash
Hide Stripp'd away - yet do not grieve;
It doesn't fade to naught, small clumps remain
Ah, happy, happy log
wrapp'd tightly to preserve the tender core
Now almost gone, I bid this one adieu
For ever warm and still to be enjoy'd,
The bone now gone and I remain For ever panting
A parch'd tongue which desperately seeks the drop
Water oh so cool and perfect-moist
Soothe the thirst and ready one for more
The rawhide is truth, truth the bone - that is all we need to know.
We celebrate two birthdays this month. Cori turns 12. Tess turns 10. We're spring chickens, really. We certainly don't feel our age. Never mind the whole thing about "dog years". Yikes - that's just too scary.
Wonder what we'll be getting for birthday gifts this year? Gee in the past we've gotten - well - exactly nothing. Why would this year be any different?
No one is sure when Luci's birthday is - since the tattoos in her ears are blurred, she's lost her birth certificate. We think it's around the beginning of the year - January or February. She is now 10.
So, Happy Birthday to Us!! If you happen to be inclined (hint hint), please feel free to send our gifts via UPS (we LOVE to greet the UPS person) or, better yet, deliver them yourself. If you're feeling noble, a nice donation to Maine Greyhound Placement Service would be a good gift. Otherwise, just send us treats. LOTS of treats.
Wonder what we'll be getting for birthday gifts this year? Gee in the past we've gotten - well - exactly nothing. Why would this year be any different?
No one is sure when Luci's birthday is - since the tattoos in her ears are blurred, she's lost her birth certificate. We think it's around the beginning of the year - January or February. She is now 10.
So, Happy Birthday to Us!! If you happen to be inclined (hint hint), please feel free to send our gifts via UPS (we LOVE to greet the UPS person) or, better yet, deliver them yourself. If you're feeling noble, a nice donation to Maine Greyhound Placement Service would be a good gift. Otherwise, just send us treats. LOTS of treats.
Friday, June 04, 2004
(Cori blogging...)
whine...whine...whine
I want to do something fun. The sun is shining. Take us somewhere... a ride... a walk... time for fun
whine...whine...whine
I want to do something fun. The sun is shining. Take us somewhere... a ride... a walk... time for fun
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
What do you canines out there get for kibble toppings?
When we were young, we got nothing. Plain old, high quality kibble in a bowl. Supposedly it was good for us for so many reasons - our teeth, our stomachs, what-have-you. But as the years went by, some other foods slowly crept into the mix. Mostly it was little additions - some grated parmesan on our dry kibble, the occasional scrambled egg, a little shredded cheese, a tiny morsel of hamburger. Occasionally a little bit of vanilla ice cream (once a summer or so).
But then a very fortuitous thing happened from an appetite standpoint - Cori got bone cancer (we're not happy about it, but you have to take the bad with the good). No longer was she limited to plain old kibble. In fact, her cancer diet involved reducing carbs (which feed the cancer) and raising protein (hmmm... sounds like doggy-Atkins). Suddenly low fat proteins supplemented her (and therefore ALL of our) kibble every night - delicacies like chicken breast poached in a flavorful broth, pork tenderloin, cottage cheese and ground turkey. Yumm! Our palates were awakened.
And once you start, you can NEVER go back (kind of like dogs on the furniture and the big beddy, but that's another story).
The toppings have continued for the four years since Cori's diagnosis and treatment. This past winter when Cori's kidneys started to show wear, our diets changed again a bit (hers especially), but the toppings continued. And tonight we had one of our all-time favorites - some diced rotisserie turkey and a nice turkey broth* on our current favorite kibble - Nutro's Natural Choice Lamb & Rice (our all-time favorite for taste and for shiny, soft coats).
*note from Cathy: regarding the kidney diet, unfortunately, Cori completely refuses vegetables - she does not believe they have any food value whatsoever and will pick around them delicately to get to kibble and other toppings. She also does not like rice and has grown weary of many filler carbs. Vegetables must be completely disguised in other things, like nice broths with pureed veggies, gravies, etc. This impedes our delivering an optimum kidney diet, but we do make an effort. And her kidneys are holding their own for now.
When we were young, we got nothing. Plain old, high quality kibble in a bowl. Supposedly it was good for us for so many reasons - our teeth, our stomachs, what-have-you. But as the years went by, some other foods slowly crept into the mix. Mostly it was little additions - some grated parmesan on our dry kibble, the occasional scrambled egg, a little shredded cheese, a tiny morsel of hamburger. Occasionally a little bit of vanilla ice cream (once a summer or so).
But then a very fortuitous thing happened from an appetite standpoint - Cori got bone cancer (we're not happy about it, but you have to take the bad with the good). No longer was she limited to plain old kibble. In fact, her cancer diet involved reducing carbs (which feed the cancer) and raising protein (hmmm... sounds like doggy-Atkins). Suddenly low fat proteins supplemented her (and therefore ALL of our) kibble every night - delicacies like chicken breast poached in a flavorful broth, pork tenderloin, cottage cheese and ground turkey. Yumm! Our palates were awakened.
And once you start, you can NEVER go back (kind of like dogs on the furniture and the big beddy, but that's another story).
The toppings have continued for the four years since Cori's diagnosis and treatment. This past winter when Cori's kidneys started to show wear, our diets changed again a bit (hers especially), but the toppings continued. And tonight we had one of our all-time favorites - some diced rotisserie turkey and a nice turkey broth* on our current favorite kibble - Nutro's Natural Choice Lamb & Rice (our all-time favorite for taste and for shiny, soft coats).
*note from Cathy: regarding the kidney diet, unfortunately, Cori completely refuses vegetables - she does not believe they have any food value whatsoever and will pick around them delicately to get to kibble and other toppings. She also does not like rice and has grown weary of many filler carbs. Vegetables must be completely disguised in other things, like nice broths with pureed veggies, gravies, etc. This impedes our delivering an optimum kidney diet, but we do make an effort. And her kidneys are holding their own for now.
