The Longtime Lowdown

Hello Diary Dogsters! It's been so long, Mama and I have been SO busy! We have a houseful of foster pups as guests. They recognize my greatness, so I am OK with that, and I help the Mama keep things in order and teach them all how to be good doggies. Of course, the best part is we eventually send them home! Happy days those ones are. I got a new brother out of the whole thing, a beagle like me and Angie, named Brutus. He doesn't bother me, so we're cool.

I have GREAT news. Since Mama took us 'back to nature' by feeding us a raw diet, I don't get the seizures anymore!!!!!!! Which makes me and Mama soooo happy. I still take my pills, but I love my food more than ever and it has made such a difference in our happy, and now happier, lives!

Mama got us GPSs for when me, my sis Angie and bro Brutus hike, so she will know where I am and I can run the trails freely without her worrying. She loves it and so do we! We're son to be taking Brutus on his first backpacking trip!

As far as I go, I've pulled a few capers, like last week when I ate all the fosters' food when Not The Mama left it within my reach, or the time I ate a loaf of brand new bread while Mama went out to get the mail. All in all, Mama still tells me I am her best girl. I don't like sharing her with the fosters, but as long as they all show me the proper respect as Mama's#1 girl, I can deal with it. No one messes with me. No one steals my bed, and most certainly no one steals MY food!

Mama tells me every night I am her miracle, I am her Joy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!

Turns out Mama lost my list of things I needed to put in my diary, so I will have to reorganize my thoughts soon, but in the meantime, life goes on – things happen. Things like Birthdays! I celebrated my birthday (observed, because I am a foundling) on Feb 14, I am 8 now! Wow, how time flies, can’t believe I’ve had the Mama for 6 ½ years! We had a very special day with a long walk in the woods, my most favorite thing, plus birthday treats and extra lovins! We were on the edge of the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, so the Birthday Walk was extra fun -lots of smells, water to wade in, and lots of room to run. We played hide-n-seek in the woods and had a great time! Thanks Dogster for the birthday bones, yum! Happy birthday to all the other Valentine pups, Mama told me there are 774 of us, wow! My next occasion will be in August, when we celebrate the day Mama scooped me up off the highway, and it’s been true love ever since. She had me at hello.

Eight is great!

Peace out - Joy

The Spunkiness that is ME

I feel GREAT! - much better since Dr. O gave me antibiotics. Playing is such FUN I almost forgot! I've been attacking Mama and Not the Mama for play-fights and causing a bit of a stir around here. They have to be on their toes or they might get a little nip if I can catch them!

I have been taking Mama on regular runs and I am up to my ears with energy! I even picked play-fights with Ear Biter and Rusty when we all got to visit home for a couple days. I was a total instigator, and Mama was so proud! I am a force to be reckoned with, make no mistake. I can take my cousin Rusty down like it’s nothing, even though he is bigger. (No he does NOT take a dive for me ~ nasty rumors!) I gave it to Rubie pretty good too; I chased her all over the yard and got even for some of the ear biting I endured last time when I didn’t feel up to defending myself. Oh, Sweet Revenge.

We got a new rolly-home too, a brand new truck, and my bed is bigger than before! While Not the Mama was switching my stuff from the old rolly-home to the new one Mama and I were in a hotel with this thing they call Room Service, and let me tell you pups, it rocks! They brought food right to you! They brought food and gave it to us, but Mama had such a bad headache she couldn’t share, so I did the honors. It was some vegetarian thing that Mama always has, but it was kinda cheesy too so I went for it while she had the lights out and her head under the pillows. She didn’t even notice until the next day. I try to understand why Mama would only eat veggies, because Daddy’s food is always more exciting.

Anyway, I also got lots of running time while we were in Missouri. There’s a lake I like there with great smells all around and geese to watch. I get to run free and Mama and I walk for hours. We see dogs that I can tease but they can’t get to me, and horses to check out, and sometimes if I’m really lucky, there will be a bunny or 2 hiding out in the grass! It was a blast and I got good and tired. Mama tells me she’s so glad I’m feeling myself again. Of course I am feeling myself. Who else could I feel like?

Princess Joy

Dr. O and The Great Saucer Experiment

Well, as usual I have been receiving queries from my most devoted reader (love you Aunt Carol!) as to when I would work on my diary again, so here I go. There have been lots of stories piling up so Mama helped me organize my thoughts and make a list, and this is the first installment of those.

We were having some trouble getting home in time for Christmas and Mama and Not the Mama were nervous that I might miss my vet appointment, so when we went through Pittsburgh Not the Mama dropped us off to stay at Aunt Carol’s and Uncle Dave’s a few days early. I was very glad to see my family, but I didn’t do too much playing with Rus or Ru (who is back to ear biting with a vengeance unknown in the days prior to her illness and subsequent recovery) because I wasn’t feeling so great at the time. I took more than my share of naps and was just the tiniest bit cranky with the young’uns.

Mama said I was weirding out a little. My excitement for food was over the top. I would do the Cookie Dance at the drop of a crumb, and I was very frantic for snacks and meals -much more than normal, complete with desperate crying and whining and yelping. I was drinking way more than normal too. Worst of all, I freely admit that I got into some mischief at the house, eating some things I shouldn’t eat and doing things on the carpet that I shouldn’t do (sorry Aunt Carol, I didn’t mean to!), so Mama was very glad to get me to the vet.

Dr. O’Leary is an old friend of mine - we go way back. Mama likes him a lot too. He is so very nice to me but I still get nervous going into that exam room. I like the waiting room a lot though - it’s like Social Hour. I got my yearly shots –YUK- and made Mama proud cuz I was such a trooper. I had a blood test done – more needles! – which was all good. Mama asked about my eyes. Both of them had been gooping up so Mama did not believe the doctor in Alabama that it was an irritation from dust or something in my one eye. Dr. O looked at my eyes and said the third eyelid was still a little swollen but should go down in a month or so. He thinks it was more of an allergic reaction to something than an irritation from something external. I had an x-ray to check my organs and lungs for spots or problems. Dr. O said I looked perfect and Mama could stop worrying about anything disastrous being wrong, and we all know she worries (a lot). Dr. O and I know this better than most. Mama was very happy to hear that news, and she crossed ‘disastrous, rare diseases that first present themselves in the eyes’ off her worry list. …that’s one down!

Halfway through out visit, who should come to see me but Not the Mama! He made it in time for me AND in time for Christmas! That was a great surprise! Then they all had a long talk about how things were going at Aunt Carol’s house and Dr. O said I most likely had a urinary tract infection so he sent us home with MORE pills for me to take.

He told Mama to bring in a urine sample in a week to test me. She said that would be a new experience for her (uh, me too!). Dr. O just laughed and said the best way to do it is to slide a saucer under me in the yard, and a week later, there was Mama following me around the yard with her saucer. I made her work for it. We did a couple laps of the yard before I found my spot. Aunt Carol got a kick out of watching me lead Mama around!

When we went in with my sample they said it looked good and I was cured. Dr. O had done it again – Hurray!! No more extra pills!!!

Once I started to feel better, my house-behavior was much improved…well, there was the day of The Great Pizza Party and The Family Meeting – which is also known as The Day I Could Eat No More - but that story will have to wait for another day. I’m sleepy…and a little hungry too, thinking back on the pizza…yummm!


Until next time my homies!
JJ

The Goop Scoop and Return of The Ru!

Ok, so today I went to visit a vet in Montgomery, AL, and I have mixed feelings about the ordeal.

I liked it for 4 reasons:
1. They fussed over me - I heard 'SO PRETTY’ and ‘SUCH A GOOD GIRL’ repeatedly
2. I got a cookie when it was over
3. My eye feels better
4. I got a cookie when it was over

I didn’t like it because:
1. Poking and prodding ensued
2. I had to get a shot
3. They were putting things in my eye
4. I had to get a shot

The vet washed out my eye and put some yellow stain in it. He said this would turn green over any areas of ulceration. There was no green, so that was good. Then my nose on the same side of my face turned yellow, and the vet said that meant my tear ducks are working, so that was good. What is a tear duck? Oh, Mama says it was a tear duct, but that makes even less sense, but whatever. Back to ME! My third eyelid was inflamed and swollen. Mama was worried about blastomycosis since we travel all over the place and I am always in Super Tracker Mode with my nose to the dirt. The vet said that wasn’t the case, but this worried Mama because she thought he brushed that off way too easily. He told Mama there was an irritation to dust or something like that in my eye and that it wasn’t a big deal. I had to get a shot of Depo-Medrol steroids and some ointment in my eye. I have to let Mama wash out my eye and put the good goop in 4 times a day. Apparently the good goop gets rid of the bad goop. The vet said I should be improved by tomorrow.

On our way out of the office there was a tiny old lady sitting in the office selling her homemade doggie Christmas cookies (organic of course) $1 a bag…someone up there has been hearing my prayers!!! I usually have to go to where the cookies are after we leave the vet, but this time they came to ME! It was great – Mama bought some cookies and I had my treat while she wrote a check.

When we got back, Mama called my vet to tell him what they had done in Alabama, and he said it sounded right, but if I did not improve to see another doctor. She felt a little better after that, but I know she is going to be watching me like a hawk now. I have to be careful – one little cough or sniffle and I bet we’ll be right back at a vet.

Speaking of LEAVING the vets, guess who else left the vet today? Yup! My Cousin Rubie Sue has been sprung!! We’re really happy for her. The vet said she had a sparkle in her eye he hadn’t seen before today. She isn’t over the invasion of the feminine product just yet, but it’s moving along. Now they’re just waiting her out at home and we’re waiting for the report. Write that down on your list of Odd Reasons for Celebration, pups, it’s a keeper! But here we sit, waiting for the good-news call from Aunt Carol.

I’m glad we have the vets for fixing us up when we need them, but I hold firm to the belief that the leaving is the best part of the going!

Welcome home EarBiter!
X0X0X0

JJ

The Rubie Sue Update…and Why I Am #1 on The List

HURRAY!! We all knew our little girl would do it! We got some good news from Aunt Carol. She talked to the doctor today, who said Rubie is much improved from yesterday. She is not looking at surgery but definitely has a blockage - but the good news is that it moved from the small intestine to the colon so now it is a waiting game – as soon as she passes it, as long as everything is okay and she tolerates water and then food (she is still throwing up), she can go home - MAYBE Friday night, but if not then Saturday morning. I’m sure to Aunt Carol and little Ru this seems like a very long time, but she is in good hands…and if Uncle Dave would stop taking Rusty with him wherever he goes, the time might go a little faster for Aunt Carol!! But hey, I know Uncle Dave is worrying too so I’ll give him a break.

The vet also said that if her parents had not gotten her to the vet she would not have made it. She was very dehydrated, and I heard Mama say Rubie has a ‘fluid sac’ under her skin from being in the hospital. It’s something that the vets are doing for her and I am not really sure about - and it sounds kinda gross - but as long as they are taking care of our Rubie, then okay. (Why don’t I get a Fluid Sac? Am I missing out? Considering it is coming from the vet, I’m probably better off not wondering.) Anyway, he said she is not out of the woods but is very much improved! He does feel that it is, let’s just say "a feminine product", but they really won’t know until it comes out. He said that her attitude is much better also and that she is not whimpering when he pushes on her belly and it is no longer distended.

Aunt Carol sent us a cute picture of Ru today from the vet’s, and she looked a little worn out but pretty good. It was good to see her little face! Ru, we are so glad you are making progress, and you’ll be back home soon – we know it! …never thought I would worry about a lack of ear biting – next time don’t scare me like that!

Lots of love Rubie Sue!


Ok, now on to ME. My eye was all goopy this morning when Mama and I got up. She called the vet’s office and they were pretty worried and said don’t mess around with eyes. They wanted me to come in, but since we’re on the way to Alabama that would have been kinda hard to do. Mama and the vet decided that I will go to a vet in Alabama in the morning and for now Mama would wash my eye with water or eye wash. My eye is still goopy. Mama has been washing it out, which I don’t like so much but I stand still very well for her anyway. I don’t know why she does some things, but I figure there must be a good reason, so I go along. The water does make it feel better, but then I get gooped up again. In the morning my eye is the first thing on The List. (I have never seen The List but it is talked about quite a bit so I know what it means.) Mama says I will be fine, so I will. I just hope this won’t involve more pills. I am up to my ears with the pills! I know one thing – a trip to the vet means cookies for me once we’re done, so bring it on!!! I’ll let you know what it is and how it goes.

Wish me good luck and many cookies!
JJ

Well Wishes for My Cousin Rubie Sue

Aunt Carol called last night to say Rubie was on her way to the vet after being very sick that day. She couldn’t even drink water without throwing up. She had to stay overnight and we’re waiting on a report. So far the word is there is distension in her small intestine, which could be either a blockage or a virus. They are going to do a barium test today and then we will know more. Right now, she is resting and getting IV fluids, poor baby! We’re all worried sick here!

Rubie, all ear biting aside, you’re my cousin and I love you, so get better fast so you’ll be ready to play when I get home! We wish we could be there to help!

XOXOXO

JJ

Thanksgiving at Home

Well, we got some quality time in the ‘burgh for Thanksgiving, starting with the Best Thanksgiving Dinner Ever, mostly cuz I got to help clean up. While everyone was busy loading the dishwasher, washing pots, and starting to pack up, I was responsible for keeping the leftovers to a minimum in the dining room. So I relieved the family of the burden of having to pack up any turkey. I thoughtfully … let’s just say “took care of it” while no one was looking. Awesome!

Mama, me, and sometimes Not The Mama went on daily hikes, at North Park AND a new park, and found bunches of new trails! It was great, even though my cousins Rusty and Rubie Sue came along too, which I guess was all right. My leash kept getting tangled with theirs though, and they were seriously slowing me down. I felt the need to pull extra hard on my leash the whole time in an effort to put some distance between the novices and myself. Then, Mama and I would have A Talk, and I would try to be good, but then I would “forget” and start towing the whole gang again. But all things considered it was fun. I just love the woods!

Most of the rest of my time was spent playing with Rusty and Rubie (while trying -in vain-to protect my ears from the onslaught), playing with Rusty, Rubie, and Chunx, napping on My Couch, and getting luvins from Aunt Carol, Uncle Dave and the kids and my Gramma. Not bad. I also spent some time trying to discourage that darn Chunx from trying to snuggle with me at night. Eventually I gave in on that one, you have to pick your battles in life, and sleeping opportunities are NOT to be taken lightly! It's not so bad as long as he stays on top of the covers and I'm under. I can pretend it's not really him.

We got to see our Sara too, and her Jim spent most of the time we were there scratching my ears until my legs gave out. I didn’t get to meet my cousin Jaeger yet. He sure is cute in his pics though.

When we were home, my cousin Murphy had just a foster dad, but soon after we left, he turned into a real forever dad! We're SO SIKED and they are both so lucky to have each other! Right before Christmas too! It’s definitely going to be Happy Holidays for Murphy this year, and it will be her Christmas first too! (Don't give up needy pups - Christmas Miracles DO HAPPEN!)

Since we got back to traveling I’ve been pretty good. I had seizures one night just after we left. I don’t like my schedule being disrupted, maybe that’s it. Anyway, they weren’t too bad, and I was settled down and back to sleep in about 2 hours.

I’m really excited for Christmas! Mama says we’re going home again and the other day I caught her sending a big order to Dog.com. I’m already having dreams of a stocking full of Turkey Jerkey, warm soup bones to gnaw on, and various meaty selections! Hey - I think I will help with the Christmas Dinner clean up too!

could it BE any better?!?

I don't know. It's going to be a hard one to beat. It was one of those shining moments when stars collide, the planets align, and things come together in such a way it sends a shiver down your fur. It's the moment your plan becomes reality and all of your hard work finally pays off. Us Beagles like to call this moment "Catching the Bunny", and it's a totally Zen experience.

It was early on a crisp, cold morning in Detroit. The sun was just beginning to rise (was it a SIGN? ~ you tell me!). Mama and Not The Mama went into a food place to gather scraps for me. Now on normal days, Mama or NTM will secure all the edibles.

...but this was NOT a normal day, oh nooo....

It just so happened I had a plan worked out in the event that the two of them would ever slip up. A plan for an occasion such as this. I put it into motion. I had my time down. I made no unnecessary moves. I was quick, I was efficient, and I was GOOD! It all went down like clockwork!

Step A - I'm in the mood for ... Italian!

First I went to work dislodging the pizza box. I pulled it out from inside the shelf where it was wedged on top of the fridge. I had three pieces of that, MMMM. If there had been more left, I would have eaten more, but that's okay, I had to make good time, it was imperitive. This was my BIG chance and I knew it.

Step B - B is for Biscuits, duh!

Mama keeps my special Walking Biscuits in a baggie on the top shelf. They are the good ones, but I wish she wouldn't break them up so small. I made my move up to the top shelf - and just like magic, I had the baggie in my mouth. It was just where I see her put them all the time, and my Jump & Grab was, if I do say so myself, right on the money - or should I say right on the bones! A couple well-placed bites and I was into the baggie. That was a breeze! I had more biscuits this time than ever in my life at once, oh the wonder of it all. No time for patting myself on the back just yet, there was one more move to execute...

Step C - The Mother Lode

The Food Bag lives in the back of a shelf behind a heavy flap. I see the bag come and go from behind that flap twice a day. I have wondered about the area behind the flap for some time now - I have fantasies of mountains of food stacked high and free for the taking. I did one of my new moves I've been working on, I call it the Slide & Duck. Success came so quickly I was shocked! I got a good hold of the bag and yanked it out. Another new technique of mine had the bag ripped open from top to bottom, completely at my mercy!

I ate until I just couldn't pack anymore in my belly (yea I know- who would have thought there's a limit on bellies! - amazing!!) . I was getting a funny feeling, like my eyes were heavy and I kept YAWNING. My jaws were getting tired too. I drank all my water, and that put me over the top. I was done-in, but in OH such a good way! It was still like a dream, I couldn't believe it was real - but I had the belly to prove it! I lay down on the bed, basking in the morning sun and in my new-found glory, feeling like Templeton at the County Fair. (I just love Charlotte's Web! Templeton is my Hero, even if he is a rat!) ....anyway, basking in my glory, that's right. That's when I dozed off.

Mama told me she knew something was up when I wasn't barking for my egg whites and waiting at the window. She knows me well, that Mama. I hopped off the bed when I heard the door open, and there was Mama with the egg whites. YUMMY!! Good thing I had a little rest, there was just enough room in my belly for egg whites. When they came inside, Mama noticed the pizza box, the baggie, and the remains of The Mother Lode.

Then she looked at my belly and told me I looked like Templeton at the schmorgasbord (any German Shepards out there know how to spell that one - get back to me on that, okay?)! Mama and NTM cleaned up and I was told that I wasn't supposed to do any of that ever again(it's a useful theory the humans have of our lack of memory skills, HA HA). Obviously they had no idea of the wonder of it all, or they would never discourge moments such as these. Poor humans - I do pity them at times. My Mama took me for a bunch of little walks to 'move things along', as she called it. Whatever. I am cool with a walk for any reason. It is a day that will go down in history as a victory, a day of JOY for us all. A small step for this little dog, a giant leap for canines everywhere!

My belly may be back to normal now, but I will have the memories for a lifetime. (just don't tell the humans!)

Carpe diem pups!

JJ

...and they just keep comin'!

I have ANOTHER one. Someone around here is gonna have to start a family tree so we can keep track of all the cousins! I love cousins! There's always someone around them with treats.

Soon when we go visit Aunt Sara there will be a new cousin to meet. It's been a little sad going there since Blue's been gone. The house is so quiet! But not for long!!!

As of today my new cousin is 9 days old, but I have pictures of him when he was 4 days, eyes still closed! I want to put them on my page, but Mama can't figure out how to get them out of email. She'll work om it though. I am so excited to meet him! He will be a New Year's pup, that's when he will come to live at Sara's and be her baby and my cousin. We don't know his name yet, Sara wants to get to know him first.

He was the biggest of the litter, so I am going to have to start training him early, before he gets too big. I figure I have about 4 to 6 months to break him in, wow! That's not much time!

JJ