An update on the Princess...

...hold on, let me put my new chew toy down to type better. Excuse the drool on the keyboard.

Hello friends! As you probably guessed, I have a new toy. Or ten. See, the humans celebrated this Christmas thing again this year, and once again, I made out like a bandit. The weekend before, Mom and Dad took me for a three hour car ride to the great state of New Jersey to see my Dad's sister and her husband. What fun I had! They bestowed upon me some new toys, some new treats, and a bath set. That I could have done without, but I am hoping Mom forgets about it. It is my gift, I should be able to say when it is used, right? Is, um, NEVER too soon?

After only a couple of days home, Mom and Dad packed up the car again, and lo and behold we set off for a much longer drive-to Florida! I knew exactly where we were going, and of course remembered my Grandma's dog Muffin from before. Would you believe it, she got another dog? Katie is her name, and she is a rescue. She is scared of other dogs, men, toys, etc. but guess what? She loved me. I mean, can you blame her? She would get up on her hind legs and lick my face whenever she saw me. Mom took the two of us to a local dog park when there was nobody else there, and I played with her nice and gentle. She had so much fun, and as I understand it, she is sad now that I am gone. Sorry people, there is only one of me. Not enough to always go around.

On the way home, a bad snow storm hit the east coast. Mom and Dad decided to drive half way and spend the night at my favorite hotel again. I am convinced that this ECONOLODGE is really a mecca of hotels. They have the most comfortable beds in the world, I think. At least for a tired dog who can barely walk from all the playing and love I had received for the previous week.

Now, I am home and back to normal. Well, as normal as I'll ever be.

I also have some other news to share. A couple of months ago, Mom took me into the Vet to get my updated shots when the Vet heard something called a murmur when she listened to my heart. She classified it as a "strong 3", which is 3 out of 6 on the severity level. The Vet was concerned because six months earlier, I had been there and didn't have the murmur.

Mom was so scared, she started shaking and crying. The next day, Mom called a cardiologist and got me an appointment. Would you believe that we are lucky enough to have the largest cardiology practice in the WORLD right near us? The nice man who saw me even does cardiology for the National Zoo and Baltimore Aquarium. Anyway, I had this thing called an echocardiogram done. It really wasn't so bad, and everyone said how good I was. The nice Doctor saw a the reason for the murmur...I have valve regurgitation on both sides of the top portion of my heart. Basically, blood is flowing backwards through both valves on either side, due to the valve "flaps" not closing all the way as my heart beats.

The Doctor said that so far, it is mild, and that I could live for a few years if it doesn't progress quickly. He recommended a low sodium diet, and six month checkups. Mom immediately put me on a really low sodium diet-raw! She had tried feeding me raw before, but I decided that I didn't like chicken, so I refused to eat it. Since she couldn't afford to feed me filet mignon that I would have liked, she switched to premixed raw instead. I love it! She also has me on a daily regiment of fish oil, which I don't mind at all.

Mom is bound and determined to keep me around as long as possible, and healthy for as much time as possible.

I think I'll oblige her.

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