RIP Morpheus

Sadly, on July 17th, 2010, I lost my baby boy. I was out of town and got a phone call from my husband saying he was gone. My daughter had let all of our dogs out and, while they were outside, Morpheus got stung or bitten by something. He went into anaphylactic shock and, on the way to the emergency vet, he stopped breathing. Despite my daughter trying to give him nose-to-mouth and then the vets trying to bring him back, it was too late. Because of the shock, his body couldn't take the FL heat and his organs started shutting down. They said that, even if they were able to revive him, he would be severely brain damaged and not the dog we loved.
It has been an emotionally difficult week for me. I cry myself to sleep most nights. He was like a child to me and he was taken so suddenly. I never got a chance to hold him again or say goodbye.
RIP, baby boy. I pray that we will meet again some day.

My Sister, Tigger, Has Gone To The Rainbow Bridge

After 18 years of being Mom's sweet companion, Tigger has gone to the rainbow bridge.

Her kidneys have been failing for quite some time and the vet said months ago that it was just a matter of time. Over the past few weeks, she had gotten painfully skinny and was having bouts of vomitting and would sway back and forth when she sat upright.

The whole family had made a point of saying their goodbyes over the past week and we had thought we would have to make her decision for her.

This morning, we gave her a bowl of water and left for work and school. When we came home this evening, she wouldn't come out when she was called. After looking all over the house in her favorite nap spots, Mom found her "asleep" under her bed. She looked so peaceful and beautiful.

Our hearts are broken and there is a huge hole that time will never fill. The only thing that makes it any easier is knowing that she is in a better place and that we'll see her again someday.

Don't Eat Corn Cob Holders!

Well, it's me again. I decided that Mom's life was not eventful enough and decided to try to give her a nervous breakdown.

A few days after Christmas, Dad was feeding me and my two sisters pieces of really yummy chicken. He had a corn cob holder in his hand (which he now realizes was the first mistake) while he was feeding us. Well, I got greedy and perhaps a bit overzealous and snatched a piece of chicken from his hand. When I did, I put his whole hand in my mouth and sucked the chicken out. I caught Dad by surprise, and he suddenly realized that I had also gotten the corn cob holder too!

He started yelling at Mom to grab me and get my mouth open. I was so scared because I have never seen them act this way before. They both ran toward me, and naturally, I ran the other way. They tackled me to the ground and pried my mouth open. Dad looked like he was going to pass out. Mom asked what was going on and he informed her that I had just swallowed a two-inch-long corn cob holder!

Mom called somebody (I later found out that this was the emergency vet) and then asked if I wanted to go for a ride. Do ducks have webbed feet?!!

Well, I do NOT like the emergency vet!!! They stung me with something that made me so sleepy I couldn't move. Then they took pictures of my belly. Yup, that corn cob holder was in there. Then, I went home and Mom and Dad had to carry me into the house.

In the morning, Mom took me to the vet that I like. We talked to them for a while and then they took a picture of my belly too. What is the deal?!

Next thing you know, Mom left without me. I got very, very sleepy, and when I woke up, my tummy hurt. I wanted Mom, but she wasn't there. I waited for a long time and then the vet asked if I wanted to go for a walk. We went through a door and there were Mom & Dad! My tummy hurt, but I couldn't help but wag my tail wildly. I practically ran to the car! Dad had to pick me up (which is not easy, as I weigh 137 lbs!) because my tummy hurt to much to jump.

I slept for the rest of the afternoon and was not allowed to play with my sisters. Mom stayed with me for a long time.

I heard Mom say that they had to cut my tummy open to take the corn cob holder out. The vet told her it was too risky to wait and see what happens. I saw her show that corn cob holder to Grandma (the vet cleaned it and gave it to her for a souvenier) and I'm glad it's out.

It's been about a week. I have to take medicine because my boo-boo was hot and red and oozy, but that's okay. Mom wraps the medicine in cheese and I never have to taste the pills. Mom said my boo-boo is much prettier now that I have taken my medicine. It isn't angry any more.

I feel much better now. I'm back to my old self and running around playing with my sisters. Every now & then, my boo-boo stings me and I calm down very quickly, but other than that, you'd never know what happened.

Boy, I'm sure glad that's over. A word of advice though; Never eat a corn cob holder!!!

2nd Place

I just found out I actually won 2nd place in a Most Handsome Male photo contest that Mom entered me in. They had a vote for cats and a vote for dogs. I got the most votes for the dogs, but they decided to combine the cats & dogs at the end. So, first place went to a cat (Mom said he was very handsome) and I got 2nd place. After being left on my own by my old family, it's nice to know that people think I'm handsome! Mom always tells me that I am the handsomest doggie ever, but you know how moms can be (a little biased). Anyway, if anybody needs me, I'll be walkin' around the house with my chest puffed up and my nose in the air! ;)

Tubby

Yesterday started out like every other day. Mom got up and let us go out to play. Then she got ready a left for work. The family came home in the evening as usual, but Dad had to go somewhere, so Mom took him away in the car. When she got back, she had fruit treats for Tubby, the little creature that she won't let me play with (she calls him a prairie dog). When my little girl went into the room to give him his treats, she started crying and and ran to get Mom. I went in to see what the comotion was all about, and I saw Mom holding the little creature. He wasn't moving and Mom seemed very sad. She wrapped him up and put him in a little box and then took him outside to bury him in the garden. My little girl cried herself to sleep and Mom was very sad and quiet for the rest of the night. I tried to make her feel better by snuggling with her. I stayed cuddled up with her all night, until she got up this morning. She still doesn't seem happy, but at least she knows that I love her. My family is going to miss Tubby. I sure hope they aren't sad for a long time. I'll just have to work extra hard to show them how much I love them.

In loving memory of Tubby
2002 - 11/30/2006