But she’s not ready.

When Heather’s pain is managed, she’s interested in everything and as engaged as she has always been, which is to say totally so.

We just came back from the veterinary hospital where we added a Fentanyl patch to help with her pain, and she whined at me to stop at the American River on the way home and let her swim. (I didn’t, because of the patch.)

Her eyes are focused, and she eats well when she feels well. She migrates to every room I’m in, albeit a little more slowly. Everyday I ask her, “What do you want to do?” and she still wants to be here with me.  So that’s where she is.

We’ll be looking at more palliative care options next week. I’m not kidding myself that we’re running out the clock, but the girl wants to stay in the game for now, so that’s the way I’m playing it.

Cancer wins — or maybe, considering she’s almost 13, really it’s just Time that wins.  But the final buzzer hasn’t sounded yet.

Interesting side observation on the Heather Hospice Front: When Heather isn’t feeling well, McKenzie is very quiet and stays very close to her.  This, I would not have expected from the quirkiest pup of the pack.

Update: While I was working and, uh, not paying as much attention to the puppy as I should have been, she pulled a huge pot of chicken soup off the stove. Fortunately, it was cooled and ready for me to pull the bones out.  Heather was in the mix, lapping up all the broth with the rest as I threw them all out of the kitchen to clean up the mess.  I guess Faith was just trying to make Heather feel better. Thanks, FayBee!

But she’s not ready.

When Heather’s pain is managed, she’s interested in everything and as engaged as she has always been, which is to say totally so.

We just came back from the veterinary hospital where we added a Fentanyl patch to help with her pain, and she whined at me to stop at the American River on the way home and let her swim. (I didn’t, because of the patch.)

Her eyes are focused, and she eats well when she feels well. She migrates to every room I’m in, albeit a little more slowly. Everyday I ask her, “What do you want to do?” and she still wants to be here with me.  So that’s where she is.

We’ll be looking at more palliative care options next week. I’m not kidding myself that we’re running out the clock, but the girl wants to stay in the game for now, so that’s the way I’m playing it.

Cancer wins — or maybe, considering she’s almost 13, really it’s just Time that wins.  But the final buzzer hasn’t sounded yet.

Interesting side observation on the Heather Hospice Front: When Heather isn’t feeling well, McKenzie is very quiet and stays very close to her.  This, I would not have expected from the quirkiest pup of the pack.

Update: While I was working and, uh, not paying as much attention to the puppy as I should have been, she pulled a huge pot of chicken soup off the stove. Fortunately, it was cooled and ready for me to pull the bones out.  Heather was in the mix, lapping up all the broth with the rest as I threw them all out of the kitchen to clean up the mess.  I guess Faith was just trying to make Heather feel better. Thanks, FayBee!

Dogs are pack animals, meaning they are social animals for thousands of years already. They get their first taste of separation anxiety when they are separated from their mother as puppies. New puppy owners therefore need to take in stride a puppy’s restless pacing and yowling in its first few nights in it’s new home.

Dogs are pack animals, meaning they are social animals for thousands of years already. They get their first taste of separation anxiety when they are separated from their mother as puppies. New puppy owners therefore need to take in stride a puppy’s restless pacing and yowling in its first few nights in it’s new home.

Are your kids desperately wishing for a dog, but your family is not ready to make the big step yet? Meet half way and get them a stuffed toy dog. As cute as the real pet, they are easier to maintain around the house. They do not shed, do not need continuous vet appointments and require a lot less space to be happy. They are the perfect learning tool before your family is ready to own a real dog.

Are your kids desperately wishing for a dog, but your family is not ready to make the big step yet? Meet half way and get them a stuffed toy dog. As cute as the real pet, they are easier to maintain around the house. They do not shed, do not need continuous vet appointments and require a lot less space to be happy. They are the perfect learning tool before your family is ready to own a real dog.

The most common signs for fleas on a dog are the constant itching, biting and scratching at himself. It is surprising the amount of people that are not actually aware of how easy it is to treat a dog for fleas. There are a vast number of different flea control treatments that are available. If you are a dog owner it is very important to know how to recognize an infestation of fleas and also know about the various flea control products that are available because the fleas do not only affect the dog they will also affect the house as well if the dog is kept indoors.

The most common signs for fleas on a dog are the constant itching, biting and scratching at himself. It is surprising the amount of people that are not actually aware of how easy it is to treat a dog for fleas. There are a vast number of different flea control treatments that are available. If you are a dog owner it is very important to know how to recognize an infestation of fleas and also know about the various flea control products that are available because the fleas do not only affect the dog they will also affect the house as well if the dog is kept indoors.

In choosing a dog, it is of utmost importance that one will not just look for a dog that one likes and at the same time can afford since it is also as important for one to choose a dog that will suit one’s current condition and living space. This is because a failure to do so can at times result to an unhappy relationship with one’s dog which in turn can lead to a more serious chain of events for both the owner and the dog.

In choosing a dog, it is of utmost importance that one will not just look for a dog that one likes and at the same time can afford since it is also as important for one to choose a dog that will suit one’s current condition and living space. This is because a failure to do so can at times result to an unhappy relationship with one’s dog which in turn can lead to a more serious chain of events for both the owner and the dog.