Those March Days

Charles Dickens perfectly described our weather when he wrote, "It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold:  when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.”  There have been times when I've forgotten that it's early spring and on chilly mornings like today, I'm reminded of it.  But I'm not the only one enjoying the warming temperatures.  I've seen the turtles sunning themselves on a log, and a snake (!!!) on its way somewhere that I hope is far away.

Lucas is doing really well and it goes without saying that I'm glad that the surgeries are behind him. As you may (or may not) know, a dog has 42 teeth.  People have 32 which includes the wisdom teeth.  Lucas has had 38 removed.  It's overwhelming, at least for me, to think about that number. But it had to be done, and I'm thankful that he has been able to have the treatment that he needed.  You may recall that Lucas's surgeries were not inexpensive and the total cost has been around $5000.  I was told this week that all of his dental work has been paid for from a special fund-raiser that the rescue held for him and other dogs have expensive medical needs.

This weekend you'll find me basking in the warmth of the spring sun, and in the reminder of the kindness and generosity of people who have helped to make a difference for Lucas. ~Enjoy your Saturday!!~

~Charlie~

Lucas: Flying or Driving?

This morning Lucas is resting comfortably.  His surgery on Wednesday didn't take nearly as long as the first, but unfortunately it was not without its little glitches along the way.  When I dropped Lucas off in the morning, he was anxious and seemed nervous, and that continued while waiting for the surgery to begin.  For some dogs, this may not be too much of a problem.  However I've thought that Lucas has a bit of laryngeal paralysis because his breathing when he's excited becomes really loud and raspy.  When he had problems breathing before his surgery, the dentist took an x-ray to look at his heart and lungs, which were thankfully okay.  And since Lucas was under anesthetic, the doctor took a peek at his throat via a scope, which confirmed that the folds of his larynx are not opening and closing as they should.  Lucas's breathing problems continued after he woke up and an injection of Acepromazine which is a tranquilizer, was given to help keep him calm.  Needless to say, he was pretty loopy, wobbly and glassy-eyed when I picked him up.  He was of course that way the entire evening.  

~Loopy-Lucas~

On the way home I made a really quick stop with Lucas and when I came out of the store, he was sitting in the drivers seat of my van.  He's never gotten into one of the seats before and wish I'd had my camera because he was quite a sight sitting up in the seat but with his head on the window and his eyes all glassy and half opened.  I guess he was so 'drugged up' he thought he could drive?  I guess if he'd been a person he would have thought he could fly--Maybe Lucas thought that too, who knows?  

~Lucas?~

Its been a hurried and very tiring week with very little spare time.  This morning I'm taking Todd to check out a new day-care.  I don't know much about the place other than it's an indoor and outdoor facility and has a pool.  Afterwards, I get to do my favorite thing which is to be home.  I'm really sorry I've not been able to read your blogs this week and so I'm  really looking forward catching up on your news!  Enjoy your Thursday!!  

Conversational Snow

The week as always is off to a running start. On the schedule tomorrow is Lucas's second surgery to have the remaining un-salvageable teeth removed. I've been assured that the length of time that he's to be under the anesthetic will be shorter than last.  I'm hopeful that will be the case, and everything will go well.

Winter has also returned.  Today it's bright and clear but we are having a blast of cold wind and temperatures below freezing, reminding me again how stubborn Old Man Winter can be about leaving.  Yesterday we had what the weathermen call 'conversational snow.,'  I've never heard that term before but it apparently means that it amounts to nothing more than a conversation.  Where do they get these terms?

I was told yesterday that Todd's day-camp where he's been going for several months is closing.  I was so disappointed to be told that.  They were a top-notch place that truly made a difference for my shy, but energetic and playful boy.  It hit all the notes as far as care of the dogs, playtime, nap-time (can you believe they had down-time for all the dogs?) and the staff was the best. While its only been open for less than a year, apparently their closing has something to do with the landlord of the building.  I've decided that he was obviously not a dog-lover, because he made it impossible and very expensive for them to continue to be in business.  I really want Todd to continue to play with other dogs and be around different people.  So once again my search for the perfect place will begin.

Through the Briars and the Brambles

I've been feeling really restless the last several days.  I've decided that it's either spring-fever, or too much sugar.  But I've had real problems staying focused on any one thing in particular.  So Carl and I took the dogs for a walk yesterday afternoon.  As you can see in the new header picture, it was a beautiful day of blue skies and sunshine.

Since we've not seen anyone new or any changes to the property in back of us, we headed in that direction.  Carl was about half way up the hill when all of the sudden Josh who was not on a leash started his excited barking and howling as he ran into the woods after some deer he'd seen. In the picture below on the left, Toby is looking at Josh the moment he started running.

It didn't take but a moment to lose sight of him. Carl had the dogs on a leash so that left me to get Josh.  I decided that I'd cut him off on the other side.  Of course I am not as fast as either the deer or Josh, but I caught sight of him going into the woods on the other side of the clearing.  He had been totally outrun by the deer, and he had also gone totally deaf never looking back as he started the next leg of his adventure.  I went into the woods to get him and became tangled in the briars.  As I freed myself, I kept calling to Josh and a miracle happened, he regained his hearing and came to me, all sparkly eyed and smiles!!

~Josh after his adventure~

Of course I didn't scold Josh for running off, but praised him for coming back.  On the way home the words to the old country  tune "The Battle of New Orleans" which is a traditional hillbilly tune by Johnny Horton tumbled through my head,

Yeah they ran through the briars and they ran through the brambles

And they ran through the bushes where a rabbit couldn't go

They ran so fast that the hounds couldn't catch 'em 

On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico...

Now, even a day later, I can't get rid of it...

Finally my mind is focusing on something.