Post Thanksgiving

It has been a relaxing and recharging 5+ days off work. Thanksgiving day could not have been any more enjoyable or relaxing - despite being in the kitchen for about half of it. The day ended on a good note with games and a friends invitation to come and enjoy dessert in their home.  My very talented friend is also a baker and made cookies for us to enjoy.

~One of the cookies my friend made~ 

Friday brought more time for me to relax at home as Carl and my brother headed back to work.

Saturday came much too quickly and before the vet appointment for Millie, came a much needed bath for her.  The girls at the shop know me, and since Millie is a TEMPORARY (yeah, temporary) foster dog, they donated her bath-time. She wasn't crazy about the bath, and was happy when it was over.

Millie's vet visit went much as expected, and confirmed the diagnosis of the first vet.  Millie has six mammary tumors. Typically these tumors are cancerous and will metastasize into the chest.  X-rays were taken and thankfully her chest is clear. She also has another tumor on her bottom that is more than likely inoperable. Aspirates were taken and the results will be returned in about a week. At that time, a treatment plan for her will be discussed and decided. 

Until then, Millie is fine "on hold" here at our house.  She has fit in really well, and has quickly become part of the crowd. On Thanksgiving day she was having a great time barking at the deer with Todd and Eva.

~Todd telling off the gangs of rogue deer~

Millie is very gentle sweet and easy going and all the dogs like her.  She leaves the cat alone and has great house manners too.  Which begs that question, "how did she end up as a stray?"  It's anyone's guess. 

~Millie leading the crowd~

Speaking of guessing, can you guess why today Todd was once again wearing the "cone of shame?"  Yes, that annoying ear problem continues to be a bother.  He's still on the oral antibiotic and ear medication in hopes we can knock it out completely. 

He really doesn't like wearing that annoying e-collar (what dog does?) and is constantly trying to get it off.  I don't know why I bother putting it on him.  But he doesn't let it slow him down one bit - He's a Scottie after all! 

"Old Lady" MILLIE Arrives at Golden Pines

~Cissy, planning an escape?~

A short work week has brought a new arrival at Golden Pines.  On Monday I was contacted by the rescue and asked about helping to spring a senior girl from a shelter in a neighboring county from where I live.  Coincidentally, other "confinement facilities" are right next to the animal shelter.  Appropriate or ironic or both?

But the timing worked perfectly. I had taken yesterday afternoon off work, and even though I had self-made plans, I was happy to have a good reason to change them.

~An "Old Lady" in the shelter~

Picked up as a stray, and named "Old Lady" by the shelter, because, they said, "she's an old lady" is estimated to be about 12 years old (not too old!).  This past Saturday, the shelter took her to the vet and she was diagnosed with cystitis, mammary tumors, and with two large tumors that the vet feels are inoperable, she has been given a "cautious prognosis."  And with the time for her owners to come forward to claim her having passed, it is now time for Old Lady to start a new life.

That new life began with a new name.  So, two old ladies talked about it on the hour drive home.  After trying on several names, we have settled on the name Millie.  It's a name she responds to, and it just seems to fit her. 

~Old Lady's response to the name Millie~

Because Millie is not feeling well, intros to our crew have been very limited.  I'll do longer intros through the day today. The plan for Millie is for her to see the vet for a full check up, which is scheduled for Saturday. Once we have all of those test results, the coordinator for the rescue will look for another foster home for Millie - Because she can't stay here......can she? 

Straight Lines

Below was the scene a couple of days ago in the kitchen. The pups were patiently waiting for what is one of the most important parts of their day....

BREAKFAST!!   

It's also a perfect example of why I haven't walked a straight line through my house in years.

And I'm okay with that.

~A satisfied Rhett after breakfast~

I hope you have a good weekend!  Free from the dreaded "cone of shame" Todd's is off to a good start!

An Unhappy Scottie

The first really cold weather of the season has arrived. I am not quite ready for it, but it is November and the cold and the frost had to come sometime.

Todd being true to his Scottish heritage doesn't mind the chillier weather. He is dealing with a sore ear the last couple of days.  He's on medications for it, but is still scratching at it.  I put an e-collar on him (or the "cone of shame!) to keep him from making it even more sore.

So, I doubt that he's noticed the cooler temperatures today because he wants nothing more than to get that annoying e-collar off.

But he's just daring any of the other dogs to make fun of him because he's wearing it!

I wonder if that's what Rhett was doing?