A day in the life...

When a loved one... two legged or four, becomes ill or suffers an injury the best thing we can do for them is help make their life a bit easier...if at all possible, make them more comfortable.
That is what I have been doing for Rocky for the past four weeks or so. He has been on daily dose of muscle relaxers and anti inflammatory for what the vet thinks is cervical disc disease.

He has had to be kept quiet with not much physical activity, not an easy task when dealing with a three year old Golden that is surrounded by a pack of dogs ranging in ages 1- six. After two weeks on the drugs he so wanted to jump, run play.....and then of course as I would place him in the crate to take the others out for a play....that look....an unforgettable look.... haunting eyes that are screaming out.....Don't Leave Me in Here....TAKE ME WITH YOU....I WANT TO PLAY TOOOOO!!!
Please know that I am not at all exaggerating ;-)

The New Year found me giving him his last pill....since then I have been waiting , watching....slowly allowing him his freedom. Still, not allowing the two Goldens to wrestle....their most favorite pass time.
The last couple of days I have watched Rocky pick up a toy and parade it around Bailey....enticing him to play. With such a grand invitation to play, well to see the look in Baileys eyes, just what he has waited for....I am pretty quick to put a stop to it before it gets started...a big disappointment for both of them.

Having been watching the pack for all of these weeks I was very tickled to see Gemma step in to help Bailey with his energy...and of course to have a little fun herself.
Rocky let it be known, as did I there would be none of that and pretty much Bailey has really not tried to initiate play with him.
Bailey for the most part has turned to Gemma, his toys and me for a release of energy.

After all these weeks Rocky is letting the pack know he is now ready for some action...
As he is not yet out of the woods I think he needs a couple more weeks to warm up slowly to a more active way of life. Rocky has never been the most active Golden....too many joint issues for that. He does so enjoy a good fetch fest once in a while....loves playing with Bailey...enjoys walks.

I have worked hard at keeping Rocky mentally stimulated....along with trying to help him to heal with supplementation along with his prescription medication and the occasional dose of Milk thistle. Massages...one of his very favorites and of course enough hugs, kisses to spoil any dog.

As I am not currently working I of course am so hoping healing has indeed taken place for
the cost of veterinarian care is so very expensive. Having relocated finding a good veterinarian clinic is a daunting and expensive task. The thought of surgery, not to mention his size... care ....well I do not even want to think about that....time will tell.



Recently I read a comment on FB stating anyone who would spend allot of money on a dog bed is basically an idiot. I had a pretty good chuckle for Mike had gone out looking for a comfy bed for Rocky's crate. Since he would be spending a good amount of time in it....keeping him comfortable was important to us.
Yes....one can just throw a pillow down for their dogs....they would indeed find it comfy and cozy. Before little Niki's back surgery several years ago old comforters were used in crates, on the floor. As an individual that suffers from RA and Lupus....well I know pain and discomfort...the importance of a good mattress can indeed make all the difference.

With that thought process....and the experience of having my fair share of senior dogs in my pack that suffered from arthritis the hunt was on for a more comfy...well made dog bed that wold fit into the crate.

Mike volunteered to look around for something more suitable...he happened across a bed that would be wonderful for Rocky's crate as he explained it to me via phone conversations...I then thought of Gemma who is now six and showing a few joint issues. Her crate is kept in my studio which in cold weather does not warm up as the other rooms in the house. I could easily move the crate, however this is the space she is most comfortable in. The bed is several inches thick (keeping her away from the drafts...enough support for those achy sore joints)....well lined, easy to care for.

Two were purchased...one for Rocky, one for Gemma. Bailey prefers to not have a bed in his crate...though when colder I do place a throw mat inside....Niki....hers was specially made for her....she is partially paralyzed and one must give pressure points a thought...along with those areas where there is little feeling....and of course it must be lined.




The beds....a great big hit.
I have opted to keep the fuzzy throw mats on top of the new bed...making it even more comfy...Goldens, they love a bolster to rest their head on, or hang their head off of it.
Bailey....he enjoys a little snooze in either Rocky's or Gemma's crate....as will you often find Niki in one of the crates with the new beds when unoccupied. Rocky....well his first time in the crate with his new bed there was little moving around trying to find a comfortable position...a big difference from before the bed was placed in the crate.. Yes....he likes it.

The comment was not made about me, nor directed at me in fact until now I had not made reference to the purchased beds. No offense was taken other then amusement. Most of us share our opinions based on our own life experiences...forgetting we each take a different path in life....forgetting that our experiences are different....so easy to do here in cyberspace.

Human Nature....we each will have moments of behaving like an idiot...each of us will not always be the brightest light on the tree...Searching out and purchasing a bed for my dogs that costs a good bit because it is well made (and made in the USA), durable and easy to care for....nope not even close on the stupid/idiot meter ;-)

So....while I no doubt each of us has indeed over indulged our children, furry friends and other loved ones....wondering, just what is the most expensive item you have purchased for one of your furry friends?
I am stepping up here to announce...other then the dog beds ;-) that when Phoenix was with us...he indeed was a wonderful, fun dog.....he also happened to be very hyper and always needed something to do....I went out and purchased agility equipment....not very good with my hands I could not make it.

I purchased solid, well built equipment....a bit pricey but with yearly maintenance it would last a lifetime. The best money I ever spent...and indeed, he was well worth it ;-) as was many other dogs...all benefited from the exercise, mental stimulation as was it the best way to bond...and for Niki....a wonderful....creative way to keep her from getting bored with her rehab.
I still have that equipment and remember well working along side Phoenix and passing what I learned along to others.


Spend time with your furry friends....take the time to better learn to communicate and understand them, teach them....they are so much more intelligent then we give them credit for... while I would love to write that sharing one's life with a furry friend will cost you little....it really depends on just what you can afford....it depends on your circumstances. There is nothing wrong with every once in a while splurging on our loved ones.



Remember...Your time....well it is the least expensive thing of all.

Idiot meter...

August 2008:
Yes....it is true. After all of these years I finally have the ability to admit that I am a Chocoholic.
My first meeting is this evening....wouldn't you know, first thing this morning the doorbell rang and when I opened the door, there in front of me was this large box marked GODIVA Chocolatier.....
I was shocked!
I wonder how they learned about the meeting....they must be watching me...
I grabbed the box very quickly and slammed the door shut. Ran to all of the windows and closed all of the blinds. I opened the box about two hours ago and my stomach is is so bloated and the pain is unbelievable. I must get rid of all of the evidence....I first tore the boxes in tiny shreds....now what to do with the chocolate....it was tough, but I managed to eat all of it...
I am too ill to attend the meeting this evening, maybe I'll make the next one.

August 2009:
I no longer attend any of the Chocoholic meetings...I knew one day I just may regret my decision.While personally, I do not ever think you can be "cured" I do believe the need, want and desire to have chocolates lessens with each passing day. I was almost leading a normal life in that I could actually open my blinds... leave my house, shop and visit friends and family homes without any fear of having an "episode" where I would do anything to get to a piece of chocolate. Hell, I would knock my own mother down to get just a sniff, taste of it!
I am so embarrassed to share that, but I know that for a fact for I
actually did it. Yes, I know the cravings and feeling of desperation all too well.

I almost made it...I was well on my way....that is until today...
Damn Godiva!
I am not at all sure how they learned of my progress, but they would do anything in their power to have me fall off the wagon...
At 1: 12 pm this afternoon, Wed. 8-5-09 there was a knock at the front door. I had this uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach as I approached my front door and peeked out and saw the UPS truck in my driveway....the driver... was laughing hysterically while watching me...the hair on my neck and arms stood up as thoutgh electricity was surging through my body. As I opened the front door before looking down I noticed I was already salivating....I knew, I just knew... before actually seeing the box stamped with Godiva Choclatier....

So now....once again my house is dark, all windows and doors are locked....
the only evidence is the stickiness of my keyboard from my fingers...my tummy hurts for I have eaten all biscuits....as have I devoured every last morsel of the powdered hot chocolate....and still I crave more...god help me.

Thank You Donna...for the early Birthday present...it is yummy!!!
Godiva makes the best Biscuits and Hot Chocolate :-)

Chocoholics Anonymous...

Daily walks are not only good for us....but also for our beloved furry friends. I find it so relaxing...and the affects it has on the dogs....wonderful. Keeps the pack together, peace and harmony. They so enjoy it....half an hour, to hour of my time every day....of course once the walk is over if weather permitting a little Agility is the icing on the cake. they are a little more relaxed, better ability to focus.

Daily Walk for R & B...

Today found Bailey and I headed to the vet clinic...nothing serious, just a puppy visit for his second set of shots. Something about a puppy makes most folks want to stop, chat and pet and love on the pup. Show the leash to Bailey and he is ready to go, or settle and nap. The leash....so amazing for when puppy get too excited in the house it can be used to quiet them down...and of course keep them out of trouble ;-)

Driving Lessons...

Earlier today I visited Different Strokes from Different Folks and saw the image of the week...a man sitting on a bench reading the paper. 

Feed the Birds...

I have been wondering...just why is digital art looked upon as the ugly step child in the art world? While my venture into the art world is new...having just began my art journey a few years ago (almost 50 to boot)....and I am a self taught artist...oh yes....I can hear the moans and groans....I mean really just what is art and what makes an artist...or how to become an artist??

One day while working on a photograph in Photoshop I was very frustrated and remembered I had gotten Corel Painter bundled with some software...yep for free. I loaded it onto the PC and started playing and boy was I hooked. I was not at all into art during my younger years in school. Sort of backwards I guess for most people getting into Painter have an art background. I am now just developing a curiosity about other mediums. While I really do not think most think of Digital Art in a bad light....each year it is getting more and more popular.....a very good thing indeed ;-)

Art...or Not...

OK....just when your thinking it could really get no worse....I go and scribble something reallllly bad. OK, so there is a technique to this that cannot be mastered in a few tries....and I do realize this. However I did not think it could get any worse then where I started....but oh yes indeed...maybe I should change this blogs name to Bad Art ;-)
Tomorrow I'll practice some apples....blending, not blending....cross hatching, etc.
In a couple of weeks I have my private session and maybe just maybe she can point me in the right direction.

My attempt in blocking the background did not work.....should you blend, not blend??? The over all color here did not work so this is telling me more colors are needed. Also, once again my charcol sketch was good and along the way I am not really sure what happened. While I have read that soft pastels are very "forgivable"....not in my hands!

More bad pastels ;-)

Had a little bit of time to do a qucik little painting. Since I was busy this morning I am waiting on it to cool down a bit so Rocky and I can go on our walk...neither of us do well with the heat....we are ready for the fall weather and colors ;-)
For my quick painting I felt like a beach scene!!!!

Beach Scene...

Rocky and my road less traveled kept us close to home this afternoon due to the passing storms. While I have yet to see rain....I heard the rumbling of thunder and saw a few bright lights in the sky. For both our safety thought it best to stick close to home. I do not like to be out and about when I notice lightning...pretty dangerous.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Daylily...

Update 9-10-08: 

Photo of Jack...Now Paintings of Jack