it's all about the pee

i was out of town for a couple of days with some friends, and m was dear enough to do dog camp for all three pups. i gave mine 2.5 mg pred upon my departure, knowing i'd be back in 48 hours or so. she weathered the constant play and slightly restricted water (done for one of the other pooches) pretty well. another 2.5 mg pred when i got back, and although she was thouroughly tired in a good way, i still kept close watch.

i gave her unrestricted water once the boys went home. she had an indoor accident (not in her sleep) the next day. this happens sometimes, so i didn't worry about it much. then last night, she had a pee in her sleep, and two puddles in the basement. she gets her DES today and another 2.5 mg pred.

i think she gets worn down, that it's a cummulative thing, and eventually her control just goes out the window. next time i'll try giving pred daily, but combined with having to limit water for one of the pups when she needs to have copious amounts, i'm not sure that would work. there has to be a way, tho... this sort of thing makes me feel like i should never leave her. i'm just not going to be able to travel too many days away, i think.

she loves to be groomed, so we had a nice massaging and brushing session today, and i gave her a little sponge butt-bath too. i'm hoping i don't have to clip her hair, since it's finally really coming back in. she has a lovely tutu, my little ballerina pup!

i try not to over-analize. i try not to worry. i try to keep anxiety to a minimum. but i'm sure she feels it anyway, wonders what's up, puts her on semi-alert, and she doesn't need that. how do i push her past conditions away and live day by day for her? it's such a fine line to walk, between spotting problems early and hovering to the point of neurosis. hoo.

it's a good thing i'm cute.

now

every once in a while, pup will get a special treat. a bone from a roast or steak, usually - and if there is beef in the house, believe me she is right there at the preparer's side, ready and available for quality control. and if i get out her napkin (one of the dog blankets for the furniture, spread on the floor) she does her little dance of joy, bouncing around, snorting and sneezing with a look of pure happiness on her squishy little face, knowing she's gonna get something de-licious!

tonight was such a night.

i am amazed at her table manners. she stays on her napkin, droooooling and chewing and snorfling the bone until it is Very Clean. only then will she take her treat up to the couch or onto my bed for more drooling and slobbering. it's a good thing she's cute.

health-wise, she's been mostly great. after the holidays, she had a day when she barfed a couple of times - liquid, so it was just some tummy upset. these barfs are random - i have yet to find the pattern. not related to pre- or post-shot, not directly related to stress, and her poop is just fine. and it's all about the poop. as her vet says, if she's eating well and has good poop, nothing to worry about. it's all relative, but that's basically what i go on, and so far so good.

trying to become more productive in these dark winter nights. we've had a warm spell and most of the snow has melted or become ice, so no skiing yet. i am hopeful for february and march, although we are supposed to get some snow tonight. and i'm already planning my gardening adventures - it never stops! it's all about tomorrow and next month and next season...

i need to learn to be more dog-like and completely enjoy exactly the moment that is happening. they don't understand yesterday or tomorrow, or soon; just the right now. like the right now that is nibbleing my armpit to be let outside - ooo! and it's snowing! i think i'll bundle up and have a romp. right now.

xxoo