Bolt A, slot B, tab C

The picture is of my patio set, still in the boxes in my car. I had to remove those myself. They were not light. I had to drag them around to the back of my house and try to set the pieces up. You might recall that I had a spot of trouble getting the correct part after I found that one was broken?

The part came when Molly got sick. Of course.

Today we went for another mile walk in the field behind my house. Beagles are bred for endurance and to track things. They found a rabbit, a squirrel, and 5 other dogs. I found mascara, a hair band, a child's plastic watch and a golf ball. I am learning, although they said I am an amateur because I didn't find them using my nose.

After the walk I crabbed to myself a bit about inappropriate gender role assignments. It was time to assemble the patio set, even though Tuesday is November and I live in Michigan. I grabbed the new parts and the tools off the dining room table and went out on the patio. The table was still upside down where I abandoned it in disgust, glass against the paver stones with just a thin layer of cardboard for protection. The cardboard was totally soaked and mushy, and there was a large nightcrawler under it. With the legs up, the table resembled a pathetic dead bug on its back, missing one leg, of course.

I started reading the directions. Of course, they were wrong. The bolts and the washers were not preassembled as the directions stated. No big deal. However, the next item was to attach all four legs. I did that, once I screwed in the new replacement parts. After that, I had to attach a ring to the midpoint of the legs with the bolts for stability. There was no way to attach the ring without removing at least one of the legs first. I hope the little girls next door did not learn some new words today.

After I unattached the leg and reattached it and the ring and tightened the bolts, the next item was to "have someone assist you and turn the table upright." Great. The little girls two doors down probably learned some new words, too. This table top is glass. If I dropped it, it would become garbage.

Luckily, I was able to turn the table upright without scraping any of the finish off the legs or breaking the glass. The worm was surprised to be free to roam about the patio and took off for parts unknown. Probably went south for the winter, and who could blame it? I say 'it' not out of disrespect, but because I think worms are not divided into hes and shes.

I have decided that there is no reason whatsoever for me to try to assemble the umbrella this year. We won't have another day before May or so where the temperature goes as high as 70 degrees, so the table will just have to be abandoned until then. I bought this patio set in July, right? Maybe next July I can use it. With my luck the umbrella is the wrong one and I will have to return it three times to get the correct one to match the rest of the set.

I also bought a large storage bin for the cushions, since they are of a cotton fabric that cannot be left outside in the elements. A bit of indulgence, I guess, but the cushions are very comfortable. Of course, the bin was the last one and has a bashed in corner on the bottom piece. I brought it inside to see if I can repair it somehow and make it waterproof. It's also a bench to sit on, so I will have to make the repair strong and stable. For now, the piece is leaning against the wall while I think about how to repair it. I don't want to open the bin in the spring and find it full of lots of wildlife who nested in the cotton stuffing, nor do I want to find it all musty and mildewy. Is that a word, mildewy?

Bottom Feeders

Since I have had to rearrange my walking schedule to accommodate Molly's illness, I have decided to continue to walk 3 miles a day - on an average. So all I need to do is keep track of my mileage and have it average out to 3 a day. I know it used to be more, since I walked more than just with the dogs, but I have to start some place. So far, as of today, I am ahead. I started yesterday and walked 8 miles last night. That gave me 5 extra. I walked the dogs for one today, which leaves me with 3 extra. Or something like that.

Molly does love her walks, even if they are too much for her now. Yesterday I took them for a mile (oh, I forgot to add that one in!) and we ran into another dog. This isn't good; it's stressful for Molly. Today I decided to hit the big field in back of my house. I don't know what it's doing there, but it's huge, and the city mows it. It's at least 3 acres, I guess. I am not very good with distance, which is why I have to wear a pedometer.

I saddled up the dogs. I am still confused as to how it is that Molly is an eating machine and her harness is not getting tighter on her. There must be a metabolism issue going on, so I am feeling less guilty for feeding her enough for a 400 lb adult human male. We went through our yard, the yard next door where little Chase, the other beagle, lives and hit the field. Chase was not outside, or we would have gone to see her. The three of them together is a very cute sight. Watching me try to hold onto the leashes for my two without getting totally tangled up in Chase's leash that she is tied out with is not cute.

I figured beagles like to smell things, and they go slower when sniffing, so I let them track around the field (on leash, of course). Molly seemed delighted to be out in the sunshine and fresh air, smelling nasty things. Nothing makes a beagle happier than icky things to sniff (except food). We went around the field once, and I decided Molly was hanging tough, so we doubled back a bit, going slower, so they could smell some feathers and things.

Suddenly, Molly, my inveterate bottom feeder, sniffs at something while I am looking up and enjoying the day. Crap, never take your eye off that hog dog. I felt her move, and looked back at her just in time to see her gobble up some goose crap.

In the past, I have reached inside Molly's mouth to try to remove things she has scooped up. Last year she got her little lips around a very old peanut butter sandwich. I tried to get it out, but she just clamped harder and I ended up with what looked like poop all over my hands. I started to reach for her mouth today and thought, nope, not sticking my hands in goose crap. Not even for Molly. Uh uh, no way. She saw me hesitate, smiled, and swallowed. Ewww. Licked her lips, went looking for more....

I decided a mile walk was enough for dear Molly today. I made her hold her head up after that, and walk proud. She keep trying to root for more goose turds, but I wasn't giving her the opportunity. It was bad enough that Baby did her usual turd drop that I had to clean up. Based on what I saw, I would guess I am the only person in the world who has ever cleaned up after her dog on that field.

For sure, no one cleans up after those geese.

As we walked back towards Chase's house, I heard her bay a greeting to us. Just as I started to head towards her furry little squirmy body, I realized that Chase had company. A rottweiler puppy was tied out with her. I decided that Molly didn't need the stress of a new puppy to compete with, although I mightily wanted to go pet the little charmer. As I veered away, I ran into my neighbor's human company, along with his full grown rottie. Molly must have been tired, because she did not decide to treat the rottie like a rabbit. She was strangely calm, either confident or exhausted.

Even after a goose turd appetizer, she still ate double her usual amount for dinner. As I walked away, I heard her licking the empty dish. At least this time she didn't chew on the dish itself.

 

Heal thyself; or Duck

I am a very literal person. It's a personality defect I cannot seem to cure. If you are dating me and get all worked up about the toppings on the pizza, I will believe you are upset about the pizza and not something else. If you come home from work after a bad day and are crabby, that will be my fault because you are crabby at me. I have been trying to be more astute, but I think I did well just to recognize that I am too literal, OK?

My poor daughter has only talked to me once since Molly the Best Dog in the World got sick. I mean "poor" literally. She compared her outgoing with her incoming and decided she needed to shore up the incoming to cover the outgoing. She recalled the note I had left her when I went to Toronto, saying if she wanted to steam carpets I would pay.

She called today to see if the offer was still on special. I told her it is. Truth is, I have been afraid to turn the steam cleaner on. Molly gets stressed by loud machinery and I decided to put it off a while. Besides, my back hurt. And I have a bone in my leg. I kept hoping the carpets would self clean. I told child that Molly had a few accidents while her prednisone intake was still really high. Child said she would work with that. She apparently really needs to improve her incoming.

Unfortunately, child got the brunt of my current feelings. I whined that I have been in the house almost constantly for weeks to take care of Molly. I am used to an hour a day of brisk walking, and now all I get done is power reading. I didn't take it out on her, but she did get stuck listening to enough momma whining that I think lunch will be on me next time we go out. Yeah, that is probably literal too, since I dribble a lot of food lately.

The little lightbulb went on

Today was the first day of a new class for me to teach. This is not the one where I need emails sent to them for practice. This is the one that comes before emails - more basic than that. It's pretty much a mouse class, really. They learn the basic parts of the computer and the screens, and to use a mouse to click, double click, and drag. Eventually we get to more advanced things, like Paint. Paint, of course, uses the mouse, right? I once had a professional artist in my class. She humbled us all on Paint, even though she had never used it before.

I had to rush to get there early enough to get everything set up. I haven't taught a new class in a month or two so I wanted to be sure I remembered everything. I scooped up the class roster and keys for the computer room and happily found the room empty. I didn't have to shoo anyone out.

I had to reboot all the computers, get out the manuals, set up the sign in sheet, write the basics on the board so they would be sure they were in the right room. All the usual first day of class routine.

One of the things I have to do is turn on the overhead, which is set in the ceiling, and allows my computer screen to be projected onto a screen behind me so the class can see what I am doing and follow along. Since I have been told the bulbs for the overhead cost $300 each, I don't turn it on until close to class time.

Students and my two coaches started showing up early, so I turned on the overhead about 10 minutes before class time and tried to open a web site. We don't go online in this class, but I like to give some exposure anyway. Of course, I was unable to get online. I had to fix that, and it seemed we were good to go.

One woman looked familiar, so I asked her if she had been in a former class of mine. Some students take classes over, even the very beginning ones. Some senior citizens have to really work to absorb the basics, especially some who have had strokes or closed head injuries. No, she said she looked familiar to me because I have kicked her out many times. Oh yeah, one of the shoo-ees. We have open computer time some mornings, and she was sometimes using the computer right before my classes. It was good to see someone familiar.

About 5 minutes before we were to start, I heard a sound like a lightbulb exploding, and the screen on the wall went black. Mycomputer screen was still on. Uh oh. I have often wondered how it would be to try to teach a class without the overhead. I did not want to find out.

I asked my coaches if they had heard anything, and they said no. I pointed out the dark screen, and one of them went to the front desk to get assistance. I started teaching, and apologized for the screen being out. I said to myself, "self, improvise."

It's not easy. I cannot see their screens anyway, and now they couldn't see mine. We muddled along, and then the coach returned. After that, the lady from the desk came in. She asked what was wrong, and I said the overhead was out, and it had sounded like the bulb exploded. She assured me it could not be that, since the bulbs cost $400 each. OK, inflation. We continued as best as possible with the lesson.

Next the IT for the city came into the room. He asked me what happened, and I said it had sounded like the bulb exploded. He told me that was not possible, and that the bulbs cost $500 each. Wow, inflation was bad today. I pointed out that maybe it wasn't the bulb, but the power light went out and a red light was flashing up there that I never saw before. He must have thought he was taller than he actually is and found he could not reach the overhead. I jokingly suggest the garbage can, and he actually tested it for strength. Scary. He went out. Every time someone comes in or out of the room it's disruptive.

He came back in with a huge orange ladder. I giggled a bit, and told the class to ignore the nice man with the big orange ladder in the middle of the room, and we continued to muddle on. I was getting concerned, since we only have 4 sessions for this class.

He gave up and left after taking the overhead pretty much apart. He took his ladder and left. He didn't say anything, just left. We muddled deeper into the lesson without the overhead.

Next, a different man came in. He brought back the orange ladder. I told the class to ignore the second nice young man on the huge orange ladder. He laughed. He fixed the overhead while we took a break, since half the class was over.

We finally had the appropriate screen on the wall and I proceeded to be able to demonstrate the lesson as it was meant to be taught. I was worried about time, but we actually ended up with some extra time to play solitaire.

Then a strange man walked in. My coach tried to head him off, telling him that we were conducting a class. He walked out. A few minutes later, he walked back in and I told him we were conducting a class. He just stood there for a few minutes, told me he just wanted to watch, and then he left. A few minutes more, and he came back in, walked through the room and up to my desk and stood there, and asked me how he could sign up his father for a class. I told him we were conducting a class right now, but that he could go to the front desk and ask about future classes. We do get people walking in now and then, and I admit I find it a bit unnerving.

Once a man from India or Pakistan walked in right in the middle of a lesson. He was quite elderly, and just sat down next to someone. He obviously was unfamiliar with the English language. The coach was unable to unseat him. I said don't worry, someone will be right behind him. Sure enough, a woman came in the room,  apologized, and walked him out. I smiled. Alzheimer's, was my guess.

Back to today's issue. What did the second nice young man have in his hand to fix the overhead? Can you guess?

A new bulb, of course, to replace the one that had exploded. Sigh.

I know Molly is hungry because:

Things Molly has done lately to tell me that giving her three times as much food as normal is not enough:

Licked the leather furniture.

Licked Baby, which she has never done before.

Chewed on my fingers while trying to drag me into the kitchen.

Brought her dish into the living room and chewed on it.

Chewed up a candle.

Chewed on the teddy's collar.

Has not let me go into the kitchen alone for weeks.

Made me get up several times in the middle of the night to go out, and refused to go outside. Instead, she pointed me to the treats. This is not recommended on an hourly basis.

Sits at the door to go outside, then when I respond, moves to the garage door and sits very ladylike, wagging her tail. I keep milk bones in the garage.

Smiles big time in my face. She never did that before.

Licks her lips and looks at me with a pitiful look in her eyes.

Drools when I eat. Mybrother used to do that, too.

She used to be done with a meal way after Baby, but lately it has been a dead heat.

Goes back to her dish when it's empty and continues to lick it.

Dances when I get near food. Actually, it's good to see her dance again :)

On a separate note, last night she humped Baby at both ends to re-establish dominance, then they jumped around and played with some toys. This almost brought tears to my eyes. Molly hasn't shown that much energy in a few weeks unless the activity provided calories.

 

 

Problem solving

Problem solving

When I was working on my (second) master's degree, I was in a class taught by my advisor. I used to take his classes just so I could look at him.

In one of his classes, he demonstrated the power of group problem solving. He did a demonstration with some members of the class putting together a toy that required assembly using directions. He had one group read the directions to an assembler without looking at him, and he had a second group all working together to read and assemble. Easy to guess which group got done first, right?

I need some group input. As I wrote last time, Molly has had seizures the last two times she went to the vet's office. It truly scares the crap out of me. Truly, but not literally. My last dog, Maggie, had seizures on my bathroom floor for 8 hours while I helplessly watched her edge closer every hour to death. I was unable to lift her to get her to the vet, although all they could have done was put her down sooner. It was a night I will never be able to forget. It left me fearful of seizures. (she had an undiagnosed brain tumor)

Molly has never liked the car. Both she and Baby jump in the car and insist on sitting in the front. I have to shoo Molly out of the driver's seat every time. She gives me grief, but she has so far been unable to produce documentation showing that she has a valid driver's license. So the two of them cram into the rider's seat. It's not a pretty picture. Baby lies down eventually across the whole seat and goes to sleep. Molly generally sits on her head and shakes. Violently. With palpable fear.

I have tried to get Molly to ride in the car and enjoy it like 99.9% of all other dogs. I used to take her every weekend to stay with me at the ex-bf's house. The first trip, she desperately tried to climb on top of my head while I was on a cloverleaf exhange of freeway systems, while I was also on my cell phone talking to a police officer regarding a new child abuse situation. After that, I tied her leash to the seatbelt for a long time. She learned to stay in her seat, but she still didn't like it.

Yet I could always count on them being happy to arrive any place I took them in the car. Both have always enjoyed going to the vet's office, the pet store, to visit friends, to the park to walk. I don't take them often, but it didn't seem to be a huge issue thatMolly did not like the mode of transporation. I pet them and talk to them in the car, and until recently, did not see any serious signs of distress.

Now I am afraid she will convulse in the car on the two-mile ride to the vet's office. I am afraid her seizures will intensify and/or leave her with some permanent damage. Phenobarbital can be used as an canine ani-convulsant, but it is contraindicated with her prednisolone that she needs daily to sustain her life. I think the pb causes the pred to metabolize faster and become non-effective as a result.

Have any of you ever dealt with or know of an Addison's dog? I did find a support group online, but the Js reach a more diverse audience. I need input on dogs who find car riding to be aversion therapy, on dogs with seizures, and suggestions for what to do. I am terrified of driving her the two miles to the vet's office in less than two weeks.

I am unsure whether it is the car ride or the vet that is the issue. I assume it's the vet, since she used to love to go and now does not want to be there. The first seizure came when we were waiting to be seen in the exam room. The next visit, we were not even into the exam room yet when she had the seizures. Before she got ill, we could have walked there if the ride was the problem, but now that distance is not tolerable for her. Surely she associates the ride now with the pain at the vet's, so by the time she gets there she is all worked up. I am considering taking her for rides to the Dairy Queen and such, but am leery to put her in the car unless I have to. I just don't know what to do. The vet has taken a "let's see" attitude. I trust her, since from what I have read on the support group, I was very lucky to have a vet who was able to diagnose this illness so fast.

How is she doing otherwise? She has been filling out forms she downloaded off the Internet for a CCW so I will give in more readily to her demands for more food. Still, I won't let her drive until she can reach the pedals

Good news, bad news

Molly, Molly, Molly. Lately, everything is about Molly. The poor dog has been such a trooper through all of this so far. She still gives me looks that just beg me to make it go away, but she is adjusting to having limits. Most of the time, she can jump on the bed again. She wants no limits on food intake, and has gained back all of her weight loss in just two weeks.

However, we were having a bit of a pee problem. It took me a while to figure it out. Anyone who has been reading me for a while is aware of the "servant bell." My dogs do not come to me when they have to go out. They used to just stand at the door to their dog run, and then expect it to open because they wanted it to. This was a problem for me, since I was often in another part of the house. So finally I stuck a bell on the doorknob, with the hopes that they might learn to use it. Sure enough, within 24 hours both of them would whack the ball to go out.

Then, Molly decided to use the bell for anything. If she is hungry, thirsty, wants a walk, whatever, she rings the bell. Sometimes I think she does it just to test the emergency bell system. It gets me up, since she will also ding the bell if she has to throw up, if she has time. Once the cat somehow got a dog treat and was keeping the dog away. Molly rang the bell - Mom, get that away from her and give it to me, OK?

So Molly has been whacking that bell about every, oh, three minutes for food. Every time, I would go to the door and ask her if she needed to go out, since the prednisolone not only makes her more hungry, but also more thirsty, which means more pee. She would say no, I just want to eat. Then she would pee on the carpet. Molly is totally, completely perfect with not going in the house normally.

What was happening, is that she was so hungry she would not go out, with the hopes that I would give her food. Then the pressure in her bladder would get so strong she would be unable to hold it. So I started shoving her out now and then, and the problem was solved. No accidents since.

Today was her two week check up and blood tests. She did not want to get in the car, even with Baby there, all excited and howling with joy for going any where. Molly shook all the way to the vet's office, which is only two miles. Addison's dogs are not to be stressed ever, and I was worrying.

We got to the vet's office, got out of the car - somehow Baby manages to get out first always, and into the office. Just as we were being shown to an exam room, Molly had seizures again. I almost lost it at that point - so far I have not cried over Molly's illness. But that was just so sad, she was so scared of what they were going to do to her. She didn't fight me on the leash or anything, but yet was so scared that she caused herself to have seizures. Luckily, they passed in a few minutes and she seemed OK. No treatment was given for them.

The vet pronounced Molly as progessing well, but the seizures concerned her. Me too! I have done some reading on Addison's, and know that the blood tests Molly needs right now are just electrolytes, so I asked if that was all that was being done. I don't need to pay for a full CBC if she doesn't need it. The vet said she was doing a full renal blood scan. I didn't ask, but I fear she is concerned that Molly is in renal failure, which could be causing the seizures to happen.

Since Molly was pronounced as doing well, we came home, took a little rest, and went for a walk. We hadn't walked in 3 weeks, although we had spent an hour a day walking all summer before that. We went a mile and a half, with first me holding them both back from going to fast, then slowing down more for Molly. We went to the frog path. We saw a lot of squirrels.

They are now both sleeping off the walk. All of us enjoyed the fresh air, and it's beautiful out today, even though it's cool. It was a good walk. I hope we have thousands more to take in the future.

It's all about me

You know, I tried to tell my mom that the dog called Molly wasn't acting right. Any cat worth her salt would have realized it at least an hour before mom did. We cats just know these things.

Let me get one thing straight. I did not wish this illness on that dog that people seem to fawn over. I wished for her to be gone entirely. I mean, who needs dogs? Those darn animals will eat my food in a second if mom doesn't put it where they can't reach it. As it is, Molly used to take advantage if anyone left a chair out from the kitchen table. She would jump on the chair, then on the table, and then on the counter to MY food. Grrr. I peed on one of her toys after that, but don't tell mom.

Everyone gets all excited to see a dog fetch. Did you know that I can fetch, too? I like rubber bands, especially the kind for ponytails. I get so excited when I find a rubber band that I want to play fetch right away. Mom sometimes complains because it's 3 am when I want to do this, but so what? I WANT to play, so she should get up and accommodate me, right? I don't usually want to play for more than an hour at a time any more.

Don't even get me started on that other annoying animal that mom calls Baby. That thing is like an energizer bunny, and she is always waking me up. Isn't that enough of a reason to get rid of her? Disturbing my 18-hour naps? I mean, what good is she?

I guess that Molly was really, really sick. Mom actually was so worried that one morning this week she prepared my breakfast just how I like it and then she didn't serve it to me. She forgot it on the other counter where I can't go. She left it there until she finally heard me complaining. Just how long am I supposed to wait?

Molly is able to jump on the bed and the furniture finally again. Her back end and her front end are not always going at the same pace right now. She looks pretty funny to me. At least she is sleeping a lot and not bothering me much.

Sometimes those dogs are on mom's lap when I want it and I have to sneak up quietly and fit myself in. I ask you, is that right?

I am 18 years old. These dogs are only 6 and 4. I have seniority here. I can make these two dogs lie down in front of me and not move until I say they can. Mom can't even do that. I am very impressive. You should see what I can make them do when mom isn't home! I have been trying to teach Molly to open the refrigerator, but we are still working on that one. Dogs aren't too bright, you know?

Oh yeah. Mom asked me to write about Molly. Well, she seems a little better this evening than she did earlier. That lazy dog slept almost 24 hours, other than to pee or eat. Man, is she eating now! I don't dare fall asleep where she can reach me or I might be dinner.

Maybe tomorrow we will let mom write again. She was busy working in the yard for a while this afternoon. It was too cold for bees, so she was able to get some stuff done out there that she couldn't do earlier in the year. I like to keep mom busy, you know. She needs to spend a little more time out there in the yard to get it nicer looking. I deserve it. She broke a nail digging up an old stump from a huge bush. No wonder I have a human to do my dirty work.

Don't tell anyone, but I do actually kind of like Molly. Once after Baby chased me (the gall!) Molly walked over to me and I swear she was checking to see if I was all right. Also, don't tell anyone, but rice makes Baby fart. I, of course, do not fart unless I want to. And even then, it does not stink.

Love, Wiz, the cat

Status

Oh boy oh boy oh boy mom said it's my turn I am so excited I get to write today and oh did you see that rabbit outside wait is there a squirrel too can I go outside and chase it mom says I have been acting like a Jack Russell but I don't get it do you?

Mom is very sad because Molly is still very weak she had perked up yesterday after her IV stuff but after she came home she just went to sleep and only got up to pee or eat can we go pee now I want to pee and see if that squirrel is still outside and the rabbit too Molly has been very boring and does not want to go outside with me and bark at anything but I still want to I do I do and it's so much fun but oh yeah mom is sad about Molly. Mom is afraid Molly will never be strong again because she had her medicine and her back legs are weak and she is sleeping so much Molly wake up I want to play right now ouch don't touch me there. I am telling mom you did that to me.

Mom says I have two speeds, High and Off. I don't get that, do you? I want to go get that squirrel or can I get some food huh can I or maybe I should go upstairs and look out the higher window so I can watch everything or maybe well this is a bed isn't it I am going to sleep right now.

Love, Baby, the Other Beagle

Back home, finally!

I really scared my mom this morning. She finally gets the call that I can be treated, then I go and have a seizure at the vet's office right before my treatment. It really scared mom, because the dog before me had seizures for 8 hours while mom was unable to get her to the vet's by herself in the middle of the night. Then she died. But mom was brave, she just ran for the vet, never letting go of Baby's leash, since we all know Baby will get in trouble on her own.

The vet took me to the back room where I do not like to go. I was too weak to fight it, so I just wagged my tail and hoped they would be gentle with me. The vets and techs there are always so sweet to me. They hug me, kiss me, and give me treats. This time, though, they stuck a catheter in my vein in my leg and gave me the medicine I needed. They said I was good, but really, I wasn't able to complain and they took very good care of me.

They made mom and Baby leave me there. None of us were happy about that, although I suspect Baby wasn't as unhappy as the rest of us because she got to go to the pet food store with mom and get me new treats and toys. I will get even with her for that later. I am the dominant dog around here. I come right after mom, who comes after the cat.

After a while, the medicine started to make me feel better. I got stronger, and was able to eat. I went outside and peed like a big girl. They made a big deal of that. Geez, I always pee outside at home.

Mom really doesn't understand my new disease very well. It's called Addison's Disease. It is the opposite of Cushing's Disease. It's also called hypoadrenocorticism, which is an endocrine disorder that results from a deficient production of adrenal gland hormones. There are two adrenal glands in the abdomen that lie just in front of the kidneys. Addison's Disease is uncommon in dogs. Beagles are not one of the breeds who are prone to it. Mostly younger and middle aged females are affected. I am six years old, which is coming up on middle age, but I don't like to think about that. Mom walks me three miles a day and I am in very good shape. My vet said that helped me with my event from Addison's, that I was so healthy to begin with.

Addison's causes a deficiency in two different groups of hormones, the glucocorticoids and the mineralocorticoids. The primary glucocorticoid hormone is cortisol, andit is responsible for combating stress, helping to maintain blood sugar. The major mineralocorticoid is aldosterone. Aldosterone regulates the water, sodium, potassium, and chloride concentrations in the body.

If my mom hadn't taken me to the vet's office on Tuesday, I would probably be dead by now. I will be on medication and susceptible to recurrent episodes for the rest of my life. I may or may not have seizures again. I know my mom will make sure I get the best care and won't forget my appointments or medications. I like to see my vet. She is very kind and gentle. She lets me lick her face. Mom doesn't let me lick hers.

When Mom came back to get me, she brought me a little stuffed lobster. By that time, I was ready for a real one. But I remembered what Remo told me and decided to put off the shellfish for a while. They cut and shaved some of my fur to get the tape off my leg when they removed my IV, and I didn't like that much, so I peed on the floor a little. I was scared, it hurt, and I wanted to just go home with my family. Mom cleaned it up. I was embarrassed.

When I got home, Baby was all over me. She smelled me all over and that drove me nuts. Then mom fed us dinner. I had some dry Science diet with chicken broth, and some fish with rice. Don't tell anyone, but Baby farts when she eats rice. Mom said she could have it this time anyway. Mom will have to start adding salt to my food, too.

Now I just want to take a nap, but I felt I needed to dictate this to mom so I could explain what happened to me and to thank everyone for being so wonderful of a support system for my mom.

I still don't know why she won't let me have a pen. Sheesh, get ink all over brand new carpeting just once and she just doesn't trust me again.

Love, Molly

 

Almost made it

Molly continued to decline last night, despite all my attempts to get food and water into her. I carried her to bed around 1 am. Baby got me up at 4 am to pee, Molly got me up at 6 am, so I let them sleep in until almost 9 am.

At 9:15 am, the vet called and said they had confirmation that it's Addison's Disease and that I could take her in for her treatment right away.

We were there within minutes. I had to carry Molly to the car. This is the first time in six years that Molly turned away from having her leash and collar put on. That broke my heart, since it means to me that she had a rough time at the vet's this week. She walked out of the car and into the building herself.

I was pretty excited, since finally we had a firm diagnosis and we were there for Molly's shot. I had been told she would likely respond fast, and could be back to reasonably normal health on a shaky basis.

Before the vet got to us, Molly had seizures. By 9:30 am, just minutes after her diagnosis, she had seizures.

She is still at the vet's, being treated for seizures, Addison's Disease, and getting IV fluids and hopefully food.

Baby and I left and went to the pet food store to get supplies, especially treats for Molly and kitty litter. The cat would not have let me back in the house without fresh kitty litter.

I have to call in half an hour to see if she is ready to go home. If she is, I will go get her and spend my day meeting her needs. If she isn't, I have to go buy a new washer and dryer, since my dryer died this week and the washer is old enough to drive. If she doesn't keep me too busy, I will also need to call the heating and cooling company for a new furnace and new central air conditioning unit. Did I also mention that I got a notice this week that I have a date with a judge - for jury duty in a few weeks?

I even bought Molly a new dog bed. She never had one before, being content to sleep on furniture and my bed. I figured she is having trouble jumping up, so I thought she might want a nice little space of her own.

I did not break down at the vet's office. I called for help when she seized, and hugged her quickly so they could get her to the back for the IVs. She looked so weak and close to death. But I had to make the decisions for herand not take the attention from the staff to take care of me.

Sit pretty

Molly spent several hours at the vet today having her stimulation blood tests for Addison's Disease. She had not eaten for about two days, and had been getting weaker.

They gave her some more water subcutaneously, to avoid dehydration for another day. But food was not going into her at all.

I brought her home. Eventually I got a little water in her, and one anti-nausea pill. She ate a few bites of special dog food. Later, I gave her some chicken broth, and she had maybe a little more than half a cup, split up in two servings.

She is very, very weak. She still shakes, I think from adrenaline rushes, and there has not been any improvement. I am just getting enough in her to keep her alive, I think.

I should have the results of her tests tomorrow, Saturday, or Monday. I think if they aren't in by Saturday we will be in the emergency room for IVs for fluids and nourishment. Once she gets a positive, definite diagnosis of Addison's Disease, they can give her the shot she needs on a monthly basis for the rest of her life, and the vet says she will improve dramatically. However, the shot would not be safe if the diagnosis is not correct. So we have to wait. This is frustrating, but I would not want her to be given the wrong medications.

All markers indicate Addison's, so assuming that is what her final diagnosis will be, I will be home waiting, all set to rush her up to the vet's office for the shot. The medications will treat her condition, but not cure it or eliminate it. There will be emergency room visits and medical scares off and on the rest of her life. We will deal with it.

Meantime, Baby is enjoying getting the treats Molly turns down.

 Molly is expected to respond well enough to be able to lead a normal life, most of the time. She should be able to resume her 3-mile daily walks. Once she gets her shot, I need to take Baby for a walk. She is just bursting with energy because of the lack of walks. Donuts have not slowed her down yet.

So we are not out of the woods. Molly is home, but very weak. She is unstable on her feet, and can barely focus on anything. I hope we can get her the medications tomorrow. This is a very serious disease, and not very common. Beagles are not one of the breeds prone to it.

She was shedding more than usual this summer, and that was a symptom. She was lagging on walks, and that was also. I wrote those symptoms off as a result of us having the hottest summer in 100 years. I had no idea those were two of the symptoms of Addison's. When I talked to the vet, I said, "Well, if I had called you and told you that Molly was shedding more, you probably would have told me to brush her." Vet: "Exactly. We did not have enough information until she refused food and got weak."

Molly says "thank you" to everyone who has left sweet wishes for her. She said that when she gets better, she will work on her penmanship and try to write thank you letters. I think, though, I could do a better job teaching her to type. I have seen what she does with a pen.

More on Molly's illness

Molly is at the vet's, having her stimulation test, getting a cortisone shot, anti-nausea shot, and water sub-cutaneously. Hopefully they can get some nourishment into her too, because I have not been able to. Nothing at all.

I expected Baby to be freaked to come home without Molly, because she has never been separated other than when she was spayed, and we picked her up still groggy because Molly was not doing well without her. But Baby just hit the sofa for a nap, content after get the lion's share of a donut with me for a treat.

I took pictures of Molly and Baby this morning, and a couple were at the vet's office. I will try and post them tonight or tomorrow. It just seemed the right thing to do.

Thank you for all the great support and positive vibes for Molly. It broke my heart to leave her at the vet's while she is sick, but she was wagging her tail at me when I left :)

Molly is a very special dog. I was very happy when I woke up to find her cuddled up tight to me, breathing.

Rx: DQ; Possible Dx

The vet just finally called with a possible diagnosis for Molly. This surprised me. She has to be specifically tested for Addison's Disease. This is a malfunction of the adrenal gland. I was told that if she has this, it's treatable, but expensive. It's not uncommon for dogs with this Dx to end up euthanized due to the cost. Addison's is the opposite of Cushing's.

I am not concerned about the cost. Whatever it is, I can afford it.

Molly continues to refused food, water, and shakes off and on. I had to run out for an appointment for myself, and picked up a DQ cone for myself and two little vanilla ice cream dishes for the hog dogs. While Baby delightedly inhaled hers, Molly waved her tongue at it twice, and walked away. I wiped some on her muzzle, hoping she would lick it off.

I needed to steam my carpets anyway.

So tomorrow morning, first thing, we are off to the vet's office for a stimulation test on Molly's adrenals. They will start her on the cortisone tablets tomorrow, if I can get them in her. Then she will also need a shot once a month, assuming this is the correct diagnosis. There may be more Rx than that involved, I don't know yet. First, we need a definite Dx.

I know nothing, really, about Addison's Disease. I will be doing some reading this evening.

I do know that I have one very sick dog. Wish us luck.

Quick update on Molly

Before bed, I managed to get a few bites of special dog food, i/d, into Molly, a pain pill, and a little bit of water. She slept all night, but I woke up at 7 am because she was shaking so badly. She shook for an hour, while I petted her and reminded her that she is the best dog in the world. Baby finally had to go out. I carried Molly down the stairs and then tried to feed the brood.

Baby, of course, ate everything I gave her. The cat was screeching for her breakfast, then watched Molly, hoping she is now weak enough to take down.

Molly refused everything. She peed, and has been shaking and sleeping off and on. That is it. I have to get an anti-nausea pill in her, an antibiotic, and hopefully a pain pill too.

So I offered her pills in her normal way, with peanut butter on a spoon. No dice. I tried mixing one in with the i/d, which worked last night. Nope. I tried to give her a small piece of bluebery muffin, figuring I could hide a pill in the second piece. Turned her nose away from that! I tried sticking an anti-nausea pill on a butter knife mixed with pb and wiping it on her tongue. Almost - but the pill got spit out and Baby lapped it up.

Back to the drawing board. I crushed another anti-nausea pill and mixed it with pb and wiped that on her tongue. She finally ingested it. In an hour or so I will try again with the antibiotic, and if necessary, I will crush it and do the same thing. It will be harder, since the pill is about 6 times bigger.

I haven't heard from the vet yet, but it is still early. I am very worried about fluids. Hopefully the anti-nausea pill will allow her to drink a little water. I can't sneak that into her very easily. I am looking around for a water dropper, though. I am sure there must be one here some place. I don't like to force - generally I assume she knows what is best.

So keep the good thoughts coming in and let's hope I can keep her out of the doggie hospital. Molly gets serious separation anxiety, and they would have to really drug her to keep her. Baby would freak with Molly gone.

Today the temperature will be 84, which is about 20 degrees higher than normal. The high will drop to 57 by Friday. I can't even take the girls for a walk today for the last really warm day. I can't take Baby alone, as Molly would freak out, I think. They are neverseparated. If I even get the leashes out, Molly will try to go along, even though she can barely stand. These girls love their walks.

I will post again when I hear from the vet.

Poor dog

Poor Molly is sicker than a, well, dog. She started out fine yesterday. We went around noon for our usual 3 mile walk, but it was pretty hot. I let her take a few sips from a puddle in the street. Baby got a couple laps out of it, then I dragged them off, telling them jokingly that was enough fertilizer for them. We had had rain the night before, and the puddle looked clear.

After we got home, Molly went down hill. She refused dinner at 3 pm. Write that date down, because my ex-husband is more likely to refuse a meal than a beagle. She refused water, she refused treats. She got very quiet. She refused a pain pill with peanut butter.

At that point, I was worried. I decided that if she didn't eat breakfast, I was calling the vet.

She refused breakfast. I called the vet. We went in this afternoon, after I cleaned up yet another pile of icky horkiness.

The vet has no idea, but is assuming a bacterial infection. She gave Molly an antibiotic shot, and gave me pills for tomorrow. She gave her an anti-nausea shot, and gave me pills for tonight. I asked for, and got, a subcutaneous shot of water for her, since she won't drink water still. She has lost 4 pounds in the last two months. That is a lot for a dog her size.

Hopefully the blood test results tomorrow will shed some light. I have never seen Molly this sick. She just lies still, and shivers now and then. No walks today. I can't separate them. Baby even went with us to the vet's office, and acted like a jack russell, just bouncing off the walls.

Please keep Molly in your thoughts. She is only 6, although her momma had cancer at age 4. (There is nothing wrong with her ear, it was just turned inside out.)

 

Poor me

I know some of you feel sorry for people like me who live alone. I eat a lot of meals home alone, and cooking for one can be a chore. I often cook normal amounts and just eat them for a few days. I am good with that. Food to me is fuel, not a pleasure of its own, usually.

I am not one to eat out of a carryout container or a can right over the sink, though. I like to use a cloth place mat and cloth napkin. I have decent dishes and fairly new flatware. I do sometimes worry that I don't get enough variety in my diet, but probably I do just fine. Below is an example of one of my meals for one. I had to stand on the chair to get the whole plate in, but you get the idea, I am sure.

 

Can you do it?

Last night a friend dragged out his high school yearbook to show me that he had been in gymnastics. It sort of surprised me, as he is not someone I would have pictured hanging from the rings.

We talked a big about gymnastics and such. I mentioned that I had told someone recently that I used to do headstands without bending my knees. That requires lifting the legs using stomach muscles. It's a great exercise, but I wasn't sure if I could even do a headstand at all any more. We joked about things we used to do, and can't do now. I doubt very much if I can do a handstand any more, and I am not trying a cartwheel.

But I had, just had, to try a headstand. I do this every few years, just to see. Each time it's different. This time, my wrists felt a bit wobbly. But I put my knees on my elbows, trying to keep the dogs from happily licking my upside down face. They always want to take advantage when I am vulnerable. I am pretty sure Molly was reaching for my Visa card.

So I slowly lifted my hips, straighted my back, raised my legs, arched my back, and howled a little, then slowly, gently lowered myself back down.

Yes, I can still do it without smashing back down or hurting anything. I didn't even break any furniture. I wonder why I ever stopped doing this stuff in the first place?

I am taking the dogs for a 3 mile walk. I think I will be strutting just a little.