Dackel Princess

Prayin’ For Lili

Now that we know that Lili has EPI I have started working wth her. You see, when she was really suffering before the start of her medication, the poor thing was in pain, had terrible diarrhea, and was wasting away. A terrible thing for a dog to be going through.

The trainer kept telling me she was willful and to be harsh with her. Well, I stopped going to her. You simply cannot be harsh with a dog who is frantically hungry all the time.

There was that look in her eyes. That terrible look that told me that she was scared. So, after praying to God for assistance, I started to behave calmly with my constant shadow.

After lunch today, I allowed her to come up on my loveseat with me. Then I softly, gently, stroked her back, her ears, and down her legs. Her eyes closed and she sighed.

I thought then that here is a dog that has been abused by illness. She was counting on us to recognize that and help her. I have to admit that Hubby was the biggest help. He’s been involved in a genetics project for years and this was one of the illnesses that was discussed.

So I ask, if you are the praying sort of person, please include Lili in your prayers. She will need all of them if we are to get this disease under control.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What’s something you wanted to do this summer that you never got around to actually doing?

Going to the local Fairs. Actually there is one more close by and I will go. Either by myself or with someone.

2. Share a favorite memory of your own back -to-school days as a child.

New clothes, new shoes and braided hair.

3. What’s one chore or daily task you prefer doing ‘old-school’ ?

I know this will sound funny, but scrub the toilet. So many people use the drop in the tank stuff, but I prefer the cleaner, scrub brush and scour. Oh yes, and done with old fashioned gloves

4. Share something you’ve learned in life through the ‘school of hard knocks’.

Enjoy today. Love the ones you love, never let a day go by when you do not tell them or show them. You never know when their last day, or your last day will come.

5. As a child, did you mostly bring or buy your lunch for school? What was your favorite thing to find in your lunchbox?

In the early years I bought my lunch. I loved Friday Fish Sticks and mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables and a fruit cup. Of course that came with a carton of milk. Later, my Dad made our lunches. It was the same every day. An American Cheese Sandwich, Apple and I would buy a carton of milk.

6. Football season is upon us which has me wondering… how big of a sports fan are you (not just football) ? On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being ‘I scream at the players through my television screen’ and 1 being ‘is knitting a sport?’ where do you fall in fandom?

I am not a big football fan, but I do watch (kinda, sorta, ya know?) But I love tennis! I also love figure skating, and skiing, and gymnastics.

7. Share a favorite quote you think might inspire students of all ages at the start of a new school year.

“Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life; define yourself.” – Harvey Fierstein

Positive Defeats Negative

As you all know, a few weeks back, I returned to Weight Watchers and started to follow the Simple Start plan. I love it! I’ve found it easy to follow, and have lost quite a bit of weight.

In fact, yesterday I was running around the house doing various things and my “fat” shorts fell off me! Thus making me feel good and also making me anxious for Wednesday when I can weigh in.

I’ve been really working at staying positive in my mind. You see the depression monster came to visit a few weeks back and I’ve had one heck of a time, but I refuse to give in.

This week I have two thing I really want to do. Get my hair done and go to Market Basket and shop! The employees and customers won and Artie T. DeMoulas is back as CEO!

Positive thinking! Yes that’s how I will start and finish each day!

Broken

My glasses broke today! I think they can be fixed, but for now I am back in my old ones until I can either get my glasses fixed or get a new pair.

Here I am in my regular glasses.

And here I am in my old glasses.

I like the new glasses better because I have a wider peripheral field of vision. This means I must get myself down to the eye glasses shop and get these glasses repaired. You know, I am noticing that my old glasses are more comfortable. Hmmmmmm. Maybe I should wear these for a while and see how thesy feel on my new nose.

Lili Update

Today I wanted to write a little about about how Lili is doing. It’s been a tough go. As a very little puppy, I did not understand her at all. I’ve raised many a puppy, but never one so totally uninterested in people. She was often almost feral.

Then she got sick. Terribly sick, and I didn’t understand that either. I read everything I could and finally when Hubby and I were pretty sure we knew what was wrong, we got our Vet involved.

Stool samples were taken, exams were made and in the end, we found out why Lili was so ravenous all the time and not a very friendly dog.

She has Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency which was literally causing her to starve to death. We started her on enzyme powder and a pill to help her digest her food and rest her gut.

At first she was the same and dealing with her was so hard. I wanted Lili more than anything, but I have to tell you that cleaning up after an EPI dog is not easy.

Also she went mental while her food was resting (enzyme activation). Then about three days ago, something happened. Lili calmed down. Her belly no longer hurts (I suspect) and she has shown us her loving heart.

Her basic training at doggy school has helped, but since she gets over excited by any food, I started to train her all on my own. And actually, she is doing pretty well.

Please keep Lili in your prayers. This is a tough, lifelong illness and we are doing our best to save her with the best medications they have.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. As August draws to a close, share what’s been your favorite weekend of the entire summer?

When my cousin, Larry married his longtime soulmate, Cindy.

Great wedding, and wonderful reception. It was fun to watch them start their life together.

2. Labor Day is marked in the US of A on Monday, September 1st. What paying job have you held that you’ve loved the most? Liked the least?

Loved the most? Non-paying job. Being a Mom. Least favorite job? Selling shoes.

3. Does the new school year start before or after Labor Day where you live? When do you think it should begin? There is much discussion now about older students having later start times to their school day…your thoughts?

Before and it just seems weird to me!

4. What’s something you’ve worked at recently that could be deemed a ‘labor of love’?

Hubby fell the other day and ripped up the side of his leg. He bled terribly, all over his dressy slacks! I brought them to the laundry room and was thrilled to see they were actually washable. I worked long and hard and got the blood out!

5.Which of the following work idioms can you most relate to right now…’A woman’s work is never done.’, ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.’ ‘Many hands make light work.’

A woman’s work is never done. Between canning season, Lili and just plain cooking and cleaning up regular meals, the only time I am not on my feet are when I am in bed!

6. Crab or lobster or thanks, but no thanks? Favorite way to have your choice prepared?

I love both. But being a New England girl, a freshly steamed lobster, with steamers (clams) corn on the cob and either boiled potatoes or potato salad.

7. Albert Einstein is quoted as saying, ‘Three rules of work: Out of clutter find simplicity; From discord find harmony; In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.’ Which of the three do you consider to be the most important? Share one of your own ‘rules of work’.

From discord, find harmony. It’s what I really need to do.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Yesterday I sanitized all my wood floors. Today I need to bring the dackels in for a nice shower, and I seriously want to wash our braided rug. I feel like all I can smell are dogs and it is driving me insane!

About Time

I’m going to reccomend a movie to you all. Currently it’s playing on Cinimax, but you can also watch it on red box and other videos.

It was a sleeper when it hit the theaters, but quite honestly, it is a warm, feel good movie! I loved the characters. The acting was great and at the end…the message was a good, clear one.

Here is the movie trailer.

A Season

Sunday I went to a Memorial Service for the brother of a friend of mine. I did not know him well, but I am so fond of his sister and I simply ached for her.

His mother was there, and the expression on her face told me that she is in shock and not feeling too much, other than overwhelming grief. I ached for her too.

I sat trying to talk to people and not being very successful. It brought it all back to me, losing Katie, losing my brother to cancer, and all the emotions that go along.

It made me wish I could talk to my Mom and she is gone too.

I sort of feel that I am in a transition time. Going from being the grown child, to now being an elder member of our family.

But to everything…there is a season.

Cracks

Our driveway got refreshed! After living here 15 years, it was time to dig up the boulders, fill in the cracks and then seal everything.

One crack was so large I could not believe it. Although I did not measure it, I swear it was two inches.

My theory was that our earthquake two years ago had caused it. (I love the drama) but the driveway worker told me it was probably a frost heave. Stay tuned for pictures.

I was doing dishes after making Lili’s meals and the base of my food processor broke! Crap! The machine was a gift from Hubby for my birthday the first year we were married, making this 26 years old! It is plastic, so I have to not be too upset. I was able to order a new one through Amazon.

Sunday is a local Street Fair for the areas Artisans. I go every year, as I love seeing things, and I also love to meet and greet my neighbors.

Have a great Sunday everyone!

I’ve decided that my life is too busy right now. I get up every morning early due to Lili, and then it seems that there is no rest for the wicked, as Lili keeps me running in and out and in and out all day.

It is also harvesting season and I am cooking up a storm and freezing spaghetti sauce, and very soon I will be making jams.

There is also Lili’s eating schedule/medications/walks. Add to that Hubby’s eating schedule/medications and his harvest time.

So life is busy. Tonight as I walked up the cellar stairs after freezing more spaghetti sauce, I felt so, very, tired. My legs were like lead!

The driveway gets sealed tomorrow and so our cars are parked up at our neighbors. So, yes, we have to walk up hill to go anywhere. I wonder if I can just stay home for a few days!