Dackel Princess

Worry

We’re worried. Fritz is not himself. It started a few weeks back, but it was not too bad. Then over the weekend Fritz began hiding and pacing and nervously trying to get into the smallest place possible in the house.

At lunchtime we let him out for his wee=wee, and usually he goes and comes right back in. But he didn’t. I jumped in my jeep and drove out calling his name. I found him, but away from his safety zone.

On Monday night when I went to get him in, he back away from me. I stopped and gently called to him and eventually got him in. But he seemed afraid of me.

I’m so afraid for our boy. Fritz will be 10 years old in July. He is definitely a senior citizen. He sleeps more than he did, and isn’t hungry like he used to be, but he has always been in good shape.

Now, not so much. We’ll get him into the Vet’s in the next few days. We’ll see what they say, but we are both afraid for our boy.

What I Did This Past Weekend

Our host is Gattina. Come join us and tell us what YOU did this past weekend! After all, you never know when you will need an alibi!

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In the last few months I have faced uncharted territory. I figured I had a small and insubstantial cancer, when in fact I have had to switch gears and recognize that in many cases, cancer is cancer and must be fought with every fiber of ones being.

It’s been a real roller coaster ride for me since the day in February when Dr. A called me and told me that the biopsy came back positive.

I thought it meant a quickie surgery, a couple of stitches, and then it would be done.

But then, cancer is cancer, right? Nothing is that simple.

Before I knew it, I had surgery, lost a large portion of my nose and I looked like the elephant man. I went into shock.

And I became depressed.

How can one not get depressed when they are really counting on the happily ever after and suddenly have to face the fact that it will be a long road.

For a while I couldn’t even think of my summer garden. I’ve had one for years and enjoyed it so much. But this year, it seemed like more than I could think of.

Then a few days before my latest surgery we were shopping in Walmart and I was in the garden center when I saw a seed section. My mind began to think about the joy, the love I have with growing our vegetables.

So, I went over and started grabbing packets of seeds. Hubby got me some wonderful soil and we came home.

I knew all my supplies were there, I just needed to sit down and do it.

So, on Sunday, I went out and while listening to my MP3 player, and with the company of my dogs, I started all my seeds (except my peas and beans, which I plant right in the ground).

You see, a garden is life’s way of giving me hope. Hope for a complete recovery, hope for a future of health and happiness.

As I potted the soil and put in the seeds I laughed, smiled and a tear fell from my eyes. One day I want to teach Savannah all about planting a garden. I want her to see how wonderful it is to plant a seed and watch it grow into something you can eat!

The Best Medicine

I was lying down in my recliner, taking a rest and watching movies that I have seen a gazillion times before, when my cell phone rang. It was my daughter, Mandy!

She asked me what I was up to and I admitted that I was not doing a darn thing.

In fact, watching the bad TV and sort of drowsing in a semi-state of sleep, was just wasting time.

She asked if I might like a visit? A visit with her and my favorite little grand-baby!

She did not have to twist my arm or ask twice! And a mere hour and a half later, they arrived!

Now just look at this little girl? How can I stay depressed and feeling sorry for myself when I have Savannah playing with me?

She is crawling and climbing and taking steps. She handled herself pretty well with the dogs, and flirted with Hubby!

Savannah and Mandy were simply the best medicine that I could have had today.

Thank you so much, girls!

Time To Plant The Seeds!

Today I will have Hubby set me up at a table with a spade, my seeds, and the cups for planting the seeds.

Yes, today will be seed starting day!

I am determined to get these seeds started now, so that around June the first I can plant the plants in the garden.

This year I got disease resistant seeds for the zucchini and summer squash and cucumbers. The last couple of years I have had a little problem with powdery mildew and then leaf curl.

I’ll be buying my tomato plants and my eggplant plants. Now doesn’t that sound funny?

I was peaking outside today and noticed that the lilacs and forsythia are starting to open their buds.

The next week we will have temperatures in the 60’s, so I am thinking that the shrubs will start to really blossom out!

Oh, I just love spring in New England!

Just A Reminder…

A young friend of mine was out shopping recently and saw “the cutest puppy ever” in a pet store window. I know how that is. I’ve seen the dogs too, and so wanted to throw caution to the wind and buy the dog on the spot and become a pet owner.

In the past, what stopped me was the crazy prices that these stores charged and the fact that I was very poor,

But as I grew older and learned more, I learned all about puppy mills, sick animals and broken hearts.

So back to my friend, who fell in love with a puppy, bought him on the spot and two days later was dealing with a very sick puppy, whose chances of survival are not good.

My friend went back to the store and naturally they do not want to refund the money for the dog, or for the money spent on the Veterinary. The best bet in this case is Legal Aid and the Attorney General’s Office for Consumer Affairs.

I’m taking this time to remind you all to stay away from Pet Stores. They primarily deal with puppy mills and the animals are rarely in good condition.

There are actually a few ways to go when you make up your mind to adopt a doggy into your home.

First, the local Humane Society have dogs all the time. Puppies even, desperately needing homes. They are mixed up jumbles of DNA, who more than likely will have fewer genetic problems than that Pet Store Puppy will.

The other good thing about shelters is that they have Vet’s that come in and make sure that these animals are in good health, and they spay and neuter them.

If you are really set about having a certain breed of dog in your life, then let Mr. Google help you out. Type in the search box say, “Dachshund Rescue and your state” and you will find that almost every state in the country have rescue groups with pups ready for a place to call home and people to love.

Pet ownership is expensive enough these days without falling in love with a pup that will drain your pocketbook in the first few days you have them, just because of the horrible puppy mill people who breed them.

Happy Birthday Puppies!

4 years old!

Today Anneliese’s puppies are four years old. He is a short montage looking back as well as a few new ones,

Plastics

It has been a hard recovery for me this time. I’ve had more pain than the last time and quite honestly, this makes me pretty hesitant about the next surgery.

Yes, there will be another one in the next few weeks. It seems, things did not come out quite right.

So on May 1st I go back to see the plastic surgeon, my dermatologist and gynecologist. All at this one medical center an hour and fifteen minutes away. With that, I am actually happy. At least I got all three appointments on one day!

My face looks so much better than it did before the surgery, but under the graft on my nose it too much flesh and blood. Also on the forehead, that also needs to be cleaned up as it also did not come through the way the doctor wanted.

One thing I have come to learn is that plastic surgery, after this type of damage, often goes in stages.

So I was exhausted last night and fell asleep long before I wrote Dackel Princess.

I’m hoping to get back to my usual self soon, and get writing more often.

Have a great Thursday Everyone!!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. April showers bring May flowers…what have you been showered with this month?

Computer peripherals. My high speed internet modem and my router. I replaced the modem, and then (fortunately) took the router out of the box and got it hooked up!

2. What is the nature of compassion? Is it learned or innate? Can compassion be learned? If you’re a parent is this something you’ve purposely sought to instill in your children, and if so how?

I think this is a tough question. Some people have never been taught, of have the innate quality of compassion. I tried to teach my girls compassion by doing clothing drives for the poor, as well as having them go through their toys to donate to a woman’s shelter. I think it worked because Mandy is so very thoughtful and compassionate.

3. Do you prefer to watch romantic comedy or romantic drama…or are you rolling your eyes saying bring on the action flicks?

I like romantic comedy, and I also love action flicks, but not horrific ones. I love Bruce Willis, and his action movies always make me sit on the edge of my seat and sometimes laugh.

4. It’s April which means baseball season is officially upon us here in the US of A. Humphrey Bogart is quoted as saying “A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.” Agree or Disagree?

Oh yeah! There is nothing like a hot-dog and beer at the ballpark!

5. What’s something in your community or city that needs fixing or improving?

Apparently, the park trails now that it is spring. Hubby is going this weekend to help clear the trails!

6. Share a song you enjoy that mentions flowers or a specific flower in its title.

7. April 22nd is Earth Day…do you believe there’s life on other planets? That wasn’t the question you were expecting was it?

I’d like too. How exciting!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Taken this morning on the left. Here is my after on the right!

Twas The Day Before Surgery…

My Monday began much like any other day. Walking the dogs, making the coffee…and then my day turned upside down.

I had no Internet connection! I went and rebooted my router as I’ve been having a lot of trouble with that, but no, it didn’t work. So, as I got my second cup of coffee, I called my Internet Service Provider.

She tested the modem and it was determined that the modem was indeed dead.

So after breakfast, off Hubby and I went to exchange the modem, get the light bulb I talked about yesterday and food for our picky eater, Fritz.

As we roamed the isles of Walmart a little girl took one look at me and then followed me for several isles. Her eyes were wide with wonder and her mouth agape! Oh yes, I can hardly wait for my surgery!

Upon our arrival home, I hooked up the new modem and after another round with tech support, we got the modem running.

But then the router up and completely died! I sat down thinking. We already have our new, replacement router, but I was a little afraid to get it online.

I opened the box, read the almost non-existent instructions, where they actually said, “If you have any questions see us at www://……….

Now how the heck can you go online if the router isn’t working?

After several hours (I kid you not!) I finally got the router up and running. There are still tweaks to be done, but we can at least access the Internet! Yay!

I got the call for my surgery today. I must be at the hospital by 11:30 for a 1:00 pm surgery.

Folks, this nightmare is nearly over, and soon I will have my face back!

Savannah took her first steps!

I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how happy I am about that! Oh, how I can hardly wait to see her in person!!!

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So off to bed I go and I’ll report in on Wednesday and let you know how it all went!

What I Did This Past Weekend

Our host is Gattina. Come join us and tell us what YOU did this past weekend! After all, you never know when you will need an alibi!

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Well this past weekend was the weekend I prepared in earnest for all that is to come. The really weird part is, I’m actually ready both here at home and in my head.

I look around my home and I see a certain amount of organization. Why I even cleaned my refrigerator today and discovered a burned out light bulb in the bottom, so we’ll take care of that on Monday.

There are several things I am looking forward to after the surgery!

I’m looking forward to being able to sleep freely. Right now I have to sleep on my back and after a night of sleeping like this, I wake up so stiff and achy.
I’m looking forward to showers where I can allow the water to splash in my face! Currently I can only shower with my nose covered and with my back to the water!

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I’m looking forward to being able to go outside and feel the wind on my face without pain, much like a cavitie, on my poor raw nose!
I’m looking forward to being able to go out and not have people stare at me and wonder…
I’m looking forward to going for a nice walk in the sunshine!
I am looking forward to wearing my glasses again! I never thought I would say that, after complaining about wearing them for years! Just call me vain!!!
I am looking forward to living life to the fullest! Spending time with Hubby, Mandy and Savannah! I haven’t seen my girls in a few weeks now and I sure miss them!

So you see, I have so much life to live and things to be grateful for. Right now it is just getting through the next week and I bet I will be good as new!