Freya - Our Poorly Puppy
Home alone on a dismal day . . . 01/12/2009
Today has been a complete washout. My appetite hasn't been as good today and I have had some difficulty getting the medications down tonight. Granny left me alone for the morning as she was at a meeting about returning to school to do a bit of teaching on one day each week. When she returned , the rain and wind were so grim that we didn't go for an outing. Fun at the beach with Kai and Sasha . . . 01/11/2009
Please enjoy the picture story of my day today and call back to read the paragraphs which will be published in a few hours time.  Paragraph.  Paragraph.  Paragraph.  Paragraph.  Paragraph.  Paragraph.  Paragraph.  Paragraph.  Paragraph.  Paragraph.  Paragraph.  Paragraph.  Paragraph.  Paragraph.  Paragraph.  Paragraph.  Paragraph.  Paragraph. Racing with a rabbit . . . 01/10/2009
 I actually decided to climb the stairs to bed last night leaving behind the remnants of what had been a glorious log fire but headed for Mum’s room again where I can stretch out and wriggle and twist without disturbing anyone. Granny is going to get me an appointment for a check up to see if we can establish exactly what my current status is. My abdominal effusion is blindingly obvious but the signs are there that the fluid is building on my chest too. There are occasions when I do start to ask ‘Why me?’ but I’m trying to keep positive and certainly love my daily outings.  I remained there whilst I was home alone when Granny went shopping but greeted Granddad with an enthusiastic wag of my tail when he returned from golf. Granny was only a few minutes later and I greeted her by shoving my nose as deep as possible into the shopping bags to check what goodies might be headed in my direction. Having supervised the unpacking of the shopping I cleaned up the remnants of my breakfast and then adjourned to my neighbourhood watch position to watch a neighbour working on his car with bonnet, boot and doors open.  As usual, it was Granny who took me for my outing. We headed up to the Folkestone Downs and parked in our usual position these days so that we access the field via the top gate to avoid the mud at the more popular entrance. Mind you, we needn’t have worried today as the ground was frozen.  Granny was doing her usual check for interesting photographs when she became aware of an unusual bird. By that I mean that it wasn’t the usual magpie, gull or pigeon that we are so accustomed to seeing. It was a lapwing.  Whilst she was busy taking photographs of the lapwing, I scampered ahead and introduced myself to two black dogs but their human was on a determined hike to the gate and so I had no opportunity to play. Shame.   Once Granny had opened the gate, Honey and I introduced ourselves but our liaison was very brief because, yet again, the humans weren’t in the mood to socialise. We held back to allow them to get away and then hiked to the summit of the hill.    My luck was in on the return journey when I met a very friendly human with her two Bedlington Terriers.  Daizy and I enjoyed romping around together whilst our humans chatted but I was coughing so that I did have to take time out to recover.  Leo spent his time observing our antics . . . well, peering through his untrimmed fringe trying to see what we were up to. He had apparently spent several hours being groomed but had not yet been trimmed. I wonder if I meet him again whether he will be as playful as Daizy.   My final encounter was with a couple of dogs who were real racers. Sadly it was yet another occasion when their human was uncommunicative with me and Granny.   My thirst is still very obvious and I regularly drink over a gallon in a single day. Some of my medications clearly say that they should be taken with water so I reckon I’m doing as I should be. Home alone . . . 01/09/2009
 I was actually so cosy on the settee last night that I stayed there when Granny went to bed. Perhaps she was somewhat relieved as my flatulence was making interesting aromas. I decided to go up to bed in the small hours and actually woke Granddad when I misjudged my jump and landed on him . . . big oops! Thankfully he was able to settle down again quite quickly.  I managed to take my corticosteroid without biting into it today but did accidentally bite my Metronidazole at breakfast. The taste is horrible but I managed to take the whole tablet when Granny disguised it in my breakfast bowl. As I was reduced to fits of shivering again, Granny continued with dosing me with Antepsin just in case it is ulcers causing me pain. Of course, it could actually be the abdominal effusion . . . it is definitely making me uncomfortable and I’m finding that I need to sit upright to be comfortable. Thankfully Granny is eternally vigilant and builds me towers of cushions for me to be able to rest my head whilst easing the pressure on my abdomen.  I was sad to see Granny off to do the shopping with Great Grandma as it meant that I was home alone and lonely. At least I had the continuing activity in the street as entertainment when I was bored. It was the third consecutive day when huge removal lorries were parked up as teams of men worked in the house opposite. If only I had opposable thumbs I could have made myself useful by answering the phone and taking messages as it rang more frequently in a single morning than it has done all week.  We had just begun our circuit of the larger field when I spotted the arrival of two potential new friends. I sprinted across the field to introduce myself and discovered that the dogs were mother and daughter named Nema and Ebony. They were tremendous fun as they had real energy to bounce and run. It’s a sad reality that I was experiencing episodes of coughing so had to steady the pace. We were also on limited time today as I was due to go for a nail trim at the veterinary surgery.   I met the cutest little dog in the waiting room. She was tiny but so confident and playful. Her owner suggested that we should become playmates but Granny was rather dubious because of the size difference. I was called through by a nurse and came bouncing back to Granny in record quick time. Friends on a foggy day . . . 01/08/2009
 It was another night when I decided to sleep in Mum’s room and Rhya took my place with Granny. Just like yesterday, I went through and joined Granny when Granddad departed for work. I snuggled up with a cuddly toy when Granny got up and stayed in bed until Granny called me for breakfast. She had previously brought my corticosteroid up to me in bed and I’m delighted to report that I didn’t bite into it today . . . clever me.  I enjoyed my breakfast and licked the bowl clean without even noticing that I had taken all my morning medications which had been mixed in. Granny had made a lovely gravy with chicken stock flavoured with a bit if Marmite . . . I do like my Marmite. Perhaps I could get the manufacturers to sponsor me or pay me to do an advert . . . worth considering, especially as Granny thinks that the signs are beginning to build of an increasing effusion. My abdominal effusion is obvious to anyone as my belly is so bloated but I’ve started lying in the manner that Paul described as indicative of breathing difficulties and I am coughing at some point each day. I’ve got my paws tightly crossed that it will build slowly so that I don’t need another drain too soon. It will be four weeks tomorrow since my last chest drain.  After my breakfast I went to the garden to do my business and am delighted to report that diarrhoea is currently something of a dim memory. I then adjourned to the lounge to continue my monitoring of street activity. I was astounded to see that the lorry from Telford was back to continue the packing up of the house opposite. I was shivering so Granny wrapped me in my blanket and actually decided to restart my Antepsin to see if they would help.  I was delighted when I heard the familiar sound of Sasha and Kai arriving in their usual exuberant style. There were a few moments of joyful mayhem with barking and tail wagging and then everyone settled down nicely. Sasha seemed particularly interested in exploring the garden today but Kai preferred to stay indoors. Mum and Elaine gave me lovely cuddles and checked up on my progress.  Granny explained about my new homeopathic medications so that I’ve actually now got four different bottles for Granny to organise. She’s going to put up a laminated tick chart to keep track of all the medications I take in a single day but will need it to run for a week as there are now two which are to be administered only twice per week. Whether it’s coincidence or the new medications I started yesterday, I’ve been very sleepy today and have also been suffering from flatulence . . . oops! Granny is going to phone in an update to the homeopathic vet tomorrow.  I was sorry that Sasha and Kai were unable to accompany me for my outing today as I do so enjoy going out with them. I’ll just have to look forward to it next time I see them. The weather was deteriorating by the minute so we headed up to Crete Road West and braved the mist shrouded hills.  We had gone quite a way before Smudge emerged from the gloom and we introduced ourselves quietly and politely.  Then Maisie joined us and things got more hectic as we had a few minutes of play.  I ran around with them but did regret doing so as it induced my coughing.  We had to be very careful as the ground was quite slippery in places with only little evidence of the snow and ice of recent days.  We could only just see the Alsatian and his human that we met near the gate. He was young and very excitable with a loud bark but his human reassured us that he would not bite. I was a little apprehensive so I said my goodbye and we did a quick circuit of the small field before heading home.  I have enjoyed a quiet evening in front of the television and have been snug on the settee. I have taken all my teatime medications and my midnight medications without incident and have also had Antepsin after each meal. Poor Granny has been gassed rather too frequently as she has been positioned near my tail end. Oops . . . sorry Granny. I’ve just got my final homeopathic medication to take and I can then head for bed. New medications day . . . 01/07/2009
 I decided to sleep in Mum’s room last night where I had the entire double bed to stretch out on. Granny made sure that I was tucked in and I enjoyed a good sleep. Once again, Rhya took advantage of my absence from Granny and Granddad’s bed and took up a position near Granny’s feet. Granny tells me that she did not do the padding all over her on this occasion . . . thank goodness. I went through and joined Granny when the men folk went off to work and we snuggled down for a lie in.  Both Rhya and Phoenix spent time with me this morning although Phoenix was basically only there to attempt to exert his authority over Rhya. She certainly let him know what she thought of that.  The postman took a while shoving the post through the door and Granny discovered that it was because one item was a package from the homeopathic vet. He wants me to continue on the Tub Bov and Aranea but on dramatically reduced dosage whilst I am to start two new medications . . . Carduus and Spongia. Granny will be monitoring my progress meticulously as we keep fingers and paws crossed for genuine progress. I am hating this heavy abdominal effusion and am seriously wondering if the different version of my diuretic is actually less effective.  I supervised Granny when she was putting some leftovers for the birds. She certainly read my mind as she put them where they were totally inaccessible to me. Hmmm! I do understand it is for my benefit but I do crave the flavour of fat.  I had the opportunity to really run today with numerous dogs of all shapes and sizes. The only ones that we actually spoke to were Cassie and Jessie who we have met before. Jess is so obsessed with her ball games but also chews the ball and apparently goes through six balls in a week.  I met what I’m sure is a young pug but got treated with a certain degree of disdain.  Then there was what I think is a lurcher who sprinted liked greased lightening.  Next was a timid little spaniel which I hope I didn’t frighten.  Then there was a feisty little lady who seemed to have abandoned her human.  I had great difficulty keeping up with my next potential new friend who seemed to be super-charged with energy.  I spent a few moments trying to work out whether I had discovered Kai’s twin.  After all the exertions Granny took me to the other side of the lake where I spent some time watching the swans before we headed home as it was getting much colder.  I’ve enjoyed a quiet evening in front of the TV apart from when I barked loudly at a caller at the door. It was the local policeman and I think he was suitably impressed with my potential as a security guard. He certainly didn’t ask to come in and preferred to stand out in the cold and dark to complete the questionnaire he had brought. A dazzling day . . . 01/06/2009
 So much for my intention to share Granny’s hottie last night . . . I actually fell asleep on the lounge settee and slept through until morning. Doh! Apparently Rhya took advantage of my absence but didn’t make herself too popular by padding all over Granny and purring loudly before eventually settling down. I saw Granddad off to work first and then it was Uncle Andy’s turn before I had my morning medication which I did, unfortunately, bite into. I did then have a generous drink though so that I think it reached the parts it is intended to reach . . . paws tightly crossed. Breakfast was like yesterday with me eating all but a few biscuits which I saved for later. All my medications slipped down without incident.  We went off to Newington and Peene to follow the Elham Valley Walk again and were really surprised to find a very full car park and the gates wide open. Granny kept me on my lead for longer than usual because of the open access to the road and missed a photo opportunity when we met an enormous and friendly Alsatian. It was only the briefest encounter and we headed in opposite directions.  Granny made very sure that I stayed well clear of the cattle grid when we went into the second field which we explored more extensively than we have ever done previously. Needless to say, Granny was clicking away with her camera whilst I was pottering around. I didn’t do any actual running today as I had no playmates and nobody to whom to even introduce myself.  When we returned to the lane we discovered that it must have been the workmen’s lunch break as there were several of them outside their hut and one was very friendly and gave me a pat on the head.  It was when we had reached the car park that we met the three Vislas that we’ve met previously. I said brief hellos to each one as they got out of their car. They were all bouncing with energy whilst I was actually pretty tired after walking for over an hour.    When we returned home, I have spent most of my time on the settee with Phoenix being my frequent companion. I’ve eaten up my meals properly today and taken all medications successfully to date and only have my midnight dose to go. I did have to apologise to Granny for snatching a banana biscuit from her when I thought Phoenix was going to steal it. I caught Granny’s thumb and finger with my teeth and made her yelp in pain. Poor Granny. Humble apologies. Snow, ice, sleet and sludge . . . 01/05/2009
 Well folks, the weather forecast was accurate and I woke to discover that it had snowed overnight. I trotted off to the garden for the toilet and took my corticosteroid capsule but then returned to bed and snuggled under the cover whilst I waited for breakfast. I actually nodded off and only got up when I heard Granny sorting my breakfast bowl at about 10 am. I ate all but a few biscuits but made sure that I had taken my antibiotic, my ulcer medication and my diuretic. I pottered around with Granny as she did various chores. I think she might have started an indoor keep-fit regime from the number of times she went up and down all the stairs.  We decided to head off for our outing when the weather was looking somewhat brighter and went to the Elham Valley Walk. The roads were fine until the country lanes at Newington and Peene where there was slush very much in evidence. There were no other cars in the car park and we headed off with real trepidation as the first stretch was virtually sheet ice.  We could tell there had been other dogs and their humans along the route because of their footprints in the snow and I enjoyed scouting around to detect who had been where.  We actually walked far enough to go beyond where previous walkers had been today and reached the end of the track where we ventured into the woodland briefly. I did get rather spooked by the sounds of birds in the trees and it had started to sleet again so that we began the return journey.  We spotted a squirrel scampering across the path but it went too quickly for Granny to get a picture. Shame. She did get a picture of an interesting growth on a tree we passed.  I had a brief opportunity to play with Pixie again today when we encountered her when we were nearly back at the car. Her human wasn’t too impressed with her behaviour though as she was very over-excited and kept jumping up at Granny. She was also very boisterous in her play with me.  When we got home I went straight up to Mum’s room and settled on her bed for a lovely nap. I woke to find that Phoenix had joined me and he has spent a lot of time with me this evening too.  A deep freeze day . . . 01/04/2009
 I am proud to report that I remembered my own advice and took my corticosteroid capsule without biting into it . . . clever me. I have also taken all my other medications successfully with only one incident when I accidentally chewed my Metronidazole tablet . . . yuk. After the lovely sunshine yesterday I was disappointed to discover that today was a grey day and spent this morning indoors with Sasha and Kai.  The frost on the plants and fallen leaves was beautiful to see although decidedly chilly on bare paws.  Little Kai began the outing with a sock and bootee to protect his sore paw. Needless to say, he ended the outing with a bare paw but I am convinced that wearing it did help. He was much more active today and ran with real enthusiasm.  Sasha and I are getting along tremendously well and we really enjoyed sprinting between Mum and Elaine. My cough was much reduced today but I did tire long before Sasha. She didn’t snarl at me at all and even tolerated me manoeuvring her direction as we ran together.  On arrival at the field we visited yesterday we saw that the stream was frozen. Mum and Elaine tried to break the ice with stones but scarcely made a dent in it. . . amazing.  We all played with a stick today with Kai being the star of retrieval and returning it.  I did my usual and dashed after it, retrieved it and then chewed it . . . doh!  Kai and I enjoyed a game of tug-of-war which he eventually won.  He is one very determined poodle where a stick is involved and there were occasions when Mum thought she was going to end up hurling him together with the stick as he held on with grim determination. Bless.  It was almost time to go home before we encountered another dog and it was me alone who went to socialise. Fun in the sun despite the ice . . . 01/03/2009
 I woke to find that the sun was shining this morning which cheered me up tremendously after the dull day yesterday. I started the day by unfortunately biting into my corticosteroid capsule and fully believe that there is a correlation between doing so and then having a fit of the shivers not long after. Note to self . . . do not bite into capsules.  I went and said good morning to Sasha and Kai and Kai chose to show off by posing for Granny to take some morning photographs.   We decided to go out for a morning outing to take advantage of the good weather but did need to wrap up warmly as it was bitterly cold. We went to the Elham Valley Walk where we discovered that all the puddles were ice.   Sasha joined me in an exploration of the woodland adjacent to the path but we didn’t venture too far from our humans and Kai and returned to them pretty promptly.  I was disappointed to experience quite a bit of coughing at the start of the outing but was pleased that it eased and was able to really enjoy a good run.  Sasha was also thoroughly enjoying running in the field and I joined her in a game of running between Mum and Elaine.  We then diverted into a field that we haven’t explored previously. Granny spotted a heron and tried out her new lens to see if she could capture a good image. I’ll let you decide for yourself but I think it’s good.  It was whilst we were playing in this field that poor little Kai started to limp again. Elaine and Mum took it in turns to carry him back to the car. Bless him . . . I hope his paw heals soon.  On the way back to the car we encountered Pixie who has grown considerably since we last met. She was as enthusiastic as before and gave me a hug before then jumping up and making muddy paw prints on Granny’s new jacket . . . oops.  Back at home and Mum and Elaine went out after lunch which resulted in Kai and Sasha establishing themselves on the armchair to watch out for their return. Elaine had bought Kai some little socks and bootees to protect his sore paw. He started off by looking so comical as he wasn’t at all sure of the strange experience but it did seem to help. I’ll try to get Granny to get a picture for tomorrow’s blog so that you can see how cute he looks.  I’ve been excellent about eating all my meals today and have also taken all medications without incident. I’m so enjoying home cooked meals and they seem to be suiting me too. I think I’m correct in thinking that the last time I experienced any diarrhoea was after the general anaesthetic for my chest drain on 19th December. |