Another "Dollie" Demand - But, We Want A Dog!

"Come on Linda!"

"PLEASE! PRETTY, PLEASE!"

"Absolutely, Not!"

"But, we want a dog. We promise to take good care of it!"

"Yeah, right! Like I haven't heard that before."

I knew better and knew that there was no way I was going to get the "dollies" a dog. A living, breathing mammal that had real needs being taken care of by a group of inanimate "dollies." I don't think so. No matter how much they beg me I will not give in to this demand.

"PLEASE!"

"NO! Now leave me alone. I'm busy!"

"Aw.........!"

"That means you, too, Doris Marie."

"Okay, Linda. I'll be on my way," Doris responded. "I just thought I'd mention something I saw the other day while surfing the Internet. It might be the solution to giving the "dollies" a pet without really having to worry about it being taken care of."

"Hmmm...," Linda responded. "What exactly is your idea?"

I was intrigued and knew that if Doris Marie was suggesting it that it probably was a well thought out idea. She was smart as a whip, practical, and very logical in everything she did. So, it had to be good. Right?

So, I responded, "Okay, Doris Marie. Let's hear it."

"Well, given how the "dollies" can never decide on anything amongst themselves I thought that selecting either an interactive dog or interactive cat would be a problem. The girls would all want the kitten and the boys would all want the dog. They'd never agree," Doris said.

She continued, "Then I found something they could keep on their blog and watch every day. No disputing. No complaining about not having a pet. No "which pet" choices to make. Is that wonderful or what?"

"That's a brilliant idea, Doris Marie," Linda responded. "I Love it. Yes, yes - a virtual pet. I'm going to get it right now."

So, I did and here it is. I hope you and all the "dollies" love it.

How cute is that!



Little Girl Graphic Courtesy of The Graphics Fairy

Bud's Box - Now It Houses His Things

A couple of Christmas's ago my younger brother, you know - the one who has the amazing workshop, gave hubby and I a wonderful present for our "Bud."

It was a wooden box that he had built that was meant to store a large bag of dog food. It had a handle on the front which when pulled would open a tilted draw. It also had a lower bottom draw and a top that when lifted up had a small storage area.

Well, we, of course, loved it and immediately placed it in the kitchen. However, instead of using it to store dog food we used it to store all his medicines, diabetics testing kit, extra leashes, etc.

It no longer houses our "Bud's" medicines, etc. Instead it houses all his precious "things." All of his belongings that we want to keep safely stored away.

It's a beautiful wooden box and I'd been meaning to show it to all of you. Just never got a chance.

In any event, I'm so happy we have it to house things that belonged to our special little guy.  It will forever be "Bud's Box."

Our Hearts Are Broken

Our hearts are broken. We had to make the hardest decision of our lives - to lay our "baby", our "Bud" to rest.

If you're a reader of our Linda's Blog you know that our "Bud" has been the center of our life and king of our household. You also know that he had a really tough Spring last year from spleen surgery to seizures, which I wrote about in a blog post entitled "He's Our Baby and Our Bud!".

What you don't know is that last July the hits just kept on coming for him. He was diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease and a thickening of the walls of his intestine. He wasn't eating, was throwing up and had bouts of diarrhea.

At first we weren't alarmed about his not eating as he had always been a picky eater and had a day here or a day there where he didn't want to eat, but it was never for multiple days in a row. More like once a month or every other month he'd have a day where he didn't want to eat or drink.

Before he was diagnosed with diabetes his not eating or drinking water every once in awhile for a few hours or a day wasn't as much of an issue. After the diabetes the drinking of the water became more of an issue as we didn't want him to get dehydrated. So, on those occasional days when he wouldn't eat or drink the vet gave us mini plastic syringes and showed us how to get water into the sides of his mouth.

This time, after a second day of not eating and drinking water we became alarmed and took our baby to the vets. The vet did some blood work and recommended an ultra sound. She thought it could be inflammatory bowel disease which, while incurable, could be treated with a special diet and/or medication or it could be cancer of the intestines.

After several ultra sounds they determined that he had a thickening of his intestinal wall, but our vet and the specialized vet could not determine whether the thickening was caused by cancer or something else. They would need to take a biopsy of the tissue which required major surgery as it would be difficult to get at this particular layer of the lining.

We refused to put Pepper through another major surgery after he had recovered from his spleen surgery and seizure episodes in the Spring. Our vet told us that the treatment for both was basically the same so first we started him on a specialized diet.

Well, our little guy who was a picky eater from the start ate the specialized "yuck" food for about a day and then refused to eat it. Nope "our king" wanted good food - not vegetarian "yuck!" So, that was a no go.

We also put him on several medicines that had shown promise with inflammatory bowel disease and intestinal cancer in pets. The cancer medicines made him very sick so we discontinued those.  Some of the other medicines seemed to give him some relief, but very quickly he reverted back to not eating, throwing up and diarrhea. So, we increased his medicines. The increase seemed to work for awhile and then stopped working. So, we tried a different medicine. It, too,  seemed to work for awhile and then stopped working.

The medicine that had shown the most promise for inflammatory bowel disease in pets was Prednisone, but was not an option for our little guy as he was diabetic and Prednisone reeked havoc with diabetics and their insulin levels. Well, when we got to the point where he was losing weight, not eating for days at a time and we were going to lose him the vet recommended we put him on Prednisone.

The Prednisone worked wonderfully for several months, but it too, eventually wasn't working as well. We were at a point where we needed to increase the Prednisone which we didn't want to do as the medicine to help him caused some of the very symptoms he was suffering from along with incontinence. Our little guy was mortified every time there was an accident and we just didn't want to put him through that again.

During the last few months our baby would have periods where he was okay for a few days and then he'd have a day when he was sick. Then he was okay and he would be our old "Bud" again, then he'd be sick.

One of the major side effects of the Prednisone was bloating and his little belly just kept getting more and more bloated. His stamina was slowly failing. But, every once in awhile he'd have enough stamina to walk down the street to see one of his pals which always filled us with hope that maybe he was getting better.

Our hopes were short lived - it was not meant to be and when he started having trouble breathing we made the hardest decision of our lives. We laid our baby, our "Bud" to rest. He was finally free from all his health issues and free to "run like the wind" and, as we imagined, jumping from cloud to cloud.

We had our little guy for thirteen wonderful years. He was our constant companion 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He was always with us and involved in everything we did.

We miss seeing him under the sewing table, in his favorite room - our sunroom, laying between us on the sofa, hogging the bed, following us from room to room always involved in everything we did, running outside like the wind, laying under our feet at the dinner table, gently staring up at us when he wanted to go for a walk or when it was time for him to eat something, barking at his favorite electronic toy, and jumping in our laps.  We miss seeing him come running in the house after one of his walks and jumping from rug to rug.  He'd stop short where ever I was sitting and look at me as if he was saying: "Did you miss me, Mom! Did you miss me!"

He was the joy in our lives and helped us through the health crises and subsequent death of several family members during his short lifetime. He was our rock and the steadfast love of our lives. Our hearts are broken and the house is so very empty. We can only hope that he is waiting at the gates of heaven - waiting for us.

Rest in peace "Bud" until we can be with you again.

A Bridge Called Love

It takes us back to brighter years,

to happier sunlit days

and to precious moments

that will be with us always.

And these fond recollections

are treasured in the heart

to bring us always close to those

from whom we had to part.

There is a bridge of memories

from earth to Heaven above...

It keeps our dear ones near us

It's the bridge that we call love.

Author Unknown

Tribute To A Best Friend

Sunlight streams through window pane

unto a spot on the floor....

then I remember,

it's where you used to lie,

but now you are no more.

Our feet walk down a hall of carpet,

and muted echoes sound....

then I remember,

It's where your paws would joyously abound.

A voice is heard along the road,

and up beyond the hill,

then I remember it can't be yours....

your golden voice is still.

But I'll take that vacant spot of floor

and empty muted hall

and lay them with the absent voice

and unused dish along the wall.

I'll wrap these treasured memorials

in a blanket of my love

and keep them for my best friend

until we meet above.

Author Unknown

---

My sunshine doesn't come from the skies,

It comes from the love in my dog's eyes.

Unknown Poet 

"Your paw prints will be forever in our hearts."

He's Our Baby and Our "Bud!"

If you're a reader of my Linda's Blog you know that we have a cairn terrier who is our "baby." He's the "king" of the house and a demanding "king" to boot.

But, he's our "Bud" and our baby and when he's hurting we are hurting and the last two months for Bud haven't been the best.

You see, two years ago he was diagnosed with diabetes, which our veterinarian told us was a manageable disease for dogs and was no longer a death sentence. So, we learned all we could about diabetes in dogs and give him two shots a day of insulin. The vet showed us how to administer the shots so he doesn't get hurt and it seems to be working. Of course, he gets a few treats afterwards for being such a good boy.

Well, with the diabetes comes a problem with his teeth so we have to get his teeth cleaned every year and decided to have this done in April of this year. Since they have to anesthetize him for the teeth cleaning the vet does a more thorough exam of his whole body. During this exam she thought she felt a mass near his spleen and took an x-ray of his belly which revealed an egg size mass next to or in his spleen.

Now, "Bud" is 12 years old and overweight and like some older dogs has masses all over his body. Some of "Bud's" masses are fat and some are benign cysts. However, this one was different. The vet told us that he would need to have his spleen removed as the mass could rupture at any time and referred us to another vet whose specialty was surgery in dogs.

So, we went to see the specialist and she, too, told us the spleen would have to be removed but it wasn't an organ that dogs really need and that he'd be fine without it. He'd be able to bounce back from the surgery with no problems. As time was of the essence we scheduled the surgery for the next day. She did however caution us that she wouldn't know until she had performed the surgery whether the mass was malignant and whether there were any other issues of that nature with surrounding organs.

The surgical vet called and told us that the mass was inside his spleen and she had to remove it. She also told us that he had another egg sized mass inside his abdomen that she also had to remove. She'd sent both masses to be analyzed and would have the results back in a few days. She said the surgery went fine and that his liver seemed normal and that there didn't seem to be any problem there.

"Bud" made it through the surgery with flying colors and we brought him home the next day for recovery. The vet sent us home with pain medicine that he'd need for a few days and told us that due to the 4" incision along the middle of his belly he couldn't jump up or down or go on walks for 10 to 14 days. We had to get the pain medicine in liquid form as since birth our "Bud" has had periods where he's nauseous and won't eat or drink water until he's better. I wanted the liquid pain medicine as I didn't want to encounter one of those days when he wouldn't eat or drink and not be able to give him pain medicine.

We got a call from the surgical vet in a few days with the results on the two masses and they were both benign which was wonderful news for us. Needless to say "Bud" quickly recovered and had his staples removed after 14 days and got a wonderful report from the surgical vet. "Bud" was back to normal.

For all intent purposes "Bud" was back to normal - or so we thought. Unfortunately last Sunday morning (Mother's Day) at about 10:00 o'clock and totally of of the blue he had a full blown seizure. We rushed him to the vets office and by the time we got there he was no longer seizing. The vet examined him and said that looking at him you'd never know that he'd just had a seizure. He didn't have a temperature and his blood sugar was normal. He said he might never have another one and to watch him during the next 24 hours. He might have another one, which was okay, as long as they weren't in clusters and weren't longer than 2 minutes or so.

At 12:00 midnight he had another full blown seizure. When he had a third full blown seizure at 3:00 o'clock in the morning we rushed him to the Tufts Veterinary hospital. They admitted him and told us that he would be moved from intensive care to neurology in the morning. They wanted to monitor him and had an I/V set-up so that if he did have more seizures they could give him the anti-seizure medicine intravenously. The Emergency Room Vet thought it was possible that the seizures were created by tumors in his brain.

"Bud" had another seizure at 6:00 o'clock in the morning and they administered the anti-seizure medicine. He was transferred to neurology in the morning and was evaluated by the vet neurologist specialist. They did a series of tests and an MRI and determined that he didn't have any brain tumors and that he, in fact, had a stroke caused by high blood pressure exacerbated by his diabetes. Of course, the stroke could have been caused by a blood clot from the surgery, but the neurologist thought the most likely cause was the high blood pressure exacerbated by the diabetes.

We, of course, were concerned about what this meant for "Bud" and his quality of life. The neurologist vet told us that, unlike humans, dogs are very resilient and can recover from strokes without any problems. The stroke was not in an area of the brain to be concerned with and didn't cause any permanent damage. In a few days, "Bud" would be fine and in a few weeks - back to normal.

He told us that "Bud" needed to be on anti-seizure medicine (3 times a day) for a year or more and, maybe, for the rest of his life. He also needed to be on blood pressure medicine until his blood sugar levels were lowered resulting in his blood pressure being normal. If we could control his diabetes better than he could go off the blood pressure medicine. So, we brought "Bud" home with a bunch of prescriptions and information on handling all of this.

The first couple of days "Bud" was very unsteady on his feet and would just suddenly collapse so we had to monitor him very closely. We were told not to let him jump up or down off the sofa's, go near stairs, or near water as if he had another seizure he could seriously hurt himself.

The good news is that he hasn't had another seizure in a week and seems almost back to normal. In fact, he hasn't had his walks in a few weeks and is starting to get very demanding about them. We know he wants to go on his walks, but that will have to wait just a little longer. King or no king.

Looking at him you'd never know that he had such an ordeal during the last two months. Our "baby" is almost back to normal.

That's the good news. What I didn't tell you was that 1 week after our "Bud" had surgery my husband had a minor surgery. So, I had my hands full - so to speak - for the last two months with both my "kings" in recovery. And, BOTH, very demanding.

Happily, both are on the road to recovery. My husband's surgery will take a few more weeks to heal, but "Bud" is almost back to normal.

Given that he thinks he's a "king" he's not going to wait for my husband to fully recover before he starts DEMANDING that he take him for a walk. Surgery or no surgery I need a walk - NOW!

Yes, your highness!

They May Be Wet and Dirty, But....

The socks are wet and dirty when he comes running in like a herd of wild buffalo, but his feet aren't getting cut anymore. The baby socks are working.

It really is the funniest thing to see when my little guy (our cairn terrier) goes outside to do his business. When I first put the socks on his paws he stands there like a frozen statue and then lifts each paw up as if to say, "What the .... are these doing on me?" Then, he walks a few steps (or should I say prances a few steps) and then decides "okay, they don't feel so bad." Off he goes to do his business.

Now mind you, he isn't outside more than 3-5 minutes when he comes bounding (and I do mean bounding) into our family room and kitchen running 100 miles per hour. He runs right past me, does a jump in the air and turns around facing me with a look of "Did you miss me, Mom? Did you miss me?" Of course, I have to make a big deal out of his being outside and missing him - albeit it was only 3-5 minutes! Maybe for him it was an eternity.

In any event, when he comes bounding in it's almost as if he's flying and jumping at the same time. He jumps from rug to rug like a bunny rabbit. It's the cutest thing to see.

So, the good news is the socks are working. The bad news is they get so wet and dirty I have to dry them for the next time he goes out during the day. I definitely need to buy more. I can't be doing laundry 5 times a day - even if he is a "king."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR BUD!!!

You could say that our house is ruled by "Bud" and has been for the last nine years. "Bud" is our Cairn Terrier and he is nine years old today and we wanted to wish him a very, very HAPPY BIRTHDAY. So, H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y to our BUD!

If you are a reader of my Linda's Blog then you know that "Bud" controls us. Everything revolves around him and his schedule. Just consider us "Certified DOG Lovers!

First thing in the morning, after he has been taken out to do his business, he comes bounding in the house like a herd of wild buffalo. He stops short, jumps and faces me with his eager eyes and tongue out as if to say "Did you miss me? Did you miss me? Did you miss me, Mom?" I, of course, make a big deal out of this and say "Well, H-E-L-L-O -- H-A-N-D-S-O-M-E!!!!!" Then he's happy and off he goes. You can't bother him now because its time for his #1 obsession - FOOD! Don't even think about patting his head. Get your hands off me, MOM, I'm BUSY!

We, like most dog owners, probably feed him too much. Well, actually, there's no probably about it. WE DO FEED HIM TOO MUCH! In fact, next month when he goes for his annual check-up the vet is going to put us, once again, in the dog house. We've been bad. His weight is supposed to go down on the scale not up. It's just so hard to control this. I mean, there's only so many things in a dogs life that give him pleasure - FOOD being the most paramount. It seems like it's wrong, just wrong, to deny him this. But, we know we aren't helping him health wise and have to be his guardians. So, once again, our "BUD" will be on a doggy diet. This time, however, Mom and "Bud" will go on the diet together. Maybe we can lose some weight together.

So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BUD! You can do anything you want today. Well, within reason....

Oh, What Fun I'm Having!

I'm beginning to think there's something seriously wrong with me. Of course, my husband, brothers' and sister would tell you that they've known that for a long time. Not only is my house filled with all sorts of dolls, but now I've fallen in love with "Dollie Icons!" I just spent two hours on a wonderful website Abi-Station.com making avatars, portrait icons, and picture diary icons. I'm definitely losing my mind. I'm having fun, but I'm definitely losing it.

So, how do you like the self-portrait illustration avatar that I made? It's the one in the upper left hand corner of this article holding the cup of tea. It does look like me if I do say so myself.

This one I did with the Portrait Icon Maker on the Abi-Station.com website. This is a more realistic version of how I am just about every day. Working on the computer with "my buddy" at my feet. Of course, the dog in the icon doesn't look anything like my dog. They only had two to choose from so I picked the dog with the cutest face. My dog would take offense with this, of course, as he is a Cairn Terrier not a Basset Hound and is rather full of himself.

The Picture Diary Icon to the right is a representation of my sister and I holding hands. Isn't it just darling? Big sister and little sister outside during the winter making a snowlady. I'm the big sister, of course. She's the little sister with her "IDOL!" When she reads this article I'm sure she's going to guffaw. "Idol!" I don't think so.

The last icon that I made is one I like to call "Taking on the World." It's the one I'll take out and use when I feel like I can conquer the world, or at least the internet. She's the champion of dollie rights. Avenger of lost doll causes. Dollie savior of cyberspace. Yup, I'm definitely losing it. I'm having fun, but I'm definitely losing it.

Hey, Mom, Fix My Toy! Woof! Woof!

Don't you just love this picture. I do. It reminds me of the countless times I had to mend my doll and/or their clothes. This picture was part of the Vintage Workshop package of FREE Holiday Art Download made available to subscribers of Country Marketplace magazine in their October 2005 issue.

It also reminds me of what I'm doing today which is fixing an electronic plush doll that my dog has broken. My guy doesn't like plain old plush toys. Nope. Not him. His have to be electronic toys. The kind that say something, move, vibrate, sing, or dance. You know, the kind of toy you might buy for your children to play with.

You see, he thinks he's human. I actually have to go to the toy store to buy electronic toys for him. Usually the clerk will say "Oh, who's having a birthday." I respond "They're for my dog!" They, of course, look at me like I'm crazy.

So, I take the toys home and he bites at them until he bites thru the little wire that is connected to the area on their arm or leg that you press to turn them on. Then he brings them over to me and dumps them in my lap. He looks up at me with his little eyes as if to say "Hey, Mom, fix em! He won't work!" Then I have to cut them open and fix them for him.

He sits patiently next to my sewing chair until I do. Then he's off to the races, barking and biting at the toy until he breaks it again. Oh, well. He loves his electronic toys. Woof! Woof! "Hey, Mom, fix my toy! He won't work!" Kids! Make that dogs!