then again

Ema is back under veterinary care. I came home from an appointment yesterday around lunch time and she seemed very sluggish. I took her out and she romped a little, but didn't seem herself. I took her temperature. I got back on the computer to do a little more research. I checked her for dehydration and, bingo. Back to the vet she went (my vet this time) and opted to leave her in his care we . We thought fluids would do the trick, but this morning she isn't any better. She is headed to the emergency clinic in a little while. Time to up the prayers. Big time.

blessings

We are so thankful. Ema is doing fine and appears to be out of the woods. She is home after two days of IV fluids and antibiotics to fight secondary infection, and cute as ever. She has grown but is skinny, having lost weight through this ordeal. We have countering opinions from different vets about how to proceed with care, and are erring on the side of caution.

Yesterday we disinfected the house. Bleach is the only known killer of the parvo virus, so a bleach/water solution has been applied to all manner of things: the carpets, clothing, surface areas, garbage cans, floors, bedding, furniture... it was a brutal day of cleaning yesterday but our carpets have never looked better, and the house has probably never smelled cleaner. And I am sore!

In other news a new computer is on order but probably won't be here for another two weeks. Ugh! This is a great chance to get the office cleaned up without the distractions of being on the computer (it's just not the same being on someone else's, even if it is Ken's!), but there's hardly been an idle moment. We have company this weekend, a friend of Junior's and her fifteen-month old daughter, so I don't envision a significant chunk of available time until next week.

Off to the shower and then on to an appointment downtown. Hope it's a wonderful day and weekend for all!

puppy prayers

We learned tonight that sweet Ema has contracted the parvo virus. This is dangerous for any dog, but especially so for puppies, who have not developed their immune system. She was due to get her parvo vaccination in a couple of weeks. Tonight she is being cared for by a 24-hour vet center. We are all distraught, and I am praying hard that this delightful puppy will persevere. There have been too many losses these last few months, and Junior's heart is breaking.

pzzzzt!

That's the sound my computer made when a beverage spilled on the keyboard shorted out the mother board over the weekend. A wisp of smoke accompanied the sound, and prayers have tripled that at the least, my hard drive is able to be rescued. We'll see. My tech consultant is suggesting that it would probably be more economical to replace my laptop rather than try to have it repaired, so I am now "shopping" for a new computer. Sigh. At least I can access mail and the Internet through Ken's computer, but it's not the same as having my crossword puzzles readily available in the comfort of my own office (messy as it is!).

In the meantime we are enjoying yet another glorious spring day here, and Ema (the puppy), is keeping me entertained.

Hope things are better in your world!

puppy love

Junior has been hungering for a dog of his own for a while now, and now that he is out of the army and able to make his own life, it was time to do something about that. He secured with payment a chocolate lab pup from a litter born in March in North Carolina, and made plans to visit the breeder this weekend to see the pups and pick one out. "Why don't you guys come with me?" (and no, you're not seeing things in this first picture: the litter was mixed: half black, half chocolate.)

So we did. We left Friday afternoon and traveled to Hickory, NC, a short distance from the breeder's home that we covered this morning. First impressions: a beautiful spread (turns out they have a landscaping business, so party of that beauty is an occupational bonus). Second: adorable pups! Third: A wonderful family, and Sonja, the breeder, is, in Junior's words, "one of the nicest women I have ever met."

There are three females in this litter and, alas, Junior couldn't quite decide! He will return next week for pup pick-up, and go a day earlier for more firsthand observation to aid him in his choice. It was a treat to share this time with him, to meet Sonja and learn more about retrievers and their training, and to enjoy some absolutely beautiful country on our travels.

Lucky Junior, whichever pup he chooses (her name is already selected: Emma), his dog comes from excellent stock. Both parents are five and six time grand champion hunters. Kind of makes this grandmother proud!

one pleasure at a time

After the storm cleared the other evening we were treated to its picturesque remnant. It was too damp to sit out on the porch to enjoy it for long, but enjoy it we did!

Back at the ranch we have had some glorious spring weather. Coolish days and cool nights. What a breath of fresh spring and a delightful change of pace from the usual April temperatures, which can hit the 80's early in the month and stay there.

Junior is home and Ken is keeping him busy partnering with work. I've been hit or miss in the productivity department. I have come to terms with the reality that events and losses of this winter/spring have tipped me into a depression. Although I am not in a deep funk and effectively "paralyzed," it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the most basic tasks. One thing at a time. One triumph at a time. Being tender with myself is a constant necessity. Holing in and withdrawing is second nature. Please forgive my silence and absence. This is a difficult time.