Last week we tried a new antibiotic on Alki, because the vet thinks she has a kidney infection. Unfortunately it upset her stomach and she became reluctant to eat. Then the vet gave us some medicine to help her stomach, and some anti-nausea meds on Saturday, and she ate fine. But Sunday she threw up her food, and Sunday night she woke me up at 4AM throwing up. I tried to give her the medicine and a little bread to settle her stomach but she threw that up too. So I called the vet first thing in the morning and she said to bring her right in. She put her on IV fluids and took a urine sample to send to the lab to determine exactly which antibiotic she needs, and gave her a shot to settle her stomach. When we visited in the afternoon the vet said Alki had settled right down in her kennel and was resting. They had just taken her for a walk to go potty, and we could visit her if we wanted, but I didn’t want her to get all stirred up again. She said it was a good thing she was deaf because none of the noises around the busy vet hospital were bothering her, and although she had been nervous and shaking terribly when we brought her in, she seemed to be relaxing and just hanging out now. Tomorrow the vet wants me to bring her some of her favorite food and if she can eat it and keep it down she can come home tomorrow.
It’s so weird having her gone. It’s quieter around the house, and a bit more relaxing not worrying about her all the time, but I keep looking for her. I know this is what it will be like when she’s gone. It will still take some getting used to even though we’ve had almost three years to get used to the idea. But hopefully this crisis will pass and she’ll be home tomorrow and recovering from this little setback.
Meanwhile, out in the yard, I played with Barclay and gave him an egg to eat.
One of the girls was impatient waiting for her scratch while I was filling the feeder and she ran out into the ‘service’ area, and scared Barclay. She had such a determined look as she ran up to him he turned tail and ran!
Then he stole the scoop. He thought this was a sure-fire way to get me to chase him, but he forgot I have two scoops now.
When Jack came to us he weighed in at nearly 50 lbs – hefty hefty hefty! He almost collapsed after a good walk around the park. He also had a skin allergy which caused itchy skin and goopy ears. Here it is a few months later and Jack weighs in at around 30 lbs, and we’ve finally settled on a food that controls his itchy issues and leaves him looking beautiful and his fur is silky. Jack’s a good boy, very sweet and handsome, even if he is a little food obsessed sometimes! We have to watch him all the time, or he’d steal everyone else’s food and be back to 50 lbs in no time! And if you try to get between him and food – well, count your fingers when you’re done – he’s serious! But all in all he’s a pretty good boy 🙂
Barclay and Jack had a rip-roarin’ time playing out in the yard today. It’s funny to watch them start it up, because there will be a bit of growling and posturing, but tails are wagging, and next thing you know…
Big Red and her chicks are mixing in just fine with the rest of the flock (that’s her and her chicks in the back center). I even saw her biggest rooster chick picking a fight with Copper, the baby cochin roo who’s easily three times his size. They fluffed up and jumped in the air and everything!
The cats are never far away when I’m doing chores. Mighty hopped up on the post to see what was going on.
21?! Tell the dealer you’ll stay!
And the other guy at the table only has a bone! He doesn’t even know what game we’re playing! Hang in there Barclay, you’ll take the pot!
Our friends Brian and Merilee had a family thing to go to this week, and Dioji the Golden Retriever needed a place to crash, so we said ‘bring him on over!’ He’s a sweetie, and since all the dogs are friendly (except Alki, who sends out bug-off vibes just fine) we figured they could have fun playing together. Seems to be working out fine so far 🙂
Barclay likes to chase and be chased, and wrestling. Dioji wasn’t sure how to play with him, and he even scared Barclay a couple times by barking at him (sending him running back to me until he felt brave enough to go play again). But Jack and Barclay gave him a demonstration of their favorite play style. You can see him studying them intently! And they had a couple scuffles over toys. They’re like teenage boys – one minute they are partners in crime, next thing you know someone is howling because they got punched. But overall it’s been great and everyone seems to be having a good time.
Steff Does Stuff! 