Sunday 31 May 2015

Because it's all about the...... Poop?

This morning Dad tossed a few of my bones into the big stock pot and began making me some beef broth.
Beef broth production was cut short when he saw that the grocery store was opening up soon.

He told me he'd be right back and sort of sneaked out.  He told me he waited at the top of the stairs to see if I would start crying ( I haven't been given a KONG since I've been sick ). He didn't hear anything so he boogied to town to pick me up 4 flats of extra lean ground beef.

When he came back I was laying on my bed in the living room.  He went back to making beef broth and cooked up some beef for me. He gave me just under a cup for my first feeding.  I didn't have any reaction to it, so after an hour he fixes some more for me.  In between that he was trying to get me to go outside.

I didn't really need to go out.  Last night around midnight/1am Dad woke up to find me laying at the foot of the hammock staring at him.  Dad said, "milo when did you get there, that's a little creepy" then asked me if i needed to go out.  I started to whine and off i went towards the door.   He schlepped around with me as I took the tour of the village.  Dad thought I was going to poop a few times, but the people from the pub were being noisy and distracted me. The rain was coming down in ice cold sheets.  It went from being 35C to 8C. With the north east wind it sure felt a lot colder.  We weren't prepared either for our outing. I didn't seem much to mind, but Dad was cold and shivering.  After pacing around and eating some grass, we went back home and tucked in for the night. Dad laid listening to my stomach squawk "the sad songs of the grass people" - as he calls it.

So yeah, this morning....Dad went as far as to put on my boots and my ID collar, but I just laid there on my bed.  What part of "I'm not getting up to go outside don't you understand"?  He laid down with me on my bed then told me, Okay, It's 10am...it's time to eat a bit more. AFTER the beef we go outside.

And that's what we did.... I gobbled up the beef and off we went.  We didn't need to walk very far. Just over to the parkway.

Poos news:
Finally the beginnings of a formed poop!  Dad thought briefly that maybe it was just all the grass that I have been eating. He squished it between his fingers in the bag, and there was definite formed consistency there.
I had a second poop shortly after that was liquidy, but that's to be expected right now.  

Weather:
It's cold and I love it!!! After my poop I jumped around like a ninny muggins.  Is summer all done, are we into winter??

So now I'm laying on my bed roaching.  Dad spoke with Karen, and it was decided for me that I'd wait until this evening to eat some more beef.  I could have some broth if I wanted (as if you even have to ask, I LOVE THE STUFF), but we'd keep it simple and stay off the kibble for a few days.  Dad sort of rushed it the other day when kibble was added to my food. Too much too soon.

Anyway, so that's it for now.

Photos:

cold May rain - our walk last night
beef bones - the beginning of broth
Waiting for beef to cook up
Why yes, I'd like some - first breakfast
beef broth - waiting to be strained of fat
No Dad, I don't want to go outside
Nope, still don't wanna go outside
cuddle with me all you want, I'm not going
The showdown between the two of them. - still not moving
still protesting - all dressed up and not wanting to go.





Saturday 30 May 2015

On the mend?

This morning Dad put me back on a schedule.  When we got up I was given my Thyroid pill; and shortly after that we went for our morning walk.  I spent the better part of my day on my bed.
I am perking up though.  When someone knocks at the door, I sprint up off my bed and bark.


I'm keeping myself hydrated with all the broth I've been given.  When I do decide to go outside, I pee up a storm.


Nana brought over two big chickens for me.  She said that she gets Orange Juice for Dad when he's sick, so she's getting me chickens because I've been sick.  Nana is the best!

Dad cooked up one chicken for me, then decided with the pending "Severe thunderstorm Watch" we are under, that it would be best to cook the other one up...just in case we end up without power.

This afternoon (after the one chicken was cooked) Dad went to lay down for a bit.  I guess late nights anticipating my needs are taking a bit of a sleepy toll on him.   It was a brief nap, and when he awoke I was laying in my bed beside him.  He asked "Milo, when did you get in here". I just looked at him. 
He asked me if i wanted to go out for a walk. I perked up and got up off my bed.  I decided I should probably go out for a wander; after all, he's been bugging me for the better part of the day to go out. I just couldn't be bothered earlier.

We went for a stroll around the soccer field.  Not too far or too long though. It was very hot here today.

Poo news: 
My first and only poop of the day was done on my morning walk.  Dad describes it best as "Pancake batter poo".  It was a small celebration. It wasn't a wonderful poop, but it wasn't entirely runny.  Perhaps I had too much kibble last night with my chicken and broth.   When we got back home, Dad gave me 1 Imodium pill.

Food news:
total of about 4 cups (or slightly more) of broth
1  3/4 cup of chicken. 

Dad is feeling positive that I'm on the upside of the evil sharks swimming in my intestines.
No urgency to poop, and at present time there's no more inflammation.

That's it for today!

Photos: 
last night - waiting for supper

Last night - Enjoying supper
Last night - post supper crash
The chickens Nana bought for me
Dad getting ready to cook the chicken
Cookin'
Cooling the chicken.
Lots more broth to keep me hydrated! (need to let it cool and skim the fat off)

Friday 29 May 2015

Calm seas...

Last night I finally went outside around 8pm. I walked and walked before giving up my poop.  It wasn't a solid form, but it was formed enough to say it wasn't liquid.  YAY! for small victories!!!!

When I settled in for the night, Dad slept on and off with one ear open listening for me.  I had a great sleep!
I didn't need to go out.  I was up and moving around at about 6am.  Dad asked me if I needed to go out; i  went back to laying down and slept for a tiny while.
Dad got up and we went for our morning walk. I walked and walked and walked and walked some more.  I wasn't giving up any of my poop for anyone; truth be told, I don't think there is much in me. 
Once we got back home Dad wrote Karen an email about our uneventful walk.  At this point, no poops are good poops.

Once home, Dad put together my breakfast.  I had 1:1 chicken broth and chicken. I gobbled that up.  After an hour, of not presenting any issues Dad decided to give me some more. This time I ate 2:2 chicken broth and chicken. I think I'm liking this new cooked way of eating....

I was left alone for a few hours today while Dad ran errands in town.  Before leaving I was asked many  times if I wanted to go out.  Each time, I lifted my head and plopped it back down on my bed.  Dad was actually successful in leaving without giving me a KONG to keep my mind temporarily busy.

When he came home, there were no poop accidents to be found.  When he raised the towels he noticed that one .area was pretty wet (but it was very cold).  Unsure if it was pee or not (no smell), Dad tossed all towels into the washer and took out the carpet cleaner again.   All the while, I slept soundly on the couch.  I'm saving my energy for supper tonight.  rumour has it i get to have some kibble with the new broth/chicken meal.

Speaking of meals: Dad reached out to my chiropractor (Dr. Nat) in regards to cooked food meals.
When I was eating raw a few years back, Dr. Nat had mentioned that she feeds her dogs cooked.
Dad was trying to find some good information on a cooked diet for me.  We found some, and we will be reading more on it.  *paws crossed for yummy home cooked meals coming my way*

Here are some photos from today:
 (Oh also, Lucy my first at home Greyhound Friend sent me a photo of her. She had a bath today and was out sunning on the deck.)

Breakfast! 2:2
Enjoying every blissful mouthful
Heeeyyyy (eating an ice cube)
Meep
Filling up on ice cubes. The walk with Nana and Dad was a bit too warm
Lucy - She's 12. Isn't she beautiful? She came from GRA also :)
I stole the couch. Dad gets the IKEA chair to sit on.
Dad: For someone who didn't like the couch Milo, you do a good job at staking claim of it. xo
While piece of chicken dance through my head....
Dad cleaning again...  Zzz z

Thursday 28 May 2015

Sharks swimming in my intestines - 24hr flu


Dad was going to help me upload photos yesterday, but I had these sharks swimming in my intestines.
At some point between Dad being at work and Nana checking on me I exploded from both ends of myself and all over the apartment.  When Dad opened the door he briefly thought I was having a bout of bad gas.  He was quickly mistaken when he took a step into the apartment.
It became apparent VERY FAST that the evil sharks in my intestines created havoc.  I managed to rub my nose raw during the my ordeal.  This happened to me a few years ago. Dad refers to that dark day as "The Starburst" explosion.

Dad called Nana, because that's what you do when you need some help.   She came over and kept me outside in the fresh air while Dad paced around wondering where to start.

Dad tried picking up the mess, but that was a fail.  He resigned himself to mowing over the shark infested area with the BISSELL ProHeat Pet carpet cleaner.  (Shout out to the people at Bissell. Amazing product!!!!)  Dad being tired from having been up since 4am that morning began to feel discouraged when he realized that he was rolling the wheels of the carpet cleaner through the shark infestation.  After 2 hours of carpet cleaning the apartment was smelling nice and lemon like.  Another hour or so of bedding and laundry and it was a temporary lights out for me.   
I slept for a bit while Dad listened with an open ear for me.  Just as Dad was nodding off, I got off my bed and went to lay in the hallway. Dad asked me if I wanted to go outside, and I spun around and began to pace. I couldn't get out fast enough.   We wandered the neighborhood at midnight.  Sharks were still swimming around.  Dad did his usual catchers mitt (Lucy's Mom showed Dad this technique), It was nothing but water.  Creative catching was born in that moment.

Anyway, So once I was done prowling the neighborhood I settled back into bed.  My tummy made "feed me grass" screams. It wasn't long before Dad had to get up. I went out for a walk to do my morning routine. The sharks were still swimming around; not nearly as angry as the night before.

Dad went to his appointment out of town, and Nana came by to check on me several times.  At one point I did have a tiny accident but I managed to aim those sharks onto a towel (thank you camp greyhound - "Greyhound Mom Karen" for the suggestion * as well as for telling Dad to fast me until late this afternoon*). 
Nana found the tiny logs of poop'grass and disposed of them.  She asked me if I wanted to go outside, but I didn't budge.  Sometimes you just gotta go, when you gotta go.  

Under Greyhound Mom Karen's advisement, Dad held off feeding me until later this afternoon.
I was given some chicken broth - waited an hour and added a bit of chicken to my broth.  Dad waited an hour between my feedings to make sure the sharks didn't come back with a vengeance.  So far so good!

I had my last feeding this evening at 8pm. 3/4 cup chicken and 1 cup chicken broth.

Dad keeps asking me if I need to go outside, but I've been ignoring him.
Meh*  I'll go when I'm ready.  Dad says, no urge poop is a good poop.

So that's what has consumed me for nearly 24hrs.  Never a dull moment.

Below are photos from this past week
 *** what would a blog entry be without brutal honesty.  There will be photos near the end of the Sharks swimming****




Here I demonstrate how tiny I can curl up
Here I demonstrate how to slowly inch yourself across the couch to claim it as yours
Mission Accomplished! - Couch is owned!
Sometimes I like to walk around the soccer field.
Sometimes I roach - a lot of times i roach
Sometimes I hold meetings with the pigs

 24hr flu photos*****

What is believed to be the tail end of the Shark swim
What is believed to be the impact Shark zone
My poor raw nose (Dad is putting CS spray on it to help it heal, it does look better today)
Just before i took Dad for our Midnight stroll.
Today - Feeling a bit better, more roaching
My supper - I LOVED IT!
Gobbling down my chicken/broth like there is no tomorrow

Dad is thinking about switching me from my Kibble to a cooked diet.  More research to be done.
*stay tuned*

Thursday 21 May 2015

Just another day in the life...

I had a traumatic bed experience the other day.  I hopped into bed with Devin after gobbling down my breakfast.  When Devin pulled on the blankets and went to rollover I got a thumb in the eye. I let out a yelp and sprung up on all fours. Devin tried to catch me before I hightailed it off the bed.  He begged and pleaded and apologized for accidentally poking me in the eyeball.  I  wasn't accepting apologizes at that time and hopped off the bed; wandered back to my other bed in the living room.  

On our days off when Melissa is in town we head over to her place.  That's where "The Twins" and Angel live.
Now that the warmer weather is here, I do enjoy laying around outside.  My Dad chases me around with the blanket so I'm not directly laying on the ground.  Something about ticks and fleas he will mumble.
Me, I just like to feel the earth on my skin....

Here are a few photos that were taken over the past few days:

Bed fail


Hanging out at Melissa's.  Dad and I compromised. half on the blanket, half off
 I'm stayed sleeping like this for some time today.

Tuesday 12 May 2015

A day in the life of.... Me


My morning routine when Dad has been working the day shift:
When it comes time for the days off after he's been working the day shift,  I tend to keep the day shift routine until we hit the night shift routine.

We don't share the bed, I much prefer sleeping on my own bed.
At about 0500hrs (on the days off), I start the: "Hey I'm hungry, mind getting up and fixing me something to eat so I can go right back to bed and sleep for a bit while you try and get back to sleep?"

Dad will say "Up up Milo", which means, come up on the bed and lay here for a bit so we can get a few more minutes of sleep. Sometimes I just wander back to my bed and lay down for a bit, while other times I'll jump up on the bed and squish myself between the body pillow and Dad.
Lately I've taken to stretching my legs out so they rest on Dad's chest or neck. I like to give what I call the power kick to wake him up, or the subtle throat nudge to make it uncomfortable to sleep.  Either method works super. Dad gets up and preps my breakfast for me. 

I used to go back to bed for a few hours after eating, but these days I like to go out 30 mins or so after eating. So what little sleep Dad thought he might end up getting, I put an end to that.  After all, it is all about me. No?

Today's happenings:
Weather: Humid, breezy, turned to overcast, cleared up, turned cool, strong winds
Another good day to snooze


Today we went to see Dr. Nat. She's my Chiropractor.  She worked her magic and on my lower back and I feel super again. Hopefully this adjustment will stop that second corn on my one foot from popping up.
Yep, I'm still battling the corns. Le sigh*

In other news, Dad spoke with Karen and he will be picking up some supplements for me.  I am getting older, and I need to take care of my body.  My body is my temple

The wobbly giggle ball that Nana got for me didn't grab much of my interest today.  Dad tried rolling it to me a few times and I just laid on my bed staring. I did give it a bit of a nose bump, but not enough to make it play its funny sound.  

Dad brought me out a Honky Pig!  I laid on my bed but squished that around for a bit.  Life is Greyt!

Photos from yesterday and today:
I was enjoying the cool breeze and then they came along...  :)
Enjoying the fresh air
The observer
Nom! Honky Pig!!  Bliss
Tired from Nomin'