Recheck Day

Well, we drove for 3 1/2 hours for a 15 minute appointment to have Rikee's eye checked. She no longer looks like a cone head and the bandage lens came out. So did the stitch that kept her lid shut partially. Her eye doesn't look pretty and hope that it gets better as it heals. I still have to instill the drops and ointment every 8 hours. We still have a ways to go but was it worth it? You bet!! She will be seen in in a couple of weeks for another recheck.

Memorial Day

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM !!

Surgery Update on Rikee

Rikee's surgery went on with some success. She had this spot removed from her cornea but it was a little deeper than expected. Therefore, she will have a little bit still there. I was told that is should not return to what it was before the surgery. My little Doggie looks so miserable....she has this contact len's bandage in and part of her eye lid has been stitched shut so that the lens will stay put. She has drops and ointment to put in the eye 3 times a day. She is wearing this collar which she absolutely hates, but has to at least wear it for 10 days. We will see how she is doing with the recheck in 10 days.

I don't know how much more my puppy can take in her life, diabetes with 9 units of Vetsulin 2 times a day, ointment for her eye for the rest of her life....I sit everyday thinking of the expense to do this and you know what- I may have to find the right job so that is works with her schedule and keep her in the meds she needs but it will be worth it.

Now this may have nothing to do with "Surgery Update" but I wanted to share this..........

Last night I was able to witness the birth of a fawn deer right out the front window, with the help of my binoculars. The horses were looking across the dirt road towards the woods. When I looked I didn't see the deer at first and then she came out. She walked just short of the ditch by the road and laid down. I finally went outside so I wasn't looking through the window and noticed she stood up, then laid down again. A truck went south on the road and she remained right where she was. After a while I could see a very small white flag of the tail. OH MY she gave birth right there. How neat was that!! As I watched another vehicle drove by and she jumped up and went into the woods. I figured she wouldn't have gone far but then I saw it! A little wobbly brown blob through my binocs. as I watched the baby take it's first steps I had to laugh because it would wobble, fall down, try to get up and do it all over again. Too funny! Momma deer finally came out and went right to the baby, displayed very odd behavior with some sort of protection moves and she then went down into the ditch. I still could see her back and then she made her move back up from the ditch. Baby pulling up the rear. She laid back down and continued licking it. She jumped up once more and laid back down again. Now I know she at least had one fawn but do not know if she is a Momma to twinkies. I kept watching until it got dark and I couldn't see anymore.
So today I took off on the 4-wheeler to the spot and found the tall grass laying down where she bed down. She sure cleaned the baby up very well because there were no signs of the usual things you would see when animals give birth.

May Birthday #1

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DANA! Hope you have an awesome day. Brian, you made Dana a great cake.

A NEW BABY!

WoooHoo! Congrats Bridgette and Josh with the arrival of your baby girl.

Welcome to the family little Joslyn Rain, who weighed in at 7 lbs 7.8 ozs. She was born on Wed May 16th 2007 at 11:42 AM.

Joslyn is pictured here with her Mommy, Auntie Kaley and Cousin Morgan

Rikee

My poor Rikee....It is NOT at all easy to take care of a Diabetic dog but I am determined to have her around longer than my other dog who was a Diabetic. Reko was a Black Lab who at 9 years of age had diabetes. Financially I just couldn't do it plus it is a HUGE commitment to take care of animals with Diabetes. I watched my brother do it for 5 years to his cat. So I put Reko to sleep. Was such a bad time for me...not only Reko but his litter mate Raven was put to sleep just 8 months after he was and 2 months before Reko, my Siamese cat, Samson. But Rikee is only 6 going on 7 years old and I wasn't ready to let her go.

After a year we thought she was doing well after having several Glucose Curves done. Her numbers were still too high. Then I asked the vet if they have such a thing as a glucose monitor for animals. "Funny you ask" she said. I have one now! Imagine that, a Gluocometer for animals. Now I can do those Glucose Curves myself. The first curve was done on the 11th of May. I wanted to use the pads on her paw to prick for the sample but I couldn't get the blood. So the other choices were the inside lip or the ear. I went for the ear. Rikee was good girl because the curve had to be done every 2 hours for 12 hours. How would you like to have your ear pricked every 2 hours?? When I did the curve I did not like the numbers I was getting. Very inconsistent. So I did it again the next day. This time the numbers were more consistent but to Dr's Paul and Anne still a little high. When we thought Rikee had been stable with her Vetsulin (animal insulin) at 8 units she was increased to 8.5 units after a year since she was diagnosed. After I reported the curve to the vets they had me increase it to 9 units. So far so good because I have been lucky enough to see that she is accepting the change and I have not had to go through a Diabetic reaction. If that ever happens I make sure that I have Karo Syrup and Sugar handy. Then I pray! Her next curve will be in a month. Now, the next thing...She is scheduled to have Surgery on her eye on Monday the 21st. I will have to post on that after she has it done. Though I will upload a picture of her with what is on her eye and you see what it is that has to be removed. I am glad it is nothing life threatening but the fact she has to be put under Anesthetics is the scary part.

This is the hardest thing I have ever gone through with any of my animals.

A MOTHER IS.........

A mother is many things: She is the giver of life and love, the maker of house and home. She is the chief cook and bottle washer, babysitter of last resort, provider, educator, doctor, disciplinarian, spiritual guide, counselor, health inspector, clothing consultant and taxi driver.


HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY !!

The Last Two Weeks

Congratulations Jimmy and Denise who were married May 5th 2007

Wow! I can't believe how long it has been since the last post. I guess it shows how busy we really were. First it started that I had to finish a baby gift and get that sent off to Arkansas for a baby shower for our niece, Bridgette. That was on the 29th of April. Then I had to finish putting a room together so my Mom and Dad had a place to sleep while they were here taking care of all the animals while we attend the Horse Expo. Before we were to leave our Farrier came out to trim 2 of the 6 horses feet. Then off we go. Thank You so much Mom and Dad for staying here and taking care of the critters.
The Expo was great! The weather could not have been any better for last year it rained EVERY day we were there. The year before that...cold! Sunny, but cold! we had lots of fun. Ran into just about everyone we knew who would have been there. We spent more money on food than we did on anything else. We did buy ourselves some new hats and a lunge line for training. Decals for the windows on the truck. Can you guess what they were....Hhmm! The Rodeo was good, especially the Rodeo Clowns! They are always a hit! Never mind the oohhs and aahhs of the cowboys riding those bull and broncs. The clowns were funny! We found the trailer we want and will wait until next year to purchase one. We have a few things that need our attention first.

The week after the Expo was just as busy. Besides work, Barry was getting busy with the tilling of the garden so we can start planting. He had put in some really late days so with what day light there was left that what he was doing. Then we had to go shopping for the wedding. We had NOTHING to wear. The wedding was nice! Barry and I could not get to the ceremony because of the chores we had to do knowing that it was going to be a late night. But we did hear that the ceremony was unique. We did get down there in time for some visiting and dinner before the dance started. The dance was neat, too. The kids were involved in way I have never seen and it was different. They were able to do a scavenger hunt and they were to look under the tables for candy bars. Then the bride and groom threw 2 teddy bears out like they would when the groom tosses the garter and the bride the bouquet. There was a bear for a boy and a girl. Such neat ideas! And do the kids love to dance! They should have a separate floor for just them... :)

Again, CONGRATULATIONS to Jimmy and Denise! Welcome to the family Denise and I sure feel old when the groom was my ring bearer 27 years ago!