The Tour and Vet Visit

So my girlfriend asked me if I'd ever been to the Amish Walmart and I said no. So after CrossFit I jumped in her car and we took off.

We took one back road after another after another on to narrow twisted roads and eventually ended up at this huge ridgetop building. 

In the areas around the building was yards of farm things. Hay feeders, fencing, gates, chains, tubs, planting pots, and more things than I could even identify.

Inside the store were rows of all sorts of tools mixed up with leather works, reins, bridles, walking sticks, and cookware. Kitchen stuff filled one isle. Nothing fancy and colorful but all useful items for any country kitchen.

Out back there were old fashioned blocks and tackle, used bricks, glass bricks, chicken feeders, and more mindboggling things that I couldn't identify.

I did find a few things I wanted. Homemade chocolate bars with mint inside. Yum. Amish Candy is really tasty. I also purchased a pack Gingerbread Cookies.

My friend then took me to the Amish bulk food store on another back road. Bulk flour, all sorts of it. Gluten flour, bulk seasonings, noodles, and anything you might want to cook with. I don't do bulk or cook from scratch, but I did find some homemade sesame chips. I think in the summer time, this store has fresh veggies from different farms so that is worth noting.

And we were not done yet. Our last stop was at the Bent and Dent Amish Store. I picked up some breakfast cereal for .85 cents, some mayo for $1, and a few other things. The store probably doesn't have the same stuff all of the time. I saw some bruised boxes but mostly things were not bent and dented. Surprisingly, this store was quite busy with mostly older people. I could see why. 

None of these places are advertised at all. It is another one of those rural things. Word of mouth and directions on how to get there.

When I got home I'd seen that the scrapper guys had been by again. I will have to ask them not to leave things in the middle of the shed when they are done for the day as I use that area bring out hay. 

They'd pulled two dead mowers out into the yard so I'll have to ask what is up with that. Are they taking them or planning on leaving them in my way.

I had to get the dogs ready to see the vet. Charlie had his annual visit and Distemper shot. Hannah need to start her boosters.

Thankfully, my vet is not owned by a corporation. Her prices are actually reasonable. 

Charlie knew what was coming. He shook and vibrated. The vet was so sweet in getting him to relax while she examined him. He did take treats from her after it was all over.

Dr. Grimm [she is not grim, she is super sweet!] examined Hannah and feels that she has a Dachshund in her background somewhere. She said Rat Terrier's didn't have such long toplines. Someone suggested doing a doggie DNA. I'm happy knowing she is Terrier and something else. Good enough for me.

I don't think I need to spend $$$ on finding out that my dog is a mutt.

Photo below is of the two of them both occupying my lap while waiting for the vet in the exam room.  

Ahhh! The funniest part was when they took Charlie for a nail trim. I do try to do them at home and do somewhat of a good job, but they do much better.

Charlie is a howler when getting his nails trimmed. He screams and howls as if being murdered. Apparently he lays on the table, wags his tail and screams bloody murder. 

I heard the receptionist on the phone explain to a client that all the racket was just a due to a dog that was a bit dramatic and vocal about getting his nails trimmed.

We were all exhausted when we got home. 

What a day.

Hannah goes back for another booster in 3 weeks and will get scheduled to be spayed in June. Dr. Grimm waits for that age for full development of the parts that need to be surgically removed. 

What a busy week. And it was only Tuesday!

April Fool's Day and whatnot.

Oh boy. A great day to vote! 

One thing. I won't vote for a guy who is trying to buy votes and buy and election. Sure, he isn't really running for office, but he sure spent the money. Not only that, he showed up in our state wearing a freakin' cheese hat on stage and acted like an idiot. We don't need billionaires telling us how to vote.

That said, I'm going to move on to other things.

Monday was a day of digging, pulling and doing flower garden work. It is a great way to work out and get out any frustrations. I pulled Vinca Vines to thin them out and dug tons of them out so I can fill in that space with annuals.

Time for something a bit different this year. Different flowers here and there and everywhere. It looks rather barren right now. 

Happy Days! The little crocus flowers actually came up and the Daffodils are starting to poke up in the middle of the yard also, along with a few tulips.

Next to the 'shed' garden, the Virginia Bluebells are emerging from the leaves and debris.

Of course for the latter part of April Fool's day...

we had a snow/sleet/and ice storm. By evening we had a couple of inches of snow on the ground and then the rains and sleet/ice moved in. 

I woke up to no snow, but lots of rain and temperatures moving up.

I also woke up to the news that $$$ from the billionaire didn't sway the voters. He is really disliked for his attitude and lack of empathy.

Charlie and I had to make a visit to the Vet for his Distemper and Rabies shot along with his yearly check up.

With the look on his face you can tell that he is NOT happy to be in the exam room. This is Charlie's pity me look.

His Vet is named Dr. Grimm. She is not grim, she is kind and sweet and tries to make sure her patients get the best care.

Her office was so busy with people and other animals and we had a long wait which everyone apologized for. I didn't mind at all. Waiting for the good doctor was fine with me.

Charlie is feeling the effects of his vaccinations. He always is off for a few days after shots. 

I saw the news regarding the Tariffs and then read about how the incompetent team put tariffs on an island that is inhabited by penguins. Um. Geeze. Really? 

There is more to it, but I'm not an expert. 

Uh oh. Coffee. Bummer, I drink decaf but it looks like it may be a luxury I have to give up along with other things.

I recall my Grandmother making Chicory Coffee years ago. She would make a cup and offer me some when I was at her house. She made Chicory Coffee, she explained during the Depression and WWII when coffee was unavailable or too expensive. Another warm drink she made was Postum. 

Okay. Now I am rambling with nothing important to say....

Enjoy your day.

You are my Sunshine

I was throwing hay over the fence when I noticed Sunshine hadn't come forward. She was hanging back. I continued feeding hay and kept an eye on her.
She was one of those mules that just barged in making sure that everyone around got out of her way when it was feeding time.
She isn't aggressive, she just pushes her sister or others with her neck and shoulder to move her or any other mule.
Sometimes Sunshine tries to push little ol' Fred around and Fred won't have it. He lays his ears back and squeals at her. She backs off.

She avoids 15 as she tends to bite and kick.

Sunshine turned her back on the hay and laid down.
Uh oh...
In a moment she got up and walked into the group. She put her muzzle down into the hay but didn't take a bite. She was damp on her sides from laying in the melting snow. I walked around and did a quick check up on her. She didn't seem to be in distress.

I went in the house to set up a computer for Rich so he could do his Speech/Memory Therapy with the VA therapist. We sat down and had coffee and watched Sunshine out the window.
I waited until I connected Rich to his therapist and then explained that I was headed out because we had a 'sick' mule. Sunshine had gotten down and wasn't getting up. I decided to catch her and walk her.
I grabbed my stethoscope and headed out the door.

I got Sunshine out of the pasture and she seemed slightly interested in the grass for a nanosecond. Then she just lifted her head and looked off into the distance.
She wasn't bright eyed and her ears were slightly cool to the touch.
We began to walk.

Down she went.

Have you ever tried to move a mule that simply has decided NOT to move?  Her ears were cold, that worried me.

I finally got her up and took her inside the shed to the large round pen. At least she'd dry off and I could hopefully get her to keep moving.

I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and asked Google to find Veterinarians in my area. I wanted to call Apple Valley as they knew my mules and had treated Sunshine's mother years ago as well as Siera and Mica.

What came next was what was to become my worst nightmare. They would call me back.
When they did, I was told that the doctors were unavailable, one was on vacation and the other was out with a herd of cattle. They were very sorry could I call around?

I asked Rich to start making phone calls.
And he did.
One Vet said he could come out on Monday.
Another said they were not able to come out until after 5 pm. Rich kept calling...

Sunshine walked a bit and then as if she had turned to rubber, dropped to the floor of the shed.

You can see how she covered herself in dirt and just stayed there. I checked her gut sounds...and

at one point I heard nothing...
and then I heard some faint gurgling.

I kept trying to get her up when she laid flat out. Her heart beat was elevated slightly but she didn't seem to be breathing exceptionally hard. I felt her ears and they were warm again.

I took my fingers and tried a trick I'd done with puppies to make them go poop. I massaged around her rectum. I had no idea if it would work. Either by chance or design, she struggled and stretched and a huge gaseous fart erupted.

Okay. I stood up and cheered.
Sunshine groaned and stretched out again on her side. She shook her legs and I finally got her up.

Rich came out to tell me that a vet was coming from Muscoda and would be here in an hour or so.
Sunshine flopped down again and moaned. I asked Rich to get me some warm soapy water. He prepared that while I prepped a makeshift enema. Epsom salts and warm water. I dabbed a plastic syringe into petroleum jelly and headed back out the door. I soaped up her bum then inserted the plastic syringe and pushed the warm Epsom salt solution into her rectum.
Sunshine didn't even pay attention to me. There was no glow in her eyes. And for a while I thought it was a futile effort.
I couldn't get her up, so I soaped up my hand and reached in. I found dry poop her rectum and carefully pulled it out. Behind that was a nicely formed stool. When I pulled out my messy hand more poop came out. I cleaned my hand and then her bum.
She turned and looked at me.

I got her up again and she walked a bit longer. Then down she went.
A bunch of curse words went through my mind as I knelt by her head.

She closed her eyes and slowly seemed to fall into a deep slumber. I decided to let her rest and not disturb her. After all she may have been up struggling with a belly ache all night and perhaps, just perhaps she was exhausted.

Smart phone. Huh. I typed out a search *How long can a horse sleep on its side safely?* I read through the posts and decided to just let her sleep, if that is what she was doing. Sunshine was not struggling, nor was she breathing hard. She was dry and her ears were warm. I sat next to her head and watched as her eyes closed and her breathing got slower and slower.

I held my breath.
Oh please let this not be her last moments. And then: If it is her last moments, I will be with her.

After about 15 minutes which felt like eternity, Sunshine snorted and rolled up
onto her sternum. Her ears twitched and with her eyes wide open she lunged to her feet and shook.
I was on my feet next to her.
I listened to her sides and heard gut noises.

Sunshine laid down again. I left the round pen discouraged. I needed a quick drink of water and I wanted to see if Rich heard from the vet.

When I came back out to the shed not 5 minutes later, Sunshine was up, ears perked forward and she nickered at me. Be still my little boney heart!

She pawed at the gate. Wow, I thought, what a sudden turn around.

I heard a vehicle coming down the driveway. I figured it was the veterinarian. I greeted her with a huge smile saying, "I think our patient just had a break through! She is standing and alert!"

Doc examined Sunshine and pronounced her out of danger. She got a shot of banamine for the stomach pains and Doc suggested I get some from her to keep on hand. Swift weather changes like we'd been having or food changes were generally suspicious for causing colic in equine.

While we were talking, Sunshine walked over to the bucket I'd brought in to sit on and knocked it over. She was behaving like her normal mule self.

Sunshine...Sunshine...my little red molly mule.

You are more special to me than you know!
[The photo is of me about 19 years ago holding Sunshine in my arms moments after she was born. Cheyanne was my mare.]

I paid the vet and she instructed me on how to use the banamine I'd purchased. Doc gave me some helpful tips on colic which included the very things I'd done.

Doc said she'd rather come to a farm and see her patient recovering than to see something more hopeless. She was all smiles as was I.

I am happy to report that Sunshine is feeling just fine. She became Miss Cranky Pants when she realized that she'd been separated from her friends and suddenly she was starving..and Cranky.

All kidding aside.
I feel very lucky to have Sunshine in my life.

Thank you Dr. Mary from Riverdale Vet Clinic.

He is loved

Charlie.

With everything else going on I was surprised that I actually made Charlie's puppy appointment.
Dr. Grimm of Grimm's Tails had been one of the last vets to treat Mr. Morris.
She was curious and examined Charlie from head to toe. He got his shots and was still happy to be with Dr. Grimm.

The doc left the room and said she'd be back.
Soon she reappeared.

"There is only one problem that I can see with Charlie," she said. I held my breath.
She scooped Charlie up and held him.
"...the only problem? He isn't mine!" she quipped. "I really like him!"

The photo isn't great, but you get the idea.

Charlie is doing just fine. He has gained 3 lbs in 5 weeks and enjoys playing in the yard. Here he is playing and enjoying himself. Note the cord behind him. Sometimes Charlie doesn't always want to come when called.

I call him and when he decides to run and play 'catch me if you can', I simply step on the cord.

He is doing fine. He loves playing fetch and laying in the sun or sitting on the porch with me while I read a book.

I am really happy he came into our lives.

And...he is
loved.

The End Game

I took Morris in for his follow up appointment and a SubQ hydration treatment. Dr. Grimm declared him stable as of this time.

We discussed Morris's medical future. He has Kidney Disease/Failure along with a very bad tooth. He isn't stable enough to have surgery on the mouth nor will he likely ever be. Plus, that surgery is very expensive and not recommended for dogs his age and in his condition.

As long as Morris is stable we won't be poking and prodding him a lot. As long as he maintains weight with his new Kidney Diet food and continues to drink water and not begin to vomit and have diarrhea, we are doing well.
There is a BUT in this.
But Kidney Disease is Kidney Failure and it will take his life. We don't know when or how quickly. It can be weeks or months, but Morris will succumb to the disease.

There won't be any heroics when Morris succumbs to the next crisis. That may sound cruel but I don't want to promote suffering.

So yesterday after the visit with the Doctor we went for a drive. We then walked a new trail in Jersey Valley County Park and just enjoyed the autumn afternoon.

I'd like to say that I had a philosophical discussion with Morris as we sat on a rock overlooking the lake. But we didn't. He smelled, sniffed, and was basically a dog enjoying the walk. As long as we can, we will continue with these walks, they won't be hard or demanding as we used to do, but just nice simple walks at his pace.

Morris napped comfortably in the car on the half hour drive home. He was alert and perky when he hopped out of the Subaru to oversee his farm. After he checked things out, he asked to go in and get fed.

Life is simple for him. When he feels good, he wants to be on the go. When he is hungry he lets you know. When he'd like to get up at 4am to survey his "Kingdom" he also lets you know.
Nap time is preferable if he has a lap to do it on. Otherwise his couch will suffice.

May the rest of his days be pain free.

Vet Visit

I thought after the last post that I'd best update how Mr. Morris is doing. First, thank you for the concerned comments and yes it is hard to have aging pets. I've had dogs as pets since I was a kid. The fact that our pets age faster than us has always been tough for me.
I have loved each dog that I've had so fiercely and totally...

Anway I called the vet's office and got a message that he was closed until Tuesday. I decided I wouldn't wait another day for Morris to see someone. So I called another office. At first the secretary said that she couldn't fit Morris in, then she asked what was going on and then after I told her she said she'd call me right back.

I paced the living room after hanging up. Morris was on his blanket on the floor and stared painfully at nothing.
The phone rang again. Can you come right now?

I was out the door with Morris's crate, leash and Morris. Off we went.
I met Chip a beautiful young and mild mannered German Shepard when I entered the office. He nosed Morris and stood politely back giving us space.
Dr. Grimm examined Morris quietly and with very gentle hands.
Blood work was in order.
She whisked Morris off to the back room for blood work and to subQ him with some fluids.
The blood work told us a lot. Morris had an infection and he had an issue with his kidneys. Kidney failure. Well, kidney issues, kidney problems, and dehydration along with a high white cell count.
Morris was indeed pretty sick.

Dr. Grimm went through the test results with me and then we went through some things that might help. He received an antibiotic and a medication to help with nausea and stomach cramps. We talked about his diet and she recommended some special Kidney Diet dog food.

I've always poo pooed this sort of thing, but holding Morris in my arms and listening to this doctor quietly explain what we may be able to do to help Morris feel better, I decided that indeed if I had to buy special prescription dog food I would.

So Morris and I left with medications and a case of Kidney Diet dog food. Dr. Grimm was careful to point out that the prognosis could go either way with kidney disease. I was painfully aware that Morris may not get better. However we live with hope. Right?
Dr. Grimm expressed that many dogs don't 'tell' you what is wrong until it is a serious issue. She calmed my feelings of guilt a bit. However as I drove home with Morris silent in his crate [he who usually protests loudly about not being able to ride shotgun], I still felt bad.

Rich, the ever tough hearted fellow has been extra attentive to Morris. He helps Morris onto the couch and pets him gently and speaks softly to him.

Morris has always affected our lives in a positive manner. He has made us laugh, made us angry, made us frustrated...and in general has done his job as a pet.
Now we care for him.

This morning he is has more life in his eyes. He has taken his meds and had plenty of water. He has so far ignored the new delicious food I put in his bowl. But it is early yet.

We have to leave for a day of appointments for Rich at the VA. My wonderful neighbor will come down and take Morris out and check on him. Her 3 year old son loves to take him out to go potty. She said she'll visit a couple of times to check on him.
I am amazed by the outpouring of love both on the internet and from those around my small farming community for Morris.
Indeed, I am so lucky to have had this amazing little fellow in my life for so long.

His prognosis is guarded. He will more than likely show improvement. The Dr. did say that some dogs do well for quite a while and some go down hill very fast. We don't know where Mr. Morris falls in that scenario.
But we continue to hope for some more time with this funny little guy.

Adventures still await us.

Happy October!

After two fairly cold nights I expect that the trees will do some rapid coloring and changing.

For those who like fall this is the opportune time to get out and enjoy the weather.  We are expected to have nice sunny days and temperatures in the 60's for the rest of this week.

After Morris and I visit Dr. Piper for his check up and rabies shot...also an exam of his teeth ~ we will be heading out to Duck Egg for a walk together.
My assistant loves riding in cars and hiking.

Have a wonderful day.