Today is Follow-up Friday hosted by Jodi from Heart Like A Dog. This is where we review the week behind so that we can launch into the week ahead (or something like that). But today, I am going to rant about the last 6 months, if that is ok with you?
There is so much to follow-up with since I have been back from China in late November. I have kind of lost my posting rhythm that I had for the last 2 years. Life has really been a whirlwind since last summer when I
got laid off retired. When I was working full-time I had my days neatly planned and the blogs both were on the publishing schedule as part of my day. DogDaz was a post-a-day with universal animal pictures and a post-a-day with personal zoo stories.
My business blog was twice a week. But that has all changed. I am lucky if I can get once a month with my business blog. And DogDaz, well I have been able to keep up the post-a-day pictures, but the personal stuff has been limited mostly to blog hops. I miss the routine and am trying hard to regain it, but sometimes, it just takes time to control chaos. I still reply to every comment that people write me, but it has become incredibly hard to visit all my blog friends like I want to. That makes me frustrated and sad, but I need to focus on different things now (like closing business).
The dogs and I have been through a lot over the last few months. Louise as you might recall was being treated for Perianal Fistula Disease. She was on heavy-duty medication in October and November and appears to have gone into remission (Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah). I took them both for their annual check up 2 weeks ago and everything seemed fine with her. But…. on Monday I noticed a very large bump around Louise’s shoulder. Freaked me out. I am thinking Lyphoma from all the toxins she had from the medicine, or something worse. Rushed her to vet. Dr Kate said it is a Granulomas reaction to all the vaccines she was given a few weeks ago. Oh my! Have any of you had this type of reaction in your dogs? It is hard tissue that forms when the body is trying to reject a foreign substance (like a vaccine). Dr. Kate said warm compress and it will go away in a few weeks. Hope so. It doesn’t seem to bother Lulu, thank goodness. She is only 4, which is to young for all this sicky stuff. Would you discontinue vaccines?
I don’t know if I have blogged about Sofie’s increased obsessive behavior. Barking at every sound, having to gnaw on something constantly (including herself). Dr, Kate says she is a herding bred and needs a job. Great! I need a job too! That doesn’t mean I gnaw on my arm (well maybe). She has been diagnosed with
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). I guess I have to find a flock of sheep and get her herding. But it is minus 12 degrees Fahrenheit outside so I am not going to be able to sheep herd anytime soon. I am trying to keep her busy (actually both of them) in the house and I bought her a ‘Thunder Shirt’ (she is wearing it in this picture) to try to calm her from the sounds of life and to also make her feel more secure. Has anyone tried a shirt for OCD? When do you put it on? Did it help your dog?My theme for 2014 is ‘Controlling Chaos.’ That seems to be my life right now. Managing the development of my business while maintaining my sanity with my zoo, my family, and my health. My health is stress stress stress, so I really need to change that..Ah, but this is a blog about the animals, not about me, so I will leave complaining for another day.
Lulu is poking me and wants to go out in the freeze. Please take a moment and accept this invitation to a snowball fight!
We are back!
The cats seem to be doing ok right now, thank goodness! Noel started to come out into the living room and interact much more with K8 and V while I was in China. She has continued to do that now that I am home and it is a good thing. I do miss her in my office with me when I am there (like now), but her new place appears to be on the kitchen chair, under the table, where I put a blanket for her before I left to keep her warm. That is her home now and it gives her more ability to watch the world then she used to have.
That is Noel looking up from the kitchen chair (with her blanket) and wedged against the kitchen table. She is just cracking us up these days.
That’s it for the week. Thanks for playing along with us. Check out the hop below and you can go play with others.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤ 
————————————————————————————————-
Follow Up Friday is part of the blog hop hosted by Heart Like A Dog.
Tags: Animal, animals, blog hop, Cat, cats, dog, Dog People, DogDaz, Dogs, Follow Up Friday, Friday, granulomas, Heart Like A Dog, lorian lipton, lyphoma, multiple pets, obsessive, OCD, Perianal Fistula, Pet, pets, postaday
K8 caught this shot of Sofie waiting on the other side of the laundry room cat door. No wonder the cats hide.
(Oh, yes, duct tape is my answer to every thing that needs fixing around the house.)
Happy Wednesday.
This is a Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop. Thanks to BlogPaws for the hop. Head over there and see what they are blogging about.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animals, Blog, blog hop, Cat, cats, dog, Dog People, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, lorian lipton, Pet, pets, postaday, Wordless Wednesday
Tags: Animal, animals, Cat, cats, cold, dog, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, dogs and cats, lorian lipton, Pet, postaday, temperature
I can not imagine a life without cats. Happy Caturday.
Just another CATDogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animal awareness, Cat, cat nap, Cat People, cats, caturday, DogDaz, lorian lipton, Multi-Cat Homes, Pet, pet blog, pets, postaday
I love how Noel thinks that I can’t see her.
(No fish were harmed in the making of this picture.)
I can not imagine a life without cats. Happy Caturday.
Just another CATDogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animal awareness, Cat, cat nap, Cat People, cats, caturday, DogDaz, fish, lorian lipton, Pet, pet blog, pets, postaday, sushi
”
Time to clean up the christmas decorations
reblogged from http://corporation-cats.tumblr.com/post/38615426703
Tags: Animal, animals, Cat, cats, christmas, DogBlog, DogDaz, Holidays, lorian lipton, Pet, postaday
Tags: Animal, animals, Cat, cats, dog, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, lorian lipton, nature, Pet, postaday
getoutoftherecat: poker face!
Doesn’t it look just like Noel? She would do that. – DogDaz
Tags: Animal, animals, Cat, cats, dog, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, lorian lipton, nature, Pet, postaday
The cats are always amazed by the lights of the Christmas tree (which you can see reflected in the window behind Noel and Stella). K8 caught them watching the twinkling from a safe distance. Nine, of course, was already climbing the tree, doing his best to undo all the wonderful decorations that K8 and V were putting up.
Don’t forget to celebrate the shortest day and longest night of the year (Winter Solstice) today in the Northern Hemisphere. We gain a bit more daylight every day now until the Spring Equinox.
I can not imagine a life without cats. Happy Caturday.
Keep the furries safe this holiday. Here is a little reminder list of what to be careful of for your cats and dogs (and rabbits and guinea pigs and potbellies, and probably ferrets too) this season:
Bones – Small turkey and ham bones can lodge in the throat, stomach and digestive tract requiring surgery to remove. Also, the fats and gravies that you may add to your pets‘ food can cause diarrhea and vomiting (and ultimately pancreatitis (Yuk!)).
Christmas Trees – These create a whole realm of dangers for your pet. Poorly secured trees can fall on rambunctious pets as the run around or try to climb them. Pine needles can cause GI irritation and perforation. Sharp or breakable ornaments should be kept well out-of-the-way of curious mouths and paws. Christmas trees may contain additives and preservatives, which leech into the water and can be toxic if ingested. Tinsel, yarn and ribbon can cause linear foreign bodies (get wrapped up throughout the intestinal tract) and create a blockage and/or possible perforations.
Electrical Cords – These are always a hazard to curious kittens and puppies. But the extra lights and decorations give even more temptation. Make sure that all electrical cords are in good condition and out of reach.
Holiday Plants – Many plants can be poisonous to you pet. The holidays add a few more to that list and include mistletoe, poinsettia, lilies and holly (the berries are especially toxic).
Lost Pets – The holidays make it easier for pets to sneak their way out of the house with the extra guests and visiting friends going in and out. Be sure to keep identification on your pets and keep them contained in a bedroom if you are expecting a lot of foot traffic through your front door.
Sweets – Holiday candy can cause GI problems and become toxic once ingested. Chocolate is one of the most common causes of toxic reaction in pets. The darker the chocolate the worse it is. Do not place wrapped boxes of chocolate under the tree – dogs can sniff them out. Also be sure to keep the candy dishes covered so playful paws aren’t tempted to fish them out.
(list compiled with help from http://www.paws.org/holiday-hazards-for-pets.html)
Let’s all have a safe holiday season!
Just another CATDogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animal awareness, Animal welfare, Cat, Cat People, cats, caturday, Christmas tree, dog, DogDaz, holiday safety list, lorian lipton, Pet, pet blog, pet care, pets, postaday, Winter solstice
Not sure what he did but Nine sure looks guilty to me. Noel on the other hand, has a halo.
I can not imagine a life without cats. Happy Caturday.
Just another CATDogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animal awareness, Cat, Cat People, cats, caturday, DogDaz, lorian lipton, Pet, pet blog, pets, postaday
I don’t know if I have blogged about Sofie’s increased obsessive behavior. Barking at every sound, having to gnaw on something constantly (including herself). Dr, Kate says she is a herding bred and needs a job. Great! I need a job too! That doesn’t mean I gnaw on my arm (well maybe). She has been diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). I guess I have to find a flock of sheep and get her herding. But it is minus 12 degrees Fahrenheit outside so I am not going to be able to sheep herd anytime soon. I am trying to keep her busy (actually both of them) in the house and I bought her a ‘Thunder Shirt’ (she is wearing it in this picture) to try to calm her from the sounds of life and to also make her feel more secure. Has anyone tried a shirt for OCD? When do you put it on? Did it help your dog?
