Everybody Poops

Aug 8, 2012 by Lauren

I think I’ve seen enough poop to last a lifetime.

 

Monday, Bella had her annual checkup at the vet.  I was asking them if it’s really true that dogs eat grass when their stomachs hurt in order to make themselves throw up.  (Vet answer: yes and no.  Grass doesn’t digest well in dogs, so often times it does make them throw up, but sometimes they just eat grass for no reason.  It’s sort of like trying to determine why my husband loves to pee in the yard…because it’s there and because he can.  But I digress.)

 

During this conversation, I happened to mention that, lately, she has also started to eat clumps of dirt.  That got their attention.  Apparently, there are quite a few worms and bugs and other icky things that live in the dirt that not only are dangerous to dogs, but they are easily passed from dogs to humans.  Having had multiple experiences with worms as a child, I would like to avoid that experience all together as an adult.  So now, my job was to collect a “specimen” for the vet to test.  Adam wasn’t sure how we I was supposed to get it, so I showed him the little tube and the lid which has a spike on the inside (in case the “specimen” isn’t readily gatherable?).  He commented that I might as well just use my fingers because, lately, I have poop on my hands at least 3x a day.  Sadly, he has a point.  But I still used the lid/spike!

 

 

You see, not only does Bella have issues, G$ has had some problems of his own.  Three weeks ago, he had diarrhea for an entire week.  I called the pediatrician and they said, at his age, their main concern is not so much the texture of the poop as it is the fact that something is coming out.  As long as he’s “going,” and still acting/eating normally (he was) then it was probably either a stomach bug that was going around or teething-related.  Ok fine.  He WAS teething.  A few days later, he returned to normal and I got whatever he had.  Then I got better and he got sick again.  So, other than that 2 day-ish break, he’s had diarrhea for three straight weeks.  I didn’t think that was normal and neither did the doctor.  This time I got to use a tongue depressor to collect my “specimen.”  Hopefully, there were no diaper lining fragments in there because the tech said that would cause the lab to reject it.  Wouldn’t that be juuuuuuuuust special?

 

There is not enough antibacterial soap in the world to make me feel clean right now.

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Bella’s Hallmark Moment

Jul 26, 2012 by Lauren

Bella got a special treat in the mail today!  Look what our friend Brittney sent her:

It’s called a Crunch Card.  It’s an edible “greeting card” created by a veterinarian.

How cute is that?!

Bella wasn’t too sure what to do with it at first…

She figured it out pretty quickly!

Thanks Derek & Brittney!

You can buy them at www.crunchkins.com

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Post-Surgery Puppy

Jul 11, 2012 by Lauren

Thank you for all your kind thoughts, prayers and well-wishes regarding Bella’s second ACL surgery.  It’s been a really stressful time for all of us.  This injury and subsequent surgery could not have happened at a worse/more busy time for our family and it’s been pretty tough on everyone.

 

As a small thank you, here are some pictures of the “Queen B”

 

 

 

I left this photo at almost full-size so that you could see the nice camouflage bedding.  Just kidding.  I left it large so you could all see what’s wrong with this picture.

 

Notice the neon yellow leg bandage? Can you read what is printed all over it?  “No Chew.”   They do know that dogs can’t read, right?

 

In the words of Bill Engvall, “here’s your sign.”

 

 

One last picture, just because I think it’s interesting…

 

So they had to shave her leg, obviously, for the surgery…but if you look at the right side of the picture you can really see how thick that fur actually is.  Holy hell!  No wonder she’s been shedding non-stop!  I was completely amazed by that!

 

One last thing before I forget…MANY MANY MANY thanks to Dr. Joel Jess and the staff at Pekin Veterinary Clinic for all their work with Bella (and with us).  They are our favorite people we wish we didn’t have to see. 😉  Seriously though, they are all amazing and friendly, not to mention provide wonderful care for our 4-legged baby.  🙂  We love them!

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We’re Baaaaaaaaaack!

Jul 3, 2012 by Lauren

Vacation is over, soooooo…get ready for some new blog posts, people!  Woot woot!

 

I have a vacation post coming up in the next few days but in the meantime…it’s possible that I’m losing my mind.

 

WTF was I thinking going on a week-long vacation (which, BTW once it hits 108 degrees, it is no longer a vacation.) 2 weeks before hosting a stupidly huge birthday party for G$ at our house?  Did I not learn my lesson after the housewarming party?  Apparently not.  Stupid, stupid, stupid.

 

So, of course, I come home and unload the Snobmobile of all our life’s possessions…only to realize that I have now made a huge mess, which is one more thing to clean up before the birthday bash.  Stupid, stupid, stupid.

 

I need to learn to better manage my stress levels.  Starting with not booking something EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND of the summer.  Literally.  This is our schedule from June-August

Sunnen Lake for a week

Graham’s party at home

Niece’s birthday party in Chicago

Cousin’s wedding in STL/Cards vs. Cubs game

AGR Reunion in Springfield

Cards game in STL

I go to Myrtle Beach, then come home and Adam goes to Canada for a week

 

I hate to sound spoiled or whiney, especially since all of these are FUN trips/events.  But, it’s a lot.  There’s no down time.  Our neighbor has a pool and we’ve been twice.  I doubt we’ll make it two more times this summer.  Where has the time gone?

 

Before you start thinking I really am complaining about nothing, the morning after we came home from Sunnen Lake, Bella came home from the kennel and was thrilled to be back…so thrilled that she jumped off the porch and blew out the ACL on her “good”  leg.  Surgery is next Tuesday.  Due to our ridiculous schedule, the vet had a hell of a time even getting us on the books.  But when your dog can’t walk…things have to be done quickly.  So now I have two babies, neither of whom walk very well, a party in 5 days for which virtually none of the important work is done, and I’m sitting here writing a blog post…stupid, stupid, stupid.

 

P.S. If you miss the more upbeat posts, Lake pictures are coming soon!

 

 

 

 

 

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Sweet Corn Season

May 30, 2012 by Lauren

G$ had his first ear of sweet corn this weekend and it was a big hit.  What follows can only be described as a photo bomb.  Enjoy! 🙂

 

 

 

I only have two teeth…how am I supposed to eat this stuff? 

 

 

Like this?

 

 

I got it.  Like THIS!

 

 

Cool it with the pictures, lady…can’t you see I’m busy here?

 

 

If you like corn and you know it, clap your hands!

 

 

Please ignore my mom’s white trash t-shirt.  The point here is that I play well with others.

 

 

Ruh roh…I stole G$’s corn…

 

 

 Scuse me while I scarf this real fast so that little boy can’t get it!

 

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