The couch where Mommy slept Friday night. We prevented any more soiled crate bedding, but we are still dealing with symptoms like soupy poo, one episode of vomit (looked like a rubber band as part of what came up... wonder where she got hold of that? Garage surfing? Out in the yard? Destroying some toy?).
She is eating, and drinking and peeing OK, though clearly taking it kind of easy, and I'm pampering her.
We are adapting to the snow. A new toy, one of the tough indestructible kinds that has a second toy inside is on the deck beside her, with the fresh dusting of snow. She will take an inside toy outside, it gets covered in snow, it's cold on her mouth, but she's not getting zoomies over it anymore, she knows it's coming.
I am curious as to what's inside those covers on these toys! So far, there are three that she hasn't taken the covers off and has not ripped up. I am confident that eventually she will either become bored with the covered toys (she has already with one of them) or will defeat them, and I'll find out!
I have been napping off and on Saturday to try to make up for the time NOT sleeping in the overnight hours. Ember has been good about voluntarily going in for crate time, so I was able to nap and get a shower in. We also did a little afternoon napping side by side on the couch.
Mid-afternoon, Ember noticed other people out clearing snow, and other dogs walking. She went to the garage door and whined. I took it as a sign of improvement in her health situation, and we put on harness and leash and took a ride in the car, through the Scooter's Drive-Thru. I don't know how wise it was, but I let her have the full Pup Cup today, and it included a heart-shaped doggy safe cookie for Valentine's.
Progress of a different sort: Saturday morning, after puppy nap #1, I went out and started walking across the patio to accompany her out to find potty spots. She took exception to my gloves (y'all know from prior blogs she has this thing about gloves) and grabbed my hand with her mouth. I let her strip the glove, told her to take the glove inside, as I moved ahead of her to take myself (and my bare right hand) inside. She knows what it means to take a toy "in the house" or "outside". We've also worked on the "bring me" game, so I could tell her, "Bring Mommy the glove", and the "thank you" cue to release an item in exchange for a treat. I got my glove back, intact, though drooled upon. Training takes time and patience and persistence. It's never as fast as one would like it to be, but it's magical when you notice the successes!
We are about to enter a truly Winter weather week, in terms of temperatures. Cold every day with highs in the single digits Monday through Thursday predicted, and lows below 0F. Brrrr! We might get some snow on Monday, but the snow we got on Saturday was very minor. It did come floating down, and it was a good educational (without being overexcited) experience for the pup.
"The kids" are at Ponca State Park at a cabin for the weekend, with their foster kid, so I've been entertained all day with videos and photos of their adventures. Carl got pressed into sled dog duty for the foster kiddo, a large cardboard box substituted for a sled, and it's just hilarious watching all the various play time, including the dog trying to figure out how to keep his three people "herded". He is neither a herding breed, nor a "working dog" in terms of sled or cart-dog, but he didn't do badly at the exercise.
That's about it from here for now. I'm thinking it's another night on the couch for me, "just in case". Life is good! Keep Sparking!
Poor Ember, happy to see she is mending. They are so fast getting something down that they shouldn't. Kinda like a toddler when you ask - what is in your mouth? I see the progress too, early blogs to now really show the learning and growing up. Have a good day and hope Ember is 100% soon.
ReplyDeleteNo kidding! Turn your back for five seconds... and they always know when your attention is wandering. OTOH, she was like clockwork going into her crate at 4:30 p.m. for her nap. She hopped down without me even suggesting it, and trotted on over while I went to check on something in the pantry.
DeleteCardboard box sled are the best (and the most fun)! We would start searching for boxes about the time school started. If you were lucky enough to find an appliance box, you were the hit of the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteGreat memories!
So true about appliance boxes, back in the day! This particular box was a gift from the park staff, since they didn't have sleds available to rent, and were all sold out of those they had in the "gift shop" (pretty big gift if you ask me, though).
DeleteSpeaking of things we used to play with as kids... did you make your own skate boards? We did, out of old roller skates and a leftover board from some project or other. My sister did hers up right, painting it with stencils.
Yup . . . definitely WINTER weather. Have about 14 in. of snow on the ground (guess it’s not as bad as it could be. And now . . . finished with the snow (at least til Wednesday) and sub-zero temperatures begin. Well, I can deal with that more that the thought of MORE SHOVELING, which I call snoveling because it makes my nose stuffy and drippy.
ReplyDeleteHOW COOL that Carl became sled dog to transport foster kid! Bet he had a hoot! Awesome.
Well, stay warm. Looking like Nanook of the North right now, but . . . gotta stay warm!
Hugs
Barb
1cd
That's a LOT of snow. I'm sure the farmers around here would be jealous! It wasn't too bad here today, with 11*F, but sunshine and no wind. I even tossed a few things off the deck for retrieve in the snow. We got some zoomies out of the game.
DeleteYes, we were in about a 2 ft. deficit of snow. Making up for it! Sheesh.
DeleteSomebody needs to get Mother Nature back in balance, eh?
DeleteSuccess, no matter how small is applauded. I'd take a slobbered upon glove over a ripped one.
ReplyDeleteSounds like your kids are making lots of memories for everyone.
If you never had the struggles you could not appreciate the joy of progress, right? I am hoping the progress is maturity and learning, and not just "I don't feel well and it's not worth the effort to misbehave"? LOL.
DeleteWow, the glove improvement is huge!! I notice her coat is so gleaming and healthy, such a pretty girl. Hope she gets over whatever she ate ... it's no fun all around.
ReplyDeleteWhen I look up the list of possible causes of diarrhea in pups, anxiety, dietary changes, eating junk, and of course, parasites or other stuff enter the picture. I spent Saturday night on the couch and we ended up with the two extra trips outside in the night. I anticipate a similar "napping through the night" tonight, again, "just in case", and if we don't see improvement, will call the vet on Monday.
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