From the Lapdog Household to Yours...
Happy New Year!
Thursday, January 01, 2015
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Wordless Wednesday: More Christmas Fun
Happy New Year's Eve... any bets on how many pictures of Chinese food will show up in your Instagram feed tonight? Let's get wordless!
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Healing Vibes Needed for Lola
I had planned a review for Tasty Tuesday today, but I think I need to tell you all about Lola's current situation instead (some of you may have read a little about it on Instagram last week). Hope our friends at Chewy.com don't mind... we'll get our December post up very soon!
We noticed Lola had developed a limp on the morning of December 11, and were hoping that maybe she just slept on it funny, or awkwardly jumped off the bed. She wasn't any better when I got home, and was favoring her right front leg. Hopeful it was just a sprain, I called our vet to see if we should start Lola on tramadol, which we did - 1.5 tablets, twice a day.
Lola continued to limp around, so off we went to see Dr. C on December 22. She determined the issue was with Lola's right shoulder, which she was favoring, not extending fully and clearly uncomfortable with during the exam. An x-ray showed a little something going on, but "nothing too exciting," as Dr. C likes to say. My best explanation is that it looked like a couple little "nodules" on the sides on the shoulder joint.
Dr. C explained that Lola's breed make-up is prone to bone tumors (and some of the horrible things that go along with them), and while she didn't think that's what we were looking at, she couldn't rule it out completely at this time. If it were a bone tumor, she'd expect to see "a mess" of bone and fragments on the x-ray - but we did not. So, she was hopeful that what we're seeing is arthritis and opted to treat it as such for now. We increased her tramadol to 2 tablets, three times a day and if things weren't getting better in a couple of days, she armed us with a prescription for an additional medication to add in (forgive me, but the name is escaping me at the moment).
The next couple of days were quite awful, with Lola in obvious pain, which I'm hoping was in part due to her shoulder being manipulated in so many ways during the exam. We've had ups and downs since, and opted to start the second medication this past Friday.
Dr. C touched based through one of her techs on Saturday to see how Lola was doing. When I indicated she was still limping, not getting around too well and in some obvious pain, she spoke to Dr. C and got back to me a short time later. Because we had just added in the second medication the day before, she wanted us to wait it out a few days to see if it begins to kick in and help. In the meantime, she suggested we might add in a cold press a few times a day, for 5 minutes at a time. We don't have a lot of room to move on pain meds without pulling Lola off of her low-dose prednisone, and then waiting a couple of weeks to get it out of her system... and praying her auto-immune disease doesn't flare back up (she's now down to a "next to nothing" dose of 1/2 tablet every 3 days, but we're not brave enough to stop it completely, as we know if we had to start things over at a high dose of pred, she would not do well at all - it nearly killed her the first time).
So, we continue to watch, and hope, for improvement. Lola is normally the dog who will jump at the chance to go outside at any time... yet right now we nearly have to force her to go out to do her business (with a great deal of assistance from a harness and towel sling). It absolutely kills me to hear her cry in pain, and see her so miserable. I just hope things take a turn for the better this week. If she does continue to limp and have issues, we will recheck the x-rays in another week or two. If things still look like arthritis, we'll then talk about starting physical therapy and take things from there.
Please, send some good healing vibes Lola's way... she could really use them right now.
We noticed Lola had developed a limp on the morning of December 11, and were hoping that maybe she just slept on it funny, or awkwardly jumped off the bed. She wasn't any better when I got home, and was favoring her right front leg. Hopeful it was just a sprain, I called our vet to see if we should start Lola on tramadol, which we did - 1.5 tablets, twice a day.
Lola continued to limp around, so off we went to see Dr. C on December 22. She determined the issue was with Lola's right shoulder, which she was favoring, not extending fully and clearly uncomfortable with during the exam. An x-ray showed a little something going on, but "nothing too exciting," as Dr. C likes to say. My best explanation is that it looked like a couple little "nodules" on the sides on the shoulder joint.
Dr. C explained that Lola's breed make-up is prone to bone tumors (and some of the horrible things that go along with them), and while she didn't think that's what we were looking at, she couldn't rule it out completely at this time. If it were a bone tumor, she'd expect to see "a mess" of bone and fragments on the x-ray - but we did not. So, she was hopeful that what we're seeing is arthritis and opted to treat it as such for now. We increased her tramadol to 2 tablets, three times a day and if things weren't getting better in a couple of days, she armed us with a prescription for an additional medication to add in (forgive me, but the name is escaping me at the moment).
The next couple of days were quite awful, with Lola in obvious pain, which I'm hoping was in part due to her shoulder being manipulated in so many ways during the exam. We've had ups and downs since, and opted to start the second medication this past Friday.
Dr. C touched based through one of her techs on Saturday to see how Lola was doing. When I indicated she was still limping, not getting around too well and in some obvious pain, she spoke to Dr. C and got back to me a short time later. Because we had just added in the second medication the day before, she wanted us to wait it out a few days to see if it begins to kick in and help. In the meantime, she suggested we might add in a cold press a few times a day, for 5 minutes at a time. We don't have a lot of room to move on pain meds without pulling Lola off of her low-dose prednisone, and then waiting a couple of weeks to get it out of her system... and praying her auto-immune disease doesn't flare back up (she's now down to a "next to nothing" dose of 1/2 tablet every 3 days, but we're not brave enough to stop it completely, as we know if we had to start things over at a high dose of pred, she would not do well at all - it nearly killed her the first time).
So, we continue to watch, and hope, for improvement. Lola is normally the dog who will jump at the chance to go outside at any time... yet right now we nearly have to force her to go out to do her business (with a great deal of assistance from a harness and towel sling). It absolutely kills me to hear her cry in pain, and see her so miserable. I just hope things take a turn for the better this week. If she does continue to limp and have issues, we will recheck the x-rays in another week or two. If things still look like arthritis, we'll then talk about starting physical therapy and take things from there.
Please, send some good healing vibes Lola's way... she could really use them right now.
Monday, December 29, 2014
Christmas Fun... It's Exhausting!
Did everyone have a wonderful Christmas break? I know some of you (including one of the humans in the Lapdog household -- hint: it's not the one typing this post) are fortunate enough to be off of work until after the New Year. Lucky ba$&^*#$
Christmas Eve was busier than usual this year. I ended up working part of the day (we had a wonderful work luncheon), then headed home to take care of last minute details before the humans ran off to Connecticut for the evening (usual in-law Christmas Eve gathering). After a late night, it was nice to wake up Christmas morning and not have to drive anywhere, as we hosted my parents at our house this year. The Lapdogs were more than thrilled to have their Grammy & Grampy over for the day.
I sort of forget to take a lot of pictures of the humans (in my deference, there are some on my real camera that haven't been downloaded yet), but here's a look at the Lapdogs' Christmas day...
Santa didn't stuff the stockings this year, but they didn't seem to mind...
Sophie made a new friend...
Zeus was smitten with the pretty Reindeer Lady...
Lola and Mr. Furballz....
The Lapdogs were so excited about Grammy and Grampy being around that they didn't get in their usual afternoon snooze... This is what happened as soon as they left.
While running a few errands the day after Christmas, I managed to not only pick up some gift bags and boxes at half-price, but also a couple of antler replacements. I simply couldn't resist these elf ears. May I present, Teutul the Christmas Elf...
I couldn't seem to find a normal set of antlers (okay, so what is normal when it comes to doggy antlers?), but in addition to the too-cute elf ears, I found these blingy ones. They seem to suit the Princess just fine...
For those of yousuffering working a partial week like me, here's to it flying by! And, just in case Santa didn't bring everything you wished for, make sure you enter to win the $50 Amazon Gift Card we're giving away in partnership with DogFenceDIY!
Christmas Eve was busier than usual this year. I ended up working part of the day (we had a wonderful work luncheon), then headed home to take care of last minute details before the humans ran off to Connecticut for the evening (usual in-law Christmas Eve gathering). After a late night, it was nice to wake up Christmas morning and not have to drive anywhere, as we hosted my parents at our house this year. The Lapdogs were more than thrilled to have their Grammy & Grampy over for the day.
I sort of forget to take a lot of pictures of the humans (in my deference, there are some on my real camera that haven't been downloaded yet), but here's a look at the Lapdogs' Christmas day...
Santa didn't stuff the stockings this year, but they didn't seem to mind...
Sophie made a new friend...
Zeus was smitten with the pretty Reindeer Lady...
Lola and Mr. Furballz....
The Lapdogs were so excited about Grammy and Grampy being around that they didn't get in their usual afternoon snooze... This is what happened as soon as they left.
While running a few errands the day after Christmas, I managed to not only pick up some gift bags and boxes at half-price, but also a couple of antler replacements. I simply couldn't resist these elf ears. May I present, Teutul the Christmas Elf...
I couldn't seem to find a normal set of antlers (okay, so what is normal when it comes to doggy antlers?), but in addition to the too-cute elf ears, I found these blingy ones. They seem to suit the Princess just fine...
For those of you
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Merry Christmas Eve
Merry Christmas Eve... let's get wordless!
Rest in Peace Red Antlers (yes, you must click if you missed our Monday post)... you served us well! (photos from last Christmas)
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
The Advantages and Disadvantages of an Electric Dog Fence + AMAZON CARD GIVEAWAY!
(sponsored post)
One of our biggest priorities as dog owners is keeping our pets safe from harm. Our dogs rely on us to protect them from the dangerous they can’t see or don’t know about, such as cars in the roadway, animal predators, and illnesses. We also keep them healthy by encouraging exercise and feeding them a healthy diet. Exercise is essential for their physical and mental health, and dog owners with yards are fortunate enough to allow their dogs to move and explore until their heart’s content. That is, as long as that yard is safe and enclosed.
An electric dog fence is one way to enclose your yard and keep your dog inside its boundaries, but why do people choose them instead of traditional fences? There are several advantages (and disadvantages) to wired dog fences that many people don’t consider. Here’s a look at some of the things you can think about when choosing a fence for your yard.
One of our biggest priorities as dog owners is keeping our pets safe from harm. Our dogs rely on us to protect them from the dangerous they can’t see or don’t know about, such as cars in the roadway, animal predators, and illnesses. We also keep them healthy by encouraging exercise and feeding them a healthy diet. Exercise is essential for their physical and mental health, and dog owners with yards are fortunate enough to allow their dogs to move and explore until their heart’s content. That is, as long as that yard is safe and enclosed.
An electric dog fence is one way to enclose your yard and keep your dog inside its boundaries, but why do people choose them instead of traditional fences? There are several advantages (and disadvantages) to wired dog fences that many people don’t consider. Here’s a look at some of the things you can think about when choosing a fence for your yard.
Advantages
Versatile
Perhaps one of the biggest advantages of an electric dog fence is how versatile it is compared to a traditional fence. Because most electric dog fences are wired underground, they can be used just about anywhere. Before a traditional fence is installed, the ground must be leveled out and cleared off. A wired fence, however, does not require the same preparation. It can be placed over all types of terrain.
On large properties like ranches and farms, electric dog fences can also be better choices. It is much easier to enclose several acres at a time with wire as opposed to so many sections of fence. If you want to change your dog’s boundaries at any time, it’s easier to move the wire than it is to pick up and move an entire wood, PVC, or chain link fence.
In addition, an underground dog fence is a great option when you don’t want to drastically change the look of your property. Traditional fences can block scenic views or make it more difficult to move from one area of your property to another. They can also detract from the landscaping and architecture of your home. Wired dog fences, on the other hand, do not impact or take away from the way your property is designed.
Reliable
Electric fences are usually more reliable than traditional fences, too. Traditional fences have gates that people can forget to close, giving your dog the opportunity to escape. Electric fences with backup power will always work to keep your dog inside the bounds.
If you have a dog that likes to dig, such as a terrier; a dog that’s traditionally bred as a hunting dog; or a particularly aggressive dog, traditional fences may not be enough to keep them inside. In these cases, an invisible fence is more reliable because your dog cannot dig under, jump over, or break through to the other side. Electric dog fences keep dogs completely away from the edge of your property line with no way to outsmart their e-collars.
Low Cost
Most traditional fences cost thousands of dollars to purchase and install. If you don’t have a high budget or simply want to save as much money as possible, an electric dog fence has the edge. You can save even more money by opting to install your own wired dog fence. You can put a DIY electric fence in your yard in just one weekend’s time. With a few hours and a little effort, you can have your yard enclosed and made safe for your dog with as little as $300 total. The cost difference is especially pronounced for large properties. Once you’ve purchased the electric fence system, additional wire to increase the boundaries is inexpensive. However, traditional fence sections do not get any cheaper as you purchase more.
Low Maintenance
After you install a wired dog fence, you’re done. These fences require very little maintenance because they are not exposed to the elements. Traditional fences can be damaged by storms, falling trees, your dog’s scratching, other animals, and more. Underground dog fences won’t be affected by any of those outside forces, so they require comparatively less maintenance over their lifetime. If you installed your own electric fence, you’ll even know how to fix it yourself if necessary, saving even more money in the long run on maintenance costs.
Disadvantages
Training
The most important thing involved with installing an electronic dog fence is training your dog on it. Proper, thorough training is essential, and it takes about 15 minutes twice per day for two weeks before your dog is fully trained with the fence and e-collar. If you don’t want to invest the time in training your dog to understand the system, then an electric dog fence isn’t for you. Dogs don’t need to be taught on traditional fences. It’s also very important that you take care to follow the electric fence training directions to the letter, so dedication and commitment are required.
One-Way
Another disadvantage of an electric dog fence is that it only works one-way to enclose your yard. If you’re worried about other people or animals coming into your yard, then you might need a traditional fence to ensure they’re kept out. An electric dog fence is excellent for keeping your dog inside, but it only works for them because they’re wearing the e-collar. If you don’t live in an area where animal or human trespassers are a concern, then an electric dog fence is fine.
Perception
Finally, there’s an unfortunate stigma attached to electric dog fences. If you get one, you may have to deal with people’s perceptions that it’s a cruel or inhumane tool. Most of the time, a little explanation can help people understand what wired dog fences really are. E-collars emit a mild static shock to correct your dog, and it’s not painful, just annoying. They’re also not repeatedly shocked, because once they’ve learned their boundaries, they remain within them.
Before you choose a containment system for your yard, carefully consider all the advantages and disadvantages to electric dog fences and traditional fences alike. No matter what, the most important thing will always be that your dog is kept safe and sound inside your yard.
This sponsored post has been published in partnership with www.dogfencediy.com We encourage you to share your experiences with a variety of dog containment systems in the comments section. Commenters* and those who share the post via social media** qualify for a drawing of a $50 Amazon gift card!*
*To be entered to win the $50 Amazon gift card, leave a comment on this post regarding your experiences with any type of dog fences. You must be a USA resident to win.
**Receive additional entries for sharing this post via Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest. Leave a comment below with a link to your share(s).
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One winner will be chosen by random number generator on January 8, 2015. www.dogfencediy.com will issue the $50 Amazon gift card to the winner.
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