Where has it gone? It is now Labor Day weekend and it seems like we should just be starting summer, not ending it!
The last pink lily with raindrops. This is one of my favorites.
These past two months have been very eventful. My spirited Fionnegan was treated for Lyme disease again - it has affected his joints and it was hard for him to walk. This time he didn't want to eat, a very worrisome situation for dogs. It was really heartbreaking to see him struggle. I cannot tell you how many times I sat on the floor trying just about every food I have in the house to get him to eat. One day he would eat watermelon or tuna, favorite foods for him. If he ate something, I would go to the grocery store and buy more. Then the next day he would turn his little nose up in the air and wouldn't touch it.
Finally, the antibiotics started to work and he was back to barking for meals and chasing Gunnarr around the yard and house. Then, he was not eating again. The antibiotics caused him nausea and gi distress and he stopped eating. Again I am on the floor with him trying everything. Finally he would eat meat - chicken and pork, but no kibble or vegetables or fruit. I bought beef flavored multivitamins and he would just spit them out. Since he had been on medication for 10 days I stopped it, better for him to eat and take his pain medications. A friend suggested a McDonald's cheeseburger. I scraped off the onions and pickle and cut it up in small pieces, including the bun. He ate the entire hamburger. Amazing. Gunnarr and Shorty shared another cheeseburger. Fionn would not touch the french fries or apple slices so the three of us shared them from the Happy Meals.
It took a few weeks to "doctor" him back to health. For the last couple of days he has eaten lunch and dinner, he even will bark when I say "who wants dinner?" And he ate all of his kibble, cheese, MV, and apple yesterday and today. He is still persnickety with some treats and food but that may change with time.
Just when I thought we could take a deep breath and relax, Gunnarr developed another bladder infection. Piddles and puddles inside and outside. He would stand for 2 minutes just dripping and straining. He would take a few steps and try again. So he was started on antibiotics and given a doggy belly belt. At least I could stop doing laundry 2 to 3 times a day. He tolerated the antibiotics for a few days but was slow to get better. By the way, he does not like being observed trying to pee and would hide from me in the lily flower beds or behind the porch. Shy little one! Then he got sick on the antibiotics and stopped eating. By poor little Gunnarr. I gave him a little break and he was restarted on lower dose, now he ates everything, including his medicine.
Shorty is a star. He has not had a problem, thank you heaven. When Fionn was sick and curled up on his bean bag, Shorty would lie on the floor next to him. Shorty would also sit next to Gunnarr when he was not feeling well. And when Fionnegan would not eat his food, Shorty was always there ready to clean his bowl!
So, there has not been much time for sailing. I do work and then relax on the boat for short periods of time. But I was too worried to leave the pups alone for too long.
Fionnegan sleeping behind a pillow! You can't see me I guess he is thinking!
Gunnarr is wearing his belly belt. He was remarkably willing to wear. He is now better with no more UTI symptoms, so no more need for his belt.
Fionnegan and Gunnarr - brothers and best buds along with Shorty.
Shorty seems to understand Fionnegan and Gunnarr were not well. He looks a bit sad here.
But now they are happy and tails are wagging again! In particular, I call Gunnarr "HT" or "HTW" for Happy Tail and Happy Tail Wagger! He wags his tail with all of his energy!
The lilies did reasonably well, even after being trampled by the workmen this W
inter and Spring.
A pretty pink zinnia in a flower box. The hummingbirds would sip the nectar from these flowers. I tried growing annuals in a few flowerpots. This one did very well and I really enjoy the color. Would like to do this again next year.
It was really too hot for me to do a lot of gardening, but as the weather has cooled I am back pulling weeds and plotting for next year.
This one must be a cross between a purple and pink lily. It was new to my garden without being planted!
The hummingbirds really like the beebalm.
From my boys and me - May you have a Safe and Happy Labor Day Weekend.
Until next time ...............
