Thank you to everyone for your concerns for Cricket, Luke, and I after my recent post: “Whining Like a Dog”. I wanted to be sure to update you, especially since it’s been mostly good news around here, and I am definitely feeling relieved and more optimistic. Simply writing that post helped me to put things in perspective, and to change my attitude (mostly about work), a little bit. A good conversation with family and friends about it all was a huge help as well.
Along with everyone improving health-wise, and a much-needed fun night at a concert with “the girls”, I feel in a much better place now. The best thing is that Cricket is feeling better already. Her echo-cardiogram at the vet didn’t reveal anything alarming, and we’ve added another medication, a diuretic to help get fluid out of her lungs and reduce the pressure on her chest.
It seems to be helping already. We haven’t heard her cough as much, but more importantly, her appetite is getting better and she’s enjoying some ball playing as well as walks. I’ve also noticed her just hanging out in the yard a bit more, sniffing around and enjoying the fresh air. We weren’t too excited about the fact that this med might make her pee more and possibly lead to accidents, but they’ve started her on a low dose and we haven’t had an issue with that yet!
In addition to that Luke has not been scratching nearly as much either. We’ll be telling you more in a future post about a supplement he’s been taking that we think is helping with that (CBD oil).
We had some fun last week doing a photo shoot for some new raincoats the crew got. I’ll be sharing more about the coats along with lots more fun photos too. Both Luke and Cricket really seemed to enjoy the modeling thing, and hammed it up a bit! I didn’t expect them to be so cooperative, especially Cricket, and we all had fun with it!
Our cat Samantha had her blood pressure check, and that was good. Meds are keeping both her blood pressure and hyperthyroidism under control. They did check her kidneys through blood tests too, because kidney problems often go along with the other issues she has. Her creatinine level was up, and they are recommending a prescription diet, but nothing overly concerning at this point. We’ll give the diet a try, but our picky girl might have other ideas!
Paws crossed we are all done with veterinarian visits for a while!
Both my hubby and I are looking forward to some time off in-between jobs soon, there’s lots to do on “the farm” to get ready for winter! All the hens are laying their eggs now, and we’ve even been able to sell some. I started a Facebook page for the farm, so check it out if you get a chance, Barking Dog Organic Farm, and maybe give us a like! I’ll be posting more about the farm on that page, and the journey we’re on with it. I also plan to add a page here on the blog for it, as soon as things settle down a bit more. We have a long way to go but it’s going to be a fun trip!
I’ve been so behind on my reading lately–I hate that everyone was having such a rough time, but I’m glad to hear that things are looking up! I love those rain coat pictures. I doubt either of my girls would go for something like that, but Luke and Cricket look so incredibly adorable!
Luke loves to wear coats, but Cricket is not usually a big fan. She was really good about this, but I had to keep her distracted with treats and her ball! 🙂
So glad to hear some good news about all your babies. You deserve some good news for a change and hopefully it will last for a while. Have some fun working on your farm development!
Thanks, Karen!!
Liked your Facebook page! That last picture is the best! Glad to hear Cricket is feeling better!
Thank you, and thank you so much for liking my page!!
I’m glad to hear everyone is doing better including you Jan! The raincoat pics are adorable. My new chickens are really kicking out eggs too.
Yay for your chickens too! 🙂
Good news from the vet, I’m happy for you. Glad everyone is feeling better.
Thank you, Crystal!
I’m getting all caught up and read this post and its predecessor just now. Glad to hear things are looking up and that Cricket is feeling more playful again. I hope that the job situation improves soon too. It’s hard not having control over these things sometimes. I lost one of my hens to a coyote this morning. It always makes me sad, despite knowing that it’s the circle of life. They were out for a bit of free ranging. Now they’re all in the coop for a day or two until I know it was a one off thing. I’m interested to hear how Luke is doing with his allergies. About a month ago Luna started itching more. I’m pretty sure she’s allergic to something in the grass. She loves rolling around in the grass. I read online that autumn/late summer environmental allergies are not uncommon for dogs.
I’m so sorry about your hen! I know when that happens to us, I will not take it well. We heard a fox out in the woods the other morning. The birds were all out, but Luke barked and I did a lot of yelling down by the woods and I think we scared him away. Still, I had to take Sam to the vet and there was no way I was leaving them unattended (normally they don’t come out unless we’re home, but if we only have to leave for an hour or so we might leave them out). Luckily I was able to get everyone into the coop, otherwise I would have rescheduled the appointment!
I have also read that this time of year can be bad for allergies, which is why I feel pretty sure that’s what’s been going on with Luke.
Glad to hear things are looking better…for you and the pups and Samantha. 🙂
Sam is eating her new dry food and seems to love it! But we have yet to try the canned….she’s way more fussy about that.
I’m glad everyone is doing better. It helps to be able to have someone to talk with about your concerns. I’ll check out your farm Facebook page.
Thank you, Edie, especially for liking and sharing our page! Your support is greatly appreciated. ♥
Glad to see both those smiling faces. Knowing Cricket is feeling better makes me smile, too.
Even if everything isn’t perfect, as long as they are smiling, I can smile too.
Glad to hear that everyone is feeling better, especially you! Sandra and Dolly
Thank you!!
So happy to hear the good news about Cricket and Samantha. 🙂 xoxo from Auntie Sheryl (give Luke a kiss for me too).
Kisses from everyone (even Luke), Auntie Sheryl! ♥
Good news here Jan! So glad things are looking up and you are feeling better. I’m glad Cricket’s test didn’t reveal anything alarming, and glad the oil is working for Luke. Best of luck with Sam’s new diet.
I’ll be interested to hear about the raincoats and how the dogs like them. I’m thinking my guys might enjoy a raincoat themselves.
Oddly enough, it hasn’t rained since we got the coats (well, at least not since I got some photos done)! They are Made by De, and the material is really nice.
Oh I’m so happy everything’s going so much better and that Cricket is on the upswing! I could see the sleepiness in her after her vet visit (poor little sweetheart!) but wow, do both pups look uber happy in that last photo! Just as an aside, I love that rug in the pics. Heading over to your FB page now (I’m under my author name on FB, so you won’t recognize me there! 😉 ) Also I meant to mention in the “Whining Like a Dog” post that Daisy has similar allergies and pink fur because of her licking. One thing we had to do was keep her on our own property during spring and summer, when neighbors are using heavy chemical pesticides and fertilizers on their lawns. That was affecting her badly, and now we just take her around our own property, where we use only natural animal-friendly fertilizer and no pesticides – she has way fewer issues. Our vet told us to put an ointment called Yuck on the spots she was licking to stop her from licking long enough to heal them, and it worked beautifully too. But I’m interested in hearing about the oil you used.
Facebook doesn’t make it easy to find out who my followers are, but I think I found you and sent a friend request. 🙂
I only walk Luke on our own property (yard and woods, and a bit on the road), and we also don’t use chemicals so I don’t think that’s an issue for him anyway. I might have to look for that Yuck. It’s hard to find anything to put on the spots that he won’t lick off (my weird dog loves the apple cider vinegar/water I used to keep the spots disinfected!). Hopefully I’ll be posting about the oil soon, but it’s Treatibles if you want to look into it. We’re seeing some other benefits from it as well.
Oh, and thank you so much for liking our page!!
I’m so glad that things are looking up for you! Give all the crew a kiss from us down on the bayou! Well, except the chickens because I don’t want you getting henpecked! LOL!
Hee hee, I’m always careful to keep those birds away from my face!!
I am soooo glad things are settling down for all of you! And I’m glad you and the hubby are feeling better.
I’m going to buy a bottle of the CBD oil elixir to try for Ducky (for her digestion, but also to relieve the itchiness from the bug bites). The gel caps might be a bit much seeing as how she only weighs around 25 pounds.
And, of course, glad that Cricket, Luke, and Samantha are doing better! I wish I lived close by so I could by some eggs from you!
I wish you could too! We’d keep you well supplied!
I like the bottled CBD oil too, you have a bit more control over how much they get as well.
That is some really good news and less trips to the Vet is always a good thing!
I hope you’re done with all of yours soon too!
Mom says people need mental strength to get through those tough times. She works hard at it too when everything is going poorly. We are happy you are back on track and doing well. Some time off will be a well needed good thing for you.
One more week….one more week….I just can’t wait to be done with that job so I can focus on other things!
I hope so… to be done with all vet visits is a good thing and we cross our paws that it will last for a long time ;o)
I like the raincoats, I think I will buy one for phenny too…. thanks for a super gift idea for Phenny (he will love it… I’m sure LOL)
Cricket was actually better about wearing the coat than I thought she’d be – well, as long as I kept her busy with treats or her ball! LOL