Luke gives me sad eyes because he didn’t get any breakfast this morning. His sister Cricket is off to the vet again today for more tests on her heart, so Luke will get his meal after I’ve dropped her off. I just told him that he won’t starve waiting, and that it could be far worse – he could be the one going to the vet. Cricket, ironically, just sleeps away. Her appetite has still been a bit off so missing breakfast doesn’t bother her as much. Years of experience should tell her it’s a bad omen, but she seems accepting of the inevitable.
That’s about how our month of September is going around here. We’re all out of sorts, and the dogs seem to be handling it better than I am. Foremost is the fact that Cricket’s cough from her enlarged heart has not gone away on the medication, so she is back to the vet today for more tests. I appreciate the fact that our vet wants to do the tests, and won’t just throw her on another medication that may or may not work without getting a better look at things.
That’s in spite of the fact that from what he told me after her last appointment, these tests will cost hundreds of dollars. It’s not welcome news, considering both my hubby and I will be unemployed at the end of this month. I just sigh, get out my credit card, and do what we must for our little girl.
September has been a month of turmoil, and I don’t even know what a routine is any more. Originally our jobs were supposed to end on Labor Day, but the sale of the business got postponed, so we were able to hang on for a few more weeks. My job has changed completely, ever since the beginning of August, so my duties and schedule have changed. We’ve had to push for any answers on what was going on. I used to enjoy my job when I had my regular routine, but now I feel like I’m just doing my time, waiting for the end. Every day I question if I should just be done with it, but loyalty keeps me there to be sure all the loose ends are tied up on my part.
But enough about that, this is a pet blog, after all! On top of Cricket’s health issues, Luke seems to have developed some allergies, and it’s not like I can just easily take our reactive boy to the vet, so we’ve been trying home treatments while working to figure out what’s going on. He got better for a bit, but is now biting and licking himself again. I feel pretty certain it’s seasonal, something in the air, because he got better when the weather was cool and wet, and now that it’s warm again, with the windows in the house back open, it seems to be flaring, though not as bad as the last time.
There’s been more disruptions to the routine; vet appointments for Samantha (all routine), and we had our chimney re-built. Cricket hasn’t been playing fetch as much, which is usually a daily ritual around here. I questioned the wisdom of even letting a dog with a heart condition play that hard, but most sessions have been short, and we’ll be discussing that with our vet after her tests today.
One particularly bad day at work, I came home completely frazzled. Because our chimney is on the other side of the house, and the workers parked there, I didn’t even realize they were here. I let the dogs outside, not realizing the gate was open, and one gentleman was out in the yard (the other was on the roof). It wasn’t until I heard Luke barking that I realized what was going on! They had the gate wide open, but luckily that guy was on top of things, and immediately got it closed with himself on the other side. The plus side? I learned that Luke will not go after someone, that he will bark first, which is good to know. He did bark and jump at the poor guy once he was on the other side of the gate, but it just proves that he is not aggressive, just fearful, which I know. But it’s always good to have it confirmed, and thank goodness it all went that way!
So it’s not all bad. The guineas and chickens are now co-existing peacefully in the coop and they’re getting outside more. Everyone goes in at night as they should (knock wood). My hubby has a very promising job prospect that we hope he’ll be hearing more on very soon. I am working less hours so I have more time for the animals.
I can’t seem to use that extra time productively, however, and I am hopelessly behind on everything. Nothing seems to be going right….I could go on. However, I know things will settle down and I’ll figure it all out eventually…..all I need to do is get through this month.
Like Luke with his breakfast, I know it will all go back to normal soon, even if it’s a new normal. We know that things could be far, far worse, as we see all those affected by the hurricanes in our country. I wish that made me feel better….but instead I think watching the news just brings me down more. It could be worse, and what if it is, before it gets better?
But as most long-time readers know, I am eternally optimistic. I’ve had some nice distractions in fun times with “the girls” recently, and a couple more fun days coming this month. Once my job ends, I’m going to take a couple weeks to decompress and then I will get my act together. I have lots of plans of things to do with the dogs, I just need to get my focus back. In the meantime, we’ll just keep plugging along. I keep my eyes open for the perfect job to come along, make more plans for the farm, and I’ll keep enjoying being home more (my dream is to find a work-from-home job). We’ll make the best of each day, even if we don’t know what’s coming around the bend.
Gads so sorry about work. Glad nothing happened with the workers. Hopefully you can help out Luke’s itchiness. Benedryl works on some dogs, oatmeal baths are soothing.
I had some herbal shampoo and conditioner from Only Natural Pets, and that really helped a lot too.
I’m sorry I missed this when you posted it – I’ve been overwhelmed here and haven’t been able to keep up with blogs. I hope things work out well with your husband’s potential new job and that your vet can help Cricket’s heart problem. I’m so concerned for her. You’re all in our prayers. <3
I’m sorry to hear you’ve been overwhelmed too, and thank you for thinking of us and caring. ♥
As my Nana used to say, “looks like you’re going thru.” it seems that there’s always something going on. I too am struggling with allergies gone bat crazy. I’ve had to switch foods not because the food was causing it – but because the food wasn’t assisting with eradicating it. My heart goes out to you girlfriend. I wish you well. Keep us posted about Cricket please.
Thank you, Cathy. When it rains, it pours, right? I’ll have a post tomorrow with an update on Cricket, but bottom line is she is already doing better after adding a new medication.
Luke’s allergies seem to be settling down for now, so we’ll see how that goes.
I hope you are making progress with your allergy battle with new foods. ♥
You’ve got a lot of stressful items on your plate right now. I’m sending positive thoughts your way, that Cricket’s tests will yield some favorable results, that Hubby’s job lead will pan out, and that you will get your dream job. Remember what I told you in Myrtle Beach. 🙂
I have not forgotten, and I am holding out for that perfect job!
Things are looking up for Cricket, she’s on a new med and doing better already (details in a post tomorrow).
I’m so behind on what’s been going on with you, especially your job. It doesn’t help when you have to worry about your pets either. I hope it’s nothing serious with Cricket and she’ll be her old self soon. Sandra and Dolly
She is getting there, thank you, Sandra and Dolly. I’ll be done with my job soon, and even though that will bring new challenges (I haven’t job hunted in over 20 years and I’m not sure I even remember how, plus it’s all changed – LOL), I think it will be a big relief to just have it behind me. xxoo
My mom doesn’t do well either when life is turned upside down. Hope things get better soon. She also has a fit if anyone ever leaves the gate open. Just can’t be happening!
We had one contractor who came to our old house, who could never shut the darn gate! Kobi escaped more than once, but thank goodness we always found him easily.
Things are starting to get better, Cricket seems to be feeling a bit better and that’s a big plus!
I understand how you feel. Cricket’s health must be very concerning and helping to throw you very much off balance. I am glad about what you learned about Luke. Being a fearful dog who will warn someone is much better than being an unpredictable reactive one.
Shyla has always been a fearful one who just completely shuts down. She surprised us recently. A worker ignored our instructions to pretend that Shyla didn’t exist (that sounds mean but it’s how she is most comfortable). The worker walked directly toward making eye contact while talking nicely to her. I didn’t intervene in time and Shyla growled at him! That was the most assertive thing that she’s ever done. So, she and Luke are just at different points on the same spectrum.
I hope that life settles down for you and that Cricket starts to feel better. Sending hugs.
Thank you! At least through all of this, Cricket has not been feeling too poorly. But I hope to see her energy level get even better, and her appetite return, with the addition of the new med.
I’m glad Shyla stood up for herself! I totally understand the “she doesn’t exist” instruction. I might start saying that! We usually say “Don’t look at him, don’t talk to him, don’t approach him or make eye contact with him!”. Luke can be OK with people around sometimes as long as they don’t engage him at all, so I totally get that.
Here’s hoping that October is a much better month for you. I do understand being out of sorts. We have our house for sale and have had stuff in boxes for a year now as we planned to move earlier in the year. We have finally concluded that it all up to God to decide when our time is right to move as things have happened to show us that we needed to wait. This includes a tree falling through our roof and getting a new roof this weekend. Our old one would not have passed inspection according to our roofer and insurance guy. Hurricane Harvey showed us where we can comfortably buy without fear of flooding. Everything happens for a reason and you will discover what the reason is for your troubles too. Hugs!
I think October will be a new beginning for us! Cricket and Luke are both already doing better, so that’s a great start.
I’m glad things are working out for the best with your house. It is good to get things fixed ahead of time. Finding things at inspection is not good…..I will never forget how stressful it was when we sold ours, and just that happened. We never want to go through that again! Good luck with finding your new home in the new safer location!
We hope all will be okay with sweet Cricket! Come on Luke, let’s eat!
I wish you good news and you get back your routine again.
I hope everything is ok with all the furry ones. You have had more than your share.
The furry ones are both doing better, so things are definitely looking up!
So much to comment on! Sending healing thoughts, energy, and POTP for Cricket; best wishes for the Dadz’ prospective job; for Luke and Samantha to remain healthy; and for you to find your balance and focus.
You’ll be okay; and I’m just a text away if you want to talk. I know how it is to work for a company for years, be a loyal employee the whole time, and then be treated like dirt – or worse – when they suffer difficult financial times. You owe them NOTHING. You’ve already given them all you’ve had to give. Don’t stress yourself out trying to tie up lose ends. If you were to walk out of there for good tomorrow, believe me, they’d find someone to do the work. Or, maybe just leave it undone without giving it another thought.
Such words of wisdom, and so true, thank you! Talking it out with you really did help, and on that note I decided to stay home today and just handle a couple things through phone calls. 🙂
we cross our paws for the vet appointments and we hope for good news… it is a good idea to work at the chimney front early… our idea to do it on christmas was not the best ;o)
We put off having the chimney done, it should have been done last fall. We ended with smoke in our house more than once because our wood stove didn’t work efficiently with the old chimney. This winter should be much better!