Dogs of the Year
I haven't posted much about dogs lately.
Billie's seizures have been difficult to control and though I'm not yet at the stage of being even cautiously optimistic, I am willing to admit that things appear to be going in a positive direction. Part of the frustration is that the medication has made her very ataxic, which one might not notice in a less active dog and if it was less icy outside, but is very noticeable with her. This is getting much better lately as is the excessive drinking and the urine leaking (from the excessive drinking and the being too dopey to notice). Also, of course, I have adjusted. I let her out more often and am working on changing the way she jumps into the car (she prefers to stand right by the rear of the car and jump straight up, but this doesn't actually work anymore and results in much crashing and banging and swearing).
There are some other behavior issues that I'm hoping will also get better (separation anxiety--though only in certain circumstances, small stressy behaviors, not as relaxed in the car). And I still have my fingers crossed for steadily more time between seizures.
On the other hand, she is tracking really well--very good nose and very focused (except for falling over occasionally). She is very happy to go for walks and play and greet people in pet stores. I was grieving one day because I finally admitted that I might never have my Billie back, but I'm gradually becoming more optimistic about that as well.
John Henry continues to do well. It's been almost eight months since he broke his leg, which is very good. He gets around well, even on the ice--and my back yard is for crap right now--the iciest it's been in years, so both of them fall down a lot, which drives me crazy, because I'm afraid they're going to hurt themselves. The last three weeks or so I haven't taken him for a walk in the mornings because it's dark and I know that it's icy and I am worried about injuries, but I've been taking him out later in the day when I'm not working so he's still getting some walks in.
I hope for both of them a better year in 2006, but I'm very happy that they are with me right now at the end of 2005 and able to do the things they love to do.
I bought myself a digital camera this year for Christmas and it's finally shipped (it was out of stock when I ordered it) so I may finally get some actual dog pictures posted.