Piles of poop, to scoop or not to scoop--that is the question!

Seems all I do these days is obsess over poop!  And worry over intake, output, electrolytes like sodium, potassium and now, let's add in the unexpected weight gain, cortisol and pedialyte.  My head spins as 3 weeks of blood draws have left Jessica looking like a bruised pin cushion.  So today, we took a break from needles and turn our minds towards cleaning. 

I have a home visit tomorrow with a pediatric resident.  She is coming to my house, in all its messy glory, to learn about what our lives look like outside their office.  What do meds, adult briefs, sleep etc. really look like in someone's home.  I have been doing this for Texas Parent to Parent for over 10 years now--and I really enjoy it.  Except for the cleaning part!!  And it is going to rain--so the first place to neaten up--Outside!!

Which means facing Poop!  Yes, poop again--seems I cannot escape it.  But this time, it is Oliver & Leslie poop.  Smelly, small ecosystems thriving in my backyard.  Literally a science fair project in the works!!  To scoop or not to scoop--that is truly the question.  I learn a lot about Oliver when I scoop, not Leslie--she is such a food snob--she has to be persuaded to eat dog chow with deli meat on top.  But Oliver is another matter altogether!  A foray into Oliver land gives me answers to the age old questions like; "Where did the matching sock go?"  Aauuuggghhh!!  Gross!  Or the one which sneaks up on me when I really want to put my hair up and I cannot find a hair scrunchie anywhere!  I feel like the Count on Sesame Street!  "Ah One, Ah Two, Ah Three Hair Scrunchies!! Ah ah ah!!"

Today my two worlds collided as I finally discovered the final tube cover which I had been searching for!  Yup--there it was!  Not cozily nestled around Jessica's feeding tube, sheltering her delicate skin from acid & drainage.  Nope!  It was a portion of one particularily large scoop, and I had to laugh hysterically that crazy dog had been foraging thru Jessica's bedside table for a snack and Jess probably smiled as he gulped it down. 

Who needs yoga or meditation?  I have to stay very much focused and present as I carefully dissect each portion of my yard, scooping and mouth breathing, until I feel the coast is clear of the muck of life, so I can mow freely--without worrying that poop will be underfoot and I can make my way forward with a smile!!

We're Back!! And another one bites the Dust!

How many does this make?  Yes, Four!!

 

We realized today that we had not posted on our blog for over 1 1/2 years.  Things had settled down so much after Sugar went away. Oliver stopped eating the house and he and Leslie enjoyed playing with their toys, being fed and sleeping in the sun.  Oliver caused a ruckus about 6 months ago when he got very sick, lost a ton weight and we took him to the vet.  Turns out he had partially chewed up and swallowed most of one of Joe's work gloves.  Which, it turns out, is not digestible--so it got lodged between his stomach and intestines, until very expensive emergency surgery saved the dog and left us a really gross reminder that he still cannot help but eat inappropriate items when we are not paying very close attention.

Like Today!  Josh was home asleep when the girls and I left for Bowie Choir registration rally.  We left the dogs in the house, happy to sleep and wait for us--Or so we thought!  When Josh woke up and came out, he found that we had Another Remote Control Bite the Dust.  When we attempted to see if all the pieces were there--epic fail--he must have some electronics/plastic floating around in that silly gullet of his.  Sigh!  So I am back on poop-patrol to make sure he passes this effectively!  You would like changing Jessica's diaper 5-7 times per day, checking for poop would be all I would have to do these days.  But no, gotta go thru doggie doo now to make sure we don't have to go donate more towards the vet!  But when you see him so cute, having thrown all 85 lbs into Joe's lap--you gotta just love the knucklehead!!

Help, this dog weighs a ton!

Oliver's Weight Loss Plan of 2011

Happy New Year! We would like to introduce you to Oliver's Weight Loss Plan. Her name is Sugar Rae! Yes, we are insane! Sugar is our foster boxer mix puppy.

Austin Boxer Rescue put out a plea before Christmas that all the
foster homes were full and dogs were at risk to be euthanized. We have such a soft spot for boxer mixes. But this little one had been found in San Antonio and there was no foster room at the inn. So here she is. She is posted for adoption on Austin Boxer Rescue, but I worry because she is a mix, probably with a ......sigh.

So far she has been wonderful. It took a few days for the dogs to get to know each other--but Christmas eve, they were integrated and have been playing ever since! Christmas day, Sugar decided to chew on neighbor Mike's slipper--Oliver is in LOVE!!

Sugar gets spayed on Thursday--whew! She had some skin issues, but after a pricey trip to the vet today--she is on her way to wellness. She is such a snuggle bunny! The girls love her and now that she learned to jump on Libby's bed--ruh roh Scooby!

So, Why a weight loss plan for Oliver? He has become quite the couch potato with Leslie, and gained over 10 lbs this year (and no, the sofa is not missing). His hip dysplasia is aggravated by the extra weight--so let's cut down the food, add a puppy to play with and voila--He has started losing weight. But OH, what a sneaky devil he is!! The trash can is now up permanently--he keeps grazing in there (with Leslie right behind him), any stray paper towel or tissue--down the gullet. A recent backyard pickup discovered hair boingy's again in the yard. But the worst?? Jessica's dirty diapers! AAAUUGGHH! All 3 were involved--and after cleanup came the night from hell. Oliver didn't just lick diapers--He consumed them, the wipees, the blue pads--and how might I know this? 2 1/2 hours of it coming back up, and up and up! Instant weight loss plan! Between puppy pee & poo, Oliver vomit and multiple rolls of paper towels, carpert cleaner and tossed blankets--I lost my mind. All I wanted a margarita which is NOT on my weight loss plan. Boo Hoo!!

But yes, I brought it all on myself and at this point, Joe and I are just laughing so hard we cry! What a journey! It is actually been a good distraction from all the mess with Jessica's health right now. She went to geneticist before Christmas and the last test before a muscle biopsy came back negative. She had a really high blood pressure--that was a first. The bone density came back showing severe osteoporosis. Her sodium just won't stay up--we are up to 18 cc's of a 14 percent sodium chloride solution every day--That is a LOT! So now I am facing multiple specialist appts. and more tough decisions.

Who could blame me for wanting an entertaining Sugar and Oliver show? Leslie thinks this is all crazy! But we are smiling for the most part--and that will get us through the next Oliver moment!!

Who knew that Leslie could be such a Great Pillow! She is so tolerant of Mary!!

Well, Tis the Season-for me to lose my ever-lovin' mind. Austin Boxer
Rescue sent out an impassioned plea for foster homes. They and
many area rescues are out of space and they had some cuties
posted who needed immediate help or else. So crazy me, with
agreement from spouse, emailed. ABR actually had an email from
a family in S. Antonio who had found a Boxer Mix 1 year old puppy
and they couldn't keep her. So after a night of sleep and prayer, we will go pick up our little Foster Christmas Present on Monday.

I know, I am officially insane! But I feel that this was something I was being called to do. We are home this Christmas and short term, we can save a really sweet dog and help it find its forever home.

As much as Oliver has destroyed lately: another 2 dog beds, another wallet, 3 more remote controls, the legs off Mary's bathroom stool & 2 pairs of my dress shoes--I still love that big dumb dog so much. Our life would be so boring without the laughs that he and Leslie bring to us. I just know that little Christmas Puppy is meant for a loving family somewhere. We just need some name suggestions for her!!!

Merry Christmas to All & a Happy New Year!

What a pain in the ear my dog can be!

He is also very tough on my child's education. We had all our Family Religious Ed group over a few Sunday's back and put the dogs in our room, so they wouldn't trample the little ones. And thus occurred the revenge of the penned up Oliver. Tally at the end of the Sunday: 1 pair of really nice dress shoes, 1 Texas Geography book--gonna have to replace that one, and the lid of the clothes basket.

And the chewing begins again. Bought him new squeeky balls, play toys and he even sneaked one more of Jessica's stuffed animals out of her room. And now the Phone. Good thing we have 2 handsets, but this one really took a beating! Still works though, but it pokes the stuffing out of your ear, and the display doesn't work. But at least it gets a dial tone. Thanks Oliver!

Another Duck bites the Dust!

Really Oliver? The breast cancer awareness duck? Sigh! Just when you think that everything is settling down around here, along comes another destructive action. The Polly Pocket doll was not a crushing blow like losing the duck, but that doll was so neatly dissected that I have to wonder about Dr. Oliver. We all liked the movie Avatar this summer, but Oliver got hold of the McDonald's toy and it was all over for Ang!

Jessica is doing well, just having seizures again--the new kind--Gelastic. Love the dogs, but if they bark, here comes a seizure. Had to explain to my bestest friend Joni about those. They look like she is laughing, and unless you look into her eyes--it really looks like she is happy. Until you see the fear in her eyes--the "why am I doing this and I can't stop" look.

She is loving being back into school at Rosedale. Her favorite time this summer was at the TxP2P Conference and her buddy Joel came and they got to sit together for the Sara Hickman concert!

Mary and Leslie