Oliver the Wonder Dog

Oliver the Wonder Dog

Thursday, September 27, 2012

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!!

Saturday, August 25, 2012

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!