8 black pups-- all still with us and doing what looks like fine... the first 24 hours are critical and once we got thru that we can relax a little... very critical to the operation is that laine be relaxed into aksing to go out to pee.. and keeping the routine exactly what she is used to ... which is she looks uncomfortable and sits up-- pups gp in the laundry basket-- she goes outside ( gates up no leash- ) and in those 180 seconds her bed has been changed and provision made for her to lie down any where -- because she will normally change sides she is lying on-- when she lies down we take the smallest and let her lick him clean and put him at the milk bar all by himself... then slowly take the next 2 which might be problems - they have a tiny dot on their back-- one was the slowest to nurse... and leave thise 3 alone nursing before putting the rest bac in the pile... unless lainie absolutelu stares at the basket... in which case we take the next- probaably one maiking a noise and put them in place. etc.. she will tell you -- if you just watch her...
we have greased their bums with a bit of olive oil - so when the first bm's begin to come , they don't get stuck all over their rear ends.. and a roll of toilet paper is within easy reach for that operation....
so it starts...
very little, if any deviation if any from that process for the next few days..
we may get them weighed
maybe... but please don't push us.. we know weighing is critical to be sure they e gainining-- believe me we know that ... but there could be a case of the process of weighing not worth the disruption of the routine...
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i never worry about the comment that says "looks like she tipped over her water" sometimes we need all the help from camera people we can get...HOWEVER...
what we don't need is "don't you think someone should have noticed she has no water. don't they realize how water is so critical. there are so many people there someone should have noticed." which then gets off and running with all the people who think they know how to run this outfit " they put the wrong person in the nursery- xxx would be so much better " and a group of 20- 20 hindsighters digs in for the long haul. ending with "well, i can no longer donate to an outfit like that"
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it is amazing we have got to our 5th year with out a major battle-- i really appreciate when you all squelch one of those things when they start..
certianly we do have our failings ---
however----- if your opinion of the rest of humanity is that they are self serving money grubbling lazy fools, please don't apply that to our group... we have a great bunch who are working very hard - and enjoying the challange of helping others who have challanges of their own.
i am trying to prepare you for our biggest challange right now.... 8 jet black pups-- if we have 8 jet black pups in 3 weeks... we will count our blessings... you can not see them against mom-- or each other-- and they move... even watching very closely, we couold lose a pup, if mom gets too tired and sleeps on one.-- or someone puts down a dark/black fluffy and one gets undeerneath the fluffy..
things can happen-- a bunch of harlequin pups is sooooo much easier to raise and train...
but when i try for more harls i might get a deaf one or two.. and a whole new bunch of people will tell me how bad i am to produce white pups.-- like ariot?????? who lives the life of riley around here??????
i don't know how we have survived this long.... it aint easy...
moving on... maybe this is why.....
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TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY IN FOREVER THAT WENDY WAS UP BEFORE HUNTER. WE WANTED TO SHARE THEIR HIKE OF MOUNT AGAMENTICUS THEY DID, THE DAY AFTER SURFING. LOTS OF WATER FOR BOTH AND THEY MADE IT TO THE TOP! ( ed... wow what a video.. sorry i don't know how to share)
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Hi Carlene,
Recently a friend came to stay with us for the weekend. My husband and I have known him for almost 15 years, so he has witnessed my ups and downs over time. Our friend was impressed by how much Seagram has changed my life, especially now that we are 10 months into our partnership. He said that seeing me now, as compared to last summer, is "like day and night." He commented that I am walking so much better, and additionally, that I am much happier and much more positive. He observed that Seagram helps me not only with balance, but also that her companionship is invaluable.
Our friend was also impressed by Seagram's training and good behavior. We went to the Farmer's Market together and she was unflappable, despite the mix of many people, including children running around, and dogs. We also stopped at the grocery store, and although her nose was inches away from the meat, she stayed focused on helping me.
And he was amazed at how Seagram helps me with stairs, with no commands necessary for a few steps because she knows the routine -- so that Seagram & I now seamlessly climb the steps into the house (as compared to last summer, when I went up slowly with a cane). And when we did "step/whoa/brace," because I am still shaky on stairs sometimes, our friend also commented in amazement at how she helps me with this.
Sometimes when progress is measured in tiny improvements day-by-day, even if only taking a few extra steps, it takes an outside observer to notice just how much has changed over time. Seagram and I have become quite a team. I am so grateful for her -- she truly is my Super Seagram!!
Thank you,
Amy
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TODAY WAS CHURCH THEN A BIRTHDAY PARTY! EVE AND FINN GOT TO PLAY WITH FRIENDS & SWAM IN THE LAKE THEN EVE GOT TO RIDE ON A WAVE RUNNER! YES I MIGHT BE CRAZY! BUT SHE DIDN'T GET HURT AND HAD SOOOOO MUCH FUN!
THEN WE CAME HOME TO CHILL BECAUSE EVE AND FINN GO TO CAMP THIS WEEK AND THEY WILL BOTH NEED THEIR REST TO TACKLE ALL THE FUN THIS WEEK WILL HOLD!! TEAM UP CAMP IS A CAMP DESIGNED FOR KIDS WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR SIBLINGS. LAST YEAR CAMERON ERIN AND MYSELF VOLUNTEERED. THIS YEAR JUST ME AND ONLY 2 DAYS . JUST A BUNCH OF HOOPS TO JUMP THROUGH THIS YEAR BUT WE HAVE GREAT FRIENDS AND FAMILY HELPING EVE GET TO CAMP!!
