Everything Basset

Since becoming an approved Ohio Basset Rescue foster parent I have been referred to several web sites such as Daily Drool. 

Basset events do not have dog walks, they have dog waddles.  Advice about possible health problems and how to care for them is always good. 

Today I got Teddy groomed.  He needs to be reassured after a grooming that he is still a handsome fellow even without hair in his eyes. 

I also went to Radio Shack to get a new battery for my cordless phone.  It had suddenly started having static on the line.  The new battery didn’t help.  I think the problem happens when I get the computer between the phone base and the phone.   Why it suddenly started happening I don’t know.

While I was there I bought a cheap inexpensive phone that just plugs into the wall.  I tried to hook it up and the plug will not fit into the slot in the base.  It’s their cord and their base – go figure.  Tomorrow it goes back to the store.

Tomorrow I am getting a hair cut in the morning and going to the Dr. office for my monthly shot and blood test.  

OMG, I just looked down and my Mothers hands are typing on my computer!  Brown spots, blue veins and all.

Later….

Home Visit

Had a home visit from Ohio Basset Rescue this evening.  My backyard and home were inspected by two Bassets and they even brought their human with them. 

The dogs met Teddy and everyone had a good sniff, the backyard was thoroughly sniffed, even pooped on, and the kitchen was checked out as well. 

Their human and I had a good time exchanging dog stories and information about fostering.   We could have kept it up a lot longer but it was getting dark soon.

The human and dogs said we passed inspection!!!!

Teddy has been having some problems dealing with being an only dog.  He always went and got Silly so she could ask to go outside.  Since he can’t seem to figure out how to ask we are working on hanging a bell on the backdoor and teaching him to ring it to go out.  There have been two accidents and we want to avoid more.

So we expect to be getting a companion for Teddy and me soon.

later….

Busy Saturday

Things are moving along around here.  Yesterday I decided to wash a large wool hand braided rug.  I’ve done it before.  Put it in the bathtub and fill it with water, pour in the soap and do the cleaning-the-rug dance. 

After the first dance the water was so dark I couldn’t see my feet.  When I let the water out the drain kept getting clogged with dog hair. 

Two dances later things were looking better, I could see my feet.  An overnight soak and several rinses later it is now hanging on the clothes line.   I had forgotten how colorful it was.

Went to the antique barn Friday and had a good time visiting with old friends while helping rearrange items for sale.  We are trying to think up a name for a sale.  Something other than “going out of business” – maybe “inventory reduction” would work.  We need to sell some stuff so we can buy more.

For several days I’ve had to go out in the back yard with Teddy or he would just stand on the deck by the door. 

Teddy is now going out in the backyard alone.  In fact he has found a spot he can squeeze through and get back into the garden area that was cleared out recently.  He is so proud of himself. 

Now I get to figure out how to close up that gap, or maybe just feed him enough so he won’t fit through it. 

No, he is already heavier than he should be.  I’ll come up with something.

later….

Thursday

Since one of my favorite sayings is “get over it”, I’ve been trying to get over it.  It is working bit by bit. 

I made it to the post office, the bank, and the grocery store today.  Teddy and I even went for a walk over to the regular Thursday night car show that is 2 doors from my house this evening. 

He didn’t lift his leg on any of the cars.  He even shook hands with one lady.  Actually the command he responds to is “give me five”.

I always know when the show is done as I hear all the cars leaving.  A lot of them have loud mufflers.

Lory brought over several loads of furniture and boxes from her moving project.  It will be a few weeks before she has another place to put her things.  I asked if I should get my snow shovel out of the back of the garage before she loaded it up with her stuff.  “Very funny Mom” was the answer.  Let’s hope I won’t need the shovel before she finds another place to move into.

It is so nice out today that I have a lot of windows open.  This house is so well insulated that it is still warmer in here than it is outside.

Later….

The Next Day

Teddy paid attention to Silly’s collar and leash for quite a while yesterday but today he is just being quiet.   We are maintaining the same routine as much as possible.

Thanks to all the people who offered condolences.  Since it was the right decision I thought I wouldn’t mind so much but I do.  I took a nap this morning since I didn’t sleep so well last night.

This is my Granddaughter’s 19th birthday, happy birthday Charlotte.   Wow how time flies.

I did some weed eating yesterday, weeds even grow on the driveway.   Found lots a ragweed along the side of the driveway which may explain my drippy nose. 

Lory is moving soon.  A couple of years ago I announced that I would no longer be available to help people move.  That doesn’t include offering space for excess items tho. 

My upstairs and garage are always available.   The garage is so old and the doors are so narrow that modern cars don’t fit.  I did get a Honda CRV in there once by inching it in very carefully.  It was not worth the effort to keep it there on a regular basis.

It’s time to try to get something productive done today.

Later….

Goodbye Sweet Silly Dog

She was born in the state of Maryland at a kennel owned by  a breeder of show dogs.  The litter was left together to see which dog would be dominant. 

It wasn’t Silly so she and another litter mate were brought to Ohio to be sold.  That ride must have been a big shocking thing to her as forever after she hated riding in a car.  She did get used to the RV and seemed to enjoy riding in that.

I got her as a present for myself on my 60’th birthday.  Her name was decided by her actions.  She spun in circles and peed whenever someone came to visit. 

She wasn’t housebroken when I got her.  The usual methods of housebreaking did not work.  I finally tied her on a short leash to my belt and periodically went outside and turned her loose.  She seemed to think I just didn’t want her to ever pee at all. 

The solution was at about 2:00 a.m. after a whole day of no peeing.  Outside on a long lead with a flashlight ---- she peed.  I praised her effusively and she got the message. 

Today I took her to the vet and had her put to sleep.  Yesterday when she peed outside she looked to make sure I approved. 

I’ve been putting this off for weeks.   Shame on me.  She was in pain that even the pain pills could not control.  Now she is at peace.

Teddy is sniffing her collar and laying where she used to lay.  Dogs grieve, too.   We will fell better….

later….

Misty Day Parade

As you can see by the man with an umbrella at the end of my driveway, it started out a bit drippy for today’s parade.   I think the parade was for the beginning of football season.  Maybe the parents are ready to celebrate the kids going back to school.

Of course, I had to record the band.   They were very sensible to wear black shorts and blacks t-shirts on a muggy day.  I remember wearing red wool uniforms even in the summer.

The politicians were out.  The next picture is the mayor of this little community.  We won’t mention the FBI investigation of pornography found on his computer (left by the former mayor?) or the fact that he threatened a tailgater with a ball bat (dismissed when the police officer didn’t show up in court).  We may be small but we have our dramas.

The misty drip let up and just kept things comfortable for the rest of the parade which included truckloads of cheerleaders and football players of all sizes.  Even some soccer players and shriners driving in circles.   I even got to wave at my representative to the House of Representatives in Washington.

After the quiet of the Memorial Day parade the sirens were given free reign today.   I loved it.  Turn up the sound and enjoy the noise.

Of course, the dogs didn’t care for any of it.  I offered to let them out on the front porch but they declined.  Maybe they will go out in the back yard….

Later….

Usual Week

This seems to be a pretty usual week, trash on Monday, shopping and library on Tuesday.  No big deals to be made, no workmen to call.

I called the RV place about the roof and they said call back in Sept.  Since I’m in no hurry I don’t mind waiting.

I did take the plunge and applied to foster a Basset Hound for the Ohio Basset Rescue <-link  people.  I don’t think I should get another dog to keep but I can foster one temporarily.  I have always admired Bassets.  I love to hear them bark. 

My cough is getting a little better each day.  I have the Dayquil by me all day and the Nyquil by the bed.   A friend called it “aerobic coughing”.   My kind of sense of humor.

The weather gave us a break for a few days, I even had the windows open for a while.   I have to keep remembering it is still August so I can’t really expect it not to be hot and humid.  This area has been called the armpit of the country. 

Soon the leaves will start to turn colors and it will be fall.  The schools will be starting in a week or so.  Kids will complain but will be glad to see their friends etc.

Later….

Anonymous Comment

This comment was left on my blog. 

“I would like to exchange links with your site katbulue.blogspot.com
Is this possible?”

Anonymous left no return email or way of replying so I will answer on here.   As far as I know anyone can link to my site with or without my permission.  If you want me to link to yours you will have to tell me what your site is. 

So, taking my life in my hands, here is my email address:

katbulue1@yahoo.com

I have a very good filter on there for spam so have a ball.  If you want to refer me to a site just email me and I’ll check it out.

The explanation of “katbulue” is the first 3 letters of my name, the first 3 letters of my late husband’s nickname (bulldog), and ue added to make it catchy.  He made it up in 1997, a few months before he died so I have kept it. 

I had a strange dream last night.  A man was walking toward me but all I could see was his feet, then the lower half of him, then for just a moment I saw all of him.  My late husband standing there smiling at me.  I was startled awake and wished I could have stayed asleep.

Lory and I went to the antique barn today and took over some of the items she found thrown out in someone’s trash.  This is called dumpster diving.  She comes by it honestly.  I taught her all I know about it, well almost everything.  

You have to know when trash is picked up and some cities have special weeks when they pick up large items.   Repeating “I am invisible” over and over as you stash things in your car helps.

People throw out the darndest things, like 3 grapevine pumpkins and a very sturdy small table, etc.

Here’s hoping for some cooler weather soon and a little rain would be welcome. 

Later….

Trees Gone

In an honest count  (I had to use my fingers) – my back garden area has been left to go wild for 5 years.  It was a jungle.  Last night about 9:00 I called a tree man who was recommended to me.  He said he would be right over – in the dark? – I asked.  He said he had a flashlight. 

I had about given up on him when he showed up at 10:30 p.m.  We went out back and he got a feel for the jungle but not a really true picture – in the dark.  He made a quote – I accepted it.  We shook hands.

Walking back to the house he saw the pile of branches stacked behind the garage and said he would clean that out also.  

He said he would come today.

He did.  He said he wished he had gotten a before picture.  The only way to get a before picture would have been from above.  You couldn’t see the board fence before.

Above is an after picture and below shows the size of some of the stumps left behind

Another souvenir is this part of a tree left in the chain link fence.  He said he got 4 locust fence posts out of the wood he took.  He said they will last for 40 years. 

When they got done I adjusted their quote upward and thanked them for a great job.

While I was outside taking these pictures I took a couple of others.  The first one is the thermometer which cannot show the 99% humidity which makes it unbearable.

The others need some explanation.  When I moved here in 2002 there was a nice big piece of a tree in the backyard.  I got all fancy and put a basket on it lined the basket with a piece of rubber, and filled the basket with dirt and planted flowers in it. 

A tree started to grow in the basket then the basket kind of deteriorated.  It looked interesting so I left it.  I don’t know if the new tree roots go down through the piece of tree, which is falling apart, or not.  I think they must.

And there must have been a hole in the piece of rubber.

I know, now that you have seen these pictures, everyone will want one.

Then I went to the drug store and bought Dayquil and Nyquil and Tussin and Sudofed --------- and, of course, chocolate, dark chocolate kisses. 

I will defeat this cough.

Later….

Coughing as Exercise

This is something I never considered before but is a workable theory.  Coughing tightens your abs as well as your neck – that part below your chin that starts to sag at a certain age.  

This is not a bad thing except coughing is also hard on the throat and sometimes scares the dogs.

Could do without all the exercise just now. 

Made it to my monthly oncology appointment that I put off last week.  Their new office was a lot more organized than it was a month ago.  I got a blood test and a shot of faslodex.  The plan is to get Zometa only every other month now.

Also stopped by the post office and picked up mail and dropped off my utility payment at the city building (due on the 10th).

Lory and John brought me a bag of dog food and a box of dog treats and a bottle of cough medicine yesterday. 

They also looked at some trees out back that a neighbor wants cut down.  My trees hang over his property.  I understand his problem, they are mulberry trees, birds like them.  That leads to purple blobs on everything in the area. 

So I am now in the market for a tree removal person.

It’s always something!

Later….

On The Mend - Slowly

Slowly feeling a little better each day.  Either that or I’m getting used to feeling lousy.  The fever is gone so the appetite is better.  I took the last antibiotic pill today.   I’m still coughing all the time.

I even brushed and combed the dogs a little tonight.  I remembered to put Teddy’s collar back on this time.  There better not be a puddle in my bed tonight.

Two loads of laundry got done this week.  That seems to be my total accomplishment.

I’ve been watching “Whale Wars” on Animal Planet on TV.  It’s about a group who are trying to stop the Japanese from killing whales.  It is supposed to be against the law except for research.  The Japanese say they kill them for research but they just sell the meat etc. 

Once in a while they get on the national news and that makes it interesting.

Anyway, just wanted you all to know that I am on the mend.

Later….

Electricians and SNIFF COUGH YUCK

My battery powered thermometer is very fast and efficient.  If your temperature is near 100 it beeps extra fast when it is done. 

I only use it under my arm as I ran out of those little plastic bags to use in your mouth a long time ago. 

It was beeping pretty fast yesterday. 

If chocolate hasn’t fixed the problem you probably haven’t eaten enough.

But since I have no appetite at all I’m sticking to liquids and an occasional chicken noodle cup of soup. 

It seems very likely that what I have is a virus since the antibiotics don’t seem to be working.  I will finish taking the pills just in case.  I’m also taking benadryl to try to dry this up but that makes me sleepy.  Come to think of it that’s not such a bad thing.

I  called the oncologist’s office this morning and they really don’t want me to come in today to get my shot and blood work. 

I changed the appointment to next Monday.  People there who are getting chemotherapy have reduced immunity and I sure don’t want to give them this cold.

The electricians are here putting a wall plug in the bathroom.  Modern marvels – I won’t have to dry my hair in the kitchen anymore.  

I’m sure I’ll be feeling better….

later….

Antibiotics and Chocolate

Went to the local doctor today.  She gave me a prescription for Azithromycin.  When I took it to the drug store I also bought lots of chocolate.

One or the other of those items is going to make me feel better.  Calls from both my daughters also help me feel better. 

The doctor suggested it might have something to do with ragweed.  I had not thought of that.  Does ragweed read the calendar and start polluting the air the first day of August? 

If that is what is bothering me then this could last till the first hard frost and that usually doesn’t happen until Oct.  But I can’t believe this is just an allergy. 

My throat feels like I swallowed razor blades, my nose spills when I sit up or role over.   Last night I rummaged thru the cupboard and found some hydrocodone  pills left over from my surgery 2 years ago.  That slowed my headache down and allowed me to get to sleep .

Whine, whine!!!

Later….

Yucky Cold

Surprise call from the oncologist.  She left a message while I was out running around.  She says my cancer is  “stable”, only in the bones.   I didn’t really expect to hear from her about the PET scan.   They had me sign a paper that they could leave messages on my answering machine.  All these privacy rules can get pretty silly.

I’ve been out running around a bit for 3 days in a row.  Now I have a very sore throat and runny nose.   Also running a low grade fever.  I’m gargling  warm salt water and taking tylenol and naps. 

I may go to see my general practitioner tomorrow.   In the past she has said I am “fragile”.  I don’t want to be fragile.   I’d rather be robust.   Guess I’ll take fragile over whatever is below that on the health scale.

We have had a nice rain or two in the last couple of days.  Now we are headed back to the heat and humidity.  All of August to go.  We often have a drought in August.  I don’t mind it much as the lawn doesn’t need mowing as often. 

Really getting tired of poor selections to watch on TV lately.  I got books from the library and realized when I got home that I’ve already read two of them.  If my memory gets any worse I’ll only need one book, just keep reading it over and over.

Later….