All of them! :) :) :) :) :)
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Friday, August 31, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Frankendog. Warning- graphic content.
Frankendog! She just needs the little screws at her temples...
We finally took the lumpy old girl in to have some of her many lumps removed.
We know that golden retrievers are something like 60% more likely to develop cancer than any other breed, so even though her vet has been telling us for a while that he wasn't worried about the ones that she had, she's developed more recently, so it seemed prudent to have them checked out.
We identified 7 that were potentially problematic. 2 on her chest, a huge one and a small one on her back, 1 on her tummy, a fair sized one on her right hip, and a small odd- shaped one on the back of her left leg.
She went under the knife yesterday. When we picked her up that afternoon, I almost lost my lunch. My beautiful little girl looks like something out of a horror movie.
The two on her chest were aspirated (needle stuck in and fluid drawn out) and it was determined that they were nothing-to-worry-about lipomas (fatty cysts), so they didn't remove them.
This is the big one on her back. It was also just a lipoma, but we wanted it removed anyway because it was so large. Not that we care about what she looks like, but everybody that pets her kind of freaks out about it and that, in turn, causes me a lot of stress and anxiety.
This little one was also on her back, but it was harder and smaller than the lipomas, so it will be sent to the lab for analysis.
This nasty L-shaped incision is the one on her right hip, it's going to the lab too.
As is this one from her back left leg.
And the one on her tummy.
Poor Taz doesn't have a good side to lie on, so she had a very uncomfortable night last night. She seemed to settle down a bit when we let her up on the bed with us, and even slept for a couple of hours, which means everybody slept for a couple of hours. Albeit uncomfortably. (yawn)
The vet suggested that we put a t-shirt on her to stop her from licking the incisions, beats heck out of those Elizabethan collars, but she doesn't seem to be going at them, so we might dispense with that.
We put it on when we went to the park last night, and this morning, more as a warning to other dog owners that something was wrong, and to reign in their animals around her, but it impedes her movements and catches on the stitches, so I'm thinking it has to go - even if it IS stylish.
Anyway, she seems much better today. She's figured out how to lie down without hurting herself, so she's spent most of the day snoozing.
My co-worker phoned this morning to volunteer to cover my day for me tomorrow so I can stay home with her again. (Thank you, Anne!!!)
Dan will be home with her on Friday, and by the time we have to go back to work on Tuesday, she should be on the mend.
We won't get the results back until next week sometime, but we have our fingers crossed for good news.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
We finally took the lumpy old girl in to have some of her many lumps removed.
We know that golden retrievers are something like 60% more likely to develop cancer than any other breed, so even though her vet has been telling us for a while that he wasn't worried about the ones that she had, she's developed more recently, so it seemed prudent to have them checked out.
We identified 7 that were potentially problematic. 2 on her chest, a huge one and a small one on her back, 1 on her tummy, a fair sized one on her right hip, and a small odd- shaped one on the back of her left leg.
She went under the knife yesterday. When we picked her up that afternoon, I almost lost my lunch. My beautiful little girl looks like something out of a horror movie.
The two on her chest were aspirated (needle stuck in and fluid drawn out) and it was determined that they were nothing-to-worry-about lipomas (fatty cysts), so they didn't remove them.
This is the big one on her back. It was also just a lipoma, but we wanted it removed anyway because it was so large. Not that we care about what she looks like, but everybody that pets her kind of freaks out about it and that, in turn, causes me a lot of stress and anxiety.
This little one was also on her back, but it was harder and smaller than the lipomas, so it will be sent to the lab for analysis.
This nasty L-shaped incision is the one on her right hip, it's going to the lab too.
As is this one from her back left leg.
And the one on her tummy.
Poor Taz doesn't have a good side to lie on, so she had a very uncomfortable night last night. She seemed to settle down a bit when we let her up on the bed with us, and even slept for a couple of hours, which means everybody slept for a couple of hours. Albeit uncomfortably. (yawn)
The vet suggested that we put a t-shirt on her to stop her from licking the incisions, beats heck out of those Elizabethan collars, but she doesn't seem to be going at them, so we might dispense with that.
We put it on when we went to the park last night, and this morning, more as a warning to other dog owners that something was wrong, and to reign in their animals around her, but it impedes her movements and catches on the stitches, so I'm thinking it has to go - even if it IS stylish.
Anyway, she seems much better today. She's figured out how to lie down without hurting herself, so she's spent most of the day snoozing.
My co-worker phoned this morning to volunteer to cover my day for me tomorrow so I can stay home with her again. (Thank you, Anne!!!)
Dan will be home with her on Friday, and by the time we have to go back to work on Tuesday, she should be on the mend.
We won't get the results back until next week sometime, but we have our fingers crossed for good news.
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Saturday, August 25, 2012
...and ACTION!
Dan's 15 minutes of fame should air on an obscure cable show in about two months, and possibly on mainstream network T.V. as a commercial for Enmax too.
Enmax called a couple of weeks ago and asked Dan if he would mind appearing on camera to tell the world why we chose to go with solar power, and he said that he would. Of course, he was thinking that it would be a 3 minute interview in the back yard with a representative from Enmax, and a guy with a videocam, and maybe 10 seconds of that would actually make it to air. WRONG!!!
At 8:30 on Friday morning our house was invaded by a full crew, complete with a script, make-up, and enough Starbucks coffee and pastries for a small army - and they were still here when I got home at 5:15!!!
Apparently they did two separate tapings. One was a commercial for Enmax, and the other was part of a news segment on the aforementioned cable show.
Friday morning was cold & raining - not a great day to be standing in the back yard talking about the merits of solar energy, so our house was rearranged and staged for indoor interviews, and shots of Dan turning on the T.V. ,and light switches, and using the microwave, etc.
They brought a nice flower arrangement as a prop and also to thank us.
Luckily, the sun popped out in the afternoon, so they were able to get the outdoor stuff done also. Too bad they didn't come before the hailstorm when the garden looked nice, but there's nothing we could do about that.
Dan says that Taz made a couple of accidental cameo appearances by wandering into the backyard shots :-) Please, no pawtographs, we don't need a diva on our hands.
Dan, of course, is a pro at that kind of thing. He has no problem with speaking in public and he has experience in front of a camera. He was the hot air balloon pilot in that hokey movie in Argentina, and he's had his mug splashed on the front page of the Lifestyle section of the Calgary Herald wearing a flight suit that he sewed himself, but I think he was a little bit intimidated when the 3-ring circus showed up at the door. He says that he's not happy with his performance, and he's hoping that it never sees air, but I'm betting he did a great job! As the crew was leaving, they were gushing about how easy it had been to work with him, and what a natural he is!
I'll try to get some autographed 8x10 glossies out to his fans soon.
Gotta go. There are lots of pastries left, and they're calling my name.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Enmax called a couple of weeks ago and asked Dan if he would mind appearing on camera to tell the world why we chose to go with solar power, and he said that he would. Of course, he was thinking that it would be a 3 minute interview in the back yard with a representative from Enmax, and a guy with a videocam, and maybe 10 seconds of that would actually make it to air. WRONG!!!
At 8:30 on Friday morning our house was invaded by a full crew, complete with a script, make-up, and enough Starbucks coffee and pastries for a small army - and they were still here when I got home at 5:15!!!
Apparently they did two separate tapings. One was a commercial for Enmax, and the other was part of a news segment on the aforementioned cable show.
Friday morning was cold & raining - not a great day to be standing in the back yard talking about the merits of solar energy, so our house was rearranged and staged for indoor interviews, and shots of Dan turning on the T.V. ,and light switches, and using the microwave, etc.
They brought a nice flower arrangement as a prop and also to thank us.
Luckily, the sun popped out in the afternoon, so they were able to get the outdoor stuff done also. Too bad they didn't come before the hailstorm when the garden looked nice, but there's nothing we could do about that.
Dan says that Taz made a couple of accidental cameo appearances by wandering into the backyard shots :-) Please, no pawtographs, we don't need a diva on our hands.
Dan, of course, is a pro at that kind of thing. He has no problem with speaking in public and he has experience in front of a camera. He was the hot air balloon pilot in that hokey movie in Argentina, and he's had his mug splashed on the front page of the Lifestyle section of the Calgary Herald wearing a flight suit that he sewed himself, but I think he was a little bit intimidated when the 3-ring circus showed up at the door. He says that he's not happy with his performance, and he's hoping that it never sees air, but I'm betting he did a great job! As the crew was leaving, they were gushing about how easy it had been to work with him, and what a natural he is!
I'll try to get some autographed 8x10 glossies out to his fans soon.
Gotta go. There are lots of pastries left, and they're calling my name.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, August 13, 2012
After the hailstorm
Holy crap! That was the LOUDEST storm in the history of the world! Just ask Taz - she thought the sky was falling, I'm sure. Well, it sorta was. Most of our hail was just a bit bigger than pea-size, but there were some pretty significant chunks in there too!
Bigger than a dog's nose.
The good news is that our new solar panels appear to be un-damaged, the bad news is that my garden is completely flattened! I've spent most of the day on clean up duty. I've filled 6 garbage bags so far - and that's just the deadfall, I haven't gotten around to dealing with the damaged plants yet. That might have to wait until tomorrow; my back is starting to complain.
This was the pretty pink Lavatera.
This was the big, bushy bleeding heart.
The clematis vine that made a miraculous recovery from last year has been pretty much stripped bare.
The window box before & after.
The hostas really took a beating.
And my breakfast view has changed from yesterday.
Oh well, I can always look forward to next year's garden.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Bigger than a dog's nose.
The good news is that our new solar panels appear to be un-damaged, the bad news is that my garden is completely flattened! I've spent most of the day on clean up duty. I've filled 6 garbage bags so far - and that's just the deadfall, I haven't gotten around to dealing with the damaged plants yet. That might have to wait until tomorrow; my back is starting to complain.
This was the pretty pink Lavatera.
This was the big, bushy bleeding heart.
The clematis vine that made a miraculous recovery from last year has been pretty much stripped bare.
The window box before & after.
The hostas really took a beating.
And my breakfast view has changed from yesterday.
Oh well, I can always look forward to next year's garden.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
In the garden
It's gonna be another HOT weekend and our plan is to spend most of it just hanging out at home. Works for me!
30 degrees, and Taz chooses to lie in the sun, silly dog.
My choice is the shady patio.
I've spent 2 months looking for a bamboo spout to replace the fally-apart one that lasted a record 3 years. Finally found one at a little garden place that assured me 2 months ago that they probably wouldn't be stocking them anymore because of their inherent fally-apart nature, but they would certainly phone me if they did get any in. If it wasn't the only one in the city, I would've left it there.
Every year I say I'm going to replace the dish that I use for this fountain because the spout isn't a good fit for this one, but I never do. I like this one, and as long as I don't lose the rock that holds the spout in place, this one works just fine.
This is my favourite corner! Or it will be once the transplanted bleeding heart recovers and the day lilies are bigger.
I'm not sure why I don't have more lupins, they're such cool looking plants.
The hollyhocks are a pretty colour, but not very tall yet. There are TONS of buds on them, and I'm expecting them to grow another few feet yet. Coulda sworn I planted singles, but these appear to be doubles. Drives me crazy when greenhouses mis-label things.
I also planted a bunch of pink lavatera seeds - surprise! Most of them are white. I only got one pink plant out of the bunch.
I spend a lot of time yanking morning glory seedlings out of my garden. Not that I don't like them, I do, but they're so prolific that they've been choking out the clematis vines. This little volunteer popped up beside the hose, so I've decided that if it can survive beside the dryer vent, it deserves to live. I'm pretty sure I'll have 6000 plants here by next year.
The hostas at the side of the house are doing well this year.
I thought I'd lost this jackmanii last year. It was the middle of August before it even popped it's head out of the ground, but it appears to be just fine this year.
This day lily just gets better every year.
On the other hand, the monkshood that was transplanted from Lesley's garden is struggling. They're blooming, but they don't look very happy.
This is my breakfast view from the kitchen window.
Dan's home! Dan's home! I heard the car! Taz patiently waits for the garage door to open.
All of Taz's Flickr friends have wading pools, and because it's been such a hot summer, we broke down and bought one for Taz too. So far her enthusiasm has been underwhelming. She has to be coaxed in one paw at a time, and is usually in a hurry to get out again. It makes a great water dish though, she stops for a drink on her way to the park and again on the way back to the house.
Oh well, Muñeca is coming to visit for a week, maybe she'll enjoy it.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
30 degrees, and Taz chooses to lie in the sun, silly dog.
My choice is the shady patio.
I've spent 2 months looking for a bamboo spout to replace the fally-apart one that lasted a record 3 years. Finally found one at a little garden place that assured me 2 months ago that they probably wouldn't be stocking them anymore because of their inherent fally-apart nature, but they would certainly phone me if they did get any in. If it wasn't the only one in the city, I would've left it there.
Every year I say I'm going to replace the dish that I use for this fountain because the spout isn't a good fit for this one, but I never do. I like this one, and as long as I don't lose the rock that holds the spout in place, this one works just fine.
This is my favourite corner! Or it will be once the transplanted bleeding heart recovers and the day lilies are bigger.
I'm not sure why I don't have more lupins, they're such cool looking plants.
The hollyhocks are a pretty colour, but not very tall yet. There are TONS of buds on them, and I'm expecting them to grow another few feet yet. Coulda sworn I planted singles, but these appear to be doubles. Drives me crazy when greenhouses mis-label things.
I also planted a bunch of pink lavatera seeds - surprise! Most of them are white. I only got one pink plant out of the bunch.
I spend a lot of time yanking morning glory seedlings out of my garden. Not that I don't like them, I do, but they're so prolific that they've been choking out the clematis vines. This little volunteer popped up beside the hose, so I've decided that if it can survive beside the dryer vent, it deserves to live. I'm pretty sure I'll have 6000 plants here by next year.
The hostas at the side of the house are doing well this year.
I thought I'd lost this jackmanii last year. It was the middle of August before it even popped it's head out of the ground, but it appears to be just fine this year.
This day lily just gets better every year.
On the other hand, the monkshood that was transplanted from Lesley's garden is struggling. They're blooming, but they don't look very happy.
This is my breakfast view from the kitchen window.
Dan's home! Dan's home! I heard the car! Taz patiently waits for the garage door to open.
All of Taz's Flickr friends have wading pools, and because it's been such a hot summer, we broke down and bought one for Taz too. So far her enthusiasm has been underwhelming. She has to be coaxed in one paw at a time, and is usually in a hurry to get out again. It makes a great water dish though, she stops for a drink on her way to the park and again on the way back to the house.
Oh well, Muñeca is coming to visit for a week, maybe she'll enjoy it.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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