Post Surgical Review ??

It's been four days since Jack has had the BIG SNIP. The first couple hours back to Grade Lodge there was a lot of looking and sniffing and I'm pretty sure heard something that sounded a lot like, "What the heck? Why does my stuff hurt? I'll just have a little look s-----OMG, MY STUFF IS GONE - WHO TOOK MY STUFF?!!!"

Shortly after that I think that the realization hit home and he went into a little puppy depression. Seriously, he wouldn't eat, he wouldn't drink and I think Scott carried Jack outside to do his thing one last time before we all went to bed. (Jack also spent the night on the bed that night. We felt pretty bad for him.)

Never fear boys and girls, a little Grade Lodge lovin' (AND half a Rimadyl AND a good night's sleep) , Jack was back to his old self - mostly - minus, his, er...stuff.

He is as crazy as before and still as wonderfully sweet and loving. He's also putting on some weight as he is getting regular meals and since he is in a much cooler environment than he ever was in Alabama, Jack's fur has started to thicken up. He's got a thicker coat, which still sheds less than ANY Labrador, and you can't feel his ribs as much when you run your hand down his side.

We've also discovered that Jack likes to retrieve. Kiera was throwing a toy turtle last night and he was bringing back to her. Although, as soon as crazy Te'a got wind of the game, she bullied her way in and took over. Jack? He didn't care. He's just happy to be part of a pack - A very strange pack but a pack none-the-less.

I've also toyed with the idea of teaching our pack some tricks. You know, it could be like some side show act - Ok - well, probably more like a freak show act but whatever. I was, and still might, try to teach Jack to rollover, play dead and the like.

What you say? You can't teach an old dog new tricks? Not so my friends, not so. Last Christmas I taught both Andie (who was 12) and Mocha (8) to play dead. Honestly, it's easier to teach old dogs new tricks - they're much less bouncy. Besides that, those of you who knew me as a kid saw me train our dogs (and if you had a Labrador named Chip, that I taught to roll over), know that I love a good canine challenge and to train dogs. Kids just won't work for kibble the way a Lab will.

The way I figure it, Jack is a terrier. Once I get him on some ADHD meds and get him on track, it'll be no time at all before he's playing the piano and singin' show tunes. "Getting to know you, getting to know all about you..." or maybe "If I were a Rich Man..." - ok, last one, I promise, "Edelweiss"... (Click on Edelweiss to hear it - You know you love Sound of Music)

On the way home from my dad's on Thanksgiving, we heard the song by Tim McGraw, Live like you were dyin' (Click on word Live to see the video - hit back arrow to come back here). And before you jump to conclusions, no, neither my dad or me is dying. And no, I have not become a country music fan, although Tim McGraw is quite...well, you know.

But we're here at T minus a month 'til Christmas and the New Year is just around the corner and we should all give ah..."paws" to consider where we are. Let's all remember why we are here and why Christmas is such a big deal (and why you'll never see me write "X-mas" but rather CMas - put Christ back in, kiddies). Take the opportunity today to live like you were dyin'. Do those things you figured people would think you are crazy for doing at your age. Have lunch with an friend you haven't seen for a while and let them know how much they mean to you. Try that new cheesecake recipe out and give the results to your friend who takes your kid to school because she means a lot to you AND she loves cheesecake. Get the Christmas Tree up from the basement and let's get that rolling (oh, wait, that one was for Scott).

Why do you suppose I foster.....?

Have a great day!

Go!