Tucker's Feeling Better & Sophie's New Toy

Hi All - I know my posting has been intermittent, but we've been going through some good personal and location changes, so I look forward to catching you up and posting some new things...

Well, we had quite a scare with Tucker on Monday night.  He had had a big day...bath in the morning and then Vet follow up afterwards, but nothing prepared us for being at the Pet Emergency room that night!  It all came on so sudden!  His chest was rattling and he was retching.  Some $$$ later he had X-rays and Bloodwork - we're so thankful for the excellent care!  He had pneumonia!!!!  The ER Vet said that he aspirated on water or something.  Our regular Vet said that sometimes older dogs have a hard time controlling their trachea, so I hope it doesn't happen again.


Our Vet is following up with us daily and he even took multiple calls from me yesterday.  Tucker wasn't keeping much down and he wasn't interested in eating, poor guy.  But, now he is lying beside and ate this morning and I've seen so much improvement just today.


On the Sophie side, she got a new toy today.  I went down to the office and our favorite lady, "T", gave Sophie and Tucker toys - see how she enjoyed them!!

SNOW SNOW SNOW

Here are a few shots of what we're dealing with here!!  Snow!  What a storm - we haven't had anything like this all season.  It just dumped over night.


Don't know if I'm going to miss this or not...

I had to shovel a place for the dogs to go potty - now that's deep (LOL)...

Random Pic of Sophie...

Amy's First Try at Focaccia Bread

It was cold and snowy here yesterday and I wasn't interested in heading out, so I made a soup inspired by Paul's Mom - "Kitchen Sink Soup."  I took whatever I had (Red Lentils, Squash, Carrots, Celery, etc.) and put it all together with some Chicken Broth and, voila - a yummy soup!  I used Fenugreek along with some Coriander Powder and sautéed it with the onions - it really added a depth of flavor.  Just to top it off and add a little protein, I heated up some IKEA meatballs and, wow, they were quite good!

I also made Focaccia Bread - it was my first time, so I used a recipe that I knew would work - from Penzeys. I love this Company! The catalogs are great!  The recipe is call Herby Cheese Bread, but I just omitted the Cheese. Here is the link for the "Back to School 2011" Catalog - Recipe is on Page 49: Herby Cheese Bread 


Paul enjoyed the soup and bread - what a way to warm up when the temperature is pretty frosty!!

Update on Tucker

Tucker foot is healing up well, unfortunately, we have another issue popping up.  He has Gallstones - can you believe it?!  Poor guy.  I guess it runs in the family - ha! 


He's on a medicine to help dissolve them, so let's hope that does it.  He also has some holes in his liver and the Vet has recommended biopsying. We'll let you know when we get to that.


Sophie and Tucker are living the high life other than a couple of times of day having to brave the cold and go outside to do their business.

Getting Ready for Christmas - a little early...

Well, yet again, I have not posted in a month!  Someday, I will be consistent.  But, to kick things off, I'm posting our Christmas decor.  I wanted to go fun this year.  Paul's Mom and I went to a Christmas Decorating class a couple of weeks ago and had a great time.  I think that's what got me going.

So, I went for a teeny tiny tree this year, but Paul's likes it.  The outdoor lights go up tomorrow.  

Enjoy!  Sophie did...you'll see her in some of the pictures...

 (I had to take it with the flash on - just to see the bling!)

Can't wait until my camera comes back from the doctor!!! Maybe they will just send me a new one - I can only hope!!!!

First Snow Day!

It's official! It's our first day of snow!!  We planned well, so we will probably not have to go out today, at all, well, except to take the dogs potty and knock the snow off of our new trees.  Poor Tucker is just dying to go out, he loves the snow!

(Can you see a frozen Paul?)

We're lucky to have power, etc.  A lot of people have had limbs down power lines.  And, I've confirmed with our neighbor boy - he will shovel for us - thank goodness!!

Other than that, today will be housework and working on the house.  Tonight, we're having Harira (a very yummy Chicken/Chick pea/Lentil Soup).  Y, Birgit and I learned it from Samia.  I baked up Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars yesterday.  I just have to say that Penzey's Spices has the best baked-goods recipes!!  Of course, the spices aren't bad either ;-)


For now, it's just great to see the snow outside and NOT be out in it!

The Best Medicine is...Popcorn!

Tucker is doing a bit better.  He's been alert today but is still having trouble getting up on his own.  He likes getting outside but is quite ready to go back in after "doing his business."


Tucker's favorite treat is popcorn, yes, popcorn!  So, tonight was special and we wanted to see if would get up on his own - I made up a batch and he actually perked up!

Snow, snow, snow...just to make things worse for Tucker, he is going to have to wear a bootie over his bandage to keep it dry.  We tried it tonight and the bootie came off, so, any ideas?