Bailey and Friends

Great to hear from you Susan.

Not sure what it is doing in BB, but here we have snow flurries tonight. *sigh* The good part is they won't stick around as they will melt tomorrow if they stick. But still it is cold at night.
Hopefully by the end of April, it will be warmer. I think it will be at least not freezing any longer.

Awww, the baby crane is so cute. I can see how you'd just love it when it comes by for a visit so often too.
It does sound like you are having a wonderful time and that is what is important. Getting out, enjoy life to the fullest. Good for you!

Don't be a stranger now!

We're gearing up in full wedding mode here. We have 2 weeks. ACK!!!

LOL

hugs

Hi Molly-

Well, did the wedding just happen, or is it gong to happen this coming weekend? I did not realize one was in the works. I went back and caught up on your pages. Ryan's wedding is now 6 weeks away.

We head back home in just under 2 weeks. We're not anxious to go, but we're "ready." The baby crane still comes around and his/her feathers have not turned to gray yet. She is up to the shoulders of the parents. We've seen a couple of other cranes around, so hopefully we'll get to enjoy them for years to come. I looked up what cranes do when sleeping and learned they stand on one leg, with their heads tucked under one of the wings. They stand usually in a little bit of water.

Alligators have become a mystery. We saw loads of them for about a 3 week period. Now it's really hard to find one. The Florida everglades is having a serious problem with pythons. They are not native to the area, but are let loose by people who get them and then realize they cannot take care of a 17 foot snake. The deer population is scarce and they are after lots of other wildlife. Bob read of one python that ate an alligator and exploded from eating it. (YAY!)

The weather has been scrumptious. April is running above average, but that's so much better than the 50 degrees they have at BB. I have been told, however, that our grass will need cutting soon. Spring is on the way there! It's going to be a real culture shock going from lush growth to trees budding out.

We still have 3 shows to attend. Roberta Flack, Diana Krall, and Chris Botti. The theater here is amazing. It's been recently redone and is a very pretty structure with an ideal spot for watching the sun go down.

Belly rub to Molly. Bailey is well and the scratching seems to be improved.

Hugs,
Susan

Hi Susan,

We just had the wedding this weekend. It was beautiful and exhausting. :)
We were all tired by the end of sunday night. Recovery time I now know is very important to figure into the equation. :)

Sounds like it has been lovely there this winter. Nasty ole pythons. I just saw a program on tv about them in the everglades. grrrrrr

I think I am still in recovery mode actually. Hubby said he needed a 3 week vacation after this past weekend. LOL

hugs

Well, we are starting to pack/assemble things to return to BB. I am going to post a couple of pictures of a Sand Hill Crane family that has been visiting us a couple of times every day while we've been here. I will so miss seeing them.
Bailey gets groomed tomorrow...I will try to post a current picture of her then.

Okay....WHERE IS THAT PINK BUBBLE WRAP??!! I had another fall. Trying to get to my seat in a theater, patron did not stand up to let us by, lost my balance.......the rest is history. I have a 2" x 3" gash taken out of my arm-just as if I used a potato peeler. Ow.
Susan

oh my gosh Susan!

Fedexing the pink bubble wrap pronto!!!!!

be safe

hugs

Golly Susan!!! :( :( :(

Maybe we need to send some plastic peanuts along with the bubble wrap. :o :o

Heal quickly, OK?

Marianne

I'll send my red sweater to cover up the wound.

I can't believe it is time to head back to be, the winter flew by.
I have been checking in but never have time to sit down and write, a whirlwind of chores and workmen here.

I hope spring is better in bb than here, very cold and wet with a rare sunny, warm day. Though my hostas will most likely be huge!

Lots of love
Addy

Honestly Susan, you should have stepped on his toes and fallen all ladylike in his lap!! Serve him right for not being polite. Grrrrrrrr I am going to the movies this arvo, want to see the 2nd marigold hotel one... I will be verrrry careful getting to my seat :D:D

Hope it is healed up in time for the wedding, glad you did do any bony injuries though. Hope you get home ok and the packing is not too onerous! Wow that wedding is coming up so soon, puts for Bailey and more bubble wrap for you!! x

Hi Trish-

Did you see 2nd marigold hotel? We want to see that, we loved the first one... but it has come and gone. Was 2 as good as 1? I'll have to catch it on Netflix.

Made it home fine. Weather was mostly good. It was weird to watch as spring went in reverse the further north we got. Here in BB the pines are just still growing their candles. We were through with all that in FL. Needless to say the temperature has been an adjustment. We were used to it consistently being in the low to mid 80s. Here we're seeing 40s and 50s....I think the warmest it has gotten is very low 70s. I already told Bob I want to come back later into May next year. I found a guy to cut our grass and he did a great job and is super cheap. I may even sign him up for the summer! Grass cutting is the only thing that won't wait for us to return.

Arm is still pretty painful. :( It still has one little dot that continues to bleed. It looks way better today than it did two days ago. Now it seems to want to itch a lot. I guess that's a good sign, but since I can't scratch it, it's going to drive me crazy. I'm going to try to leave it uncovered for just a bit today. I've kept it covered with Neosporin. At least it seems to be healing and is not scabbing.

Bob and I found some really cool sandals-they look like they're covered in diamonds-for the wedding.;) I needed to find some shoes for after the actual service, but I think these may work for the entire gig. They just put a big ol' grin on my face. I tried the dress on again yesterday and it still fits fine.

Hot tub is open for the season. Still need to scoop some gunk out of there that was down in the pipes, but I should get that done today. Then I am IN THERE! :D

Are leaves dropping down your way? I totally missed my hyacinths and just caught some gorgeous new tulips that I planted from last year's trip.

Hugs!
Susan

We picked up our annuals, so I must get outside to get them planted. Just 5 pots...that's all we do any more. Big pots, but pots.

Hi Susan,

I am planning to catch the second marigold hotel on netflex too I think. I loved the first one also.

yep, just keep it covered with neosporin so it doesn't get infected and hopefully it will be cleared up soon. Itching is a good sign, even if it does drive you nuts. LOL

That temperature change would be a huge shock to the system. Brrrrr

We have had some really nice weather lately. Have the pool opened up, although not quite ready for swimming yet. Will give that another week or two. We've been getting our deck and other flower baskets set up this weekend. Next weekend we'll do some more in the actual garden. I need to divide a few plants.

Oh the sandals sound lovely Susan. yea, maybe you won't have to change shoes for the reception after all.

Hope you are having a lovely weekend.

hugs

Hi Sharlene!

It's so nice to hear from you-as always.

Geez-I finally got used to the keyboard in FL and now that I'm back home, I'm going to have to adjust all over again. Ergonomic keyboard vs. run of the mill keyboard.

We could not pot all our plants. We use self-watering containers and I'm missing the hydro cloth I need to put in the bottom of them. That wicks up the water, so you don't have to water so often. But we got one pot done and our hibiscus is potted. We put alyssum around the base of that each year, to add some interest, then in late fall I just let it go-winter over in the pot -and then come spring I have new little alyssum plants popping up. So we had to sneak the hibiscus in so as not to lose our little alyssum starters.

Looks like hot tub may need a draining and a restart. The water isn't looking too great. I hate having to refill it right after filling it. I am eager to get into it. That's probably tomorrow's chore....it's supposed to be warm and sunny the next two days and I need to work on my tan for the wedding!

Must get to bed. I'm not being very good about going to bed on time. I need to correct that!:mad:

Have a great Monday!

Love,
Susan

Hi Addy and Marianne-

I just wanted to thank you both for your empathy for my arm mess. It is nice to hear from you both. I'd rather not have an injury be the cause for contact, however.:o

I finally could air it out for a short while today. It is much improved over two days ago....I was getting concerned I might have an infection, but I think it's okay.

Hugs and such,
Susan

Hi Susan,

I'm not always good about getting to bed when I should either. I pay for the next day as work starts and doesn't wait for me to feel like being there. hahahaha

We have the drip lines for the container plants that comes on once a day. I think it's the only way my container plants survive as I am horrible about taking manually watering them.

Oh that sucks that you just get it filled and then have to drain the hottub, but in the end it is worth it.
We'll probably have the pool ready for swimming in a week or two, so that will be nice as the weather gets warmer and the humidity finds it way up here.

Got to run, molly wants her walk NOW

hugs

Did I miss the wedding.:o

No indeedy you did not. It is Monday at noon. It will be held at the National Audubon sanctuary in Chevy Chase, MD. You can get a glimpse of it online. It's called Woodend. They hope to have it outside and it looks like the weather may cooperate-although be a bit hot. :cool:

I am more excited than either of them.:D:) I love my dress. :D Bob and I found some really neat sandals/heels to go with it.:D:D My hair has all grown out and is hanging on my shoulders. ;)

Ryan and I will have "our dance" -a slow one - and that will morph into a second dance-if you check this link out with Ellen and Michelle Obama, you'll see what I hope that will look like.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/765655?pla...&cmc=&cmp=2890

I still need to do more practicing. It's going to be a surprise to all the guests....and even though I mentioned it to Bob, I don't think he has any idea. It will be so cool if it works out!

Ryan and Ellen seem to be handling the stress very well. They are amazingly on top of things and have gone to great lengths to make this a family affair......a celebration. We go over on Saturday AM. Saturday evening we will spend with Ryan as Ellen's family is planning an anniversary celebration for her parents. I'm glad we'll get some time with him before all the fuss starts. Sunday-her folks are having a "picnic." It's hot dogs and fruit plates. The hot dogs are supposed to be something special. There is not a rehearsal, other than verbal, so there is no rehearsal dinner. I have to be at the site by 9:15AM to get my hair done. I think I'm going to have to get up at 5 or so in order to get myself ready and all put together. It's going to be a LONG day!!

I'll let you know how it all goes.....hopefully one day next week. We're not sure the exact day we are returning. Ellen and Ryan are going to honeymoon in the fall and in two weeks they are moving into a new apartment. If we can help get ready for the move, we will stay Tuesday.

I better go get some beauty sleep!;)

Love,
Sus

I don't know who has pups with the itchies, but Bailey does. The vet in FL gave me some pills that are really hard to get ahold of.....the demand has been so very high they just can't make enough. They are called Apoquel. I have to be stingy with them, but they work great! My vet here in DE could only offer to put me on a waiting list for the waiting list. The vet in FL sold us 15.....we are to use 1/2 pill per day. He told me he would mail me some more if I found they worked and I was running out.

Just wanted to pass along that info in case anyone has itching issues.

hugs,
susan

Hi Sus... well the wedding should be over... hope it went fab and you did not trip up during "the dance"!

I have that apoquel for Flynn, it sure appears to be a super drug! But we have the same supply issues even way down here. My vet said it can be easier to get it for dogs that are already on it, so maybe you might be able to get more. I only give it when he gets the itchies, he was off it for about six months before it came back, usually preceded by a flea bite. I also break the pills and give him just a quarter and that also seems to do the trick. My vet advised me to eke them out when we did not have much. Think I am down to my last 10 of so pills, he is having a bit of an itchathon lately so he is on them now. It is good to have an option that has no steroid in them eh!

xxx

Oh yes, the wedding! We want details!!! How did it go, how was the dance? I bet it was beautiful!

Yea, I've heard that stuff is wonderful for the doggie itchies. I'd call the vet in Florida and get some more right away. It really is so hard to get that if you find one who can, go for it!

Hey guys, Sus will correct me of course, but I think the wedding is this coming Monday (Memorial Day)? Either way, coming or gone, I'm sending giant celebratory hugs. (And see, it didn't even take an injury to get me to write this time! ;) :) :)).

Marianne

Ohhhhh Memorial day. Right, that makes sense, long weekend! D'oh!

Trish-the wedding is Monday. I still have time to trip up!!;):D:D

Marianne you have it exactly right. We leave tomorrow morning (Sat) to go over for the festivities.
You're right!! No injury so far. And the area on my arm from the theater fall will look fine, I think, if I put some foundation on it.

Have a great weekend!!

Sus

Sharlene-nice to hear from you. I've had no time to check in here, but I will make time next week! I hope Molly is doing well.

Sus

Checking in to hear all about the wedding and to let you know I am thinking of you. I hope you danced the night away and I want pixes, especially of your long hair!

Hi gang!-

Well-guess what??!! I did not fall. Not once!!
The wedding was perfect. It was low 80s and took place in a wooded area. There were open spaces, rooms for some games and fun had by all. Ellen looked absolutely gorgeous. She always does. Everything went perfectly. I know of nothing that went wrong. The speeches were very moving. First Ryan's best man. Then Ellen's Dad. Then a friend of Ellen's. Then Bob. Then Ryan. They all did so well and there were several places where tears were evident among the guests.

I will post some pictures as soon as I can.

Love,
Sus

Hi gals-

I'm just stopping by while I"m on here to say a quick "hello!"

Bailey is still a challenge. She only plays half of fetch.....she brings it back, but not to me.....she goes several feet away and sits with it. She has caught the hang to rope tug toys. That is a good game for a lot of entertainment.

She is still too protective of me and in the past couple of days it has been worse. We have to find a way to correct that. I didn't expect her to be, but she's not Palmer-nor like Palmer. She's 4 1/2 now....hard to believe. She does greet me each time I return as if she has not seen me for months! I may have been gone 1 hour and it's the same as when I go away for days.

We are using the Apoquel very sparingly. It does wonders to stop her itching. And I must say, she is with me no matter where I go here, for as long as I go. She will stay with me all night, if I am up for some reason. She is my "bud."

I hope everyone is well.

Love,
Susan

Hi Susan! So good to see you and thank you for posting the wedding pics! They are wonderful :) and I meant to write about them clear back in May but better late than never, I guess. :o

Does Bailey seem to have any preference between her summer home and her winter home, or is it just a matter of having her own routines at both? It's funny how quickly they get used to settling in to their own little habits and patterns. Our older girl, Peg, can no longer handle stairs, so I've had to change the potty routine for both her and Luna (it's more involved now rather than just turning them loose to run out the backdoor into the fenced yard). But after just a couple of days, they both knew exactly what the new gameplan involved, and now Luna patiently watches from the window while I leashwalk Peg first at the front of the house before turning Lunie out on her own.

I am so glad to hear that the Apoquel is working so well for Bailey. We are just now starting to head into Peg's itchy season and I may very well ask our vet about using it, too.

Anyway, so glad to hear your update and I hope you all are able to enjoy these remaining weeks of summer. It has been very hot and dry for us, so I am ready for Labor Day to arrive and for autumn to begin!

Marianne

So great to see you Susan. Those wedding pictures are quite lovely.

So what have you been up to that is keeping you busy this summer?

Our summer has just been hectic it feels like and not even sure where it went really, just passed so quickly. Don't feel like we really enjoyed the summer this year at all.

One of my bestie friends bought a place in Florida this summer. She is really looking forward to getting to spend some time in one of her favorite places.

Don't be a stranger! Pop in every once in a while :)

Hi Susan, I have to check out the wedding photos but first wanted to say hi and give you hugs. I cannot believe Bailey is almost 4 1/2, it seems like only yesterday we were looking at puppy pictures and getting ready to pile in the car for the trip to fetch her and bring her home, where does the time go?

How are things in BB? How is your garden. So far I have not missed my garden, but we have been so busy, perhaps that is why. I do have room to plant some things, my front walk is lined with overgrown hostas and some bushes that are in desperate need of trimming.

We feel like we are in a vacation rental and sometimes wonder when we are going home, now with the new vehicle, it feels like we have a rental car:p

Enjoy your week

I love you and miss you.

Well dear friend, I guess it will be a few more years until we relocate to Fl, we just bought a condo a few blocks from our townhouse.

Well, we have to jump through all the hoops first but our offer was accepted.

I was sorry to hear you had been sick, you are not supposed to get sick in FL;) I have some stomach bug, hubby thinks it is nerves.

How was the cruise?

How is the family? And Bailey?

We are expecting some huge storm Tuesday, I will be regretting not moving to FL:D

Dang, I can't email tonight, not working.

Sorry to read about Little Miss, talk to you tomorrow

Hugs
Addy

Bailey tore her cranial cruciate ligament, or CCL – similar to the ACL in humans. This ligament connects the back of the femur (the bone above the knee) with the front of the tibia (the bone below the knee). The CCL is responsible for keeping the tibia in place beneath the femur and stabilizing the knee joint. It may take two to three weeks before she is able to bear weight on the injured leg, and, in all cases, exercise is usually restricted for at least eight weeks to allow for adequate healing. Our veterinarian will be able to advise us about icing her knee and performing gentle range of motion exercises to help with her rehabilitation. Although this healing period can be a difficult time for Bailey and us, strict adherence to the veterinarian's recommendations will provide the best outcome and will be the quickest way to get her back on all fours.

So! She had surgery on both knees for her knee cap problem before she was one year old. She had to have that surgery repeated on both knees 8 months later. January 23, she turned five years old. As Bob said yesterday-when we were younger, people got dogs and they seemed to go to the vet only for regular vaccinations. How did we get here??!! Surgery is scheduled one week from yesterday. It has been 3 weeks since she injured her leg….while at the groomer. She limps and sometimes walks on 3 legs. She does not indicate that she is in any pain and she has not reacted when the vets have moved her leg around to check it out. We have had to keep her inactive for the past 3 weeks-not even going for walks. She just goes outside to take care of business and then comes right back inside. Needless to say, she doesn’t understand this lack of activity and why we are not playing with her. There is a 50/50 chance, since she injured this one leg, that she will later injure the other leg similarly.

So-we are looking at one week until surgery and then 8 weeks minimum of confined recovery. After she recovers, both Bob and I will check into the nearest mental health facility for the foreseeable future!! ;)

She has an apt for grooming on Monday to get her through the 8-9 weeks. A DIFFERENT groomer!!! :D

-Susan

Poor girl, at least it is warm and not bitter cold.

Scared me to think playing around could cause the tear though as I watched Koko soaring through the air as he leaped from the middle of our bed to the chaise. :eek:

I think I need to find pink bubble wrap with puppies printed on it for Bailey.

Hi Susan,

How is Bailey doing? I hope you both are safe and well. Did she have the operation?

What's the latest news?

Hi Addy!

Bailey had her surgery on the 11th and is doing very well. She had her stitches taken out one week ago and the incision looks great. She occasionally moves along on 3 legs, but she is able to kind of limp on the sore leg. I misunderstood....I thought when the stitches came out we'd be able to start short walks. We cannot. We have to keep her restricted as we have been doing until the 8 week follow-up check up.

We were able to find this inflatable collar to use instead of the cone. It looks like one of those neck pillows like you might use in the car or on a plane. Her temporary collar is thread threw a couple of loops inside the collar. Then the whole thing slips around her neck and has Velcro for the closing at the front. She almost seems to like it. She never shies away, whereas the cone freaked her out. It seems to act similar to those thunder jackets. Keeps her from getting after either her stitches or the place where they inserted the IV. She and we are very frustrated with no play- no walks, no goofing around. I've begun giving her back scratches and that has become a favorite. I gave her a bath Tuesday night-first one since the surgery. She did very well.

I've been taking oil painting classes and making glass vases and platters. It has been lots of fun and I think it's something I'll do each year.

It sounds like you've found a new condo...do I have that right? You have been renting and now you'll go back to ownership? Is it near the one you are in?

I see Koko is adapting well wherever he goes. What a neat little guy. Has he adapted well to smaller surroundings?

Let's stay in touch!! :D
Love,
Sus

I'm so glad Bailey came through everything well and the inflatable collar sounds incredible, so glad she likes it. No activity for all those weeks must be hard, she will be a pistol when she is finally off restrictions.

How cool that you are taking oil painting classes, you have to show me. I would love that. I used to paint, still have my easel.

We sold our house in one day, freaked out and went out to rent anything that would allow Koko, most places here don't. We did not know what or where or anything. Well, long story short, I can't leave Mom and we don't want to keep paying these high rents so we have been looking for a condo. This one is in another town, further north.

Koko loves the townhouse we rent, I think more than our house, always something going on so he is not bored.

I hope he likes the new condo but it is stair less and he loves running up and down the stairs. The house did not have stairs either, who knew? He also is best friends with the neighbor cat.

It has been a long haul with hubby and ihis back but he is better so I hope that continues, he is still on a low dose of Gabapentin.

When do you return to BB?

Hi friends!

I just wanted to let you know that Bailey has been released from medical care for her torn crucial ligament. The doc is very pleased with how well she's doing. She still cant chase a ball, but we are starting walks, twice daily, for roughly 10 minutes each and it is going well, so far. :D

The faster she walks, the more likely she is to use only 3 legs, but the vet said that is the last thing to return to normal and that it will take awhile. I watched her as she4 walked this afternoon and her gait is different. The left leg doesn't line up with the other legs and is kind of leaning off to the left. I think she needs a wheel alignment (paw alignment?) As she gets stronger hopefully all that stuff will work itself out. :)

We head north in 3 weeks. I so wish we didn't have to go back yet. They have been having hard freezes and we have gotten used to upper 70's with low humidity. Well-spring finally arrived here and I expect it will makes its way up to DE as well.

Just sayin'...........

Love,
Sus

Go Bailey, you are free:)

I imagine it will take some time to build up those muscles and I hope Bailey's recovery goes smoothly now that she is able to be out and about. Hopefully in 3 weeks, all sleet, snow and ice will be banished from BB. We are to have snow or freezing rain tonight again and that would sure not be good for our little miss or for you. Our weather always seems to end up out east.

Thanks for the congrats. We now have our condo and the keys but we don't actually move for 3 weeks. We closed early so we could have some work done, strip wallpaper, paint and put in new carpet before we moved.

We have taken Koko to the new condo each day and he is settling in and not so nervous even though the place is empty. He sits in front of the patio door waiting for someone to walk down the sidewalk:rolleyes:

I think he will be fine.

Sus, is your condo in FL on the first floor, do you have people above you? We have people above us and sometimes I can hear them walking, it doesn't bother me during the day but I sure hope. I don't hear that when I am trying to sleep:eek:

But we do love our condo and I will post pictures once it is painted , we can do before and after:D

Have a wonderful Sunday!

I am hoping this is the last really cold weekend. Would be great if we can get a bit of spring at least.
(snow tomorrow here)

Hopefully Bailey has a good recovery now that she has been released.

Hope you are doing well too.