Squirt - my Queen has crossed The Bridge

[Squirt's Mom]

Patti, the Elder tree is a medicine chest all on its own. I use the berries and flowers in an elixir for flu and cold. The flower clusters can be battered and fried as a fritter, too, tho I haven't had the opportunity to try that yet. It's supposed to be delicious.

[goldengirl88]

Leslie:
Do you have them growing wild where you are? I have a farm near here where you can pick them. A farmer planted a field in them. He charges to pick them or you can buy them already picked. The juice is 37.00 a quart. They are my very favorite berry to make jelly. I used to go when I was younger and pick bushel basket full in the woods at my grandmothers. Those were the days! I forgot to tell you I have been reading on Rhodiola and it is used in people to lower cortisol. It is a form of Ginsing . Just wonder if it would help a dog? Blessings
Patti

[Budsters Mom]

Hi Leslie,
I am so glad that Squirty was doing better and bugging you for breakfast this morning. I hope the rest of her day is smooth sailing for both of you. Xxxx

[Squirt's Mom]

She's had a better day today but I've keep the Valium up at a low dose - 1/2 tablet (1mg) at lunch and 1/2 tonight. It's been cloudy all day and a light drizzle from time to time but no rain or worse. She's slept most of the day, not very active today but I'm sure the meds are playing a role there. If she does well tonite, I cut the Valium out tomorrow.

I also noticed that the cyst on her head that was refilling has burst, and I mean BURST, this time. The top of her head was bloody and it oozed for quite some time. It seems sore this time. Guess the aliens forgot to come get it!

[molly muffin]

Oh poor Squirt. So sorry to hear that she was scared. Molly can tell if the pressure changes and it feels like rain/storms in the air. I don't know if it is the smell, or the pressure itself, but she doesn't want to go outside and instead of holding her tail over her back, nice and proud, she'll drop it and do a low run back towards the house. (like if we hear thunder or something).
But I don't know, if you have a nice sunny day and no pressure changes and Squirt is still acting scared, then perhaps it isn't that after all.
If we are looking at a dementia type of thing, is there something else medicine wise that could be tried?

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[Trish]

Well probably good that thing burst on top of her head... better out than in! I wonder if that had a bit of infection associated with it especially as you said its a bit sore and that has upset her a little, did you squeeze it and get all the muck out? Fingers crossed for a good night and you can cut down the Valium tomorrow. xxxxx

[goldengirl88]

Leslie:
Just checking in on Squirt and seeing if she had a good nite? It never rained here yesterday, but was really black all day. Tipper was acting funny too as she was aware of the pending rain. She was a little restless last nite, and up at 5:45 this morning. She has already walked and is taking a rest now. She is not as active as she normally is. The last couple weeks she has slowed down. Blessings
Patti

[Squirt's Mom]

Thanks, ya'll. Squirt did rest well last night and no terrors. YAY! Hopefully it was the weather the other day. I'll leave the Valium off today and see how she is with the Novifit and herbs only. Sharlene, there is one more med to try, Anipryl or Selegiline (generic), and we are going to try to get started on it.

Mark came by for a while last nite and I brought Squirt in to see him - she's always loved her Uncle Mark a great deal. She seemed to recognize him and wanted him to pet her but was done with him very soon and went back to the closet to sleep. That broke my heart because she has always danced and pranced and whimpered when Mark is around, begging him to love on her and play with her. I tell myself it was because of the Valium in her system yesterday, not that she didn't know him or didn't care he was here. When I get paid next week I'm going to make sure we go out to Mark's house for a visit. She loves it out there, loves Moe and the kids so I hope she remembers and enjoys a short visit. I keep trying to find things like this that used to bring her joy and pleasure then take her there, or do something, for stimulation.

Something weird that's going on with her - her coat is changing the direction it grows. It started with a small spot on her side with the hair pointing up instead of down - almost like she slept on it wet and it dried sticking up. Now that has spread so that both sides have the hair like that - pointing up instead of down. If this keep spreading, she will have the old Spike hairdo shortly! Has anyone else seen or heard of the hair changing growth directions? She blew nearly all of her soft undercoat during the diarrhea and has lost most of the long hairs over the last year or so. That leaves just the middle, coarse coat tho she is starting to grow the soft undercoat back for the winter I'm assuming.

I do my best to find some joy for us both each day. Every day, 1000 times a day, I tell her how much I love her, how very special she is, how grateful I am that she came into my life. Every second is precious. Every breath a reason to hope. Every good moment a reason to celebrate.

Hugs,
Leslie and Squirt

[Bo's Mom]

Leslie,
You keep celebrating with Squirt...and let us do the same. She holds dear to all of our hearts.

[Budsters Mom]

I do my best to find some joy for us both each day. Every day, 1000 times a day, I tell her how much I love her, how very special she is, how grateful I am that she came into my life. Every second is precious. Every breath a reason to hope. Every good moment a reason to celebrate.

Leslie, you have taught me so many lessons. This one is about love, true love. Your babies are blessed to have even spent one precious moment with you. We will continue to celebrate Squirty with you, because we all love her too. xxxxxx