Happy 1st Anniversary! and Update

Can you believe it has been 1 year already since B and T got married??

 Time flies!

Hmm...at the wedding they were so careful to make it in each others mouth without making a mess....guess a lot changes in a year! LOL

There was  a celebration at their place and a good time was had by all...once the keg taping was figured out! LOL

Good food, good drinks and good times...

which included 3 Man and Beer Pong..

ah.. the younger crowd :)

what more could you ask for?

Actually another blessing happened.

Not too long ago I posted that their Doberman puppy had parvo.

Well, with out patient care, holistic treatment and all the TLC the pup could stand she has made a full recovery!

Yes, Carly is as happy as a pup can be

and so are we!!

Lily is estatic to have a new sister.
For the party Carly was tied out, she hasn't completed her training yet.
But she's a smart one. She would get Lily all tangled in the rope so she couldn't leave! Those two...I see a lot of mischief in those eyes! LOL

Garden Flowers

Well, I'm glad to report we have gotten some cooler weather this last week...a much needed break from the heat we were getting so early in the season.
Of course, the plants are a little confused...seems to becoming a "usual pattern" as of late. You never know from one day to the next what Mother Nature has in store. But mind you, I am NOT complaining about the cooler weather!

Let's wander and see what we see in my gardens this week...

Pomagranites ! 
Lots compared to the single one I got last year!


It's tripled in size in one year :)

As always, the Cherry Plum is weighed down by all it's fruit

The Thompson Seedless Grapes are coming along nicely also.
  
My Rose of Sharon is in bloom
 
as is a few of the wild Roses...
but most of the others have bloomed out.
 
Time for jam making, the Figs are ripening fast

My 5 in 1 Apple is covered with fruit...
the most I've seen on it in a long time.

The Cannas are starting to bloom

I am glad to report I've kept my Hydrangeas 
alive and they are blooming!


A few flowers I never have to even think about are:
 my Hollyhocks.
Hardy, drought resistant and they reseed themselves freely ♥


Same with the Statice ♥

Nectarines (my rescue) aren't as abundant as last year,
wonder why?

Ending with a photo of my Water Lilies in bloom ♥

Wishing all a wonderful gardening weekend!

How To Care for Your Geriatric Cat

I thought I would share some information about what we are going through with our beloved Baylee and aging. We have Baylee (16), Angel (8), Mama, (7), and Bynx (6).

**First let me say I have no Veterinary education. This is just my experience with my pet. Always consult your Vet regarding any concerns you have with your pets.

A cat who is 10 years or older should be considered middle to senior aged, and a consultation with your vet is in order to determine the best health care maintenance program for your cat as she/he ages.



Some normal signs you may expect of your aged cat is :

• Slowing down, not as active
• Sleeping more than usual

• Not wanting to climb the cat condo as much
• Any difficulty grooming the "hard to reach" areas
• Difficulty going up or down the stairs, jumping up or down off of favorite perches, etc.
• Reduced hearing
• Cloudy or bluish eyes
• Muscle atrophy

Needless to say, it is very important to keep up with annual checkups and keeping vaccines current.

When to call the vet:

* evidence of poisoning or injury

* house-soiling
* constipation or diarrhea despite a balanced diet
* frequent urination or problems urinating
* unexplained or frequent vomiting
* excessive thirst
* loss of appetite or excessive appetite
* sudden loss of weight
* change of activity level - suddenly hyperactive or lethargic
* lumps and bumps on the cat's skin
* panting when at rest
* rapid heartbeat
* dental problems
* looking off- color, withdrawn or not interested in things
* unusual behaviour, confusion
* staggering or sudden collapse
* mobility problems, stiffness, limping, pain when touched

Baylee had to have surgery (actually 2 surgeries and almost lost her front leg) a few years ago for a quick spreading Cancer which was caused by vaccines, you can read about it here. (Since her Cancer was due to the vaccines, she no longer can receive vaccines) She recovered nicely but the following year was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. She was losing weight while being ravenous about any kind of food. We couldn't even leave a loaf of bread out, she would grab it and run off to tear into and eat and eat. After lab work we were given the diagnosis. She was started on Methimazole 5 mg, 1/2 twice a day. She developed twitches that at times were strong enough to make her lose balance. Eventually her system adjusted and the twitches stopped. This year during her check up/lab work her Methimazole was increased to one whole tablet twice a day. I was worried the twitches would come back but they haven't. Enapril was added for her Heart (for a murmur) along with a supplement called Zentonil 100 mg for her liver which is failing. She takes these meds with no trouble at all when they are semi crushed up in a teaspoon of canned cat food. 

As she gets older she is having more issues, which is totally normal, even though I hate for her to go through this. At her visit she weighed in at 4 pounds! I was devastated. I knew she was skin and bones, but 4 pounds is like air. She has dry food available at all times and gets a teaspoon of canned food several times throughout the day. But good news, she seems to be getting a little belly. The increase in Methimazole has helped. Now if she could gain some weight along her spine...when you pet her you can feel every bone. Her appetite has calmed some too. She doesn't attack you when you're trying to eat...yes a good thing!

I noticed she was having trouble jumping up to the dresser where her dry food is kept (high, so the dogs can't get it). I placed a step stool near the dresser and am glad to say she is using it. Another issue I've been frustrated with were her accidents. She has never had an accident before a few weeks ago. No changes in litter box, litter, placement, etc. I did some research on the Internet and found that older cats can have trouble maneuvering a covered cat box. I've removed the lid and NO more accidents! That lasted for a few weeks then they started again. I decided to remove the liner, as mentioned on some internet sites.  So no cover, no liner and cleaning as many times a day as needed is keeping her accidents down to nil. What a relief! So glad we are able to do little things to help her.



She doesn't groom herself like she used to, so we brush her. She likes to be around us more and often lays on pillows which are more comfy for her thin body. She often howls in the middle of the hall or a bedroom. Yes, senility is setting in. She gets a little confused and disoriented but when we call out to her she quiets and comes to us.

I am cautiously optimistic with her health and the new meds.  Barring any new issues I think she has a few more years left in her ♥♥

A young healthy Baylee

***This was originally written a few months ago,
and I never got around to posting it.
SInce then she has developed diarrrhea and unfortunately
leaving signs wherever she sits. (sorry trying not to be gross).
She currently is at the vet having more lab work done.
The results will determine if she will need to put to sleep due to liver failure.

***Update***

Lab results showed her Liver has improved significantly - by half!
The supplement Zentonil has worked.
Her Thyroid is still too low, so her Methimazole is being increased
again to 1 1/2 twice a day.
She had no bacteria in her stool..bad or good.
She has been put on Fortiflora Feline which is a probiotic to help get the good bacteria back in. She takes one packet once daily.
Metronidazole 60 mg once daily was also prescribed, which is an antibiotic as well as an anti-imflamatory to aid with the diarrhea ie. intestines.

She will go back for repeat lab work in about 6 weeks. At that time if her thyroid hasn't improved that means there is most likely cancerous growth. We may have to make a difficult decision at that time. But as long as she is not suffering, we can keep her on a mantainence regimen to keep her comfortable until "that" day comes.
She has also gained 3 ounces..not much but much better than losing weight.
  

Pinning Monday ~ Escape

Come join  Pinning Monday

As some of you know, I've been under a lot of stress for a while now. Every so often I like to take a "mental vacation". You know just day dream I'm somewhere else without a care in the world. This seems to be needed somewhat more frequesntly as of late....so here I go again. Come and escape with me, even if only for a few moments ♥

Darn key is broken....figures! ;)

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How peaceful is would be

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A secret garden ♥

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What a great place to forget your worries

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Breathtakingly gorgeous,

the best escape!

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I could even handle being stranded on an island...

for a few days ;)

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Taking a deep breath...

feeling better now.

Wishing all a peaceful, stressfree week ♥♥♥