Rain. Rain. Rain. Mud. Rain. Mud. Rain. Mud.
You get the idea. It is so wet here in southern Wisconsin that it feels like we are living in a petri dish, designed to grow every plant disease known to man. Granted, it’s not like the monsoon rains I remember from coastal Alaska, but then, that area is classified as a rain forest. Its plant and animal life is adapted to it. Not true here.
I’ll illustrate by starting with a rather nice photo of our sunflowers in front of the barn.
And here’s a wider shot, complete with the squishy, black leaves from a mold/fungus/rot/alien monster plant eater that is found all over my garden now. (I also rather like showing the dark side of the garden, given the articles we all read about how social media presents an unrealistic view of the lives of others. Be assured that my garden, not to mention all of my life, has its share of ugliness, just like everyone else’s.)
And so, I look for beauty where ever I can find it, like in the photo of Baptisia, or False Indigo leaves in front of an aster.
And these hydrangea flowers:
Speaking of dark sides, I am a tad infamous at our house for forgetting to shut gates. I try, I really, really do, but then, the dark side takes over and I get distracted by the gazillion other things going on in my brain. Yesterday I went to grain the lambs and discovered that yet again, I’d forgotten to adequately close a gate, and some of the sheep got inside the main part of the barn. The gate only swings one way, and so they were trapped inside, away from the rest of the flock. Clearly they didn’t suffer too much, based on what used to be neatly bound hay bales in the lower left of the photo. (And check out that lamb on the lower left. What a lovely girl she has become! I am planning on keeping her.)
Speaking of sheep gone rogue, here’s a photo I took from friend Donna’s farm while helping to search for her lost flock of sheep. They were gone for several days in deep woods, but I’m happy to say they voluntarily returned yesterday. I took the picture with a cell phone whose lens probably needed cleaning off, but I rather like it’s slightly unresolved quality. Perhaps reminiscent of American landscape paintings of the Hudson River School in the mid-19th century? We didn’t find the sheep the day we searched for them, but what a lovely way to spend an afternoon!
Now that they have returned safely, I’m going to ask Donna if they came back looking like these lambs, clearly characters from a Stephen King novel.
Oh wait, these are my lambs with the light from the camera flash reflecting off of their tapetum lucidum. I liked the lamb portrait, and was going to correct their eyes into what we would normally see, but decided I rather liked their alien appearance. For reasons I can’t explain, I also am fond of the wisp of hay sticking out of one lamb’s mouth. Surely there’s an entire short story in there somewhere.
One last photo of an old and tattered zinnia flower, encapsulating the season . . . Flowers fading, full fall colors not here yet:
MEANWHILE, back on the farm: Busy busy busy with dogs and vet appointments. Toots swerves between “Is it time to put her down?” to zooming around the house like a puppy, ears flapping like Dumbo, Jim and I laughing so hard our ribs hurt. Right now she’s getting acupuncture, medicine for congestive heart failure, blood pressure, a probable kidney infection, along with weekly B12/Zeel/chondroquin injections, and a list of supplemental foods/additives that I don’t have the energy to include. She’s developed what appears to be Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, barking at Jim or the wall for no apparent reason, so our next vet visit will include a discussion about Anipryl (or selegiline).
I’ve done less work with Maggie on sheep than I’d like, the weather has made it difficult, along with all the vet appointments. We have our second to last trial of the season coming up in Minnesota. We have three runs on the same course, which will be good for both her and me. With just a few days left, it’s not time to try to teach her anything new or work on fixing problems. Now is the time to let her have a good time and gain confidence, so that’s all we’ll do before we leave. Cross your paws for us!
Here she is facing down the flock, easing the into the barn (where they don’t want to go). Maggie is starting to understand how to use her power, and it’s a joy to watch. After I took this, M leaned forward just a touch, and the sheep turned and went into the barn.
I’ll keep you posted about the trial. Meanwhile, you and yours? Floods? (Where not?) 30 inches of snow? (Montana?) An endless drought? (San Antonio?) And most importantly, what skill is your dog just beginning to grow into?
x
LisaW says
Phoebe is growing into “sundowning” that phenomenon that affects elders in the transition from day to evening (both literally and figuratively). Apparently dogs are susceptible to it as well. She will stand in a room by herself and bark or she’ll come into a room barking. (I say she’s beside herself.)
The past few weeks, we were struggling with the “is it time?” question, also. Among her many other ailments is laryngeal paralysis, which makes it hard to breath sometimes, and she often has a hack that is quite deep and dry. Both she and Olive were not feeling well–diarrhea, off their feed, a little vomiting. As we were treating that, Phoebe developed bronchitis, and due to the LP, she was in distress. I would lay with her to try and get her to lay out flat. Any bend or head droop or curl would make her hack and hack and throw up. Laying flat she could breath. A few all-nighters and some antibiotics and codine-laced cough medicine, and she is feeling much better.
We’ve been enjoying a typical New England fall and (paws crossed) no climate weirding disasters for the moment. Paws crossed for dryer weather and a confidence-building, fun Minnesota trial.
As my elderly neighbor used to say: If it’s not one thing, it’s two others 🙂
liz says
Herbsmith Senior Dog Wisdom— it resolved the almost daily nonspecific barking fits, waking at 2-4 am with restlessness, and seeking odd destinations like corners.
Been asking the big question since March, with the above symptoms plus ACL rupture in a 15.5 year old 50 lb. mixed breed. Here we are now: quiet as a mouse, walks two laps per day around three acres, climbs some stairs solo, and sleeps through the night. (No surgery; so many supplements for ACL.)
The Herbsmith Wisdom had a pretty miraculous effect. Would have to check my notes but I think it took 3-4 weeks for it to kick in entirely. Some improvement after 1 week. Vet said most but not all of her clients responded. Had I known then what I know now, I would’ve started him on it at 14 yrs, maybe even earlier. Spared us a couple months of symptoms. Oh, I did change the time that our iron filter discharged, previously in the middle of the night, since I considered that the sound of it bothered him. So that might have had an effect on the midnight waking as well…..don’t think that would affect barking, though. 16th birthday in February. What a treat to write. Hope that others can find ways to improve the cognitive struggles.
Charlotte Kasner says
Tipping down in London, England too after a very dry winter, spring and summer. Far too warm for my liking still.
Crowing after beating the rain when walking a friend’s Samoyed. Only half and inch of mud to remove from the undercarriage on our return.
Barbara says
Trish,
In your place I’d talk to the vet first about the Herbsmith Senior Dog Wisdom, or another homeopathic med, before going for the selegiline. I know that cats aren’t small dogs but my Birman girl, Idgie, who lived with a good quality of life until just two weeks short of 23 years, also had cognitive dysfunction. We tried Anipryl relatively early, that is around age 20. It caused her to retain urine for 24 hours and more, not a happy situation! I’m sure you read the package insert for any meds before you give them so that you can at least be on the lookout for undesirable/unexpected side effects.
My 2-1/2 year old Welsh Springer, Phoebe, started itching almost constantly last August. We walk most days between sown grain fields and this was just before and at harvest time (hindsight!). The veterinary dermatologist prescribed Apoquel: nothing like using a sledge hammer on a flea! (We live in Switzerland and have to research veterinary meds online before giving them as we’re not given the package inserts when we’re given the meds.) A week after harvesting was over the itching was gone as well … and I’m stuck with an expensive med I’d only give a flea!
Bon courage with the Toots’ CD.
Minnesota Mary says
My remaining dog (a 5 year old husky) is now alone after we lost his older brother in July and our foster husky got adopted last weekend. I thought, during this time of adjustment, maybe he would be OK outside of his crate while I am at work for 9 hours. He’s always been trustworthy for 2 or 3 hours outside of the crate. That was a mistake! He did some destruction, some of which will require a contractor to repair. My mistake! On a more positive note, he is getting closer to being able to pass the TDI therapy dog evaluation. After we pass that evaluation, I’ll start searching for my next husky. Then I’ll get back into the fostering and start visiting my beloved hospice patients again.
rheather says
Eileen Anderson -from eileenanddogs.com – has a book on dementia in dogs that has lots of information. My oldest is 15 years and 80 lbs with no cognitive problems but joint issues. So I’m lucky there. But the last days? weeks? months? are approaching. Sigh.
Charisse says
Send some of that rain my way! Just some though. Here in central Virginia we are experiencing drought. No rain to speak of for 3 months and we are still in the high 80’s, mostly 90’s. Tomorrow 95, next day 97 and then hopefully some normal temperatures but without any rain in the forecast. Loved your sheep photos!
Irene McHugh says
Tucson weather has finally cooled to the point that I don’t have to wake up at 4:30am to enjoy long walks with our dogs. Our Doodle girl is at a board-and-train to help her with leash reactivity, so I’ve made a plan to visit several new places with our boy to work on CGC skills. It’s only been a few days that Lizzie has been absent, but I feel like Bernie and I have been much more productive with our one-on-one time. It’s a good reminder for me that I need to have special solo activities with each dog more regularly.
Deborah Mason says
I’ll comment on a happier note. Our 3-1/2 year old mixed breed (Lab/Springer) is starting to “get” the Agility trial. We just finished our second ever NADAC trial. He didn’t get a clean run in any of his events, but he did better than back in February and was clearly enjoying himself. Since he seems to take it all more seriously each time we compete (also in Rally) I expect more improvement in the coming months. It will soon be mostly on the porch or indoors, focusing on specific skills. We are in western Montana and, while we did “miss” most of the snow, it’s coming. And so is the cold. We’re having mornings in the 20s now.
Reading some of the comments, I can look back and see that both of our previous dogs (a Golden, then a Golden/Samoyed) were showing signs of CD when their physical health failed. With the Golden it first showed up with her no longer leaving food that was on any surface she could reach. Previously if it was on a plate on any raised surface, even just a foot high, she would leave it alone. Her first violation was our daughter’s first do-it-herself birthday cake. Like I tell so many, the pain at the end is SO worth all the joy of the earlier years.
Laura says
We live here in Wisconsin and we’re experiencing the same rain, rain, wind, rain, mud, rain. And we live two hours north! We just introduced a new dog into our household so everything’s going well, but the new puppy, not quite puppy at nine months is experiencing some potty training issues. So it’s back to the beginning with crates and potty breaks until she understands that this house is not a good place to go potty in. It doesn’t help that no one wants to go out in the pouring rain with thunder and lightning. I’m sure we’ll survive though.
Margo Harris says
Our old dog Charlie would do the barking for no apparent reason thing, which the vet did say was probably due to some dementia. He did that “sundowning” barking, where he would bark more as it was getting dark out. We did put more lights on at that time of day, which seemed to help, somewhat. He seemed very happy, though, so we just put up with it, because he was super sensitive to any medications, stomach-wise. He would bark at my husband Frank, sometimes, like he wasn’t sure who he was, but in a friendly enough way. He always seemed to know who I was, and the other dogs except Sammy (poor Sammy was a little freaked out when Charlie would eye him suspiciously!). Our house seems SO empty now, because the last of the 4 dogs, Echo, was put to sleep 2 months ago, one month after her son Sammy was… both had very peaceful and even happy, in a way (the power of the illicit canned cat food!!) endings, so thank heavens for that. I must say, having gone through this many times now with dogs, cats, and horses, I am actually getting a bit better at the “not panicking, and decisive planning” bit. I also had to have my oldest horse put down the day after Sammy, which was all rather challenging. But I was happy that all 3 animals were peaceful and ok (mood-wise, I mean) for their last days. That is a gift and means SO much to me.
Our house is very clean now, but who cares…it needs a dog in it. After we do some renovations, I’ll start looking.
Trish, your photos are wonderful, soggy or not! I love the one of Tootsie…adorable sweetheart.
Just a comment, on Anipryl, I seem to remember my old (OLD, before my last 4) dog Lola didn’t do so well on it, and had an upset tummy. Just depends on the dog, I guess.
Also, I had very good results with Rescue Remedy for my dog Sammy, who was very high-strung, and I wonder if it might help with the dementia barking?
Jan says
Good luck with Maggie at your last trials of the year! The photo of your friends farm looks like a great place to practice long outruns and blind outruns with Maggie. Perhaps you can persuade her to let you use it prior to Spring planting and post harvest in the Fall.
I have a new Border collie that arrived in May from TX where he had lived most of his two short years in an outdoor chain link run. He is still learning to adapt to living as a house dog; thankfully he has totally bonded to me and is eager to please (99% of the time). He has become good friends with my eight year old BC bitch who now enjoys playing with a dog her own size. She and my Papillon are best friends but play was limited to mouth wrestling due to the size difference.
Elaine Oette says
I love hearing your day-to-day and especially appreciate your revealing the “darker side” with your plantings. One always feels a little disheartened at the end of the season when things are beginning to fade. Thank you for your delightful insights.
Diane says
Rain and tree trimming demolished my garden. My chrysanthemums didn’t survive the last winter, so no new color. I usually love the late season blooms. My late blooming, colorful personality, dog is a becoming a joy. A tough one to learn but he stops at the streets and waits for a heel command ! I’m a stickler for “no street” unless he is told it’s okay with a heel command. Nothing’s 100%, but I always hope that when it’s really needed (ie; squirrels that lure dogs into the street), the learned behavior kicks in!
Best to all taking such good care of your aging friends.
Diane says
comment to Margo. I know that feeling. When I lost one of my family pals, I told my mom (who is also gone now) “my house is so clean….but I trade that in a second”. You’re right…Who cares. What matters is the love and relationship.
Frances says
We are all beginning to age in my house – I have had a wonky knee for months which is at last responding to treatment, but has severely curtailed walking, and made me realise how important a part of my life rambles with the dogs have become. I am scrupulously doing all the exercises the physio recommended, for the first time in my life! Meanwhile one elderly arthritic cat had severe diarrhoea while I was away for 24 hours, not helped by torrential rain (I was just very glad he prefers hard flooring to carpet at these times); second cat has early CKD and I am struggling to keep weight on her; Poppy started snuffling and my stomach clenched worrying about her heart murmur (it is a minor infection – these days I pay for vet visits so as not to lie awake worrying all night); only Sophy, 11 next month, is currently trouble free, apart from sighing deeply when we turn to go back to the car after a stroll that hardly counts as a walk at all in her eyes.
But today the sky is blue and the sun is shining after a week of rain; Pip’s tummy seems better; Tilly is eating just a bit more of her special renal diet; Poppy has not coughed once since we woke up; and I am going to try for a whole half mile walk, and if that does not hurt, a couple more during the course of the day in interesting places, which will make Sophy very happy. And there are even raspberries and a few beans to pick in the garden, and a few late flowers amongst the soggy leaves. Carpe diem – the lesson our animals teach us over and over again.
Margo Harris says
Had to send another comment… Diane, Frances… oh my, it is so true that what matters is the love, not the fluff (poop, etc.) and how I do identify with the feeling of carpe diem! My sister asked me how long I thought my remaining old animals will live (2 horses and 2 cats, only, at this point!) and I said I would never think about that now, after going through everything that I have, with all the animals over the years. I said all I do is enjoy each day I have with them, and even though that might sound simple, it seems to have been something I really had to learn from experience. Yes, our animals teach us so much.
Thank you, Trish, for all you do. You have had a big impact on my life, and if they could, all my dogs would have thanked you too! Now that I’ve come to the end of my time with my pack of 4, which is hard to believe, I realize just how much help your books and blog have been over the years. I will stay tuned, of course, and maybe will be re-reading my books for a new dog, I hope!
Alice says
Trisha, please know we are thinking of you during this bittersweet time. We have all been there, and it never gets any easier.
Still 90+ here, and dry as a bone…in October! They are promising a cooler weekend so there is hope. Neither my migraines or my dog can handle the heat so we are eagerly awaiting the walk and hike anytime we want seasons.
It’s time for us to brush up on everything (we’ve been lax), but we need to put some serious counter conditioning time into the dremel and high velocity dryer.
Jaye Mier says
My mother had suffered from Alzheimers, so when our Robbie started having symptoms of CCD it was heartbreaking. It’s been about 7 years since we lost him at 16.5 years old. Our vet prescribed Senilife. It worked well for him. In less than a week (which was shorter than the timeframe the med said), his nighttime pacing stopped and he started to interact with us again, sleeping at the top of the bed and being responsive to petting. It also surprised me because things that he had been fearful of for years (opening the stove, people standing on ladders or chairs and – truth – the Bonanza theme song) didn’t seem to bother him anymore! It was like having our old Robbie back.
Lorna says
I’m a long time reader, but have never posted until now. I’m a lurker, sorry.
But along with loving your writing and incredible wisdom and knowledge about the dog world and reading about your adventures on the farm – I really just wanted to say that it takes a very special skill to take a dying, browning flower and capture it so beautifully. Your photos are really exceptional.
Love from Lorna, Ty and Dora, along with the doggos Boogie and Lufy, loving your blog from here in China.