Conehead

Sheba is unhappy. She hates the cone. She has never whimpered in the past, never asked for anything except food when I forget to feed her by 5:00 pm. Now she cries often, and so I do something to engage her. And I am unhappy too. Her situation makes me, like her, sad and still. I spent much of the day in bed reading with her relaxing beside me.

We have another day to get through, today. It’s such a relief to go to bed. She gets up twice in the night to pee, due to the prednisone. I have a flashlight by the bed, and I sleep lightly so that I hear her jump off the bed, and we both go outside. I hope my constant vigilance helps her know that although the cone is there, it’s right. Friday, 2:30. Back to the vet.

If the vet wants the cone on longer than Friday, I’m going to counter-offer: Socks whenever I cannot be with her watching for licking of her feet. We could go for walks on the grass at Rollo Park naked (her). I can watch her constantly; it’s fenced and soft and flat. We could play ball gently.

I’m dreading today. She is unable to rest all day. She’s bored and miserable, but she won’t go for walks. She just stands where we go and so we come back. We must be together and indoors all day. 

Asthma attack, heart attack and Sheba’s immune disorder—and 45 days and counting without rain and the hottest temperatures on record in July. Oh …. And Covid 2. This is not a Summer to forget.

Today was supposed to be cloudy. It isn’t. It was also supposed to rain. That won’t happen either. I had my doubts about the forecast and they’ve proven true.

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My fountain and bird baths and feeders are the best thing about Pinecone Park—not the gardens. I had no idea whatsoever what a wonderful and positive resource it would become. This drought brings them constantly to bath and drink. Last night I watched a woodpecker giver itself a shower by sipping and flipping water up and over his back. The fountain’s sound helps them find it and the circulation keeps it fresh. I use fountain water on the gardens and then I refill it with nice cool fresh water. 

I’m going to get another birdbath and fill it with stones and water for the bees. They need accessible access to water that’s easier for them.

   

A Day Off

 Sheba, coned, is miserable. I am trying to keep her happy by being very attentive and giving her lots of treats. We see the vet again on Friday afternoon. Till then, I am super occupied with watering and her. More to come soon.

To the Vet's

Tuesday began on a high. Her Highness and I walked with our group, just like normal. And all her feet have healed. Still, I keep the socks on, and I watch her fastidiously. This morning, we go to the vet to see if he still wants to operate. I feel that it’s unnecessary. I think it’s the heat or my absence that threw her and ignited anxiety in her.

Aside from her situation, everything about home and this island makes me blissful. It’s Summer baby! I live for the time between the warm days of spring until about the end of September. I endure all the rest but for the sunny days off the off season. And people from far and wide come here to our islands in the Salish Sea to spend their Summers. Why would I leave?

gardens make it hard to leave in Summer—particularly this Summer of drought. Eight large Sword Ferns came with the house. They and one old Rhodo were the only plantings here when I moved in. They all fell flat onto the ground over the past two days, so I soaked them.

The Ferns have never, ever failed without any watering from me at all, but there’s been 47 days without rain. I must water my Paulownia twice a day. I do it all the watering with pleasure. I love my plants and the yard; they are living things that I brought here. I care about them all. The grass lies dead, flat and golden on the ground, but all my plants are robust.

John arrives today. In 1972, we were both hired to teach at the high school we’d attended together. We never spoke during our school days, but quickly after discovering each other back at school as teachers, we immediately became very good friends. We’ve been in constant touch ever since. He’s a devoted friend.

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I was going to write to Dr. Shoja to talk to her about my Code Blue being psychogenic. But I’ve decided to wait on that. As my heart issue settles, I’m back to living more with people and speaking with them. My speech is still a source of discomfort and embarrassment. Depending on what happens at our vet here today, my next step may be to go to a highly recommended vet who’s as much into the plethora of treatment options besides the conventions of traditional veterinarian practice.

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I got a new ‘gripper’ tool. I use it to pick small things up to avoid having to bend over a million times when, for example, I am picking up the bazillion fallen fir cones and small branches that fill my yard after windstorms. 

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Sheba’s really bad again, and I’m now thinking that the vet is right. There’s something in her right forepaw and she’s chewing all her paws because she can’t get at it. I’m off to the vet’s now, where she’ll be sedated, and a thorough search of her paw will be undertaken. God, I hope he finds the cause. 

Still Hot and Muggy

We’re in for another hot and sunny day. Three more days of this until we’re predicted to have rain for two days. Real rain? I doubt it. But at least clouds and respite for the gardens. It’s humid., as well. Doing nothing makes me sweat. I change t-shirts often through the day.

This morning, I am going to take Sheba to join our little walking group, perhaps not to do the whole walk, but at least to get something normal back in her life. She loves her pack, so it might do her some good. The rest of the day will be like every day of the past two weeks: I watch her like a hawk to ensure there’s no more self-harming.

Otherwise, it’ll be watering (of course) and reading. My supervision of Her Highness will be constant, for tomorrow we see the vet again and she may have (very minor) surgery to see if there’s any Spear Grass in her foot.

And the days keep going by. Empty leisurely days pass easily and pleasantly. Thank God I’m not prone to loneliness, depression or boredom. I do just fine, thank you, on my own. But if we can bring some healing to Sheba, I am keen for some Vancouver Island adventures with her.

Finally, my swollen left arm is thinning down. I’m grateful for that. But my blood pressure is not what it should be. I’ll have records to take with me at the end of the month when I go to the pacemaker clinic where I hope to get some advice about how to lower it. 

Slacking

HOT and humid. That was yesterday. And I’m starting to wonder if heat might be a reason for Sheba’s self-harming.  I will ask the vet on Tuesday. All I did all day yesterday, really, was to supervise her, and give her lots of attention.

And I’ve been rewarded: This morning, she is walking gently, but without a limp. I am going to take her on lots of short walks today and watch her like a hawk. I have hope again, and I have patience and commitment. Bonus: It’s cloudy this morning and coolish (19° at 6:00 am). I believe if we walk often, and I watch her all the time when she is home, that we can have a good day today. And, with luck, we’ll have another good day tomorrow before we see the vet on Tuesday.

When she went after her third paw, I was pretty discouraged, so this improvement in her condition is very welcome. It’s been two weeks of Hell for us both.

We went for a walk this morning, very successfully, but she refused a second walk in the afternoon. Instead, I kept her occupied whilst I watered all the gardens.

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Today has been like yesterday. Lots of clouds, but also lots of gentle sunshine warming us through the thin clouds (or forest fire smoke). I read most of the day and that’s about it.