The Amazing Tri-Pawd

This past Wednesday was Daisy's first Chemo treatment at the University of Minnesota. 

She went into the hospital with no hesitation. 

At 8 am, the oncology team brought her to the treatment center.  They treat a number of dogs at one time due to how the medication is batched.

First, they have their blood drown and levels checked.  I think they are looking at their white blood cell counts.  If all is good, they will have their treatment that day.

Daisy looked good and was approved to begin therapy.

A nurse sits on the floor and comforts the dog while the dog recieves the medication through an IV.  It's like a 20 minute massage!

We were told that Daisy was the first dog who has yakked all over right before treatment started.  We think it was nerves.  Can you blame her?!  Last time she was left at the hospital she went home with one less leg!  I would be nervous too.

She was allowed to come home that afternoon.  When I picked her up, she bolted for the door. 

The nurse commented on how sweet she is.  She was very impressed with how well she gets up and down and walks around.  She also said "She really doesn't even know she has three legs..."  I know the nurse was referring to how strong she is and her tendancy to drag you behind her while she is on a leash.  This is why Daisy has always worn her "walking" collar when we are out.

We were sent home with instructions not to get her bodily fluids on us.  Just basic common sense, such as washing well after cleaning up any accidents she may have.

The ride home was very amausing.  This was her first car ride in the van, as a tri-pawd where she was feeling fine so she insisted on sitting in the bucket seat right behind mine.  She fell off no less than four times because she kept moving around.  Everytime her arm would fall off the chair, she would hope down, turn around, and climb right back up.  This went on for 45 minutes, the traffic was horrible!

We expected her to come home and fall asleep right away but she had things to do, like eat dinner!  After yakking up her breakfast and then being awake all day, she was starving.  Then she had to watch us eat our dinner. She didn't want Pig getting any treats while she was away napping!

Finally, at about 8:30 she finally fell asleep and didn't wake up until the next morning.

The Doctor told us she would not show any effects until day three and four post treatment. 

Day three was Saturday.  She spent the day laying out in the yard, begging for treats, and just hanging out.  Very normal Daisy.  I would say, the most normal she has been since she got sick.

Sunday, same thing!  It was a beautiful weekend.  Probably the last really nice weekend before fall really gets here.  It is even a little hot for a big girl like Daisy but she enjoyed the yard and just hung around.

She is showing no effects from the Chemo at all and her mobility and stregnth are really coming along.  She really is the Amazing Tri-Pawd.

I will let you see for yourself.

End of Week Randomness

I have a million thoughts but nothing that is good enough for a post so here is some randomness to kick off the weekend.

1.  Daisy's chemo went well.  She was the first dog ever to yak up her breakfast as they started treatment, before any of the drugs were in her system.  She must have been nervous.  Can't blame her, last time she was left there she came home without an arm.

2.  Daisy has not yakked since that one time at the hospital.

3. Daisy has started to lay on the couch again and no longer requires her bed in the living room yet I still drag it out every morning.

4. Thursday night, Daisy went to bed.  And got in the bed.  We might be back to two dogs in the bed sooner than we thought.  This makes me both happy and sad.

5.  Heidi's week caught up with her Thursday morning.  Thursday night, she went to bed super early.  I think she will be 2 inches taller when she wakes up in the morning.

6.  Heidi has another shark tooth.  The second permanent tooth on the bottom is in. The baby is not loose yet.  I better get a dollar ready because I have a feeling that baby is coming out very soon.

7.  I am making 3 lasagnas over the next three days.  One for Friday night dinner with some friends and two for the teachers at Heidi's school.  This also makes me happy.

8.  I am also making my first loafs of french bread.  If they turn out, I will post a recipe next week.

9.  When I was waiting for Daisy to come out of Chemo I kept hearing her tags jingle.  I would get excited and try to look down the hall for her.  Then I would realize I was holding her tags in my hand.  The noise was from when I would move slightly and the tags would jingle.  That made me a little bit sad.

10.  Heidi is having a super play date with a bunch of kids from her old school on Sunday.  I planned just a bit to late so not everyone can make it.  Lesson learned!  I am still very optimistic for a great turn out and a fantastic time!

11.  I need to get one of those pot holder things that go over the handle of a cast iron skillet.  If I grab the handle of that skillet one more time, I will scream!  Someone please send help.

12.  Pig is both wanting the first hard frost and hoping it never comes.  After the frost, he will no longer be suffering such horrible allergies but he will also stop getting his two Oreo (with antihistamine) treats each day.

And finally.  Since Pig feels he has not been featured in enough blog posts lately.  Here are two I am sure he would love the world to see.

I call this one:  "Proof Pig will eat anything".  He is licking up the corn meal that I dropped on the floor.

And the second one, which I call, "Please don't bother me when I am sleeping, unless you have food."

Happy Friday everyone and have a great weekend.  On Monday I will let you know if Daisy yakked in the "sick period" which is day 3 and 4 post chemo.  And on Tuesday I will post a recipe for a super yummy and fast roast beef sandwich.

Daisy and Pete Out In The Backyard

Daisy Mae spends a lot of time in the yard when the temp is between 45 and 80 degrees.  Pig, does not.  If we put a couch in the yard, Pig might be out there more but laying on the ground is not something he looks forward too.

Pete also spends a lot of time in the yard.  He is outside more then he is in the house, unless we intentionally lock him inside.  So much for the indoor cat he was supposed to be!

I suppose it is natural that Daisy and Pete get along but I think Pete is putting more effort into the relationship than Daisy is willing to put in.

One nice, sunny afternoon, Daisy and I were hanging out in the yard.  Pig had long since went back into the house to find a couch or bed to nap on.

Daisy stretched out in a sunny spot to enjoy a nap when all of a sudden, out of no where, Pete appears.

He can't help but touch her.  That's the kind of cat he is.

He realizes she is not paying attention to him so he moves closer.  She is not happy about this.

Would you please move?!

Didn't you notice I only have three legs?  Oh, all right.  I will move.

Far, far way.  Where should I lay?

Ah, this is nice.  The grass is cool. The sun is hot.

You again?!  Why do I even bother?

And So It Begins...

Today is Daisy's first day of Chemo!

We met with the oncologist just over a week ago then spent some time considering our options.

I am nervous but I know we can stop treatment if we are not happy with the results.

She starts today and will have treatment every third Wednesday for a total of six treatments.  She will not lose her hair but she might get sick.  We will have medication to help avoid the getting sick part and we can give that to her whenever we feel she needs it.

If she gets sick, it would happen over the weekend.  That's why I picked Wednesday's!  How's that for planning?

I think she will do just fine. She has been such a trooper so far!  Yesterday, she spent the day on the couch, in true Daisy form.  That is something she has not done since the day before her surgery.  And she has gotten up with Shawn every morning this week to demand breakfast instead of sleeping in with me like she has since surgery.

I hope the chemo does not give her a set back as she has come so far.  But, like I said, we can stop treatment at anytime if we feel her quality of life is degrading.

I don't expect to have news on how she is feeling until Monday since the effects will not hit for for three to four days.  I will post a weekend update on Monday.

Thanks to everyone for all your support in this!  It really means a lot to us, and Daisy!

What's For Dinner: Baking Powder Biscuits

I have been wanting a Kitchen Aid mixer for so long that I don't remember not wanting one.

On our wedding anniversary, while at Target, we came across this one.  The price was too good to pass up so it ended up in my cart.

The red one was on sale.  Since my kitchen is very natural, it actually works!

To break it in, I made Baking Powder Biscuits.

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup shortening
2/3 cup milk
Melted margarine or butter, if desired

Start by putting the flour, baking powder, salt, and shortening in a bowl. 

Mix until the shortening is broken up and mixed in to the dry ingredients.  Scrape the sides of the bowl then add the milk.

Mix until the dough sticks to the beater.

Turn the dough out onto a flat surface.

Knead the dough until it all sticks together, about 20 seconds.  Pound flat to about 1/2 inches thick.

Using a 2-inch floured biscuit cutter or something similar, cut out the biscuits.

I do not have a biscuit so I used this thing and it worked beautifully.  Cut out as many as you can, then reshape the dough.  Keep doing this until you are out of dough.

Place the biscuits on a greased baking sheet and brush with melted butter.



Bake for 12 to 15 minutes at 450 degrees.


Remove from oven and serve immediately.

I was able to get nine full biscuits out of this recipe.  They are pretty good but a bit dry.  I slathered mine with strawberry jam and enjoyed it with a hot cup of coffee - YUM!

Eleven Years...

Saturday was our wedding anniversary.

Sometimes it is hard for me to believe we have been married for over a third of our lives.  But I honestly cannot imagine a different life.  I just know we are where the universe meant us to be, doing what the universe meant for us to do.

And that makes me happy.

My anniversary gift makes me happy too.

Book Review: Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

Once a week Heidi goes to the library (Biblioteca) at school and brings home a book.  It is fun to see what she picks out.

When she was at the Montessori school, she would come home on Tuesday nights with a book for homework.  We would all gather around and she would read to us.  This was something we looked forward to as a family so I am very happy that her trips to the library will help us continue this family reading time.

Last night she brought home a book called Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus by Mo Willems.

The story starts out with the Bus Driver asking the reader to watch his bus so he can step away but before he goes he say, And Please don't let the pigeon drive the bus.

As soon as he leaves, the pigeon shows up and starts pleading his case on why you, the reader, should allow him to drive the bus.  Everything from nicely asking to pleading to a temper tantrum.

We were laughing through the entire book!

The illustrations were so simple and complemented the story perfectly.  I highly recommend you pick up this book, even if you do not have a child in the house.

I searched Amazon for the link and found that Mo Willems has written a few other Pigeon stories that I intend to search the library for next time we are there!  Then I found his website that has activities!  I am totally smitten!