Weekly update July 26- August 1

Monday: Back bothering me, took day off. Morning run, back bothering me too much to water, dogs OK but moving slow (for them) in the heat ... fed and kenneled, then brushed Corey and took in town with me to vet for rabies (3 yr) shot... I always dread this, and I HATE giving rabies (its the only vax I give) as I believe the first vax gives lifetime immunity, but, the law says 3 years. Grrr. I am a big supporter of the Rabies Challenge Fund study, hopefully some day SOON we'll only have to give every 5 years... anyway, also had vet look at Corey's foot as it looked more swollen today, she said it was infected, gave me Clavamox and told me to clean with Betadine. Other than that, she said Corey looked great! his ears are fine, he has lost 1 lb but as she said, he's 'tightening up'. return home, hot as Hades ... whatever circle it is that is the Midlands of South Carolina circle, I sure hope I don't end up there! returned home, DB greets me at gate ...Husband had Snoopy inside, Damcat in the bedroom, said Snoopy had been OK with Damcat but then lunged at him when Damcat sauntered by... took corey in, Banshee emerged from the cave under the porch, so brought her and DB in also... Banshee was so hot I guess she promptly fell asleep on the kitchen floor, DB curled up in the dog bed, Corey stationed himself beside my couch, Snoopy at husband's feet at computer. After awhile, I decided to go lay in the bedroom with the Damcat, as my back was hurting. Got up later, sounded like a storm coming, thunder and lightening ... decided to take dogs for ride to Bilo. When returned still no rain, so mowed and watered apple trees til nightfall. Fed and kenneled, washed Corey's foot and gave him antibiotics and pumpkin, as his stools are loose (dunno, possibly the rabies vax).

Tuesday: Hot, still... morning run, down to water Angel Ginger's tree, back started bothering me again so no more bending! Back up hill, fed and kenneled. Snoopy eating OK, Corey's stools better. To work, met coworker for trip to client's home (very interesting old lady, living by herself in the country, reminded me of myself in perhaps 15 years, but no dogs ...) returned home through blinding rainstorm, which stopped before I got home, of course ... husband had 3 dogs inside, Banshee emerged from cave and came in with me. poor Damcat in the bathroom (husband said Damcat was out earlier, he was taking a nap with Corey and Snoopy and Damcat sauntered in and both dogs chased him ...) hung around inside awhile,  as it looked like it may rain, then outside, remarkably cooler, nice breeze ... husband threw ball for Snoopy and Corey for awhile, then watered and mowed a bit but lightening too near ... dogs very frisky, DB leading a chase around in circles, leaping over the piles of grass clippings, Corey and Snoopy hot on her track ...finally they got too revved up, I calmed them down (sit for treats) then Took Corey in briefly, gave him antibiotics and washed his foot, decided to feed and kennel even though only 8 PM as it still looks like it may rain at any moment. Alas, no rain, but nice and cool and breezy ...

Wednesday: Foggy but cool in morning, nice run, feed and kennel. Snoopy not eating again... went to work, returned to be greeted by DB and Banshee emerging from the cave, Snoopy and Corey inside... lay down for 15 minutes as for some reason  am exhausted ... got up, DB now inside, let Banshee in also, still hot and muggy out... brush Corey and wash his foot, give antibiotics, give husband supper, then outside to mow ... get about 10 minutes done and a storm blows up, decide to feed and kennel, Snoopy terrified of storm, quivering all over, wont eat again... though she does eat her tripe chewie... lots of thunder and lightening all night (and a little rain...)

Thursday: Hot and muggy ... pretty sluggish AM run, feed and kennel. Give Snoopy plain dry food, duck and potato, she eats fine. Hmmm. Go to work, return to all 4 dogs greeting me at gate, husband is out working on building... pretty hot out, still , so bring all dogs inside for a bit, then out to water and mow, working on the peach trees by the travel trailer, someone has MOVED the hose, cannot find a hose anywhere, grrr. Go further down the line of trees and work there. Dogs in good spirits now, still hot but a faint breeze ... but OH the mosquitoes!! I have to drench myself in poison and it wears off after about an hour. Finish around nightfall, feed and kennel.


Friday: Early morning run, then watered and mowed awhile as I'm taking morning off so that I can take Corey to groomer before my afternoon appointments ...Snoopy ate her dry food (duck-potato) but wouldnt touch her wet (which had her DE mixed in it.) Mowed til about 11, let dogs inside (hot out already) and tried to neaten Corey up a bit so groomer won't think I'm a total slob... Left around noon, dropped Corey off, then afternoon appointments... picked him up a bit after 5, then went by SuperPetz which is going out of business, got the last bag of Wellness blue food. Return home, husband has gone to town to Lowe's, dogs kenneled, let all out, hung around inside until it cooled off enough to stand mowing ... other dogs sniff Corey very carefully (I get them to use no scent shampoo after one time Banshee came back smelling like a $10 streetwalker and was attacked by DB) then we have a grand time mowing and running ... nice breeze in back. Corey picks a pear and eats it, DB picks one and plays with it until Banshee grabs it and eats it. Snoopy figures out it isnt a ball and loses interest...feed and kenel at nightfall. Brief altercation, Corey keeps bugging DB to play MORE, run MORE and DB is ready for chow ... first guves him a dirty look, that has no effect, snarls at him, no effect, jumps and snaps at his ear... AHA! Corey backs off, deferentially, DB circles once, I call them all over and calm everyone down. Then feed and kennel ... Snoopy eats her leftover wet food from AM. And her dry food.

Saturday: Cloudy and relatively cool, morning run, husband and all workers working on building. Fed and kenneled, Snoopy doesnt want to eat again, takes a few bites of wet food (with DE) and a few pieces of kibble, thats it. If she was losing weight, i'd be concerned, but, she's a good weight, and, she always takes treats (even if the treat is a piece of kibble she's just turned down.) Let dogs out after half hour rest, mowed and watered apple trees til noon, when it started getting hot... accompanied by Corey, who stations himself under a shade tree near where I'm working. Other dogs appear when I stop mowing, then wander off again. back inside at noon, change clothes (I'm sopping wet) let Corey and Snoopy inside (Banshee and DB are in cave under porch.), then let DB and Banshee in... husband then wanted me to go pick up sandwiches for his crew, getting the dogs OUT proved problematical, Corey and Snoopy go right out, Banshee has to be leashed, DB absolutely refuses (curls up in the dog bed and will NOT move. Finally husband picks her up and puts her out...) Then getting through the gates, Corey and DB decide they want to go too, have to trick them and RUN for the car... return with sandwiches, DB and Snoopy come to greet me, decide to kennel them so workers can eat in peace... Banshee emerges from under porch, where's Corey??? Not over with husband. Not on porch... getting really upset, calling, whistle .. and here he comes, he's been asleep under the travel trailer over on the other side. Take him and Banshee inside... do wash etc. Starts raining , rains about an hour, uncrate DB and Snoopy and am going to bring them in but it starts pouring again, so, kennel them, run back to trailer (get soaked). When rain finally stops for good, around 6 PM, take all for run, then for a van ride, then home, feed and kennel. Snoopy eats fine tonight. More rain in the night.

Sunday: A right pleasant day weather wise! Good morning run, fed and kenelled, went to church ... returned, dogs all meet me at gate and escort me in, husband and worker at slab... change clothes, mow for an hour, getting hot around 1, so go in with Corey and Snoopy, then later let DB and Banshee in. DB still having issues with leaving the house ... to get her out take bag of pretzels out on porch, other dogs follow me, DB and Banshee stay inside, finally come out. husband out working so DB and Banshee go over there, take Corey back in to brush, then back out for more mowing. The mosquitoes and gnats are pretty bad, have to replenish my poison several times. Little Mattie from next door comes over, sees me on porch abd is running happily up when Corey (who has been standing behind me) takes off after her, she bolts for the fence ... I do manage to get her to come up to the fence and take a treat while my dogs (including Corey) are sitting by me, maybe she'll come over again... corey is so non aggressive, but I guess he's just SO much bigger she's scared of him... finish mowing around nightfall, feed and kennel , Snoopy eating fine, Corey's foot healed.  good day!

Another July, gone ... July is a special month to me, it was in July that DB and Banshee 'appeared' under my tool shed as puppies, and, it was in July that Angel Ginger 'appeared' at my gate and rode in with my husband to her 'forever home', sadly, her forever was only a year and a half (on this earth, but forever in my heart) ... I miss my Ginger of the Flying Ears every day ... I'll be watching the other dogs and their antics and feel her sitting by me, watching (she never was much for playing with the others, she'd sit and watch and then take off like a red bolt of lightening and RUN around the property, ears flying, then come back and watch some more .... ) She was such a sweet dog, with a lovely spirit ... I also miss her particularly at night, when we'd sit on the porch and watch the stars... and then she'd go turn on the motion lights .. none of the others do this... but yes, Corey is a darling, he has fit in beautifully, the 3 girls love having a 'man' around, and, I do too.. thank you again, Angel Ginger and St. Francis, for knowing what we needed around here, and sending Corey to us. God is good.