Thank you, everyone!

Sam is doing much better tonight, to our relief. He is eating with his usual apetite, wants to play, and overall is feeling like his old self. He still seems plagued by the runs, but even that is looking better (I won't go into details!). We are still concerned about why he was sick, though. One minute he was prancing around being silly, and then all of the sudden he laid down and was ill. We might be over reacting, but he is our boy and we love him.

Sam definitely needs a good thorough brushing!


We want to thank everyone for their well wishes! It really helped us to read everyone's pawsitive thoughts and kind words. ...and most importantly of all,

Sam thanks you!

Back to the grind...

We have been in the process of getting Sam and Monty's Grandma home from rehab. I feel like I spend most of the time in our little car, but not to worry the boys are still getting lots of love!

Wait a minute... Who are you again?


Thankfully, they also remember how to pose for the camera!

I'll sit here, but I want a pony in return!


Where's my agent?


My sister Becky is down from Iowa. The boys were quite happy to have a houseguest!


...and we are still finding time for cuddles!

No Pictures Please!

Sam had his stitches taken out on Friday. That is the good news! The little guy also has a problem with one of his ears. Aaron and I have been dosing him daily and thought his ear was looking so much better! We were really looking forward to getting him out of his t-shirt and getting him a b-a-t-h. However, Dr. Kerne obviously had a secret meeting with Sam and worked out a nefarious scheme to avoid bath time - she decided to pack his ears.

If you have never had this done with one of your fur-kids, it involves filling the ear canal with a very greasy, dense medicine. We really hope that it helps and takes care of Sam's problem. In the meantime, it has made Sam deaf. He missed us pouring food into his dish, which is a sound he loves! He missed barking at the neighbor Saturday morning when he put his trash out. ...and he is very jumpy! Of course, when greasy medicine becomes warm it also melts. As of this morning, Sam looks like we poured a bottle of cooking oil on his head. Of course, all Sam knows is that he hasn't gotten a bath, and he can't have one until after his recheck next Friday. He is quite okay with this.

I've taken quite a few pictures of Sam this morning, but the one above is the only one that doesn't show him completely in his current disheveled state. He really does not look like himself this morning.

Now for the Updates!

This morning I realized my previous post had been titled "Pet Friendly Arizona! ...and some updates!" and I had forgotten the updates part!

Here are the updates - first of all, I would like to show all of you this bandanna I made for my Mom's Yorkie! We do need to take a picture of her wearing it and will post one as soon as we have it available.

Sam had surgery on Monday to remove two lumps. He came through okay and is home. Dr. Kerne believes that they are just fatty tumors. What a relief!

He is spending his time moping. Here he is waiting for me to come home. Doesn't he look cute in his t-shirt?


I don't want my blog friends to see me this way!


All right, but only for a bone!


UPDATE: Michelle from East Mesa Animal Hospital was kind enough to take a few pictures of Sam during his stay there.

Hey! Don't prisoners at least get a phone call? I demand my lawyer!


Sigh...

Weekend Update

Sam is feeling just a bit better today, although he is still not well. His poops are still not quite normal and he seems very tired. The medicine is helping control his coughing and sneezing, but his nose is very runny.

Since Sam is not well enough for any special treats we will postpone his birthday a couple of days. I've been collecting recipes from Sam's friends in hopes of making his day very special. Since his tummy is not quite normal, we've decided not to take a chance!

However, even though Sam understands about missing his birthday, he doesn't want to miss out on Halloween! We have been very busy this weekend decorating pumpkins and getting his costume ready.

Here Sam is inspecting the pumpkins. Since I am very dangerous to myself when armed with a knife, I decided to paint a pumpkin instead. Aaron and I went to Hobby Lobby and found these very life-like fake pumpkins. We still bought a small pumpkin, but it will stay just as it is - unharmed.


Here is the first template for the pumpkin.


Then the second...


The painted cat side - Sam was very nervous around this cat!


The finished dog side... The pumpkin is not quite done yet, I need to add a few small decorations.


I am making a few modifications to a childs bee suit for Sam. Here he is modeling the hat - this is actually the first smile we've seen on him all weekend!


The wings:


Modeling with his pumpkins:


"Ummmm, Mom? This isn't going on my blog, is it Mom? Mom?"


In other news, we are still busy taking care of my sister's pets. We snapped this picture of Caspian playing with the bones of his victims. Sam would like to point out that we should never turn our backs on cats!


My ornamental pepper plant bloomed. I had no idea these things would bloom! I thought the flowers were rather pretty. They are only about a 1/4" in size.


We managed to get one more of the stray cats spayed - another female!


We have three more to do. The one on the far right has already been spayed. The other three still need to be done.


Sam had a very close call, too! Aaron and I thought about giving him a bath this weekend...


...but decided he could wait until he is feeling a little better!

Thank you everyone for keeping Sam in your thoughts. My little guy is still pretty sick, but every day seems a little better. I will keep you all posted!

Sam is recovering

First off, thank you to everyone who asked about Sam this weekend. We've been enjoying having him home and spoiling him like he deserves. He is still not fully recovered - his poops are still not quite normal. You know you are a dog lover when you want to wake your husband up at 4 AM to tell him your dog's poop is starting to look better!

In the meantime, Sam has been getting plenty of rest:


Eating nourishing home-made meals:


Receiving lots of lovin':


I've also been taking him for walks in the morning. They are quite a bit shorter than what we normally do, but I think Sam really enjoys them. This morning we met a very nice Pomeranian named Scarlett. Sam was a real gentleman - he laid down so that she wouldn't have to look up at him! Of course, I didn't have my camera!

Aaron and I are also taking care of my sister's dogs and cats while she and her family are away on vacation. Meet Sam's cousins!

Suzy is 14 years old, and a real lady!


Molly is a Golden Retrieve mix - she is a sweetheart!


This is Prince Caspian, a cookie-eating, sock stealing, maul-your-leg-like-an-angry-rottweiler cat. Everyone adores him, and he knows it! Sis, do you know your cat goes on the counter when you are away?


Georgie. My sister rescued her. She is very shy, and Sam is pretty sure she is the epitome of evil! What do you think?


We really missed Sam while he was away. It wasn't quite the same finding both shoes together, a clear path to walk through the house, and nothing to walk around when you are trying to cook. We wouldn't trade having Sam for anything!

This is a small example of how our floor looks. Sam has most of his toys pulled out and spread over the floor. He also made sure to beat up his pillow when he returned. Our friend Austin gave Sam the Coke bottle. Sam thought it was a great present!


We think Sam is very happy to be home too!


P.S. We did find Rhome, Texas! :)

Sam Tired

For all of you who have asked, Sam is doing much better. He is still on medicine, but we have cut that down to twice a day. He is acting very much like his old self too! This morning when I tried to take the trash out, he kept stealing things and taking off with it - boxes, bottles, my shoes - anything he thought I might be reaching for. In fact, he was so rambunctious and so noisy I took him for a walk!


Sam in the green belt. The Halti collar is the only way I can walk him. He thinks he is a sled dog!


Sam at home and really ready for a nap...


Once again, thank you for all the well wishes and thoughts sent our way.