He's Naughtier Than He Looks

Samson, that is, not Jim.  Oh, wait.  No, Jim's naughtier than he looks too.

This past weekend was the first really nice, spring-like weekend we've had in Illinois this year.  My cats have been pretty stir-crazy all winter, so now, when the weather is nice, they're spending lots of time outdoors.  Nice weather + previously cooped-up cats = trouble.

Samson is freakishly large and freakishly smart.  He's Maine Coon, so that means he's got brains, braun, and really dextrous paws.  (Have you ever seen a Maine Coon in action?  They use their paws just like raccoons--Sam even eats with his paws sometimes)  Though he's one of the nicest, friendliest cats on the planet (he has never met a stranger), Sam has a naughty streak a mile long.  As with any intelligent animal, if you don't keep their minds occupied, they find a way to do it themselves.  For Sam during the winter, this meant stealing bread.  He has a fascination with all things plastic and all things bread, so if you leave a wrapped loaf of bread on the counter...well, let's just say we don't do that anymore. 

And speaking of stealing bread, Sam stole a piece of bread out of the toaster the other day.  Jim probably could have stopped it before he did, but he wanted to see how it would play out.  We do that a lot.  It's really fun to watch Sam at work, so unless he's in danger, we often let him go ahead and be naughty, to challenge his brain, and honestly, to amuse ourselves.  

The biggest downside to having a smart, naughty cat, as we are learning this spring, is that live creatures outside are the single most interesting, challenging thing out there.  In the past four days, we've received one worm, one vole, one wet, dead mouse, and two snakes.  I am terrified of snakes.  I shutter to think what would happen if Sam were to bring one in when Jim isn't home. 

I've gotten over my fear of mice (sort of) and can catch one now by myself (if I have to--but if Jim's home, it's still totally his job), but I don't know what I'd do with a snake...My mouse method involves a broom and dustpan with a long handle (one of the ones that flips closed--it's perfect!), and I probably could use that if I had to, but the idea of even going near a snake makes my skin crawl.  Of course, I hate the thought of a snake in my house even more.  I'm just going to pretend it's never going to happen.  Maybe Sam will forget where his stash of snakes is (it's in my garden, by the way).  Maybe he'll transplant the stash all around the yard and forget where he put them.  I somehow doubt it though.  It's going to be a long spring.

He's More Like Himself Every Day

Mr. S has always been obsessed with shoes--see the tongue sticking out?

It's been a little over six months now since Mr. Squiggles came back home.  It seems like he's always been back, and yet it still seems like just yesterday that we were reunited.  I still stare at him every day, amazed that he's lying next to me.  I want to cuddle him, smell him, take in every ounce of what I missed for twelve and a half long months. 

Mr. S is doing so well.  He seems to improve every day, and even more exciting, he gets back more of his personality every time we look around.  Some quirks were there from the beginning, like his litter box aversions and his tolerance but annoyance with Gus.  But in the past six months, we've seen more and more of the old Mr. Squiggles emerging.  His hair is getting darker, and his hair is filling in.  He's still hugely grateful to be here, but he's starting to get that irritated look in his eye more often, a look that was always pure Mr. Squiggles.  He's getting stronger and less wobbly, and he's starting to venture outside more often.  It used to be, we couldn't keep that cat in the house.  He'd whine and cry, and pitch a royal fit if he was even locked in over night.  So it's nice to see him starting to go out again, safely within the confines of his (1/2 acre) kitty prison. 

He's still as picky an eater as ever, though we've finally gotten him to eat raw food, courtesy of our good friend Stella & Chewy's Freeze Dried Duck Duck Goose patties.  Nothing else will do, at least when it comes to raw.  But I'm happy to oblige.

As you can tell from the picture, he loves shoes.  He always has.  Now we find him spending more time with them--as soon as you take them off, he heads over straight away, rubbing them with his muzzle, laying on top of them.  It's kind of bizarre, but it's oh so Mr. Squiggles, and I love it.

***CORRECTION FROM YESTERDAY'S POST***  A friend in the industry pointed out that reading titer results is not cut-and-dried, as I indicated that they were.  (Hence why they're still controversial)  I apologize for this misinformation and will do some research on that aspect of titers and will publish another post about it next week.  By the way, I'm still pro-titer, either way.

Thoughts About Vaccines

Happy Noodles

Last week,  we took Isis in to the vet for her twice-yearly checkup.  This appointment always includes routine bloodwork, a heartworm test, and vaccine titers.  Ever heard of titers?  (I hope so, but I won't be surprised if you haven't)

Titers are blood tests that measure the amount of vaccine antibodies in the bloodstream.  If the level of antibody is high enough, then the dog is still immune to disease.  High enough titer levels = no vaccination. 

I was thinking about this topic on Tuesday, because I got Isis' test results back, and not only was her bloodwork great (yay!) but her titer results were normal as well.  Even though I've titered for years (and have never had to revaccinate my animals), it still amazed me that Isis was vaccinated yearly for the first 7 years of her life (before I knew better) but now has not needed a vaccine for 5 years.  (This doesn't include rabies--that's a whole 'nother subject) 

Vaccines are a controversial topic in the veterinary world.  I'm not by nature a conspiracy-theorist, but in the animal world, unfortunately, profit tends to rule above all else.  Animals do not need yearly vaccines.  In fact, there is much evidence that yearly vaccines not only damage the immune system (leading to diseases like cancer), but the side effects of the vaccine can cause certain diseases as well.  Read this great article by Dr. Karen Becker to learn more.  Vaccines have even been proven to cause cancer in cats, at the injection site.  Read more about that here (and though I generally love this site, I don't agree that every cat should always be vaccinated). 

Most traditional vets push yearly vaccines, not only because this is what they're taught in vet school, but also because vaccines have a high profit margin.  It's sad.  The tides are turning a bit now, as some vets still advocate yearly vaccines but at least will provide titers if they are requested by the client.  Some vets "don't believe in titers," which I don't understand.  The results are there in black and white, on paper.  The testing lab even makes the determination if the pet has sufficient antibodies.  If your vet is "against" titers, ask yourself why.

Additionally, rabies vaccines are controversial, for no good reason.  The rabies vaccine is the most toxic of all vaccines but is required by law.  (Except for animals with long-term illnesses, like cancer.  Then a waiver is usually granted if a signed letter is provided by the treating veterinarian)  However, no animal should be given the rabies vaccine every year.   The one year shot is exactly the same as the three year shot, and the three year shot is all that is required by law (in most states, but not all, sadly).  I hear from so many pet owners whose vets give the vaccine yearly, for no apparent reason other than profit (I'm in Illinois, where the three-year vaccine is what's required).  I always encourage those pet owners to do their research on vaccines, and then find a new vet. 

To learn more about the rabies vaccine, visit The Rabies Challenge Fund, an organization started to prove that the current three-year rabies vaccine is actually good for 5 or even 7 years.  They even advocate around the country to get states to change vaccines laws to the standard (accepted) three years.  It's a great organization. 

So what am I trying to say?  Do I think people who vaccinate yearly are bad parents?  Not at all.  We are a product of our veterinary teaching.  I vaccinated my pets yearly for 8 years until my new vet taught me about titers.  I researched them, they made sense to me, and now it's something I believe strongly in.  My animals all receive a rabies vaccine every three years (except for Indy, who gets an exemption because of her cancer).  We do yearly titer tests, but no one has needed a booster yet. 

My recommendation to you is, if you haven't already, read up as much as you can on titers (the links I've provided here are a great start).  Read the good and the bad.  Talk to your vet about it.  Form your own opinion and do what makes sense to you.  Sometimes what makes sense to you isn't what your veterinarian recommends.  That's okay too.  An educated owner is an empowered owner, and our pets are better off for it.

If you're interested in learning more about vaccine issues, I encourage you to read the book Stop the Shots.  It's a complete look at the vaccine and veterinary world.  It'll probably scare the pants off of you, but that's alright.  We parents need to be shaken into action sometimes. 

Also, here is a list of recommended vaccines by Dr. Jean Dodds, a leading veterinary hematology researcher (and one of the founders of The Rabies Challenge Fund).  She lists the shots she recommends for the first year of a puppy's life (followed by titer tests at least every three years thereafter) and also talks a little about vaccines and health.

Aha!

From "In the Company of Dogs"

Jim and I have been wracking our brains for a good year or so now about how best to bathe Indiana.  You see, we have three bathrooms in the house, one of which only has a toilet and sink, one has a shower and whirlpool tub, and the other is on the second floor.  None of these is an option for a nearly-thirteen-year-old arthritic dog.

Starting last year, Jim and I (courtesy of a grand idea from my Mom) started bathing Indiana in our utility room, in a kiddie pool.  We run an RV hose (because you can drink out of an RV hose, but not a regular garden hose--I have this idea that it makes the water purer for Indy) from our utility sink and bathe her in the pool.  It kind of works.  I mean, yes, it works, but there are a lot of drawbacks.  Like the fact that the pool is a little slippery, and mostly, that the pool is way too large to fit through the door outside to empty the water (since it doesn't have a drain) without oodles of water ending up on the floor in the process.  So I've been searching high and low for an alternative.

I don't mind a stinky dog, so don't think I'm bathing Indiana simply because I require a clean dog, because I don't.  But Indiana has had horrible seasonal skin allergies most of her life, which means she is itchy, itchy, itchy from about April until October.  Baths help ease that itchiness. 

I ran across the inflatable tub pictured above last night, while perusing a new copy of the In the Company of Dogs catalog.  (I love this catalog--the products are cute, high-quality, unique, and not terribly overpriced)  Anyway, when I saw this tub, I got really excited.  It's a much better option than a kiddie pool.  The sides unzip, making it easy for a stiff dog to walk in.  It has a drain (and is smaller than our kiddie pool), making it easy to dispose of the water.  And it has a nifty wash nozzle that will attach to the sink via our RV hose.  I have to take some measurements of Indy first (because she lays down when we bathe her--she can't stand for long periods of time anymore) to make sure she'll fit, but I'm fairly sold on buying this tub already.  I'll be showing it to Jim this afternoon to see what he thinks. 

I thought this was a pretty brilliant invention.  It's easy to look at it and say, "Why would anyone need that?  Just bathe your dog outside with a hose--why do you need a fancy bath?"  But if you think about the product in terms of an older dog, for someone who needs a portable indoor option, it's nearly perfect.  Here's to hoping it works for Indy.

She Makes Me So Proud

On Saturday, Jim and I took Indiana to one of our favorite places, Pawsitively Heaven Pet Resort.  It's an amazing daycare/boarding facility, which we've never personally used, but we visit often because it houses Indiana's physical therapy office.  We've been going there for almost four years, so we've gotten to know the owner and staff pretty well.  They are some of the nicest people, ever, and if you live in the Chicago area and are looking for a place to board, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. 

Indiana is very much a creature of habit, so we've of course developed a habit when we visit Pawsitively Heaven.  (Until recently, we visited there twice a week for over three years)  When we arrive, Indiana has to go to the front desk and visit her friend Julie, who luckily almost always works the days that we go.  Julie is Indy's best friend there, and she generously feeds Indiana loads of treats.  She's such a sweetheart that she even feeds Indiana according to the "rules," i.e. treats broken into small pieces.  She knows Indiana's affinity for butt scratches and never hesitates to share Indiana's cancer successes with visiting clients. 

Indiana loves to hang out behind the front desk.  We always go a little early to our appointment so she can hang out with Julie for a while, and then, after her massage, she likes to spend time with Julie before we go too.  I enjoy this time as well, not only because Indiana is happy, but because the staff treats her like a queen, and she always catches the attention of incoming clients.  People always ask about her, and I get to talk about how amazing she is.  I swell with pride.  I think my girl is really special, but I love it when others see it too.

So this past Saturday, we had an appointment for Reiki, but we also had signed Indy up for Easter pictures!  Julie was really awesome to squeeze Indiana in before her appointment, and when Indy walked into the picture room, everyone paid lots of attention to her.  She laid down on the paper background and went to town.  She's really photogenic and really well behaved, so it was a quick, easy process for all involved.  I was dying to have a picture taken of her with a bunny ears or flower headband, but she hates wearing clothes of any kind, so I wasn't sure how that would go over.  I won't spoil the surprise, but let's just say that she totally let us put on a headband and the picture is adorable OMG. 

When Indiana's photo session was over, the photographer's assistant and her daughter were laying on the floor next to Indiana, just petting her.  She has that affect on people; you just want to be near her.  She's really something special.  She gives off a very unique energy, a sense of calm and love, and just, well, amazingness.  I'm proud of her every single day.

Happy 100th Post!

Today marks my 100th blog post!  Yay!  Also, I have been blogging every weekday for three whole months now, which has surpassed the original goal I set for myself.  So, yay again!

To celebrate this big occasion, I went back into my photo vault and picked some old favorite photos of mine which I don't think have been on my blog before.  I hope you enjoy them!  Thanks for reading what I have to say, and for caring about me and my family!



Silly girl with a bowl on her head -- this picture was totally not a set-up

Indiana and Dr. Bear, given to her by Marilu.  Dr. Bear has been with us through some tough times, so he's kind of our good-luck charm now!

Me and Indy in her agility tunnel.  Yes, we put it up inside.  And yes, she loves it.

I don't remember the name of this toy--it's probably something clever like, "Mr. fuzzy pink lamb," but Indy looks super cute resting her head on him. 

Indy and Isis helping us build the basement pool.

A fun day at Allerton Park in Monticello, Illinois.  Not the best picture of Isis and I, but holy crap, Indy looks gorgeous!

Indiana looking beautiful at her 2nd Annual re-birthday party!

And finally, one of my favorites!  Gus has always loved Indiana more than he loves anyone else in the world!  Look how innocent and tiny and non-finger-bitey he looks in this picture!

I'm a Bad Mom

April Fool!  That's actually a cat, not a plant!  Fooled ya!

Isis had to go to the vet today.  She has a growth on her gums, which, as it turns out, is just a fleshy swelling, common in older dogs (but most commonly seen in Boxers).  The only potential problem is that it might overgrow the tooth, at which point she could chew on the growth, causing it to bleed.  So, for now we're keeping an eye on it.  It might stop growing.  It might shrink.  We also might have it removed...

...because Isis' teeth are full of plaque.  And she's fat.  So I feel really guilty.  I can make a million excuses about why I don't brush her teeth more often or make sure she gets more exercise.  But the truth of the matter is, I get so focused on Indiana sometimes, because she is so high maintenance, and I neglect Isis.  I don't mean neglect as in "I don't meet her basic needs," because I meet her basic needs and then some.  But I don't focus on some of things of lesser importance (though still important), like dental hygiene and regular exercise.  I certainly don't love Isis any less than I do Indiana, but I suppose a person can only focus on so many things at once, and when Indiana has so many things of life-and-death importance to focus on, that leaves less room for "incidentals."  I feel really bad about that.  Isis has so few needs and demands.  I love her to bits.  And I feel like I've let her down. 

Pending blood test results, we may opt for dental surgery to clean her teeth and remove the gum growth.  That would give her (well, really me) a clean start, so to speak, where I could clean her teeth as often as I really should, so this never happens again.  And we've already started exercising her more, but now we know how often we should do it and for how long.  She's also starting a diet, and we've got a firm daily calorie amount to follow every day, which will be easy for us to do. 

So even though I know we can, and will, do this for Isis, I still feel really guilty.  I want to have given her more before now.  I hate that she often comes second to Indiana.  So sweet, so understanding, so undemanding.  She deserves better.  And I vow to do better by her.