A shot of Whiskey.....

Whiskey and I have both been recuperating over the last few weeks. He from his surgery and I from a seemingly never ending battle with the flu. Must say for a while there he was doing much better n me. But enough about me.

Many have been asking, How's that three legged dog doing? Well I thought a picture might help show his condition. It's not bad as it looks.. just a bad haircut. That's filling in pretty well too.

Aside from a routine dose of peanut butter and pain pills, his life is pretty well back to normal. Still has an occasional pain yelp. But other than that he's doing all his usual stuff. Likes playin in the new snow and then layin around the house napping.

He's a pretty independent guy and enjoys his crate for privacy. Yet every night when I turn in, he'll come up and lay next to my bed. He stays there till he's sure everythings Ok or my snoring drives away. I'm not sure yet which.

Another Update...

It's been two weeks and we went back to Pahle Clinic to have the sutures removed. It appears he has a good memory. Soon as we got into the clinic he headed for the door to leave. Guess he really prefer not to see those people. ;)
His hair is growing back just fine. But the surgical scar is something you would prefer not to be lookin at. I asked the technician if it should be bandaged. She said it wasn't required but if I wanted to cover it she suggested a T shirt. Ever try to put a T shirt on a 85 lb dog? 'Specially a three legged one? It's an experience to say the least. He looks kinda cool layin around in a Harley T shirt!

We're still being cautious but......

Things seem to be getting better for my buddy. Today while my "cleaning lady / comedian" was washing windows in the bedroom and I was computering in the office, I had a sensation of someone being behind me. I turned to find Whiskey settling down in the office. I was pretty sure it wasn't Sherry ( the afore mentioned cleaning / comic ) cause she makes more noise. Turns out he got bored being downstairs all alone and decided to join us. Why is that special? Cause it's the first time he climbed a flight of stairs on his own. Also, it's behavior he would routinely do before the surgery. A sign he's feeling better. YEA!!

If a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

One Week later...

Folks have been asking about Whiskey. It's been a week since his surgery and although I've never been through this before I think he's doing about as expected. The first day or so he was home, He was really active. Following me around, getting out of his crate to eat and potty stops. Really all too active.

He started to complain whenever he had to move. If you've ever heard a Husky complain you never forget it. It's kinda of a whine and a whimper that eventually grows into a WOOO AWOOO WOOO moaning howl.
VERY un-nerving.

This had me catering to his every need. Bring him his meds. Bring him is food. Bring him his treats. I drew the line at potty stops. He HAS to do those for himself. This quieted him down to the point that he slept all day. (Had to check to see if he was breathing every so often). When he did have to get up ( for those mandatory potty stops) he began to complain about getting up. I knew I'd pampered him too much.

Now we're at a new stage of treatment. He 's required to do more for himself and not over do it. All in all we're both learning. He still likes to go out. Not for long walks, just the yard. Moderation is the answer. I think he's doing pretty well considering the time after Major surgery.

Whiskey Update:

Just a note on Whiskey:
He's decided he likes his crate for the night.
Is taking meds ..... as long as they are in a small peanut butter sandwich.
...Mostly sleeps ( what else has he got to do ) but does go out to go potty.
Still doesn't know it's beggin strips.
Things are getting back to normal?

Whiskey Update:

Took Whiskey to Wisconsin Vet Referral clinic yesterday at 9:00am.
These folks made room on their schedule and got him into to surgery late morning.
He is doing well. He spent most of last night and today recovering.
They called and said he refused to try to stand. Just rolled like an alligator.
I got there at 3:30pm, when he saw me he got up and was ready to go home.
He seems to be adjusting to 3 legs although he gets tired.
Keeping him on a regular schedule of pain and antibiotic meds.
He seems to be happy to be home. I know It's good to have him here.
Keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Whiskey ‘s news:

After months of tests etc "Whiskey" went in for surgery Friday.

To remove his cancerous growth and left front leg with it.

I decided he has to have every chance.

If I didn't do everything I could, I couldn't live with myself.

Keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Thoughts of Yellowstone

Boerner Botanical Gardens

I signed up for this Portrait workshop run by Art's cameras. Great Idea..Right!

Never occurred to me that it was going to be at the Gardens, and that there would be bugs or that it would be "HUMID" (like 86%). Whew!!
Then I find out I need a model too.
AND I realize I'll be shooting without Whiskey. ( My dog )
The whole thing started lookin more and more like a bad idea!

Fortunately for me, I met Lisa.
We partnered up for the shoot and she brought two great kids as our models.
(Click on photo to enlarge)


Turns out in spite of all my concerns.. I had a great time!
Since my prior efforts have all been in Nature or Landscape photography this was a learning experience for me.

PS: This moth the kids are on will give you an example of the size of the bugs.

If you want to see more of these kids and my attempts a portrait work, Click on
Art's Portrait Class.

Well it's been bout 2 months since the last post. The good news is that we've found cure for the malady that was plaguing Whiskey. After a few more visits to the Vet it was decided that a biopsy was needed. If you think that sounds expensive, you're right. But wasn't much other choice.
While the lab was working on his tests, I found a group on Facebook called "Tails of the Tundra Siberian Husky Rescue". Just so happens a post on their page referred to sore just like Whiskey's.
The cure seemed to be a Zinc supplement. I mentioned this to the vet and a few days later the lab came to the same conclusion. Best part this stuff is available via the internet and it comes in powder and treats. Been about a month now and he's lookin as good as ever.

A "Whiskey" - tini???

A friend of mine sent me a picture of her little Chichuahua with a vet's protective collar on. She asked If I'd ever heard of a Dog-tini.

Wouldn't ya know it, shortly after, Whiskey had to have some tests done and they took skin samples. So he had to have a collar to protect that area.
Let me tell you he looks happier here than he ever was wearin that thing.

Two days into it and I left him alone while I met friends for adult beverages. When I came home he was trappped in the half bath. Apparently, he went to lay down in there as he sometimes does. When he tried to leave the collar caught on the door and closed it in front of him.

He was NOT happy!! He was all wet, toilet water I suppose. and not the kind that smells good. He was a mess, the room was a mess and the collar was 'most destroyed. Yet the damned thing was still half hangin round his neck. I have never seen a look on a dog that said he was happy to see me, while at the same time sayin where the hell have you been!!

I freed him from the room and then the collar. He ran straight for his water bowl. Guess you can't even drink from the toilet with that thing on. Then he ran round the room rubbin his head on the floor. Musta felt better. It's been a few days now of extra treats and walks, but I still get that "pissed off" look from him every now and then.

I woke from a terrible dream.....

You sure you got the correct Aperture??