I promised my brother I would stay.
This is my first memory of struggling against depression.
This is hanging outside of the Westwood Church preschool room. I love it so much. I have several suspects, but truly any one of the amazing preschool teachers at Westwood could have put it up.
Amanda and Abby have been trying to teach me how to do winged eyeliner...cat eyes. I don't get it. But they do it beautifully, and it looks so pretty on them.
This Beagle is AS beautiful as my daughters. (That is saying something!) He appears to have had the cat eye look down since birth! Beagle, you are such a trendsetter!
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Post from one year ago today...
August 10, 2016
ABBY AND ALLY AND MAX AND MILKSHAKE
We asked Russ exactly what he wanted for Father's Day.
"Time with my family."
Nope. I mean, yep, but wrong answer.
"Anything is fine."
Nope.
"A grill."
Nope, but closer.
"This grill."
Better.
"This grill that I just now sent a picture of to Abby and also a picture of the model number. Also it is at Menard's."
Perfect!
Abby and I drove Park (pre-smashed days) to Menard's and loaded the grill onto the cart (with help), bought it and ran it to the car. We tried for a long time, but apparently, as awesome as Park the Car is, he cannot be used to bring something home that is bigger than his available space.
We wheeled the grill back in and asked if we could leave it inside while we got the truck. I figured people must do that all time, but the nice woman who helped us was stumped for a bit.
"Yes, of course," she finally said.
So we drove Park home and got Little Red (Russ wouldn't name him! So his name is Little Red.) and brought the grill home.
It was too big to wrap, and we weren't quite sure how to put it together, so on Father's Day, Russ looked under the table and was (acted) surprised.
Then he put it together and made us steaks and potatoes.
We are so good at giving gifts!
Russ, Amanda and Abby at the 21 Pilots concert in Lincoln last summer
Finch, you are an awesome Dad, and we love you so much.
Russ and Amanda and Abby at a Banfield conference in Portland in 2009
Russ and Abby and Amanda and Ebony at ConAgra Park in 2009
We were driving home from our friends' house in Council Bluffs the other day. Traffic was slow over the bridge to Omaha because one lane was closed for construction.
Joy and Luna were in the car with Russ and me. Amanda and Abby were not with us - they were babysitting their cousins.
We were the first car of a kinda smashy pile-up. The car behind us hit us, and the car behind them hit them. No one was badly hurt, thank goodness, and the dogs thought it was a fun adventure. The Council Bluffs police officers kept going between the cars and checking to make sure everyone, including the dogs, was doing okay.
We don't know for sure if we get to keep Park, but I hope so. I was so relieved we were all okay and that the girls were not with us.
We were tempted to curl up on the couch and stay in, but we had already planned to go hear our brother in law play in a band, so we went. I was so glad we did. It was the opposite of the crash (yes, that good!) We had sangria (people) and ice (dogs), and all was well.
Dog was in for his wellness care. When I finished writing his record and came into the treatment room to see if the team needed help with his heartworm test (They did not. They are so awesome.) they all yelled, "Finch, take a picture!" So I took a picture of their beautiful selves drawing blood from Dog for a heartworm test.
"Not of us," they said. They showed me Dog's tag...
Oh no! Caught me out lookin for bitches. Call Dad.
Dog's Mom, who had brought him was pretty soft spoken, and just smiled when they told her how much they loved Dog's tag.
We've checked every dog tag since, but they've all just had names and phone numbers. *sigh*
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Post from one year ago today...
August 7, 2016
Taysia Blue Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute Rescue - one of my favorite groups in the world - recently rescued these three adorable babies! They rarely get pups in - usually it is big gorgeous artic dogs, which I also love, but how cute are these guys?
Dewey (front, red), Huey (middle, white) and Louie (back, tri)
Their names are Huey, Dewey and Louie.
This picture is from Day 2 after being rescued. They were six weeks old. They were malnourished and dehydrated. Two had seizures and one could only walk backwards. Thank goodness benign neglect worked so well - I could deal with baby seizures, but the walking backwards truly stumped me! They all figured out their puppy lives, and are happy and healthy today.
They have all three been adopted, but if you are looking for a Husky or Malamute, this is the group of awesomes you need to talk to!
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Post from one year ago today...
August 3, 2016
This is a temporary tattoo from Amanda. I loved it more than I thought I would. I am still deciding on a real tattoo. I would need to wear long sleeves because we cannot have visible tattoos at work, but I would not mind that.
Artwork by Bill Presing
This is a flower out of Pam's garden. It is an alum. It is so pretty!
Always bring an umbrella.
Our cousin Bailey Everingham has been staying with us some this summer. We love her so much! I've always loved Bailey - and her family, but lately I have been more obsessed than normal with Doodles. It was fun to have one in the house! She is so sweet.
Bailey was a good sport about having her hair done by Abby.
Hanging out in the family room
Abby and Bailey, wake up! It is time to go to bed! zzz
Just no.
Guest Post from Laura Kenyon with pictures of her beautiful dog Lola!
Thank you Laura! This is such an important message! And your dog is GORGEOUS!
People think you have to go to a breeder if you seek an unusual breed. My Standard Xoloitzcuintli adopted from the Nebraska Humane Society would argue with that. We'd be happy to come visit you if you've never met a fifty five Mexican Hairless Dog! She isn't great with strangers, but, she warms up!
This is Lola, aka: Lolita-PITA the love of my life and Pain In My Ass!!
And she is my velcro dog...
Remember, if you want a specific breed, they ALL come through the shelters. Be patient. Don't support breeders out of impatience! Or, only support a breeder that will allow you to see the parents and living situation. Breed-specific rescues will help with transport. Even if they don't, it's cheaper than buying a pup from a crappy store that gets their pups from mills!!!!!!!!!
Adopt. Don't Shop!!!
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Post from one year ago today...
This is Max Dog. He is my favorite patient in the whole world (in a several way tie with your pets). I love him so much. Max's Mom adopted him from Nebraska Humane Society one year ago this month.
Yay Max! Can you think of anything better than a peanut butter bacon cupcake??
It is hard not knowing your rescue pup's actual birthday, so Kelly and Max's Mom picked a day and decided he was exactly an age. Don't you think that day should be celebrated with cupcakes too? Many things should.
Max's family and his vet team have worked hard over this past year to figure out his allergies, and we are almost there. No more itching soon Good Boy!
Max gets a tiny bit nervous with storms and fireworks and vet visits, but Mom has that about figured out too. Good job Mom! This month is not even that scary now.
When Max is in for vet visits, he hides under Mom's chair, and we all agree to say we cannot see him. When he was last in, he got tired of us talking about his medical issues...and okay maybe a few other things...and maybe we were taking a while. He rested his cute little moos-tache on the bar of the chair he was under and watched us talk until it was time to go home. That was about the cutest thing! I mean, I bet it was. I could not see him...under the chair.
Max Dog you are the best. Here's to years and years of birthdays and adoptiversaries and all the days in between. We all love you Good Boy.
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Post from one year ago today...
July 19, 2016
When Lucy the Scottie was a tiny baby dog, growing as best her little baby dog self would let her, and jumping and nipping to say she loved you, she got into my heart, as Scotties do, and has been there ever since. Well, mostly she's been with her Mom and Dad and then with her Mom and Dad and two little girls.
Lucy Then
Here is a link to the note I wrote Lucy and posted on my blog site before Finch DVM, Riley and James...
Note to Lucy, But You Can Read It Too
That was in 2008.
Lucy Puppy with Mom
She was back to see me again after all these years you guys!
Lucy Now
She is as cute as she ever was. I was so happy to see her and her Mom. I almost cried to think that we were beginning arthritis treatment, but truly, that is so manageable, and I hope to know Lucy for several more years.
Thank you guys for bringing her back to see me again! You made my day. Tell Lucy I said "woof." <3
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Post from one year ago today...
July 18, 2016
Tuxie is a domestic shorthaired cat. His family is my cousin Rob and his husband Mike. I hope to meet Tuxie soon! How gorgeous is he??
From Rob, "Here's Tuxie, our cat that thinks he's a dog. He learned to wag his tail like a dog by watching the neighbors pets."
Guest Post by Donna Kay...
What Life with Two Big Fluffy Dogs Has Taught Me
1. Couches belong to the dogs.
2. Muddy paw prints will happen, and that's okay.
3. Dog hair is the best accessory.
4. Give up the dream of wearing black slacks.
5. Long walks/drags are the best way to relax.
6. Amazon sells a special cleaner that removes slobber from television screens.
7. And ceilings.
8. And cats.
9. "New stuffed toy" is just code for "new monster that must be killed and suffer by having guts strewn across the house."
10. Sharing is a foreign concept, so buy two of everything.
11. Naps are an essential part of every day.
12. If someone looks upset, go sit next to them and lick a smile onto their face.
13. Invest in a high top dining room table, or be okay with sharing all meals.
14. Don't bark too long at the people who love you.
This is one of my favorite dogs, Sandestin LaBroad. Jordan LaBroad is a good friend.
Sandestin was not feeling well, just not her usual happy, high energy self. We started supportive care, and Dr. Krapfl scheduled a cardiac ultrasound for her.
Jordan was trying to get home from Manhattan Kansas, and I was trying to keep her up to the minute on how Sandy was doing without falling apart.
Sandy's tail beat wildly every time someone stopped to pet her or talk to her. As tired as she was, she seemed to love this day so much.
Dr. Krapfl found the reason for Sandy's energy drop, and it was amazing she was doing as well as she was. It was not good news.
I sat down with Sandy and pet her for an hour. I felt so helpless.
I left town, and Jordan made it back to her baby. All of the LaBroad family was there to say goodbye with the vet team.
She was a great dog. There is no ideal way to go. I felt awful that Jordan had to rush home. I felt awful that I left town. I felt awful that Mr. LaBroad was so astute he noticed a mild energy drop and yet did not get to have good news.
In the end though, Sandy had a wonderful, long life with a wonderful family, and her tail was wagging till the very end. I doubt she would change a thing. We - as a vet team and a family - will always take on all of the sadness we can to protect our animal friends.
Would do again. We love you Sandy Girl.
Mom and Dad Nelson's Poodles are one year old today! Happy Birthday Oscar and Felix!
I asked Abby to make them birthday hats, and she did THIS. How cute are these tiny Poodle party hats?? I love them!
Birthday Boy Oscar
Birthday Boy Felix
Don't you think they should each get a tiny slice of a tiny Nothing Bundt Cake? Non-chocolate of course!
You boys are the best puppies, and we love you!
Hats off! It's time to play!
