Peaches isn't reading the daily paper, but she loves to sit on it when we're trying to read. The latest news is that Peaches has been with us five years now.  Her Gotcha! Day was December 28. I bought her some special treats at the Pet Department Store.  I remember meeting a fearful little basset that day after Christmas in 2006 and how she crab-walked into the get-acquainted room, came straight to me, huddled close and sat on my foot.  I understood that I had been claimed and I was hers and she was mine from that day forward.  She would continue to do the crab walk for a long time after our first meeting when she was in any new situation or saw anything larger than she was, like street lamps, for instance.  


Since I was told she was 3 1/2 when I adopted her at the SSPCA (she was transferred from her and Beau's Alma Mutter in Stockton), that means she is now 8 1/2.  My beautiful little girl has a frosting of snowy white on her muzzle now.  How unfairly fast the time passes when you're a dog.  

Gracie has spent Christmas at the City Shelter, poor girl.  She's the last dog on page two of the list.  Her profile says she is a Beagle/Basset mix, but she looks mostly Basset Hound to me.  Can anyone give her a forever home?  What a pretty dog she is.  Request ID# A387956

          




       MERRY CHRISTMUTTS TO ALL!

A happy Christmas morning with Peaches and Beau.  What greater gift is there than this?  Peaches couldn't wait to get rid of that silly Santa hat.

Each dog I've had has a special ornament I display on the Christmas tree each year.  One of the most special ones I hang on the topmost branches in a place of honor is a little gold one of a beautiful little golden dog I once loved so dearly, and still do.  Her name was Dolly, and I have written of her often.  She always took great interest in the holiday tree, as though we had dragged a live tree into our living room just for her to appreciate (not to pee on, as Beau might think--I'm happy to say that hasn't happened, yet).  I think you can see from this photo that she really did.  Especially when Mrs. Santa hid special dog treats among the branches.

I had a fun time tonight at the Sacramento Connect holiday party, hosted at The Fox & Goose Pub.  As a writer who doesn't get out that much to socialize with others who also write, what a breath of fresh air this evening was.  I got to talk to lots of interesting people and Bee staff and a few pet lovers. Sadly, I didn't get to finish my interesting conversation with the other basset owner there.  We're a rare breed.


The fare was great!  Especially the sausage rolls.  My English mum-in-law used to make them around the holidays, and these tasted just like hers.  To die for!  Lisa very nicely ordered another round of those for the group, hot and fresh from the F&G kitchen.


After the party, my friend, Jennifer, and I adjourned to the other part of the pub where a band was playing some bluegrass music.  My former guitar teacher from the Fifth String, Steve Mclean was one of the performers in the group.  Good company, good food, a little libation, and some lively music.  What could be better at the holidays, or any time for that matter?

Another famous Fido foodie named Flash, my mom's beloved Schnauzer.

He was famous for sampling whatever was on the dining table.

Further lab work on Beau showed that his overall thyroid level was low, but his T3 was normal, so the doc said that though he is headed toward hypothyroidism, no medication is necessary at this time.  So we will have to watch his diet a bit closer and try to get some of that weight off him.  It never hurts in maintaining good health, for dogs or people.

I had a follow-up call from Beau's veterinarian.  Looks like he is hypothyroid, which may account for the heart murmur she noticed during his last exam and his weight gain.  I'm glad to know it isn't our fault.  I just couldn't figure out how he could gain so much in a year if we haven't changed his diet.  The lab is doing a T3 & T4 test to determine the level of medication he'll need.  I'm so relieved that it's something easily treatable and doesn't mean his life will be shortened.   I want as much time with my wonderful boy as I can get.


Guess he doesn't have to give up licking out dregs from the Skippy jar after all.

  


And not to leave out the ladylike Miss Peaches...

Stumped for gift ideas?  Instead of putting more stuff under the tree this year, use your money where it can do some good for animals in need.  If you think people are suffering in this miserable economy, it's even worse for the animals.  Make a donation to RED ROVER (formerly United Animal Nations).

I took Beau to his yearly checkup this morning.  His vet said he has a heart murmur.  I don't know if this is something he was born with or something that has developed from some underlying cause.  I've lived my entire life with a heart murmur with no problems thus far.  Many people and animals do. We were referred to a cardiologist to determine if the murmur is anything we need to worry about, but from what I've read about heart murmurs, it says that the examining vet should be able to determine the severity of the murmur before having to do further tests.  She didn't give me a level for the murmur and Beau is asymptomatic--no cough, weakness, panting or the like--so I'm wondering how serious (or not) this problem may be.  She said it's not urgent and could wait until after the holidays, which indicates it is not that serious.  But it has me worried, nevertheless.  I doubt if I'll wait that long.  I cried on the way home and could think of nothing else the rest of the day. Beau is the sweetest boy ever and has such a good and loving heart, it should be a perfect one.  I pray that my time with this wonderful dog I rescued will not be cut short.  I already missed five years of his life.