Doggie sedative?

My friend came over last night and I was really worried about how the dogs would do. I haven't had company since Lolly came to live with me. My worries were completely displaced when my friends showed up and the dogs were amazing! Lolly was on her absolute best behavior and Wolfey used his usual coping mechanism of destroying a toy but didn't bother us. I was so happy with how the evening went and thought maybe Lolly was finally settling in...until my company left and the proverbial doo doo hit the fan. Wolfey completely relaxed and zonked out on the bedroom floor and Lolly went crazy. She was in my face, standing on my chest, freaking out with her need for attention. She had me up three tines during the night, despite having stayed up until around 2:00. It makes me wonder if my friend had some sort of sedative affect on her, but whatever it was, I wish it would happen more often!

Dear Neighbor,

Seeing as how your dog is an inside dog and rarely comes out unless you are outside with her, could you please keep her dog food inside? I am aware that it stinks and can sympathize with the fact that you do not want it in your home, but it is for that same reason that I do not want my dogs to have access to that swill. It's no wonder Wolfey has gained weight recently! I feed my dogs a healthy, wholesome diet and it displeases me greatly when they drag your dog's stinky junk food into my clean home. I would be equally satisfied with your mending your fence such that my far from small forty pound dog isn't able to walk through the holes and into your yard, therefore gaining access to your dog's stench. It is quite frustrating when I drag my dogs out of your yard, shut the gate behind me and turn around to find that they have walked right back in through the hole next to the gate. I am aware that I could keep my dogs on a leash at all times, but considering that this has never been an issue before and there are dogs running all over our neighborhood, I do not think it fair to punish my dogs for your laziness.
Sincerely,
Karen

My boy

As you may have noticed, it's all about Lolly lately.  It's not intentional on my part; Wolfey is so well behaved and easy going, it makes him easy to overlook but Lolly is very much and in your face kind of dog.  She would never let you ignore her!  Wolfey is really good about letting Lolly have her one-on-one time with me, but when it's his turn, she infallibly jumps in, forcing me to pet her, too.  I find myself saying, "two hands, two doggies.  You do the math."  I think Wolfey gets it - I swear that boy speaks English!  But Lolly is clueless.  I'm pretty sure her thought process is something like, "you're home, therefore you should be paying attention to me."  The other night I was talking to Mom about this and she offered for Wolfey to spend some time at her house, just so he'd get some one-on-one, even if it wasn't with me, but I just feel so guilty shipping him off so I can give Lolly the attention she needs.  I'd almost rather send Lolly away for a day and give Wolfey some special time, but I know that Lolly just needs to have the chance to bond before she can settle down and settle in.  Sometimes she irritates the bejeezus out of me with her clingyness but I'm trying to take a step back and remember how my foster kids where.  At least I could tell them why they'd moved and they got to visit their moms.  Poor Lolly was just uprooted AGAIN and no one can explain it to her.  It's so weird for me, because Wolfey knew he was home from day one; I got him from a shelter and he knew I had saved him.  But Lolly was in a safe, comfortable, loving home and I just took her away.  I do wonder if seeing her foster mommy would help, or if that would just confuse her more.  Either way, I've got to find a way to give Wolfey more attention before he starts thinking I'm playing favorites!

My inspiration

Originally, BBS agreed to help with Uncle J when our grandpa was in poor health, but when Grandpa passed away, BBS jumped in with both feet, going to visit Uncle J six days a week, taking him home cooked meals, cleaning his home, taking him out in the community (he doesn't drive or have any friends to take him out), taking him to (and being responsible for him at) all our family functions, inviting him into her home for holidays and her kids' birthday parties and generally being awesome company for him when not many other people go to visit him.  Our family pitches in (one cousin went once a week for about a year, I did it once a week for several months, Dad does a lot of Uncle J's maintenance work on his house, etc.) but no one has been as dedicated as BBS.  Schmo was very little when BBS started caring for Uncle J and probably doesn't remember a time when Uncle J was not a huge part of their life and Doll Baby and Princess have never known anything different.  A lot has happened lately and BBS must be having a rough time coping, but she's such an amazingly strong woman and has just kept on keeping on.  This is our email exchange with her update on the situation.

From: Karen

To: BBS

Subject: Re: Update on Uncle J

You're amazing :)  I love that you remember to update everyone and keep everything so positive.  I just want you to know how proud I am of you for sticking with him for all these years and continuing to be his biggest advocate and most loving visitor.  I'm so lucky to call you my big sister!

---

From: BBS
To: (our entire family)
Sent: Wednesday, September 5, 2012 2:55 PM
Subject: Update on Uncle J

Hi, Family!

 

I wanted to contact you all to let you know what I know about Uncle J.  He is currently living at (name) Nursing Home off of (name) Rd. in (name). (not far from [name])  He has been there since August 15th when he was moved from (name) Hospital (he was there for 3 days).  He was taken to the hospital for general complaints of not feeling well, not wanting to eat, constantly rubbing his head, neck, and stomach.  Many tests were run at the hospital and the general conclusion was that he must have had a stroke at some point in the past few months.  Aunt S and I think it was around the time of his "first" fall in March.  He has been receiving Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech Therapy daily at (nursing home).  Yesterday, he was moved to a "permanent" room.  The room is # and it is on the # floor.  I'm sure he would appreciate any time you can spare to go and visit.  I visit on (day) and Aunt S is there quite often, but new faces are always nice.  As of now, he is continuing therapy.  I know that will end whenever there is determined to be no progress, but for now those appointments tend to be early in the day and over by about (time).  You can always call ahead to check his schedule or go to therapy with him if he is there when you visit.  They welcome visitors in the therapy rooms.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

 

Love,

(BBS)

Paw problems

Lolly has the roughest paws of any dog I've ever known.  I know dogs paws need to be a little rough for traction, but this is far beyond what is necessary.  She doesn't mean to, but she really hurts me when she jumps up or steps on me.  In fact, my chest is all scratched up from her trying to snuggle and scraping her paws on me.  This morning I didn't even realize how bad she'd gotten my arm until I got in the shower and it burned from the soap - I have quite a red patch!  As with any skin irritation, fish oil was my first line of defense, but it just wasn't enough.  I asked her foster mom if she had tried anything and she gave me some paw balm from GNC that has helped, but it's still not enough.  I've done my research and determined that Bag Balm is going to be my next thing to try.  Wish me luck, and I'll post an update soon!

DCS should put me on their payroll.

I just spent nearly an hour and a half on the phone with my daughter's sister's dad's uncle's wife. Also known as the sister's foster mom. Such a weird situation, and just one more reason I'm not fostering right now - because as much as I love my girl and want to do everything I can to help her, it should NOT be my responsibility to make sure the other kids' foster parents are kept up to date on the case. People who work for DCS are called caseworkers. Think maybe it's their job to keep people informed, and, you know, work on the case? Still, as frustrating as it is, I know that I'm incredibly lucky to have such a great relationship with the other foster parents and workers in her case to be able to help my girl as much as possible.

Clothes. Everywhere.

I've mentioned before that Wolfey likes to take my pajamas out to the living room when I'm gone.  I've kind of gotten used to having to go on a scavenger hunt before I can change out of my work clothes.  Yesterday, though, I came home to find my pajamas, two pairs of capris, three slippers and a partridge in a pear tree, all on the living room couch!  Okay, I may be stretching it with the bird and the tree, but seriously, just how many pieces of clothing do the dogs need to snuggle with?  I mentioned it to Mom this morning and she suggested that maybe Lolly thought Wolfey was doing me some laundry service and was just trying to help.  This would be funny, if it I hadn't just come out of the bathroom to see her (the dog, not my mom) standing there with my pants hanging out of her mouth!