What a day! The pups have been pretty sick for the past few days with very liquidy diarrhea. I took them to Dr. Adam for their shots and to get them some vet care. He gave them some antibiotics/stool hardener combo. Their car ride back home seemed torturous for the pups. They were lethargic and whiny. Poor babies. Right now they are resting on the porch. Every now and again, one of them wakes up to drink water, use the newspapers, or eat some puppy chow. I hope they'll be back to their playful puppy selves soon enough.
My dog of 12 years, Lassie, was diagnosed with
hemangiosarcoma today. We've had him a very long time and he has lived a good life with us. He will spend his remaining days (hopefully, years) at his home in Uniondale. I guess I've always had a thing for strays. I found Lassie walking around my neighborhood my senior year in high school. I don't remember the specifics, but we returned him to his owner only to have him end up at the pound in Wantagh, NY. I recall Mom and I rushing to the pound to save him from being put to sleep. I had to put on some crocodile tears, but it worked and he came home with us. Lassie is an amazing dog! I hope to spend time with him when I return to the US.
Mom and I went to see Uncle Sunny, my grandfather's brother. He's 84 and still has the mind of a young man. I'm going to visit him more. The two times that I have gone to see him, I really enjoyed his company.
Marlsie and I are going to take it easy this evening since the rain hasn't stopped all day!
Check out Uncle Sunny's beautiful wife, Aunt Alma, who passed last year. Halle Berry, watch out!
Uncle Sunny was a looker too!
Me and Uncle Sunny
"You wanna get up here? That'll be five bones." -Sparky
Sparky and Zara getting along!
There's really nothing like watching a puppy grow up. I remember just a month ago when Nita, Gita, and Zara couldn't even climb the stairs. Now they look like they're on little pogo stick, bouncing up and down with excitement. Gita is still the only climber so far. It's hilarious watching her try to get into the house. She a persistent little one. Zarabear thought she was stunt woman and jumped off side of a high step. She landed on her side and started to whimper. Within a few seconds of picking her up, she was licking my face, a sign that she was okay. And then there's Nita, the whiner. Boy, can she whine! It's a cute whine, I must say. 
Gita is a climber! What is it with strays and climbing? Sweetie was also a climber. The wire mesh that Mom and I bought to keep them out is actually a stimulus to bring them in! Funny little puppers.
What a day! The pups have been pretty sick for the past few days with very liquidy diarrhea. I took them to Dr. Adam for their shots and to get them some vet care. He gave them some antibiotics/stool hardener combo. Their car ride back home seemed torturous for the pups. They were lethargic and whiny. Poor babies. Right now they are resting on the porch. Every now and again, one of them wakes up to drink water, use the newspapers, or eat some puppy chow. I hope they'll be back to their playful puppy selves soon enough.
I got right back up on my soapbox today to an audience of one. A freelance journalist sent me an email after a friend forwarded the stray dog questionnaire to her. She came to Santa Cruz for an informal interview at the house. I showed her my data and preached about my issues with the stray dog situation in T&T. She listened and took some photos for a story she's writing about the strays. She said she'd be done by Thursday!
Project Puppy Pick-up was a success. I loaded nine puppies into my pet crate at around 10 this morning. To make up for the expected 11 puppies, I even took 4 adorable kittens that were dropped off! The pups came from 3 different litters and some were born in Waterloo to mothers who seldom nurse them or who are so skinny to nurse them properly.
I never thought this day would come. There is running water at the house again! Hallelujah! I worked from home today. I was feeling a little under the weather. my sore throat turned into a cold and I spent the day responding to people who emailed me questionnaires, working on my Waterloo report, and napping. This cold better go away soon 'cause Mommy's coming in less than two days!
Ahh, technology. The internet has made my life (and work) so much easier. My online petition is picking up some steam. I'm currently at 89 signatures, mostly from international signers. And because I get the email contacts for signers, I am able to send Trinidadians my stray dog questionnaire to fill out. I have gotten 21 questionnaires filled out today without having to leave the house! That's double what I got done yesterday from interviewing people in San Fernando and Waterloo.
