1 September 2010

Howdy

A number of things have happened recently.

Sparky, our little dog, died. He was a dump dog that we found a few miles from our old house. We and some neighbors fed him and another dog, because we felt sorry for them. Sparky was always smiling and friendly. One day he was not there. Mark went to look for him and found him sick, weak, and probably dying. We took him home and following the vet's plan nursed him back to health. It took a long time, but he finally recovered and lived a happy life for us an him for over 5 years (6?).

He got sick again about 2 months ago. The vet found a loud heart murmur and probably cancer. He swelled up like a balloon. We even discussed having the vet put him down, because Sparky was so miserable. He basically didn't eat; he just laid around trying to breathe. Anna suggested counsel from the vet, which was good advice. Our vet suggested Lasix and enalapril. The Lasix really sucked the edema out of his body. So much so that he was starting to eat and move around more. He actually looked good, like his old self, except being thin.

One morning when I got up (about 4AM). I was looking out for him, not wanting to step on him. Since he was black, he was hard to see at night. I saw him and said, "Good puppy; how are you?" Normally he would thump his tail at that, but this time he did nothing. I though, "This is not good." Reaching down I felt him. He was warm, but he had no heart beat, nor respirations. He must have just died, because he was warm and flexible. Josh buried him down at the creek. He was a good puppy to have around.

It is finally raining. Most of July and August was dry and hot. I didn't even plant a fall garden, because the dirt was so dry. What would be the use; they would all dry up and die. As of this writing we have almost 4.5 inches. Thank you Lord Jesus for having mercy on us and our neighbors.

Anna keeps working our her wedding plans. She had a shower the other day, but she had no idea. She thought it was a tea party, until she arrived.

Coccidiosis has been killing our chickens. We have lost close to 10 of them--all hens. We have been using tetracycline to help fight the infection. Even though they can run around in the pasture (fenced), they do not. Maybe the cooler weather and rain will encourage them.