They left us

Howdy blogaroos. Squirmy here today at a sad household. Sue and Keith departed yesterday for their European vacation- leaving us behind. They didn’t even TRY to fit any of us in their carry on luggage – mind you they probably couldn’t have fit in a dime – they had them so jam packed. While we wish them well, we sure are going to miss them.

Meanwhile, yo yo boy continues to completely exasperate the Warden. It’s the good news- bad news story again. Good news – he is finished with his antibiotics on Tuesday. Bad news – eating is still a huge issue. The vet said it is important that he take in a certain number of calories to at least maintain his already skinny body. So far, the Warden managed to get him to take in 80% of the goal. On only one day. Since then, he’s about 60% there. She counts every morsel he eats. But it’s not great. Something he thinks is yummy one day, he won’t touch the next day. Hand feeding sometimes works. And sometimes he walks away. Getting the liquid food into him is no easy task again. He refuses to swallow. Really. He just holds the liquid in his mouth and spits it out if you don’t hold onto his chin. And you can’t just shoot the liquid down the back of his throat – for fear of sending it into his lungs. All he needs is pneumonia.

And what’s weird is that it’s not like he isn’t interested in food. He’ll come over to see what the Warden is eating or cooking, then sniffs the sample that’s offered to him, and walks away. He’ll eat bread – but only certain bread. White, brown and whole wheat are out. But he will eat egg bread. Most of the time.

He DID eat kibble the past two days. But only at one meal. The other meal was a “nah.”

For those who have suggested raw food- he ate it on two occasions. Then said “never mind.”

Pork was tasty one day. Then that became old. He does not do leftovers. The humans had a turkey dinner the other day – and what dog wouldn’t like turkey?! He ate one or two bites and said “that’s enough.”

He will chew on a bully sticks voraciously- and that’s probably the only thing that’s a sure bet. We almost hate to say that for fear of jinxing it. Apples, carrots, pumpkin are on the “no fly” list.

Despite his lack of eating, he trots along on a walk just fine. Say the words “car ride” and he races to the garage door. So his energy is good when it’s something he wants to do. The Warden had to take something over to the neighbors yesterday, and he was fine to go and visit. He acted like his usual laid-back self.

In the meantime, the Boss and I have had our meal rations cut in half!!!! It might just have something to do with the fact that the Coyote eats when food is being doled out to each of us – like when we get our daily bread treat at breakfast time. He seems to enjoy “competition” when eating. IF the Coyote is interested in eating a snack , we get some too . Mind you – I do see that we PONs are getting pea-sized pieces and the Coyote’s pieces are more the size of a jumbo strawberry. But we’re getting way more calories than we normally would. She has started calling us the Tubby Twins. While I feel badly that the Coyote is not well, we’re sure doing just fine!!!!

Today I’ll be hiding in the woods the first chance I get. The Warden said I look like a woodland creature – I’m in need of some serious grooming. Oh joy oh happiness.

According to the Crazy Calendar, today is supposed to be “Do Something Nice” day. And it is exactly as the name suggests – a day to go out and do some kind act. It could be going to the store to get your dog a new toy, or holding a door open for someone else, or giving your dog an extra treat, or smiling at a stranger (but not in a way that would seem creepy) or taking your dog for an extra walk or calling someone you haven’t reached out to in a long time. Just be nice. Mind you, it seems like we should kinda practice that behavior most of the time. But humans sometimes seems to need reminders. Not us canines – we’re nice most of the time. Even when we’re peeing on the pumpkin outside the front door. We’re just trying to water it.

OK – almost time to rumble. Keep those positive thoughts, prayers, vibes coming this way for the Coyote. It was a month ago that this challenge began – and we’ve made it here. Keep sending those eating thoughts.

Have a good one. Peace and paws up. Stay safe. JBJ