Thursday, November 29, 2012

Vampire

29 November 2012

Milo gave a lot of blood today to send in for testing.  Hoping for some answers to explain the monocytosis mystery.   Tick disease - the unusual suspects like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever - and fungal tests.

Big needle, 2 syringes and a missed poke to the jugular and Milo was glad it was over.  He was a good boy.  


spooky!

29 November 2012

Last evening Milo disappeared after dinner which is served in the basement area.  I assumed that he had put himself up in the bedroom crate as he now does sometime.  But no, he wasn't in the bedroom..

I soon discovered that he never made it back up the stairs and was, indeed, in a crate but it was one of the wire crates in the basement where the dogs stay when no one is home.  Also where they are fed.  Milo was contentedly napping in "his" wire crate with the door open.

It seems that he forgot, once again, how to climb the basements stairs.  More coaxing, encouragement and sending Leo down and up, down and up, more encouragement and cheer leading.  Nope!  Not going to do it.  So I took the other dogs out the back door which is across the entryway from the basement stairs.  Milo could hear us leaving to retrieve garbage cans at the end of the drive.  Before heading down the driveway, I  peeked into the house.  Yep!  That had done the trick.  Milo was up the stairs and looking for us.   Sibling rivalry is a powerful tool.

Silly boy.  I'm not making a big issue of the steps issue other than giving him a "good boy!" once he gets up.  He needs to find his confidence and decide to do it even if it is a bit spooky and scary for him.


Friday, November 23, 2012

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Give Thanks

22 November 2012

Thanks to all of the people who volunteer, donate and support efforts like Minnesota Collie Rescue, Red Lake Rosie's Rescue and rescues in general which help animals like Milo, Leo and Sabrina find new hope and health so that they may experience life and a find their future full of love, treats, snuggles and pets in a forever home.







Wednesday, November 21, 2012

photo mash up

November 21, 2012

Here are some photos I took of Milo and friends today.







Confessions of a post teenage shoplifter

Wednesday, November 21

Every time we visit Chuck and Don's pet food store, Milo visits with all of his friends who have witnessed his transformation over the last few months.  They have commented on how much he has blossomed in both looks and personality.  He is so much more outgoing and happy now that he is more healthy.  It is a delight to hear that testimony from people that have watched his journey.

However, when we are at the pet food store I need to keep a sharp eye on him because he is a terrifically sly thief.

Milo accompanied me around the store greeting people and even sat nicely for a treat from one of the workers.  After we purchased our items and were on our way out the door, I turned away for a second and he snagged a treat out of a bin!  He has very fast reflexes when it comes to treats for sure.

Milo's comment on his pick pocket status?



Sunday, November 18, 2012

Weekend update

November 18, 2012

Milo had a new snuggle buddy for the weekend when niece Mariah came to visit.  All of the critters took advantage of the extra pets and snuggles.


Milo, Mariah, Mao the kitty, Sabrina - on couch
Second row:  big bear
Third row: Bird the kitty


and another point of view:  






Thursday, November 15, 2012

Disappointing news

November 14, 2012

Milo had a CBC test done last evening and the results are disappointing.   The monocytosis that he had when  he came into rescue in June is still at the same level.  This indicates that there is something still going on with this little immune system, but we don't know the underlying cause at the moment.

Perplexing for sure.

Have not yet determined a course of action.

Stay tuned.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Give me some love

Sunday, November 11

Milo had a big week last week.  He appeared as a special guest for Red Lake Rosie's Rescue and Minnesota Wisconsin Collie Rescue at a fundraiser called Pause for Paws.  It was a pretty swanky event with a heavy hors d'oeuvres dinner, drinks, silent auction, music, auction and booths for rescues that were being supported by the monies raised.  The venue was an entertainment center so it was kind of like walking into a nightclub environment.

Needless to say, Milo has never been exposed to an environment like this!  It was kind of crazy.  We arrived to find lines of people out the door, but were ushered in since we are part of a booth.  Milo took the opportunity to nose touch any hand in reach to see if they might pet him so it took a bit of coaxing to get him inside the building!  Once inside it was crowds of people and dogs being walked around.  Milo was a bit nervous so I was relieved when we located the Collie Rescue booth.  Milo was relieved because they had a basket of chicken strip treats on the table for which which he immediately dove and knocked to the floor.  Yeehaw!

Overall he did very well, but he was a bit nervous and overwhelmed with all of the action and distractions so it was difficult for people to get good photos of him.  Here are a few that actually worked:

A new friend

Milo draws a crowd
Milo visited the Red Lake Rosie's Rescue booth to thank them for helping him.
He checked the table for treats!

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

The scary kitchen

6 November 2012

Milo has suddenly become wary of the kitchen.  Lots of pots and pans clang there and sometimes (not often enough) there are brooms.  

Treats are doled out there, so hopefully that will help convince him that, once again, good things happen in the kitchen.   When the other dogs get their treats, he is pacing back and forth at the two entrances his nails on the hardwood floor are tickety-ticking with worry.

We are working for a more zen-like kitchen experience.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

talking back

November 1, 2012

The reason I began this blog back in June is because I knew that it would be a very long time of recovery and challenges for Milo and, because he is a foster dog, I'm accountable to many people for updates on his progress but I know that the many people who helped get Milo into foster and from Red Lake Rosie's as well as Minnesota Wisconsin Collie Rescue would also want to be able to follow his recuperation period. So I thought that by making it public, everyone could check in on him if they wished and catch up at their leisure.

What I couldn't imagine is how much this exercise has helped me keep track of the series of issues and challenges that have cropped up along the way.  It is very hard to try to explain to someone all of the illnesses and issues Milo faced when he came into rescue and then the other issues that developed over the summer.  Because there are so many, it is difficult to remember them all!   I've also been very conscious of taking photos to document his progress because I'm sharing it and - let's face it - pictures are more fun!

I have received some comments from various people to which I've not responded.  Truth?  I don't know how!  This method of journal-ing is somewhat of a one way street and the comment area doesn't capture an e-mail address. So...just let me say THANK YOU to all of the kind comments and well wishes for Milo's health and well-being both publicly and privately over the last few months.  I wasn't ignoring anyone... just perhaps a bit ignorant??  :)  Milo would lean on you for a hug if he could see you right now.

It is wonderful to know that there have been so many people pulling for Milo all these months.  I'm sure all of this positive energy directed his way was beneficial to his recovery.  Thank you for being a friend.




Catching up with friends

1 November 2012

Milo stopped in to visit his pals at the local pet supply store.

They were very pleased to see him, but I've found that they are enablers of his shop-lifting habit!  You see, they place their bins of treats right on nose level so what's a guy to do?   He even snagged and discarded a few cat toys just to see if they MIGHT be food.  Silly!