Happy Memorial Day!

Today is Memorial Day when we honor those who have given their lives that we might enjoy freedom.  I hope none of us ever take their sacrifice for granted.

The weather here has been absolutely perfect.  The days are pleasantly warm and the nights are cool enough to sleep under a blanket.  The boys love it when we can leave the back door open for them to come and go as they please. We have only turned on the Air Conditioning one day, and then switched it off again.   We have been eating all of our meals out on the porch and keeping up with all of our regular bird friends "dining at the bird feeders"  as we dine "al fresco."

Mom's in the dog house

The boys are not very happy with Mom these days.  Since we have not caught the poisonous snake that bit Roy, Mom has not taken the boys out of the pen.  Every morning after our walk, grooming, and breakfast, they stand at the door waiting to go play fetch.  They wait to no avail.  I am as afraid for myself as I am for them.  No playing outside the fenced area until Mr. Snake is found and disposed of!

Happy Mother's Day!

The boys again gave me a lovely Hydrangea for Mother's Day.  I hope it lasts as long as the one from last year!  I love BLUE!

Snake Bite

We had a very harrowing night on Sunday.  I had just come home from a concert and Phil was in the utility room holding Roy.  He said that he thought a snake had bitten him while Roy was out in the yard.  Phil went hunting for the snake but couldn't find it. By the time he came back, Roy was obviously in distress.  I changed clothes and we took him to the UGA Vet Emergency Clinic since our local Vet was obviously closed on a Sunday night.  (Why do these things always occur after hours?)  We waited at the ER for 3 hours while Roy was observed and treated.  They wanted to keep him overnight to make sure that the swelling did not close off his wind pipe, but we decided to bring him home.  Phil stayed up all night keeping a watchful eye on him.  Monday morning I took him to our local Vet who said he was obviously bitten by a venomous snake.  She gave him another shot and put him on antibiotics since the venom can destroy tissue which in turn can become infected.  He was bitten on his chin and you can see the two puncture marks where they shaved his chin.  It looks like it must have been a fairly large snake from the width of the fang marks.  Today (Wednesday), Roy is much better.  The swelling has gone down enough to where you CAN see the fang marks, which you couldn't on Sunday night.  He is eating and acting normally now.  

Glad that ordeal is over and we don't want a repeat.  No more playing outside the fenced area until we catch our snake!

Relay for Life

We participated for the third year in the annual "Relay for Life" to raise money for cancer research.  There are absolutely no pets allowed, or we would have taken Andy and Roy.  We really don't consider them "pets," but members of our family, but unfortunately other people see them only as "pets."  They both have certainly been a source of joy and support during my cancer battle.    As you can see from the picture, there are luminaries all along the track course labeled "in honor of" or "in memory of" loved ones.  As we "survivors" walk the track we are encouraged on in our journey with cheering and clapping.  It is a very moving experience.

Weigh-In

Dad and the Vet Tech are busy weighing Roy while Andy supervises.  We take the boys periodically to the Vet to keep a check on their weight.  Extra weight is bad on the joints and legs, so we try to keep the boy's weight under control.    One young man is going to have to have a cut in rations.

  : (

Azaleas in full bloom

We have some late blooming azaleas which have not yet bloomed, but the rest are in their full glory.  Many 20 year old plants were killed in last summer's severe drought, but many managed to survive.  This pink ruffle is in full splendor!  Andy and Roy like to run under the overhanging branches and play chase with each other.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today was Dad's Birthday.  I made him a delicious dinner as my present.  The boys gave him a store bought gift  since they are not very good in the kitchen, except for mopping up the floor as I spill things.  As you can see they wrapped the present very luxuriously!

Once a month:  the dreaded bath!

Here is Roy getting his bath.  Andy is probably hiding somewhere hoping to escape the torture!  But I'll find him!  They are so beautiful and fluffy when they are done!

In my continuing series on grooming:  Once a week -

Andy is getting his toenails cut with a "Dremel"(a small battery powered drill)." I started out in the beginning slow and easy, letting them "hear" the whirring sound of the dremel, then doing one toenail at a time, letting them relax after each one and giving a treat when all went well.  Now, as you can see, Andy and Roy just lie back and let me trim their nails....No Problem!