HOLIDAY BAKING

QUOTE OF THE DAY:  "Some people just don't have what it takes to appreciate a cookie."  James Patterson

THIS IS: Bingo's Birthday month and New Year's Eve


Mom always used to make a bunch of holiday cookies and goodies and give them to the neighbors.  She'd make coconut macaroons, gingerbread cut-outs, sugar cut-outs, anise, chocolate chips and more.

This year, mom had to enlist Dad in the baking.  They only made gingerbread cut-outs and macaroons this year in the cookie category.  But they also made chocolate chip pound cake and fudge.  Mom supervised while dad did the mixing.  He did a good job but Mom had to laugh...there was flour sprinkled about. 

I always get a taste of the cookies...yum...when they come out of the oven.  But I didn't get any fudge.  It smelled so good, but Mom kept saying it's chocolate.  It can make a dog sick or die.  I prefer to live.  But why can Mom and Dad eat it?  There's a double standard in this household.  For Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners Dad made yeast rolls.  He did a good job kneading the dough and forming the rolls, but again there was flour all over.

Dad has taken over all the household chores.  Mom always tells him what a great job he's doing.  Mom could get used to this.  Dad better start messing up a little soon so Mom doesn't get too used to this new lifestyle.

e-mail:  daisydog1@cfl.rr.com
Copyright 2012

ADJUSTING TO CHANGES

THIS IS:   Operation Santa Paws Month to 12/24

QUOTE OF THE DAY:  "If you can't decide between a Shepherd, a Setter or a Poodle get them all...adopt a mutt."  ASPCA

Since mom had her first stroke on 6/23, she and dad had to make a lot of adjustments in their lives.  Well, I've had to make adjustments, too.

The first one was my daily morning walk with mom for exercise and to see all my friends.  Mom couldn't do it (It would take hours because she'd have to use her walker) and dad was really busy with household chores and such (And he hates to exercise)  Uncle Terry volunteered to walk me each morning.  He's a good walker.  I like walking with him.  Pam and Dan volunteered, too.  I have fun with them, too.

I wasn't getting my 4:30 runs any longer either.  I know mom's recovery comes first, but I do need my exercise.  Now several times a week mom and dad take me to the dog run.  I get to chase squirrels and play hide 'n seek with dad behind the trees.  I'm having fun again!

I don't get big hugs from mom any more.  She tries and I get one-armed hugs and one-handed pets, too.  I understand.

Now I am going to give you an update on mom's health.  She's doing well.  Last week she started electrical stimulation on her arm, and wrist.  It stimulates the muscles.  It does seem to help, but she's having a hard time doing some of the movements that she does in therapy at home.   There is progress but it's really slow going.  Her arm keeps getting stronger. 

Mom has graduated from the walker to a cane.  She's been instructed to try walking in the house without any aids as long as dad is home.  She's slow and a bit wobbly.  She probably just needs more practice. 

I am happy to report that mom hasn't fallen in about two weeks.  That's good because it's scary when she falls and can't get up.

Mom is learning how to drive the golf cart again.  Watch out everyone.  It doesn't have power steering and mom can only use one hand. 

All in all, mom is making progress and I know that one day she'll be able to take me on walks again.

e-mail:  daisydog1@cfl.rr.com
copyright 2012

IT'S CATALOG SEASON

QUOTE OF THE DAY:  "I don't have a bank account because I don't know my mother's maiden name."  Paula Poundstone

THIS IS:  Adopt a senior pet month

Tis the season for the onslaught of catalogs.  I receive a lot of them.  Most of which I've never ordered from.  My husband and I purchase the grand kids gifts from Disney or Sea World.  We don't buy gifts for each other any longer; we just go out and buy whatever we want or need.

LL Bean came today offering free shipping.  Crate and Barrel offered 10% off our next order.  Bits and Pieces boasted "over 50 items specially priced for the holidays" and "over 100 items under $20.00."    Catalog Favorites, a showcase of catalog best sellers seems to have cutesy stuff that no one will ever use.

Then I received The Most Important Catalog in the World.  This catalog offered live animals.  One pig was $120.00, a heifer went for $500.00, a trio of rabbits was a bargain at $60.00.  Who would I send a pig to or a heifer for that matter?  Then I took a better look at the catalog. 

If you're into charitable giving, (and you should be at this time of the year,) this catalog actually makes sense.  The gifts provide needy families an opportunity to support and feed themselves  The animals offered are farm animals.  If you don't have $120.00 for a goat, you can share a goat for $10.00  Likewise, you can share fish, pigs, sheep and rabbits.

I always enjoy looking through Figi's.  The nuts, candies, cheeses and cookies always look so good.

National Wildlife has the cutest "trinket" gifts like cups, ornaments t-shirts and jewelry.  The Jockey catalog has the cutest guys to look at.

I very rarely order from catalogs.  I prefer online shopping and the Malls.  Let's save some trees and get rid of the catalogs that fill my recycling bin.

e-mail:  daisydog1@cfl.rr.com
Copyright 2012

HANDICAPPED

QUOTE OF THE DAY:  "I AM NEITHER AN OPTIMIST NOR A PESSIMIST, BUT A POSSIBILIST."   Max Lerner

THIS IS:  National Patient Accessibility Week.


I am not saying it's a good thing to be handicapped.  I would give anything to be physically capable like I was only a few months ago.  But, there are a few perks to being physically challenged.

-  You get premium parking spaces at stores, restaurants, theme parks, the movies, drug stores, warehouse stores, malls, basically wherever you go.

- You may get better seating at theme parks, arenas, movies.  Case in point...Don and I went to Epcot to see an Air Supply performance.  We were about six rows from the stage.  The lead singer came down the stairs over to where I was sitting.  He took my hand, held it, and kissed my cheek.  It made me feel very special and my birthday was only a few days away.  I was in my wheelchair in a handicapped spot. 

- People tend to be more polite.  They move out of your path, they will hold doors open, they smile and say "good morning" or "how are you today".

- Restaurant servers and store clerks tend to be more helpful and courteous.

We shouldn't treat just the handicapped courteously.  We should treat everyone courteously.  We'd all get along much better and the world would be a much better place.

The above is just an observation and proof that these perks are justified.

e-mail:  daisydog1@cfl.rr.com
Copyright 2012

P.S.  Mom is getting excellent therapy and she is improving everyday.  She is more optimistic now about her recovery.  She is working hard getting her right leg stronger and trying to get the use of her right arm back.  She doesn't often let herself get down about her condition, she just enjoys some of the handicapped "perks" while they are available to her.

hi everyone.

Sorry ths is late, but as most of you know mom had another stroke last week and she spent a few days in the hospital.  It was a mild stroke.  She should recover from this one.  Mom lost quite a bit of the progress she made from the first stroke and she wants to get back to where she was. 

I am not going to be writing for a while so I can help dad get mom better.  Mom is going to concentrate on exercising and getting stronger.  She is also tired a lot as her body needs to heal. 

love,

DAISY

MOM'S HOME

QUOTE OF THE DAY:  "If your dog doesn't like someone you probably shouldn't either."  Unknown

THIS IS:  National Safe At Home Week


Mom's home and I am one happy dog.  I'm going to help take care of her along with dad.  First, I am going to follow her from room to room to be there in case she falls.  I'll let her land on me so she doesn't hurt herself.  I'll be able to lick her tears and I'll be there to comfort her.

I sleep with her, too.   Sometimes when dad is still up and mom calls for him he doesn't hear her.  I'm there and I bark for him.  I am wherever mom is.  If she's watching TV on the porch I am laying right beside the couch.  If she's at her desk, I am there, too.  I don't want mom to be alone and I don't want her to go away again.

Every day I nudge her bad hand and lick it.  She can't pet me with her right hand and I'm hoping my kisses will make it all better.

Mom does her exercises every day so she can get stronger.  She's able to walk around the house now without any aids.  She's even managed to make a few meals.   But dad still feeds me and the cats.

I love it after dinner when me, dad and mom go for a walk.  Mom goes in her wheelchair, dad pushes and mom has me on a leash.  I pull mom along and dad steers.  Mom loves it.  She's always smiling and laughing...Oh the little pleasures.  I'm glad the cats can't come along.  This is my special time with mom and dad.

I know how much mom appreciates what I do to help her because she tells me what a good dog I am and she tells me she loves me all the time.




Daisy Dog Blog is written bi-weekly with a new post entered every other Wednesday.  If you would like to subscribe please send an e-mail to daisydogb1@cfl.rr.com  with "subscribe" in the subject box.

next post:  9/12

e-mail:  daisydog1@cfl.rr.com
Copyright 2012

QUOTE OF THE DAY:  "As many know brain injury comes in many forms.  The most prevalent brain injuries - stroke and trauma - affect more than 2.2 million Americans and these numbers are expected to grow."  Allyson Schwartz

THIS IS:  Feeding pets of the homeless week


Mom was away again for close to six weeks.  I finally found out where she was when dad took me to see her.  We went to this building that had a lot of bedrooms and old people living there.  What was mom doing there?  She already had a home.  I heard someone say stroke.  Did that mean she could never pet me again?  Feed me?  Take me for walks?  Dad was doing all of that now.

As soon as I saw mom, I ran to her and started licking  her.  I was so happy to see her.  I laid in bed with her and curled up at her feet.  Me, mom and dad would all lie on the bed at night and  watch TV.  It was a bit crowded, but cozy. 

Mom couldn't walk.  She was in a chair with huge wheels and foot rests.  And dad had to wheel her around.  We'd all go for a walk outside.  Dad would tuck mom in at night, and then we'd leave her there and go home. What was wrong with mom?  What was a stroke?  It must mean something horrible.  When was mom coming home?

When I got home from seeing mom, I reassured Mickey and Minnie that mom was okay.  They seemed pleased with the news but you know how cats are...they just continued to clean themselves.  I think they were jealous because I saw mom and they didn't. 

Dad took me a few more times to see mom.  Other people in that place looked forward to seeing me, too.  But my mom's roommate was afraid of me.  All I wanted to do was lick her hand and help her get better.

While mom was in the nursing home she kept saying she didn't belong there because she was too young to have had this happen to her.  But she had therapy to help her walk and use her right hand again.  She seemed to enjoy therapy.

Mom also talked a little funny.  A very nice lady helped mom to speak normal again.  That was good because I had trouble understanding her sometimes. 

When dad would leave mom at night, I always wondered why mom didn't leave with him.  It was lonely at home without her.  We all missed her very much.

DaisyDodblog is written bi-weekly with a new post entered evert other Wednesday.

Copyright 2012