Hound High School.......

Think back to your high school days. When I remember school, I don’t remember much about studying. What I mostly think of is hanging out with friends. Primping with girlfriends before big parties. Late night gossip at sleepovers with the same girlfriends. What’s really neat about it is that my best friends even today are those same girlfriends. We’ve kept up over the years and are still very, very close. Anyway, I digress. Perhaps that’s fodder for another blog post.

Watching Wheeler this year has reminded me of the less fun part of high school – studying. He’s had a round of tests in the last week or two, and has been really burning the midnight oil. Wheeler is more of an auditory learner than a visual one, so before his elementary and even some middle school tests, he had me quizzing him and helping him memorize facts. Now realistically, I can’t keep doing this forever. He has to figure out a way to learn and remember on his own. I’m not in high school, and I won’t be going off to college with him. But the fact remains, he learns better when he goes over what he needs to know aloud.

He’s tried a couple of study methods this year – some more successful than others. His most recent idea may actually work pretty well. That is, if I can quit laughing about it. The other day, I came home from running errands and found him in the family room reading The Odyssey to Nick and Rosie. They both seemed to be listening raptly. He was also explaining to them who the characters are and how they relate to one another.

Later in the day, he was teaching them Ancient Egyptian History. Now Rosie, the Pharaoh Hound, may have more of an aptitude for ancient Egypt than Nick, but they both seemed pretty interested. It didn’t hurt that he, and as a result they, were snacking at the same time. I’m sure Nick and Rosie were more interested in the finer points of the Pharaohs than in the chips Wheeler was sharing with them - yeah right! At least he was making them offer a down before receiving the very nutritious potato chip snack.

All in all, I don’t think I’ll let him know I see humor in his new study method. Maybe it will help him learn, and the dogs love the attention even without extra snacks!!

Zoomy Man and the Wild Child.....

Nick is fine. Three doses of Pancur and some metronidazole (sp) and Nick is much better in the poo department. Also, he doesn't look like he's lost any more weight since last Wednesday when we went to the vet. He may even have gained a pound. In fact, he looks pretty good to me. He also acts like he feels better - not that he ever acted like he felt bad, but he's much more animated that he was. I guess I'd be less energetic if my guts where in a knot!!

I've got to get some action shots of Rosie and Nick careening around the house and yard. My father in law's house, which I guess is our house now since his death a couple of years ago, has about three quarters of an acre fenced. The yard is built into a hill. The dogs love to run in a big circle up and down the hill. Rosie, being the wild child, instigates rambunctious chase games up and down the hill and into the wooded, un-landscaped (read wild and out of control) part of the yard. There are several large boulders at the top of the hill that she delights in jumping on top of and sort of lording over Nick. He barks at her - I can see her laughing at him. Silly greyhound, can't you even climb a rock. Nick, on the other hand, isn't sure why you'd want to climb on top of a rock when there's plenty of room to run in rock free zones.

I haven't been able to get any good pics of their antics mostly because they're both a lot faster than me. Rosie is really enjoying having a buddy her own age that she can play with. I'm liking watching them together. They are so different - sort of like fire and ice.

I'm a Little Concerned About Nick...Warning Graphic Poo Discriptions - Skip Post if Easily Grossed Out

Nick will celebrate his four week anniversary at my house on Saturday. We have been struggling with pudding poo ever since he got here. Also, he has been steadily losing weight. When we adopted him, he weighted 68 lbs. on the scale at the adoption kennel. The following Thursday, I took him to my vet where he weighed in at 63 lbs. I had them check the weight twice, but in the end chalked it up to the difference in scales and was unconcerned at the time. Also, his racing weight was 61 pounds, but his racing records show that he weighed about 66 when he ran 17 of his 22 total races. Why was his official reported weight lower – I don’t know. Anyway, he was ribby when I got him and didn't look overweight; he look just about right. I wasn’t initially worried about the pudding poo either, assuming it was caused by all the upheaval in his life. We also started treating itchy inflamed ears at the first vet visit. They weren't horrible, but you could definitely smell them and he was scratching at them.

I’ve fasted him for 24 hours twice and started him back on a rice/boiled ground beef mixture. Both times his poo has firmed up, but deteriorates when regular food is added. I’ve also been giving him canned pumpkin and plain yogurt every day. Sometimes I get reasonably formed poo, and sometimes I get liquid. Also, he looked like he was losing weight – so off to the vet we went again yesterday. He weighed in at 59 pounds. Now I’m getting worried. Also, his ears are still bothering him.

I feed my dogs raw meaty bones in the evening and a veggie/ground beef mixture for breakfast. Nick has never really worked up to the ground meat mixture. I’m feeding him a ton in a effort to get him to gain a little weight, way more than twice what Rosie, at 38 pounds gets and more than either Speedy or Sugar ever ate. Nick’s not a picky eater and relishes his meals. He loves to eat. I don’t think further upping calories is going to help. My vet suggested worming, metronidazole, and a prescription diet. I bought a bag of the food, and fed it last night and this morning. I’m not a big fan of prescription diets though and am kind of scared to read the ingredients. In any event, she’s not suggesting it for life. We also started him on another ear drop to try to clear up the ear inflammation.

I can’t tell how he feels, but on the surface he doesn't seem sick. He gets excited at meal times and when we come home. He likes to be loved on, but he doesn’t enthusiastically jump in the car when it’s time to go to the park for a walk. He often tries to stop to pee or sniff when we walk. Don’t know if he’s tired or if he’s just trying to walk me. He hasn’t won at this – it’s my walk and I let him come along :-)! The fact is, I haven’t had him long enough to really know him and how he acts when he doesn’t feel well. Don't picture a poor sick mopey dog though. He appears happy and engaged in our household.

Bottom, line – I’m more worried about the rapid weight loss than the pudding poo, but since they are likely related we need to address both issues. I’m hoping that the only problem is some worms and intestinal upset associated with the recent upheaval in his life. I'm likely just being a worry wart, and he will be fine in a few days. I'm open to suggestions though.

Nick Has Settled in Nicely......

I think he looks kind of tense myself, but Rosie tells me he likes it here.

It's fun getting used to a new pup though. He reacts to noises from the TV. When he hears applause, he jumps up and runs to the window barking. He also reacts when he hears bells (like the phone ringing). He doesn't bark for bells, but he does look like he wants to do something when he hears one. I'm not sure what's up with this behavior. When he hears the applause, does he think he won something? Judging from his race history, he doesn't have much experience with winning so....?

Of course every time he and Rosie go outside, he wants to pee in the exact same spot that she used. I know he wants to be sure to mark his new territory well, but how do I tell him he needs to wait until Rosie finishes. She hates when he sprinkles her!!

Rosie seems to like having a playmate her own age though. They romp and play together. It's fun to watch...:-)!!

Nick's First Walk in the Park.....

I took my first walk by myself with Rosie and Nick this morning. Walking one feisty Pharaoh Hound and either one or two senior Greyhounds is totally different than walking the same Pharaoh with a young, just off the track Grey. Actually, all in all, it went very well, but I did have to keep telling myself that things will improve with time and a little training. I was very, very glad that I remembered to pack my sense of humor.

First of all, Nick may be cat friendly and pretty much ignore my cats when they walk by in the house, but he is defiantly not squirrel or chipmunk friendly in the park. Secondly, he walks pretty well on the lease, but does at times seem like he’s drunk. He weaves all over the place. :-)

The outing was a definitely success though. Rosie didn’t explode at another dog once and Nick pretty much figured out which side I wanted him to walk on. Now if I can just teach him to jump into the van himself instead of just standing there waiting for me to lift him in.

Here’s what Nick had to say -

This morning my new mom took me for a walk. A walk is when you get in the back of a big vehicle and ride awhile then get out and walk around for awhile. There are lots of little animals running around to chase, but you are on a leash, so it’s hard to catch one before the leash stops you. I was unsuccessful today, but I’ll keep trying. Oh yeah, the best part is that you get lots of treats for walking where mom wants you to walk. She doesn’t like it if you walk into her, but sometimes laughs if you weave around a lot. When we were finished, she led me to the back of the vehicle and acted like she wanted me to do something. I’m not sure what she wanted though. I guess I’ll figure it out eventually. She kept waving a treat under my nose and putting it in the back of the vehicle. Doesn’t she know I can’t reach it there?

Introducing Nick......

OK, it’s time to pull myself out of my blue funk and post something. I’ve really been missing Speedy and Sugar, and haven’t been able to write about it. I’ve missed them both, but in a weird way, I’ve missed Speedy the most. Probably either because he was my first adult dog and thus a sentimental favorite or because Sugar had so many health problems I was kind of expecting her to go. Speedy left me unexpectedly and suddenly.

Anyway, I’ve wallowed in self pity long enough. I’d like to introduce our new family member Nick. He raced (not very well I’d like to point out) as Highwind Ruckus and met all the major criteria for a hound in our house. First of all, Rosie didn’t hate him on sight. She was even nice to him while she was on lead. Rosie, as I’ve mentioned before, has issues with leash aggression. We’ve worked hard on overcoming, or at least controlling her problem, and have made lots of progress. We can now walk in the park with only an occasional outburst, unless someone else snarls and lunges at her first - then all bets are off. I’ve gotten better at reading other dogs from a distance and trying to avoid any that look like they might be lunger/snarlers. When we run into one, it tends to set us back. Anyway, she greeted Nick well on lead, then romped and played with him off lead. She liked him because she could get him to chase her. He’s not one bit shy and seems confident and sure of himself. He’s also young at three years old, and is cat friendly. The fact that I think he’s gorgeous is an added bonus!!



He’s settling in nicely and may even try his paw at lure coursing if I can find someone to show me how to wrap his legs and explain when and why you need to do so. Pharaoh’s are easy, just make sure they’re in good shape, lead to the line and release. I guess they are smaller and sturdier, so are less prone to injury. I don’t know how good he’ll be as a courser. His prey drive at least in the house is low (doesn’t try to eat cats). I took him out yesterday on a long lead, with a plastic bag attached to a lung whip and he went nuts trying to get it – so maybe he’ll chase a plastic bag across a field.



I know that I’ll eventually come to love him. At this point he makes me smile and is I know he’s what I need to heal. In a weird way, I think Speedy sent him to me. Rob and I hadn’t planned to adopt a hound yet as we felt we weren’t ready. We had thought to foster for a while and then maybe adopt later. There was something about his picture that made me want to meet him though and the hint of black on top of his head (Speedy’s mark of approval) sealed the deal.

Six Things No One Knows About Me....

OK, GreytBlackDog tagged me to spill the beans and tell everyone six things they don’t know about me. I found the exercise very difficult, but also kind of fun. Here goes:

1. I’m neurotic about planning. Whenever I do anything new or different, I read obsessively and plan every detail beforehand. For example, before any trip we take I buy at least 3 books about the area and obsess about where to stay etc. I know exactly how may miles lie between each destination, what activities are available everywhere, and where the best places to eat are located. My sister on the other hand, just wings it. She says I’m crazy and they have a good time too – without obsessive planning. She thinks part of the fun is figuring it out you go. Probably, but I’d be miserable if, for example, I went to Disney World and without planning the best order to hit each attraction in order to minimize line waiting time. OK, maybe I do suffer from a mild form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder!!

2. My house is exploding with books. I love to read, which is a major contributor to the problem. Also, my obsessive planning is a big contributor. I love to haunt the aisles at The Book Nook. It’s a great place where, for just a few dollars, you can find used books about anything. It’s impossible for me to resist picking up books about places that I might just want to visit someday, or hobbies that interest me, but I’ve not tried. I can’t ever bring myself to get rid of any of them either. So, if you ever need a book on anything from travel, to photography, to growing roses, just ask me. I might have one. Problem is my collection is very poorly organized, so I might not be able to find it.

3. I read a lot of junk. Everything I read, in fact most of what I read, isn’t teaching me anything or expanding my mind. I love to read junk. Things like trashy romantic novels and suspenseful detective stories.

4. I’m really very, very, shy. Most people who’ve been around me much don’t believe it because, once you get me started talking, I don’t shut up. But it’s very hard for me to come into a new situation. I guess I always feel like everybody else knows more than I do about just about everything.

5. In my teens and early twenties, I did a lot of rock climbing, camping, and hiking. In recent years, my idea of camping out has been the Holiday Inn – but I think that’s about to change. My son has been bugging me to take him camping and we recently spent a week-end at a campsite in North Georgia. I had a blast. How many dogs can you fit in a tent?

6. I love liver and onions. OK, I know most of you are running for the barf bags, but I really do love it; it’s my dirty secret.

So there you go.

Now to pass the torch, I tag Scott and Maria.

And Then There Was One.....

Can we actually be a one dog house? It feels very strange here. Having only one dog bowl to be filled for breakfast and dinner does not seem right at all. I guess I have to get used to it though. It’s the norm now. No meds to be given to anyone, hound or human, before and after meals. It’s been at least 10 years since the critters in my house were totally med free. Starting with my now departed Casey cat and her tapazole for hyperthyroid, someone has always needed something. I’ve felt like a pusher for the last few years between Sugar’s pain meds and Speedy’s heart drugs. Although trying to get two dogs to take a handful of pills each, some before and some after meals, and at assorted times throughout the day was somewhat of an ordeal, I feel kind of lost and empty with out the routine. Maybe I just feel lost without my two pups!! Their bowls and beds have been put away, as well as the ex-pen that has been set up in the family room for Sugar for the last several months. The house looks much neater, and somehow very empty.

Rosie has missed her buddies really more than I thought she would. Speedy and Sugar were very much a bonded pair. Even though Rosie played with them, and seemed to like them, she really always thought they were oldsters who couldn’t keep up with her. She’s been very subdued for a couple of days, and still obviously looks for them at times. She must be as lonely for them as I am.

Two Much!!!

Sugar
racing name Golddust Sugar
3/21/98 - 7/30/08

Two good-byes in one day are really too much for me, but sometimes too much is what you get. I’m sad to record the passing of our other Greyhound, Sugar. As has been reported here, she's battled neck pain for years and I’ve been struggling with whether or not it was time for her to go for several days. Yesterday afternoon, I decided that Speedy was trying to tell me something. He went ahead to help her, her friend and comforter to the end. The two of them have been together for years and were truly devoted to one another. She was in a great deal of pain that no amount of drugs could seem to control. Keeping her here with me was clearly very selfish. We decided to let her go.

Sugar was my second greyhound. She came to us as a foster – just for one night - until the family that was supposed to become her forever home could pick her up. That was in the old days when SEGA didn’t have a kennel. She was a bounce returned for some reason I can’t remember now. Well, she never left our house. Her intended family got cold feet about her and she became a member of our family. Their loss was our gain. Sugar is one of the nicest dogs I’ve ever met. She was a bit on the shy side, but loved kids. She would seek out a child in a crowd and nuzzle their hand until the petted her. She loved being petted more than food and relished snuggling up with her stuffies. I'm going to miss her more than anyone can imagine.

I love you Sugar Lump!! Run fast, free from pain.

Sometimes Things Just Come out of Left Field.

Speedy
Racing Name Santas Clipper
8/18/97 - 7/30/08

I’ve spent the last month, and in some ways the lat several years, worrying about Sugar. She’s been the one with all the health problems.

I’m sad to record the passing of my precious Speedy just 19 days short of his 11th birthday. He had a catastrophic cardiac event in the middle of the night last night. A trip to the emergency vet was to no avail, and Rob and I let him go. He was apparently ready. He was diagnosed with a heart murmur a couple of years ago, but has gotten along quite nicely with drugs to manage his condition. His heart issue never really slowed him down. He loved his walks, playing with Rosie and Sugar (especially tug of war with Rosie), being strong for Sugar, and mostly being my shadow. He was the quintessential momma’s boy, the only remaining vestige of the separation anxiety he suffered from in the first year or so he lived with us. He was my first dog as an adult and my heart.

Yesterday was a normal day for him in all respects. He felt good, ate well, and mostly just hung out with me. I guess he wasn't the sort for lingering. Maybe he wants to be there to help Sugar when it's her turn. I'll never forget you my Speedy Boo! You taught me so much and gave me much more than you got in return over the years. I still remember the first day we got you. You've been my friend and my rock and I already miss you terribly.

Is it Time???

If it's not time now, it will be soon unless Sugar's pain improves.

Pain is a terrible thing…especially when no one knows its source. Sugar continues to fight neck pain and I’m about to give up on its resolving itself as it has in the past. We added yet another drug to her pain med arsenal last week, but it hasn’t helped much. She had a very bad night last night, and I’m wondering if it’s time. I don’t want to give up on her too soon, but I don’t want her to suffer unnecessarily. It would be easier if I knew why she hurts, but I don't. It would be easier if I knew whether and how soon she might feel better, but I don't.

The last month has been a rough for her and for us. Some days she seems better - not great mind you - but better. Those days give me hope that she is beginning to improve. Then there are the bad days, we're having one of those today, when I wonder if there is really any hope of true improvement. Am I just being selfish - wanting to keep her with me?

Surprise!!!.....Go, dog. Go!!!

Wheeler and I went on a mini trip last week. I call it that because Rob wasn't with us. We went to the beach for a week. We had a good time, but it would have been better if Rob had been there.

I learned an important lesson on the trip though. Forty something moms should not ride a banana boat with teen age boys. One afternoon, Wheeler and I decided to pony up a little money and take such a ride. On the banana were Wheeler and I as well as two boys about Wheeler's age. Now just think about the dynamics of this for a minute. The object of the game as far as the boys were concerned was to fall off as many times as possible. Forty something moms want to stay on said banana to avoid the embarrassment of having the others watch her struggle back on. Somehow, teen age boys can simply hop back on.... a little harder for mom. Also, they took great delight in helping mom fall off...all in good fun of course...:-)!! Sorry, no pics of me hoisting myself onto the banana!!

After my banana adventure, Rob forwarded me an email with this picture of Rosie attached. A friend, who is a graphics artist, worked his magic on a picture taken of Rosie when she got one of the legs of her JC last spring. He's really very talented and I'll treasure it. Thanks Kirby!!!

Behind Bars Again.....

Sugar is back in jail. That is to say, back in her ex-pen on crate rest. Her struggle with neck pain continues in spite of a very aggressive drug campaign. I'm considering trying acupuncture again. It did help before, but unfortunately the effects only lasted a few days and it took a couple of treatments a week to keep her comfortable. She hates going to the vet so much that I was never really sure the reward was worth the stress going for acupuncture put her through...not to mention the cost. If I was convinced it would help, the cost wouldn't matter. I'm just not sure it really helps on balance. Whatever this is, seems to be aggravated by stress. The ex-pen really just helps her to feel protected. When just resting on her bed, she jumps and cries out when someone walks past her bed. They don't even need to pass particularly close to her, just in the vicinity. I guess she's afraid someone will run into her and hurt her already sore neck. The ex-pen convinces her that she's protected. She feels safe, and can rest better. We still let her come upstairs to bed at night.

Wheeler and I are going to the beach next week, but Rob is going to stay home and dog sit. If she's still this painful when we get back, it will be time to make some hard decisions. Problem is, this neck pain has disappeared in the past as mysteriously as it appeared. How long do I give it to get better before I give up? I really don't want to let her suffer unnecessarily, but I don't want to give up on her too soon!! The good news is , she's eating better (not great mind you) and she seems more relaxed. But then she's still taking enough pain meds to stop a train.

The Monster is Back!!!

Sugar’s neck pain is back. If you think you hear a deep sigh of fear and frustration coming from me, you’re right. She’s felt good since late January and I guess I thought we’d hit on a regimen of drugs that had her pain controlled. We switched her from Rimadyl to meloxicam about a month and a half ago since meloxicam is on the $4 list at Wal-Mart. The hope was that it wouldn’t make a difference and would save me a little money. She takes a boat load of pain drugs – enough to stop a train as her vet says – so any cost break is welcome. Don’t know if that switch has anything to do with her increased pain now, but we are switching back. She seemed fine after the switch until last Thursday when she started showing some signs of discomfort. Unfortunately we have to endure a 5 day wash out period before we can start the Rimadyl so I guess it is going to get worse before it gets better.

We’re not talking about a little of discomfort. She cries a lot and isn’t eating well, if at all and isn’t resting comfortably at night. Last night she paced and cried all night. I know that if we can’t control her pain, I have a difficult decision to make. I’ll make the best one for her, not for me. What makes this hard, is that her pain comes and goes. She has periods of extreme, difficult to control pain, followed by months of feeling really good. Was her pain level lower anyway when we made the switch to meloxicam so we couldn't tell whether it worked as well as the Rimadyl? Would she be hurting this much anyway even if we hadn't made the switch? I guess this will teach me to leave well enough alone. If I had my way, she wouldn't be taking a NSAID at all. I know there is risk associated with this drug class. But for her, the Rimadyl was working and my choice was euthanasia. I don’t want to give up on her too soon; because, well, I love her and when I look in her eyes I don’t think she’s ready to give up.

What a Morning!!

This morning I tried to poison Rosemary! With two senior Greyhounds in the house, one with chronic neck pain, medication time is a big event in our house. They don’t know they’re taking pills, they just think they get lots of peanut butter treats. FYI crunchy peanut butter makes a great pill delivery system – they can’t tell the pills from the peanuts. Anyway, as I already mentioned, Sugar has chronic neck pain. She had disc surgery two years ago and was pain free until last fall. When she began showing signs of neck pain again, we thought she had ruptured another disc and returned to the neurology docs at Auburn. After an MRI, a spinal tap, and countless blood tests and x-rays, no one could find the source of her neck pain. They did help us with a pain management program that seems to be working. In order to be comfortable, she needs a combination of several pain meds. Add to this mix, Speedy has a heart murmur and is low thyroid. Some days I feel like their pusher.

The morning routine is to get up and immediately give Sugar a pepcid and a Tylenol 4 w/ codeine. That takes the edge off the neck pain so she will eat breakfast, and protects her tummy for the meloxicam that follows breakfast. All three pups line up for their morning peanut butter treat. This morning, somehow, I managed to give Rosie Sugar’s treat, including the Tylenol with codeine. Now remember that Sugar at 65 lbs outweighs little 38 lb Rosie. After a self flagellation session, I dosed her with hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting and called the emergency vet – of course these things never happen during business hours. It looks like all will be well. Still don’t know how I managed to confuse a 65 lb white greyhound with a 38 lb red pharaoh hound. Obviously I was still asleep at the time!!

Speedy and Sugar Go Lure Coursing...Well sort of!!

Memorial Day Week-end had a little something for everyone this year. Saturday the whole family went lure coursing. OK, in reality only Rosie coursed, but the whole family went along for the ride. Friday, I packed the van with Rosie’s crate and the ex-pen for Speedy and Sugar. I also packed a tarp for shade as well as shade screen, water bowls, lots of water, snacks for human and hound, extra beds and blankets, and a battery operated fan to assure hound comfort. By the time the van was loaded with three hounds and all the necessary gear, Rob and Wheeler had to follow me in another car. Jeez, talk about taking everything but the kitchen sink!! In reality, they didn’t want to get up and leave as early as I needed to make 8:00 roll call in Calhoun anyway, so the extra gas would have been wasted in any case.

There were lots of Pharaoh Hounds in attendance. Eight running in open – it’s rare to have so many; often there are only two or three open Pharaohs and we’ve even run alone more than once. Rosie didn’t have a very good day as far as the judges were concerned though. She came in 5^th and got zero points. Rosie’s problem is that she is too smart for her own good - she cheats!! Why run the whole course behind the lure, if you can see where the line is going. She figures she might as well cut a loop off and head the lure off at the pass. This strategy is very effective if the goal is to get to the lure first, but not if you’re being judged on follow. She out smarted herself. All in all, she had a blast and came home tired and satisfied. She doesn’t care how many points she got or how she placed. She just thinks she had fun!! I'm not telling her she wasn't the star.

Sunday, we cooked out at a friend’s house where Wheeler enjoyed hanging out with the other teens. On Monday, we did nothing. Also a very good thing.

Memorial Day Weekend Plans

Speedy, Sugar, and I are going coursing Saturday, probably for the last time before next fall. It just gets too hot for the hounds in the dead of summer – especially in Georgia!! In reality, only Rosie will be running, but Speedy and Sugar already have their duds packed; they are planning a nice day in the country. Sugar plans to nap in the expen, in the shade, in front of her fan. Speedy will do the same, only he will be wistfully watching the festivities while staring at me with those big eyes designed to make me feel guilty. You see, I never took him coursing when he was young enough to safely run. Unfortunately, at almost 11, he has a heart murmur and some sort of orthopedic issue with his hips. Even absent those issues, he’s really to old to run a course of around 900 yards at top speed. He is very interested in the lure though and I truly wish I’d discovered how much fun lure coursing is for both hound and human when he was young enough.

Sugar on the other hand, shows absolutely no interest in chasing a plastic bag. She’s much too smart for such things. She does enjoy reclining on her soft bed in the shade though while the others “play their silly games!”

Sugar’s pain is now pretty well controlled and she is eating well. She feels good has even joined in a play session or two with Speedy and Rosie. I’m felling pretty good about her now.

Sunday we'll cook out at my friend Jenny's house to celebrate all of our birthdays. Can you believe Wheeler, Rob, and I all have May birthdays. Here's a couple of pics from Wheeler's birthday. He turned 14 on the 8th and will be in high school next fall. Wow!!

The Winner of the Old Mill Stakes and Recipient of the Old Mill Cup is........the Pharaoh Hound - Rosemary!!!!!

Rosie and I had an awesome weekend. The Old Mill Stakes is an ASFA lure coursing event and has been run the first weekend in May for the past twelve years. There is no daily Best in Field, but each day's Best of Breed is eligible to run in Best in Event on Sunday if they run both Saturday and Sunday. Rosie won Best of Breed Saturday and came in second on Sunday for the Pharaohs. Her run in Best in Event was spectacular. She soundly beat the competition and is the first Pharaoh to have won the Old Mill Stakes. The perpetual trophy is a huge. It's a fancy silver cup on a large wooden base with the names of all the previous winners engraved on the base.

I was so proud of my little rescue hound I almost cried. Goofy I know, but she's come a long way from the county animal control.

Speedy and Sugar were both along for the ride and I think enjoyed themselves. Speedy clearly wanted to chase the bunny too! He went nuts when the lure zipped by. I'm sorry I never coursed him when he was young enough.

Catch Up!!

I haven't updated here in a while. Rosie got both legs of her AKC JC back in February. Here are a few pictures. I was so proud of her. She then went on to earn BOB in an ASFA trail in March.

Sugar is out of jail and feeling much better - though still not pain free. Speedy is well...Speedy :-)!! Always with momma!! Gotta love it!