Chapter 11

I'm not sure exactly how many crazy Emma stories there have been, but I'm sure we are probably at 10. So here is Chapter 11 of the Crazy "tails" of Emma.

Emma has had some stinky breath for the last couple of weeks. It's gone beyond the morning breath I haven't had anything to eat, to the stinky all the time. So I've been looking in her mouth to see if I can find the cause. I saw what I though may have been a sore on her gum, so I thought I'd give it a week or so to see if it would heal itself. But at the end of last week the sore became a hole and you could see what looked like the top part of her tooth through her gum's. So I called and made an appointment with our vet, for what I thought may have been an abscessed tooth.

Yesterday we take her into the vet and explain the story. She looks at Emma's tooth and does think it's something, as well as the stinky breath. She said it didn't look like a typical abscess tooth and that usually an abscessed molar drains through the sinuses and the nose. She asked if Emma chewed bones and thought maybe it could be some trauma that wasn't healing. She suggested trying some antibiotics for a week to see if that would help to heal it. I thought that was a good idea. She wanted to do a more through look in Emma mouth. She opened Emma's mouth and the first thing that came out was "what is that?". I said isn't that just part of her hard palate in her mouth. She says "no that's not normal" What we were seeing was a white thin hard piece at the top of her mouth. So I thought about it for a minute and remember about a time a month ago when we were attempting to decrease Emma's dose of her crazy medication and how she ripped up a wicker basket we had a the front door. Of course the thing in her mouth was a piece of wicker wedged between her two molars. That piece of wood was rotting and causing the stinky breath and the wood was putting a hole in her gum's .

Our vet suggested grabbing some forceps and seeing if she could remove it. She came back in with a vet tech to help hold. So the three of us held Emma and the vet grabbed the piece of wicker with her clamps and got it out. The vet tech was shocked. "Oh my god, oh my god" she kept saying. She was so surprised and didn't have a good poker face.

Luckily Emma is on the road to recovery and the stinky breath is so much better. She is still taking some antibiotics to be sure she heals properly. And the indent in her mouth where the stick was is looking better too.

Wonder what Chapter 12 will be...

Jenn

Down By the River...

Emma is doing better and better. The medication has leveled out in her system and now even when we leave and you can tell she is upset, she still won't destroy anything in the house, or howl at the moon. So I do think we have made some progress. I think going back to our regular routine has really helped too.

We have also been more consistent with getting her exercise. She is able to walk on all four legs now and I take her with me when I walk the boys to and from school. I've also been walking her more in the evenings which has been good for both of us. We've also been taking her down by the river and she has been swimming. She loves swimming and it makes her coat so soft and smooth. The river runs through Fish Creek Park.


The first couple of times we did it the boys weren't really sure. Lucas brought his DS and wanted to sit in the car. But its amazing how nature brings out the "exploring" side of kids. The boys now love to go down to the river. They look for bugs and flowers, they throw things in the river and walk the paths. It's such a great feeling that the kids would rather explore nature then play video games.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Emma Update

So we have been working with Emma based on the recommendations from the Dr., and are seeing some progress. Not sure how much of it is the medication she is on, but happy to be seeing things slowly improving.

We took a video of her a couple of days ago and although she didn't destroy anything in the house, she cried and cried and howled and howled. Breaks my heart to see her in such distress. But today we took another video of her after leaving her for an hour and she was much better. No crying or howling.

Things also seem to be getting a bit better with her paw. We got her a brace so when we take her for walks we can use it. But we have been taking her swimming a lot (thank god we live close to a clean river). And she is consistently walking on it.

Hopefully we are moving in the right direction.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Plan of Attack

One of the big drama's in our life this summer has been Emma and everything that has been going on with her. It all stemmed from her separation anxiety. So while we are conservatively treating her wrist, we are working on her separation anxiety. Today we went to see a veterinarian who specialized in dog behavior problems. It was really helpful to meet with someone who is an expert in these issues. She identified many things with Emma that were not evident to me, her owner for the last 8 years. At one point she was talking about her being relaxed. She identified signs she was demonstrated that she wasn't relaxed.

So here is our plan of action for Emma:

1. Increase her medication
2. More exercise, swimming
3. Yawn, when she is showing signs of being tense, be relaxed, yawn
4. Protocol for Deference : she must sit for anything
5. Video her
6. Protocol for relaxation
7. Massage her when she's calm
8. Play classical music for her when we are away.

I'm feeling much better about everything. It's nice to have a plan from someone who's seen Emma and who is an expert in dog behavior.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Emma and Carpal Hyperextension Part 2

We met with the veterinarian again today for a progress report on Emma. Her splint actually broke at some point on our trip so we took it off her yesterday afternoon. She had been putting a little bit of weight on it but spent a lot of time walking on three legs. It was better then it was a week ago, but still not healed all the way. Plus when she walks on it you can see her wrist bend all the way down. So it looks like she does have the carpal hyper extension.

So the question is what to do next. The only option is really surgery. So the Dr. told me more about the surgery. The surgery does not fix the problem. Emma will always walk this way no matter what. The surgery will help to prevent arthritis occuring as quickly but it won't stop the arthritis nor will it make her walk better again. The other part of the surgery is that we can have it done at any time. It's not something that needs to be done right away.

I did do some research on the internet and there are a couple of companies that sell splints that are more flexible then what she has been wearing. They are splints we can take on and off. We can use it when she walks but take it off at night.

So I think the plan for now is to have Emma wear the splint and see how it goes. Part of me is sad that Emma won't ever be a crazy running dog like she was. Another part of me is glad to have all the information about the 3000$ surgery so I don't feel like putting my happiness above Emma's or vice versa. Anyway so that is the story... for now....

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

July 1st

Emma loves meat, she loves loves meat. In her old age she has even taken to carbohydrates. Not chips or pretzels. But if there are potatoes or rice or something that is come in close contacts with meat. So tonight I put Nathan and Lucas's dinner on the floor for Emma to finish off. Here is what was left over.


The green beans.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Spring has Sprung

I can tell by all the green coming up in the garden, the sandals coming out of the closet and all of the rabbits around! There are usually a couple of jack rabbits around in the neighboor hood, but there are SO many of them around. This became an issue for us this morning, when letting Emma out to pee she must have seen a rabbit and chased after it. She was gone when it was time to take the kids, so I had to take the kids and go back and look for her. When I got back home she still wasn't on the front step. I headed out back to look for her and by the pond close to our house. I call her name about 3 or 4 times and then walked back to the house, and there she was sitting on the front step.






What a dog! It's great that she always comes back home. She is so smart, but sometimes too smart for her own good.....

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

The Furminator

As Emma grows older her shedding problem has been getting worse and worse. Every spring and fall Emma sheds a lot of her hair. I vaccum once a day to pick up all the hair. I've even tired to vaccum her. This fall I was debating taking her to a groomer to see if that would help. Instead I thought I would go what Lori recommend: the Furimator. It is expensive (40$), so we have put it off for a while. But today we went out and bought it and OH MY GOSH look at all the hair it got out:



And that is about a quarter of the hair that came out. It was also great because the Furminator didn't bother her at all. In the past if we have used a comb she really didn't like it. If you have a dog and they shed I definitely recommend it.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Emma

I love that dog of mine. We have been snuggling together in the nights, laying in Nathan's room while he falls asleep. She is there wagging her tail and jumping every time I come home. I love that dog. My favorite part is that we have to take her out everyday (well almost everyday) for exercise. So everyday even in the winter, I go out and get some fresh air.



What about you what's your favorite part about your pet?

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Pure Joy

You know the sound of a kids laugh, that is a really genuine laugh

Or when you taste a really great glass of wine.

Or when you peak in at your kids and they are sleeping peacefully.

That feeling of pure joy.

We had that today when we took Emma to the off leash. We have not been to the off leash in over a year. And really it was not pure joy for me. It was lots of work. I packed Lucas's bike and a stroller for Nathan. Leashs, bags, balls, towels, snacks and drinks all packed up. We were off. We got there unpacked everything we just packed up. If Emma could smile at me she would have. There she was free, running and sniffing others dog butts. Running back and forth as though this was heaven for her. But the best part was coming up... the swimming. We usually go to this off leash because it borders the river. The moment she saw the water she went running for it. There she stood in the water watching and waiting for us to throw something for her. Once we did it was game over. Throw, run, swim and swim, shake and repeat. Nathan and Lucas has both dipped their feet in the glacier fed Bow River, threw rocks into the river, threw sticks for Emma and played with the sand/mud. Eventually we left. But on the way home I'm sure she wishes she could hug me.

I forgot about this pure joy for Emma.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Last Days of Winter (hopefully)

WInter in Calgary is never ending. It always seems to take forever for it to leave. We often have snow in April or May. Don't feel too bad for us though. We also have lots of warm days in the middle of the winter.

But here are some shots of the boys and Emma enjoying the last of the snow.

The kids playing on the toboggan hill. Darryl just went down it.


Lucas and Torin watching the kids outside.

Darryl may enjoy it all the most.

Lucas and Auntie Karen blowing bubbles.


Emma in the snow.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Trust

I had a conversation with a friend of mine tonight about training your dog. When we got Emma, Darryl and I took classes to train our dog, because we had no idea. We didn't know about kenneling your dog or giving them treats right away. We learned so much. Although it has taken lots of work we really trust that dog... here's an example.

Last night we had stew for dinner and Nathan had a peice of the steak in his hand. We were trying to teach him how to give it to Emma. So he put his hand down beside his highchair and Emma licked his fingers which made him laugh. Then he opened his fingers and Emma took the meat from his hand. So yeah we trust our dog.


Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Adventures of Emma (Houdini)

me: good morning

how's Emma been?Susan: the last couple of days have been difficult

me: oh no, whys that?

Susan: I sometimes think that she is to smart for her own good

8:15 AM me: what's going on?

Susan: Well its a really long story, Dad told you about how he broke the chair

8:16 AM me: yeah he did. Is she okay? Are you okay?

8:17 AM Susan: Well it really spooked her and she ran off, Dad was really worried, but it was hard for him to look for her because he was wearing roller blades

He called me and I had just gotten home from work, so I went over to help him look for Emma

8:18 AM I also took him some shoes. Then he started one way around the lake and I went the other and then up the side walk

When I got to the top to the walk there was a truck parked in front of you house with a dog in it that looked like Emma

8:20 AM The man asked me if I was Jenn, I said no that I was her mom and was that Emma in his truck, he said yes. He told me that his girlfriend worked to animal control and looked up the tag and they decided to bring Emma back home. When I asked them were they found Emma they said she was way over on the other side of the neighboorhood

What street I asked. They said ____ green (which is my moms street)

8:21 AM They live three doors away from us and Emma had run all the way to our house after she was spooked

me: Wow, she went back to your house?

Susan: Yes I can't believe that she would know how to do that. But let me continue with the story.

8:22 AM Yesterday morning I went to drop her off before work and she refused to get out of the car.

I had no idea what to do and I was late for work so I just took her with me and left her in the car.

8:23 AM We had a call out in Black Diamond and so she came with us. I had the Subaru as I was hoping to take it in to get it detailed, so we ended up taking that so that Emma would not be alone

8:24 AM I don't think she likes the tinted windows as about halfway out she jumped into the front seat onto Ro's lap

So I pulled over and got Ro to sit in the back and Emma in the front.

8:25 AM When we got back to Calgary I decided to go to your house and see if I could get Emma to go into the house via the back door.

8:26 AM I took some struggling, but she did finally go in. This was about 3:30 in the afternoon. I called your Dad and said don't worry about picking her up and I would pick her up after work around 8:00

When I got to your place after work she was waiting for me outside on the front step, tail wagging all excited.

8:27 AM I am thinking how the hell did she get out, I suspect that you are thinking the same.

8:28 AM So I checked the front door which was locked and then went to the back of the house and at first it looked like the back door was closed, so I checked the windows and couldn't figure out what was going on.

8:30 AM When I looked at the back door again I could see that it was open, so I went in heart in my throat thinking D is going to kill me if the computer are gone, but all was still there then I looked and she had scratched at the door as there is some wood on the floor and some insulation, I think that in her scratching she unlocked the door and then got the door handle to turn and out she was. Luckily the cats didn't get out too.

8:31 AM So your dad and I went back last night and took the lock off the door and barricaded it with numerous household items. Not sure what to do with her today as I am working again, leave her in the car, take her back to your place or leave her hear

what do you think

8:32 AM me: my god.......

Susan: If she had some Ativan it would be easier :D

Susan: I feel like with all this typing I just wrote your next blog

me: I think it will be =)

8:38 AM me: Lori and I were reading it and kept saying... Type faster... what is going to happen.

8:39 AM Susan: okay,

8:40 AM me: I say just leave her in our house. Try to use the front door and say " Emma you are staying here, have a good day" be sure that the basement door is closed. And when you drive away be sure she sees the car leaving.

Susan: okay

me: If she seems agitated tell her to lay down and stay.

8:41 AM Tell her again, she is staying here.

As mom said that dog is too smart for her own good. I'll let you know what happens....

Till Tomorrow.... Jenn

You can Almost See The Smile on Her Snout

We were debating on bringing Emma on this vacation with us. Emma does not like Opa. She is always on alert whenever he is around. Also with the two car seats, there is not alot of room for her on the 8 hour drive. But when trying to decide if we would take her or not I asked my dad's opinion. He said this dog was put here to please you, so whatever makes you happy is what you should do. So we took her.

And I'm so glad we did. When she is swimming in that lake she couldn't be happier. I don't think Lucas and Nathan really appreciate being on vacation and the change of scenery. But Emma loves swimming in the lake. Something she can't really do at home. I have spent lots this vacation longing for it to be 5 years from now, when the boys really appreciate the beach ( I know the grass is not always greener). Except with Emma, she is so happy with her parents.




Till Tomorrow............ Jenn

Cool Black and Whites of the Animals

Fabulous Fall

Today Lucas, Emma and I all went to the offleash park. With our crazy house crap that is going on I'm having trouble doing things that were part of my "pre-stress" life. One of those things was taking Emma to play where other dogs play and run around and have a blast. With Fall here it's great to walk in the leaves and I forgot how much Emma loves the park. She jumped like a gazelle through the long grass, hunting mice. She chased dogs and caught her frisbee out of the air. Lucas also enjoyed the fresh air and dogs. I do love fall.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Wordless Wednesday

David Copperfield Strikes Again

Emma is an amazing escape artist. She has escaped from the her dog pen, dog pen with a roof, dog pen with a closed door, dog pen with a locked door, other people's dog pens. It's like she is super bendy and super clever all wrapped up in the same dog. The great thing is that after all these escapes she's usually waiting in the back yard or the front step for us. The problem is she loves us so much. She doesn't want to be away from us. We have remedied this and most of the time she is fine when we leave her. Most of the time being the key word.

Today she escaped from a locked house.

How is this possible you ask? Is she really David Copperfield (or that other crazy guy who once locked himslef in ice, whose name is not coming to me)?

No, there is always an explanation, even if it is amazing. Today she went through the screen is a window that was slightly open. She slithered her way through.

Luckily our neighbor found her and not the pound. Although like I said she always comes home. She is super loyal. Unlike Torin who will go to anyone with a hand.

Enjoy your weekend!

Jenn

Stinky Mood

Emma rolled in a dead fish!!!! I tried to give her a bath in Lucas's little pool in the backyard and used Lucas's gentle shampoo, but it did make it any better, and now I smell like a dead fish too.

If anyone has any good rememdies for this I'd love to hear it.

grrr..... I'll post a happier message later.

Jenn

Dampness and Best Buddies

Not alot of people will understand this, but it is Ontario cold here. Not freezing, but so damp. I have the fire on, and am drinking tea. Green Jasmine tea in fact. I feel cold to the core. Ontario cold. Atleast the rain is good for the grass.

Today we had to take Emma to the vet for her yearly shots. I brought some extra toys to entertain Lucas as Emma HATES the vet. I don't use hate very often but that is how she feels. As soon as we walked in the door she was shaking. To keep Lucas happy I asked him to tell her that "It will be okay." So Lucas kept telling her it would be okay. Once we brought Emma in the room and Lucas could see how upset she was, Lucas gave dirty looks to the vet (although the vet still complemented Lucas on how well he could speak). Then when the vet gave the needles to Emma, Lucas started crying and wanted to come up. Although I was so glad that Lucas could feel Emma's pain, there I was trying to balance a dog and a child. The joys of motherhood.

Till Tomorrow (our anniversary)

Jenn