Birthday Boy

Yesterday it was Rudy's 8th birthday. Yes, our beloved dog is getting up there in age. Before the kids were born he was our baby. We let him sleep on our bed, on the furniture, and played fetch with him more frequently. And on his birthday, he would always get some sort of gift. Frosty Paws were one of his favorites (although the repercussions of his gas left something else to be desired). Of course since we have had children, poor Rudy doesn't get the attention that he once did. He's no longer allowed on any of the furniture (although I still hear a quick jump from my bed when I enter the house...with the sheets pulled down as evidence that a warm furry body was recently curled there). And the long walks we once had are replaced with quick outings out the slider door to simply do his business. Oh, he doesn't get completely ignored. He still gets daily doggy treats, a pat on the head, and occasional outing in the field with "dad". And who could forget a pull on the tail, and jump on the back to play "rodeo" by the girls (I'm sure he loves that one). But simply said, he can no longer claim is spot as "baby" in this growing household of kids.

Yesterday, however Ruders got the royal treatment. When I told the girls it was his birthday, they wanted to have a celebration. I told them, that he wouldn't remember, and that he didn't really care, but they were insistent. They cared. They made sure he had extra treats yesterday, sang him "Happy Birthday" a number of times, and petted him with extra care through out the day. Kyra said, " you have to get him a present! He's my best boy!" So with that, I went to the store for a rawhide chew. Before I left for the store, Kyra said..."What are you going to get him mom? You can tell me because it's not my birthday. But don't tell him, or else it won't be a secret anymore." I just love innocence of kid's minds. So, Rudy thoroughly enjoyed his birthday attention and wagged his tail eagerly in anticipation of the smelly treat beneath the wrapping paper. Happy Birthday old pal!

Singing Happy Birthday to Rudy


Enjoying his rawhide, without even opening it yet

Heebie Jeebies

**warning, warning, content might give heebie jeebies**

Yesterday morning, I sat on the couch to watch the morning news, and grimaced at the TV as they commented on the frost advisory that was out for the the umpteenth time in May (yes, it is 3 days before June and we still have to cover our flowers for fear of frost. Actually, I think half of my flowers have died already. Crazy). Anyway, Rudy (our dog) stretched his way over to the couch to say his morning "hello." He leaned in for a scratch, and headed to the sliding door so he could be let out for his morning call. However, as I got up to let him outside, I noticed something at the base of his tale. It looked like a growth of some sort. I immediately sighed at the thought of a growth, because last year he had a growth that had to be surgically removed that cost us a pretty penny. And I certainly did not want to pay more money to have another skin tag removed on a DOG. What boggled me even more was that I hadn't even noticed it before, because it was a pretty good size.

I went ahead and started to prob it, only to realize it was just barely hanging on. I could practically pull it off myself, and he wouldn't even notice. Only, just before I did, I noticed something funny. That skin tag had LEGS! I immediately yanked my arm away, and did a little squeamish dance. I had been poking and probing a bug. I called the vet, and she said to bring him over right away, because it was most likely a tick. That thing was huge. Like the size of a beetle! I didn't even know we had tick's in our yard. I seriously couldn't get my skin to stop crawling. I would share a picture, but I didn't think most viewers would like to get a good look at my dog's rear end. However here is a picture from the net. The enlarged tick is close to the size of the one that was on poor Rudy.



So we went to the vet and Rudy had his little friend removed. They actually had to shave a spot on his tale to get to it. It was one of the bigger ones they had seen. So, of course they are sending it to somewhere like the DNR to get evaluated (and make sure there isn't any disease in it), but in the mean time I am supposed to monitor him for signs of infection. And to think I touched the thing without any gloves on. I felt like spraying the house with Lysol, taking a shower, there had to be something I could do to calm my nerves.

Anyway, today is a new day. I've calmed down a bit, and Rudy is no worse for the wear. I honestly don't think he even knew anything went on. Oh, the life of a dog, without worries, fears, or anxiety.