Week end with Mom!

Black Jack: Found a new corner and position for sleeping...

11/28/09 Mom sure had a hard day dealing not only with a couple of things with her new computer that just wouldn't work, but also not feeling well at all.. At least I behaved very well and we had a good night's sleep.

11/29/09 Today was a different story altogether. Seems Mom really is learning some good coping skills. She put aside the computer problems since she has things she really wants to do instead of the continual frustrating trying which has seemed to be how her life has been spent mostly. She figured out an alternative temporary solution to yesterdays' problem. This seems to have made all the difference.

We took our walks, mine before the cold wind came up. I wonder if I'll get raindrops on my head when I go out for bedtime potty call like I did last night--I don't much like that! No wetness, but pretty darn cold for Arizona.

Thanksgiving holiday with Mom!

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Black Jack: And this is how I spent my Thanksgiving...also planning to do lots more of it!

11/25/09 Yes, after only one time outside and the heat turned on in my bed it was a beautiful night--the white, silver, gold of angels is back. AND it lasted all day long.

11/26/09 I spent most of my day basking in the sunshine. Mom went to a friend's house for turkey dinner. I was pretty darn lonely when she got back, but she gave me some 'real' turkey so all was well

11/27/09 Today Mom left and brought back a new computer so my blogging was put on hold even longer. But she knows how important it is to me to share with you, so I think we're back in good shape now. I know it gave Mom a real headache getting things all set up but boy she sure is good at this stuff--even if she has to learn some of it the hard way. We're both hoping you had a great Thanksgiving with lots of love around you!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

All I want to say today is that I'm grateful for my long, happy life AND that Mom chose ME! I'm a really lucky guy!!

Tuesday with Mom!

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­11/25/09 Lately Mom has started my days by snuggling me in her arms. Her robe is so soft and cuddly I love it since the house is chilly enough that I shiver in the mornings. Besides that the mornings are cold for going to the bathroom. So to gradually awaken, feel the urge and acclimate myself to a new day is greatly appreciated. Bet there are lots of people/animals who would like this kind of pampering...

Rather than being slow and tedious, Mom & I decided to call my walks as well as most of my other activities in these 'twilight years' "gentle". It seems a nicer approach to my being ness now. However when nighttime came, the beautiful orange, rose and silver of this realization turned to the red, black of a warrior after Mom got to scrub the kitchen floor for a second time right at bedtime. My pretty colors will come back.

Long week end with Mom!

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Black Jack: I'm practicing for eating some of Mom's leftover Turkey!

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­11/24/09 Sheesh! Apparently in ALL of Mom's recent computer problems, my notes from the week end got deleted. Well, not too much to report...life isn't exciting in the same way at age 90 as it was when I was a kid.

The other night I accidentally got the tip of one of Mom's fingers in my teeth again. It wasn't quite as bad for her as last time since I think she has become faster. She just hates to see me struggling to find, then pick up and keep those cookie morsels in my mouth.

Yesterday's walk found me wobbling like crazy...actually I had my food on my mind. Then again it's hard to walk in a straight line when you can't even see the line anymore.

I'm getting ready for Thanksgiving because I know Mom will share some of her leftovers from going to her 'coffee buddy's' house. Hopefully I'll be able to keep THAT in my mouth and get it chewed.

Friday with Mom!

Black Jack: It's good to be alive! In light of two of my animal friends passing yesterday, I'm so grateful to have had the long life I' have been blessed with--and helping keep Mom on track >he he<.

11/20/09 Oh, my, I sure am letting more poo's slip... I've been doing that almost every morning and Mom seems to handle the stinky bed better than the wet bed. Of course wet smells bad to her, too. When she chose to take me for my walk before she did her own, I let a few slip as soon as she put me down. And I couldn't really decide whether I wanted to continue the walk or not, so I got only about 1/2 a walk today. But the day was awesome so it was good to be outside even for a bit. It's good to be alive! Especially since Mom got word today that Nikki pass as well as another friend's dear cat.

Mom tried everything to make me happy in the evening. She fed me, took me out (I fell asleep outside in the cold), put me in bed, held me, but all I could think of was my bedtime cookie. I finally did eat more of my dinner.

Only up a few times during the night--no accidents for a while.

Thursday with Mom!

Okay, so if Mom's too busy tocover me up I'll just get my nose under those covers and do it myself!

11/19/09 I slept really late today after being up at 5 a.m. to do my 'duties'. I almost didn't do my blog today since Mom has been having so much computer trouble. But better late than never, I guess. We both got our walks. Mine was in partial sunshine so again really comfortable. Mom got interrupted with a business call and so her walk was later than she planned. It was getting cold and a bit more 'dusk' than she likes to be out. And to top it off, I just couldn't hold it until she got back.

I ate everything in front of me and was looking for more. Mom about gave it to me, too but knew I'd had enough. Think I'm glad. Then as Mom was finally getting some relaxation time, attention on something other than me, I had to go again. She really doesn't like having two mishaps in the same day. She reacts to just one and so you might say she over reacts when I do two or more. At least I messed up a spot that hadn't needed scrubbing for a while (other than my foot prints...).

Wednesday with Mom!

11/18/09 Today at breakfast I notice Mom had scrubbed the whole wall behind where I eat and then covered it with a plastic. I guess it must bother her to look at my brown food smears all over the white wall.
Another sunshiney day, so both Mom and I got our walks. I was so ready by the time Mom got off the phone to Susan. Seems Nikki may get to come home today--whew! Our humans sure do wrap their lives around us. The walk was awesome--I felt as if I could go forever. Of course I knew food was waiting at home, too. The shade was almost too cool while the sun warmed me just right.
Supper was yummy.
Mom provided a warmed bed for me. I remember that she did that a few winters for Katie & me and I sure do like it. Makes the bed a bit less soft (heating pad beneath me), but the snuggly warmth is worth it. Last year she used an electric blanket, but this year I think she's afraid I might do my business on it, so a heating pad would be better. Well, guess what! it was a bit too warm. Winter isn't quite here yet. I was able to sleep more comfortably when she turned it back off leaving my coat and blanket on me instead.

Monday & Tuesday with Mom!

11/16/09 Today seemed like a 'crisis day' for Mom. She was able to get me outside, fed and back to bed before she had to leave. We both did get our walks later in the day, since she wasn't able to work at her computer because she had taken it to the 'computer doctor'. It was an amazingly 'perfect' fall day again. No worries the rest of the day and maybe just a bit more attention from Mom since the computer was missing.
11/17/09 What wild and crazy days! Mom had to go get her computer this morning. Then she left me outside way too long and even though it is fall the Arizona sunshine is a bit too warm to be out in it too long--at least for me.
I think something is wrong at my friend Susan's house across the street. Mom is going over there a couple of times a day. I have a sad feeling it might be because of Nikki, Susan's little white dog. If that's the case, Mom is caring for Susan's birds which I know she isn't comfortable with. But Susan cares for me when Mom has to be gone very long so it's 'the neighborly thing to do'. Even though Nikki seems a bit obnoxious to me at my age, and she pees with excitement every time she sees us, she's just a youngster and I sure hope she gets better soon. Now that the computer wildness has settled down again this extra responsibility won't feel quite so daunting to Mom.
At least we are having very good nights sleeping which I'm sure helps.

Week end with Mom!

11/14/09 Okay, so I was shivering a bit today...Mom put a fleece-lined denim coat that once belonged to Katie on me for my walk. I didn't realize how much bigger she must have been than I was. Mom thought my balking at taking a walk might have been that I could barely waddle in that coat--that is until she got me to my backyard where I had to poo. Seems these days I only want to do my jobs in my own back yard. It even took me days to figure out that I could go in Auntie Robyn's yard when we visit her. Strange perhaps, when most of us dogs like to go anywhere and frequently, but for whatever reason it seems to be a strong preference for me now.
Yahoo! It was a dry night with sounds sleep other than getting Mom up only once for a potty call.
11/15/09 Today looked like it might just be another too quiet day. But Mom fed me fresh food that I ate while she walked and then she came home and took me for my walk. It was one of those almost perfect Arizona days with the sun warming my skin and the crisp breeze blowing through what is left of my hair. There weren't too many headlines to sniff out in our quiet neighorhood--either that or my 'sniffer' isn't up to snuff.
One more really good night, only going outside once then sleeping as late as Mom needed me to.

11/16/09 Today seemed like a 'crisis day' for Mom. She was able to get me outside, fed and back to bed before she had to leave.

Thursday & Friday with Mom!

I remember when I could stand on my own two back feet and beg like the best of them. And just look at that silky black coat! We old guys sometimes just get wobbly legs and thinning hair...

11/12/09 Not much to report on this cloudy, blustery Arizona day. All went pretty well. Mom got out of the house for a bit and brought a few groceries back, along with some more ear medicine. I sure hope like she does that since it helps me not be so restless, for both our sakes. Well, it didn't work this night...not sure what the problem was. Had to go out a couple of times and then tossed and turned but at least it wasn't the ear.

11/13/09 This was a dreary, drizzly day and I really don't much like water drops falling on my head when I'm trying to go to the bathroom. Just imagine! So I held it as long as I could. Mostly slept today...then couldn't hold it any longer and again it was at bedtime of course. Mom was even more unhappy with my weak bladder when I did it again immediately after I'd been outside in the cold drizzle for so long a time Mom's sympathy won out. Guess she needs to be tougher, sad to say.

It seems to Mom like one day is just another version of the last sometimes. And indeed they may be, but in every tiny moment there are things to cherish and be grateful for--like remembering good times as in the picture. Mom often feels she needs something to look forward to in order to be enthusiastic. I sure hope she works more on being in the present moments as she knows she must.

Tuesday & Wednesday with Mom!

Black Jack: What a difference a decade makes--especially in a dog's life, eh?!

11/10/09 It was hard for Mom after Robyn left, mostly because the house got really quiet. She went for her walk but felt sorta down the rest of the day. It could have had something to do with my restlessness all night long, however. It was good that she finally rested in the afternoon. I thought for a while that I'd get to go for my walk but it got too cold and dark too soon. Mom asked me to forgive her for just not feeling like it, and I always have and always will of course.
Interesting how very much it affects Mom when someone she loves is hurting in any way... These humans sure do live complicated lives. At the end of the day I was restless again and for about 2 hours Mom tried everything she knew to do, finally putting some medicine in my ear. Maybe she'll get some more so she can do that more often...and get to sleep more.
11/11/09 I find that I'm not feeling like posting my blog entries quite as often these days because one day seems to meld into the next. I'm so glad I don't let that get to me like Mom does. Seems that if she doesn't have some thing to look forward to, she gets a little down. Now that sure isn't living in this very special moment of now like we dogs do, is it? I do believe that is one of the many reasons I'm sticking around...to be sure she 'gets' it.
Both of us got our walks today--gorgeous weather. I don't much like the loose, crunchy leaves under my feet but Mom really does, going out of her way to scrunch them.
Kitchen floor sure smelled good today--TWO scrubbings!

Very long week end with Mom!

11/7/09 Mom was busy doing laundry and getting ready for Auntie Robyn to visit, so I didn't eat much and just went back to bed after morning 'duties. Only chowed down late in the afternoon. By then Mom had lost her steam and didn't really feel all that great--think it may have had something to do with the wind coming up.

11/8/09 Both of us were up early and boy, that dusk time of day is cold! So shocking it's hard to do my business and shiver at the same time. Sometimes Mom and I get our communication wires crossed. I made sure I stayed really 'laid back' so Mom and Auntie Robyn could talk and watch tv together most of the day after she arrived. Robyn seemed to really need to talk lots with Mom. I believe it had something to do with Jim's family and his not getting to come. I have to give Mom credit for fixing me more food when I finished up. I made sure to stand right by her legs so she wouldn't miss the clue that I was still hungry when I finished my first dish of food.

11/9/09 Whew! Mom and Auntie Robyn sure stayed busy during this day. They were in and out all day long--eating, shopping and bunches of talking! I was a very good boy...only having a couple of accidents before bedtime last night.

Thursday & Friday with Mom!

11/5/09 Today Mom seemed warmed by good wishes and excited to go for a birthday celebration breakfast with her friend. No walks... Later in the day another friend stopped by and she petted me. I barely knew she was there but sensed that she loves me like almost everyone else who has ever met me.

We didn't get our walks but it's okay once in a while to just lay around...just ask me.

11/6/09 This day I did get my walk--later in the day again. The air wasn't filled with smoke and it was really comfortable. A neighbor stopped to chat with Mom and gently petted me, too. I think people don't know what to expect of such an old guy. In fact sometimes I think they feel as if I might break or something. But that's sure not the case--just ask Mom. I'm pretty tough even if I act like I'm in a different world and stumble a lot.

Boy trying to enjoy my bedtime treat sure is a lot of work these days! And this has added another wrinkle to all Mom's already numerous care giving duties. In trying to get those darn cookies to stay in my mouth, I have to chase them all over the kitchen floor with my mouth. This causes lots of saliva to be left behind to be cleaned up. In addition, my wobbly legs don't let me change positions on my soft plush bed by myself, so in the night, Mom has to get up and help me so I quit thrashing around in my crate.

Then top this off with both nights ending in another kitchen floor scrubbing and I'm glad Mom was still in 'birthday mode'. She seems to get really agitated when I pee right next to the floor boards--must be something about how the urine soaks into the wall. Glad she has some chemical to take the odor away or she would be even more upset.

Oh well, tomorrow will be a better day.

Wednesday with Mom!

11/4/09 Today Mom got to go on her walk before she had to talk on the phone with Auntie Robyn & Jim about business. I didn't feel like eating and couldn't decide if I wanted to sleep, be outside or in my kitchen area. Mom tried everything to make me happy except for going back to the kind of food I really like. She tries to vary my diet and I just don't care. Find what works and stick with it I say! I was finally able to get that point across and enjoyed my really good food in the afternoon. I was still up wandering in the kitchen (also had an accident) when she got back with bags of food again today.
My walk was in the late afternoon again, but grateful to get to do it. I have a harder time when the sun isn't bright knowing what direction to go, but Mom guides me pretty well. It sure can be confusing, though.
A good portion of today I spent sitting in the middle of the hard, cold kitchen floor hanging my head--almost tipped over sleeping in that position a few times. But I just jumped right back out of my bed when Mom put me there. So I guess there's nothing left for her to do but be okay with my choice. Maybe she can call it my "meditation time".
Mom was restless most of the night--I think the smoke in the air was bothering her because I think I sensed her coughing once.

Monday & Tuesday with Mom!

Grooming day yesterday! This is how I used to look on grooming day--now I just get a short cut for my comfort and Mom's convenience.

11/2/09 It was a late walk but only for me... Mom is still processing 'being'. My ear area is bothering me again even when Mom keeps it clean. So it took a while for me to settle down for the night, but then all was well.

11/3/09 No big problems this morning--my ear/jaw area seems to be a bit better. Didn't really feel like eating the food with extra vitamins in it. I really don't know why Mom must keep putting stuff in my food. Guess she wants to keep me as healthy as possible. The beginning of Mom's birthday outings began today with her going out to eat.

Then this was grooming day. Boy, I sure don't like it, but feel so much better when it's all over. Today wasn't quite as bad as other times since I seemed to be really tired--so tired I even fell asleep on the table at one point when there was a lull in the clipping and scissoring. Carla is really as gentle and careful as she can be and I don't make it easy for her with my thrashing around wanting to stand on at least two of my wobbly feet. She told Mom that my problem isn't my teeth but something to do with my ear. Good thing because it would be impossible to fix a tooth problem for me now.

I had to be reminded with some kitchen time that sleeping in my bedroom bed is just fine...then a very good night again.

Week end with Mom!

10/31/09 I got to enjoy some special moments with Mom this morning, sitting in her lap in the sunshine. If I could have heard them I know Mom was thrilled to listen to the birds sing. She also loves the sunshine which can get a bit too warm with my black hair--that's why the fancy shirts even in the summertime. Usually I don't like to be held too long these days but this day it felt pretty good.

I thought I wasn't going to get my walk today, but late in the afternoon Mom took me and then went for her own. It was really a beautiful day leaning toward warm but just about right. I think this is why Mom moved us from our grassy Nebraska backyard to Arizona. And I can't say I'm unhappy (like Mom) that I don't have to try to wade or leap through that very cold white stuff in the winter. My belly used to actually drag in it and sometimes Mom couldn't even find me! Then I was covered in white balls until it melted!

11/1/09 We had a bit of a rocky start to this month of November...Mom just wasn't there when I woke WITH the urges going on! So she got to clean up not only my bed but my body as well. I then got to go back to my activity room bed to finish my morning sleep before breakfast.

Once again I thought I'd not get my walk but took a stroll late afternoon as the sun went behind the mountain which was nice for a change of pace.

Mom had yet another talk on the phone with Auntie Robyn and I think she is finally beginning to get her 'head on straight'. She says she's been feeling as if she doesn't want to do anything at all and so is planning to say no to what doesn't feel right until she figures out how to do only what she is led to do and not live only for others (except for me, of course). And we animals are here for these stubborn humans to get by our good examples that life is meant to be enjoyed not struggled through!