Monday, June 29, 2009

My son started his new job today. He was out of work for nearly ten months. He's doing managerial/admin/computer tech for a philanthropic foundation in NYC. I'm so glad he's not working corporate any more.

Pepper's been barking and frisky this morning. She's saying 'Woohoo! I don't have to be quiet anymore!'

Friday, June 26, 2009

Picky Pepper

Hubby brought home a bag of dried chicken fillets for Ms. Beast. You'd think he'd just given her the best present in the world. Now, she turns up her nose at any of her other treats - including the oatmeal-peanut butter dog cookies I bake for her. (yes, I bake for my dog!)

I had her out in the yard for a while this morning, tossing the ball and frisbee around. She decided to take the frisbee and hide in the bushes with it. I called and called. She just sat there, laughing at me, knowing that I won't walk through the part of the yard (between her and me) that is one giant mud puddle. Finally I said 'Do you want some chicken?' Zoom! She sure can move fast for an old dog!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

I FINALLY was able to get a pee specimen out of Mme. Queen. I dropped it off at the vet's and the new receptionist took it and brought up the chart. He said the urinalysis wasn't paid for yet, so took out my plastic. $64. He processed it and gave me the print out. I went back to the car. I'm glad I looked at the printout because it had this on the paper:
Name: Pepper
Species: FERRET (!!!)
Weight 1.5 lbs.

I went back into the office and said to the guy:
'Uh, this isn't my pet. She's a DOG.'

'Oh, oops!' He ran the computer thing again, this time by my name in stead of my phone number, and up came Pepper's chart. The urinalysis WAS covered in the senior health check. So I got a refund, and everyone had a good laugh.

A 110# ferret is indeed a frightening thing!

This is my son and Pepper. You can see how large she is.
chris & dog

Monday, June 15, 2009

We took Miz Pepper to the Vet this morning. It's a two person job. Just getting her in the car when she KNOWS she's headed for the vet's is a job and a half. I even moved my seat forward to get her inside the car. That made a bit of space so she could get in, then hop on the seat. That accomplished, there was much shedding and panting till we got there (it's only a mile away). Once we arrived, she didn't want to get out! After five minutes of shoving and coaxing, she hopped out, shook herself and trotted along side of me to the animal clinic door.

The place was empty. I registered her and handed the receptionist the poo sample bag. Dr Young came out and he saw her right away. Pepper was very good while he examined her and talked to us. Then she trotted off with him to the vet techs in the back so that she could be given her blood tests, vaccinations, etc. Miss Thang may be a pain in the neck to get in and out of the car when she knows she's going to the vet's, but once she's there, she's fine.

The vet brought her out and tried to get her on the scales. That was enough for our Miss Thang. She totally flattened herself and would not budge! He asked me if I could get her on, so I walked her around, had her do a few 'sit' and 'down' commands, so she'd know who's boss (ha ha) then I led her to the scales. Plop. Down she went. So I tugged a little under her collar, and the vet gave her rump a boost, and she got on the scales. 110. That's good, she's down ten pounds, the new food is working!

We paid for the visit with a credit card and hid our shock at the price.

Pepper decided she had enough excitement for one day and declined a trip to Petsmart. We brought her some dried chicken strips as a peace offering. =)

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Last night we had a particularly LOUD thunderstorm. Miss Thang had the pee scared out of her. Literally. I looked at Pep and said 'did you do that?' She looked back. 'So? It was loud thunderz. It fell out'.