Boarding

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Was going to leave for Madeline today to visit Dale but am postponing until tomorrow since I wasn’t feeling well for most of yesterday and wasn’t able to get everything done in preparation for the trip. However, Athena was scheduled to be boarded today and I decided to stick with that which will allow me to leave a little earlier tomorrow.

Hard to see her go. I’ve been having a hard time lately emotionally and she is such a comfort to me. I cried in anticipation of taking her. Also, she wasn’t eager to go like she usually is which made it even harder for me. She locked her legs before getting in the car and she wasn’t keen to go into the boarding place when we got there. She usually recognizes where she is when we get there, happy to arrive and ready to start her visit. Hard to say goodbye this time. 

Cooling Off a Bit

Saturday, June 12, 2021

Cooled down enough overnight to actually open the windows this morning. Athena got a much longer walk than she’s been getting lately due to the heat.  

Alarm Clocks

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Dale usually acts as my alarm clock when we’re both home and working. He get’s up when he hears Athena stirring so she’s actually the alarm clock. Come t to think of it, Athena starts stirring when the coffee starts brewing which Dale usually sets to go off about 4:45 so the coffee pot is actually the alarm clock. Dale’s out of bed by five and I  get up about 15 - 30 minutes after he does. I usually don’t fall back asleep but if I’m not up by then he’ll comes and gets me. Anyway, when Dale’s on the Island and I’m still working I turn the coffee pot on in the morning since I don’t know how to set it so our domino effect of alarms doesn’t work when he’s gone. I just use my iPhone timer. 

Athena's Bone

Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Dale usually takes care of Athena in the morning. That means getting her out for an initial pee, getting her fed, getter her her meds, and getting her her bone. When he's gone, it's on me. 

Now, the bone is just a treat but it's a treat with a purpose. It buys Dale a little more time to enjoy his morning coffee before Athena wants to go out again for her 2nd walk of the day, usually to poo. 

I've continued to give Athena her bone after her breakfast for the same purpose of buying a little more time with my coffee before she wants to go out again. 

Now this bone is actually a plastic Kong toy with some openings to but treats in. We usually add some pieces of string cheese at one end...

... Put a little shredded cheddar in next...

...And then seal the cheddar in with some peanut butter. Athena's pretty good about getting it all cleaned out but it takes a little time and effort. 

Morning with Athena

Monday, June 7, 2021

Texted Dale this morning to say good morning along with the above picture. He asked if he could call for a quick chat. Of course I said yes. He told me the picture warmed his heart. He also let me know about all the stress on La Isla Bonita and I let him know about all the stress with school. 

After Athena finished her bone she sat and waited patiently for me to take her on a walk as I finished up my call with Dale. 

She Loves to Sniff Everything

Sunday, June 6, 2021

Pleasant walk with Athena this morning. The 20 degree difference from yesterday was quite noticeable. In the past she wanted to sniff just about everything we passed but was more willing to move along when I prodded her to do so. She still wants to sniff it all but is more insistent on staying in a given place. Maybe it’s because she’s slowing down and it’s just that much harder for her to move even without the heat.

Fans

Saturday, June 5, 2021

It’s been very warm for Athena lately and today especially so. She spends time on the bed under a ceiling fan or in the living room in front of an oscillating fan. 

It was a hot one today and both Athena and I could feel it. 

Rare Not Wanting to Walk

 Thursday, June 3, 2021

Today was Dale's last morning here before heading up to the Island. He usually takes care of walking Athena in the morning. He was feeling the stress of trying to get out of the house and was only able to give her a short walked. I helped out and got her on a second walk to get her bladder emptied out before heading off to work. She was settled in to bed for the morning and seemed a little put ou at having to get up again so soon. She's pretty compliant when walking  but in her old age she's gotten more determined about what direction we take. Today she was rather belligerent and was only gonna go the ways she wanted to go. I'd've been pretty mad about being forced out of bed too. Sorry sweetie. It was for your own good. 

Moving a Little Slower Than Usual

Thursday, June 3, 2021

At least 90 degrees today.

Walking Athena

Thursday, June 3, 2021

Continuing to enjoy the warmer weather. There was an increase in humidity from morning to afternoon. We started out  really dry and what we ended up with was still reasonable but Athena felt the difference and was moving a bit slower than her new normal.

Brace yourself, Athena. It's supposed to be even hotter tomorrow.