Spring Break

Spring Break starts next week in these parts. Many people head to the coast and hope for good weather. That's a 50/50 proposition this time of year. We've had some good days lately and a lot of grey, wet days. At least it's getting a bit warmer. Things are starting to grow. Ma Nature likes to suprise us with some early color. We saw this on a walk with Bailey last weekend.

P's brother, R, has entered into talks with an English Springer Spaniel breeder for a puppy from their next litter. This particular breeder goes to great lengths to ensure the puppies are healthy and defect free. They come from known (champion) blood lines. The parents are screened regularily for epilepsy, hip displasia, an eye disorder and at least one other thing that escapes me right now. The puppies are checked too before they go to a new home. The breeders match the puppies personalities to the personalities and situations of the new owners. The more compatible, the higher the success rate. Friday, P and R drove to the coast, to Seal Rock to meet the breeders and the pregnant mom. Heres a picture of her at one of the last dog shows she was in

They expect her to whelp in early April. R will have to wait until early July before he can bring the puppy home. A new addition to the family.

I'm trying to figure out where to put a garden this year. The trees have grown too much, the old spot doesn't get enough sun. I still have a few weeks before I have to decide, to get busy with the shovel and rake. The back of the house needs a new coat of paint this summer too. It faces south and gets all the exposure from the sun. Maybe over Memorial Day. Last weekend I mowed the lawn for the first time this year. Once you start, you don't get a break until November around here. Lots of other yardwork to do: edging, trimming, getting those garden and flower beds ready.

It takes a lot of energy to keep up with Mother Nature!

Signs of Spring

The weather has been quite balmy as of late: warmish and definitely humid. It's all conspiring to make things grow. The early warning signs of spring were evident on Sunday when Bailey took me for my walk.

Next thing you know it will be time to mow the lawn again!

Bailey developed a "hot spot" behind his ear and down his neck. He scratched so often and so hard Thursday night that he rubbed a raw spot on his neck.

His eyes were bloodshot like he'd been on a three week bender. He definitely wasn't having a good time. We cleaned it, put some antiseptic salve on and a gauze pad to protect it. An ace bandage wrapped around his neck kept it all in place and protected the area from more scratching. Well, that didn't work so well. Some times the bandage was too tight and his breathing would become labored, especially in the middle of the night. Or, it would be too loose and he would work the gauze pad out with his scratching. Naturally he'd have to shred the gauze pad and spread it all over the place for us. And then there was the time the bandage started to fray and he got his scratching foot caught in the stretchy fibers. He had the most forlorn look when we untangled his foot.

We finally were able to get him into the vet. Diagnosis: most likely airborne allergy causing the red eyes and the hotspot. He'd been shaking his ears frequently too. We got him an antihistamine for the allergy and the vet shaved the hair on his neck so the area could get some air and dry out. We also got a mild steroid solution to spray on the area to reduce the itching and promote the healing. Not a pretty sight!

We are pleased to report that he is doing much better now, it's starting to scab over nicely. He has tried to scratch it a couple of times but the pain apparently made the itch possible to live with. Also, spraying it helps alleviate the itch and the occasional antihistamine seems to clear up his head nicely. I guess it's good that we learned about this now, so early in spring. We get an awful lot of pollen when the plants start blooming and especially when the pine trees get their growth spurt. LOTS of pine trees around here. We'll have to watch him carefully.

Daylight Savings Time this weekend, several weeks early this year. Usually I don't mind the government futzing with that, it doesn't cost me any money and I adjust eventually. But I don't know, this just seems awful early for the change. Maybe it's because I haven't experienced the longer daylight days yet. It's throwing my - what would you call it? my solar acclimatization cycle? my celestial rhythm? whatever, this is throwing it off. I'm just not quite ready for it!