Pollenatrix

I thought it was Northern Dancer...

Did you know that racehorse named Eclipse, born in 1764, is considered the greatest racehorse in history and his bloodlines are found in 80% of all modern thoroughbreds?

And he was just an average guy.

Stoat encounter

I saw one of these cute little creatures on my way through the graveyard the other day. It's a shortcut to the subway station... Anyway, a movement caught my eye, and at first I thought it was a mouse but then I realized that the teeny tiny little critter poking it's head out from under a tombstone was a Stoat, also known as an Ermine. He obviously had places to go and people to see, but though I stopped and stood very still he wasn't too happy with my rubbernecking. He finally gathered his courage and made a dash across the snow to find cover under another stone.

He was really cute, and much smaller than I imagined.

Last one...

Ok, this'll wrap up the sheep and dog video theme....

I'm getting a kick out of those google videos!

Didn't need to see that

He was a bit sheepish about it afterward...

Mr. Indestructible

Jake is still with us. He must have sensed the decision we were struggling with, because for the last few days he's been making a heroic recovery. You can almost hear him: "No no, I'm fine, really!! I'm fine!".

He's definitely got a bit of a drunken tilt to his gait, but he's handling the stairs all by himself, eating like a horse, and getting his strength back day by day. He may not completely return to normal, but what's normal for a nearly 15 year old dog anyway?

My vet friend in Ontario told me that he probably has a variation of something called Canine Vestibular Syndrome, which is pretty common in geriatric pooches. She has a 17 year old border collie, and he gets it too.

So we have officially relaxed, and accepted the challenges of an old and wobbily dog. And I fell in love all over again with my husband, who nursed and tended and encouraged Jake all week, and was just as distressed as I was.

That's not me, honest

And now for something lighter in the dog department: video

9 lives?

My God. Jake reminds me of that Monty Python plague scene where the guy being dragged away by the body-collectors protests, "But I'm not dead yet!".

When I woke up, I had a very heavy heart. He was on his side, not moving. I walked into the kitchen, and when I came out he was on his feet, a big doggie grin on his face and wagging his tail. He ate with great enthusiasm, then walked smartly - if unsteadily - to the balcony for a wobbily pee. I even managed to get him down the stairs by myself for a *very* short walk. Hmmm. We'd pretty much decided yesterday that Saturday would be the day. Jake may have other ideas.

Borrowed time

My dog Jake had the canine equivalent of a stroke last night. Our neighbour helped us get him down the stairs, and we bundled him off to the vet in the bike cart. He's back home now, alert and wondering where his next snack is coming from, but keeling like a drunken sailor everytime he tries to move. The vet, a wonderful woman whom we trust 200%, suggested we give him until the end of the week to see if the cortisone shots do any good. She pointed out that he has more lives than a cat and has surprised us before, but was honest and said it doesn't look good. My gut tells me the same thing.

I'm trying to stay positive, because he's a smart pooch and super-sensitive to my moods and I don't want to distress him. But when I hug him and bury my face in his fur, there's no fooling him. He sniffs my eyes and then licks the unshed tears off my cheeks. I'm not sure who's comforting who.

Mooschief

Yo Pig!

I had to laugh at yesterday's pig picture. Did you notice its name in the caption underneath? "Little Pudding". What a great name for a pig. Especially THAT one.

While we're on the subject... today's pig picture is thanks to an irresistable site called Cute Overload. Every day a gooey serving of calorie-free visual sweetness. You gotta check it out.