The Little Pack » Jackson

I’d Like to Check You for Ticks

Holly — Sun, 29 May 2011 22:39:11 +0000

Tick Checks. Back when I was a camp counselor in northern New York, we were strongly encouraged to do daily tick checks. They went so far as to recommend finding a buddy to help you look in hard to see places. This of course sparked the ultimate pick up line of the summer: “Hey baby, need a tick check?” Years later I delighted in Brad Paisley’s song, Ticks, as it brought back memories of an idyllic summer spent holding onto my youth just a little longer. Back when I rolled my eyes at the suggestion of a tick check and refused to be scared into submission by the threat of these mini vampires. I admit it, I thought of them as these mythical pests that everyone liked to complain about about but didn’t exist nearly on the scale that “grown ups” liked to warn us about. Oh I heard about them in vague terms but saw maybe one my whole life. Until. This summer. When they officially became the bane of my existence. Suddenly they were, quite literally, everywhere. We found them on the dogs everyday, I found them in the house, had them crawl on us, and even found one in our bed. I barely let the dogs outside to pee, it was so horrific. We applied Frontline Plus, we combed the dogs every single time they came inside,we sprayed the yard as best as we could and yet there was no escape. I have learned more about ticks, their life cycle and mating habits then I ever wanted to know. I assume that this is just karma for my ignorance. I keep reading how tick season lasts all summer and into the fall but the vets tell me it should end soon. Then flea season begins. Of course I have also always regarded fleas the same as ticks: you know, someone else’s problem. Heaven help us now.

Dodged a Bullet

Holly — Sat, 28 May 2011 18:10:43 +0000

The other day as I was checking Jack over for ticks–don’t get me started on ticks! They are the bane of my existence!–I came across a hard lump on the inside of his knee. It felt like bone. Actually, it felt very much like the lump I found on IO’s foot last year that turned out to be bone cancer. I could feel hot tears rolling down my cheeks before I could even begin to try to be rational about the whole situation. For a week every time I was in the car, I found myself sobbing and bargaining with God to let me have him here just a little while longer.

The vet took x-rays and found that the lump we are feeling is simply arthritis from an old injury and ACL surgery. What an absolute relief. Jackson is almost 10 so a little arthritis is not unexpected. For now his discomfort is mild and intermittent so no real intervention is needed yet other than some supplements and the occasional Rimadyl.

I can’t help feeling as though one of these days my luck will run out and we will receive The Diagnosis and it will be time to say good-bye. But for the time being, I will hug him close and throw his toy and breathe the biggest sigh of relief.

Be Still My Heart

Holly — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 18:41:56 +0000

While Cheyenne has been competing with the baby and conflicted about his arrival, Jackson has completely defied all expectation. Jack’s reaction to the baby was a bit of a wild card. Some kids he has really loved, most he has been indifferent to, and there have been 2 children he has shown his teeth to. To say I was nervous is an understatement. But instead Jack has completely embraced the baby. When we come home, he and Cheyenne both check the baby to make sure he is has come back with me. Jack will always give the baby a quick lick on the cheek. This has become more and more enthusiastic over the past months. And now when Baby Boy puts his hand out to Jack, Jack licks it wholeheartedly. Yesterday Baby Boy immediately noticed Jackson upon waking up and put his little hand out. Jack graciously kissed it. Baby Boy smiled so big. And in response, Jack took this as an invitation and enthusiastically licked his face, much to Baby Boy’s delight. And then. Today, Jack kissed Baby Boy’s hand and Baby Boy giggled. Giggled with those sparkling eyes and adorable dimples and I thought I would just melt.

Simply Awesome

Holly — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 18:48:42 +0000

My day started with poop. Not poop in a diaper where it belongs but poop shooting out of my son’s butt during the first diaper change of the day. There was no warning, just poop shooting quite literally everywhere. All over me, all over him and the changing table, and the towel I had covering the changing table. Clearly his jammies got covered and needed to be changed. Jackson got scared and hid and Cheyenne felt the need to be involved. Hubby’s solution was to throw about a thousand wipes towards the Little One’s butt. Then after he ate he pooped again and it shot up his back, so jammies #2 were covered with poop. Meanwhile he slept a little later than normal and my boob was ready to explode–it was backed up to my neck (that’s not really an exaggeration) so I tried to pump but didn’t have the pieces together exactly right and milk got all over my clothes… And now I just found a fruit fly that drowned in my coffee. Awesome. But truly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Bizarre

Holly — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 13:53:04 +0000

I woke up this morning with the pain of losing Dixie still raw, said goodbye to Baby Titten (who is going to live with my parents), and prepared myself for a day of sadness and tears. Instead I received an unexpected laugh. Last night we gave Cheyenne her first rawhide in almost 2 years. Dixie was not allowed to have them any longer because we needed to adhere to her diet so strictly to slow the growth of her stones as much as possible. Cheyenne was so happy and proud of that bone. She carried it all over the house, looking for a safe place to keep it. We assured her no one wanted her bone, certainly the cats were not interested and Jackson has never chewed on a rawhide even once in his 9 years of life so she was safe there. Or so we thought. This morning, Jackson stole Cheyenne’s rawhide and would not give it back. And he has been chewing it all morning. It is so bizarre, I have no idea how to react, other than to die laughing. So while there has been a lot of change lately, and certainly there is more to come as they figure out their new dynamic, I am reassured in one constant: where Cheyenne is concerned, laughter is never far away. Although our little pack has become a mini pack, these guys continue to bring such joy to our lives, even during times of sadness.

Eight Years

Holly — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:10:01 +0000

It is hard to believe that I have had Jackson for 8 years now. As we walked today I couldn’t help but reflect on all the ways we have both grown and changed throughout the years and how in the end, the one thing that has never changed is how much I love him. My heart still sings when I watch him run, and I feel proud every single time he listens to every word I say, sometimes even the ones I don’t say out loud. People we pass always comment on how well-behaved he is. Today I found him heeling (we call that “stay with”) when we were passing a group of people before I ever even asked him. We truly have an amazing connection. There are times I go to the door to call him to come inside and he is already there waiting. There are times that I feel sad and he is right there by my side before that first tear even falls. There are times that I decide to take him for a walk and he begins to celebrate before I even tell him or start to get ready. We know the way the other thinks and I know what we share is the stuff of legend. Think Jack London books and The Journey of Natty Gann. And I am blessed.

Lazy Saturdays…

Holly — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:01:31 +0000

… are my favorite. We sleep in, well, actually, I should clarify. We attempt to sleep in. Like clockwork, Cheyenne and Dixie are ready to roll around 7, sometimes 7:30. We argue over whose turn it is to deal with them, take them out and try to keep sleeping. However. They have other ideas. Before we know it, we are grudgingly getting out of bed, making coffee and trying to wake up. Soon we are drinking coffee, chatting, surfing, and hanging out with the whole pack. Cheyenne and Dixie are in and out, in and out. Dixie is soon woofing for food. Jackson is bringing me a toy. But it is a nice reprieve from the week.

Homecoming

Holly — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:12:51 +0000

I love coming home to all my animals. Sometimes I can see Cheyenne’s silhouette from a half mile away, her ears visible even at that distance. Sometimes Jackson is in the yard. When he sees me he rejoices, and takes a wide lap around my car. He runs around to the driver’s side door and I open the door and he sails into the car, over my lap and lands in the passenger seat, tail a-wagging and we drive into the garage. I am greeted with barks and yips and a cacophony of celebratory sounds from the other side of the door. “Hold your horses, I’m coming!!” I say. As soon as I open the door, there are more tails wags, hops, kisses and wiggles and regardless of my mood, it is absolutely impossible not to feel joy at this welcome. The cats soon seem to appear out of thin air, weaving in and out of the dog’s limbs, looking up at me with their sweet faces and it is in these moments that I realize how blessed I am.

Quick Update

Holly — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 04:05:47 +0000

We took the dogs camping this weekend. Well, sort of. We went for the day. We had a blast. Jackson immediately made friends with 2 little boys who threw his ball relentlessly. He was in his element and exuded absolute joy. Cheyenne was so over-excited that she fell asleep in the car before we ever got to our destination. We even let her off-leash for awhile and she did well… until she found a pile of poop to roll in. She wore herself out so much that she is still recovering 3 days later. IO found a cozy spot and just relaxed the whole time. Dixie seemed to love it too. She has been very happy since we came home and very loving. Next time, we will attempt to spend the night.

Dixie’s next check-up is tomorrow night–fingers crossed that stone has moved and there are no new ones!

Action Jackson

Holly — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 23:17:43 +0000

Pure Joy

Love, love, love this picture.