Lizzie joins the pack

I didn't even have a chance to update the blog that we were fostering a new one before she was no longer a foster fail. Sigh.

Meet the newest addition:  Winifred Amoroso NKA Lizzie. She's 3 and very sweet.  She fit right in and just seemed to be the right one to add at this point. 

 I've always had a fascination with the white ones but beyond color and beauty..she seems to get along with everyone and understand our house.

 To celebrate her addition, everyone got chewy bones.  We got these as a gift and everyone really liked them (and they SEEMED to have some redeeming qualities and nutritional value). But most importantly..Cali loved them!

Cali is doing OK.  She's definitely weak, frail and lethargic.  But she has moments of happiness and alertness.  She's hanging in there and doesn't seem to be in any pain nor does she appear to have given in to the cancer.  Our oncologist is floored at how well she is doing.  Even though we've had to tighten her collar due to weight loss and she has a 'taxi service' down the stairs..she is eating OK.  She truly is a wonder dog.  She celebrated 22 months post amputation last week and this week it will be 8 months post-T Cell lymphoma diagnosis. Both milestones beat the odds.  so keep the good juju and thoughts coming her way. 
Cody finished his treat and went out to sunbathe

 Lizzie enjoyed it quite a bit.  We are very lucky to have found her. 

 I did go to Phoenix for a trip and have some photos. But I will post those another time. 

22 Months- Wordless Wednesday

21 Months and Dewey Beach

Cali celebrated her 21 month post amputation anniversary last week and 7 month post Lymphoma diagnosis.  She's doing OK.  Some days she eats great and seems perky..other days she doesn't eat and is very lethargic.  Playing tug of war and running in the yard seem to be a thing of the past.  She still enjoys a good ear rub and still doesn't appear to be in pain. 

I went to Greyhounds Reach The Beach in Dewey Beach, Delaware with Kristen this past weekend to help vend for VAGA.  I have never been to that beach or event, so it was really neat.  Over 700 pre-registered people (so assume 1400 greyhounds!) in one town.  We were crazy busy and did really well.  I was able to sneak in some shopping for me and found Cody some stupid cute four legged pjs and a hat..so his ears won't get cold.

We still have Dancer (and yes, she is just a foster and this will not change) but she is doing great and has learned to share the couch quite nicely.

Beach Bound Hounds 2015

Another year..another September in Myrtle Beach, SC with a bunch of greyhounds.  It never gets old. This year, the weather wasn't great early on but it turned out perfect for the dogs the last few days.  We were able to hang out on the beach in comfort. 
I took Roxi and Cody and Kristen brought Kelli.  Do not adjust your screen..it was a black dog party.

 Roxi's first look at the ocean (she HATED the water)

 One day we had a bully stick party on the beach.  Well..kristen and I had a white wine party while the dogs had a bully stick party.

 Since the weather was overcast, we did a lot of this (and walking on the beach)

 THEN..Roxi discovered digging.  She loves to dig (ah..the distant memories of a green yard) and sand became her newest love.

 We had wet towels to wash her face but she had so much fun we couldn't stop her...

 She walked on the beach, dug in the sand and chased birds for 3 days..by the last day..she watched the birds, sand and people like this..

I hope you can see these..we videoed her in her frantic digging (these are differetn from what was posted on FB)

FINALLY..at the literal last hour..the sun came out and blue sky emerged.  The lifeguard had taken our chairs but we remained..finally soaking up some rays until the sun went down on BBH 2015.

 

Back in the foster saddle

This blog originally started as a way to talk about all my fosters.  Before Henry, we'd had almost 75 fosters over a 3 year period. But after we 'topped out', we stopped fostering. 
Our situation has changed a bit and Jason is home temporarily (anyone looking for an amazing IT professional?) so we figured, let's dance.

no really..that is her race name.

Let's Dance so we call her Dancer.  She will be 5 in November and so far she is a bundle of excitement and energy.  But super sweet.

 she has some really cool white markings under her chin.  I'm sure she will find a forever home soon!

Cali is still doing well.
Tomorrow..Beach Bound Hounds bound!!!

Mmmmm...bully sticks.

 Cali is holding her own. No great days and she doesn't feel like playing any more but she is content and alert.  Our biggest challenge is getting her to eat but so far...she still has the will to chew on a bully stick.  Beach Bound Hounds in one week. This will be the first year I go without Cali. She just isn't up for that kind of activity.  I'm fairly certain Roxi will dig to China and it will make for fun photos. 

Bone jelly

Yeah..it's as gross as it sounds.  But in an attempt to find things appetizing to Cali, I'll try anything once.
They technically call it Bone Broth. 
Since we typically buy our cows and pigs in the 'whole' format (or partially whole) from a local farm, we end up with pieces and parts that while technically "good eats"..we aren't always in the mood. 
So we had some marrow bones and pigs trotters hanging out in the freezer.  So in the crockpot they go with water, garlic and a little vinegar.  The vinegar is the agent that leaches all the goodness from the bones.
Ready to cook.

 24 hours later..it resembles a really nasty soup with bones that are trashed at this point.

 24 hours in the fridge..and everything 'sets' up.  You scrape off the fat layer on top, discard and you get..well..bone jelly.

 It's really quite gross.  I wish I could say it was the magic bullet to get Cali to eat.  It wasn't.  It is supposed to be full of lots of nutrients and minerals. So all my dogs are getting some in their meals while supplies last.  When Cali eats, she gets it too. So it's a win:win. 
She's doing OK.  Bad days are more frequent and good days are never great.  But she still seems pain free, happy on her couch and in good spirits.