Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2010 8:53 am
Posts: 1207
Location: New England (CT)
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(((HUGS))) to all!
I wanted to pop in and thank so many of you for your good thoughts and wishes, prayers, PM's and E-mails. They are very much appreciated!!! We miss all of you, and wanted to check in ourselves to give you an update.
Oliver and Annie have had a tough allergy season. The medications that helped Annie's skin infections for the past two years stopped working a couple of months ago, and Oliver got a bacterial infection from scratching his itchies. Both had another couple of series of blood, skin, and fungal testing, etc. No fungal infections, but Oliver and Annie's infections are caused by totally different bacteria strains, so they are both on different medications and treatments. One dog or another is getting medications every few hours, and both are getting frequent medicated baths. Oliver is responding nicely, and as of yesterday, we are seeing a spring in Annie's step and some of her playfulness returning. We still have another few weeks before both dogs are retested. They are both in need of a good grooming, but we are waiting until their skin heals a little more.
As many of you know, I have been fighting some serious eye issues for a couple of years. Unfortunately, the surgeries I had last year didn't help ... my vision has continued to get worse (or has gone from worse to "worser"!!!). It's hard to read or write without getting a headache, so I write a little at a time in a document and then copy and paste when done. I am having another surgery on the 31st; It's not a cure-all, but may give me back some vision in one eye (enough where I can come back!). The problem with the other eye is inoperable, but hopefully we will find a study somewhere that is addressing this type of problem. The new retina specialist that we recently added to the team use to work for NASA -- so I now have a "rocket scientist" on board! I'm not asking to go to the moon -- only to be able to see it!
The brightest spot in my life continues to be my six month old granddaughter, Emily. Annie adored the baby from day one; Oliver took awhile to accept the baby, but now likes to sit next to her and even sneaks in a kiss or two -- once she starts dropping food, I'm sure that they will be best friends.
Emily brings such joy to our family ... when I'm with her nothing else matters. Her smile melts my heart. Luckily, my family sees that I get to spend fun time with Emily each weekend, often staying over at my daughter's house. My daughter works a couple of Saturdays a month; Those are Grandma and Emily days where we bend the rules and nap schedules to suit, and can be as silly as we want. Emily is learning simple American Sign Language. It amazes me how much these little people know, but need a way to communicate before they get the hang of speech. Last week I babysat for Emily on Wednesday night. When I went to put her to bed she started to cry and kept signing "milk" over and over, even though she was fed only an hour before. She has me wrapped around her finger, so I defrosted and heated another packet of milk and gave her another bottle. Sure enough, she stopped crying when she saw that I was preparing a bottle and fell asleep in my arms right after.
For those who have asked, although I am not making any new bandanas at this time, we are still shipping bandanas to those who want them. I have several hundred finished ready to ship. My family is willing to help with the shipping ... so, if any of you would like bandanas for Howl-O-Ween (there still is enough time if you order by early next week), Thanksgiving, Christmas, or for every day, let us know and we'll get them right out.
For anyone who wants to place a bandana order from now until October 30 -- let us know that you're on the Zim forum when you order and your shipping will be free!
We hope to be back soon.
Cindy, Oliver, and Annie
http://www.BandanaCentral.com
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File comment: I am NOT a messy eater ... Grandma's aim is a little off, LOL.
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Cindy, Oliver, and Annie invite you to visit:
http://www.BandanaCentral.com
Quality, two-sided bandanas for your treasured companion.
Made in the USA under the direct supervision of
Genuine American Cocker Spaniels!
Last edited by Cindy on Sun Oct 30, 2011 4:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Not telling you what it is yet.
Keeping you and the pups in my prayers I hope your surgery will be successful and as painless as possible. Your Emily is gorgous i'm so happy for you that you get to spend so much time with her and enjoy her, as you well know they grow so fast. And i'm sure both pups will love her even more when she starts to "share" her meals. Continued prayers for Oliver & Annie that their itchies go away and that they can feel better soon. 
At the very least, it does appear that you and Chip are able to get some of Oliver and Annie's troubles under control. I know that Chip will be very helpful to you in that regard.
She could sign for a new Corvette. 
Emily just turned seven months old and has already had two major power outages under her belt.