February 4, 2011

Post date: Feb 4, 2011 2:23:06 PM

Will this winter ever end???? For supposedly being our quiet time of year, it's been anything but quiet. Doug keeps busy just clearing the yard of snow which seems like an every other day occurrence this winter. The last two basset puppies of Florida's left last Saturday. Now they all have been welcomed into loving homes. Sunday morning Eleanor surprised us with her litter of nine puppies. Her due date wasn't until 2/4 but since she can't read she decided it was time. Fortunately we always have the moms situated and ready just in case of an early delivery so all was well but she gave us absolutely no indication of impending birth the day before. Rita's puppies (huskies) are 7 weeks now and fly around the barn at top speed. They are just crazy and so adorable. We are expecting two more litters of basset puppies soon....Frieda about 2/13 and Frances on or about 2/15.

A couple weeks ago our new USDA inspector stopped in. Her supervisor from Fort Collins, Colorado accompanied her. She is very thorough and takes her time to inspect every area. Honestly, it makes me feel very nervous. Very much like taking the final exam for a very important class. You know you are prepared, you worked hard, but always wondering what was missed or could have been done better. It was a very productive visit with lots of good information shared. Just so you know, the visits are unnannounced with no advance warning. I am proud to report that we scored Zero Non-Compliance issues!!!!! That's equal to an A+.

Our adult son has a 7 year old basset hound, Orson. Orson had not been feeling well for about a week and the vet just could not pinpoint the problem. By Tuesday night his condition was slipping and on Wednesday morning he did not have use of his back legs.

To abbreviate a lengthy story, Orson ended up at the ISU Veterinary Hospital in Ames where he had surgery that afternoon for a ruptured disc. What an amazing facility that is!!! Absolutely First Rate!!! Orson came through the surgery very well and by the next morning he had deep sensation in one foot and the other foot he could flex. By last night just 24 hours post-op, he was out of ICU and was eating and drinking. They use a sling to take him outside and he was actually able to support himself for a brief moment plus urinate and defecate on his own. He may be ready to go home by Sunday already, but our son would like him to stay a few more days so Orson could make use of the rehab facilities like the underwater tread mill. If you are ever referred by your vet to ISU, rest assured your four-legged friend will get world-class care.

Tax work needs to be done and our appointment is next week. I've been procrastinating but just need to start. Here I go.