October 9, 2025

 As we roll into the crisp days of autumn here in New Mexico, the annual Balloon Fiesta is in full swing. For Roman, that means his annual vet visit which is, to say the least, rather traumatic for him. Since he cannot be leashed, he needs to be crated for his short trip to the vet's office. Unfortunately, Pumpkin, our trusted van that we've owned for 15 years, is in for its first major service, getting a new power steering pump, new motor mounts, and a transmission flush. Pumpkin is missed! This means that Roman must take the short journey in the pickup bed. At least it's cool today, so the open-air experience isn't too bad.

I've included a slightly older photo of Roman just to remind you how handsome he is. Today, the vet will do a complete blood workup to check up on the Lyme disease, trim his nails, fit a new muzzle (which he wears full-time) and treat a growth he has developed just below his left eye. Fingers crossed that all goes well. 

May 30, 2025

I'm sorry to report that we have devastating news. Tabs visited the vet on Tuesday and yesterday. The biopsy report indicated squamous cell cancer and the growth on her tongue has doubled in size in two days. Dr. Julia gave her subcutaneous fluid, but Tabs is unable to eat due to the obstruction on her tongue. We are distraught.

May 27, 2025

So... since marrying Ken in March, I have inherited additional members of the "White Dog Army". Even though the WDA has become far less white in tone, we've persevered. Now, we've officially added cats to the WDA! Ken's beautiful girls, Tabs and Jackie, live at Ken's place in the east mountains. Our home in town is the Doghouse and our home in the mountains has been christened the Cat House. Even though I have a cat allergy, I've become accustomed to our beautiful additions. 

Sadly, Tabs began drooling two weeks ago and then she stopped eating. Ken took her to the veterinarian closest to him and Tabs spent a week in cat hospital due to an abscess under her tongue. After a week, she was sent home with no improvement in her condition. 

Last week, I had Ken take her to see Dr. Julia and she immediately did a blood panel that indicated raised a white blood count and an out-of-control liver issue (probably due to the steroids prescribed by the previous vet). Tabs underwent a procedure at Dr. Julia's office to examine the abscess and determine whether or not it may be cancerous. A biopsy was sent out and we should know more today (Tuesday). A follow-up last Friday indicated that the new antibiotic and ceasing the steroid had brought her blood numbers back to near normal levels. 

Digital Detox

I had a challenging work week involving a lot of computer time last week and determined to remove myself from the stream of media. The end result was starting AND COMPLETING a project that has been awaiting my attention for two years. A while ago, I bought a new coffee table that converts to a dining table. When it arrived, the coffee table was delivered in two very large and very heavy boxes that intimidated me. Every time I looked at the boxes, I groaned internally. On Saturday, I opened the boxes, spread out the contents all around my living room, and constructed what is now a magical addition to my main living space. 

I was worried that the dogs would dislike the new intrusion, but they accepted it as if the table was always there. One of my favorite aspects of the table is that it’s on casters. 

Ken hasn’t seen the table yet as he has a sick cat who is in overnight care at the vet near our country house.

February 14, 2025

Valentine's Day holds fond memories from childhood for me - exchanging cards and getting those little candy hearts. Sue and I never celebrated Valentine's Day except that Siku landed at the airport in Albuquerque on Valentines' Day in 2005. Sue was in a college class, so I went to the airport and found Siku's crate locked in the baggage claim office. After rescuing her, I took her back to the office and cuddled with her. She was such an adorable puppy!

January 21, 2025

Well, Miss Diva finally received a much needed grooming today. Her last grooming was less than successful. She nipped at the groomer twice and the groomer trimmed off her whiskers, which concerned me. My friend James has two adorable Shih Tzus and they are always groomed perfectly, so I used the same groomer. Evelyn (our new MOBILE groomer) pulled up right on time. She groomed Diva perfectly and Diva didn't nip at her, so we have a new groomer! 

January 18, 2025

Crazy Clara thinks she's a parrot while waiting for breakfast. She likes balancing on our small side table!

January 4. 2025

 

I can't believe that I'm writing this post. I'm devastated. Yesterday, I brought Zsofia to see Dr. Julia. Zso hasn't been feeling very well lately and I sensed that she needed to be examined. Now, I'm writing her epataph. After a thorough exam with blood work and x-rays, we determined that she had an advanced spleen/liver tumor that looked like it required immediate surgery. It was Friday late afternoon, and finding a surgery location proved difficult, so I was preparing to medicate her, keep her comfortable, and get her into emergency surgery ASAP. It seems that there is a new talented surgeon in town who can work with cases like Zsofia. We discussed what I should look for if issues were to arise at home, one of which was massive black blood in her stool. Standing in the waiting room, I looked over and she was providing the horrible example that we were just discussing. She could not survive any longer and we made the immediate decision to euthanize her. Zsofia was born on July 4, 2014 and came to us as an adorable 8-week old pup as a gift from a grateful student of mine. She trained with Sue and me at a trainer who helped work with Sue in her wheelchair. Now, I've lost Sue and Zsofia. Fare well, my loves. You will always live in my heart.

July 4, 2023

July 4 is a national holiday, and everyone celebrates in their own way. Here at the White Dog Ranch, we celebrate the birth of our Itty Bitty Baby Girl, Zsofia. She came into our lives through the grace of one of my students whose huskies had an adorable litter of wiggly babies. He offered me one of the puppies. How could we say "no"? Happy 9th Birthday, sweet Zsofia. 

Zsofia at 8 weeks old coming home with us

Zsofia's first visit to Dr. Julia

Zsofia being adorable

Sticks are still a favorite!

Zsofia's litter at 4 days old

June 20, 2023

 "You guys ALL need to go outside while the yard is still shady and get a little exercise. You need more than bedtime walks to stay healthy. All you are doing these days is eating and napping," I announced as I walked into the living room.

"We also drink water" Roman replied, "We know you would not want us to get dehydrated."

"And contrary to the way it looks," Bailey took up the defense. "We are practicing time telling skills while we do aerobics. In three more minutes, Zsofia's time resting in the coolest best spot in the house is up. She will have to get down and we'll all rotate. I get the ottoman spot and Opal moves to my position. So you see, we'll be stretching and jumping."

"Lilly is stretching right now," Diva yipped. "she has a graceful giraffe neck and note her form as she takes that tissue off the cabinet top without disturbing anything else."