November 14, 2025

Oh, Roman, you're such a character. You've been our biggest canine challenge since you walked into our home on February 4, 2018. Last month, you had a wellness check which went rather well, all things considered (like driving you back and forth to Dr. Julia in a crate). His liver numbers were elevated as they have been for a year or so, but not to a concerning level.

Roman's ornament from Kathie

Two days ago on Wednesday, Roman stopped eating and could no longer walk by himself. Amazingly, Roman let nephew Michael pick him up to go out to the yard and drink some water. Something in my head began to trouble me as these events began unfolding. The way Roman looked at me when we communicated told me all I needed to know. We were going to lose him. He looked stately, calm, and resigned. Much of the wildness that normally flows through his attitude was absent.

Roman on a calm day in 2020

I gave him a day to discern whether these symptoms would persist, which they did. Today, I carried a very limp Roman into Good Shepherd and handed him to Susan, Dr. Julia's trusted tech, who adores His Highness. Shortly after arriving home, I received a call from Cindy with truly bad news. His liver and kidneys have shut down and there is nothing that can be done to cure him. This is exactly what I saw in his eyes as he looked at me across the last 24 hours. He knew. I knew. I ended the call and cried. Roman has always been a troubled soul, but he's OUR troubled soul and there will never be another dog like him in our house. I let nephew Michael know the bad news and we both consoled each other. 

Ken is rushing to town so that we can all be together to bid our Roman a proper farewell as he departs this life. Now, we are seven.

   Roman in February 2018

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