Toby ......and Skip

First of all,  we got Skip home from the vet on Wed. of this week.  He somehow got Parvo.  Serious stuff.......fatal many times.  I took him in on Wed. the 14th and he was put on IV....and the vets remark was "I'll do my best to save him".  He had to be there for 3 days, but he spent a week at the vet in Valentine....partly because we took Toby to Rapid City for his surgery on Monday the 19th.   Rather than strapping Don and Jeannie with a possible still sick puppy.....we left him with the vet.    He seems to be totally back to normal.  Loves to follow Gary around and would LOVE to get at Toby.   Toby, however, has to be kept quiet.

We headed for Rapid City on Sunday afternoon to beat the bad weather that was predicted.   So Toby spent the night in the parking lot of our motel.

We did some shopping......    That evening we got a call from the vet at Dakota Hills Veterinary that Toby's surgery went good, and we should call the following morning after 10:00 and she would know if Toby could go home that day (Wednesday).

We picked Toby up at 1:00 and headed for home.  We made the necessary stops for Toby......

.....lifting him down was Gary's job.  Toby must NOT jump or run.....but he can use the leg.  From my point of view Toby's recovery time is longer than mine ....but I can certainly sympathize with him.   He also has some metal on his leg....his is a plate and a screw....mine are pins and screws.  He doesn't really seem to care what happened to me!!   He is wondering what the heck he did that has earned him  this stay in this box.

This is Toby's new home for many weeks to come.  He stays in the plywood box that has screens on both ends.  Then we added 2 gates on our deck and fully enclosed it.  Toby can go out of the box -- IF he behaves and does no jumping.  He has gave us some indications that he doesn't want to obey that rule.   So we have to be real careful with watching him. He'll be able to be out and lay on the deck too.

Poor Toby --- it's going to be a long haul.  Right now we have a few concerns for him.....he hasn't pooped since we got home. But the vet didn't seem too concerned .......  Anyway, we are rather home bound for now but this too shall come to an end.   It was our choice -- so we will make it work.

Holly, Clayton and Sawyer will be here --- coming by train on the 30th...  So Skip will have some boys to play with him for a week.  Sure he will like that --- and they will too. 

We'll try to keep you posted.....

Gary and Barb

Finally some Croppies.......and 2 rustic lamps

The Croppies (or Specks as they are called in Michigan) finally started to bite.....and it was at Beads Dam.  The road out to Beads was questionable -- but do-able.   It will be some really good eating.....with about 6 meals in the freezer.   YUM!!!

Sue came out this weekend.  She had asked if Gary needed a project.   "OF COURSE"!!   So she let him / us have our way with these lamps.   Design and all that.    We first put some barbed wire on the one lamp with the horse shoes.   Sent the idea off to Sue.......

  Cool look --- but a little dangerous for her little ones at home.   So we needed another idea.   How about a "lead rope".......  Seemed like a plan.   The other one would have AN antler or antlers.....we had to see.  Turned out to be one good sized one.....and then a little something to top it all off.

Sue would be responsible for finding the lamp shades.  We gave her a couple of ideas....there are tons of lamp shades available -- I know she won't have any trouble finding something that is just right.  What fun to make these for Jon and Sue!!!

And here are the finished products.....

And now for some sad news --- Our puppy has Parvo....the Vet said "we will do our best to save him".    Sounds bad.   He stayed at the vet and was put in the "hospital" with IV drip.

Beautiful day --- and JDC tonight.
Barb and Gary

Small graduation.....

Today was therapy day..... I had missed the last two sessions ... One due to a dizzy spell and the other due to a blizzard.  So it kind of makes you wonder if there was a little slipping.....not doing quite as well because of those misses.    But not to worry.   I had  Jeremy today.   He is the "head  honcho" and it seems that every so often he has to evaluate how things are going. He was real happy with everything that I could do.  He gave me some new exercises to strengthen my leg muscles.   They are the problem .... not the break anymore.   That has totally healed.  It's those muscles that were stretched and pulled and who knows what all else.     And my graduation?????  I only have to go to therapy once a week from now on.    They know I'm serious about my exercises --- so they will just use their time with me to check how things are going.   YEAH!!!!

Gary is outside in the workshop building a crate for Toby.   We are going to take him to Rapid City on the 19th for surgery.    Gary decided  - after watching Toby struggle in a snow bank -- that if his other leg went bad there was no hope for Toby.   But if we can make his one leg good....then if the other goes --- he will just have to be a three legged dog (still 4 legs - just one not working good).....   I think we could keep him very comfortable that way!!    Skip loves to play with Toby and for the most part Toby puts up with it.  But those puppy teeth are sharp!!!  and Toby lets him know every so often that it's quit'n time!

The reason for the crate --- is that Toby will have to be pretty stationary for a good 6 weeks.  Oh --- Poor Toby!!!  I feel so bad for him!!!   But if this works he will be so much better!!   We can take him out on a leash to go to the bathroom --- but no jumping and running and playing!!!

Anyway ----    So ---- Toby and I will heal together.   Thank goodness I am quite a ways ahead of him.    I hope that by spring I will be able to throw my cane away.   The walker is already a thing of the past!!!

Fishing has picked up some........ we will be eating lots of northern pike this coming year.  Not my favorite but not too bad if you can get those nasty bones out.

JDC was great again this week.   We read thru the story of Jonah.   The one girl knew the story and we had told the 2 boys that was their reading assignment.....but they forgot.   We had a real good discussion with the three of them.   It was good to be able to do just one group again.  And then we sang!!!  David sang his heart out.....Casey didn't really sing---but he did all the choosing.  And then the bonus....... two of the Officers (one was there for the whole lesson) were there singing along with us.   They share a "favorite song".... "Here I am to Worship" and "Jesus Lover of My Soul" (not the one in the church song books....but a different (better) one.)    It was GREAT!!!   Really a good evening.

No Red Winged Black Birds singing in the tops of the trees yet (I always figure spring is here when I hear their racket).  But it's on the way!!

God Bless!!
Gary and Barb

SKIP

I want to share a quite moment with "Skip".   He can be quite the rambunctious little guy.   Toby has had to nip him a couple of times.   He likes to grab the skin on Toby's flank.  His teeth are SHARP!!  Toby has let him know he doesn't care for some of his play.  He loves to follow Gary and Toby around and that's just what was wanted.....for him to learn from Toby.

Toby has his hip problem but still loves to run and be involved.  We hope that will continue for a time!    Anyway ---- here's the "quiet moment".

My legs were all wet when we were done....he had been in the water and the melting snow.  And yes you see my cane along side me.    Today I can walk - side step - along the kitchen cupboard without hanging on.   That was one of the new exercises she wanted me to do......yesterday I had to keep my fingers on the cupboard -- today I don't.   PROGRESS!!!!  Love it!!

Gary is gone fishing ---- with 4 neighbors.  Hope it picks up.   We have several meals in the freezer....but nothing like other years.  Pan fish are the favorite....and then bass.  I will eat the pike but definitely not my favorite eating fish.  There are so many bones to watch out for....and they are hard to figure out how to fillet and leave the bones behind.

Anyway ---- enjoy the quiet moments in your lives!!!
Barb

Can't keep me in!!!!

Today was a beautiful day.......almost kind of warm.   We went to the Detention Center and visited with 4 young people.  I really wanted to get out to see our new puppy, Skip's, home with Toby.   So when we got home Gary went and got my 4 wheeler and said -- "here you go". 

Yes --- I was careful -- but it was great!!  Got to see where Skip spends his time in the chicken/dog coop.  It's pretty nice and they both have plenty of room. Gary drilled a couple of holes in the plywood that separates them so they can stick their noses through to each other.  Skip knows it's his spot and goes in willingly.  

After spending some time on the 4 wheeler we loaded up Toby and Skip and headed off to Don and Jeannie for a "show and tell".    Kind of scary --- didn't want Skip to jump out--- or get tossed out on a bump.   He sure looks like he's having a good time in their with his big buddy!

Hav'n Fun!!
Barb and Gary

New family member....... Skip

I saw an advertisement (on Valentine Swap and Shop) for Yellow Lab puppies - pure bred but no papers.  WOW!  The price was super good and we know the family.   It was Pastor Busenitz who has a church in Cody, NE -- but lives in Nenzel -- just 8 miles west of Kilgore.  So we quickly gave him a message on the facebook acct.   He answered right back.    He was going to be home in the afternoon so we would meet him at 3:00.

The roads were nice and clear when we headed to Nenzel ---- not so on the way home....   But we found their place and got there just a little ahead of Pastor Kurt.   The puppies were in the barn a little south of their home --- so he went running to get them.  "DON"T FALL ON THE SLIPPERY DRIVE!!!"  I didn't really yell that--but I sure thought it.   Pastor Kurt is a tall lean cowboy and he was really high stepping it.

Along came three 10 week old male puppies and their mama.  How do you pick from these cuties?!?!   (Mama had 9 puppies and now three left.)  I have tennis balls on the bottom of my walker so Gary said "give me one of your tennis balls."    He threw the ball into the group of three and the one that grabbed the tennis ball is the one we took home. 

Meet Skip.......

He shares the Dog House / Chicken Coop....with Toby and the Chickens....but has his own "room".  And he can get outside from his room and can see Toby -- so he seems pretty happy.    He was NOT a happy boy on the way home --- had to leave his two brothers and mama....he cried all the way home.  

Seeing as how he is already 10 weeks old --- Gary is thinking he should be ready to do some hunting this fall.   Dan T. -- who Gary hunts with Toby on Dan's big hunts --- came over this morning and thought Skip looked pretty good.   Gary is hoping Toby will have enough stamina to help with the training of this little guy.

Anyway --- that's the fun that is happening here.   No skunks this morning -- but did see some more tracks.

Gary and Barb

Attacked by a SKUNK!!!

I had physical therapy this morning and an eye doctor appt.   We got back home around 10:30 or so.  Gary and Dean decided to go fishing at the Parmelee Dam and Gary would pick up Dean at 1:00. 

We ate lunch and Gary said "good-bye".😚   It was a nice sunny day today.  I, of course, stayed home.

About 5:45 I got a phone call from Gary......."meet me at the door...........I want to know if you'll let me in the house.....I got attacked by a skunk!"    "WHAT -- just now?!?"  "No before I ever left to go fishing."

Gary was out to the barn to load up and this skunk came running at him. He threw his new jug of anti-freeze at it.    It came at him again and he gave it a good kick--- sending the skunk flying.   The skunk went under our 4-wheeler trailer (which sits outside).  Gary rushed off to get his shotgun out of the shop.....just in time.   He certainly!!!!  didn't want the skunk inside the barn.   He thought he'd have to kick it again but he just hollered at it and  it went running off to the south of the shop......   Shot DEAD!!     That skunk HAD to be RABID!!!

And then without telling me anything about it --- he went fishing. !!  Dean even got in the truck and rode with him to the Dam.   He really didn't get sprayed.....but he DID stink.  We are soaking his coat and bibs in white vinegar.....didn't have any tomato juice....  His boots stink the worse and they are brand new!!!!   AUGH!

I let him in the house......what else could I do --- it's COLD OUT.   We are burning candles in the back entry.  Not sure if our noses are just used to it....or if it isn't too bad in here.  His boots are outside!!!  They might not get in for a while!!!

I don't know for sure which is worse---- a rattlesnake attack -- or a rabid skunk attack!!  Thank goodness God was watching over him both times!!!

Gary and Barb