Monday 11 April 2016

Spring - a new hope

Why did you wake me up?


Harley likes to relax inside the trampoline net. It’s her favourite spot and now Dusty isn’t allowed to chase the neighbourhood cats away (temporarily) she goes in there to feel safe.

I'm going back to sleep


I caught her mid yawn for this one and it made me happier than I can say. How clean her teeth look. I’m feeling very hopeful that we’re keeping on top of whatever it is that caused the massive build-up of tartar on her teeth when she was just a year old and which began to build up again quite quickly after they were cleaned.

Our vet suspects calicivirus even though tests for that were negative (tests can produce a false negative). We knew that things could get a lot worse and she may end up losing all her teeth – or she could just get over whatever it is. I was also resigned to the fact she would need to have her teeth cleaned annually. But she hasn't needed a dental since that first time. I’m not being complacent though and will always keep a close eye on her.

I’m keeping her on dental food as she prefers it to anything else and I will always sprinkle Plaque off (thank you again, Pat) on her food. Plus she has an l-lysine chew every day – I don’t know if that helps, but it is full of stuff that is good for her. She’s put weight on too - not too much, but she’s a lovely solid cuddle nowadays.

When Dusty is having his little slow walks round the garden, she hides in the bushes, then runs at him, boxes his ears and runs off again. She can’t understand why he doesn’t chase her and he doesn’t understand why he’s not allowed to.

So spring is here. A little bird told me so. A ladybird that is. There were two, but the other one was hiding under a leaf. What a welcome sight.




Hope spring has come to you too!


25 comments:

  1. Spring - a new hope. What a wonderful phrase. And it is such a heartlifting, wonderful time of year isn't it, seeing the new growth, more sunshine (honest!) and promise of things to come - well it does usually get warmer eventually anyway.
    And such good news about Harley and Dusty too for you Teresa.
    A new hope indeed that this will at last be the start of a worry free time for you with your wonderful pets. xxxxxx

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    1. Thank you, Sue - it is a lovely season isn't it. My favourite. Anything seems possible when the sun is shining and the birds are singing and there are flowers springing up everywhere :-) xxx

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  2. Looks like the perfect place to relax. I'd be on that trampoline with the animals :) I don't do chasing :) Hope spring will bring Dusty better health. We had 21 degrees and sunshine all day today :) But I've just noticed the grey clouds heading our way - from England :) Have a lovely week, Teresa.

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    1. It is very comfy and warm to lie down in there - not that I ever do ;-) 21 degrees sounds wonderful - sorry about the rain clouds coming from here. We've a lot more today I'm afraid xx

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  3. Hope Harley's teeth continue on nice and clean- and no doubt sharp!

    The last couple of days I've seen a big fuzzy bee, and a butterfly trying to come through my window, Teresa, thankfully it didn't take them long to realise it was a solid pane of glass.

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    1. Thank you, Carol - those little teeth look very sharp don't they. I'm really looking forward to seeing the bees (especially the big fuzzy ones) and butterflies. Sounds like your visitors were trying to say hello :-) xx

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  4. "Why did you wake me up?" That is so often my first thought in the morning!

    There are leafbuds coming on the apple trees at last. It will wonderful to see more green, and less bare branches. Have a good day. x

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    1. It's wonderful to see the leafbuds isn't it. Everywhere is starting to look so green. I love listening to the birds in the middle of the night... I mean the morning :-) xx

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  5. Good news about Harley's teeth - and that spring is definitely here.

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    1. I was pleased to get that photo, Patsy - I usually keep an eye on her gums and teeth, but she doesn't like it so I got a good look without having to mess her about :-) xx

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  6. It's so good to see Dusty and Harley thriving, Teresa. Those beautiful white teeth are wonderful! I think our Brian, Muffin and Holly would benefit from the sprinkles and the chews as they occasionally have excess plaque too. Spring has definitely arrived as our carpets and clothes are now permanently adorned with moulting pony hair and cat fur! xxx

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    1. Thank you, Joanna. Those little Plaque off sprinkles are amazing - I get Harley the one specially for cats and she waits for me to sprinkle it on her food before she eats. That sounds like heaven to me - moulting pony hair and cat fur :-) xx

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  7. Although I'm an autumn/winter person, I do like the arrival of spring and better weather, Teresa (though we've gone back to winter it seems)! What a great photo of the yawn.

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    1. My children are all autumn/winter people like you, Rosemary! I don't know where they get it from :-) xx

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  8. Whatever you are doing, keep doing it as Harley looks the picture of health. Here in the midlands the weather is beautiful today. I think Spring has sprung!

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    1. Thank you, Maggie. She had such a bad start in life so I'm happy she's doing so well. It's been very spring like here today too :-) xx

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  9. Harley's teeth look wonderful. One of our rescue dogs, Claude, has dreadful tartar on his teeth and after trying all sorts of suggestions we've now got to book him into the vets to have it removed under an anaesthetic. Hopefully then he'll feel much better like Harley obviously does.

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    1. Claude will feel so much better once he's had a clean up, Debs, bless him :-) xx

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  10. Hartley's teeth look lovely and white. I'll have to look out for those Plaque off sprinkles for our cats. :) xx
    P.S I had to laugh at Harley boxing Dusty's ears!

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    1. I hope he's chasing after her soon. (i pressed the enter tab too soon by mistake) :)xx

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    2. Thanks, Deb. I'd recommend Plaque Off. I hope he's chasing Harley again soon too - almost as much as she does :-) xx

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  11. She looks a picture of health with that glossy coat and sparkling teeth. Hope Dusty will be springing around very soon as well. We have one smashing day, then a cold one here. I have the heating on today, and should cut the grass, but far too cold. Maybe tomorrow:))

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    1. Thank you :-) The weather's weird isn't it - go out dressed for winter and bake, then go out dressed for spring and freeze - and get soaked. The grass can wait :-) xx

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  12. Oh, I missed this last week. Harley looks fantastic doesn't she! I bet both she and Dusty are missing their game of chase - it won't be too long before they can play it again.
    Tail wags and licks from Tim 'n' Ted
    xx

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    1. Thanks, Pat. Her fur is so thick now and she's a lovely weight when you pick her up for a cuddle.
      Big hugs for Tim 'n' Ted xx

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