Missing his brother

 Sept 28 2023

Today i had to send the girls in to daycare. Yesterday Ziva was just so not necessarily difficult & not necessarily annoying, but she was very needy.   She kept barking about something & nothing satisfied her. 

I was watching some videos of Volos on my phone & she heard his barking. She kept coming by me like "Volos??".   
The three dogs overall are extremely clingy as of late. I understand they're confused & miss their brother, but it gives me almost no room to move or do anything.

Rich took her & Peryn for a walk after work because she needed to get out. Of course he ran into some regulars on the trail.  Those that walk the trail on the regular know who we are/where we live & are used to seeing our dogs. 
These individuals made comments about "the other berner".. noticing he hadn't been outside lately. He told me 3 different regulars asked where he was.   ugh. 

This morning Rich had no issues with the girls going in.  I had wanted to wait until tomorrow to send them in, but after yesterday I needed a break.  When he opened the garage door & said "Girls! Car ride" no one moved. However, he left the door open as he worked on loading his work stuff into the car. Next thing either of us know the girls have made their way to the car.   
They apparently needed time away too.

Today was hard though.  I went out for lunch with only Peryn. He looked so lost. He normally sits up in the front with me. He stayed in the back, laid down even.  I heard him sniffing at the area (Volos' spot in the car).  He really looked like a sad lost puppy.  He really loved having a big brother around.  They had the wackiest relationship, but they really loved each other.

Today we received this card from the vet. I called to cancel Volos' appt that was scheduled for Monday.  I hate getting these, it's so final....

Still....

 Sept 25 2023

A week ago I spent my last day with my boy.  It was a week ago that started off positive, but went downhill.   

I am still having trouble believing he is no longer here.  I keep looking for him to climb up on me or for him to come bat at my hand to pet him.  I keep listening for his noises..   I am having trouble accepting that I will no longer have that. 

It's really not fair.  Why him?  

Look at his beautiful, happy face...    I want to kiss that face...
Just makes me so angry....

Sept 27 2023

Lada:  Lada has become even clingier, if that were possible.  She's more frantic when attempting to give you loving. She's more "territorial" if Ziva tries to come in for kisses when Lada is around.
she's taken on sleeping on top of me the past few days. Trying to be like Volos? Just being that more needy?  Who knows.

Ziva: Ziva is much more affectionate.  She's also whinier.  She has only again began attempting to play tug, but it is only with Me. She seems to be avoiding hanging out at the bottom of the stairs.  
It's apparent by her overall actions & demeanor that she's missing him.  She's near me all the time now, which wasn't a thing before. 

Peryn was always a bit intense. Always wanting to play with the ball /play fetch.  I don't know if it's because I'm accommodating him more or if he's been wanting to play more.

I have never gotten a tattoo.  I never found one that I thought I'd want on my body for the rest of my life. 
I'm currently looking into getting one of Volos.   I want a bit of that boy with me forever.  
I'll keep you posted..

Routine/Schedule/Silence

With him gone, I've mentioned that it's been quieter.  Finally realized why. 
When he wasn't sleeping, Volos tended to "pant" as he breated. So there was always some sort of sound coming from him even when it was quiet.  
With that gone, it's too still.

Also, he was the time keeper. He was all about routines & schedules.  I've been able to work past my "normal" lunch time as of late because no one else is jumping up & bumping me to let me know it's time to take a break.  That was all Volos.

Volos Alexander, my Most Handsome, Destroyer of Boxes

Volos Alexander 

Longtime friends & family probably expected this. For those newer, I’ve written a tribute to each of my babies who has passed.  I don’t know if I’ll be able to get through this one though.  I am not even going to promise to try not to make this long…. This will definitely be a wordy introduction to my tribute.

In our lives we’ve been privileged to have been owned by a total of 9 dogs: Galen, Sheba, Goldberg, Duchess, Athena, Peryn, Lada, Volos, & Ziva.    Each one of them have brought something special into our lives. Each & every one of them were different and boy were they loved.    Galen, Sheba, Goldberg, & Athena were unique in that when the time came, it was of our choosing.    Duchess was the shocker.  Came out of nowhere & was quick and it was sudden.  Volos was essentially the same.   We only had the privilege of choosing the time for 4 of the ones who have gone on.  

As I said, each dog has brought something different & special to our lives.   Volos though… this dog we had with us the shortest, yet he made the BIGGEST impact.  

Volos came out of nowhere & stole the show.  My heart soon followed.  
After a very trying & stressful year of 2019, we unexpectedly lost Duchess on Dec 5 2019.  She was a unique dog in that she wasn’t overtly affectionate.  She had a strong steady presence in our lives that when she left, the hole she left was definitely not expected.  

Our plan at the time was to wait until Athena passed. We were still dealing with her DM & that was a lot along with 2 young cattle dogs.  We just wanted to focus on that. 

However a conversation that Rich had had with me MONTHS prior shaped what was to come. I was all about the cattle dogs & only had my sights on them.  In early 2019 (maybe), he said to me “I’m not saying now, but in the future our next dog needs to be a Bernese mountain dog.”   I looked it up quickly & initially was not blown away by the few pics I saw.  I definitely wasn’t impressed, but every time the future dogs were spoken of Rich had to say “Bernese!”

Fast forward to January 18^th, 2020.  I went to a girl’s night-in at my friend’s house.  We were discussing dogs & I was questioned: “when I was getting another” dog &  "would it be another Heeler"? I explained we’d like to wait until after Athena passes & no it would not be another Heeler because Rich wanted a Bernese.  None of them were sure what one looked like so K looks up on her phone & shows the rest of them.   They were all “ooh that’s handsome” dog or "that's a big dog".   

Cut to the next morning, I am awaking from a good night’s sleep & grab my phone. My friend L, who was there the night before, sent a text with a link to a post.   Essentially it said something to the effect that “our phones were listening in on us”.   It was a link to a FB post regarding a Bernese for adoption in Ashland County-which was only an hour away at most.

Over the next hour or two, I shared the info with Rich, & we were hemming & hawing that it’s “too soon”, “Bernese’s in shelters are rare”, “another dog…”   Essentially it is left up to me to say “Might as well”.

We applied, got chosen,  and drove to pick him up the next day, Jan 20 Martin Luther King Jr Day.   He was a very sweet dog when we met with him.   He was a nervous wreck on the way home & even worse when we got him home.

He was definitely an abused dog that hid in Rich’s office & inside the crate when he didn’t get the courage to make his way out for some pats.  It stayed this way for awhile.

Over the next few weeks he would still hide away, but would start making his way for attention more often.    He felt comfortable enough with Rich to stay in the room when Rich entered.  Although if I entered the room, he’d flee.  I tried to allow him chances to warm up to me.  I was determined to bond with this dog.

Outside he was a friendly affectionate dog. Inside, he was very skittish & wary.   Then Covid hit.  I began to work from home all the time.  Slowly he began hanging out with us in my office. Then he began to spend more & more time with us in the living room. Then he began coming downstairs to play with the dogs. 

And he began to bloom.   He blossomed right before my eyes.  He loved to play with toys. Don't think he had any before us. Every toy in the house was his. Discovered he loved to go on car rides. He loved the “brushas” & cookies they were given in the morning & evening.   And he love routine. Routines he knew & understood.  Deviations were not welcome. But above all else, he started hanging out with Momma.

Momma cuddled on the floor with him. Momma gave pats & more pats, and lots of kisses. Momma took him on car rides. Momma laughed and loved on him.    Soon his favorite spot was on or by Momma.   Somehow it eventually morphed into his sleeping on top of Momma & cuddling with Momma.  Momma became the center of the universe. 

Soon Momma discovered herself laughing at her little clown.  She found herself loving to climb on the floor for cuddles throughout the work day.   Momma looked forward to bed snuggles.   Momma found herself finding all ways to make Volos happy.    Soon Momma realized she had never loved another dog like this.  
Yes there was Galen, my #1 puppy.  The love of my life, the dog all other dogs measured to…but somehow this scrappy little Bernese dog became the center of my universe.  I would do anything to make him happy.   I worried all the time over him.   

And I was also scared the whole time.   After adopting him, I began reading up on the breed.  A Breed that has an Average life span of 8-10 years.   We had adopted him at 5. How much time was I going to get??? 
And from day 1 we dealt with MCTs.  He had about 4 surgeries to remove a number of MCTs & other fatty cysts. He had his stiff leg, but otherwise he was a very happy & healthy Bernese. Those MCTs though, always in the back of my mind.  I feared losing him.

Each day as he gained confidence he really bloomed, but the addition of Ziva to the pack made the biggest difference.  That little ball of fur forced her presence onto Volos who had no desire to spend any time with her.   She persisted & before you knew it—they were laying together or playing together.    He relished his big brother role. We have tons & tons of photos of them side by side. His final 2 years with Ziva he made the most strides.

Volos loved routine & do not stray outside of that or else you’ll have a nervous /unhappy dog.  Home. Car rides. Farm & in the back door when he's been outside (even if we're in the front). We tried to get him into other things to branch out. Some worked & some didn’t.  

Sent him to daycare where he became the wallflower.  Always against the wall or in the background. Then he took over the couch, becoming the founding member of the Couch Crew.  Eventually he won his battle to stay home.

At home he would happily destroy boxes, chew on his toys, chew on his bones, or just come over to nuzzle punch my arm so that I would give him love.  During lunchtime or after work I would just drive around the area so he could just be happy in the car.

His favorite spot in the house, when not in bed, was the bottom of the stairs. He was happiest down there. If I were upstairs, he’d bark up at me to let me know he was there & was with his stash.  Watching this dog with stiff gimpy leg fly down those steps...

He loved to climb up in my lap either while I was on the couch watching tv or while I was sleeping. When he began to climb into bed & sleeping on top of me, I never felt more safe & happy.

He absolutely loved our morning cuddle sessions in the bed.  
He loved toys. The squeakier the better.   He would just happily play with the new toys he got.  I admit this is where I really spoiled the heck out of him.   He loved to get new toys. It came to the point where I’d come home from shopping & he’d check the bags as I walked in. He knew I got him something.

He loved the wobble wag giggle ball.   That was a big fave from day 1.   He loved to play tug with either Ziva or Peryn.  He loved to mouth fence with Lada.   He enjoyed chasing after Peryn when the latter would push it too far.  
The last month of his life, he seemed to have so much more energy & was just radiant all around.  He became “used to” the farm & would enjoy our visits.  He loved all the squeaky toys he could find.  He loved to wander off to explore occasionally.

The one thing he loved above all else was me.   And boy did I love him.   It got so bad I would hate to leave him for any reason.  I was a nervous wreck when I was away from him.   You want to see the texts I sent Rich when I was at the concert the week before it all came crashing down….

I can go on & on about him. I’m trying to reign it in because I’ll be typing forever.  Every pet parent loves all their kiddoes with all their heart.   However, there is always one or two that just have that extra thing that makes you love them the hardest.

He really did change the pack dynamic.   When it was Duchess, Athena, Peryn & Lada we had 2 young pups & 2 older gals. Duchess & Athena were not travelers. I hated long trips in the car with them as they barked & whined & were just a mess.  

They all got a long splendidly. The girls played with the pups hard.  They all went to daycare together.  They all loved going to the park.   Athena loved to chase after the cattle dogs, Duchess was a loner.   It was an easy pack.  

Athena loved to be in the middle of things. So when we got her the cart, she was able to still join the ACDs in the basement or at the park.   Peryn & Lada would push their herding ball & Athena would chase them bark bark barking.

When Volos joined & eventually began coming out of his shell, he would run with them to the top of the stairs while the P & L headed to the basement.  I’d take Athena & her cart downstairs to play. We’d be down there & Volos would be at the top of the stairs listening …
Eventually he began attempting the stairs. Then he made it down. Soon he began hoarding the toys he collected at the bottom of the stairs.  
He LOVED hanging with the pack.   When Peryn, Lada, & Ziva began staying home from playcare more, he was a very happy dog.

My favorite thing was to hold him while lying down.  Lying in bed cuddling was my #1 favorite thing to do with him.   If life didn’t get in the way, that’s what I’d do every day with him. I loved his silky smooth hair.   He was the sweetest boy.

If it wasn’t the bed, I loved when he climbed up on my lap when I’m in the recliner.  Cuddling with him on my lap didn’t happen all the time, but I loved it when it did.  
I may have complained about the nuzzle punches, but I loved when he came to stand & lean up against me while I worked so I would be rubbing his chest.

I’m really angry about his past week.   After a busy weekend taking the dogs to the Big Splash & then going to see Duran Duran, I came down with covid. I wasn’t as active with them & eventually I moved out of the bedroom to sleep in the living room.

This is when he began staying in the bed.  I was so sick that I didn’t recognize he wasn’t acting right or that something was wrong.    I lost out on bed cuddles.  

I really started noticing he wasn’t 100% on Friday.  He was still playful (he & Peryn tore apart a Lambchop in a game of tug) and that he took the extra ones I got to his spot in the basement.   But he just tired out quicker & was keeping to himself a bit more.

Today when we went to spend time with him before saying Goodbye, it was a shock.  He was NOT doing well.  What I thought would be more time to just be with him was shortened when I saw how bad it was.  I spent my time with him telling him he was my “Handsome” boy that he was the best dog ever, he was a good boy, & Momma loved him more than he would ever know.

The vet feels pretty confident that the blockage was most likely a tumor.  All that time I was so worried about the MCTs on the skin, tumors were growing inside. 

Don’t know if this is a sign or not….but when we arrived at the hospital another lady & her dog arrived. It was a Duchess look alike.  Now not the same coloring, but it was a Duchess.  We asked & it was indeed a husky x boxer mix. Where Duchess was red, this guy was gray.   Same brindle coloring, same type of face.   Duchess is whose spot Volos slid into.      Was it Duchess sending me a sign that she’d take care of my baby boy?   

The loss is very profound & he hasn’t been gone a day.   Walking to the bottom of the stairs to play is empty.  It’s quiet, just Peryn & Lada growling at the ball. No happy Volos barks letting us know he’s down there.  
I don’t know how to get past this.   I know I probably eventually will.  I have lost dogs before—but Volos dude…you were my one & only….   I just feel incomplete.

Sept 16 2023

Saturday September 16 2023 at 21:10 

Freaking out.  I'm trying to tell myself he's just acting like this because he's a super sensitive boy. That he senses Momma is really not feeling well.    

He had a stressful weekend. First we took him to the Big Splash. He was stressed out as it was very chaotic & unfamiliar.   

Then Sunday Momma left around 4pm and didn't return until 1:30 AM.   So he had 2 highly stressful days.   
Monday, Momma recovered by sleeping most of the day ...which also coincides with when I began falling ill.

Was stuffy & congested on Tuesday & by Wed I felt horrible.   I had a fever & slept most of Wednesday.  Thursday night & Friday night I did not sleep in the bed.   

Earlier this week, Monday perhaps, he peed in the basement.   Him preferring to stay in the bed in the mornings is nothing new.

Thursday throughout the morning he stayed in the bedroom but did come to lay next to me on the couch.   Friday, he was in the bed all morning. 

I did get him to get active when the toys I ordered were delivered. He played like normal with the toys.  

Saturday, today, he's been off.   Quiet.  He either stayed in the bedroom , the basement, or outside.  Most of this evening he was lying in the basement, on the one carpet.  Not even at the bottom of the stairs.    
I went down there to check on him & he just was lying there.   Head up, but lying there.    I got on the floor to cuddle with him & he just accepted it.   

I got him to come upstairs by taking one of the lambchops & squeaking it. He got up to grab it & did come upstairs.   Now he's lying in the bed. 

He's barely eaten & he hasn't drank water.   I am praying this is just a sympathetic illness & not anything serious.  I cannot handle anything else.   Not right now when I'm so sick.

I'm trying to to get Rich sick, hence the sleeping apart.   I originally thought maybe he would want to lie out here with me, but I under-estimated the power of the bed. 

I cannot even begin to describe the devastation that will happen if this is anything else.

Please please please universe.  Keep him healthy..

9/19/23

Ended up taking him to the ER on Sunday evening.  They gave him some meds for the vomiting & diarrhea & something for hydration. Came home & slept in the bed with me. 

Yesterday morning he was back to his oldself in the am. Ate some chicken & rice like a champ.

However it kind of went downhill from there. He refused to eat anything else. Barely drank.   He got all worked up with Peryn when I went downstairs, but otherwise he was off.    

In the evening he went off by himself to the farthest corner to lay down.    He eventually made his way back to the bedroom & eventually the bed.

This morning he drank a little, but still turns his head at food.  However he did run downstairs with the rest of the pack & barked a bit. However the lack of food & energy did him in quick.

He is in my office with me, so he wants to do all the things...he just can't eat or drink.   I'm going to take him in again. I should try to wait until 8am but I don't know if I can.

I can't sit by & watch him waste away.    

I'm going to have to deal with spending $$ to try & get him diagnosed.

17:49

By now, most of you know the score. 

Took him in cause he was definitely not getting better.   Taking an xray of his stomach & intestines found a bunch of gas & possibly something else? Not sure at this time.    
The main issue is the mass they found.  They're pretty sure it's cancer. Of course that news devastates me. However it doesn't completely surprise me as he is a Berner & he has had issues with masses. 

No the issue is if what's in his intestines does not dissipate or move, they can't even do surgery because of the mass indicated above.  

Gut punch.  This is not happening.   I'm more scared about the current issue than cancer.  Why? It may not be cancer. Even if it is, it may not be aggressive...  There are still so many unknowns.... 

But this current issue....   This is robbing him of getting nutrition from food & water. This is causing him discomfort.   This is robbing me of my time left.   

I have to make it through the rest of the night & morning before I can hear anything.  I don't know how I'll do that. 

After work today, I decided to keep myself busy by picking up & cleaning. Since I was sick the previous week, cleaning fell by the wayside.   
The other 3 are at daycare so I could get a bunch done without them here. 

I ran into issues with that. Everywhere there are toys.   A majority of them are either his or Ziva & his to play tug with.  I found his most favorite ball....I can't do anything with that yet.   

I then think of Ziva & how is she going to handle it if it comes to that? She has adored him from her setting her eyes on him.  She loves playing tug with him. She loves lying near him.  How is she going to deal.

Then Peryn...he may be the biggest AH on the planet, but he freaking is obsessed with Volos.  How will he be on the days when the girls go to daycare?  How will I be?

I hate the not knowing.   

I keep praying to my Dad to keep my boy safe & give me just a little more time. 

I knew time was running short. He's a Berner after all.   I kept hoping "cause he's smaller" or "maybe we'll be the lucky ones" to make it longer.   

I had ZERO clues that this dog would become my whole world.   I really didn't.   I'm begging the universe....just give me more time.  Time to bring him home. More cuddles. More sleeping in bed. More I love yous.    

I'm MAD. MAD as hell that this happened while i was sick. While I couldn't be in bed with him. While I couldn't play with them...  My sickness robbed me.  Maybe I would have noticed sooner & could have gotten him help sooner...

Currently awaiting the rest of the family to come home.  I'm going to have to give love and attention to the rest of the crew. I am going to have to keep an eye on them to see if they look for him.    

ugh. a big rock in my chest....

9/20/23

It's too effing quiet. 

This morning taking them downstairs...too quiet. 

Rich coming in the office this morning, too quiet.

Sitting here working it's too quiet. 

I do not like this quiet.

Called vet last night before bed. He's resting comfortably. Been out to pee a few times.   

I miss him.

9:22AM

Devastated beyond belief. He has some blockage. It's bad, he is spitting /throwing up whenever they move him.. 
We could do an ultra sound to get more info. However with the mass near his lungs, the odds aren't great.

I'm pissed at Rich for going into work. I'm pissed that I can't get a hold of him.  I want to hold my boy.

9:58AM
Rich is coming home from work.  Now I've been trying to call the vet back, but there has been an issue with the phone lines all morning. The call will not go through. 

Plan is to go see him & spend some time with him before we release him from his pain.   If I could just get a hold of the Dr.

Really do need a camera 24/7

 Hey Crew fans!

Happy June!   It's definitely warming up & the pups aren't much of a fan.   

Ziva, who the previous 2 summers was active in the heat, no longer loves it.   She has quit staying outdoors (if there is no shade) and loves being inside the air condition.  We often find her in the bathroom or basement just lying there.  Poor girl, I think she's officially an adult Berner at this stage. 

In case you missed it on the FB page, daycare took a GORGEOUS photo of the girl ....

Isn't she such a beauty??

OH! And I can't believe I didn't do a post on the day. Such a bad Momma I am. I did post on the FB page...which is kind of the whole point of having it....so I can do quick updates. 
Anyhow....  Last Saturday Ziva turned 2. 

Plus DAYCARE DID This!!!

 

Daycare loves my girl!!!

Wow, at first I didn't think I'd have enough to make a long post, but as I write I find I do have stuff!!!!
AND...to top it off, want to see pics of Ziva's Momma, sister Rixie, & Sister Penny???

Beauties.   In truth, Christine D, who bred a number of pups from Rosie & prior to that, Digity, really has bred gorgeous Berners. Wish I could share all the pups whose pics are shared in the group.   

So the title of this post. 

I've said it before and I know I'll say it again a 100x, I truly need a camera going ALL.THE.TIME. 

Last night I ran to the store for some groceries. I picked up 3 toys (Peryn, Ziva, & Volos) as well as a bag of chews for the guys.

-BORDER PATROL-

The dogs have taken it upon themselves as of the past year or so to inspect all packages & bags brought into the house.  I guess their spoiled butts have recognized I usually get then something.   So EVERY item that comes through the front or garage door has a nose in them. It's mostly Volos & Ziva as they are the 2 that enjoy the what I bring home the most. 

Came home, backed in as I always do.  Open the trunk the dogs have now made it out to the garage to greet me.   Then VOLOS....the one with joint & leg issues...hops up on his hind legs to start inspecting the bags. 
Of course the bag with their stuff is at the front of the bags in the corner.  When he gets to this bag he begins shoving his nose inside and starts to pull out the first toy he can,   He's hilarious when it comes to getting something he wants. 

Of course Rich takes the bag to the kitchen (including the toy) and puts it on the counter so we can finish unloading.   Volos then hovers around the island looking up at the bags, trying to locate THEIR bag. 

He NEVER does this if there is food (Ziva does however). He usually patiently waits in the dining area on the carpet.   
NOPE! Not when there is a toy.

Proceeded to distribute the toys (I let Volos pick from the 3). Ziva & Peryn grab theirs & head to the living room to honk & squeak. 

Then, as always, Ziva has to get up to try and take Volos' toy. Well, not really take. She LOVES to play tug with him. Seriously it is her favorite thing.  So of course they start to tug & eventually a hole rips into the toy.   

Peryn starts his whipping HIS toy around and Lada just barks, barks, barks. 

And a reminder to why Lada does not get a toy. 
She ONLY likes tennis balls. NO OTHER TOY. When she does play with another toy, it's usually on her own & when she can rip it up.

Lada got a new toy over the weekend anyhow. Her toy is expensive. 

I broke the ball launcher at the farm on Saturday.   I used Petsmart's same day delivery to buy a new launcher & a BUNCH of tennis balls. It was delivered & she happily is fetching in the basement with the new balls. 
I even was smart enough to buy a small 3 pack of Kong squeaky tennis balls for the other 3 so they'd leave Lada's balls alone. 

Do I even need to tell you that Volos helped himself to that bag when it was delivered & proceeded to open the tennis ball bunch???

Again, another not caught on "film".   

The patio is ready for the summer and that also means more outside playing.   
The pool opened for the summer.

Lada is still Lada. Loving on her Momma. Loving her fetch. Being the "momma hen"

And to end this post, in case you missed it or wanted to see it again, I give you Peryn in the black hole of the comforter

boom. boom. boom.

The hoomans that belong to the Crew are not small beings.  We are both tall, big boned, & older...;)

That being said, when either of us (or anyone for that matter) are in the basement, whenever we walk across the house or towards the stairs, we don't really know it until one of the dogs alerts us or they appear.   

Neither of us are heavy footed, so 99% of the time we do not know where either of us are within the home.  

Ziva, the large & full of energy freight train, is ninja like when she's running through the house. Obviously Lada is too small to make a sound on the floor.   Peryn is pretty dang quiet.   

With all that information, this brings us to Volos.  Volos my sweet sweet adorable boy....a freaking FREIGHT TRAIN of noise.   

I wish...I really wish I could find a way to capture the sound of him running through the house from the basement.  Light on his feet does NOT describe this guy.    You can hear him clearly as he moves throughout the house.   

BOOM BOOM BOOM!     Help me figure out a way to record this for prosperity!

Busy Busy Busy. All about the routine

 Hey. Sorry for the delay between postings.   The hoomans have been quite busy between turning a half century old and training for Continuing Education Credits,  Posting about the Crew has been the last thing we've had a chance to focus on. 

3.15.23

So, since this is literally on my mind because it just happened...

Have I mentioned on Volos is very set in his ways?  He is all about routine & things he is comfortable with. 

2020- coming to the front door

For example: Car rides. He freaking loves car rides. We don't have to go anywhere, just his being in the car is enough.   Long ride. Short ride.  Does not matter.   However, a few things matter.   First, I HAVE to be the one driving OR going on the car ride.  He will not go when called if Rich is leaving the house.  Nope.  Rich has to come put a leash on him if he wants Volos to come with him in the car. 

Second, sometimes in the mornings he will NOT get in the car with me--if it's him by himself.  He doesn't trust me or it's because it's not normal.....  Now this is early mornings only.   Later in the day, nothing is stopping him.   

Third, if we stop ANYWHERE unfamiliar to him & get out, he will sniff around a second or twos and then tries desperately to get back inside. Doesn't matter if it's a friend trying to give him some loving--if he doesn't know the place he wants ZERO to do with it.    Trust me, we've tried. 

Took him to my old neighborhood to visit a friend who Peryn 

Done! Let me in!!!

& Lada love--but he was not having. Doesn't know the area, doesn't know the smell, gunshots ...nope.  Put him back in the car.  That is his safe area. 

Now to give you an example of a routine that he does not like to stray from.  When we first adopted him, we couldn't use our back door as there were no stairs. We took all the dogs out the front door and around to the side of the house.   

When we finally added steps a few months later, it took a few days for him to get used to the new process. The first couple of times he walked around the house to the front door.   Eventually he was used to the back door.  

Every time we went outside, we went out and in the back door.  The only change up is if we went for a car ride, then in & out the garage door. 

When we got the patio put in, those days of not being able to use the back door were something else. Trying to get him to go out the front door was a chore.  We do not go out the front door.   When we did get him out the door, he went jogging quickly to the backyard     
Then proceeded to try and come in the back.  Walking through the mess that was to be our patio.   He sighed with relief when he was able to use the door again.  He was even happier to find a big step for him to sit on top of instead of a small wooden step.

His safe space

Back when we first adopted him & he would stay in the front room, he had a routine with their brush chews.  The morning routine since Galen, Sheba & Duchess was to wake up in the morning. Go outside & when they came back in they would be given their brush chews. I'm allowed to switch it up by giving the chews first & then outside.   

When we first got Volos, he'd be let out of the crate & come happily into the kitchen because he knew it was treat time.  I'd give him his and he would proceed to run back to the front bedroom/office to finish it up.    

Obviously over time he no longer hides in the front rooms at night, he's usually in bed with me.    However, more often then not he will run to the front of the house when I am handing out the brush chews & then coming running back into the kitchen for his when he's done.   It's silly, but it's him.

So all this to say that since I started walking him & Peryn, I discovered even THAT has his trademark routine.   Depending which way I walk (taking the trail North or taking it South), will determine just how noticeable this is to you. 

I first noticed this when walking them the trail N to S.  When coming up upon my house, he would start pulling towards the neighbors front yards the closer we got to home.   He pulls like he's trying to go into their backyard.    Once I got him home & into the garage if I did not close the garage, once I took the harness off him he would skittle away out of the garage & around the house to the backyard.    Eventually during one walk, I took off the leash when we were on the side walk & there he went.  Straight towards the backyard to the back door. 

When walking the trail S to N, he does it a bit differently.   No matter the speed he was walking prior, once we hit the home stretch (just before the turn onto our street) he starts hauling butt.   He then speed walks to the house.   I can try all I want to get him into the garage, but once that leash is let go....skedaddles to the back yard.   Waiting for me at the back door when I'm done with Peryn. 

MY SPOT

So now, once I hit our driveway I have to try & get him to stop so I can remove the leash (or harness) to set him free.   I do my thing & take everything off Peryn. Peryn & I come in the house, take off my coat & shoes, then make my way to the back door.   Open everything up & there he is waiting patiently. 

If we make the mistake of leaving the garage door open when we come back from a trip to the farm or anywhere, he'll choose that route EVERY TIME!

Try to get him out the front door though....nope. He won't do it. SO yes, Volos is all about routines & familiarity.  You may divert from either when you are within the confines of home & he'll usually adapt.   

All bets are off otherwise.    

Bad Momma

Volos hates unknown sounds.  Beeps! Bells! Any electronic sound.  Freaks him out big time. 

Back in 2020 we had a power outage that lasted awhile.  The alarm beeps when it goes to back up battery. It beeps continuously to remind you that it is on battery.     

He started getting all freaked out and trying to hide.   So I decided to take him on a drive around to get out of the house.    

Unfortunately, this outage went awhile, so by the time we got home the Carbon Monoxide detector --which has a vocal alarm-- started going off.   Around this time, power was restored. That CO alarm was setting off the house alarm.  It was then triggering the house monitoring alarm, so it was a big loop of noise.  
Poor dog nearly lost his marbles.

We won't discuss the time I set off the smoke detector while cooking.  That was another trauma in Volos' eyes.

So today we had our work in-person Holiday Outing.  I left the boys for a bit to go be around people I used to see daily, but no longer did.   
When I leave the house I have 2 different alarms I can set.   The one is for when we have the dogs with us and one without.  The difference is the motion sensors. (See where this is going?)

So I arrive at the place and we sit down & start catching up.  Phone starts ringing.  I see it's the alarm company and RIGHT AWAY I know my mistake. 

I'm not worried that they're calling me or anything. No. I know that back at home the alarm is sounding and the boys are alone, already anxious, driving poor Volos to madness.   

I feel so horrible for that. My poor boy --on his GOTCHA Day/Birthday--- has to deal with that alarm. 

Last night wasn't any better.   There was a bad storm that came through.  Deep long rumbles leading up to it--that went on forever.  Then the lighting, thunder, & rain.   
While I love having Volos in my lap, a frantic-terrified Volos is NOT gentle. 

After I got home today I had to turn on all the lights because he ALWAYS leaves me something to clean up when he's not had a good time at home alone.   

So that's what is going on as I type, I'm letting the enzyme cleaner soak into the stain to remove it easier. 

Right now he's pretty happy. I took them to the basement when I got home. Then we went on a car ride to PetSmart to spend their gift card. He got himself another toy.

Peryn got one as well, but we all know that Volos doesn't believe toys are for anyone else but him.

As I mentioned, it's Volos' Gotcha Day, which we use to serve as his birthday.  He's been with us 3 years. It feels so much longer....   But based on what they told us when we adopted him, he turns 8 today.   
So Happy 8th Birthday Volos!!!

Vet Care

 Afternoon & Hello.

In case you don't follow our FB feed, Ziva was taken to the Emergency Vet Clinic yesterday.

Since early on, if her mouth can reach it, she'll chew on it or plain old swallow it.  

It's a known problem and something that has caused numerous issues. 

She's ruined everything from shoes to health equipment. She still swallows my hair scrunchies whole and any small cloth.  Rope toys are not to be given unless you keep an eye on her.   Is that a piece of cardboard? In her mouth it goes.  She'll tear apart toys and swallow pieces.   

Because of all that, she's had regular intestinal issues.  We've joked that she'll be the dog that they find tons of toys in the stomach.     
For the most part, she has passed everything. 

However in the time that we've had her, she's never thrown up (or gagged) over several hours only to bring up spittle or bile.   She's never been listless and lethargic.  She'd moan. She couldn't get comfortable. She would not go to the bathroom, eat or drink.  

She was lying outside on the patio or in the rocks--while it was lightly raining.  That was the Bernese loving cold weather coming through while trying to get comfy.

We attempted to get her a same day appointment, but there was none available and if it ended up being a blockage--she'd end up at the Hospital we went to anyhow.

If you know Ziva, you know she is a happy go lucky-extremely loving dog.  She'll greet "most" strangers with a hug or wanting a pet.  She loves car rides & looking out the window.   She loves food.  She is a bottomless pit.   She loves playing with her siblings. 

Yesterday she was none- of those.    Hence we went to the ACN.   During the ride she just laid there.   Couldn't get comfortable, would switch positions, but just lie there.   At the clinic, she barely greeted the tech that came into the room.   

They took her for X-Rays. Good news was there was nothing in her stomach.  Her small intestines were what we were watching & they sent us home with orders to not feed her. 

She slept most of the time. Only threw up 2 more times. 

This morning she was more like her old self.  It was a relief to see.   She did have a BM and appeared in good spirits.   She was 80% like her usual self. 

We returned for our appointment and another set of XRays.  The issues in the intestines had shifted and along with the BM, it appears she's going to be ok. 

It could be that she over-ate on Thursday. I had mentioned she was being a pig & over ate some of her special food that we only give her in moderation.   

Or it could have been something else.   However they gave her some anti-nausea medication. She's eaten and appears to be on the mend.  

Bad news...... Volos was gagging just before we left and I just cleaned up two spots in my office.   

NOW...
It could be his nervous stomach at being left home 2 days in a row.   He does not deal with that well.   --OR-- was it a virus that Ziva had?     Remains to be seen. Fingers crossed because this Momma will not deal well. 

Speaking of Volos.  I believe I mentioned he had a few lumps I wanted the vet to look at.  I needed to know if these should be removed or if they're just fatty.  Determined they most likely need to be removed.  There are 3 significant ones that need removal and a few that should, but if we can't locate them on day of surgery (due to size), it is not the end of the world. 

I was HOPING to wait until after the new year.  For obvious reasons that EVERYONE is aware of...INFLATION... it has kicked us hard along with some other issues not discussed here. 

I had to put Ziva's vet visit on the CC--which I HATE, but it needed to be done.  While Holding my boy and feeling the lumps..feeling like they grew.. I said screw it.   He needs his surgery. 

I love that boy and Berners on average live 8-10 years.  We adopted him at 5 and we're going on 8.   I am not ready for anything to happen to him.   This dog is my everything.  So I'm calling on Monday to schedule his tumor removals.  

Rich's forever dog was Sheba.   Mine is/was Galen.   However, Volos is nudging him to 1.5 place vs 1st.   I love this guy.    So I beg of you to keep him (all of them) in your thoughts.