Archive for ‘June, 2011’

Bear’s Veterinary Adventures

The week Bear arrived in Montana, so did the first mosquitoes. So, off we went to the vet to get heartworm medication. They do a blood test first. You can see the pink shaved patch on Bear’s “arm”. I hated putting Bear through a vet visit so soon after arrival, but he was a champ and sat still and quiet while they got the bit of blood needed. The prize was the yellow star toy WITH squeaker! – a freebie from Heartguard, the heartwork med company.

While at Calm Veterinary, Bear got a wellness exam and passed all with flying colors except for teeth… Two molars were questionable, 1 definitely had to come out…bleah! But everyone wanted to give him a bit of time to adjust to all of the changes before a procedure and there was no emergency so we scheduled the surgery for a month later, June 13.

When the office called on the Friday before to confirm and remind me of no food the morning of surgery, I asked if Bear could be first and if we could get a drop off time very near the start of surgery so that he wouldn’t be too long in a kennel, alone, in a strange place. I was offered the opportunity of a room where I could wait with him pre-op and they would return him to me in the room post-op …if I was ok staying that long.

Yes-siree I was! I took computer and snacks and set up in a beautiful room with a bay window. Bear impressed everyone by lying down on command and staying still while they inserted the catheter. After, I had him lie down and stay while we waited and I sat on the floor beside him. We had been working diligently on down-stay and it was not only helpful for the prep but was calming as we waited.

Dr. Calm extracted only 1 molar, cleaned and checked the rest of his teeth and then they brought him back to the room to wake up on a nice foam mattress…with me.

Not too bad and none of the trauma of waking up in a kennel! Bear was fairly alert and able to walk shortly after noon and we were on our way home by 1:00 p.m.

Although, he was tired from all, he did not appear to be uncomfortable….

…and the next day resumed his Yoga routine….

Well, what would you call it?

Looks like yoga to me :)!

All dogs go to Murdoch’s

Murdoch’s Home and Ranch Supply is THE place for all things animal. In the spring they have baby ducks and chicks. There is maybe 1/5th of the store devoted to horse stuff. And another 5th to dog & cat stuff! Karl and I were regulars: Karl goes shopping

So, a little over 3 weeks ago, Bear and I made our first trip to Murdoch’s. We had been before, but Bear had always waited in the Jeep. This day, though, I took Bear in with me…per tradition, he would get to pick his own treat !!

The next tradition…kiss the girls!

Kassidy stepped around her till counter and was a willing participant…

What fun! All dogs go to Murchoch’s :)!

Ginger ale: homemade

Lawnmowers could be heard running all through northwest Montana today….mine included. Midweek’s summer days gave way to a transition day of a couple of thunderstorms and more showers, but today dawned clear and cool at 43F.

Who would have thought I might someday make my own ginger ale??? NOT me! But I saw this post: Sweet Savory Planet’s Ginger Soda and Ginger Candy…and it called to me. If you are a new reader, you may be unaware that I have an addiction to Vernor’s Ginger Ale…search for Vernor’s to see past posts if interested…

To date, I have made 3 batches of ginger syrup and none have disappointed.

The process is simple. Peel and slice the ginger. Add ginger, sugar and water to a pan. Bring to boil, then simmer for an hour.

Pour all through a sieve. Put the syrup in a jar. Coat the ginger with sugar and dry in the oven for crystallized ginger.

Put some syrup in a glass. Add carbonated water – I have an ISI siphon/carbonator…works like the whipped cream thingy so I carbonate my own cold, clear and chlorine free well water :)!

Ginger ale…well, Ginger soda. And it beats Vernor’s big time.

AND…

…the ginger candy – YUM!

I love ginger, I love ginger soda, I love being able to make my own ginger soda.

And this morning ???

It looked like this:

A perfect day for a ginger ale: homemade