O9/08/2020. Tuesday

Good morning from the RV. When I logged onto OH this morning from the rarely used tabet I keep in the RV, I was so excited to see that Ann had started us off for the day ! I quicky realized it was a 2018 post ð??'. Because of Covid, check ins at NYS parks now start at 5PM. The dog run takes about an hour to assemble and secure, so that is about all we accomplished beyond putting out the slides and leveling (both require pushing a button) and the basics. So far, the most recent repairs seem to have held (refrigerator and leveler) and all of DC's WiFi and hot spot purchases and dabbling have resulted in total connectivity! Looking forward to lots of walking and settling in. The only forgotten item so far is my Fit*****arger.

Diane, I hope you have a fantastic time away and that the weather is supposed to be decent!

We are on beautiful Martha's Vineyard. We were checked in by 3, went exploring for the afternoon, had ****tails on the veranda here, then ate out at a seafood restaurant. It took quite some time to find one with space though. Interestingly it was much busier here than usual on Labor Day night. People didn't go home! So a lot of restaurants were closed because they didn't expect business and those that were open were overrun. Luckily we have a reservation for tonight. Today we are going to the beach, then out. It is Mike's birthday today. The view from our room:

Have a safe, healthy and social day!

Have a great time, Liz !

172.4

Keep those pictures rolling, folks! Diane, I'm so glad all is well with the trailer and sending strong and encouraging juju its way for continued health and happiness for you with it. Too long a 'dream deferred ' - now, enjoy your toy!

Yesterday was a bit of unexpectedly increased activity. Instead of 3 children over, we had a total of 8. DS1's friend (who, by the way was a frequent flyer at our house growing up) ,wife and little ones made for quite a full house. Swann was in 7th heaven.

It has been a long time since the homestead has seen such usefulness. It was a good thing I had made a batch of cookies for 'meal giveaway day' at church Wed. In addition brownies were baked (not planned) - anyone ever have 6 kid's in the kitchen wanting to help? I literally ended up lining them up to take turns in the making- "break an egg- Now, back in line. Next..). I won't even try to describe the activity in the art room...

Not complaining- just a lot of joyful chaos inside and out. All save DS2 left And is here this morning. Coffee, a trek to the hayfield with Swanny, and a peaceful turn painting are in the works for today.

Off to the coffee...

Have a great day- Oh, Peps- a question if you will re Swann. Time for his yearly checkup. He had the full run of vaccinations last year. Besides the maintenance meds (heart-worm and flea/tick) what is your take on need of yearly vaccination. We are reading about the benefits/necessity of skipping- like, every other year- etc.

My protocol for vaccines:

Full puppy vaccines - DHPP or DAP (I prefer DHPP) at 8, 12 & 16 weeks. Add leptosporosis vaccine if prevalent in your area at 12 & 16 weeks. Rabies at 6 months or older (never earlier). Flu vaccines vary by area, but I still think it's a good idea to vaccinate for canine influenza on a yearly basis, at this time. It's a newer virus in the US and most dogs are still very susceptible to it and it can be severe and fatal. Kennel cough as needed for boarding only.

Boosters: DHPP at 1 year 4 months or older, Rabies at 18 months (or 1 year after first vaccine).

Then, no vaccines until the age of 4. Next set at teh age of 7. After that it's really up to you. I never vaccinate for Rabies after 7 years old. I will vaccinate for DHPP and Lepto every three years until 11 or 12. After that I don't vaccinate at all.

Hope that helps.

Oh, Devon! Thanks much- I so value your experience combined with a deep dedication to the Health and well being of your wonderful dogs. We got to researching the timely-ness and (as always- there are sides to every issue). One compelling idea had to do with, "giving vaccinations every year was one way to insure dogs seeing the vet every year for check ups." We certainly do not want to have an increasing load of chemicals ...

Send me your bill-

I do do annual exams for all my dogs - especially those older than 7. I also run a blood panel on all my guys every year after they turn 7. That way we have a way of tracking subtle changes over time.

One thing that many, many people do not realize is that dogs have a very different metabolism from that of humans. They metabolize medicines very differently than we do. Not sure if you have ever noticed that a 50lb dog takes a stronger and more frequent dose of antibiotic than a 150 pound human. Dogs metabolize meds quickly and eliminate them from the body, as well. Because of that, we see dogs on antibiotics for skin infections for up to 30 days compared to the human 10 day regimen. The 30 days is really not overkill. It's what's needed to fully rid the dog of the bacteria.

Over vaccination is a highly debated topic in the world of dogs. I am sort of a moderate. I believe that puppies must be vaccinated, like I believe children should be vaccinated for all childhood diseases. The rabies vaccine is pretty intense and is not well regulated for an individual dog's weight. That is one reason why I believe waiting until after 6 months old for that vaccine is important. If you want to really understand veterinary thinking about vaccination, check out Dr. Jean Dodds' Rabies Challenge. It's a good place to get valid information. https://www.rabieschallengefund.org/

Sounds delightful for all. The RV scene is a future dream. Canoodling in Martha's Vineyard ... And a house full of kids in the country, what fun!

My equilibrium is still a bit shaky. But better than Saturday. Today is more radiation, then some school paperwork. I need to send out docments about students accommodations to each of their teachers. DH will use some vacation days to begin painting the dining room, part of the living room and the hallways. The walls he's painting are a lovely shade of dark sage. The color is pleasing to me still, but it makes those rooms a cave. Now they will be a soft, buttery yellow.

Keeping the faith that my joy will quietly reveal itself as the days go on.

After a lousy night's sleep (all this smoke is making my sinuses stuffy), I hauled my carcass out of bed to walk with my friend. Even managed to have time for a shower which woke me up some.

The scale was down a bit more. It's so validating to know I know do and I'm actually doing it. And I'm not eating at a punishing level, which is another win. I also am consciously trying not to create a food reward for our walking mornings. Do you all ever do that? Associate food with an activity and then struggle to break it? For example, it used to be when I left my parent's house I would stop at the McDonalds by the on-ramp to the freeway. It was so ingrained, I'd do it even if we had had dinner before I left. Early on with our walking, I stopped for a reward breakfast burrito. The next time a donut. Since then I refuse to stop for something. In fact, I don't even bring money or a credit card. Just my license and a key. Today I drove past the burrito place and had a strong urge to turn in, but didn't (good thing, I forgot I didn't have money!). I had had breakfast, was halfway to lunch and didn't need it. Scary that it only took 2 times to make it an association that requires fighting.

Love reading all your updates! So much more interesting than mine!

How's this for associating food with an activity: When there is no one in the house, it's time to eat "forbidden" food- and not just a little, but lots. So, as I'm having a serious conversation with myself right now- this minute (DS and DH out and about for a bit, and I'm alone with my food disordered self - ).

BINGO

-Cicily posts and describes just what I'm dealing with. Funny when f'dup behaviors are connected up to triggers that set the old tapes to playing!