Reading through a past issue of Dogs In Review, I found this of great interest, worth filing in an accessible place. With search capabilities, the blog is the perfect place.

Written by Debra M. Eldredge, DVM:

Anyone who has a dog with a chronic eye problem suck as dry ye (keratitis sicca), pannus or autoimmune keratitis knows double frustraion. There is the knowledge that tretment will have to coninute for the life of the dog and that is may not be very effective, in addition to the hassle of putting drops or ointment in the dog’s eye every day.

Dr. Sinisa Grozdanic, DVM, of Iowa State University, worked with Nicast, a company that makes biodegradable polymers, and came up with a possible solution. Sepcial polymers that incorporate medications into their fibers are implanted directly into a dog’s conjunctive, the vascular tissue around the eyeball, usually using sedation and a local anesthetic. The implants work 24/7 for up to a year to provide a steady and consistent dose of medication directly to the eye where it is needed.

Current implants utilize medications dexamethasone (a steroid) or tacrolimus (an immunosuppressive medication). Antibiotics are avoided, as the development of drug-resistant bacteria would be a risk. So far, all of the dogs treated with the implants by Dr. Grozdanic and his team have shown at least some improvement, some of them dramatically.

One dog treated by Dr. Grozdanic was a military explosive detection dog. This German Shepherd Dog suffered from pannus (pigmentary growth over the cornea which reduces vision). Since having an implant, this dog is back to work with improved vision. Dr. Grozdanic also expects this method to work well for Pugs with pigmentary keratitis.

The technique is currently limited to dogs with chronic conditions that require lifelong therapy and don’t respond will to topical treatments. Some dogs face the possibility of surgery to move one of their salivary ducts to the corner of the eye to provide moisture. The implant is much simpler way to treat dry eye problems. As Dr. Grozdanic ways “Every problem has a solution! You just have to work at it!: His team’s solution may make life much better for dogs with chronic eye problems and their families.

For more information

Thanksgiving is over. Today is supposedly the biggest shopping day of the year. And many are decorating for the upcoming holiday. For the Scrooges among us…

Saw this and thought the idea was great!

Taken from the ad:

The Newdog whelping system gives puppies a safe, clean and hygienic start in life. Made from strong, double walled, environmentally friendly cardboard, these whelping boxes are designed to be disposed of after use, avoiding any concerns with contamination from litter to litter. The naturally good insulating properties of the cardboard keep puppies safe and warm. The polished aluminum making them very durable and bacteria resistant.

The Newdog “No Ruck” whelping mats eliminate the danger of puppies becoming trapped underneath the bedding. Made from thick, high quality fleece bedding stitched to a waterproof base material and a polypropylene inserted stiffener, these whelping mates have established an excellent reputation with dog breeders worldwide. They are machine washable and dryable. Available in 5 sizes to fit any breed. Available at Cherrybrook.

FFT Space Cowboy (some people call him Maurice) won his first major yesterday.

FFT Well Said (Ella) did one better, winning Best of Breed under breeder/judge Bobbie Wood, for her second major.

Nate coached the Colorado School of Mines swim team to a 1st place win at the Thanksgiving Invite in St. Louis. Five of his swimmers qualified for NCAA’s!.

While all this competition was going on, I went to a movie and continued photo lessons with Michael.

Shapes occurring naturally…

Angle of attack…

With do apologies to those who attend their church of choice… Sunday morning services. A familiar saying between Rick and his long-time friends.

Last Sunday, awaking to snow, snow, embracing snow, I took  photos of my Sunday morning ritual. Hot coffee in a favorite cup (purchased at the Guggenheim Museum the year Rick and I met Tim and Julie in New York City for C’est La Vie’s debut at the Westminster Dog Show). Vegetables ready to chop for Dog Soup, added to kibble and raw meat.

In the pot…

The furnace is set to come on early in the morning, but there’s nothing roasty, toasty like the warm heat produced by the wood stove. Sometimes I sit in front of it, sipping coffee, watching it catch.

Still life of Smelly Things from Mitch…

From one cozy wood fire to the next, last Sunday Rick and I spent the day on top of a mountain with a 360 degree view. Melissa and I soaked in the hot tub while the guys watched football. After the game we ate steaks and salad and asparagus. I love having nearby friends! Ten minutes and we’re home again, home again lickety split.

It has been a year of transition. It has been a year of letting go. And grabbing on. It is not the Same As It Ever Was. Things – old and new – to be embraced. Or embrace me. The snow. Kelly. Producing and editing. Old friends. Photography. New friends. The dogs. Carpe Diem! 

Last night I woke up in the wee hours and finished this book. This morning I had to clean the dried tears from my glasses. Tears of laughter. Tears of joy. And a few tears of… ?? regret ??

From the inside book jacket of Flawed Dogs, The Novel, The Shocking Raid on Westminster:

Keep it quiet, but the world’s most famous dog show is about to be attacked. Who are the daring but atrociously bred commandos led by a suspiciously beautiful dachshund?

Not at all what they seem, that’s for certain.

You may not know it by looking at him – what with his scars and soup ladle for a leg – but Sam was once a stunning dachshund with a girl who loved him and a destiny to dog show glory. That is until Cassius, an ambitious and jealous poodle, sent his life into a wild descent of calamity and sorrow.

Now Sam wants revenge. And what better way to get it than to sabotage Cassius’s chances at winning best in show at Westminster? Sam recruits a ragtrag team of dogs whose flaws are perfect for mischief making, among them gargantuan Tusk, pint-sized Wee Will, and Pooft, whose gastric eruptions flare to the fiery disadvantage of anyone unfortunate enough to be on his wrong side. Westminster has never seen a show like this.

In this heartfelt novel, both tragic and hilarious, from the mind of Pulitzer Prize-winning comic strip creator Berkely Breathed, young readers will be rooting for the underdog. Literally.

On this snowy Sunday morning in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains I’d like to share about Stevie. Named after Steve Miller, Stevie is a female. She, along with her two brothers, are named after Steve Miller Band songs. Joker is FFT The Joker. Maurice is FFT Space Cowboy (’cause he speaks with the pompitous of love). Actually the boys’ names come from the same song. And Stevie is FFT Take The Money and Run.

A beautiful puppy…

Stevie was awarded Best In Sweepstakes at both the LACCC Specialty in September and the TCLAC Specialty in August…

Shown very selectively, she was awarded her first major at the LACCC Specialty in September by breeder/judge Barbara Schwartz and her second major National Specialty week under Dr. Penta. At the ALAC National Specialty she was RWB, posing like a supermodel…

Sent by Vickie in June

… hard to believe she’ll be 12 in November.  She’s been such a joy all these years.  Oh, what we would have missed out on had we insisted on a female puppy (well, besides the infamous potting soil incident lol).

In honor of Alma’s birthday! Her 80th birthday!

We – Alma and I – have never met face-to-face. Wouldn’t that be fun! I admire Alma’s spirit. A business she started years ago, she continues to sell Mary Kay products. She still has some of her original customers. Alma, I’m not sure why you originally contacted me. Or how you found me. The website, probably. Roadie went to live with Alma in December several years ago…the same month Seth went to live with Caroline. Caroline’s former son-in-law was able to fly Seth, in cabin, to Florida. Weather, December wasn’t a problem. Roadie, on the other hand, was flying air cargo to Alma. She arranged a ride to airport with a neighbor and let me know which day and what hours were convenient for her neighbor. Okay. Remember, this was December. Airlines have weather restrictions on flying live animals, which are reviewed daily. I thought we’d be lucky to get Roadie out of Denver before February, given the restrictions. But, I went along with Alma’s plans. And guess what?! United lifted the ‘fly live animals’ restriction for FOUR hours on the very day, the very hours, that worked for Alma’s neighbor.

When I sent Roadie, he was wearing a relatively short coat. He wasn’t in long, show coat. Alma takes him to the groomer monthly and his coat is, once again, long. She’s promised to take recent photos. I’m looking forward to seeing them.

I love that Alma updates me via the blog. My father-in-law turned 81 in April. He uses his computer for card games. That’s it. Alma communicates using the FFT blog. Wouldn’t it be fun to meet Alma! Age is a state of mind. I’ve always said that. Sometimes, especially while driving, I remind myself…don’t drive like an old person, don’t drive like an old person. I also realized, years ago, that as time marches on, as the years go by, I’m still me. I’m the same person I was growing up. I’m the same person I was as a young adult. I’ll be the same person when I’m 80.

Today, Alma, celebrate 80 years of life!

Happy Birthday Alma!

I know this isn’t about dogs. Or dog people. But it’s an important message…one I’ve covered before on the blog. Winston’s owner Ann…if only people realized she had a stroke instead of being ‘clumsy’ while hiking. I want to cover this again, in her honor. Thanks Alma for sending.

It only takes a minute to read this 

(i.e. It is sunny out  today)

R- *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.