RIP Jake

March 6, 2000-April 30, 2013

 Jake several years earlier, before he became ill.

It is with a heavy heart that I write this. We lost our dog, Jake this morning. He went peacefully in his sleep, but had a real rough night of it last night. I wish now that I would have stayed up with him when he woke us early this morning. But, of course I didn't know, no one did.

He had started having trouble breathing last week and I had him at the vet's several times. She thought he had Cushing's disease because he was showing most of the signs and wanted to have him tested, so I took him in yesterday morning for that. He was already on medication for a thyroid problem. I guess we caught it too late.

Dave found him in our bathroom this morning after he suddenly became very quiet. He went to check on him and that was when he saw that Jake had passed away.

He was our first pup here in Iowa. We adopted him from the Animal Lifeline of Iowa then located in Carlisle, Iowa. He slept on my chest the whole way home. A month later Rolli showed up and we decided to keep her as a playmate for him. They were inseparable. It was so fun watching them play with each other. He was my constant companion and followed me wherever I went in the house. He was also my fierce protector.

I admit I lost patience with him as he got older, mostly because of his constant barking, but I hope he knew that I did love him and will miss him dearly. He gave me his love unconditionally and I pray he forgave me my shortcomings. I am so mad at myself because I put those earplugs in my ears this morning so that I could sleep. I should have known that he wasn't doing well and stayed up with him. At least then I could have told him in his last moments how much I did love him and been with him when he passed. At this moment I feel like I failed him.

I know, I shouldn't beat myself up over it and eventually I will feel better. Right now, however, the hurt is just too fresh. I feel as if I've lost a part of my heart. He was my dog and I feel I should have done a lot more for him.

Jake, I'm so sorry and I miss you terribly.

Goodbye sweet pup.

Prayers

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those killed and those who were injured at today's Boston Marathon.

Today is Tax Day

Are your taxes done?

Ours are and we even got our refund already. It felt good to get them done early, but like others, there have been times when we waited until the last day. It was usually when we had to pay.

Last year everyone got an extra day because April 15 landed on a Sunday. I'm sure a lot of people could use that day this year.

Did you know that you have to pay taxes on unemployment? I found that out when I was collecting it back in the 1990s.

Our state taxes aren't due until May 1st, but those are done too. We had to pay again this year. I think we've had to pay every year since we've lived here in Iowa. Oh well, so goes the tax man.

Instead of tax day, today is vet day for Oreo and Patches. Peanut and Pumpkin went last Monday. They aren't going to be happy, but it's only a once a year thing, unlike with the dogs, so it's not too bad. At least they don't have to file their taxes too.

I'm sick

I never get sick, but somehow I am now. I can't even remember the last time I had a cold. It's nothing serious, just some crap that's been going around. I think I caught it from David because he's been coughing all week. I guess you can say that's what I have now.

Mine started last night. I felt fine all day and then as I was sitting here watching Vegas, my throat started hurting. It still was this morning when I woke up but not as bad. Today it's more scratchy than hurting. I also had chills, body aches, and a killer headache when I woke up. I had a headache all week, but didn't think anything of it. I just figured that it was from my sinuses due to the change in the weather. Like in a lot of other places, it was nice last week and then it got cold again. It seems as if winter refuses to leave this year.

I hope I get over it soon because I have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday. I know, I know, but I'm going in for a checkup, not because I have a cold. This is the first checkup I've had in years. I decided that since I'm not getting any younger, I better start taking care of myself. I promised myself that for my upcoming birthday I would schedule appointments for things like a mammogram and other stuff. I just hope everything turns out okay. Doctors make me nervous.

This is Angel and I Need to Vent

Mom doesn't know I'm writing this, so don't tell Mom, okay?

You see, Mom and Dad bought Max and me new toys the other day; Max got a blue whale and I got a gray shark. Yes, I have more toys as you can very well see in the picture, but that's not the point.

You see Max stole my shark from me yesterday and instead of giving it back to me, Mom was teasing me with it. She wanted me to sit pretty or something so that she could take a picture. She's already taken a bazillion pictures, why did she need more? Okay, so I did sit for a little bit. I hope she was happy.

Yes, so now you see my toy box filled with toys. I say it's mine because Mom bought it before Max came to live with us. Anyway, that's besides the point. The point is that Max stole my toy and Mom wouldn't give it back.

Okay, so she did give it back after the pictures above, but I didn't want my picture taken, I wanted my toy shark. And another thing, she needs to tell Max to quit stealing it, that's why he got the whale.

Okay, here's one last picture of me happily playing with mine, not Max's toy shark.

THE END

Nutura Expanding Recall

Again from the great folks at Dogster.com

Dog-Food Maker Natura Adds to Recall Over Salmonella Fears

A brand is added to an expanded list of California Natural, Healthwise, Evo, and Innova products.

Michael Leaverton  |  Apr 2nd 2013  |   0 Contributions

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Last month's giant recall of Natura dry pet foods over salmonella fears has been expanded, with more brands, products, and sizes joining the others on the list.

On March 18, Natura recalled many different varieties of food in four extremely popular brands: California Natural, Evo, Healthwise, and Innova. This week's recalls packs more products from the brands -- and incudes one more: Karma.

It also expands the production window it's pulling from, even including products made in the surrounding timeframe. It's recalling all dry dog and cat food products made on the affected manufacturing line from January through March 2013.

In the previous recall, the company made much to-do about it being its first recall in more than 21 years. This makes it the company's second recall in two weeks.

The company maintains that the recall affects dry dog, cat, and ferret food only; Natura canned and wet products are not involved.

The list of affected products by these brands is long; check here for specific titles and descriptions, sizes, lot numbers, and UPC codes. 

No illnesses have been reported. The affected products were sold in bags through veterinary clinics, select pet specialty retailers, and online in the United States, Canada, Korea, Malaysia, Japan, Hong Kong, and Costa Rica.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, "pets with salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian."

Again, be sure to check the full list here if you use any of these brands.

For more information, call Natura Pet Products Inc. at (800) 224-6123 or visit the Natura Pet website.

April Fools

This is the April Fool's joke we woke up to, courtesy of Mother Nature.