My new business cards

Since people are always asking Mommy and Daddy about me (mostly because I'm so cute), Mommy decided to order some business cards for me to hand out. It's got my title, Cutest Dog Ever, an the address to my blog. I guess this is as good as incentive as ever for me to keep up a little better on updating my blog.







Since I last wrote I have had something exciting happen: I was interviewed and photographed for my part in a book. This wonderful lady, Yvonne, called up Mommy and Daddy and asked if they would be interested in having my story written up as part of her new book. She has already written one book called, Blind Faith, and is now working on her second. My whole family had such an amazing time spending a couple of hours in the backyard talking with Yvonne. Instead of showing off, I decided to play it cool and just lay on the blanket with Mommy and Daddy. I did get into my wheelchair for a little while, but didn't walk around a whole lot. I was a little shy about all the special attention I was getting. I'm not sure when the book will be coming out, but I will let you know when I do. I'm also excited to see the pictures that she took. I always enjoy looking at pictures of myself since I am so cute. :)

Here is a link to Yvonne's first book. When the new book comes out I will put a link to that as well. http://www.buybooksontheweb.com/product.aspx?ISBN=0-7414-5496-3


My health has been pretty good. I still have a slipped disc in my back, so I have to take pain pills for that. The pain pills make me sleepy, but take away the pain and the related crankiness. Mommy really appreciates this because it means I won't bite her when she snuggles me. (I only do that when I hurt really bad).

My bloodwork continues to improve. Each time I go in for a blood test, about every 12 weeks or so, my good levels continue to stay good and the bad levels continue to improve. It's all kinds of technical, medical talk, so I can't be expected to remember it all, but Dr. Kifney always tells Mommy and Daddy that things look Great! This makes them so happy they usually give me an extra treat or extra snuggles.


Over this past weekend I spent a really long day with lots of my extended family. Eleven of us piled into Uncle Ron's motorhome and headed from Mt. Vernon down to Shelton. Normally we would have taken the ferry across from Whidbey Island, but it was cancelled due to low tides. We had such a fun time, though, that I'm glad we spent the extra time in the motorhome. Mommy played games with all her relatives and laughed and told stories. I got to nap for most of the ride, which I always enjoy. Once we got to Shelton I got to meet lots of Mommy's other relatives, some of which she hadn't seen in over 20 years. It was a beautiful warm day and I spent most of it lying down in the cool grass in the shade. I got to have little bites of the cake that was served, and Mommy even shared some of her vegetables with me. I did get a little overwhelmed towards the end of the day and bit two of the kids that were playing with me. Mommy told them not to put their faces right into mine, but I guess they didn't listen very well. I felt bad afterward, but I tried to warn them with my growl and my "LuciFerdi" look. (That's what Mommy and Daddy call it when I get upset and show all my teeth). We all had a really good time and I got to sleep all the way home, too. Mommy even let me snuggle on her lap a little on the ride home instead of in my little bed. We were all really tired and slept in pretty late on Sunday.

Now that Mommy and Daddy are on summer break (at least for a few weeks) I am hoping that they will take me on lots of car rides, walks, and bike rides. I love exploring new places and trying new things. Mommy was given her Grandma's old bicycle and is fixing it up so we can go for some family bike rides. Now she just needs to hurry up and get a basket so we can go for our first ride together.

It's way past my bedtime, so I will stop for tonight. I'll do my best to update the blog each time something fun or exciting happens. It may be once a week or once a month. Until then, enjoy your life while you can. You never know how long or short it will be. :)

--Ferdinand

2010

Hi everyone!

I guess it's been a while since I've written, but that's because my life has been pretty "normal" lately. At least normal for me. :) Although I did get some good news from the vet recently. I went in for a routine blood test to check my liver enzymes as well as all my other levels. The test was done on a Thursday and mom and dad had to wait until Tuesday to hear what the results were. But, the results were definitely worth waiting for. I don't remember all the technical stuff, but I do remember the vet saying that there was one level that was up around 6,000 and it is now down under 1,000. All in all, my levels are almost normal, compared to other dogs my age and size. This is great news, and hopefully it means that i can go off all my medication pretty soon. I don't know that for sure, but I am trying to be optimistic here.

I started off taking a full 5 mg tablet of prednisone in the morning and another at night. I am now down to 1/4 tablet once a day! I am also off all the other medications i was taking. I am so happy to be taking fewer medications. They always make me feel yucky and sleepy.

Mommy and Daddy changed the food that Moxie and I get to a brand called, Before Grain. They bought the salmon flavor which Moxie and I both love. I get that at every meal (about 1 tbsp per meal) along with some kind of fresh food. Usually I get peas/carrots but sometimes i get rice or pumpkin mixed in. Moxie is a much pickier eater than I am so Mommy and Daddy give her that yucky stuff from the cans. I like my peas and carrots so much better than that stuff.

I don't really like to be out in the cold weather and this has made my exercise time pretty difficult. Mommy and Daddy would love to get me a treadmill, but they are SO expensive. Mommy and Daddy are struggling just to pay my regular vet bills, so I don't think this will be an option. Besides, I don't even know if I would like it. I might be too scared to use it. I'll do my best to exercise as much as I feel comfortable, but it's hard when it's so cold and wet outside. Oh, how I long for warm, summer days!