Apocalyptic Homesteading (Day 1183)
Hello Everyone!
A very rainy day, Getting my sleep cycle back on track, A nonproductive day & Easing a dog seizure!
Alright, I am right on time with beginning my writing routine again today... but for all intents and purposes... I could have begun it much earlier in the day if I had wanted to. Pretty soon (perhaps next week) I might even bump the timeframe back a wee bit more... so that I can maximize the daylight hours even more.
Last night I fell asleep rather early again... so that was good and although I did not sleep super soundly (because I woke up several times during the night) it was at least what I would consider a good night's rest. It definitely beats being sleep deprived like what was happening before... and hopefully the pattern continues.
The weather went way downhill today like I remarked upon how it was going to do in yesterday's entry... and although it has not been raining hard it has been raining rather consistently all day long. The worst part of the storm system is just now blowing into the area... and supposedly it will be bringing even more rain along with some thunder and lightning.
From what the forecast is saying, tomorrow is set to be about the same as today as far as the weather goes... but it is also going to bring with it some colder temperatures. Although it will not get down to freezing temperatures it will get close to them... so I may wind up having to start using the heater again to keep the cabin toasty warm... which will be quite the change from having to use the air conditioning the last several days.
Anyways, today was not at all productive and although I did my usual Hive engagement routine... I did not spend a whole lot of time on it. I could have made some commentary here or there on some of the posts that I read... but honestly I kind of wanted to be left to my own thoughts for the day.
For the most part I just watched one movie after another on the computer... and ate most of a big pan of food that I cooked. There were several times throughout the day where I considered taking a nap... but with a lack of physical activity I did not want doing so to skew my sleep cycle now that I have it back on track.
Late in the afternoon my boy dog had a mild seizure (which as I have stated before he has had his entire life) and just 'one of those things' that I have always done my best with when it happens. A while back (maybe two years ago) I began covering his eyes with one of my hands when the seizures occur... and then keep it there until it subsides.
Although at first I was just doing it because his pupils dilate (and I did not want the light harming his eyes) I later learned that covering a dog's eyes (and applying slight pressure) is an actual technique used to help dogs while they are seizing. I of course also still do my usual petting of him (with my other hand) and telling him I love him which seems to help a good bit as well.
At this point three of the four dogs are 'special needs' and although I knew this time would come (given how close in age they all are) it does not necessarily make it any easier. The only one that is 'normal' (whatever the heck that is) is my little alpha dog... and if I am lucky her health will hold up for a long time or at least long enough that she can help train my next dog pack.
Well, I think that I am going to call this entry good enough... and get on with the tedious process of proofreading, editing and posting. I hope that everyone is doing well and not believing their own bullshit. Ta ta for now.
Just finished reading all your posts that I missed over the weekend. Glad to hear your girl dog is doing a little bit better at least, hope the cold weather isn't bugging her too much, hope boy dog is feeling better after all that today. Give them all a hug from me. 😁
Anyways, hope you're doing okay, getting enough sleep and all that.
You are such a dedicated reader! It is appreciated.
Yeah, she is doing better even though I still have to help her walk. The cold weather definitely does not help because I think it makes her joints ache.
My boy dog always recovers quickly after the seizures. Usually they only last a few minutes (that seem like hours to me) and then he is back to normal. Will give them both a hug from you!
Got woken up tonight by those thunderstorms rolling in but I at least got three hours of mostly sound sleep. It is still storming like crazy at the moment so I got up, brewed some espresso and started my day. 🤠☕🏹
Tardis used to have seizures, it is scary. I am glad the old gal is still hanging in there. I hope what Kat sent helps, it was all I could do.
Yeah, he had them pretty bad. My boy dog does not have them as severely as he did but he does have them more frequently.
It helps a lot and thanks. Hopefully, if I actually get paid what I am owed here... the actual move will not be too financially painful. In the meantime though I have to afford the euthanization costs, and a bunch of moving supplies... as well as a new pair of Muck boots that can hold up to what I am going to put them through over the coming months.
I love you.
It is for whatever you need. You mentioned one time if it came to that with your old gal, they might not let you take her home, I think they will. The vet here came out to Kats van where we had Bear and gave him the shot and we took him home. I think they would do the same for you up there.
Yeah since then I looked into it and they let folks take them home so that is good.
When it came time to bury Bear, Donny had to walk away. Me and Kat placed him in the hole and Dobbie stood there and would not leave, I let him stay there for a little while, I figured he was saying his goodbyes but finally, I had to pick him up and carry him inside, he was growling at me. Donny said Dobbie knew what was going on. It was heartbreaking to watch him on top of the heartbreak of losing Bear. I tell you this so you know what the expect from the other dogs.
When the time does come, try to have someone with you, it is the hardest thing to go through even with the support of someone else, no one should do it alone. I love you and hope you have many many more years with her. I know this is not reality but I can wish it for you.
I am already planning on having the other dogs with me when I bury her so they know where their mom went and what is going on. I pretty much already know what I am in for but thanks for going out of your way to spell things out.
If I have my way there will not be another human anywhere around. I understand most folks would want someone near but it is the last thing that I want in that scenario.
She could really go on indefinitely making one recovery after another (for maybe years) but her quality of life is the important factor. That is also if we were to continue in a scenario like now where we have a real shelter, I can carry her and I have all the conveniences like running water and such to maintain things.
Anyways, I love you too and appreciate the sentiments you have conveyed.
I understand why you do not want anyone around, Donny would have been the same way if he could have had it that way. There is nothing I can say to make it easier, I just wanted to help prepare you. All with love.