"The Bootsie Files": Bootsie Update

ABY BOOTSIE BEAR

(don't let that cuteness fool you, this little angel is TONKA TUFF)!

A HUGE HUGE THANK-YOU goes out to ALL who have been praying for my little girl!!! I cannot even begin to find words that adequately express my gratitude to you for such a caring and selfless act. In a world where the news floods our living rooms with images of war and unrest, sickness, and poverty..........I always try to remember that although these things do exist, there is also much GOOD to be found, and I have only to look toward people like you. that pray for a dog you've never met outside of an electronic journal. When I count my lucky stars, you are among the brightest for me. Thank you!!!

Bootsie has been making up for lost chow time the past 2 days, lol. Every 15 minutes or so she voices "the need for feed", lol! Anyone who has had a pet that lost an appetite from illness knows what a joy it is to watch them enjoying their meals again. This little dog of mine thinks that I am the best darned cook the eating world has ever known, lol.

Today will br the first day that I am not giving her any Amforal to prevent diarreah, and to be honest, I'm a bit nervous about it. Bootsie, for the most part, has been doing much better since seeing the vet on Monday, but there are moments here and there when I feel as though something isn't right.

One thing that I wish I could understand is this: Bootsie still will not jump up onto the sofa to sit with me, nor will she bound up the three porch steps when she comes in from the backyard, as she did before last Sunday. I cannot understand this......(if anyone has an opinion, please share it with me). Last night, Bootsie clearly wanted to get onto the sofa to assume her customary place at my side. She had her front paws up on the sofa, and would lower her back legs and make a "little leap". This really only served to make her seem taller for a split second...never got her anywhere near her target though. She did this over and over and over again.

Now, like anyone else, Bootsie can get downright frustrated when things are not working out as they should. Take for example, the spot that Bootsie chooses to lay down for a nap. It has to be "just so". lol. And if it isn't, she will fret over it until it is! Sometimes, this is not as easy thing! Bootsie will begin by sniffing, then she will do a bit of a circle dance around the spot as she surveys all that needs to be "worked on", then she goes about the business of scratching the site with her paws, as if she were a little chicken, lol. Most times, this solves the issue, and she plops happily down, pleased with the nest she's made. Then there are those days when Bootsie "can't get NO satisfaction" though she tries, and tries, and tries, lol! After awhile, she begins to growl with annoyance as she paws away at the spot.....scratch -growl -scratch- growl....Well, who could keep from laughing at such a thing!?!?!? I have to tell you, it's just not possible for me to keep a straight face when this goes on, lol. Needless to say, Bootsie will stop, look up at me, and give me "a look" as if to say, "Yeah? You think YOU can do any better??" Lol.

But back to the sofa....as I was saying, Bootsie hasn't been able to make it up here, try as she might. And hence we have another dilemma......you see, Bootsie is a dog with an independent spirit. She honestly takes pride in being as self-sufficient as possible. (I would wager a bet that she would use those words to justify her love for garbage scavenging forays....but we won't go there right now, lol). When I try to give lil Bootsie a helping hand and end the struggle, she gets angry! Bootsie is a sweetheart of a dog, but when she feels you deserve a nip or a full fledged bite she'll be sure to reprimand you accordingly, lol. (Can't type that without adding that Bootsie is QUICK with an "I'm-so-sorry-I-love-you-i-love-you-i-love-you" apology, afterwards)!

I do have to pick Bootsie up and carry her outside......(she has a couple of discs in her lower back that are very close to each other, and since I learned of that, I have limited her jumping activity and her running as well. Jumping UP has never been a problem, just jumping down).

I have to walk over halfway toward the patio door and bend over and wait for her, and that's the only way she'll let me pick her up to put her on the sofa. lol. I feel like a quarterback waiting for the football (Bootsie) to get into my hands, lol. It workd for us, though, lol.

At any rate, there's this inability to jump up anymore, and Bootsie has not been acting like she wants to go outside at all, which is HIGHLY unlike her and VERY worrisome to me! She is such a happy dog outside, and this sudden change has me concerned. She seems to walk with a stiffer gait as well.

I am keeping a close watch over her, and will continue to let you all know how Bootsie is doing.

I had hoped to write much more, but I need to stop for now. Today is the 7 year anniversary of my dad's passing. (or it will be in less than an hour). I want to go and light a candle for him now.

Thank you all again SO MUCH!!!

Please rememeber my Bootsie in your prayers today. I will be remembering you in mine and thanking God for you.

(((hugs)))