Getting Experience? Check!!!

Last week I told you about Tippy making himself comfortable in church....on the pew! On Monday we went to church and spent 40 minutes practicing, "Through", followed by "Back". It took several tries to even get close to backing into the pew. No matter how perfectly I had him positioned to back into the pew, it seems he's got one of those rear cameras installed so that as he neared the opening, he would "swish" his rump to the side and look up at me quite innocently.**(the camera is obviously faulty because he avoids the open space and goes for solid wood...go figure!) Now, you can't see the camera, but it must be there because he certainly doesn't have eyes in the back of his head! He finally got it right when I let him see his special treat before he started back. But, come Sunday, he required 3 attempts before getting it right. Oh, My, God! It reminds me of my first few driving lessons with my dad and practicing those wretched "K" turns....not to worry, I made sure my kids were blessed with that same glorious experience! We made it in, and he spent almost the entire hour leaning his head against the edge of the pew pad from his "Down/Stay" staring at me. You know that feeling you get sometimes when you're sure someone is watching you and the hair on the back of your neck gets "bristly" feeling? Well it's even worse when you're staring right back at them! Each time I looked, I had to stare back until he looked away. It's necessary so they continue to see you as the "Pack Leader". I did A LOT of staring at him, even when singing hymns! It's a good thing I sit throughout the service, I'm not able to stand for very long, but I'm sure it seemed that I was in an alternate universe to the other parishioners. I also continued the tradition that began with Alli by giving communion to Tippy. My former Associate Minister, Mitzi Eilts, started it when Alli and I attended her service for the residents at our local health center. She automatically included Alli when she offered communion to the residents. From that point on, I have always taken an extra piece of bread from the plate. When we partake of ours, I hold on to Tippy's until I receive my mini shot glass of juice. I dip Tippy's bread into the juice first before I drink, and offer the soaked bread to him. When he's taken it, I drink my portion. It has always felt right to me, so I continue to do this. Tippy was great during the entire service. We briefly attended coffee hour before heading to the Lenten book series in the Cove View Room. We are reading "Speaking Christian", by Marcus Borg. Definitely a good read as well as thought provoking.

I must go back to last Monday.....I jumped ahead to this past Sunday....I guess that explains how my brain has been working! Last Monday Tippy had his first "well" visit to the veterinarian. Some people have told me that my "Mr. Slow Mo'" will get more peppy as he gets used to his new forever home. The vet said that he had a nice, slow, heart rate, to go with his personality.....so I guess he's going to remain a "chill" pup. I also found out that Tippy has lost about 1.5 lbs since coming home. He was 82.6 on the 20th of February, 82.1 at home on the 24th at the vet's, and at his well check on the 5th of March he was just 81.2 lbs. I had my follow-up check in with Brian yesterday and said that for the time being we should keep everything as it is. Sometimes the dogs may lose a pound or two when they first come home. He did say, however, to let him know if he lost much more. I imagine in that case we may end up increasing the amount of food he gets each day. The vet, Dr. Cheryl Brienza, DVM, had already planned on checking Tippy's eyes in a darkened room as she was Alli's general vet and is aware of her disorder. His eyes, thank God, seem to be okay to her. She doesn't have the correct lens that the specialist has, but this is enough to get me to Tippy's free eye exam in May. I had mentioned to Dr. Brienza that Tippy has goopy eyes like Alli and I was wiping them quite a bit. She said that his tear ducts might be blocked....they were. Dr. Brienza felt that Tippy was so calm that she thought she could probably flush his tear ducts without anesthesia. So she did. HE IS SOOOOOO CHILL!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!

On Wednesday Mark and I had consecutive eye appointment with the ophthalmologist. Mark went first so he could head back to work. Tippy was calm all during Mark's appt., and through most of mine. He did, however, get up from his "Down/Stay" when the tech used the large "do-hickey" to check the pressure in my eyes. He actually came up to the tech and licked his elbow! He was calm, and just stood there watching after the "lick" until I was able to give him a correction. Interesting....Tippy just letting the tech know to take care of his "mom"?

Later that same day I had another appointment with my immunologist. Since I have not been able to receive my IVIG, for my Primary Immune Deficiency, for just about a year, we discussed alternatives.**(Tippy and I are going to testify before the committee on Insurance and Real Estate on Thursday for a bill which includes addressing "Specialty Tiers" on insurance companies' drug formularies. My IV med is a "Tier 6" drug, subject to a 33% co-pay!) Once again, Tippy was great throughout the 1.5 hour wait for the appt., the 40 min. actual appointment, and during the blood draw to check my levels within my immune system. My immunologist talked about how animals/dogs are undervalued when it comes to the benefits they provide to their human partners. SO TRUE!!!

On Thursday Tippy met Alli's former classmates and friends, Lucky and Maggie.....the canine partners of Karin and Ellen. They got on famously!!! Tippy is such a puppy! He's crazy when he plays, and when he runs he sometimes has that loping puppy run! They romped and played after we had lunch. The only "rift" is that Ellen's new rescued dog, Lily(about 3?) seems to have an issue with Tippy when we are indoors. It's most likely due to the fact that they have had her just a week or so, so she's still adjusting. She had no problem with him when we were outside, running around with the others. It's almost comical because they're are good sized dogs and she's a terrier mix. She's absolutely adorable!! I'm sure with time Tippy and Lily will get along just fine.

I've run on long enough, some more big days are on the horizon,
Good Night,
Peace,
Wendy