Adler's Xmas

Xmas Eve and Xmas Day were pretty eventful days for Adler. Usually she requires lots of sleep during the day but the last two days, we didn't let her sleep much. Xmas eve, Tom and I were home so she followed us around all day. Then my parents came over for church and dinner. I think the only time she slept was when we were in church.

Xmas Day was a real treat for Adler, we woke her up early to make the trip out to the burbs for Xmas - first with my family then with Tom's. Adler had fun playing outside with her cousin Clarence -- a yellow lab. Afterwards, we made the trek to Tom's family where she sat admiring the turkey on the counter for most of the evening. Tom's brother said it would be Adler's last holiday with the family as we would be bringing the baby next year and not Adler. I wonder if that's true. Will we have our hands full with a baby and not pay much attention to Adler anymore? I hope not, but I know some of that attention Adler gets will have to be shared. I sure hope she's good at sharing.

Adler's Injury

It was like a 24-hour bug. On Saturday, Adler woke up and tried to get up, but was unsuccessful. She plopped right back down on her pillow. When I called her the second time, I noticed that she wasn't just tired and wanted more sleep - she was wobbling toward me on three legs. She wouldn't even put down her back paw. She was fine when she went to bed on Friday night and now all of a sudden she was injured.

Tom and I were trying to figure out how to get her down three flights of stairs to go outside. Somehow with the both of us helping, she managed to hobble down the stairs. This is when living on the first floor would come in handy. We tried to get her to walk most of the day (well, Tom did. I was celebrating Xmas with my friends).

So what was wrong with her? Good question. We couldn't figure it out. We got online and checked out a couple of sites for swollen paws. We thought one of her peds might be swollen or a piece of salt got in there or maybe there was a slight crack in it. Regardless, we hoped she'd be better the next day...and she was...after going to CVS to get some epsom salt to soak her paw in. By Sunday she was as good as new. I guess it's just one of those things that dogs get...I vaguely recall the same thing happening to her last year too. At least we didn't take her right to the vet for $250.

Adler's New Friend

Well, the presents just keep pouring in for the baby. I don't think Adler knows which presents are hers and which aren't. Our latest present from my Uncle Frank and Aunt Barbara was a hit with Adler. It was a Pottery Barn Kids little lion rocker. It was just Adler's size too! She loved it and they became fast friends. Sometimes I would walk past the room and find Adler in there licking the lion. Hope she likes our kid as much!

Adler Gets a Dog Walker

Just as I mentioned in the last post, Adler has a dog walker. Not every day, but three times a week Jesse, from Mutt Hutt, comes over and takes Adler out with our neighbor's dog, Gunnar.

Now the first time I warned Jesse that Adler didn't like men and she might not be too receptive to him. Of course the first day, Jesse said that Adler growled at him when he came in the door. She was probably expecting to see Tom or I and then this stranger enters her house! What a suprise to her, I'm sure. But I am suprised she growled! Maybe she can be a protective dog after all! Anyway, Jesse said he grabbed some treats and laid on the kitchen floor. And sure enough within minutes she was next to him rolling on her back trying to get him to rub her belly and give her the treats. I guess it didn't take her long to warm up to him!

Glad we got a dog walker and am glad we didn't upset her day by taking her to doggie daycare instead. I think she would've been traumatized by all those barking dogs. She'd much rather enjoy the peace and quiet in the comfort of her own home.