Follow up visit with Dr. Julie...

We're looking and feeling GOOD!!

The Girlz had a follow up visit with Dr. Julie the week before last. Dr. Julie wanted to check on their knee and hip issues and update them on all their vaccinations and kennel cough application (so they could go to daycare while I went to Florida.

The Scale---
Gracie (yellow lab mix) has lost 1 lb. current weight is 62 lbs
I really thought Gracie had lost more since I noticed a definite change in her waistline, she now looks really "lean and mean" :) I have also noticed more bounce in her step and well she is just back to her sassy self.
I changed her food a free months ago, she now eats a high quality GRAIN-FREE kibble topped with a tablespoon of salmon oil. Dr. Julie was pleased with her progress and encouraged us to keep up the current regiment.  So, Gracie gets an A and of course a cookie!!

Schatzie (the German Shepherd) has lost 3 pounds and now is 89lbs.
Her weight loss was a shock to me as I really didn't think she'd lost anything--but then again it's difficult to see change with her fluffy coat. I had decreased her kibble a bit and now with the weather being much nicer we are enjoying more activities outside. We are not seeing much change in her hip issues, she limps a bit, but that doesn't keep her from loving her dog life. Schatzie also got a A, and her cookie was snatched by none other than Gracie!!

Me---well,l I won't be telling my weight but do know that I need to drop a couple pounds or at least tone up, winter was much too long.  After watching a friend run the Lincoln Half Marathon last week I was inspired, so I decided to dig out the running shoes again. Running was part of my day for years but, I have been unable to run for a couple years due to a back issue and a foot injury. So this past tuesday I gave it a go---opened the back door and started to run. I think the girlz thought I was crazy and needless to say they were EXCITED!! We only ran about a mile and even though we walk everyday the girlz seemed thrilled to be really moving--the pack was moving again. I am keeping a close eye on the girlz knees and hips and my issues and we will increase or decrease our activity as needed.  I have no desire to run road races again, but I gotta say I love how it feels to RUN again.

The Girlz will have one more health checkup before our move to Kauai....so we gotta RUN!!!

Have a great holiday weekend.
we're joining FITDOG Friday y   



Florida...more to it than just a MOUSE!!

Last week while Schatzie and I were in jail, oh, I mean Doggie Day Care mom was in Florida with our grammy exploring. One of grammy's favorite places is Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park, located in Homosassa, Florida. It's a park that is well worth the drive. Take it away mom....

There were 8-10 large gators in the pool area---

There are several ways to reach the main entrance in the park, we chose the pontoon boat ride.

During the ride we observed wood duck, heron, gators, turtles and various other birds.

 Check out the osprey nest high in this tree,

 there's even a chick or two in the nest

Before this became a State Park it was a refuge and holding area/exhibit for many wildlife movie and tv stars.

Once the park was controlled by the State Parks Dept. all of the non-Florida native animals were relocated to other zoos or sanctuaries, with one exception....Lou, the hippo!!

Seems no place wanted a huge hungry, out of work, African hippo weighing some 5000+ lbs. Lou was a favorite of many in the area and a "Keep Lou Here" campaign began.  Lou is now an official Floridian with paper work an inch thick to prove it, he probably could even vote!!

If you ever have a chance to visit Lou--beware if he swims off to a corner of the pool and his tail starts spinning, stand clear cuz he's going to blow...... and hippo poo, well, let's just say it's not pretty!!

Don't worry we were in the safe zone and I knew about that tail spinning warning sign. 

 Let's get to back to the tour...

 Pink flamingos

There were falcons, eagles and all sorts of birds of prey

 I love the expression on this guy

 yep, even this cute little squirrel

 During the cooler winter days in Florida you would see dozens of the endangered Florida manatee in this area seeking the warmth of the 72 degree warmth of the spring head waters.

 an underwater observation area where you will see hundreds of fish and even the manatees up close!!

 the Florida Panther

 Bobcat

 What's for dinner?? fresh fish for this river otter

 This was one of the 8 captive manatee in the park at the present time. 

They are recovering from injury or illness. Such gentle giants cruising thru the water.

Mom and I spent 3-4 hours at this park. In fact, I made my mom go 

thru it twice so I could take more pictures.

 This shot has to be one of my favorites....

Momma and pappa swan and their 5 little ones, still in their fuzz.

I took a couple hundred photos and could bore you to tears. I just wanted to give you a taste of Florida Wildlife and encourage you to visit this park if you ever visit Florida.

Remember there's more to Florida than just a mouse!!

 Okay, back to you Gracie....

Mom,MoM, MOM, we thought you were NEVER coming back!!!

Have a great day.

Wordless Wednesday...(almost)

 Digital postcards from our poppy...

(top photo)one of the many beautiful beaches on Kauai 

(bottom photo) Momma Monk Seal and her 1 week old pup--

the pup is the black figure in the middle of the shot, momma is to the right.

Gracie

What...NO Swimming?????

Wonder why???

Oh, I get it.....

No SWIMMING,

 No PROBLEM!!

Photo taken @ Homosassa Wildlife Park

Homosassa, Florida

More about this park in a future post.

Spring is Here...{See Beautiful}

It's been a busy week around the farm. Since poppy left, momma has a lot more chores to do and less time to hang out in Blogville :(   Hard to believe a week ago we had snow on the ground and mom was wearing her winter coat. It seems that spring has finally arrived and we are enjoying the beauty that is all around us.

Here are a few photos of spring in the Heartland...

Hmm...wonder who lives in this high rise condo??

Found this little critter some 30+ feet up in this cottonwood tree
Just before this photo was taken he was just a snoozing away on the limb.

The finch feeder is a hopping place.
Love their yellow plumage.

The orioles have just returned. The feeder went up on monday a.m. and we
 had guests  devouring the grape jelly that afternoon.

Finally, a heartland sunset through the peach blossoms.

Have a wonderful weekend --
be sure to look around, there's beautiful EVERYWHERE!!

Postcard from Poppy and a package...

 If you recall from yesterday's post I told you my poppy was leaving me for a short time. 

 Poppy packed his 2 large suitcases and headed down the road. 

You see, Poppy is headed  to his new job. With today's technology he sent us this postcard.

This is from somewhere in New Mexico.  He is going to visit my grandpeeps before putting the car on the "car cruise ship" in California.

On the road in New Mexico

Now I'm going to change things up just a bit, but believe me it will make sense in the end

Schatzie and I received this package a few days ago from our friends at Go Pet Friendly.com .In the package we found this really cool calendar featuring Ty and Buster. They are famous for all their travels and have this awesome website helping peeps traveling with pets. This is going to be very helpful when we make our move in July. The website will help you determine the best places to stay, visit and routes to take when traveling with you special four legged friends. It also lists great places for TREATS--I love treats!

(So go check out this website...your pet will love you for it.)

 Look here's a photo of Ty and Buster...

 So how did we win this wonderful calendar??? Some of you know our friend SUGAR. She used to live on Maui and Go Pet Friendly had a contest. The contest wanted us to identify the place where SUGAR was hanging loose.We knew it was a beach near Black Rock on the west end of Maui---and we won!!

Now back to our move....

Have you guessed where we're going to move??

Here's a hint....

 Yes, we're  moving back to Hawaii....Mom's been working on all the necessary paperwork and vet visits. Schatzie and I are now half way through our 120 day at home quarantine. Last time we went to Hawaii we flew from Denver and it took FOREVER.  Mom and Poppy decided instead of us all flying from the middle of the country, we are going to drive to the coast and get on the big flying machine there. By doing that we won't have such a long time in our traveling kennels--plus we'll get to see more of the country  and you can bet we're going to be using the GO Pet Friendly.com website.

 Guess what island we're going to be living on????

Schatzie and I are thinking of becoming  island tour guides like SUGAR was for MAUI!!

hmmm....there's another hint (it's NOT Maui)

Do you think we'd make good tour guides??

***Special Note***

I'm guessing our friend Ron at Shutterbugs capturing the world just fell on the floor.

 Yes Ron, you're welcome to visit and don't forget your camera :)

Happy May Day and Lei Day

Happy May Day

Happy Lei Day 

Sad Day...

as we say Aloha to poppy until July

More about that tomorrow.

Gracie :)