March of Dimes March for Babies 2010!

We walked in the March for Babies 10K in Salem this Saturday. It was a lot of fun joining Team R.E.L. and walking with a bunch of good friends. The weather started out iffy, but in the end was beautiful. It was a nice walk through neighborhoods and businesses, and we saw quite a bit of Salem. We walked by the Waterfront Carousel, the State Capitol, and even right by the Governor's Mansion.

At first, all Quigley wanted to do was play with the other dogs. Not long after the start, he laid down and rolled in the grass so that I couldn't pull him any further and so that the dogs behind could catch up. =) He did that a few times (to rest, maybe), so we had to run afterward just to catch up to the team. Quigley did pretty good once the walk really started going.

Together, Team R.E.L raised $765 for the March of Dimes to help fund research and programs to help mothers have full-term pregnancies. Go Team!

March for Babies!

Help join Team R.E.L. raise funds for the March for Babies event on April 24th! This event is to raise funds to help moms have healthy, full-term babies. This cause is very close to me, as I was born 2-1/2 months early. My parents know firsthand how important a full-term birth is, and I want to help ensure that all babies have a good chance at a healthy life, without having to put up a fight just to live. All that I ask is that you: A) Join Team R.E.L. B) Donate just $5 (I have many more fundraising events this year, though you may donate more.) or C) Join us in spirit. - Your support means so much!

Winky

We came home from work on Thursday to find a very winky, puppy. Q's left eye had some yellow discharge for the last day or two, and Kath saw this his eye was a little red after work. We took him to the vet, where he peed 4 times (last time was outside). They checked his eyes, and all seemed fine, so we got some eyedrops to treat his conjunctivitis. Hopefully all will be better soon, Q.

EDIT: 4/2 - Now his right eye is having the same symptoms... =( Poor Q.

Kennel Cough

What a tough last few weeks Q had. We had boarded him at a location near the SouthCenter mall in Tukwila, WA, while we went to the Jake Shimabukuro concert in Bremerton on 3/13. Quigley seemed to have had a great time, with great reports from the staff there as well. Afterwards, Q visited his friend Hass, and they had a great time playing together.

It wasn't until later that night that he started coughing. It may amount to nothing more than a dog-version of a common cold, but experiencing it for the first time was somewhat terrifying. I took him to the vet on Monday, where he got checked up and put on antibiotics.

The first time I tried to give it to him, I put it in with his kibble. He found it, chewed it a few times, then spit it out. Then I wrapped it in his Gooberlicious treats, and he had no problem eating it then.

"Lucky" dog got 2 nice spoonfuls of peanut butter each day for the next 10 days. What was really tough though, was not letting him play with any other dogs. =( Poor guy. All he ever really wants to do is play and have fun. (and eat, of course)

Anyways, Quigley has been doing fine since last week when he finished his meds. His first day back at "school" was last night, and he got to see all of his classmates again, and even got to play with his friend Ripley a little bit before class. He was so happy to see and play with her.

I hope that his little bout with Kennel Cough has made him a more hearty dog, and hopefully he won't get too many more infections while growing up. Thankfully, this went fairly easily, and he's as happy as can be now!

Puppy Scare

Anyone who's ever felt sick and vomited knows how bad one must feel in that situation.  Being a puppy parent and seeing my puppy vomit without knowing why is a very scary situation.  What did Q eat?  When did he eat it?  Is he going to be OK?  What did I miss that I should've caught?  Did he drink too much beer? (just kidding)  And then on top of that to see him chow down on his vomit as if he hadn't eaten in days....   Absolute horror is all that I can say to describe what I felt last night.

Q actually vomited twice last night.  Once at around 10pm, which appeared to be just a little bit (I woke up too late to really tell).  And the second time was at around 1-1:15am, which was a whole lot.  We decided to give him some plain rice to help settle and fill his stomach.  Not long after, he pooped what appeared to be normal looking poop, so we felt a little more relieved, but still worried and shaken up, nonetheless.

This morning Quigley seemed OK.  He ate breakfast like usual, and barked at everyone outside when I wanted him to just go potty.  He didn't really want to go walking, like usual, but he did play "fetch" inside the house, and then ran his usual laps around the living room, kitchen and dining room for a little bit.  We hope that whatever it was that bugged him last night is now gone, and hopefully can be easily avoided next time.  I just wish I knew what it was....