FRIDAY June 16 2006, CONTINUED
Nancy's update on Precious and Rusty continues ...
Precious and Rusty adjusted quickly to their normal routine, except in one area: Melissa told me they had been staying in the hospital trailer, so one of their feedings was at 3:00 in the morning. The first two nights at home Precious and Rusty woke up at 3:30, thinking it was mealtime. The next two nights, I woke up at 3:30. Happily, we are all sleeping through the night again.
A couple of days after we got back, I told Erin that Precious was gagging and throwing up slightly, although her appetite was good. Erin thought she might have a bug, but then Rusty started too, and they both started that croupy-sounding cough. They had kennel cough again. They had had it when I first got them, and it lasted quite a while, but, of course, their immune systems were so compromised then. This time it lasted only a few days and then they were fine.
Rusty and Precious both look like normal puppies now with their hair all grown in, and I don't get the same reactions from people when they are outside. When they looked so bad, some people would glance at them and quickly look away, some would ask what was wrong with them, and nobody wanted to touch them. Now people want to talk to them and pet them, although Precious barks and has to be won over. Rusty is trusting and friendly with everyone.
Precious continues to be in charge, but Rusty doesn't seem to mind. The other day Precious did something that seemed purposeful, but I thought, "She really couldn't be that clever." Rusty had a squeaky ball that Precious wanted. Usually he will give up whatever she wants, but this time he was resisting. So Precious got a rawhide bone, dropped it in front of Rusty, and when he took it, she grabbed the ball. Precious will also do things to tease Rusty. Rusty is not thrilled with the crate during the day because he knows if they have to go in during the day, it means I'm leaving. So Precious will run into the crate just to make Rusty bark for her to come out. Or she will hide under the couch so Rusty will come to try to coax her out.
Erin said that vegetables were good for the dogs to eat, so I continue to try different ones with them. Neither of them would have anything to do with mushrooms, except to push them around the floor and play with them. Carrots continue to be their veggie of choice. I tried green beans with them, and Precious loved them. Rusty really wanted to like them since Precious was eating them, but he just couldn't bring himself to eat one. They are good little eaters and really don't seem to care if the dog food is from a can or a bag. I am still feeding them three times a day, but it might be time to get them on two feedings.
As I am typing this, Rusty is lying under the desk with his head on my foot. They continue to play, grow, and endear themselves to me. Someone will be very lucky to get these two sweet puppies.
