Thursday 9 July 2009

Itchings and Blessings


Poor Molls has had a bad few weeks. First of all her itching has come back and until she can have a blood test to ascertain what she is allergic to, she can't have any steroids to stop the itching. So she's currently on a very low dose of antihistamines, twice weekly antifungal shampoo baths and being treated with a steroid spray every day. Thankfully this seems to be working and she's not itching nearly so much - it was terrible watching her scratch and scratch, especially at night, and we felt so helpless being unable to help her.

On top of that, it turns out she has something wrong with the ligaments in her left leg. This means that the knee socket can pop out when she runs (though it pops back immediately and doesn't seem to hurt her). Still, it needs looking at more closely when she's sedated next week, and having had a week of Short Walks on the lead (and I don't know who felt more frustrated, her or me), she is now on slightly longer walks but No Running. Swimming is good though so we did that yesterday afternoon as well.

The worst case scenario is that the leg could have to be operated on as the wear and tear on the joint could cause arthritis. But I'm not even going there.....

So what with three vet trips in a week, and another big one next week for the blood tests, my bank account is beginning to look somewhat anorexic. Still, it's all worth it.

The good news is that I interviewed a young couple yesterday who have set up a very good bakery in Falmouth using local products and organic flour. Their flapjack is the best I've ever had, so I thought they would be good for a food piece for the magazine. What I hadn't expected was to meet such an enterprising couple who have really thought out their business, enjoy what they do and intend to keep it that way rather than expand. “We want to be able to enjoy what we do and the lovely place we live in,” they said. And why not?

It struck me this morning that this job is all about discovering the extraordinary in the ordinary. And what a joy that is.

P.S. It's my mother's 80th birthday party this weekend. Whole family gathering for a meal on Saturday night. And believe me, getting everyone together in one place takes years of planning. Guess what? My eldest neice has contracted swine flu from being out in Cyprus and the whole family are in quarantine. So we will be minus 5 members of the family..... you can imagine how my mother is feeling.

25 comments:

Chris Stovell said...

Oh poor old Mollie (actually have a faint idea how she feels - keep returning from runs with histamine rash.. only hope my hip doesn't pop out as well). I hope that both for Molls and for your bank account's sakes that she feels a lot better very soon.

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Poor Mollie, I do hope she starts to feel much better very soon, and also your bank account. These vets bills are horrendously expensive.

Flowerpot said...

Chris - I do hope your histamine rash improves soon. You cant afford your hip to pop out!

Flowerpot said...

Debs - thankfully she seems much perkier today and we were able to have a longish walk and swim so fingers crossed. Dont talk to me about vets!

Akelamalu said...

Oh poor Moll! I hope she doesn't have to have an operation on her knee - I feel for her. :(

ADDY said...

Wish Mollie better. It always strikes me that animals get a better albeit expensive service through their vets than we do with our GPs!!

menopausaloldbag (MOB) said...

Oh your poor wee furbaby. My wee boy furbaby has allergies to grass. Every time the grass starts to grow, he bites himself raw and scratches himself to hell and back. We just got some antiH's and touch wood they are doing the job although I wonder if they will continue to do so but so far so good. I am so relieved to see him much more relaxed and calm. I know how you feel about Mollie, it scalds yer heart just watching them suffer.

Good luck with her progress.

Vermont Designs said...

I was just thinking you have the very best job - travelling around the county interviewing amazing people. Hugs to my niece. Bin there, dun that. SIL.

Flowerpot said...

Ak - I hope not either! But hte important thing is to get her better.

Rosiero - I quite agree. But then I suppose that's private medicine for you!

Flowerpot said...

MOB - I heard of another dog allergic to grass. Sounds a nightmare. though Moll's concoctions seem to be working a bit - she's much better than lats year touch wood.

Flowerpot said...

Shelagh - arent I lucky? And I will give your neice a hug from you!

Anonymous said...

Have a wonderful weekend and all the best to your mum for her 80th.

Poor Molly indeed. Do hope the vet manages to keep it all under control.

CJ xx

Flowerpot said...

Thanks CJ!

Pat Posner said...

Hugs for Molls and you. Hope the meds keep working for her. Tim and Ted send her puppy love.

Have a great weekend, tell your Mum 'Happy Birthday' from me and I hope your niece gets well soon.

xxPat

Around My Kitchen Table said...

Poor Mollie. I've started itching now in sympathy! I do hope she gets better, not just for her but for your bank balance too.

Flowerpot said...

Pat - that's very kind - Molls sends love t hte pups!

Jenny Beattie said...

Oh no. Poor Mollie and poor family. I hope they are all better soon.

Flowerpot said...

Tables - thanks I do too!

JJ - and thanks for your wishes too...

Philipa said...

Oh dear, I'm sorry to hear your loved ones are suffering. Hope it can all be sorted, soon.

And I hope your mum enjoyed her birthday. My father was 80 in january and has just enjoyed a holiday, and helped me have a holiday, in a touring caravan. I had to remind him not to work too hard by lifting 40 litres of water when he didn't have to. Men!

Flowerpot said...

Phil - thanks for that. When's your holiday? Soon I think? Hope it's a good one!

Philipa said...

Details on my blog, dear friend. Thinking of you in that gorgeous landscape down there..

Liane Spicer said...

Hope Mollie gets better soon. Vets, dentists and doctors have an evil plan to make us all paupers.

Finding and celebrating the extraordinary in the ordinary is one of the best parts in life. Keep the earth-shattering feats; it's the little everyday realizations and triumphs that really matter.

Grump said...

Tilly is going through a similar thing. We are washing and de fleaing. She has been on a low allergy diet etc.
Would love to hear the updates on how you fare.
Mark x

Flowerpot said...

Phil - will go and check!

Liane - that's beautifully put, and so true.

Grump - oh I am sorry. Will email you details of what we've found has worked with Moll.

Ellee Seymour said...

Molls looks so cuddly, and I hope all went well with the family gathering. We are worried about swine flu too.