Category Archives: Just fun

My Special Day!

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Hi everypawdy,

My momma usually writes my blog posts, but today I asked if I could say something.  Today is my ampuversary!  I’m on number ELEVEN!!!  And because I’m super special (everypawdy says so), my momma got me something super special.  She knows how much I’ve been wanting to try one of my friend Abby’s Flying Dutchmans, but it’s a really long buh-bye in the car, and so I only get to drool whenever Abby talks about them.  But today, everything changes!!!!!  Check it out!

Rio's very own "Flying Dutchman"

Isn’t that awesome???!!!!  The only thing wrong with it is that momma said it was too big for me to eat by myself, and she made me share with the dorkus twins.  Oh well.  It was still sooooo goooooood!

Yummmmmmmm! Burger and benedryl.

We wanna share!!!

Snarfing the last bite! (Note all the drool in Zeffy's cone of shame.)

And yes, Monkey Patrol, that is Zephyr wearing the cone of shame!!!  Hahahahahahaha!  Look!!!!!  Here’s another picture!  What a doof!  It makes her shiny friend when the sun shines on it, and she keeps running into everything chasing her shiny friend.

 

Itchy Joe (aka Zephyr and the Cone of Shame)

Puppy Up!

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Rio watching the Disc Dogs do their thing.

We just got home from today’s walk.  It wasn’t a huge turn out, but this foundation has only been in existence since the inaugural walk of 2008, when man and dog walked from Austin to Boston to raise awareness for canine cancer. I think in a few years, it will gain momentum and attendance, because there was serious dedication from the folks that were there.

We arrived and checked in, got our t-shirts and a special light blue cancer survivor bandana for Rio and dark blue bandanas  for the two Monkeybutts.  We didn’t wear them, instead we opted for the pink Puppy Up bandanas that I had purchased a while back.  Rio wore her Tripawds bandana, but then switched to her cape and tiara before the walk started.  (A star always needs a wardrobe change!)  And the humans wore our Tripawds Have a Ball! Team Tripawd shirts!

We got a chance to meet fellow Tripawd Kess and her Disc Dog posse, and they wowed us with their Frisbee tricks.  Those dogs seriously catch some air!!!!!  I expected to be impressed with her athleticism and speed, but I was bowled over.  I KNEW she was a Tripawd, and yet I could easily forget that fact as I watched her move and leap.  I have to say, I was so inspired by her that it brought tears to my eyes.

We played a little in the off-leash area with our friends Rayna and Yoshi, and then it was time to start the walk.  We found out when we registered that our C0-Canine Marshall, Jetson’s mom was hospitalized for a really bad case of strep the night before the walk, so they weren’t able to attend.  It was just Rio and her human cancer survivor counterpart, Shani.  When we were swapping stories, it was ironic how nearly identical their paths were, except for the type of cancer.   The walk coordinator introduced Shani and Rio, and then I shared Rio’s story.  I did pretty good, only getting a little caught up in it towards the end, and I must have struck a chord with the crowd because I could see quite a few people dabbing at tears as I wrapped up.  Then Shani told her story and cut the ribbon (yellow caution tape — I found that kinda funny), and we were off.

The trail ran through the park, following the curves of the White River.  The air was crisp and the leaves were falling….  All in all, I doubt Mother Nature could have dialed up a better day.  As we walked, several people caught up with us and we got to hear their dogs’ (past and present) cancer stories.  We talked up Tripawds — our sign and banner got lots of conversations started.

And now we are home, with full bellies and I hear a lot of snoring…  The girls had a very busy day.  It’s not easy being so adored by so many…  Here are a few more photos from today:

 

Group photo - Rio's posse

That's PRINCESS Grand Marshall to you, Monkeybutts!

 

Waiting for the walk to start.

My pretty girl.

Mom and the girls. (Read the sign, Monkeydogs!)

Monkeybutt Zephyr

Monkeybutt Tosca

 

Supermodel Rio

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I had to work today, but while I was gone, Dad and Woo did a little photoshoot so that all our Tripawds friends could see our new collar and how stylin’ she looks in it.

Enjoying the sunshine

Serious Woo

You talkin' to me?

Gladys is keeping an eye on the neighbors

My pretty girl!

Sporting the new bling.

Rio’s not much for action shots, but she does good profile!  (The collar is from Chief Furry Officer.)

 

 

 

Rio’s Soup for Dogs Recipe

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Okay, all, as promised, here’s my recipe for Rio’s Soup for Dogs.  I should mention up front that this soup is different every time I make it.  This is simply how I made it this time ’round.

RIO’S SOUP

1 whole organic chicken (I use whatever meat is least expensive — beef, lamb, pork, chicken, turkey, etc.)

3 lbs. chicken trimmings (my butcher’s dept does chicken trimmings and fat for broth)

A few beef marrow bones and bison rib bones

Place in a large pot, and cover with water or broth.  (The one I use is 24 qts).  Allow to simmer until chicken falls from bones.  Allow to cool, then remove meat, skin, etc. from bones and set aside.

Remove meat from bones and set aside

1 lb. liver or other organ meat (This can either be cooked in the pot with the chicken or in a separate pan with coconut oil for a little more flavor.  Be forewarned, if you use kidneys, your entire house will stink!)

Liver cooked in a little bit of coconut oil

To the broth, add any veggies, coarsely chopped — this time, I had available:

1 red and 1 yellow pepper

2 cups of white cabbage

2 cups broccoli

1 medium zucchini

1 cup snap peas

2 cups green beans

1 15 oz can diced tomatoes, low sodium (I also had a couple of fresh tomatoes and several tomatillos from my garden, so I threw them in, too)

1 cup chopped kale or spinach

Chop veggies coarsely

Allow veggies to cook in broth until slightly softened, then puree the mix with a hand blender.  Once the vegetables have been finely chopped, add the meat back to the broth and bring back to a simmer.  At this point, you can also add in  2 cans sardines or mackerel (in water, no salt added) mushed up a bit.

Simmer veggies until slightly soft

Puree veggies into broth

I ran this by my Quality Control Department……

Rio says, “Three enthusiastic paws up!”

Zephyr concurs

Tosca also gives it her seal of approval

Rio’s Got a Brand-New Ride

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So I wanted to surprise Rio with some new wheels, and SURPRISE!!!…  they arrived while we were at the vet!  We’re doing short stints to get her used to her new wheels, and lots and lots of cookies and praise, and already she’s starting to relax a bit.  Of course, Monkeybrains Zephyr was ever so helpful while I was assembling it.  She does love a good crate.  She crawled in and curled up and I couldn’t get her out to put the tires on!  Thanks Zeff!

Anyhoooo!  Here’s the pics of Rio in her new ride — she does look good in red!

Farmer T

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I thought you all might enjoy a little Monkeybutt-dog fun!

This is the first year we’ve had a veggie garden.  In the past, I’ve grown tomatoes and cucumbers in containers because nothing tastes better in the summer than fresh tomatoes and cukes, but in the past, if it didn’t have pretty flowers, I didn’t grow it.  This year, we decided we’ve got the space, and produce is expensive and dog-only-knows what sorts of chemicals, etc. end up on our food, so why not grow our own.  And, as you might imagine, with the new garden comes a learning curve, right?  I would expect this.  However, I did not expect THIS to be part of the learning curve: Continue reading →

Barney’s back in WA

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If you’ve been following the Killbarney Tour Blog, you know that Barney has recently shown up here in Kingston for a visit with Rio (the Woo) and her Monkeybutt sisters, Zephyr (aka. Thunderbutt) and Tosca (aka. the Moose).

Hey, you smell...... interesting.....

I’m working on putting together a video of our Barney adventures.  Hopefully, I’ll finish that sometime in the next decade or so…  Barney’s definitely proven himself a worth adversary of the Woo!  Who would have guessed???!!!  I think he may be ready to usurp the title of King of the Monkeybutts, or at least give Rocket a run for his money.  Anyhow, stay tuned for the rest of the story….

I think it’s working!

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It’s been a busy spring.  Time is flying, and it’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly four months since Rio’s surgery.

She’s been so funny the last few days.  She seems like she’s feeling better, and I’m thinking, just maybe, the Trilostane must be kicking in.  We had a second ACTH stimulation test last week and her numbers went from 8 down to 3.5.  Her doc wanted her numbers between 2 and 5, so she was very happy with this result.  Don’t ask me what it means, but it sounded good, like things are finally moving in the right direction!  She’s even getting new whiskers on her back!  I am feeling somewhat hopeful.  Fingers crossed!!!!

We head off to Oregon (another road trip) today.  The nephew is graduating from high school!!!  We are only taking Rio this trip (and I’m feeling incredibly guilty about it) — but we will be staying at the in-law’s house, and their dog gets a little crazy when the girls roll in to town, ande starts peeing everywhere in the house.  I guess maybe he feels threatened — lotsa big doggies invading his space.  It’s totally understandable to me.  Between the Moose, the Thunderbutt and the Woo, they are a whole lotta doggie!!!  They will be in good hands, but I still feel like a bad mommy for leaving them.

I’m hoping things will slow down a bit this month so that I have a moment to breathe…..