Summer Gear Geek-Out, Part One

I've been trying to figure out the best dog bed setup for our cabin in New Hampshire for a few years now. Everything bedding-like has to be stored in trunks over the winter so that mice don't use it as supply for their own bedding. This means that Vida doesn't get the usual cushy donut bed while she's here. Most of you would think that in the summer it wouldn't be a big deal, but our place is in the woods, near a mountain, and it can get chilly at night, especially when the wind kicks up. Even if we're not sleeping on the porch as we do most of the time, my shorthaired Cali dog needs something of her own to cuddle in. She has actually wound up shivering under the covers of my bed in the past, and neither of us really likes that...

Travel Kits

I really try to keep up with my dog's healthcare when we travel. Long distance drives are stressful, and stress effects the immune system, the digestive system, the nervous system… well, everything (for humans too). On this particular trip I'm also in New Hampshire for several weeks, so I need to think about what I might need while I'm there too. Having done this particular trip with her for a couple of years, I've gotten better at "kitting up" her stuff (well, our stuff, we share a lot of it).

I often get those sideways looks about my stock of "just in case" supplies, but keeping things can be useful if done with consideration. A few things you'll see in these photos: insulated bags from Wild Kitty Raw Food, small measuring spoons from Pet Superfood, an empty spice jar, and a small divided box for holding one ounce bottles. 

Ready for the Woods

It's a big change for us, to go from a Southern California coastal town to a cabin in the woods of New Hampshire. The drive alone is nothing if not a series of changes. For Vida I take some special care to provide for this change in habitat.

We got noticed by "The Bark"

This post is just a little brag....

La Vida Fresca got mentioned on The Bark's website! A post about canine cancer blogs gives us props.

Thank you, Bark!

P.S. Vida is doing great!

The Finished Product

June 15, 2010: Vida's happy to smile for the camera and show off her mouth. She wasn't happy to do the chin photo..."why focus on that?" (hairless, but well pigmented)

Food is back to normal, supplements are getting there. I don't have a definite plan right now. Using a variety of supplements. For instance, using up the expensive PetLife, which while it is definitely overpriced does seem to result in improved energy.

I'll be starting up my experiment with hemp and chia seeds again because the blob on her leg has rebounded to it's former glory (ugh!). Hopefully nothing more happens with it, but if it remains the same over the summer I'm going to get it removed. I could do it now, but I feel like she really needs her body to fully recover from the radiation treatments before doing anymore surgery unless it's an emergency. Our upcoming month in New Hampshire will do us both good!

Getting back up to speed

Vida's got a bounce in her step again.

She's eating normally too,which is terrific for me (no more fancy concocting, yay!). We're still on somewhat limited supplements, and using the detox and support supplements from my holistic vet. We'll be doing those for another two weeks (so a month total). She's also back on joint supplements, despite her vigor her hocks/carpals/stifles were dry and creaky.

Speaking of my holistic vet... I hope I didn't sound cranky about them in my last post as I complained about lack of ingredient listing. They always provide them for me when I ask. I just wish it was more common for it to be provided as a matter of course, no matter who you see. All the tiny bottles don't fit the information, for sure, but just a handout has a normal routine would be a good practice. Perhaps most owners lose those things, but this would be part of training them to keep a file, and learn a little bit about what their pets are being given. Commercial products do that to, so it's a general issue for me.

I will be taking a new photo to post soon of her chin. Still no hair, but lots of pigment filling in camouflages that.

Aiming for a swim at dog beach today, it's the last week for off-leash play before the summer restriction starts.