Griffie World Happenings » 1-Misfit McCabe

Recovery Week

LK Gardner-Griffie — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 22:29:22 +0000

It has been a long time since I’ve had the chance to sneak some time in on Mama’s laptop. But I figured since she’s busy mopping the floors, I’d have a chance to jot a quick post off. It has been one rough week for this pup. Let me tell you what happened…

I’ve been having some problems (oh dear, this is embarrassing, but I must simply say it and move on) pooping. Mama and Papa have been concerned because I’ve been bleeding and I had a hard time getting it out. Well, things came to a head on Monday (I finally get why people don’t like Mondays – I never understood before) when I couldn’t poop. I crawled up on the bed to tell Mama and she petted me and felt my hind quarters. Apparently I bled so much I soaked my hind leg and bled through the sheets. I’ll give Mama credit, she spoke to me very calmly, told me we’d have to go to the vet (imagine the fear that simple word struck in my heart), and put me in my harness. Gryphon and Elsa were beside themselves that they weren’t going too. Elsa got so excited, she even peed the bed (hee hee hee). Anyway, we took a trip in the car to the vet, and Mama talked softly to me the whole way over. She knew I was nervous, but something wasn’t right, so I didn’t whine much.

The doc took one look at my behind and carried me away from Mama into the back room. I’ll have to tell you, I wasn’t thrilled with that state of events. It’s never a good thing when they take you into the back (unless you’re getting a bath, and I knew I wasn’t here for a bath.) The next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery. Apparently I had a large intestinal tumor which caused my problems and they had to do surgery to take it out. I had to stay overnight at the vet…not something I enjoy, I assure you. They don’t have the comforts of home, like nice pillows for me to lay on.

Mama and Papa picked me up the following day. I thought Papa was never going to let me walk on my own again. He carried me everywhere and kept talking to me like a baby. The nice thing was I could con him into any treat I wanted. I was a little sore, but not too bad. Gryphon and Elsa were happy to see me. Elsa must have known I didn’t feel a hundred percent because she didn’t jump on me, and only sniffed my belly and backside a couple times. The worst part of the recovery has been the liquid meds Mama has to give me. The one for pain isn’t bad, but the other one is downright nasty.

Mama took me back to the vet yesterday, and I have to tell you…I trembled. I was afraid she’d have to leave me again, and I just wasn’t up to it. Not so soon. Anyway, we had to wait because there was a siberian husky who was so bad off he couldn’t walk. I was NOT the only one shaking in the waiting room. I wasn’t even the worst. The doc talked to Mama and me and said the prognosis was very bad. I have cancer. I don’t feel bad. In fact, except for the sutures on my tummy that tickle a bit, I feel pretty normal.

Mama told me I need to let her know if I hurt, and unless I’m hurting too much, we’ll just keep taking each day as it comes. She said the doc was AMAZED by my progress and healing and that was a very good sign. All I know is with Papa, I just have to look slightly pathetic and he’ll get me whatever I want. Life is good!

PS – I know it’s Halloween, but all of my Halloween pics involve a hat, and I hate hats, but I love my Christmas dress, so I used it instead.

All for now. Until next time. Paws Up!

About the Author:
“Just call me Your Highness” ~ Phoenix

The New Summer Game

Phoenix — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:26:58 +0000

All of a sudden, summer is definitely here. Let me tell you that wearing black fur in the summertime is not fun. Fortunately for me, my fur isn’t thick like Gryphon’s or I’d be panting all the time. Elsa has thicker fur than I do too, so she gets hot pretty easily as well. Fortunately we live with Mama who gets hot before anyone else I know, so she’s always devising new ways of keeping cool.

This weekend, when the summer furnace got turned on in earnest, Gryphon and Elsa were getting pretty uncomfortable, and we needed some fresh water. Mama filled our water bowl and then brought in a chunk of ice. I like ice cubes to lick. Mama usually gives me one that’s a nice size and I keep licking it until it’s gone. Elsa had never been given ice before, but of course, she was right in there because she thought it might be food. The term food hound was made for Elsa, I swear. Gryphon wasn’t interested in ice because she drank half the bowl of water before Mama brought it in.

Once she got her tongue on the ice, Elsa decided she really liked it, and kept licking away. Well, Mama didn’t want to stand there with a chunk of ice melting in her hand, so she broke Elsa off a piece and put the rest into the water bowl. Elsa’s ears sure pricked up with that. She hopped over to the bowl and licked the ice chunk. She didn’t want the small piece Mama had given her, she wanted the big chunk. Then she tried to bite off a piece for herself. It was funny to watch her trying to curl her lips back to bite the ice without getting her nose in the water. Then, since that wasn’t working, she plunged her whole face in the bowl. When she came up, she had an ice cube between her teeth. Victory. I thought Mama might fall on the floor she was laughing so hard. Not only that, but then Elsa spied another piece she wanted and did it again. So the game of bobbing for ice cubes was born.

I will say one thing for that pup, she’s pretty smart for being so young. She even knew to blow out through her nose while it was underwater so the water didn’t get up her nose. Papa was out with Grandpuppaw when Elsa was bobbing for ice cubes, so Mama told him what he missed. He couldn’t wait until he could try it, so he grabbed a chunk of ice and put it in the water. Elsa was after it in ticks of a puppy dog’s tail. She gets absolutely soaked in the process and then shakes herself which sprays the rest of us with ice cold water…which during this heat is not a bad thing.

All for now. Until next time. Paws Up!

About the Author:
“Just call me Your Highness” ~ Phoenix

When Is It My Turn?

Phoenix — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:05:11 +0000

I usually don’t complain about much (except for when Mama gets an idea to put a hat on my head), I go amiably along with what my family is doing. I even wrestle with Elsa from time to time to keep her happy. I sit on Papa’s lap when he’s watching TV, and keep his chair warm when he goes to get something to eat, or play with his airsoft gun. I sit beside Mama when she’s working on her books, so I can offer some suggestions to help keep the story flowing. But, now, I’ve had enough.

Mama got a Kindle 2 and she hasn’t let me even put a paw on it yet. The K2 is so cute – sleek and petite, just like me. It looks really easy to operate, but I haven’t been given a chance yet. Think how much easier it would be for me to turn the pages. I could even use my nose if necessary. She’s had it for weeks now, and has been reading story after story on the K2, but I get bupkiss. Last night, I crawled into her arms while she was reading, just so I could get a closer look at the screen. It was wonderful. Nice easy to read font, easy to turn pages, and especially nice for me, you can set the cursor next to a word you don’t know and have the definition pop up at the bottom. I was enthralled. Now, I’m really itching to get my paws on it. So the big question is, Mama, when is it my turn?

All for now. Until next time. Paws Up!

PS – If she lets Elsa touch it before me, I’m going to sit on Elsa’s head.

About the Author:
“Just call me Your Highness” ~ Phoenix
_____________________________________________________________________

Here’s information about my Mama’s stuff:

Book Review: How To Become a Mail Carrier Puppy

Phoenix — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 12:20:35 +0000

How To Become a Mail Carrier Puppy

By Celina Star

Copyright: © 2009

$ 16.60 full color paperback

42 pages

Reviewed by Phoenix, the miniature long-haired dachshund princess of LK Gardner-Griffie, author of YA novel, Misfit McCabe.

I am so excited because this is the first book review that I get to write. Finally a chance to put my paw to something worthwhile. This opportunity came about because a German Shepherd, Celina Star published a book called, How To Become a Mail Carrier Puppy and Mama said that I would have the opportunity to do the review, since both the author and I are German canines. I have been taking careful notes along the way as I watch my Mama read and review other books, and I know that I’m ready for this challenge.

How To Become a Mail Carrier Puppy is the second book by Celina Star, the first being a little longer piece called Paw Prints on the Road which is full of travels around the world. In the prologue to Paw Prints on the Road there is an explanation given regarding the editing of the work, or to be more accurate, lack of editing.

The Reader might like to know why this book was never edited. I do believe that my true inner feelings; my thoughts which come into my mind and all my emotions at the time of writing should be represented and voiced in this little book. No one can take your words of your heart and make them better.
No correct English, grammar, pronunciation can equal what a heart is telling you to write down on a little white piece of paper and transform it into a book of thoughts and joy.

Phoenix Reading
While I appreciate this viewpoint, I’m not sure I whole-heartedly agree with it. I like for my work to be formatted, and spruced up a bit before letting anyone else read it, but that is just me. A princess always has to be concerned about setting the proper example. Since I know that the author believes in leaving the work unedited, I will not comment on any formatting, punctuation or grammatical issues found within the work, but will focus instead on the story itself. By the way, this is a picture of me on my princess pillows studying up on how to write a review.

How To Become a Mail Carrier Puppy is a book that made me smile as I read it. The pictures are cheerful and illustrate the action in the story quite well. The writing was very tongue in cheek and made me chuckle behind my paw at times. For example, when filling out the application to become a mail carrier puppy, Celina had the following to say:

When the question came about “RACE”, I wrote down: “FAST”. I was a little confused about the question of being a Caucasian, African American, or Asian. Being of tan, brown and black color, and having a white star on my chest, and…. I can narrow my eyes to make them slanted, I wrote down : “a little bit of everything”.

I especially like how this pokes fun at the human propensity to define people. Like it matters what ethnicity people are. We judge others by where they’ve been and who they’ve been associating with, and, yes, that is the reason we sniff each other. Of course, I shouldn’t be quite so harsh, people are not dogs and just don’t know any better.

Actually, the puppy in the book reminded me very much of my own puppy, Elsa. Especially when she helped the elderly lady with the walker slowly slide down to the ground so she could read her letter. I would send Elsa off to become a mail carrier puppy, but I don’t think she’s tall enough to reach to post boxes. It sure would enhance my nap time if she were to go off to work every day to deliver mail, and come home all tired out. Maybe she wouldn’t try to wrestle with me so much.

I was happy to see Celina include some photos, especially the one with her stuffed canine double. I also have a stuffed dachshund double, but it is fatter than I am (I am really quite petite). Celina’s smile is very nice, don’t you think.

Originally reviewed for the LL Book Review.

All for now. Until next time. Paws Up!

Copyright 2009 © Phoenix with a helping paw from Gryphon and a distracting paw from Elsa

About the Author:
“Just call me Your Highness” ~ Phoenix
_____________________________________________________________________

Here’s information about my Mama’s stuff:

Beating the Heat

Phoenix — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:00:29 +0000

I’m going to write this early before the heat of the day hits. I usually like the heat because I get cold easily, but the past couple of days have been just awful. Muggy heat is the worst. I am so glad that Mama insisted on our summer cuts now. I thought she might be a little premature when we got them, but I realize now, in this household, Mama Knows Best! I think the weather is supposed to be cooling again for which I am very thankful. If this is what we have in store for us around the corner in summer, it’s going to be a long road.

For all you young pups out there, listen up! Here are some tips to help you beat the heat.

Stay indoors as much as possible. I know that some of your people may not think about this, but every opportunity you get, try to sneak in the house if you’re an outdoor dog.

Whine until someone turns on a fan or air conditioning. Your people are only human, so they don’t understand the importance of cooling you down. After all, dogs are not supposed to sweat. So we have to cool down in some way. I know they can not understand your words, so whine as much as you can. Eventually, they’ll get the idea or you’ll drive them crazy in the meantime. Gryphon, Elsa and I have it good in that respect because Mama is very hot natured, so by the time we’re thinking about being hot, Mama is turning on the air. Bless you, and your hot genes, Mama!

Drink lots of water.

This is the most important tip!

I can not emphasize enough that your key to survival during this heat wave is to keep yourself hydrated. This is the tip that can help you beat the heat, especially if your people don’t get tips number one and two.

Stay cool, baby. Until next time. Paws Up!

Copyright 2009 © Phoenix with a helping paw from Gryphon and a distracting paw from Elsa

About the Author:
“Just call me Your Highness” ~ Phoenix
_____________________________________________________________________

Here’s information about my Mama’s stuff:

Change in the Weather

Phoenix — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 16:47:13 +0000

Yesterday I thought it was time that we got our summer hair cuts. The sun was shining and the heat continued to rise to the point that it got hot. Every year, at least once during the warmer months, Mama and Papa take us to the groomers and get our hair clipped short. This is something that is definitely necessary for Gryphon because her hair is thick and wiry and she gets hot easily. Now, I’m a little different because my hair is ultra fine and silky, just as a princesses hair should be, and I stay cooler than Gryphon. Even so, I still enjoy my summer cut because it helps me to look like a young and vibrant pup (people always mistake me for being a puppy).

Well, today I’m glad that I still have every hair on my body because it is a much cooler day. I don’t know why the weather has to change so drastically in the space of one day, but really, it was warm enough to make me hot yesterday, so Gryphon and Elsa were over-hot. At least we didn’t have snow, like some areas of the country. I definitely could not be a cold weather pup. Just the thought of having to put my dainty toes into ice cold snow…brrrr!! (I just shook my whole body). I think I would absolutely have to insist upon boots for going outside, as well as a heater lamp in the area where I do my business. To all you dogs out there with owners who don’t understand what it’s like, perhaps you could convince them to put their heiny down on the cold, snow-covered ground and hover for a few moments, and then they might treat you a little nicer and get a heater or create nice indoor yard for you.

We will have to get our summer cuts soon though. After all, this is California and the weather just doesn’t get really cold here anyway (for which I am eternally thankful). It’ll be fun to listen to Elsa scream, because this will be her first cut. My prediction is that once we are through, she’ll be glued to Mama’s side and won’t leave her alone. Mama will get upset because she says she can’t type with a puppy laying on her hands. He he he – I’ll be laughing behind my paw.

All for now. Until next time. Paws Up!

Copyright 2009 © Phoenix with a helping paw from Gryphon and a distracting paw from Elsa

About the Author:
“Just call me Your Highness” ~ Phoenix
_____________________________________________________________________

Here’s information about my Mama’s stuff:
Visit us at Griffie World
To buy Misfit McCabe, visit my store at Lulu.com or purchase at Amazon.com
To track Misfit McCabe across the country, visit:
Where in the World is Misfit McCabe?
Own a Kindle? Download Misfit McCabe in an instant.
For other ebook formats, visit Smashwords.com
To read book reviews by LK Gardner-Griffie, visit: The Lulu Book Review

Elsa – the St. Bernard

Phoenix — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:04:57 +0000

Ok, I thought I was done with Elsa stories, but she obviously likes my writing little stories about her. Last weekend Gryphon and I noticed that Elsa was drooling a little bit. Mama noticed too, but she thought it was that Elsa was sleeping so hard she drooled a little bit on the pillow she was laying on. Well, that was only the beginning. The drooling got worse, but Papa didn’t notice it because he was busy working. Mama noticed some wet spots when she came home, but Papa thought he must have spilled some water – even though he didn’t have the water anywhere near the wet spots!

That night as we went to bed, Elsa curled up next to Mama and Gryphon and I wanted to stay dry, so we snuggled against Papa. About 11:00 Mama realized that the bed was wet and she uncovered Elsa to take a look. Elsa was lying in a pool of drool (yuck). Her ruff was soaked, her tail was soaked, in fact the tail was so wet, it could be rung out. Mama didn’t like seeing the drool pouring out of the corners of Elsa’s mouth.

She woke Papa up, which took a few minutes because he tries to pretend that he can’t hear anything so he doesn’t have to get up. Then grabbed the laptop to look up what could possibly be wrong with Elsa. It turns out, according to the internet, the most common cause of excessive drooling in dogs, other than being a St. Bernard, is that something, like a stick, is caught in the mouth. With Elsa that could be a distinct possibility, because she does like to pick up sticks and carry them around outside. I choose not to pick up anything nasty like that off the ground.

Mama checked her mouth out, but didn’t find anything, so it was time for the usual call to the vet to see what he had to say. Unfortunately, our vet had his phone on the message machine (something that occurs only a few times a year), so all patients were being referred to the Emergency Animal Hospital, and so Elsa’s first midnight vet run began.

While Mitzi was alive, midnight runs to the vet were not uncommon as she had heart problems in her later years, and Mama said she thought they were done with those for awhile. But, the kid was sick, so something had to be done. The vet couldn’t find anything in her mouth either and recommended a course of antibiotics, nausea medicine and allergy medicine, in addition to an IV to replace the fluids. Plus, he wanted to keep her overnight for observation, give her some X-rays and do some blood work.

Fortunately, Papa decided that Elsa was better off coming home to us, because Gryphon and I would have missed her. The next morning it was off to the vet again to see our regular vet. Elsa was diagnosed with an infection of the salivary glands which was causing the excessive drooling. He put her on a course of antibiotics, and she is now much, much better.

What a confused pup she is . . .first trying to be a Shar Pei, and now a St. Bernard. ‘Til next time, Paws Up!

Copyright 2008 © Phoenix with a helping paw from Gryphon

About the Author:
“Just call me Your Highness” ~ Phoenix