Last minute pictures

Termination dust

Late poppies 

The painters showed up this morning and stained the rest of garage. It was a job we just didn't have the will to start. Looks so good we hate to leave.

Bonus room above the garage

There is still lots of color in the yard. It's early but I have to wire wrap everything in the rose family to protect it from hungry rabbits and moose.

Dog News

Some good news for a change. Tag's ear infection has cleared, the rupture healed. Even better, Hooper has stabilized! Need to clear up a little pink eye and recheck her blood  every three to six months but I couldn't be happier. Now we need to keep an eye on Tux to see how she does without the Carprofen and change the Adequan schedule to once every two months because she may be developing some intolerance.

Looks like we are good to go.

Signs of Winter

Termination dust. First snow on the mountains this morning. Rain with a high of 41 today.

Gray day

Looks like Hoop has signs of conjunctivitis in one eye. Well, all three dogs are scheduled at the clinic Monday so we'll see what's going on.

Hoop -- just can't get a break

Another house showing today. We told our agent this is the last. Take your signs away, lady! If we had a good offer now it would be a real hassle to move but I suppose we would find a way.

A last touch of color

Looking forward to the hot sun in AZ, snakes, cone-nosed bugs, spiders and all.

The Waterfront

We like to keep track of the erosion that occurs on the waterfront from winter storms so this year I'm adding pictures to the blog that we can use to compare next spring. Photos were taken with tide at about 10 feet. High tide will be 21.98 feet at 3 pm today and waterline will come up pretty close to the vegetation. Tidal range in Kachemak Bay can reach 30+ feet.

Looking west

Looking east

SE across the bay to Grewingk glacier

Underut tree hanging on by root system

Lower section of our property, the moose hangout

** Meds ** Changes for Dogs

Notes to self:

Tux: bad interaction between meds possible! 

• Continue Prednisolone acetate one drop twice a day each eye for Pannus until supply runs out
• Eliminate Novox
• Increase Tramadol to one pill three times a day or two pills twice a day for arthritis pain
• Adequan: reduce dosage to 1.1 and/or increase time between injections to 6 weeks for arthritis pain
• Continue Prescription Diet J/D

1. Adequan may be unavailable when supply runs out
2. If anti-inflammatory is needed for mobility replace Prednisolone with Cyclosporin and restart Novox
3. Consider replacing Prednisolone with Cyclosporin when next refilling subscription!
4. Yearly blood testing for liver and kidney function

Hooper

• Eliminate Novox
• Tramadol twice a day; increase to three times a day or two twice a day for arthritis pain
• Omega 3 oil (3 caps with food)

1. Start low protein diet if creatinine levels increase
2. May need regular BUNN/creatinine and urine testing for kidney function
3. Watch for increased water consumption, increased urination and incontinence 

Tag

• Omega 3 oil (3 caps with food)

1. Watch for ear infections

More Trouble with Ears

Hooper back to vet today with symptoms of ear infection. Hoped to have the dogs cleared of troubles before heading south so they could travel comfortably but it's one thing after another this month. At least I am over the worst of my snuffles and feeling better.

Update: Damned dog was lying to me. Vet couldn't find anything wrong with her ears. I guess I am relieved. Tag's ear problems just got me jittery and I overreacted on this one.

Cabin pics

View from front door

Main entrance

West side

South side

Southeast view

East side

View from east deck

View to the south

Garage and shops

Water house

Property below the bench

Tissue please

How much mucus is it possible to produce in a 24 hour period?!

Yes, I'm still sick and I'm getting damned tired of blowing my nose.

What are people thinking when they do this?!

Another offer on the cabin, another disappointment as buyer pulls offer before we can even respond to it. We went with a realtor to avoid this kind of thing. Ain't happening. Won't make that mistake again.

Dog update

Tag's ears not better after antibiotics. Now trying anti-inflammatory meds until next follow-up near end of month. I was hoping to have things under control before heading out. Now I'm not so sure.  I am sick too. Sore throat, runny nose. Days are rainy but not too cold.

Alaska Dogfish

Yesterday Bob and Kelly went fishing in the bay right out front and had some good luck. We have halibut in the freezer now. Kelly hooked (and released) this shark.

Cranes

My Dogs

My right hand girl

Hoop now showing the beginnings of kidney disease. Watching her fly with abandon after a Frisbee you would never think there could be a problem. Another round of tests at end of month will determine her course of treatment. Tag, already showing improvement on the ear infection, should be better than ever in another week. And Tux, indomitable despite all health issues. Is there life after dogs?

Tag with ear infection

Tux with HD and Panus

Tag's Day at the Vet

 Here is Tag home from the vet after having his teeth cleaned. He is still loopy and unsteady on his feet. Everything looked good for his age so there were no extractions. I had a hunch this morning and asked them to check his ears while he was sedated. I haven't seen any symptoms of problems but like I said, just a hunch, and it turned out he has a pretty severe infection in one ear. There was a hard plug of dirt and wax on the ear drum of the other ear that was removed, too. So we are treating this infection with two antibiotics systemically as anything being put into the ear could cause the drum to rupture. There was also a tiny tag growing on one eyelid that was cauterized so it doesn't get out of hand like Hooper's. Well, the issues of older dogs are many but these guys should be in good shape to travel at end of month.

The Steller's jays are back. They hop on the bench in front of the window to announce themselves so we'll bring them an offering of nuts. I do believe they are training us.

Salmon

Fish were jumping when we walked the dogs this morning so Bob was off with his fishing gear soon as we made it back to the cabin. I don't think he was gone an hour before I heard him calling in the back yard holding up a nice big ol' sockeye. Here he cuts up the fish the way a Korean guy showed him last year that minimizes waste. He needs to clean a few more to get proficient at it but we got a nice bag of ground meat for patties and a bunch of filets.

Without gutting, begin filet from tail end

Cut through to gills 

Remove side

Scrape flesh from bones with spoon (use to make salmon patties)

Flip over and repeat on other side