Same story, different day :)

The Zoo Crew is getting cabin fever!  So is the Zoo Master.  (myself)  The other Zoo Master is so tired and sleeping almost all the time.  We are trying to keep quiet and let him rest up to get better. 

Wes looks better today.  He went back into the doctor and had more x-rays done.  Things are starting to clear up.  His fever remains, so the doctor put him on doxycycline. 

Wes has been getting a butterfly rash on his face for several years.  It was worse when we lived at Fairchild because Wes worked on the flightline and was in the sun a lot.  It comes and goes.  The doctors have always told him to come in when he has it, but it's usually gone the next day or he'll have it a day when he can't get into the doctor.  He had it this morning and they noticed it without him pointing it out.  Of course, this was of great concern to them.  Autoimmune diseases run in Wes' family.  His aunt is burdened with all kinds of autoimmune health problems.  A butterfly rash is common in lupus. 

The doctor drew an ANA blood test (Antinuclear Antibody Test) on Wes to check for autoimmune diseases.  Wes has developed a splotchy red rash all over his chest, abdomen, and arms.  He had this same rash about a week ago.  He was bitten by two ticks while we were in Alabama, so the doctor also drew blood to check for Lyme Disease.  Because Wes has had so many x-rays done this week, they held off on the CT of his chest today.  His doctor wanted to review his x-rays with the radiologist anyway.  The nodule on his lung is not the biggest concern at the moment.  Certain autoimmune diseases can cause nodules on the lungs, so that could be an answer to that anyway.  (not that it wouldn't be further investigated.)

Wes is so tired.  He came home and went straight to bed.  He has been sleeping all afternoon.  It has been like this for him for quite some time.  His fatigue is horrible.  Another symptom that has started to plague him in the last couple of days is pain and stiffness in his hands.  He has been having a hard time opening bags and things.  His hands are just too sore.

On a happier note, here are some pictures to make you laugh.




Trying to read what my mom writes about me on Blogger.





Blogger...I don't get it...it would make more sense if it were Dogger.

What do you mean I am spoiled?

Playing with all these toys is exhausting.

Topher is such a sweet boy.  He doesn't want Sweet Pea to feel left out.

Life is rough!

Why do I need a babysitter?  Why does Topher follow me everywhere? Puppies are supposed to get in trouble!

I don't want to babysit.  I did not sign up for this.

We are getting tired of laying around here all day.  Hurry up and get better, Dad!  We want to go do things!  The rain needs to stop!

Wes is tired of feeling bad too.

Since the weather has been nicer today, I have played with the dogs outside some.  They like to lay under the bay window and Bella is guilty of digging holes.  It is just dirt under there.  It is built up with kind of a drainage trench to keep water from being up next to the house.  I think I may hire someone to come put rock under there so it's not just dirt.  Although it stays dry up next to the house, when it's been raining like it has, all the dirt sticks to the dogs and they get really messy.  Rock would solve that problem.  I don't want Wes to have to worry about it.  With his injured back and now all of this, hauling rock is the last thing he needs to be doing.

If it doesn't rain tomorrow, I think I will get back to training dogs.  I need to get back to it.  This week has been a whirlwind of events and dogs have not been my focus.  Dogs should not be my focus when my husband is sick.  We have been working some, but not on new stuff.  We've just been working on stuff they already know.  I am kind of teaching wait to the puppies.  I need to do it on a leash and teach them the right way.  My plan is to spend an hour a day on each dog.  As long as it's not raining, I will take each dog for a walk around the block by themselves.  I need to get them away from each other so that they don't form such a bond that they won't work alone.  After walking, I will spend quite a bit of time training in the driveway with each one individually.  I am working on some new commands with Topher.  I was working on bow, but then life happened and I put it off for a while.  Bow has been a tough one to teach.  It's hard to keep him from going into a full down.  He has gotten it a couple of times, but I really need to take time to focus on the task on leash and away from other dogs.  Once we conquer bow, I want to move on to wave.  These are great commands for leaving a patient's room.  Sometimes patients want to talk and talk, but we do have to move on at some point.  I am still working on basic commands with the puppies.  They are smart.  I have been teaching beg (sitting pretty) to Shiloh as well.  She is really good at it.  Again, I have just been doing it here and there for fun, not on leash or being strict about it.  I need to get my butt in gear with training.  It's a stress reliever for me. 

I am looking forward to Wes feeling better.  He really enjoys training dogs too.  I hate doing all of this without him.  I know he will get better soon.  We will get back to training and volunteering in no time.  Right now, Wes just needs to rest up and get well.