You're Gonna Do What?

Tom here. Mom took me to the vet today. Some of you may not know that I was diagnosed 3 years ago with kidney disease. Since then I have to have this HUGE needle stuck in me and they take away my blood every three months. Yeah, no fun. I was about a month over due anyway. I really haven't been hungry lately, and think I have lost a few pounds. Mom keeps telling me my teeth are bad. Maybe that's why I am not eating much these days.

Anyway, she gets the leash out and I am super excited! Then, like always, I get in the van the shakes come over me. I mean, I like to go, but I just get so nervous. But I always get the sympathy at the vet 'cause my nails click on the tile. You know they feel sorry for me and toss a cookie my way. Man, the things you do for a treat!

So, I heard them say that after they get the results back from the blood they stole from me, I might be getting a dental! WHAT??? Then I heard them say something about while I was out, they would take care of a few other things. I like my bumps, why do they need them?

So we finally get out of there...man they were putting things in the out door, if you know what I mean. I come home to my yard and there's mom following me. Sheesh, they were doing that at the vet. Can't a guy take a leak in peace? I mean, they got my blood, why do they need my pee? Well, I guess we will find out next week what fun I get to have next!

Where Does The Time Go?

It is so hard to believe that 6 months have already passed since that dreadful day.

Jax is Home...Finally

My friends, Jax is home with his family in Honolulu. Finally. I really honestly thought I would never be making this post. He came to stay with us in August and was supposed to be with his family by Christmas. So he made it, just almost 4 months late!

I must say, if anyone is flying a pet anywhere, I would highly recommend Continental Airlines. They have been so helpful during this whole process. The man at the Quikpak cargo desk at Chicago was so nice. He helped me get the kennel out of the van and into the terminal. He was so nice when I was standing there blubbering like a fool too. Gave me his direct number to his desk so I could call and make sure the plane got off. He told me he would keep Jax with him in the office until the last possible minute. When I did call back, he gave me all the details about how he behaved in his kennel while he was there with him. Reassured me that they do this everyday and that he was in good hands. Super, super nice guy. Also told me that the other airlines that I got quotes from (like $2,000) would turn around and fly him with them anyway. I was able to track him. See what time he was put on the plane, what time he got to the next stop, when he went on the next plane. Also, when he got to Honolulu, they told me when he went to animal quarantine. The only thing that would have been better,was streaming live video!

So after all of you who have followed this story, thanks for your support.

One Step Closer...

to Hawaii that is! Just got back from the vet and Jax has his Certificate of Health! Let the countdown begin!

Aloha, Bon Voyage...

After many months, I never thought this day would come. Jax has a plane reservation on April 30th. I was going to try for this weekend, but with the holidays, I just wasn't comfortable putting him on a plane.

It is kind of bittersweet after everything that we have been through, but it is time for him to go. Actually it has been time for a while now. The rest of the family made it Honolulu and they have a house with a fenced in yard.

I have been a nervous wreck trying to make all the preparations for him to go. Being that he has to go in the giant kennel, not every plane can take that type of cargo. I will make the 5 1/2 hour drive to Chicago to get him on the plane though. He will leave Chicago at 9:00 a.m. on April 30th and arrive in Honolulu at 5:50 p.m. the same day. Because the Department of Agriculture is gone when his plane arrives, he will have to stay in the kennel at the airport. His family can pick him up first thing Sunday morning.

Now keep your paws crossed that we can get our Certificate of Health on Monday! Be thinking of me as I make the trek north and send him on his way!

Photo shoot

With the nice weather today, I took the opportunity to have my daughter take some photos of me with the pups. Tom on the left, Sadie in the middle, and foster dog Buddy on the right. Oh yeah, I'm the the 2-legged one!

My Splurge

Normally, I don't just blow money on frivolous things, but I couldn't resist. I have a Honda Odyssey van and I have played around with the thought of getting a personalized plate for a while now. Every year for the past 2 years when it comes time for plate renewal I see if this is available, and it has been. So this year, I decided this was my present to myself for working 2 jobs for the past 6 months. While I am working the same amount of hours now, it will be at one job. Plus no evenings or weekends, so more time for the hounds! I know it's kind of silly...