October 14, 2011

White Dog threw herself upside down into my arms and looked up pathetically. Her nose was runny and I could hear a bit of gurgly congestion as she breathed. "Poor baby," I cooed wrapping her in the blankets with me. "You don't feel well do you?" She grunted a sad little sound and snuggled against me. As we cuddled together in the quiet early morning I heard Nuka in the other room coughing in her sleep. A bit later, I felt YoYoMa's hot breath on my back. Steve leaned over me to greet him and said, "uh-oh, we have another one!" YAWD also had a runny snooter and he sighed as Steve pet him.

"OK White Dog Army, today is a sickie day." I decided. "Everyone gets extra vitamins, must drink LOTS of water, and is going to nap as much as possible." Quinn and Steve were assigned the task of making a healing pot of chicken and rice soup with lots of good veggies and just a touch of vitamin C rich red chiles. This, we would all share for dinner.

As we untangled and moved toward starting the day, Puff joined us. She has been lethargic for a couple of days but has showed no symptoms of a cold. White Dog and AWD have been a bit snipey toward her and she has been keeping to herself. At her entry, YoYoMa pushed his way through the group to grab the Littlest One in a not very romantic maneuver to have his way. She snarled and sat down. At 14 and permanently lung damaged from heartworms, our vet has recommended not spaying her.

Steve and I both quickly counted on our fingers since Yo's arrival (and Puff's last heat)..."OH NO!" we cried in unison.