Stable. Stable. Stable. That's our mantra. Keep things even, no changes just for the sake of change, and routine, routine, routine. Mom is always telling Dad that dogs love routine, so Dad has taken it to heart. I don't seem to have gotten any worse over the past months , so I'm not going to argue. I just stare at Dad and make him think I'm bored. Hee! Stable. Stable. Stable. Ommmm! (I do down dog very well).

It's interesting that my last post was about sleep. I remember our family vet telling Mom that if I could talk I'd probably describe MVD as being tired all the time.

I've been trying to sleep all day, but it hasn't been very restful until this afternoon. I watched Mom & Dad clean the house while I was trying to sleep. They kept moving me, starting noisy machines, and kicking up a lot of dust. Oh well, at least now I have Mom asleep on the soft where I can trap her for a while.

Due to reader comments (you know who you are), I say the following: "I looooooooove ALL my neighbors!" There! Have you ever known me to slight you in the licking department?

I sleep through the night most nights, but sometimes I get restless and need to go out to pee. Luckily Mom's a relatively light sleeper and hears me, then she gets up and takes me out. This morning it was 2:30 and I had been out around 11PM. I wish I knew why I can make it some nights and not others. I like to sleep through, too, just like Mom or Dad. (PS. Dad takes me out every morning around 5:30 or so to let Mom sleep so please no comments about why doesn't Dad take me out when I get restless.)

I love to see NeighborJen! I wiggle my whole body when I see her and lick her hands (and face when I can!). And she's so nice about it, especially since she's allergic to me! She loves dogs, even my sisters (I know; she's not very discriminating), and has always wanted one but just can't live with them. She has to was her hands and face after petting me and sometimes even has to shower. Wow! But I loooooooovvvve her. Dad says I need a daily dose of Jen; she keeps me happy!

Dad was so frustrated yesterday. He had to throw out both Bella's and my meals after he had put most of the meds in them and start over. Everything was in the right bowls until the last dose of liquid med and then "Squirt!" One moment's inattention and he put my med in Bella's bowl. No way to separate any of the stuff already in the bowls.

Bella is getting antibiotics before her teeth get cleaned; she already has a heart murmur and we don't want any of the germs in her gums to work their way to her heart to make her murmur worse. The last thing this family needs is another heart case.

I've discovered I like grapefruit. Mom and Dad always thought it would be too tart for me but once I tasted it I liked it! The more fruit the better, I say.

A word about vaccinations: there is a school of thought out there that says Cavaliers with advanced MVD/CHD shouldn't get vaccine boosters. There is a chance of a reaction to the shot that could prove fatal or at least send me to the emergency room. I don't like the shots of course, but the county says I need a booster to renew my license. At least the county will accept a letter from Dr. Barrett exempting me.

Great news! Dr. Barrett saw me on Saturday and said my blood work and my kidney values are all excellent, and that after examining me and watching me for about 15 minutes while she talked with Mom and Dad, she's amazed at how well I'm doing considering how advanced my MVD is.

She also thinks Dad's idea about food coloring in the liquid meds to differentiate them is a great idea. Dad asked about treats with no sodium and she recommended unsalted matzo crackers. I love them so they're a great idea! Everything's great!

Dad saw on B and B Pharmacy's website that not only can they compound meds into liquids, they can make them into chewable treats or other edible forms, as well as a type of transdermal gel that can be applied behind the ear and absorbed through the skin. Per their web site:

Transdermal gels offer many advantages:
• Due to the excellent absorption of the drug, smaller amounts of drug can be given, which can greatly reduce the side effects your pet may experience.
• If your pet is on several medications, many drug interactions can be avoided when one or more of the medications are given through a gel.
• Numerous medications can easily be administered to pets who are nauseated or who may not be allowed to take anything by mouth.

It sounds very interesting but I'm not sure I want any gel getting on my nice long ears!

Dad had a problem tonight; he was adding my liquid meds and forgot which ones had already been added. He was able to figure it out, but it worried him that I might get too much or not enough of a med if he couldn't figure it out. One of the meds is bluish and the other two are white and he wondered if each med could be made a different color to help distinguish between them. He's going to ask the pharmacist the next time we need refills.

I think mom and dad will take me in to Dr. Barrett next week. My coughing picked up just ever so slightly. Of course they notice each and every little noise I make and flip out. Parents! Good Grief!

If anyone's interested here's my dietary regimen.

Breakfast (Dad makes)
2 and 1/2 medallions Prairie (Nature's Variety) Organic Raw Chicken or Chicken and Turkey
Scant 1/8 (or less) cup of Praire chicken kibble, just for a little crunch
200mg CoQ10
Fish oil
Plus all my AM meds

Snacks
Tangerines, bananas, apples, carrots, Newman's Own Organic Vegetable Treats, any other fruit Dad happens to be eating, and of course all the indian hawthorne berries I can sneak.
Plus my afternoon meds

Dinner (Mom makes)
2 and 1/2 medallions Prairie Organic Raw Chicken or Chicken and Turkey
Scant 1/8 (or less) cup of Praire chicken kibble , just for a little crunch
raw or slightly steamed vegetables (green beans or broccoli or spinach or whatever we have)
1 heaping tsp. yogurt
Plus my evening meds