Discoveries

Every bottle of regular soda we had in the house was flat…only the non sugar kind had any fizz.  The pantry was cleaned out.

After X amount of time pancake syrup grows mold on the top even if it is stored in the fridge. Cleaning out the fridge is now on my list of things to do.  One nasty discovery may lead to another and expiration dates will be checked.

The walk to the mailbox is getting slick.  Especially the gradual decline to the actual mailbox…I discovered that the newly fallen snow at the edge of the road made a soft spot to land.  Chance came over to see what was the matter and Far Guy wanted me to get up right away…well I needed just a moment to figure out if anything important was broken.  Nothing was… but I am a tad stiff and sore.

Chance likes the black sunflower seeds and if left to his own devices will stand under the bird feeder and eat them…probably another source of his recent bout with pancretitis.  He cannot be trusted alone outside. He knows he is not supposed to eat them…but apparently he has forgotten in his old age.

Oh Poop

I am a bit paranoid about the deer ticks, I hate them and the diseases that they carry. We put Frontline on Chance. I am always relieved when the ticks go into hibernation, and we can give Chance a rest from the Frontline and the chemicals it contains. Both Far Guy and I are continually searching Chance for ticks. If we find one, Chance must inspect it..he smells of it and then shakes his head..and drools.

The other day, I noticed something strange in the dogs poop. YES, I check his poop from time to time. He has a very sensitive stomach and gets diarrhea from cheese and milk. Far Guy sneaks him some milk sometimes..and I do not want things to get out of hand. Nothing worse than a dog with diarrhea that is pooping like a goose. Chance is also on a Lamb and Rice based food, if we give him regular Science Diet he will have lots of mucus in his poop. Loss of mucus in his digestive track will turn into diarrhea really fast. Anyway back to the other day..no diarrhea and no mucus..but Holy Cats something was definitely wrong. My first thought was that the deer ticks had attacked the poop in the yard..I should have taken a photo and I was tempted..but I will spare you that ..instead I will describe it the best that I can.

The log that was nestled in the grass was a dark brown color, that color was accentuated with tiny ovaly/round light beige thingys that looked like ticks filled with blood..many of them. Sticking out in all directions.. right side up and upside down. I had to find a stick..yup lots of those little buggers..but what in the world were they? Prodding at them with a stick confirmed that they were not ticks..thank you, thank you. But what were they? I had a really good idea.. seeds from grapes.

Today I dissected some of the seeds from a few of Far Guys grapes.

 Yup..diagnosis confirmed..Chance likes fermenting, half frozen grapes..I told Far Guy..he said "Do you suppose he is getting a little tipsy on those grapes?" I do not know, but all the grapes are gone as far up as Chance can reach. The bunnies may have helped him some..and maybe the birds..but he has been just a snacking on those grapes..seeds and all. I suppose after it snows and the snow falls off of the roof..he will stand on the snowbank and reach the next level of grapes.  In the deepest recesses of my mind..something about this whole situation was bothering me.   Something raised a red flag..but what in the world was it?  I read once where grapes are not good for dogs, so I researched it..and grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs..so I guess Far Guy will have to pick some grapes today:)