May 31, 2005
Sick dogs and comfort knitting
Our long weekend was spent shuttling Diego to and from the vet. (Which meant car services, and one driver--whose dispatcher had been told we had a dog with us--who saw the tiny dog and refused to take us and thus left us standing in the street with a dog with a high fever who needed to go to the vet... Stupid man.)
I won't get into all the details, but the little hound had been, well...not himself for a few days. The first appointment was on Friday. On Saturday he was admitted and kept overnight. We got him back on Sunday and he has to go back for more tests all day Thursday. We're hoping it's nothing more than what the antibiotics he's now on can take care of. We'll know for sure after Thursday's tests. I hope.
We love our dogs. They will always get whatever care they need, and we're fortunate to have access to a good vet and to have the means to care for our dogs. However...let's just say that before this weekend we were planning to replace a few of our old drafty windows and that will no longer be happening this year.
Oh yes, there WILL be a yarn diet for sure now.
With all the waiting around on Saturday for test results and sitting around with an ailing hound on Sunday and Monday, there wasn't any out-of-house frolicking done. Nor was there any work done on my current freelance project or on the book. My mind was too focused on that little furry kid. So what was left? Knitting, of course.
I worked on the baby blanket until the sheer boredom overwhelmed me, and then I switched to lace. Ah, lace. You have to concentrate on it enough that the things you're worrying about don't have room to creep into the foreground.
Last week I had cast on for Kiri (pdf pattern link in the sidebar) using Fiesta Yarns Heaven. About thirty rows in on Friday night, I decided to frog it. The mohair was just too hairy and it totally overwhelmed the delicate pattern. No sense in working that hard on something I wasn't going to be happy with. I'm going to wait until I'm buying yarn again and then just get the Kidsilk Haze the pattern calls for.
Looking through the stash and patterns to decide on another lace project, I found a kit I'd bought well over a year ago. It's for the Leaf Lace Shawl, by Fiber Trends. It's almost identical to Kiri. The yarn in the kit is Gems Opal Merino sportweight. Nice smooth merino and a heavy gauge make for a very quick knit. I figured it would be the perfect project to warm my fingers up for all the lace ahead of me this summer. The next project will be laceweight. For now, I'm really enjoying how quickly the sportweight works up. Here's the progress so far. Of course, it isn't much to see until it's blocked, but you can get the basic idea:
Think good healthy hound thoughts for our little Diego, please!
Posted by cari at May 31, 2005 12:06 PMOh, Bear sends enormous kisses to Diego. Give him a hug for me : )
Posted by: Andrea M.Good thoughts to Diego from NH. Please keep us posted.
Posted by: BonneyGood Doggie Vibes coming your way!
Posted by: ChristieOhhhh, poor Diego! I hope they find that it's something minor (fingers crossed).
Posted by: chrisOh, poor Diego!! Crossing fingers that he's feeling better in no time.
Posted by: jackieGive Diego a hug for me!
Posted by: NadiaMy best health wishes for Diego, and his mommy and daddy.
Posted by: NormaI hope Diego is feeling better soon.
The shawl looks very pretty. It's on my "To Knit" list.
Poor poor Diego! Let us know how he is doing & my family will keep our fingers and paws crossed for him!
Posted by: stephanieI'm sending healthy vibes to Diego!
Posted by: monicaPoor Diego. Sending good doggie vibes and puppy hugs your way...hope all is better soon. I'm betting our vets will be able to take an African safari off of us this year...but I'd spend it all over again to keep them healthy...
Posted by: teresahugs for diego...it's so hard when your fuzzy babies aren't well. get better soon!
Posted by: AmyI hope Diego gets well soon!
Posted by: AndreaAll good thoughts from my own fuzzy creatures, Gracie and Teddy, to Diego!
Posted by: AmyI'm keeping everything crossed that sweet Diego feels better soon. Thinking of you all! xxx
Posted by: reginaMy best wishes for a VERY healthy hound.
Posted by: claudiaMy Kobie and Dorey send their puppy hugs and best wishes to Diego (and to you!)
Oh I hope little Diego is okay. Sending good thoughts your way!
Love the progress on the leaf Lace Shawl...beautful!
Posted by: Lee AnneOh, poor Diego. I sure hope that your little guy will be better soon.
Posted by: KarmaSending healing thoughts for Diego. My heart just clutched reading your story. Being a country bumkin, it had never occurred to me what city dwellers would go through when needing to rush their pet to the vet. Hoping all is well very soon.
Posted by: BlissOh, I hear you on the car services...when Fred had his problem I think I spent $100 on cars alone.
"Good healthy hound! Good healthy hound!"
Posted by: CassieI hope that everything will be ok with Diego. My hound, Em-Em, is sending positve healthy thoughts to your little hound.
Posted by: eyeleenBest wishes to your Diego! I hope everything is okay. My girl had her 3rd bladder stone surgery in 2 years last month, and I know what you mean about doing whatever you can regardless of the cost. The cost of treatment usually never enters my mind until I have my pup safely home. Elly and Parker, the Cairn Terrors, send their lovies and order you to give Diego more belly rubs.
Posted by: StacyBest wishes, Diego! We hope you're feeling better soon!
Ella, Sarah and even the cats, Buddy and Monk
Good luck to Diego, and both of you. Poor puppy-they're like babies, can't tell you where it hurts.
Posted by: JanetPoor Diego! Get better soon pup. That pattern does look eerily like Kiri. I love the color and the weight of it though.
Posted by: VickiAll the best thoughts for Diego, and for you two -- I hope everything is OK and he's up and about soon. xo
Posted by: alisonWishing Diego a speedy recovery and a nice large bosom in which to snuggle (yes I'm familiar with the male Italian greyhound).
Posted by: SilviaWarm thoughts of treats, snugs and a quick recovery for your puppy!
Posted by: MegOh, my boy! (the only boy dog that I love, you know) I send kisses and good thoughts. Keep us posted, please. xo
Posted by: RachaelI hope Diego gets well soon!
Posted by: LeanneOh poor puppies ~ I too spent HUGE amounts of money and time at the vet's this past weekend. My Brody has been throwing up after meals for quite awhile and the vet decided it was time for more tests. $900.00+ later he has meds and special food. But no more throwing up. I can only say I am super glad I have pet insurance. I get about 80% of the fees back. I hope your puppy feels better soon, I hate when mine are sick, it makes me sad, and then the thought of them at the vet's all night, alone and in a cage is more then I can stand. Good luck my knitting friend!!
Posted by: BetsyDear Diego. I'm sorry you're feeling sick. I hope your Mom takes as good care of you as mine does when I don't feel good. (When I wrenched my back last year, she sat next to me on the couch holding a heating pad on my back ALL day.) Make sure your Mom knows that extra treats help the healing process! Feel better. Chappy.
Posted by: ChappyYoda is sending good doggie health vibes to Diego. I hope he feels better soon!
Posted by: AmandaI hope Diego is feeling better soon!
I'm totally jealous of how far along you've come on the shawl! I started and re-started mine several times on Sunday/Monday. I'm up to about row 17 at the moment. This is my first serious lace shawl and I think it might be in over my head, lol. I'll enjoy seeing pictures of yours, at least I'll know what mine is supposed to look like!
So sorry for your puppy, I know how hard and traumatic that can be. It's good they have such good parents. Hope everything is better with him soon.
Love, love, love the lace.
Posted by: RebekahMarcel and I send all of our love and best healing thoughts to little Dieg-ito!!!
Diego, we kiss your nose a thousand times to make you better!
p.s. the leaf lace is beautiful!
Posted by: AmyWe're thinking the good thoughts for your pupster!
Posted by: LeAnneAw, poor Diego! Pepper and I both send healing doggie vibes your way. (Also, that shawl looks gorgeous!)
Posted by: MeganSending lots of hugs to Diego. I have sighthounds too (Pharaoh Hounds).
Theresa
I am praying for the best. I have a little dachshund that is my baby, and he got sick last year. Turned out that when I let him out to potty, he somehow found some bones and ingested them. I have no idea how he would have the time during a potty break, we watch him like a hawk. He almost had to have surgery, but got better,and I just know Diego will also. Please keep us posted.
Posted by: LauraOh, Cari, I'm so sorry that Diego hasn't been feeling well.
My dog, Bentley, has been in doggy heaven for two years now but I still remember how awful it was when he was sick. I wish dogs could talk. It makes you feel so helpless! Thank goodness for caring and kind veterinarians.
Please, please, give your little pooch a big smooch on the head from me. I hope he feels better soon!
Posted by: Stephanie VWWhat color of Kidsilk Haze would you want, if you were to get it? We have some at the shop where I work and I get yarn for cost...{hint, hint}
Posted by: JonHugs for poor Diego! My rescue dog (a mad as a hatter Springer Spaniel/ Border Collie cross) had something similar last year and was very poorly for a while but he pulled through ok and I am sure that Diego will too. I know you like orange but how do you feel about black/cherry varigated lace weight? I may have some to spare that I could send you if you are stuck for yarn ( I know how expensive vets can be but the dogs are worth it!)
Posted by: JanineOh, there is nothing worse than having to sit and worry about sick four-legged children. Marley and I send our high hopes and best wishes that all the tests come back with good news and Diego will feel better soon. Take care.
Posted by: ShelleyFingers crossed for poor little Diego. Hounds look soooo sad when they're poorly. Our three daxies send their best wishes for a speedy recovery, as do DH and myself.
Posted by: ChristineFingers crossed for poor little Diego. Hounds look soooo sad when they're poorly. Our three daxies send their best wishes for a speedy recovery, as do DH and myself.
Posted by: ChristineAll good wishes for Kid Diego, and for his parents as well...I know it's tough going through uncertainty about your beloved fuzzy thing's health. Your response to powerlessness looks gorgeous, though...those leaves are beautiful!
Hang in there!
Posted by: Lee AnnHow is Diego feeling today? Poor guy...and a pox on that ratted driver for leaving you and the sick fur baby standing there! Curse him and his car!
Posted by: Ari