Friday, July 2, 2010

Yesterday, Benny had his consultation for his soft palate issues at the the specialist. The consultation went very well. So well, actually, that Benjamin had the surgery yesterday.
The surgery wasn't planned, but there was an open slot on the surgery schedule and after the consultation wrapped up the surgeon said it would be no problem for Benny to have the operation that day. It went against all of my instincts to have Benny's surgery yesterday. It was unexpected. Well, it was sorta expected because I knew he would be having it, I just wasn't planning on it being so soon. I didn't feel prepared. But, then I thought to myself, what exactly do I have to prepare for. It's not like I am doing the surgery. As odd as it sounds, since I didn't have a night or two to worry about the upcoming surgery, I didn't feel ready.
I managed to get a hold of myself and realize how ridiculous my thoughts were and I gave the go ahead to put Benny on the schedule. After all, we were there and Benny had already skipped breakfast for his requested consultation fast. If we scheduled the surgery on a different day, Benny would need to fast again and I know how much he hates to miss a meal. Plus, with the holiday weekend, we would be off on Monday and be able to tend to Baby Benny while he recovers.
So we left Benjamin yesterday morning to have what they called his Brachycephalic Surgery. The surgery includes soft palate resection, a rhinoplasty (widening of the nasal passages), and if needed laryngeal sacculectomy. It turns out that Benny needed the laryngeal sacculectomy but not the rhinoplasty. During the surgery they determined that Benny's nasal passages were not too constricted and they would only be able to improve them a minimal amount. So they opted not to do the additional procedure.
When we spoke to the surgeon after the operation, he told us that Benny's soft palate was "definietely elongated" and his saccules where very much in the way. Shortening and removing these items should help Benny tremendously.
Benny had to stay at the vet's office last night, but we get to pick him up today at 10:45 AM. I will be so happy to get the little guy back home. He was bouncing off the walls of the exam room with nervous energy when we left him yesterday, so I am pretty sure he will be happy to get back home and relax with his brother and sister. Benny is all about sticking to his routine and yesterday was no where near ordinary for him.
I hope everyone enjoys the holiday weekend. I am looking forward to a nice quiet weekend with the pugs. Happy 4th of July!
Thursday, July 1, 2010

For the last week, we have been telling Benny that today is his "Special" day. But, I am pretty sure that the type of "special" that today holds isn't quite the "special" that Benny has in mind.
This morning we are off to see the Specialist about Benny's soft palate surgery. Being all healed up from the surgery to remove his mast cell tumor, we wanted to get in to see the specialist to hopefully rid him of his cough. He still has been waking himself up with a little cough pretty regularly.
Hopefully, the consultation will go well and we will be able to schedule Baby Benny's surgery. Then, fingers crossed for another quick recovery and that Benny will be breathing a lot better after the operation.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
In an effort to make commenting a bit easier, I removed the CAPTCHA (the word you had to type) from the comment form. The main purpose of the CAPTCHA was to cut down on the amount of comment spam. I am trying a different approach that should also reduce comment spam and also make commenting a bit easier for all those commenting for the right reasons. I will still be moderating the comments, so there could be a small delay before your comment appears on the website. If the new spam filter works well, I may remove the moderation process, but, for now I am going to keep moderation in place while we test things out.
If you have any problems adding any comments send me an email (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) and I will help you out.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010

With the summer heat the pugs have been spending a lot of time in the house. And that means the boys have practically become permanent fixtures on the sofa.
Always aiming to please, I think I have come up with a pillow configuration that the boys enjoy. By laying the pillows on their sides and piling them up, it puts the boys a tad higher than the arm of the sofa and gives them a little bit better view out the front door. The configuration was inspired by our makeshift winter games Olympic podium.
How do I know the pugs like the new pillow configuration? Well, Benny has yet to throw the pillows on the floor, so I am taking that as a sign of contentment with the arrangement.

Why isn't Luna on the couch with the boys? Because Luna is all about the puff pillow.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Looking forward to your caption in the comments.
A big thank you to Huckle for sending the package to the pugs.
Monday, June 28, 2010

One workday last week, I broke for lunch at my usual time and I took the pugs out to the yard to go potty as I usually do. It was a hot day and the pugs weren't too interested in doing much so they took the opportunity to sprawl out in the grass and catch some rays from the sun. I was quite hungry, so I told the pugs to enjoy the sun and I went back in the house to start preparing lunch. I knew the pugs would come in the house in a few minutes after they got hot. Plus, the pugs never miss the opportunity to beg for a few table scraps.
As I was toasting my bread, I peaked out the window and saw the pugs were right were I left them. I finished making my lunch and just as I sat down at the table to eat, I heard the doggie door flap open and in came Benjamin and Henry. About 2 minutes later, I heard the door flap again and I knew that Luna was making her way in from the yard. But before I saw here, I smelled her. The yummy smell of my lunch was suddenly overrun by the smell of poop.
As Luna sauntered over to me, I could see that her front shoulder was covered in poop. And even though, I didn't see how Luna came to be covered in poop, I knew exactly how it happened.
You know how Luna sometimes smells a smell that she feels the need to mark by rolling all over it? Well, I'm guessing she found one of those smells in the yard, but it must have been located next to poop. At least, that is what I think. I would hope the girl would not be silly enough to just roll in poop.
Having no other choice, I picked my lunch up off the table and carried Luna off for an impromptu bath in the set tub. We had quite a bit of fun getting her cleaned up and after about a good half hour of scrubbing and rinsing little Looney was smelling more like her usual self.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Since everyone seemed to enjoy the photos and videos from swim camp, I thought I would post a few of the pictures that didn't make it into the posts earlier in the week.
Have a great weekend!
Henry



Benjamin



Luna


