Open Thread - Thurs 30 May 2024 - Joy and Sorrow
Joy and Sorrow
Joy - Meet Nikko!
It's been a busy week, full of really good stuff, and really sad stuff. Last Saturday we drove a few hours down south and picked up our new puppy. Yes, we have a new puppy, one that was born in late March. Just couldn't be without a dog! So I found a Finnish Spitz breeder that was recommended by Jaska's breeder (now retired) and got on the list for a newly born puppy. Hubby drove us home, I held the new puppy the whole way. We both, puppy and I, loved it, stopped for a couple of potty walks, took the back way home (way less traffic) and played, nuzzled, cuddled, chewed, and slept the whole way (after he quickly got over his anxiety about leaving his former pack).
His first day home. Yes, that's a sock he has!
By the time we got home, I'd decided on his name, picking the one he responded to best. He is Nikko (Nee-ko) which is the Finnish version of Nico. And yes, he's a Finnish Spitz, like Jaska was.
We got him home early in the afternoon on Saturday, and it's been non-stop work and joy since then. Nikko is very intelligent (so was Jaska) and is showing it. He's taught himself, and mind, he's just a day over 9 weeks old, to run up and down the house stairs and to climb the set of plush covered foam stairs and the ramp I got for Jaska to get to the top of our bed. He gets up on the bed and then plays with us non-stop. He naps there with me during the day, and asked to do that, and hasn't messed the bed once (yet 
). He's training us to understand when he needs to go out (so often I'm walking outside about 2-3 hours a day, and loving it). He already comes to his name 80-90% of the time. I know, I'm amazed at that. He knows 'Good Boy'. He responds properly to the 'Come' command about 75% of the time, and he'll often sit quietly to get his reward. He's learning not to bite when playing, but that'll be a slow process until he fully understands it, I know.
Home for 4 days (taken yesterday). He's already starting to own the farm, like Jaska did!
We went to the vet yesterday for the first time. He is very healthy, and the nurses and vet were impressed by how friendly and intelligent he is. He is also, as they noted, bonded very strongly to me, which is unusual in a puppy that young. But, I think that was because of the ride home in my arms. Jaska and Reyna were the same.
He and his puppy siblings were given a litter box, in a play pen type area, to go to the bathroom. He learned to use that about 60-70% of the time. BUT, translating that into actual house training is interesting. He actually holds his poo until we come in from a walk! We'll all learn with time. So, life is suddenly a real joy. The arrival of this wonderful little puppy to our farm family is a true blessing.
The Sad:
Today we - my Mom, husband, puppy and autistic sister, are taking my Father to a dementia care home. He's in very late stage dementia and my Mom can't care for him anymore. He's going to be 89 in a week. So, that's hard and sad. He'll never really go home again, and I think his upcoming death is pretty close; maybe a year at most. I look at Nikko and see all the potential of a lovely long life (for a dog) and I look at my Dad and see all the sadness of a lovely long life that is almost over. It's hard.
Thanks for reading and here's the open thread, along with a puppy lick and cuddle - remember, everything is interesting if you dive deep enough, so tell us about where you're diving!
Comments
It's Thursday!!!
Boy, am I tired. Hubby too! Kinda forgot how much work a new puppy is, we can't get a full night's sleep yet, but Nikko can be in the crate 4 to 5 hours without messing! Still, we wouldn't trade this for anything right now.
I hope everyone is doing well. I know things have been nuts in some areas, tornadoes, floods, extreme heat... bleh. And politics are even more sucky than usual sucky! Still, I hope we are all doing good. Post whatever you are doing, learning, reading, whatever!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Happy new puppy
.
.
A few pieces of pie in the face for the US MIC:
- brand new F-35 blows-up taking off from the production line in Ft. Worth, TX - $300M
- the newly completed Gaza pier is being scrapped - $300M oops
- Houthis took down another Reaper Drone - $120M
Another bad day for the Pentagon accountants ..
https://simplicius76.substack.com/p/sitrep-52924-nato-ramps-up-figleaf?u...
Thanks for the OT.
Condolences for your father.
truth is considered foreign influence, world peace is a threat to national security
Dang, hope the pilot
of the plane is ok. And dang, what a waste of money, but the whole F35 thing is a waste.
The Gaza pier thing is... I can't find the words to express how unsurprised, not shocked, and pissed off I am.
All of this just makes me go, 'eh' in a way, because my true reaction, well, it would be off the charts anger and disgust.
And I need to know this information, this news, because it sure ain't talked about much elsewhere, so thank you!
Have a great Friday and weekend!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Life and death intrinsically linked
...in the circle of life. Beginnings and ends.
Great news about your puppy...can tell you are delighted. As to your Dad, at least there is some relief for your Mom. I can't recommend Dr Dale Bredesen's work on cognitive decline enough...Using diet and life style to REVERSE dementia.
Enjoy your puppy and comfort your Mom!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Interesting stuff about dementia...
Thanks for posting it. I think my Dad's dementia is more related to old age than to Alzheimer's. I don't know exactly, but that's what his doctors have said. It's very sad, Dad was a very smart man, not any more, at least not in a way that shows. Mom worked very hard on diet with/for him, and other things. He spent a lot of his life doing physical things for fun, like biking, hiking, horseback riding, sailing... *sigh* all in the past now.
Oh well, I have a puppy to enjoy! Have a great Friday and a great weekend!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Good morning, sima, et al!
Great about the puppy! Sad about your Dad.
I agree with Lookout that there are protocols to reverse dementia. They are out there.
Best of luck taking care of your Mom and raising the pooch.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Raising the pooch is gonna be fun!
But tiring! Can barely keep my eyes open.
Next step with my Mom and sister is, after she's recovered from the total tiredness and stress of caring for my dad, finding them a new home. Ohh boy.
Anyway, hope your Friday and weekend rock!!!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Oh my….
.
What a handsome boy Nikko is. I’m glad that he’s there to help you with your grief. Dawgs are good at that.
Sam too learned to go up and down the stairs her first day home as well as use the dawg door. I thought she was extra smart. I think every puppy comes with a piece of the soul of the previous ones that touched my heart.
Wait for it and you will see a Sam dawg's reaction to playing ball.
“When out of fear you twist the lesser evil into the lie that it is something good, you eventually rob people of the capacity to distinguish between good and evil.”
~ Hannah Arendt
Heh, I think that's gonna be Nikko's reaction too!
Right now he runs after things we throw but... quickly gets bored. Jaska brought back balls once, and then when we threw them again, said, 'Are you kidding me?' and walked away. I think Nikko will do that too. Like Sam!
Nikko took a nap today, sleeping on my pillow with his head resting against mine. It was great to have that happen after such a stressful day. Dogs know, even if they are only 9 weeks old!
Have a great weekend, and thanks for stopping by. I was hoping to hear a bit about you and Sam, thank you!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Sorry to hear
...about your father's condition, Sima. So glad your new dog is a source of joy!
My dog smokey is getting some surgery on Monday. He hasn't been well lately. That makes two of us. I'm recovered from my "routine" surgery physically, but not mentally.
Smokey doesn't like the vet's place. The fact is since the storm he can't bear to be left anywhere without us. He'll have to be carried inside. We have to leave him there for the day. When I went to the OR recently, we were allowed to bring him with us, so Ms. So could sign in as driver in the waiting room, and then wait out front with him. I was amazed the hospital medical staff showed that kind of flexibility. He isn't even a guide dog.
Wish you and your family all the best, Sima.
語必忠信 行必正直
I'm glad you were able to have your pup...
wait for you in OR. It's interesting, the places I'm having to go to help with my Dad are all very welcoming for dogs. As long as the dog has the basic vaccinations, it's allowed in. Dad's new care home, loves dogs, and I was surprised when a couple of the nurses and such came out to the car to meet Nikko. I'd told them I'd be bringing him into the home after he had his complete vaccinations, and they were delighted to meet him.
Hope Smokey's surgery is ok. Jaska hated storms after one really bad windstorm knocked a tree down on our house and set our oven on fire (lightning). I got Jaska to accept going to the vet's by taking her every couple months to get her nails done. It was a process, long and slow.
Anyway, I hope for the best recovery for both of you, mental as well as physical. It's hard, after surgery. Hard.
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Nikko's pink ears
just kill me with their cuteness.
Man...
I do want to say more about the dementia issue. My Mom was considered demented, but it was was from damage, not the usual old age stuff.
Still, my brother took early retirement from his state job, moved in with my parents, cared for her 24-7 for 7 years until her death. He can irritate the shit out of me, and does often, but I hand it to him for that day when the home health nurses all came to the house, gave him flowers and hugs and handshakes, said he bested them all.
If there is no family member willing and able to do that, assisted living is way safer for everyone.
I have had 2 neighbors who thought they could care for their husbands. Both of them were injured by their respective husbands. Neither men were your Dad's age, but they were within 5-10 years of it.
Your Mom will have to adjust to not being a nurse. She will be lonely.
She will be safe.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Wow, kudos to your brother...
I've got a lot of admiration for people who can do what your brother did. I can't do that kind of work. I can take care of animals like that, but not humans. Not sure why.
Mom just had to give up caring for Dad. He was getting irritable, but not bad, yet. Getting up every 2.5 hours to change his diapers, clean his bed, then dressing him, feeding him, escorting him everywhere, terror when he fell (and he falls a lot now), terror if he gets angry, all of that just got to be too much. But the worst was/is the lack of sleep for an almost 83 year old from having to attend to him so often through the night.
So yea, him going into a home is the best thing. And it's a good home, with good caregivers. Lots of people I know recommend it after having relatives there. Mom seemed ok with it tonight, last night there were lots of tears. It will come and go.
Nikko is asleep at my feet, waiting for us to go to bed. He's crate trained, but he loves sleeping on the bed with me. I think that will become tradition after he's house trained in a few months
And dang, is he cute!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Hi Sima
What a contrast of emotions you must be feeling at this time. I'm sure your strength will see you through. I wish the best for all your family during this painful and sad time of transition. What a blessing Nikko must be.