sweet faces..

 felt guilty leaving them crated for a good chunk of the day today.  had skills lab. did give them extra play time and did a loop of Baxter Bog before crating them.  i'd debating splitting the skills lab and running home part way through. then i kept thinking i'm nearly done. being in Resource pool i have to attend a much longer skills lab day than many.  there are specific ICU and ER skills labs on the same day.  thankfully Peds hasn't gotten it together enough to do an abbreviated skills lab on the same day. it took me 5 hours.

 Blossom is still hit and miss on the dog door.  Ivy is all into it.  Tusker has made a first run through on his own, but hasn't really gotten the hang of it yet.

 they were running too fast for the black and whites but still fun.

 mostly i have my iphone with me with the pups so apologies for poorer quality shots.  just snap shots.  the puppies did a lot of running today after i got home.  i puppy proof and then they discover some other adventure to explore...i've no doubt this will happen for the next several months.

 skills.  we are still working on sit of course....everything is level one in the learning process.  have added down to their list.  today we were working on the loose come, at my place that turns out to be a "here puppy" sort of call.  it hadn't occurred to me before Blossom that it was helpful to have 2 "come" commands.  a more loose, dogs are in the yards and i'd like them inside vs the real "come" which is a non-negotiable command...come or you may get killed by a moose or run over by a car.  too often we ruin the real come command the dogs aren't consistent with it.

 so i would wait for them to get distracted by each other or some twig in the yard and then i'd call out for them....they were getting the hang of this.  i'd then have them sit and do a down at times. of course, we are also still learning "gentle" when it comes to taking treats.

 they are improving on walks.  goal has been to get them used to being on leash and collar, also to keep them from chewing leashes and/or each other.  they do get excited by everyone we meet so the fine art of walking on a leash is something again we will build on as the training continues.  it takes a great deal of effort to get a well trained/well behaved dog.  i think often people just look at Blossom and how good she is and they assume she is just naturally that way.

 it does help to have a dog with a favorable temperament for sure, but they all do need consistent training.

 also working slowly on settle.  where they go lay down in a spot and chill.  that is a new one, not always easy for puppies.  also wanting to focus more on them going into their crates rather than me putting them there. they are growing fast.  i won't be able to just haul them everywhere soon.

 tomorrow will be vaccine day.  i have an appointment already at my vets but i'm really feeling like i will make the last vaccine appointment at a new vets office.  Monday again i tried to call twice to find out if they needed me to pick up more ab's for Ivy.  no call back all day.  i had to call again this morning.  the front desk person apologized, which is a theme.  Ivy's last urine culture came back negative and all her labs were clear so we will just watch her closely and hope the infection doesn't return.

 several friends gave me recommendations for their favorite vets in town.  it may be that i end up testing out a few or i may get lucky and make an appointment and all goes well.  seems like the practice i've been going to is really just too busy to give the personalized service i guess.  i always seem to hit the firewall of their front desk.  do i want to be treated special...yes, i do.  i take good care of my pets and i spend some hard earned money at the vets.  i do expect to be treated like my business is valued.

 Ivy gets told by Pogi what proper cat/dog interactions should be.  love her face in this.  above visit with puppies by friend and her kids.  they may be doing the sibling puppy thing again some time this summer.  she made me feel better at work one night as she has had sibling pups and done just fine with it.

 always laughing at work, especially in the ER....if you come in and tell us you have allergies to tylenol, ibuprofen and tramadol.  we are on to you...you are probably drug seeking.  i loved one this last stretch. a non-narcotic anti-inflammatory had been rx'd and the patients family was all, "we can't have this, what is it, i've never heard of it.  he's allergic to it".  so first trying to convince me of some allergy to a drug they had never heard of and then when that wasn't working the tactic turned to how expensive the this unknown drug would be.

 people lie and manipulate.  tough to trust anyone some days after encountering this at work so often.  it can be frustrating, but it is also a bit entertaining how often people say these idiotic things and believe nobody is on to their game.

 Ivy keeping her distance from Pogi.

 i did the ER skills stuff last and i know i was getting cranky by then.  i don't want to overlap stuff . i'm on a need to know basis.  i work several different units so i do not expect to be an expert at all.  if i have a pacer issue, i'll be calling the charge for assist.  overall, i think i do pretty dang good taking care of a variety of patients.

 the web cam out a Round Island had a pretty exciting day. while i was at skills fair it looks like some whales came by.  fish and game said they were grey whales..it is the spring migration so that makes sense.  pretty cool!  the walrus were actually off island today out feeding.  rough seas yesterday.  actually some beautiful scenery yesterday.  i feel like i've been slacking off, the regulars are so good at answering questions for the newbies.  it's pretty cool actually.  i for sure lurk though.

 Ed has also been on there to answer questions so that's great.  i will try and post a few pics again of the island that isn't seen by the cams.  helps them have perspective.

 travel out to the island could be a bit cheaper this year if anyone is debating it. fuel costs are down so the boat ride out of Togiak looks like it could be more manageable financially.  the more friends you get the better.

 walked a bit of Potters with a friend.  made it to the lookout with the pups. they got sleepy there though so we rested a bit before heading back. beautiful scenery.  no complaints about chilling here a bit.

 Ivy framed by Blossom's fur.

 they are getting taller and heavier and Tusker is getting curls.  Ivy is getting little tufts of hair.  will be interesting to see how their coats turn out.

 they were so cute, nappy time.

 i try to wear them out every day. of course, wearing them out also means building up their strength and endurance.  haha.  it will be getting crazy. i will get my upper body work out as we train.

 did a gym/swim day yesterday.  felt too guilty after leaving them all day to do that again.  the puppy play pen area has been breached every time i've attempted it.  thankfully, potty training is going pretty great overall.  always a little slip up here and there, but crates have been mostly dry of late.

 loved that both pups snuggled up on me..Blossom was behind me resting as well.  she's been sore.  i need to get her in for a check up.  hate seeing her age. she's the best pup and i'd really like her to live a few decades.  i know that isn't possible but i want her to have a long and happy life!

 not a bad view!!

 the city is greening up. i love the color of all those baby leaves.  just an amazing green.

 my newspapers are stacking up.  haven't had time to keep up on the news too much.  the Presidential race is just embarrassing and depressing.

 the puppies are still on a day schedule. they seem to wake me about 6 am for a feed and potty run.  i am able to get back to bed again though after this for a bit of late so that helps.  better to just try and adapt a bit myself so i can get sleep.  eventually, they will adapt to my life more.  puppies eat extra meals.  i use their kibble as training treats to keep the fatty treat amounts down.  when i get bigger distractions i'll need more enticing treats though.

 back to work tomorrow night.

thankful for:  A.  getting the dang skills lab done for the year.  such a drag.  i try and remind myself that it's easy  money.  B. that i am not a drug addict.  what a drag of a life it would be.  C.  that these puppies are seeming to be fairly excited learners

work, pups, attempt to sleep

 these guys are growing so fast, don't want to miss out on too much anyway.  Ivy is for sure the leader of the pair.  Tusker is crying right now.  don't think he is liking being alone in his crate upstairs.  i just have them get crated together when i'm at work.  i leave him alone though when i am home.  just easier when i'm at work.  soon they will be too large to leave in a crate together anyway.

 my weak fortress in the element did not hold up.  so far they haven't been bad in the car.  i don't leave them long and tire them out a bit before rides.  they did bite a hole in the gallon jug of water i have in the car for dog water usage.  i say they, but i think it was Ivy.

 it's like living with baracuda's...they are quite mouthy still.  frequent distractions.  i swear i'm probably moaning in my sleep, "leave it" "don't eat the couch" don't eat the boots" "leave it"....

 they are putting on weight, getting taller and they both have some coat changes.  Tusker gets a bit more curl and Ivy is sprouting some tufts of hair here and there.  Blossom did that as she got older too.  will be interesting to see how their coats turn out.

 someone had suggested getting a big stuffed animal and taking monthly photos of the pups with the stuffed toy..realized that i have Blossom.  she is a good object of comparison.

 always love the paw photo's.

 put out a request for vet suggestions.  will probably change up for the next round of vax for puppies.  did chat with my vet.  i think the truth is i haven't totally gotten over how things went down the day Rio needed to be euthanized.  now when the front desk tells me they have no appointments for this long or whatever...it just re-opens that wound.  i know i should just let it go, but some situations stick with you. it's not like i hate the vets there, just that i am not totally sure that same situation wouldn't happen again and again.

 Ivy seems to be doing well on her AB's, the vets have issued frequent warnings that this UTI may return or last a long time or being on AB's at this young age may have a negative impact on her natural bacteria.  she is acting fine, eating well, gaining weight, active.

 work....yes, 3 nights of work.  fairly steady for all three.  nice week overall.  IMCU, ICU and then ER as a regular ER nurse.

 IMCU was steady but the staff in PCU is generally pretty nice.  i was able to work MIMI's last night last week. lucky girl retired.  ran into a gal who retired not that long ago from ICU on the trails.  she misses working she said.  not sure i'd miss working but i'm sure i'd miss the people.  working in nursing can just be a unique thing.  you are in the trenches a bit together.  dealing with stuff that others outside of medicine just will never totally be able to relate to.

 my night in ICU was busy to say the least.  both my patients were pretty dang sick.  thankfully, i got loads of help.  the eicu doc actually called the charge to come help me.  not that he felt i was incompetent, just that he knew i had 2 sick people and the was getting swamped trying to do all that needed to be done for both.  every time i opened the computer up there were more orders.

 i'd say the long term for both is not good.  it is amazing to watch so many patients who made life choices that are now taking their lives. i seem to have been on a run of many who are younger than you would expect.

 Blossom is loving the pups for the most part i think.  below she shows a wee bit of jealousy.  so cute. she hasn't picked up any of these stuffed toys in the bin for ages but seeing the puppies play with them made her decide i needed to throw toys for her.  so sad to see her joints aching.  will need to set up a vet appointment for her for a check up soon.  get her started on a good medication regime to make her more comfy and let her sweet spirit soar again. the pups have for sure energized her, but she does pay for it.

 anyway, it is amazing how some people can drink or do drugs for decades with really no obvious issues...while another person can do the same thing and pay the ultimate price. genetics i guess.  i see folks in their 20's and 30's who are done for physically from their drug and/or alcohol use.

 always just so sad to me, such a waste of a life.  there is so much joy to experience in life...to see it wasted in the pursuit of drugs and alcohol.  so much lost potential.

 lots of back yard play time.

 so far behind on my newspaper reading...reading in general.  puppies take naps and i try to catch up on other house tasks.  i do know there are already been two non-fatal bear attacks and a few small plane crashes with fatalities.

 pups are both showing interest in the water.  in addition to the regular training, loose leash walking and all that, we are working on "here puppies" a loose come comand, sit and down.  down i just added, they are starting to get pretty good at that.  still need to work on the gentle treat taking...those teeth are sharp!!  haha.

 the pups tend to sneak in and lick out Blossoms food bowl.  this food bowl has been in my canine family for now 3 generations as it were. haha. this was Baby Hueys bowl before Blossoms.  i don't think Butch used it...who can remember though i guess. it's great plastic for teething puppies

 so is Huey's old sled.  yes, that once was a disc sled below.  Huey took it over in Ketchikan when i went sledding with friends.  it became his "frisbee" and he would carry it for miles on winter walks and i'd toss it like a frisbee.  it was pretty impressive on both our parts.  over time he nibbled it down until it broke in pieces.  Blossom also had a turn and actually she still occasionally pulls it out and nibbles on it.  now these new pups have discovered it as well.  beats them chewing on the couch so i encourage it.

 what you see in above picture is about all that is left of it. i think there was another chunk that i gave to someone.  can't even recall who.

 it takes a lot of chewing options to protect your furniture and shoes, but its worth the mess. they have their favorites

 someone has learned how to use the dog door.  she is all over it.  Tusker went through at least once. i swear Ivy held the door open and moved to the side to let him come through.  so sweet of her.  Blossom continues to use it on occasion and then choosing to have me help her other times.  probably just her way of getting my attention.

 apologies for so much dog/puppy talk.  doesn't make to too interesting i guess.  politics is too annoying to talk about anyway.

 a co-worker stopped by with her kids today to play with pups and join us for a walk.  always good to have socialization with all ages!!  pups were tired after their kid play time and walk.  this was her picture of the kids with the puppies. thanks guys. cute kids!!

 took the furs to the sand dunes.  we did a loop walk that included the dunes. i think the pups enjoyed that.

 who doesn't love he dunes, right?  they are still tough to get started walking from the house.  when i drive to trails though, they seem to do fairly well.

 always great to try and get them a varied experience these early months.  so much to see and learn.  fun to watch them stop and with nervousness and excitement check out a bird that made a noise or whatever.  they are just so aware of their surroundings.

 i am getting sleepy

 the tripod moved on the Nenana River so there should be a winner there...and nope, i never did put in a bid.  again!

 the other day as i drove past Potters Marsh there were  a few swans and then..

 there was a car in the marsh.  oops....not sure what had happened there.  i suspect everyone was okay. thankfully, it's not all that deep.  still must have been frightening.

 i shall hopefully sleep well tonight. forgot to put my fit bit on yesterday..sad to lose the documentation of my stellar exercise program despite lack of slee.

thankful for: A.  all the help  from ICU staff dealing with two very sick patients.  great crew!!  B.  getting offered a lunch break in the ER during computer downtime. C.  that the cats are starting to reappear and behave more normally...there is hope for a happy fur family again.