Update from the couch

Hello there! This will be just a little update, yes, one from the couch where I have been spending quite a bit of time with two wonderful furry creatures, Kipling and Ben. How are they getting along? Now, now don’t be silly, just take a look at the above photo. Ben who is less of a snuggler than one might think, initially resisted but slooowly his head fell down, down, down onto Kipling until he was sleeping with his eyes half-open as he is want to do. It was a first but as you will see, not the last…
Now, I have to say that we have had a little setback with Kip’s recovery. He has developed an inflammation on his abdominal wall, which is producing quite a bit of liquid and blood that are forming in pockets under the skin. Claire, who is our vet and is also a very dear friend, has been taking excellent care of Kip, including putting in a drain yesterday that we hope will do the trick. Already, Remi and I see quite a big difference and hope to get this boy out of any pain as soon as possible!
But, as it is being treated and he is back on antibiotics, it should not develop into a dangerous situation–just in case you might be a worrier as I am. And that doesn’t prevent us from taking him on his walks along the Rhone in the morning and to the Arena at night (for now, I am not varying them as I want to reassure him as much as possible). But we are taking it easy.
And so much sleeping is involved, provoked with “Radio Spa” which Remi has realized has a very soothing action on both puppers. Yes, he often has to wear the dreaded “Cone of Shame” as fellow dog owners will call it so as to be sure that he doesn’t pull out the drain but he is getting used to it. Slowly but surely.

And even with the cone, the couch is not such a terrible place to be when we have such friends to lean on, n’est-ce pas? 
Have a wonderful rest of your weekend everyone…

46 comments

  3. Oh, I found this entry..bless them both..such beauties! Kip will do just fine with all the love and care he is getting…in person and from all his 'fans'!
    Maxi and Toffe…both rescue dogs from Pasadena CA…now living in Montreal with me..have asked me to send their woofs and licks…and wish Kip a quick recovery!

  5. such beautiful boys.

    poor kipling with his medical-cumberband as if he's heading to a Grand Bal.

    waving from here to you.

    and smiling, always.

    _tg xx

  6. Oh the poor thing, but it looks like he is in great company, surrounded by love and an endless supply of cuddles! Ben and Kip look so much alike, as if they were already related. Their identical coloring is incredible. I wish him a speedy recovery!

  7. Maureen, for sure that has been one of the biggest challenges–letting Ben know that he is not going to be shut out and that we love him as much as ever. If anything, he has behaved like such an utter gentleman (gentledog) that I love him even more! But we also knew this could be possible because we found a dog that could blend well and not bully our easy going Ben. There is a liiiittle of that happening while each dog finds their place but not too much at all. 🙂

  8. Oh hooray, Laura. That would make me cry big loopy tears of joy if this story helps you make the move to adopt a pupper! And there was the most GORGEOUS black Lab at the SPA des Baux…I would have brought her home too if only I could!

  11. Thank you David. That is a kind compliment.

    And I remember hearing the Kennedy Halloween Horror story. It looks as though someone has not lost her twisted sense of humour!

  12. You're kidding, Debra! I actually had several hints to talk a little less about the two…so you might have to wait? Or I can send updates to you and you can pass them on. 🙂

    Thank you so much to you and yours for the support, it is so appreciated!!!
    Love,
    H

  15. Ah, that is where we draw the line Marsha! They get kibble (albeit good kibble from the vets) with a bit of cheese as their treat after our lunch. 🙂

  18. Thank you for thinking of him Marissa! He has a checkup tonight to see how the draining is going.

  19. Not quite yet, Tish. Kipling is being a bit bratty with his cone and chasing Ben around! Of course, Ben is too sweet to stand up for himself…

    Gros Bisous,
    H

  20. Yes, Heather, friends to lean on.

    Ben and Kipling together – so, so sweet. Makes me teary.

    I guess you can stop worrying about whether Ben will accept Kipling.

    xoxo,
    Tish

  22. Reading this post evoked so many 'aahs' from here! They are bonding beautifully. I have a 5 year old miniature poodle who is so used to being and only dog …… I have been thinking about finding him a companion and your post is very encouraging. Kipling sounds like a beautiful boy and lovely compliment to Ben. Maureen xx

  24. Qu'est-ce qu'ils sont mingons, tous les deux !

    I always feel content when I see Ben (and now Kipling).

  25. The look of contentment on the face of Ben and Kipling says it all. There is no doubt as to how happy they both are.

  27. So enjoy the updates on Kip and Ben. We are considering a rescue dog as a companion for our female Labrador. We recently lost our older male and she is in need of a playmate and a snuggle mate. These posts have been inspirational and encouraging. Thanks for sharing!

  28. Both Ben and Kip are so sweet together. They seem inseparable now. I really hope Kip will get well soon.

  30. Hello Heather

    Your images speak volumes. There is love and trust between the dogs and why not, they have the best owners who love them unconditionally.

    Thanks for sharing this

    Helen xx

  31. P.S. I just rcalled….they weren'ts "rugs"….they were pillow-shams (is that what you call those things?), covered with shaggy, "Chewbaccah" (is that whay that character from"Star Wards" was named?) fur.

    This is/was the same woman who showed up at yet ANOTHER costume party in a dripping wet, vintage 1960's cocktail dress….with fake eyelashes, a bouffant wig tilting crazily to one side, and artificial seaweed (from the japanese restaurant she frequents) dripping from the wig and dress. She staggered around, gripping a detached steering wheel (don't know where she got THAT from)….and she was accompanied by not one, bit six dates….all gay waiters whom she liked, and all brill-creamed and wearing identical 1960's-style black suits, and all carrying martini glasses.

    She spent most of the night telling appalled fellow guests "Come on….guess….it's EASY!!!!"….and then she'd roll her eyes and announce "We're Mary Joe Kopechnik and Six Ted Kennedy clones! What do you think? It's WILD, isn't it?"

    It was (or so I gathered the majority of folks thought) mostly just creepy and off-putting.

    This was all back in the late 80's. I expect she's calmed down by now…or maybe she hasn't.

    Best of luck to all of us,

    david Terry

  32. Once again….that's just lovely, Heather.

    In response to your posting about picking up Kipling at the Rescue shelter, I sent the J.D. Ackerley quotation "A dog has but one aim in life: to bestow his heart".

    Looking at these pictures you've taken, my first thought is "Oh, I expect the same goes for Heather and Remi…"

    thank you for this posting.

    At the risk of thoroughly spoiling the tone of this response?….I've got to tell youthat a friend of mine, who happens to own a lab that's perpetually plagued by hot spots, went to a Hallween party dressed as her own dog. She picked up some brown, long-shag rugs at the walmart, made/stiched-up a loose-fitting pair of "pajamas", tore up various spots, smeared those with vaseline & lipstick, painted her nose black,and put on a one of those horrible elizabethan "no chew" ruffs.

    NO one asked her to dance, which was just fine with her and, for that matter, something she'd predicted.

    Level best as Ever,

    David terry
    http://www.davidterryart.com

  33. Ben and Kipling look so cute together with Ben providing brotherly support. You have no idea how big Ben and Kipling’s fan club has become along the eastern seaboard with everyone anxiously awaiting your next post. We’re all rooting for Kipling to make a full recovery so he can run and play with Ben.

    Wishing you all the best!
    XXX
    Debra~

  35. Oh Heather, that first picture is to die for!! Thank you for telling us about your 2 sweeties! Give them both a hug!I wish Kipling a good recovery!!
    xx
    Greet

  36. I've been speaking of Ben and Kipling so often in recent days that you'd think we lived much closer and that perhaps they were human friends of mine. . .thanks for the updates and hugs to the furry ones as well as to their caregivers!

  38. My heart melted when I opened this post to see Ben and Kipling on the couch. There is a big hole in our family now both of our pets have gone to heaven. Bisous

  39. Such preciousness! And wonderful news that the two are getting along so well. I am not surprised at all. Wishing Kip a speedy recovery which will happen soon given the attentive care you are providing. Ben is a real sport for so readily allowing Kip to become a part of his, and your and Remi's lives. You are going to have so much fun with the two of them!

  40. Don't call it the "Cone of Shame." He is only doing what's natural as you know. At one point or another all our dogs have had them on. So happy he's well enough to go walking, Heather. By the look of things, their owners have pulled out all stops to make them happy. Are they having filet mignon for dinner?

  41. Superb photographs and story of lovely moments in the face of challenge! Forgive the cliche, but love is conquering all! Bravo to each and all of you, Leslie, with Henry, Bob and Scott in Portland, Oregon

  42. Ah, the dreaded cone. Our dog had to wear one once, and she refused to come into the house. She dug in her heels at the threshold and refused to take another step. She drools a bit in her sleep, so it was always a slimy mess in the morning. Yuck.

    Wishing yours a speedy recovery!

  43. Oh no, not the cone of shame. Poor darling. Quick recovery to dear Kipling. With two dogs you should treat yourself to a wide angle lens.

  44. Welcome, Kipling! How wonderful, and how lovely that they are beginning to love each other. Kipling sounds like a joy of a dog, matching Ben. Our most recent rescue came last September, and we called him RĂ©my. We hope your wonderful Remi is not too taken aback :-). Congratulations on adding one more to your beautiful family.

  45. Gosh, they are both so beautiful. I'm sending good wishes your way and hoping that the surgery and its aftermath becomes a distant memory before long. In the meantime, it sounds like Kip is in excellent hands.

    Best wishes and big hugs to you Heather.

  46. OMG, that last picture just says it all!! May all of have a friend to lean on when we need it most! Thanks, Heather, for keep us in the loop. I was actually thinking about Kipling yesterday, wondering if he is okay. I am a worrier, too.

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