Thursday, December 11, 2025

116.8

The sisters leave today at around 1. I am playing golf this morning so if they don't get up until after 8:45 I won't see them before that. This afternoon will involve sheet and towel washing. And leftovers for dinner.

We leave in 5 days for Massachusetts. Feeling cold every time I look at the weather forecast there.

Justice had several vaccinations yesterday and he is really feeling poorly. That happened last year as well. When he was younger it didn't seem to affect him but for the last 3 years each time has been worse. He walks like he is all achy and feels a bit warm. Then he shakes for a long time after he moves - takes him about 15 minutes before he can relax and sleep. Last year it lasted almost 2 days. I hope he recovers faster this time. Don't know if he will be up for a Justice walk.

Have a thriving Thursday!

Liz, isn't Justice an old dog now? There really is no medical reason to vaccinate him except maybe for bordetella and leptosporosis. And honestly, if he has vaccine reactions, both of those are batcterial diseases and can be treated with antibiotics. Most boarding facilities require the bordetella vaccine to take a dog, though. My Dottie is medically excused from vaccines because she has immune mediated poly arthritis and giving her anything that triggers an immune response is contra indicative for her condition.

In general, I stop vaccinating when a dog is 7 years old. There are exceptions, but that's kind of how I roll. You can always check titers on Justice, too, rather than just vaccinating pell mell. I am by no means an anti vaxer, but I've done my research on this one because of my long time involvement in dogs and dog sports.

In my Dad's Vet practice, he also reduced vaccines on older dogs and cats. He stopped vaccinating our cats in their elder years, and we found a groomer for the longhaired cat that was okay with that.

Very interesting! Yes, Justice is almost 11. I know he has to have Bordetella and Rabies for the times when I board him so I will check to see if he needs anything else.

Rabies should be an every three year injection, not yearly. It's a pretty harsh vaccine, as is Lepto, so check with FL state vaccination requirements for Rabies and Lepto.

Yes he is on a 3 year for Rabies (not due for 2 more years). I think we were going to do Lepto in 3 weeks (separate from the other ones). Geez, I never worried about my beagles.

This has a nice discussion of vaccines for dogs and how titer testing works. Also advice about waiting 3 weeks between vaccines versus several at once for sensitive dogs. https://ksvdl.org/laboratories/rabies-laboratory/dog-cat-vac cines-titer-testing.html

Very helpful. Thanks!

It's 17 degrees here, so the idea of pool aerobics and golf and walks seems like a dream. I hope it is not too bitterly cold Liz when you are back up north. It's good you will see both your DS and DD on Christmas, but it does sound like you might be looking to rearrange your holidays a bit in the future. Do you see DH's children?

Knowing that I'm getting out of this cold in the next month is making it easier to deal with. And also being able to opt out of going outside entirely if it's too cold helps my attitude. For example, the windchill is predicted to be -27 on Saturday. I was going to go to my parent's house, but I rescheduled for Wednesday.

I am so relieved, I need no follow up dental care after my visit. I was so nervous that there was going to be some big ole something AND to add to the good vibes, my dentist was actually in the clinic today and that was who I saw. He still does some limited coverage. When I heard his voice in the other exam room, I felt so much more relaxed. I made my appointment for June, and I will try to keep a regular schedule of cleanings in my retirement.

Besides the dental cleaning appointment which loomed so LARGE in my head, leaving space for nothing else, there is nothing definitive on today's schedule. I need to run to the store for a few things and I will bake some more cookies. I made 2 kinds yesterday, and I'm trying to fit them in the freezer. Not sure why there is already so much stuff when there is only 2 of us living here. Frist world problems. : )

Yes, we have DH's Christmas with his family the Saturday before Christmas- that is how they have always done it. It means there is up to a week between the 2 celebrations. Since we arrive a few days ahead, then leave a few days after it is adding up to 13 days in the cold.