May Update

My New Year's Resolution to keep up with Cooper's blog is going so well!  (wink, wink)!

The old adage that no news is good news is true in this case.  Cooper is doing great and there have been NO SIGNS of the distemper.  I could blame his drive and ability to destroy my shoes and clothes as a side effect, but you and I both know that's probably not true!  R.I.P. green Sofft shoes.... I miss you.

In all seriousness he is doing very well.  Sometimes it is hard to believe that he was so sick.  We are now off of the Wellness puppy food and have switched to adult food.  I was going to stay with Wellness, but Whole Foods started carrying Castor & Pollux Ultramix, which was my late dog Onyx's favorite food, so we are trying that.  I'm not sure its as "whole" but he likes it.  He also enjoys playing and is a bit like the energizer bunny in that regard.  He and my dad's dog Sherlock get along like gang busters.  They play, and play, and play.  One of the great things about Cooper is that once he is tired from playing, he is one cuddly dude!  I swear he doesn't have a mean bone in his body.  (Steve, he is sorry about peeing on you.  I promise it was just excitement.)

NEGATIVE

So its been a while.  I got very lazy with the blogging the past few months.  You'll totally forgive me though because I have some outstanding news.  We did another PCR test of the urine last week and there was NO SIGN of the distemper.  He tested NEGATIVE.  Can you believe it?  I feel like pinching myself.

So... all in all, we are probably out of the woods.  I'll admit it, I had a good cry to release some of the stress.  Yes, there is still a chance its hiding somewhere... but I think all in all the chances of his survival are pretty good now.  There are some dogs who have an encephalitis type relapse when they are old, but for now its all good.

So the plan now is to get boostered for all the shots we need, but didn't have "just in case".  I admit it makes me nervous to do anything (even the heartworm pill he gets makes me nervous) but I'm hoping its fine.    I don't want to wait anymore because we really need to go to obedience class to get socialized.  Cooper is a bit of a brat on the leash (lunging, barking, etc) and that is not fun.  Well, to be honest, he's a brat in general.  I think I have treated him like a sick puppy for just a wee too long.  For example, letting him walk along the back of the couch is probably not a good idea. : )

Politics

So yesterday my update was really not an update, so let me give a true update on our health status.  Everything seems to be holding the same.  We still have not had more vaccinations.  We will wait until our next PCR test and decide then.  Cooper's behavior still sucks.  No other way to say it.  I know, I know... he's a puppy.  I forgot how it is.... but man is he cute & sweet!

For those of you in Houston, we all know yesterday was the election for city mayor.  No doubt the next mayor will have unbelievable big shoes to fill.  Bill White was on most counts an excellent mayor and I wish him well (and my support) in his bid for governor.  However, I do think that Anise Parker (the winner) is not the best choice for issues concerning BARC.  I know she has at least a dog, but owning a full breed is not the same thing as being involved with the rescue community.  Gene Locke definitely was the better choice for BARC.  He had at least a plan.  That being said, without the BARC issue, I probably would have voted for Annise.  I guess I've turned into a "litmus test" voter.  : )

And on the subject of BARC, there is a new director.  Read the article at the Houston Press.  I will spoil one aspect for you though.  The guy's experience is from being a regional SALES manager for who? who? 24 Hour Fitness.  REALLY?  No offense to the new guy (maybe he's a genius) but COME ON.  I have a membership to 24 Hour, and other than the personal trainers, the people that work there are not that trustworthy or particularly compassionate.  Especially sales.  I mean these are the King Douche-bags of the world in my opinion.

Oh, for those that don't about the Lyla blog (another dog with distemper), there was a very sad update yesterday.  Check it out. Lyla, CDV, and me.