Monday, October 15, 2012

Beagle Diet Progress - October Updates

     So it's been a while....

     As far as my knee goes, I'm feeling a lot better. I only take the pain medicine every now and then. At first I would take 1/2 tablet every morning. You only take it once a day because it's really strong, and actually the Doctor said that the 1/2 tablet was slightly more than what I should have but it was okay. I was also taking another medicine everyday too for pain. And the Doctor gave me these chewable supplements to help my knees and other joints feel good despite my arthritis.

     I feel old.... there's really no getting past it. But I don't have to let it keep me down.

     I started going for slightly longer walks in the morning. It's much cooler now since the Summer is over. A little chilly some mornings but I can handle it.

     Anyway, during the past few months while I've been recovering from my partial-tear ACL injury I've watched what I ate and I've tried to stay motivated. Mom tries to remember to pick up the food dish at night before it gets too late. She said that for people, you have to stop eating a few hours before you go to bed otherwise you just pack on extra weight from the food you ate because you didn't have enough time to digest and use it. She thinks it might be similar for Beagles -- well, for dogs in general but in my case for Beagles specifically.

    The thing is, I'm not hungry during the day. I try to eat but I just don't want anything. Mom laughs because if she offered me something other than my regular food she's certain I'd be hungry for it!

    I'm trying to drink more water too... I don't know if Beagles store water-weight like people, but Mom talked about that too and so she makes sure the water dish is always clean and full. Zoya makes a mess... she drinks from the water dish but it's like she has no clue what she's doing! Slop! Splash! Slop! Splash! Slop! Splash! and then when you check, half the water is on the floor around the dish and the other half is all over her face!

    Mom knows this though, that's why she tries to clean the dish as soon as Zoya finishes.

    So we lost track of my Beagle Diet.... we were tracking the days and weeks but we lost track because so much time was spent just HEALING.  It's okay.  It doesn't matter where you start or continue something, what's important is that you start and/or continue it to the end.... right?

    What else is knew...?

    Mom and Dad had to go away for a week last month, and that wasn't too bad. I don't like when they go away though. The boarding place is nice, and they make sure Atom, Zoya, and I are all together... but I want my own bed and my own toys and everything. Also... there's no TV in the pet hotel. We have our own room that we share, and we get to play in an indoor play area.... but there's no TV. I like the TV. Mom leaves it on all day for us.

    Anyway, I went for a short walk this morning. It was about 15-18 minutes. Mom guessed but she lost track because she wasn't sure what time we left the house. It was me and Zoya though, and we took a few pictures. I feel like I'm still making progress. Even though I was stuck for so long after I hurt my leg, I don't feel like I gained weight. I don't know if I lost much, but I feel okay considering I'm still "big"....

First, a few with fun stamps and decorations...
Me and Zoya

Me and a rabbit...

Me and another rabbit... 

Me and Zoya just hanging out...

Watching cars drive by as everyone leaves for work...

Just me... I think this is a good angle for me.