Animals have come to mean so much in our lives. We live in a fragmented and disconnected culture. Politics are ugly, religion is struggling, technology is stressful, and the economy is unfortunate. What’s one thing that we have in our lives that we can depend on? A dog or a cat loving us unconditionally, every day, very faithfully. – Jon Katz, American journalist

Friday, March 25, 2022

Since the last post elicited responses from several friends wishing better days for Biscuit here and in text messages and phone calls, I thought I’d write a quick update. But before I do, thank you so much for your concern and kind words. That meant very much to me. 😘

Thanks to our friend Jaan’s suggestion, we began giving Biscuit Immodium on what was Day 5 of her diarrhea dilemma. The pet anti-poopy medicine we’d begun giving her two days earlier wasn’t doing the job, in our opinion, and on this particular day, we had to check out of the Airbnb/trailer we’d rented for a week while Felix was being worked on.

Thank goodness the work on Felix was completed and we were able to move back aboard the RV that afternoon (Monday.) Just having had one dose of Immodium, the dilemma still existed. But now it was compounded by the challenge of getting a sick pup from our rig to the designated doggie area. No longer did we have the luxury of a grassy area just steps outside the door like we did when we were in the trailer, nor the hose used so often for clean-up. Now we had to traverse at least half a dozen Tiffen motorhomes (averaging at least $300,000-400,000, conservatively speaking) as discreetly as possible, at least a couple of them with their owners aboard.

Oh, and as if that in itself wasn’t enough, around 6 p.m., the tornado sirens sounded.

In a situation like that—in an RV, with no tornado shelter available—all one can do is pray. The sky was the most ominous, sickly shade of yellow. Soon the rain pounded our new roof and the wind made Felix sway a time or two, but eventually it passed. Thank goodness the storm went farther north, and all we had to contend with was very windy and cold conditions for the next 36 hours. It still wasn’t easy getting Biscuit to the doggie area, but I slept on the recliner and we got out the door as fast as we could every time she wanted to go outside, which was several times both nights we stayed in Lewisville.

By Wednesday, both the weather and Biscuit’s situation improved enough that we felt comfortable making our way to our permanent spot in Arkansas. I felt badly for Biscuit, who was laying on the couch, completely worn out, but we couldn’t stay at the RV-dealership indefinitely. We went as far as McAlester, OK, and we finally arrived at our destination yesterday around 3 p.m.

Today is Day 9, and Biscuit is much, much better. She is not yet 100%, but she’s finally drinking water and eating a little (dehydrated chicken treats we got at the pet store the other day.) We will be here in Arkansas until we go to Kentucky early next month, so this will be a good opportunity to keep a low profile for a while.

Dave and I sometimes muse that our lives revolve around the pups, and because they’re the age they are (16 and 14), they do. But it is what it is. There will always be some situations not under our control, but oftentimes those are the very ones I end up writing about. Like this!! We just do the best we can and remember to be aware of all the blessings hidden here and there along the way. There is always something to be grateful for.

As always, I will keep in touch, and I hope you do the same. Take care, and stay well. Until next time, Peace, Love, and Great Big Hugs! ♥️ Maria