Friday, February 24, 2012

Facebook post


February 24

Good news from the Hokanson household! Lottie, our miniature dachsund had surgery for a ruptured disc 2 weeks ago. Her prognosis wasn't very good when we brought her home from the vet hospital. But yesterday when she had her stitches taken out, Dr. Gower tested her back legs for feeling and movement and was pleased to say that Lottie will be walking again soon. Thanking God for hearing our prayers! She's spent some time with me in a basket under my desk at work...

A Good Day for Lottie

Yesterday was a good day for Lottie!

We went to the vet hospital to have her stitches taken out. After a 45 minute wait we saw Lottie's surgeon, Dr. Sara Gower. While we were waiting, Lottie did her best to exercise her vocal chords every time a big dog came in or out of the waiting room! (Which was often!) Her hound dog bark was back in full force. Now was the time to find out if her surgery was successful or not. After some poking and pinching, Dr. Gower declared that Lottie would soon be walking again! Hallelujah!

Lottie still has a long road to total recovery, but we are so very thankful that our fun-loving puppy will be back to playing fetch, throwing her ball, and turning twenty circles while waiting for me to put down a dish filled with onehalf cup of dried crunchy morsels. So glad God gave us these warm furry little creatures to bring us joy and laughter...

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31: Encouragement for Today

My favorite daily devotion!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Lottie Is Home!



Rachel, Perry, and I went to the Animal Specialty Hospital to pick up Lottie this afternoon. The tech there, Sam, was very congenial and gave us a quick tutorial of all the things we need to do to speed Lottie on her way to recovery!

Today, she is still rather lethargic because of the pain killer and Prednisone she's taking for inflamation. She slept in my arms for an hour after we got home. Oh, maybe 2 hours. It was good for the soul.

Meanwhile, Rachel and Perry had a snack and then took Rachel's packed up belongings to her car so she could be on her way to her new job as an outdoor leader at Camp Champions near Marble Falls. We will miss her!

I read through all the instructions to care for Lottie, then took her outside which she really liked. I used the sling they sent home with us for her back legs. She walked over to the compost bin and barked at some chirping birds, and walked back again. All that activity made her tired, so I placed her bed in a large laundry basket and tucked her in with some old towels. She fell asleep again in a matter of minutes. Snoring and everything. Now Tom is home so she'll get some more attention. :)

PS -- After Tom was home a while, I pinched Lottie's back paw and she moved it!!! This is the reaction we want. A little later I pinched the other one and she moved it too! Thank you God!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Sad Day for Lottie

My Lottie Latte sweet puppy must have jumped down from her favorite chair one too many times. She ran for her dinner like always. Gobbled it up as quickly as possible and raced to the door to go out, as always. But suddenly I noticed that she was having trouble with one of her legs. She hopped around and managed to squat down and pee. Then it became obvious that she couldn't move her back legs. I picked her up and took her in the house so I could break the news to Jill who had been in bed for 2 days with a virus. I asked her to come hold Lottie while I called the vet and did a couple of other things. Next I called Tom. He was in the car on 360 so we decided that he would come home first and we would take Lottie together to the emergency animal hospital. That's where she is now, waiting to have surgery tomorrow. Only other thing is, Rachel is camping, so she doesn't know about Lottie yet, because she didn't pick up her phone when Tom called her. She's probably going screenless tonight, otherwise known as unplugged. I guess it doesn't hurt to not know for a little while longer.

It's time to remember and pray Psalm 46:1 - "God is my refuge and strengh, a very present help in times of trouble."

And to truly believe and practice, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart."

I lift Lottie up to you Lord, and pray for guidance for the surgeon tomorrow.


Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Jill Goes Fancy


Jill got all dressed up for Water to Thrive's "Chef's Table" fundraiser.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Special Day for Rachel

My baby turns 24! That makes me feel old and happy at the same time!


the birthday girl


all four of my girls


a special guy and the birthday girl




Sunday, February 5, 2012

Flowering Quince Redeemed!

Earlier this year I told Tom that we should probably go ahead and remove the "flowering quince" bushes because they really weren't worth the space they were taking. Well, I think they got the message and the rain they needed to make me change my mind!

Yesterday morning after going to the Natural Gardener to get some revitalizing compost for the garden plot, Tom came in and told me I needed to go out and take some pictures of the flowering quince. Was I ever in for a surprise! I had a hayday! The bees were buzzing, so I had a difficult time capturing them in action, but the blossoms were just gorgeous while I snapped away to my heart's content...






















Saturday, February 4, 2012

Kudos to Swiss Chard & Kale!

The Swiss Chard and Kale that Tom planted from seed in February 2011 survived the hottest summer ever and is still producing like nothing ever happened. I just think that these plants deserve some recognition for their perseverence through hard times-- hot weather and little rain!!