The Bella Witch Project

I'm so scared!

Aging

It’s funny how things change. I am going to see my mom this weekend. I was talking to a coworker this morning about my out of office time. When I told her where I was going the first response was, “is she okay?” 

So, we are at that age now? I don’t just go see my mom anymore? Maybe I’m going because she ill or dying or something? I’ll have to let her know. It’s like being at the doctor if you have lost weight. First question…. Did you lose it on purpose? That’s the same as saying “you are at the cancer age now, start worrying about that.” 

Bella is just looking so old now. I know she is “only” eleven, but it seems to be sinking in this year. 

 

The intensity is still there, but the duration has shortened. No more hours of anything. More like a good 20 minute run, then, "I’ll be over here eating grass when you’re ready to go.” It’s sort of unnerving to see her decide to NOT go get a ball. Bella is not a “meh” kinda dog. 

Kate is not really physically aging. Will forever be a ball freak. She is just relaxing a bit. She walks sometimes now. Will sleep in different places without looking like world is going to stop spinning. Definitely aging gracefully. 

 

My housemate goes to work pretty early. I let all the dogs out before I go to work at a later (and way more reasonable) hour. Poor Myka, the oldest in the house at 12, is losing her hearing. Physically she is great, but instead of “My, let’s go” it is now, ‘myka, Myka, MYKA!”  :)

I also didn’t think she was looking older. Looking at photos this morning, though? 

Totally graying out. 

You don’t really notice the progression on a merle dog. 

Myka in 2009

   

Last year!

 

Her color may have mellowed, but she's still a shit!

Food now, photos later

I got my D600 back from Nikon today. This was part of the dust/oil/smudgies-you-can't-get-rid of sensor problem recall of sorts. "Service advisory" if you are a lawyer-type. It was free, so good. But... isn't there always a "but?"...I no longer have the soft smudges that look like dust and in their place I have a bunch of these...

Really, Nikon? Did they chisel the oil spots off the sensor?

I haven't decided whether it's worth making a fuss. I don't print my photos and certainly not a professional, but it is irritating knowing they are there and irritating knowing they weren't before it got "fixed."

Why does everything have to be such a project?!

I was so excited to have the body back that the first thing I normally do when I get home was put on hold so I could take some test shots.

Can you take a guess at what the first thing usually is? 

Does this poor, poor, starving dog give you any indication?

Woe is her.

Pathetic, right?

Lump free since 2014!

Kate had her weird gum tumor-y thing taken off Wednesday. No issues at vet. They cauterized it instead of cutting so no stitches or bleeding or anything gross like that. She was also just sedated so no full on knock-you-out business. She was in good spirits that night. She doesn't get bent out if shape by days like that like Bella does. Such a trooper, that one. For such a weird, anxious dog there are some things that she is so roll with the punches with. It's weird, but I'll take it. Bella was actually glad to see her when she got home, too. All waggy and concerned. Bella usually looks at her a bit sideways like she thinks Kate's been out partying without her. 

 Yes, Bella, she was eating cheese and playing with kitties. 

 I got news this evening that the mass is benign. Per the report from Davis it is a mass "in reaction to chronic inflammation or infection." 

 I think it is a reaction to constant ball playing and not paying attention to where you are throwing your face.

 Kate has...umm....thickening? of her lips on the top and bottom where they sit over her canines. Like they are sort of calloused? When she goes for a ball she does so with head cocked to the side. She also tends to carry things like that. Not unusual for her to have abrasions in those areas. 

 I guess her face was just protesting the years of abuse. 

 She had to have 2 days off from toys. Not good for Kates mental health. That is a dog in need of endorphins. 

She got her fix this evening.

   

Sort of a fix for me too. Sweet baby Jesus, she's annoying when she hasn't had exercise! 

 Bella not annoying today at all. Just....old and tired. She got to go to daycare all by herself today. If you ask me, she was a little too happy about it. Bouncing in and bouncing back out again. Apparently busy day 'cause wiped out in the car as soon as the door closed. 

 Although, she was very happy to see Kate when we got home, so who knows. Maybe she just realized she was missing when she saw her again?

Goldfish memory.