The Water Fountain

Keltie’s heart monitor recording was shipped back to the UM Vet Clinic and after a tense few days of waiting to hear results, our answers came – or atleast some of our answers.  The cardiologist called DeeAnn and reported no further incidents for the two days she was tracked.  He again said Keltie’s heart was in good (athletic) shape and at current is beating normally.  He doesn’t have an explanation as to why she flipped into an arrhytmic state and collapsed but did state that some dogs having this episode never have another one again, qualified by adding that if another does occur bring her in for further testing.  He cleared Keltie to run and play – to be a dog.  Now for our hearts to believe that her heart is free from further events!  Time is our friend with this.

The projects continue at the Harvey house.  There has been work on the deck, replacing boards and spraying/sanding others in preparation of fresh stain.  The electricity to the garage is now securely connected with the sidewalk section it travels under fitted with new patio blocks.  And the garden fountain has been given a good scrubbing and has fresh water flowing throughout all the tiers, giving a sweet tinkling sound and serving as a running water bowl for each size dog.  The dogs had their input on all projects and have been friendly greeters to the helpers and hired workers.  Seeing a dog tends to bring out nostalgic conversation about other dogs.  So it should come as no surprise that seeing four dogs brings out monologues.  That said, we keep up and do not tire of it, especially when we see our projects getting done, one by one.

Holly has more little neighbor girls in her life!  The Harvey neighbors on the down hill side have two little girls, Amelia and Amity, about 6 and 4 respectively.  They are cautious around dogs and building their confidence with ours.  Rainie & Keltie are played with freely, especially when the frisbee is out.  Helen is a big hit.  But so far, the girls ask  if  ‘the wild dog’ (aka Holly) can go inside.  I put Holly on the gated deck, causing her to watch and ache to be out playing with the little girls.   She is getting calmer but has a ways to go yet.  I think she is starting to realize that better self control will get her back into the yard and on the other side of the gate.  Now to learn to manage it.

The other night Amelia and Amity’s parents had a backyard gathering which was fully visible from the Harvey house corner gate.  Holly & Keltie were drawn to the gate, intently watching the party down below.  There were kids, a swim pool, water toys, food and laughter.  Both stood, staring down at the big event with their tails wagging so hard their butts wiggled.  I could tell when one of the kids was venturing up the hill closer to the gate – the tails kicked into another gear and ears went up.  When the kids retreated, the tailspeed went down a notch as did the ears.  Holly came home exhausted, and it wasn’t from running and playing in the yard.

Our 4th of July had some traditional aspects to it, though a first at the Harvey house.  Mo and Kim came over for appetizers, drinks and conversation.  We even had a few rounds of playing cornhole.  I was fully expecting Holly would need to be tied up due to stealing beanbags but that was not the case at all.  She did not bother one beanbag throughout the whole night.  Indeed at one point she laid down along side a board and watched as beanbags landed around her, fully content watching the game.  We stepped around her and played on.  I guess she has outgrown beanbags.  Had we been throwing balls, I doubt she would have seen very much of the game.

We don’t have to go far to find new challenges for Holly.  Pick a yard, pick a neighbor, pick a toy – my jolly Holly Dolly, aka ‘wild one’ – brings a bounce to life everywhere she goes!