The babies are finally starting to look like puppies! Eyes and ears are fully open and they are struggling to get up on their feet. Although………..more than 3 or 4 steps and then it’s time for a nap. They tire so easily at this age.
This next week will see them learning how to play with each other……and they will start making little puppy growl noises.
The 2 sisters are in the front. The tiny girl is still tiny, but she is growing at a nice pace. She manages to keep up with the others, but I still worry a bit about her. Hopefully it is just in her genes to be small, and not a physical problem. Time will tell over the next few weeks.
The boys are growing in leaps and bounds and the glimpse of promise is definitely apparent with these two. A good breeder is always breeding first in hopes of improving their line, with each generation. Whist I had high hopes for another girl to go forward with from this breeding, it is apparent that the boys in this litter show the most potential. Nice big eyes and big smoochy heads at this stage.
Featured in these puppy pictures is my first attempt at Overshot weaving. This blanket was made for my grandson, Aidan, last year. The pattern was found in an older Handwoven Magazine, issue: May/June 1993.
The satin binding on the edges is all hand sewn and hides a few less than perfect selvages…….we all have been beginners for at least a little while, right?…..LOL Thankfully an end feed shuttle has helped my selvages immensely!
The waffle dishtowels, featured in my sidebar, will be coming off the loom tommorrow to be sewn and wet finished. The next project on the loom will be some overshot table runners for my dining room. I find that overshot weaving is one of my favorite types of weaving.
Homeopathy
This past week has been a very difficult and trying week. Breeze, the mother of the puppies somehow managed to either rupture or herniate a disc in her back. I have never seen an animal in so much pain as this girl was. She was having such intense muscle spasms, that she would completely twist her head and neck upside down in pain. Through it all, her eyes were just begging me to do something to help her.
My vet who practices traditional veterinary medicine, had precious little that he could do for her, short of putting her on steroids to reduce the inflammation. However, we were dealing with a nursing mom and the puppies were just too young to be weaned. Steroids also weaken the immune system, every time they are given. So, I spent a day in panic, calling vet certified chiropractors, acupuncturists and even someone who practices reiki, desperately trying to find someone that could give my girl a little relief from the pain. Everyone was either out of town or busy and I was feeling very despondent.
I then remembered a very kind man, who is married to a friend of mine in the Cavalier world. Dr. Larry Bernstein is a homeopathic vet and helped me once many years ago with my girl Dancer, who we lost last year. A homeopathic vet operates in a different method than a traditional vet. The homeopath, looks to treat the whole dog and looks to find a specific remedy that will allow the dog to heal from the inside out, by bringing the body into balance.
Dr. Larry prescribed a few remedies that quickly gave my girl a certain level of relief, however, she continued to have wild spasms in her shoulder area. We tried another remedy, which set her back a few steps, so we changed course and went in another direction, using a remedy called Belladonna. Within a 1/2 hour and 2 doses of this remedy, the neck spasms completely stopped. By the next morning, she was able again to clean and care for her puppies. Today, she is back to her old self and pain free. We were able to get her to this point, without the invasiveness of steroids and she was able to continue nursing her babies, so that they didn’t lose ground.
I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Bernstein. He is a kind, compassionate and generous man and his method of medicine has made me a complete believer in homeopathy. From this point forward, I will work with a homeopath in conjunction with a traditional vet with my animals.
Knitting and Spinning
Needless to say, not much knitting was accomplished this week. I lacked the concentration to focus on knitting for more than a little bit here and there. Being that I was up all night, giving Breeze her meds every few hours, the brain was just too darn tired to work too hard.
I did finish one of the Old Shale socks….I love this pattern!
What I did find comforting were the gentle rhythms of the spinning wheels. I find spinning to be a very relaxing and mindless activity. For me, spinning is complete Zen…….you can let your mind wander, or in my case, let it rest a bit and still create something lovely.
I filled the bobbin with the fiery red batt that went to SPA with me and then I moved on to this lovely dyed brown/blue toned romney that I got from eBay a few months ago.
I hope to ply the skeins over the next few days.
Goodnite Sweet Babies……..
Little Miss Dora is growing into a lovely young lady!
She is looking forward to the day when she can play with her siblings, but for now, they need their rest.
Now, if only I could climb in that basket and take a nap with them…LOL
Have a great weekend!!!
The Woolen Rabbit 
The puppies are just gorgous! And I cannot tell you how happy I am that Dr Bernstein was able to help Breeze. I am so pleased she is feeling better.
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Belladonna?! The plant I know by that name is potently poisonous. Maybe it’s like “Botox” treatment – if it’s dilute enough, it doesn’t kill.
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I never get tired of puppy pics 🙂
I’m glad they’re all doing well
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My beloved late dog had a small problem with her back at one time, we found a vet that practiced not only eastern but western medicine.
She had acupunture and it work amazinly well. He also gave her chinese herbs, and now treats our Laperms with chinese herbs as my boy has URI and we don’t want to keep him on zithromax, as we are worried about building a superbug in him.
it has work wonders here and we swear by this vet.
The pups are darling, kiss them all for me
vi
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How terrific that Breeze is doing so well! As you well know, I’m a big fan of alternatives to modern medical science. So three big cheers that Dr. Bernstein helped your beautiful girl. Nice spinning too.
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Homeopathy is absolutely amazing… the dilution of belladonna (or any remedy) to water can be in the thousands if not millions… the greater the dilution, the stronger the dose is. It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but I know it works. You’re lucky to have someone knowledgable nearby.
Just today DD bumped herself a good on and she got treated accordingly.
My boss’ sister is a homeopath and we keep remedies in the medicine cabinet at work.
I’m glad she’s feeling better and isn’t compromising the health of her babies at the same time. Such a fine line.
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I wish there was a good homeopath near me. I love my vet/chiropractor though!
Your spinning is beautiful – it gives me something to aim for.
And if that littlest girl stays teeny tiny and happens to turn out even the slightest bit hyper, she can come live with me to be an obedience/agility/flyball dog. 🙂
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Wow, Kim, what a wonderful affirmation of homeopathy….not that I needed any convincing. But it breaks my heart to think of the pain that poor girl was in up ’til then. And trying to nurse too. I’m so glad it was resolved so well and so quickly. That stuff, if the right remedy is found, is the most amazing thing ever.
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Hi, being a dog lover myself, I am really glad things are better over on your side. I’ve been following the progress and I have to say, I’d probably be at my ends wit if I were in ur shoes. Thank goodness for Dr Bernstein. 🙂 All the best. Heads up!
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Wonderful that homeopathy was able to take care of your sweet girl. I’m glad she’s back to taking care of her pups. That little girl of my dreams is looking great!
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Belladonna, otherwise known as nightshade can be deadly if you don’t know how to use it properly. However, as with many other medicinal plants, if administered properly, in a small dose, used in conjunction with other herbs, and diluted, can be very restorative. It naturally relaxes muscle-tissue (that’s why it was a popular medieval ‘viagra’), and promotes circulation. I’m sure you’re quite familiar with the other well-known branch of the belladonna family: tomatoes.
Sounds like Dr. Larry really knows his herbals. Good for him! I’m so glad mama’s doing better. The pups are almost to the rolley poley stage. How fun for you!
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Oh your poor baby! I am so glad that Dr. B was able to treat her. Back pain is so horrible, especially when she has such an important job to do! THe dogs will continue to be in my prayers!
I love that blanket. I couldn’t imagine being able to make something like that! Of course, right now I can’t even imagine getting something that looks like yarn out of my spindle 🙂
And that sock is fabulous!
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I’m happy to see and hear that all of the puppies are doing well. And that the lovely Breeze is recovering. I was worried about her! I agree with you about spinning. Very relaxing and grounding.
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Oh I just squealed really loud in the middle of my office when I saw those puppy pics!! haha. I’m so relieved to hear that Breeze is feeling better. Last summer I went through an ordeal with a new dog who had serious mental and physical issues, but thank god we took the natural route. She is totally fine now, but if my traditional vet had his way, the dog would still be on valium or prozac or something!
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Oh! Gorgeous blankie – and the pups are coming along QUITE nicely, aren’t they?? I’m glad Dr. B was able to get Breeze fixed up, and I’m glad you didn’t have to resort to steroids. Those things are the devil’s candy – they work great short-term, but you get dependent on them and then you have to take more and more and more. With lots of nasty side effects. Blech!
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How lucky people are to get one of your sweet puppies! They are so well cared for – it’s truly amazing. If I hadn’t just bought our second dog, Bella (a beautiful, little, buff cocker spaniel), I’d be very tempted to wait no-matter-how-long for one of yours! But between Bella, and Ceilidh (a Brittany), and Colette (our hysterical cat), and children, some of whom now return with their own dogs, our house is more often a zoo. But, really, your love and care for your puppies is inspirational. Breeze, by the way, is one of the best names I have ever heard for a dog!
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What sweet babies. I’m so sorry for the mama though, I hope she gets better soon. How awful for her and you.
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Wonderful story of caring doctor. I think ND or homeopaths are much more in tune with bodies of all animals. It is wonderful to hear that all are doing well and that you stuck it out until you found the right person. Good luck to all the cuties!
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Seeing the pictures of the puppies just made my day. I am so glad to hear the little girls are faring well. Hope Breeze continues to feel better too. Lovely spinning….
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The puppies are adorable and I am so pleased to hear momma is feeling better. We are using some alternative approaches for my son who has autism. Homeopathy is next. Take care.
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How fortunate you are to have a homeopathic vet nearby. Poor Breeze. She does have such expressive, sweet eyes.
I see you have been busy. Love all your projects.
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Your puppies are adorable, and it’s great that you have a homeopathic vet, but what I’m really intrigued by is SPA. I live about two hours from Portland, and I would love to see what goes on there. Hopefully next year. 🙂
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Wow am I behind! The pups are adorable!! I’m so sorry about Breeze. Hope she’s doing better! That overshot blanket is fabulous! I wish I had the patience to weave! Gorgeous!!
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I think you were the one whose site directed me to the Numa Numa dance? If so, here’s a link to the NYTimes for a story about him.http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/26/nyregion/26video.html?ex=1109912400&en=1497ea7cf9f5df49&ei=5070
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My weight watcher leader, Linda, introduced me to your website and I am so grateful to her. I am so happy that Breeze is doing well and the photos of her pups made my day. I am a true lover of all animals and own a mixed breed dog (Lucky) who is the king of our castle. Keep up the good work with your wonderful website. Thank you.
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More or less nothing seems important. It’s not important. Shrug. Whatever. I’ve just been hanging out doing nothing, but eh. I can’t be bothered with anything lately.
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