beginning of one cycle, halfway through another...

Monday is the start of another weekly cycle. Today, Kane was content to spend the day on the deck during a relatively cool day, with some periods of rain. Kane had his bone. Monday is the halfway mark of the market cycle, which really starts on Thursday (after supplies are shopped on the Wednesday). Ordinarily, the fresh bone and chicken wings commence on Thursdays and finish on Tuesdays.

Tonight, Kane had the third of his four meal batch. Another cycle, as each cooked batch of kangaroo mince, rice and vegetables lasts four meals. This one can't really be fixed to an exact day of the week. Sometimes, the added extras can be cycled - tonight I added diced raw beef heart, with enough for tomorrow. From Wednesday, there will be fresh beef mince. Unless of course, Kane gets fresh fish for dinner.

Everything is cycled.

sleepy Sunday

Today was cool with light rain showers from time to time. It would have been a great day for a walk.

Kane spent most of they day indoors with me, mostly sleeping or resting.

Saturday slowness

Today was a pleasant day. Kane spent most of the day inside laying by the front door. I left him in the early afternoon to walk to the shops and when I returned, his head was down, which was good as it meant his was resting and not waiting anxiously.

I gave Kane his dinner earlier today (5.45pm instead of 7pm), and left him on the deck. Devi came over and we went into the city with plans to watch the film 2012. Unfortunately, the early evening session in the city was booked out, so we stayed in the city for dinner (of noodles) before returning at 8pm.

Kane was asleep on his duvet on the deck. Good dog! I don't like disrupting his routine but he seemed fine.

In lieu of watching a film in the city, we are watched a gruesome horror film, Midnight Meat Train, which I had previously recorded.

Friday better day

This morning, Kane was fine, unlike yesterday. He was also content with a bone on the deck before I left for work.

When I returned home from work this afternoon, Kane was laying on his cool spot outside under the bathroom window. This time, I repositioned him and then he stood up by himself.

This evening, Kane had 300g of raw minced (ground) beef with boiled diced carrots and zucchini. I hadn't made another batch of his regular dinner mix until tonight.

Today was a good day. It was a very pleasant temperature outside but more importantly, Kane stood up on his own today without any assistance. Good dog.

Thursday bad day

Poor puppy, his unsteadiness is occurring more regularly.

This morning, as I gave Kane his chicken for breakfast in the kitchen, while he was standing, he lost balance and laid down. I had to help him stand up but also discovered a 'deposit'. Poor puppy, he must have momentarily lost control.

Once Kane was up, he was okay and the morning routine was as usual. The gardener turned up this morning (instead of this coming Saturday) but Kane didn't notice as he worked in the front yard.

Today was a warm but not unpleasant day. When I returned home from work, Kane was laying on his cool spot outside. I had to help him stand up though. Kane is having difficulty standing up from laying down on certain surfaces.

Poor puppy, he's definitely geriatric and requiring care befitting of the elderly. Thankfully he's still alert and interested, and more importantly still enjoying his food.

Wednesday

Kane slept out on the deck last night. It was quite late and I called Kane in for bedtime, but he was content laying in his usual napping spot. This morning, Kane had moved closer to the back door.

Today was a warm day and ended up being warmer than forecast. When I returned home from work, Kane was laying in his usual cool spot under the bathroom window. I left Kane to make his own way inside while I put away supplies from the market. Poor puppy hadn't moved when I went back outside, so I had to help him to stand up.

Tonight, Kane had fresh fish for dinner. It was nearly a whole deep sea bream (without the head - about 500g) poached and served with bones removed along with diced carrots and zucchini. Protein plus!

Later tonight, Kane was laying by his inside water bowl but had trouble standing up, so I helped him up. I was filled with dread that he had lost the use of his hind legs. Thankfully, after an hour of resting, he managed to stand up by himself and go outside, to the deck then down the steps to wee, then return up the steps. Poor puppy, he can still manage, but it isn't easy anymore.

Tuesday

Kane recovered from his soreness last night. I had hoped to keep him close by my bed at bedtime but he managed to walk to his usual spot in the hall way.

Today was another cooler day and Kane spent the day on the deck. He was still there when I returned home from work, in his usual napping spot. This morning's beef bone was nowhere to be found, so Kane must have taken it to the yard to 'age'.

Monday

Today was a very pleasant and cool day, so Kane spent the day on the deck with another fresh piece of marrow bone. When I returned home from work, Kane was still on the deck. Good dog!

Tonight, after Kane's dinner of his regular kangaroo/vegetable/rice mix, I gave him some raw meaty oxtail pieces.

After Kane's post-dinner toilet business, he must have stumbled while climbing up the deck steps. I was inside ironing shirts and noticed that Kane was taking his time so went to have a look. Poor puppy was sitting below the steps and looked like he may have fallen. I helped him up the steps but it seemed his back legs were sore as he didn't stretch out his back legs when he stood up. Usually Kane recovers rather quickly. I hope his soreness doesn't linger.

Sunday stuff

Kane woke me at 4.30am to let him outside. I must be very tuned towards Kane's needs subconsciously as despite Kane being very quiet, I must have sensed while asleep that he needed something.

Today was a pleasant day. It would have been a great day for a walk.

another slow Saturday

Today was a warm day. The gardener came at the usual time but Kane didn't even notice. Afterwards, I walked to the shops and left Kane minding the house. I still miss Kane accompanying me on the shop walk. The outing now only takes under an hour. When Kane came with me, I'd plan a decent walk into the outing that took two or more hours.

This evening, Kim came over for dinner of Singapore curry chicken with rice and green beans. This time, Kane had his dinner before the people.

Friday

Today was forecast to be hot, so Kane was indoors again. There was a bit of rain in the afternoon, so the temperature only reached 34.8 degrees Celsius (94.6 F) and not 38 or 39 C (100.4 or 102.2 F) as forecast.

When I returned home from work, Kane was patiently waiting, laying down with his head up.

hot Thursday

Today was a hot day as forecast. This morning, I took Kane out the front to let him pee and poo and then left him inside the house, to stay cool. The temperature reached 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 F) at 4.16pm.

When I returned home from work, Kane had moved from the hallway to near the front door. Sue B from work helped me to drop by at the vet after work for more Metacam, which Kane has been taking with his food since 14 July. It was a timely re-supply as the third bottle ran out with tonight's dosage.

Sue stayed for a cold drink and talked of her travel plans for next year and then she went home. Sue did comment that Kane still has a very lively spark in him, despite his worsening ability to walk.

Wednesday

This morning when I left for work, Kane waited behind the gate to see me depart, laying down. Just as I crossed the road, I remembered not taking my normal glasses, so returned home. I had a peek behind the gate and Kane had stood up to move. Now I know that once he sees me depart for work, he doesn't sit behind the gate for long.

This afternoon when I returned from work, Kane was laying on his cool spot under the bathroom window. CQ came later in the evening for a dinner of sausages and boiled potatoes and peas, then a viewing of a very scary film, One Missed Call.

Tonight, after his dinner and regular as clockwork, Kane walked down off the deck to do his pee and poo. I thought he was taking a bit long so checked on him and he was laying with his head up in the yard. I called him in, but he stumbled at the deck steps. Poor puppy, I had to help him up the steps. I used to panic when Kane first started stumbling, but it's a sign of his age and that he does need extra attention and help.

Tuesday

Today was back to normal, both weather-wise (not too hot) and Kane's physical condition. This morning, Kane was content with a new piece of marrow bone as I left for work.

When I returned home from work, Kane was laying on his cool spot under the bathroom window. He was able to stand up with no problem.

Tonight, after dinner, Kane is content to lay around on his deck.

Hot day

With the house back to ourselves, Kane slept in the hall way last night. This morning, he was a little stiff in the joints and had trouble moving off the floor, so I had to help him stand up and then he was able to stretch his legs. Poor puppy, it has only happened on the odd occasion and I hope it remains that way. I am dreading the time when even with my help, Kane will not even be able to stand.

Today was a hot day as forecast. This morning, I took Kane out the front to let him pee and poo and then left him inside the house, to stay cool.

When I returned home from work, Kane appeared not to have moved from the same spot. Poor puppy, he was so patient waiting for me to return home. The first thing he did when I opened the back door was to go out for a pee.

Tonight, Kane is content to lay by the front door and bark occasionally at nobody in particular. I think Kane is just announcing his presence in general and that he is watching.

Sunday slowness

Our visitors departed this morning, so the house has quietened down.

Today was a very warm day but it was cooler inside and Kane was content to lay around, mainly in the bathroom.

Saturday stuff

Kane usually sleeps in the hallway or in the bathroom. As we had visitors staying, I kept him in my bedroom last night and he slept very soundly, laying down completely instead of laying with his head up and panting. Perhaps he was reassured with me in his sight.

Today was a very warm day. Michelle, Christopher and baby Luca left in the morning for an engagement party (their reason to visit) and then the gardener arrived. In the afternoon, I left Kane to walk to the shops. Poor puppy, we used to do a lot together out of the house.

This evening after Kane's dinner he was looking out the front door, through the screen door and barked at passersby. It was a rich low loud bark. I was in my room and went over to check out the situation. Good dog! He was doing his duty.

Friday, almost like Saturday

Today was an almost exciting day. I had to day off work and spent the day with Kane, though most of the morning was spent cleaning and preparing the house for visitors.

This afternoon, Michelle, Christopher and 16 month old Luca arrived and Kane didn't bark when they came to the front door.

Kane relished having visitors. He seems to like having a bigger a pack around him with lots of humans, though he didn't really know how to respond to a toddler though.

Thursday

When I locked up this morning, Kane disappeared off the deck. On leaving the house, I looked behind the gate to see if Kane was there but he wasn't. Of course I worried a little and wanted to go back inside to make sure he was settled but I had to go to work.

When I returned home from work a little later than usual, Kane was laying on his cool spot under the bathroom window.

Tonight I added raw beef mince to Kane's regular cooked mix for dinner. Unusually this time, he didn't finish his dinner all at once (like a Labrador) but returned to it later. Not a good sign.

Wednesday

When I returned home from work, I couldn't see Kane behind the gate or on the deck, so I presumed he was in his cool spot under the bathroom window. After opening up the house, I went to have a look but Kane wasn't there.

I was about to panic but then saw Kane on his way towards the back of the gate. He saw me and excitedly turned around. Good dog. I was only a little late, as Wednesday is market day after work, so Kane must have decided to look for me.

Tonight, Kane had fresh poached blue warhou (fish) fillets for dinner (about 400g) with cooked diced carrots and zucchini for dinner. He really likes fish.

Tuesday

When I was leaving for work this morning, Kane had gone around to the back of the side gate to see me depart. So I waved to him and told him not to stay there too long.





When I returned home from work, Kane was on his duvet on the deck. Though he was laying down, his head was up, in wait.

Kane came inside and watched the world go by through the front screen door. He even barked a few times at passersby. Good dog.

warming weather... again

Today was quite warm.

Poor puppy, I had to leave him to go to work but he was content with his bone.

When I returned home from work, I couldn't see Kane over the gate. After I was in, I found Kane in his cool spot under the bathroom window. Coincidentally, just like last Monday.

Tonight, to his usual dinner mix, I added 250g raw diced beef heart. A good dose of iron.

Sunday

There wasn't much happening today. Kane likes me spending time with him, even though we don't go anywhere anymore.

Saturday stuff

Our gardener came later in the morning and Kane barked at the front door while I was out the back. It was also a loud and deep bark. Good dog!

In the afternoon, Devi came over and we went to the shops for groceries while Kane watched the world through the front door. When we returned, Devi stayed for a cup of tea and we ate the fruit flans that she had brought over.

Tonight, to Kane's dinner, I added around 200g of diced raw sirloin steak (the last three dinners had raw beef mince) - hidden in the bottom of his regular mixture.

more barking

I returned home a little later than usual - only by 20 minutes. I half expected Kane to be waiting behind the gate, but he was still on his duvet on the deck. Good dog.

This evening Kane engaged in some barking. I think he was barking along to the magpies warbling.

Thursday

Today was just like yesterday. In the morning, Kane was into his bone. When I returned home from work, he was asleep on his duvet. Possibly just resting as I looked and his eyes were open. I wonder if canines sometimes sleep with their eyes open.







Today was a pleasant day and perfect for walking, but we didn't. Perhaps we can go on short walks now and again.

Tonight I was on talking on the telephone and heard loud deep barks from the deck. It was Kane. Not that he would have seen much, he probably detected movement of leaves from the breeze, but good dog!

mid-week non-adventures

Kane is certainly gnawing his way through his collection of marrow bones. I sometimes wonder if perhaps he has a calcium deficiency, but he does eat a whole chicken wing for breakfast six times a week.

When I returned home from work today, Kane was asleep or resting on his duvet. As always, Kane showed his happiness in seeing me by nuzzling up to me. Though we didn't go for a walk, Kane laid by the front door and attempted to bark at passersby. Poor puppy, his bark is so weak now. The mind is willing, but the body is ageing. His walking was a lot better today.

To Kane's dinner tonight, I added about 150g of raw beef mince to increase his protein and iron intake.

I made another batch of his dinners tonight but had run out of brown short grain rice so added a cup of raw pasta instead to cook with the kangaroo mince. I also had a terrible day while shopping on Saturday, misreading labels, not being sharp enough in arguing about an over-charged item, and buying two copies of the same newspaper. Not surprising then, that I forgot to get more brown rice.

home day

Today was a public holiday, called Family and Community Day, so I spent the day at home with Kane. He was content.

Margie came to visit in the morning. On arrival, I led Kane for a walk to the front footpath. Margie noticed Kane's worsened condition. We agreed that it would be best not to go on the daily walks anymore. Poor puppy. The pain outweighs any benefits of the walk.

Despite his declining physical condition, Kane is mentally alert, curious and takes an interest in his surroundings. He also likes to eat. He hasn't given up yet.

warming weather

Poor puppy, I had to leave him this morning to go to work. He was happily concentrating on his marrow bone piece though, which was good.











When I returned home from work, I could not see Kane through the front of the gate. After I unlocked the back, I found him in his cool spot under the bathroom window.

We didn't go for a walk straight away as it was still warm and the sun still up too high. Instead, we waited an hour until the sun descended a little. In any case, we didn't walk around the small block. We walked to the end of the block and then turned around and visited our neighbours on the other side. It was a quick 10 minute outing.

Kane does bark a little from time to time while on the deck, but his barks are barely a whisper like someone with laryngitis. Poor puppy. His is frail and elderly.

Sunday slow day

Today was a warm day. I left Kane briefly at midday to go out to lunch for dim sum (more commonly known as yum cha in Australia) with a former work colleague, now retired. Kane was content to lay by the front door and keep guard looking out through the screen door until I returned home.

Instead of a walk today, we had a rest day.

Despite taking the Metacam every day, it is not fully effective as a pain reliever. Poor puppy still suffers from chronic pain in his joints, but he is rather stoic. He must feel it worse late at night as expressed by his constant panting. I usually can't get to sleep from worry until I hear Kane's breathing settle into a sleeping pattern. Poor puppy.