Friday, July 28, 2006

All New Star


Do you like my pink old navy shirt? It's a little big for me. I felt so girly with this on, hopefully when my hair grows longer, this shirt will fit me right!

I am happy to blog that I have finally overcome the Spaying process. It was my 14th day yesterday so my parents took me to the Vet's clinic today to have my sutures taken. They took it out in less than 5 minutes! My tummy looked like I never had an operation.

So anyway, I have been running around as crazy as I was before I was operated. The benefits of spaying protects me from having serious health problems in later life like uterine infections and breast cancer, in other words spaying leads to improved long-term health, prevents unwanted litters, and eliminate behavior problems. I am well and hopefully everything is into place. Parents and I are free'd from having menstruations, yay no more blood stains in the carpet! Everyone is happy!


With Sutures


Without Sutures

I am back to my daily exercise routine, a 40 mins. walk in the morning, playing in the open fields, running after the birds and geeses. It was fun even if the heat is unbearable.

Sometimes the Momma thinks that I am too crazy. I am hard headed as hell! I go beyond my boundaries, I test my Momma and Dada and sometimes act as the pack leader. I think I am born to be a leader... but the parents say I am not, and it frustrates me.

Well my Dada is very understanding. He understand that I am in my adolescent stage and just like human's, I like to discover new things. Explore and search for limitations.

I am a dog...I am a dog! Woofff!

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Peeking Star

Friday, July 21, 2006

Sleeping Position

Here are Star's sleeping position I've captured within 9 mos. She used to be not a lapdog, when Mama pick's her up, she would jumped and run away from us. After she got spayed we noticed that she mellowed down a little bit. She now would hang out with us. Just like last night when the parents were watching movie, she hooped into the couch, sat down 'till she fall asleep. She's also getting the word "Stay". We let her sleep in our bed and since she is not allowed to jump up and down due to her sutures, we told her to stay...and she would!







Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Feelin a lot better


yes that's what I'm feelin' right now. I felt like I didn't even had a surgery. I can play, run around, jump and jump and bark. Momma did a scraps for me but this photo was back when I didn't have my haircut yet.

Friday, July 14, 2006

Bounce Little Baby Star


Lookie! I got ladybug and mozimo

So how am I after the operation? Last night I felt so groogy and very uncomfortable. I kept moving from one place to another and I was whimpering. I pee-pee once and sip water around 11PM. I am so hungry but I was only allowed to eat 1/4 of what I usually consume. Can you imagine how hungry I am? I hadn't eaten since yesterday.

Other than that I am happy to tell that my recovery is doing so well. I woked up my parents this morning whimpering. Not because I am in pain but I wanted to pee-pee and I felt so strange because they put me inside a play pen. I can't get to them like I usually would. I am not allowed to jumped to their bed or else the sutures will break.

Guess what? so then Momma scooped me up. Put me in the bed first so she can get ready to take me downstairs to do my thing. I jumped! She did a good catch on me though. Dada told me not do it again, or I'd be hurt.

Anyway, after I did my business Momma gave me water and food. Oohhh I ate it all. I have never been hungry like this before. It seems that I hadn't eaten in months! Now I am back in my play pen. Resting and regaining my strenght.

'til later...

wofff!

woff!

Thursday, July 13, 2006

I just got spayed


Here I go, no turning back now.

I had my surgery done today at Big Walnut Animal Care Center. Everything went well, woff woff! Thanks to Dr. Jennifer Hurst, D. V. M. and to her Vet Assistant Tracy Hamilton. They are extremely nice to me and they give me lots of loving while I was with them.

For those who are curious what service to expect and how much to pay

Service/Item: Amount:
*Three presurgical lab test 39.50
*Surgical IV catheter & fluids 47.00
*Metacam injection 25.50
*Canine Spay 194.00
*Torbugesic pain-killer inject. 27.50
*Dental extractions 36.00
*Microchip Identification 45.00

Total of --------------------$414.50


Two of my baby teeth decided they are not ready to fall out yet. So the doctor extracted them. They also implanted a HomeAgain Microchip Identification on me. It is about a size of a grain of rice and you can not see it after it is being implanted. The procedure is similar to administering a vaccine.

What is HomeAgain?
HomeAgain is an advanced pet identification and retrieval system. A microchip with a unique identification code is implanted between my shoulder blades. Momma will then enroll me with the HomeAgain Pet Recovery Service. HomeAgain maintains a national database and is available 24-hours daily, 365 days a year. IF I get lost and found, I can be scanned at an animal shelter or the clinic of a participating veterinarian and then my identification number is called into HomeAgain (1-866-PET-ID24), and then my parents is notified immediately.

I also received a collar tags to wear with my HomeAgain identification number and their toll-free number. The tags alone help identify lost pets, but tags/collars can come off easily. A microchip provides permanent identification that remains in place. Cool thing huh? Wofff!

Post-operative Care:
Due to effects of gas anesthesia, your dog may be quiet or groggy for up to 24 hours after surgery. Avoid stair access or other situations that may lead to injury. We recommend keeping your dog supervised for the next 12 hours. Coughing or gaggling is a normal side effect of intubation. If your dog was on IV fluids today, expect an increase in urinations.

The anesthesia may cause your dog to experience some nausea. To prevent vomiting, we recommend offering ice chips or small sips of water for the first few hours. You may offer a small meal once your pet is fully recovered from the anesthetic, usually the morning after surgery.

Recommended Daily Care:
It is imperative that you restrict your dog's activity for 14 days following surgery. Rough or excessive activity may lead to delayed healing or damage which may require additional treatment at your expense. Do not allow any running, jumping or horseplay. Keep her on a leash to go out for eliminations. You may need to confine her to a small room or crate if she is especially active.

Check her incisions often for signs of inflammation. Do not allow her to lick or chew at the sutures. Keep the area clean and dry. Do not bathe until the sutures ar removed. A suture removal should be scheduled 10-14 days post surgery.

When to Call the Office:
Redness, swelling or discharge around incisions.
Persistent licking or chewing at sutures.
Lack of appetite for more than 2 days, vomiting/diarrhea, lethargy or depression, several discomfort.
Forceful or persistent coughing

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Star no more

Who's Ugly dog is this? Sadly that is me...Star, no longer the Star of All Shih Tzu.


Are you sad? I am! and Momma too. But that's OK, my hair will grow back and before you know it, I'd be the Star of All Shih Tzu's again.

Why cut my hair? Well, for those who don't know. Shih Tzu's like me "change coat" at about eight to twelve months of age. During this stage, our hair can get matted faster than anyone can brush. Momma can no longer keep up detangling my hair especially that I walk every morning, sometimes we even walk again at night when Momma gets home from work. However, this is temporary stage that usually lasts for about three weeks, and once I have changed from my puppy coat to my adult coat, Momma will find my hair easier to care for. Dirty coats also mat more easily.

One reason is that with my short hair, it will be easy for Dr. Hurst and her assistants to perform for my spaying surgery this thursday. After the surgery I won't be allowed to bath for at least 14 days, so it would be easy for Momma to just wipe me with a damp towel to freshen me up. I am getting so nervous and scared about this surgery so I'll let you know how it goes.

Did you know how sad my Momma was when she saw my new haircut? She cried when we got home because she told the groomer to leave at least 2 inches of my hair. She said Sorry to me many times while she was crying infront of me. Even Dada was shocked when he got home from work. She texted Momma...are you sure you got the right dog? This isn't Star!

Well, I felt strange at first. I felt so naked without my hair but my parents assured me that I will always be thier cute and pretty little baby Star.

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

The sign at the park

I've always liked to checked out the ponds whenever Momma and I are going out for a walk. Most of the time, she wouldn't let me near it because of one reason. Too many Geeses dirt!

Today, for some reason she let me go and explore even to the edge of the pond. With the help of her ultra-compact BF, she was able to capture the "moments"


Monday, July 03, 2006

Up, up up!

Would u like to see me jump?

it doesn't take much to fire me up!


...u get my bestest friend away from me and u count one...two...tri!



...here i go!


OK, i got him, Momma, enaf! give him to me now!


...sorry but with my fluffy hair, it's hard for u to see my face when I'm in action.

had fun? OK I need water!