Jake Update

Hi Everyone!
Jake is back to his old self!  He's can sort of yawn and his appetite has really improved.  He's even hiding in the closet when he sees me with his medicine syringe.  I never thought I'd be happy to see him run the other way.

I'm ready for Christmas Cookies!

Turkey for Me, Turkey for Me....

Since Jake's been feeling better and can open his mouth up around 2 inches, I decided he needed a treat!

Uhm, can I have some?  Please?

TURKEY!!!! TURKEY!!! NOM!!!

(see how little the pieces are?

That's the biggest size Jake can currently eat.)

Jake says hope everydoggie had a Happy Turkey Day!  Remember, cooked bones are bad for dogs and too many special Turkey Day Treats can give doggies Pancreatitis.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jake would like me to tell everyone what he is thankful for this year:

1. His Mommy that adopted him from the foster home.
2.  His Auntie M for giving him Reese's Peanut Butter.
3.  Mommy's friends who are so generous so I can have my surgery.
4.  Moonshine and Eclipse because when they smack me, mommy gives me extra treats.
5.  Cookies.
6.  Chewies.
7.  Ferret friends Ani & Daxter for hiding treats around the house for me to find.
8.  All the vets, vet students & vet techs that are helping me feel better.
9.  Trips to the park.
10.  Car rides that don't end at the vet!
11.  The basset rescue that took me in.
12.  Mommy can't find scissors or construction paper...she kept talking about feathers on Jake....something about a basset turkey....

Today's Jake Update

Hi all.
Jake was able to be seen by the dental service at the vet hospital.  The dental vets don't think he has the doggie MS disease.  They think the tumor in Jake's ear has grown or that the pressure in the ear canal is what is causing him not to be able to open his jaw fully.  The vet brought out a doggie skull model and the ear area is really close to the jaw bone and joint.

The moral of the story is that Jake needs ear surgery sooner, rather than later.  As in Jake's surgery is scheduled for Thursday, December 3.

I'm not sure what the prognosis is at this point.  I think if they can get the mass out, everything will be okay.  It all depends on whether or not the mass is cancerous or not (the vets aren't sure) and what happens when they start operating.

I do know Jake will be in the hospital for 3-4 days and most likely will have a cone.  Don't worry, I'll take pictures of that.

I gots a chewy to hide, stop following me!

(This was taken early Sunday afternoon, when Jake could still chew.)

Update on Jake

As you know, Jake has been feeling ill.  Jake's bloodwork came back indicating an inflammation or an infection.  He's been prescribed antibiotics.  He was doing better until Sunday.  He didn't want to eat, but I thought his tummy was upset from the antibiotics because it has happened before.  The twitching/shaking started back up as well.  Jake then decided he wasn't having any of his pills.  Hot dogs, velveeta, the pb from a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, Jake wasn't buying it.  I was like fine, I'll just pry your jaws open and jam the pill down your throat.  Jake screamed when I opened his mouth.  Needless to say, pill attempts came to an abrupt halt.  I then noticed the left back side, where the jaw joint is, was swollen.

I was able to get Jake into his vet on Monday.  She was not able to get Jake's jaw open either.  She prescribed liquid meds (we have a pharmacy here that can compound meds!) and referred me back to University of Illinois and Jake's vet there.

The vets at University of Illinois Vet Hospital don't think it is the mass in Jake's ear growing.  It is unheard of for that kind of tumor to act that way.  The vet suspects Jake has masticatory myositis, which seems to be some kind of doggie MS.  Hopefully the vets can pry Jake's jaw open to take radiographs.  If not, a CT will have to be done.  They need to check to see if his jaw has fused shut.  If it has the prognosis is poor.

He is doing better today.  His appetite is back and he's eating lots.  Jake has an appointment with the dentists on Wednesday, 11/25, at 9 am.  I'll keep everyone updated :)

Do Not Disturb

Jake is till not feeling up to his normal self, but he seems better.

Here is Jake napping.

Love how he sleeps with his ear covering his eyes.

Jake is Under the Weather

Hi all.  Sorry postings have been light.  Thursday night, Jake started twtiching/shaking/trembling in his front legs and shoulders.  I ended up taking Jake to the emergency vet.  The vet is unsure what is wrong with Jake.  The blood tests seem to indicate either an infection or inflammation.  Jake is now on antibiotics and pain killers.  He seems to be doing better today (Friday) but doesn't seem to want to walk very far.

Drawing is by Owen at Drawn to Be Catholic

(He's totally awesome and a dog lover :) )

Jake's New Toy - The Kibble Nibble

Because of his ear, Jake is on prednisone, which makes him very, very, very hungry.  His stomach is a bottomless pit.  A couple weeks ago, Jake got into a big bag of peanut M&Ms.  Something had to be done. Jake doesn't play with toys, so leaving him with a special toy is out of the question.  I decided a treat ball/toy dispenser might work if it was simple enough, as Jake isn't the swiftest.  After some searching, I found the Kibble Nibble, which is an egg shaped container you put kibble in or small treats.  We got ours from Pets in the City.  The reviews suggested the kibble comes out too fast and to use a tennis ball inside the egg.  The treats I got don't come out very easy, so I had to actually tap the rubber stoppers on the holes so treats came out easier.

The Kibble Nibble

I'm interested.  Can I eat it?

NEW TREATS!!!!!

Can I have one?

Please? Please? Please?

The dog is way too clueless to figure this out.

Just put some catnip in it for me.

K? Thanx.

Uhm Mommy?  I can't the cookies.

My tongue's too short.

I can't eat this thing.

I rolled it.

Nothing happened.

Seriously.

Why are you being mean?

The cookies are stuck inside.

I want them.  Get them out for me.

Seriously.  You want me to play?  Act like a dog?

Ahhh the sweet taste of success!!

Ask Jake!

Hello all, it is time for Ask Jake.  Sorry it is late today, my secretary (Mom) wanted to work on her dissertation.

So this week's question comes from Jenny, who asks, What is your favorite thing to do that your mommy doesn't like?

Well Jenny, my mommy likes everything I do.  Well, there are 3 things I do that mommy doesn't like.  
1.  I eat things I'm not supposed to like cat poo and deer poo.
2.  I lick my mommy's birkenstocks.  They are quite tasty.  Mommy's worried I'll start snacking on them.
3.  I lay right behind mommy when she is in the rolly chair.  It upsets her when she rolls over my paw or ear.  It's good for extra cookies.


Thanks for all your questions and comments!  Thanks for supporting me so I can have ear surgery soon!
Until Next Week
Woof & Wags
Jake

Sunday Reflections - Playing in the Leaves

It's Fall!  Jake wants you to be a kid again and jump in the leaves!

Did a Train Just Pull into the Yard?

Jake, when he wants back into the house, does one of two things.  He either stands at the door or he puts his nose up against the door and starts puffing and snuffling.  He sounds like a train.

CHUGGA CHUGGA!

Jake wasn't cooperating.  Normally his nose is pressed tighter to the door!

Ask Jake!

Jake would like to apologize for his lateness in answering this week's questions.  His secretary was occupied with such mundane things as homework and work.  Really, she doesn't have her priorities in order at all.

This week's question comes from Father Leo (who is totally awesome and serving his country as an Air Force chaplain!)  Father Leo asks, What are dogs dreaming about when they are running in their sleep?

Chasing the enemy of course!  Or hunting.  I dream about catching that cat Moonshine..she's mean and bops me on the head.  I dream about catching a plump bunny cause I'm fast in my sleep and the bunnies are slow.   I can only dream about it, as if I caught one mommy would cry.  I dream about cookies too and playing in the park with mommy.  

Moonshine and Jake

Moonshine is about to swipe Jake on the nose.

Thanks for asking questions.  Don't forget to leave your questions in the comment box.  


Until next week,
Woof and Wags
Jake!


PS.  Jake wants to add a tail wag to all those doggies who have bravely served our country and their handlers! Thank you!

Jake Loves Cookies

In honor of Sesame Street's 40th Anniversary, here's Jake eating a cookie!

C is for Cookie...

J is for Jake :)

Waiting For Mommy

What does Jake do while I'm at school?  Well when he isn't looking for contraband M&Ms, he waits for me....

ZZZZzzzzzZZZZZzzzz

Poke Poke...Hey wake up Jake!  I'm home!

Jake has yet to figure out I come in the other door ;)

Introducing Designs by Jake!

That's right folks!  When Jake isn't busy sleeping, eating or baking biscotti, he's designing t-shirts and other things for you to wear, use and buy!

The store is at prentfection.com and the link is Designs by Jake.  This is a print on demand store, they take care of all of the details :).

Here is a sample of what is available:

All sorts of colors and sizes are available.

NEW:  Available with Jake's "Pawtograph!"

Front

Back!

Have a favorite Jake picture you'd like on a shirt or other item?  Drop Jake a line at cookiesbyjake@gmail.com and discuss it with him!

A small portion of the selling price goes to Jake to help with his surgery!

I'm Sorry....Please Let Me Back In

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to trip you.

While you were holding the knife...

Or when you were carrying the tray full of biscotti...

I won't do it again....

Uhm Can I have some biscotti??

Jake in his Pawz

Jake is a very special dog.  The vet is concerned that Jake is allergic to the outside and every time he walked outside, Jake was getting the allergy stuff all over his paws, which was causing an allergic reaction, which was infecting his ears.  The solution to this is to wash his paws when he comes in from the outside.  Let me tell you, this was not a big hit. Also Jake has bacteria on his paws.   This year the park has been full of acorn pieces which have been getting into Jake's pawpads and then he can't walk (expect this to happen in the winter, with snow in the paws).  And throws a growly when I try to fix it.  I was about to buy him boots, but the problem is his front paws are a different size than his back paws.  Also, his front paws are so big, but his ankles are so tiny, it is hard to get boots to fit correctly and they are not cheap.  Some dogs act like their paws are broken and won't walk. Socks work, but they have to be taped on, and they get wet and ooky.

So I was at my favorite pet store, Pets in the City, and noticed they had new boots for dogs.  They are called Pawz and look like balloons.  They are disposable and relatively affordable.  So I got a pair for Jake.  They are purple.  They match his harness, leash, collar and my hoodie.  Jake seems to tolerate them and we had no problems walking in the park today!!! No acorns in the toes!!!  No allergens on the feet!!! YAY!

The other dogs are going to laugh at me...

Are you finished with the camera...

It's walk time!

Ask Jake - Travel Edition

Hi All,
Sorry for the late post, I'm busy driving my mommy bonkers.

Reader David from CUA asks,
If you could travel, where would you go?

Well David, 
That is a very interesting question.  There are so many places I could possible go.
There's the beach: 

Sun and Fun

Warming my belly in the bright sun.

There's the woods:

There's Italy:

There's Australia (maybe not...they have doggie jail)

I hear Malta is great!

I could go to college:

But you know, it doesn't really matter where I go, as long as I'm with my mommy.  As long as we are together, it will be an awesome trip, unless it ends at the vet teaching hospital....

Remember, if you have a question, drop it in the comments and I'll be happy to answer!

Until next time

Woofs & Wags

Jake!

Dreaming of Socks

They smell like Mommy.

To Everything There is a Season

To everything there is a season,

a time for every purpose under the sun.

A time to be born and a time to die;

a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

a time to kill and a time to heal ...

a time to weep and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn and a time to dance ...

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing;

a time to lose and a time to seek;

a time to rend and a time to sew;

a time to keep silent and a time to speak;

a time to love and a time to hate;

a time for war and a time for peace. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Take Time to Sniff the Flowers!

Look What the Great Pumpkin Brought ME!!!!

Cause I'm such a good basset :)

CANDY CORN!!!!!

(Some people in my social network were concerned I was giving Jake candy.  Fear not.  It is a dog cookie....candy corn gets stuck on Jake's canine's :p )