First, Goodreads posted their list of the 200 Most Popular Books Published in 2013 (thus far) and I was so flattered to see Twice Tempted clock in at #106. This list looks to include all genres of fiction as well as non-fiction, so there was a lot for readers to choose from. Thank you, readers, for making Twice Tempted one of those choices!
And now, to my post (and yes, I used a Games of Thrones pun for the subject line because I love that show and it made me giggle). A week ago, my youngest dog Loki had surgery to take out a cyst under his eye. Due to its size and location, he had to be under general anesthesia for the procedure. I was on pins and needles until I got the call that everything went well. Thankfully, the cyst did not have “roots” growing into his eye, which would have necessitated removing part of it, nor had it spread too far below the surface where it would have needed a skin graft to close the wound. All good news. Here is a picture from last Thursday after we brought Loki home:
The doughnut collar looked snazzier than the traditional “cone of shame,” but as it turned out, it didn’t work as well. If Loki curled into a ball, as he does when he sleeps, he could reach his stitches with his back leg. We found this out the first two nights, when my husband and I barely slept because we were listening for that tell-tale scratching noise (and of course Loki didn’t try scratching his stitches during the day. What fun would that be?). So the third day, with both of us bleary-eyed and tired, Loki got a new collar:
No matter how he contorted himself, he couldn’t reach his stitches with this on. Success! However, he treated the cone like a terrible punishment and thus needed a lot of reassurance. Of course, he didn’t want this reassurance during the day – that’s nap and play time. No, Loki wanted it during the night, when he would wait for me to *almost* fall asleep before plopping on top of whatever part looked the comfiest. I’m all for snuggling when I’m awake, but as my husband of twenty years can verify, when I’m trying to sleep, I don’t want anything touching me. Hubby has gotten many elbows thrown at him in my semi-conscious state for daring to cross the bed’s invisible boundary line. Loki, however, doesn’t realize this about me. All he knows is that he’s not feeling well, some uncomfortable cone is on his head, he can’t scratch what itches, and he needs Mommy. If that means thirty pounds of dog camped on my ribcage, or my shoulder, or against my face so my allergies have no escape, then so be it. If I tried scooting him over while he was asleep, no worries – he was happy to scoot back and then lick me incessantly for my efforts.
People, if I didn’t love the little cutie so much, he would have gotten the crate after the third night. I haven’t had a full night’s sleep since Thursday of last week, and I have been trying to finish a book that feels like it will never end.
Today, Loki’s stitches got removed, which means so did the cone. He looks much happier, doesn’t he?
I’m much happier, too, because tonight, I am getting some decent sleep if I have to lock him out of the bedroom :).
And how was your week?
Glad to hear that Loki is ok… I hope you have a good sleep night tonight and tomorrow be ready to tackle the book that we all are waiting so eagerly!! (for not saying raging anxiety) 🙂
Wow. I understand. Been there, done that. What can we do? They depend on us and we love them.
Glad he’s okay. Now get some sleep.
So glad he is doing better! And I hope you get a good night’s sleep! 🙂 Last week, I had sick kids keeping me up, so I know how you feel.
Loki is so cute! What kind of dog is he? Our dog has to go under to get his nails cut because the quicks are at the end of the nail. They have to cut them and then cauterize them. It’s really difficult for us to cut his nails in the first place so unfortunately they didn’t get done and the quick grew to the end. Poor puppy.
“the bed’s invisible boundary line”? HA! My wife says the whole bed is hers! (gladthepupisbetter!)
You’re lucky. My Shiba was able to shake her cone off after she had knee surgery. Hopefully you won’t have to experience that with either of yours.
Lol glad the little cutie is feeling better. Sounds like he’s been living up to his name!
Just like a kid!!! Without the need to pay for a college education!!! Get some sleep!!! And naps are perfectly acceptable too!!!!
My dog is named Loki as well. He’s a German shepherd mix. Your Loki is very cute. Glad the surgery when well.
I have bought and read all of your books that i can get my hands on then i just got a kindle so i was more than happy to get your books as the first down loaded. I am so excited about the new book coming out soon i have been reading Anita Blake stories to pass the time and they just dont compare to any of your writings weather its about cat and bones or not , ty so much for your contribute to the world of very few well written timeless novels
Hey Jeaniene,
I am so glad Loki is better……I do know how you feel as I have had two dogs and both have, at one time or another, been in the “cone of despair” (as I call it). By the way, I am the same way about my sleep and our dog wakes me up every time she needs something…not my husband…..but me :).
It is a good thing we love them so much.
Now, take a nap!
Glad to hear everything went okay with Loki! My week so far has been the week from hell. This is mid-week for me, since my last day off was Weds, and my next day off is Friday. And, did I mention that it’s only going to get worse before it gets better? I move on Weds, and then, *sigh of relief* my husband and I are going on vacation on Thurs. xD