Miko's Adventures

04/25/2025

Winding up another day in the healing process. The dogs continue to enjoy all of the people parading in and out of the house - because, even if the visitor is here for me (visiting nurse, PT guy, contractor...), they know that whoever it is is really there for them.

It was too hot today for a long afternoon walk. Instead, once they returned from their stroll, we sat on the back deck in the shade & I blew them out. His Redness enjoys this so much he simply lies down and relaxes, occasionally flipping or shifting to get full coverage.

I have been cleared by the PT guy to do a few additional exercises and, drum roll please! to walk from the front door out to the road using a walker. That is, what, 50 feet? Progress! ;)

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield send me notification that even though the doc in the ER was out of network, a stay in the hospital was medically necessary. Ya think??

One bit about the warmer temps that Miko enjoys is this: I keep the door to the deck cracked open at night, so she can snooze outside, safe within the railings and raised far above a tick's crawling radius.

Except I think? I hear rain?? Hitting the hay. Night 'yall.

04/22/2025

I am fairly convinced that the dogs are loving my enforced rest. I'm home 24/7. Then, at least twice a day fun and interesting people arrive to to play games with them, or take them for walks, or take them for exciting outings.

Miko got ferried to agility class with Auntie Becky tonight. She came home tired!

04/19/2025

The surgeon, ortho RNs, and PT guy all warned me.

"Days 4 and 5 will be bad, because that's when inflammation peaks."

Yesterday - not great, but bearable, thanks to the principle of 'better living through chemistry.'

This morning - holy mother of the gods. I could feel myself spinning out, triggered by discomfort. I called a friend who is an avowed early riser. Just having a human to talk at helped.

After that, I called Visiting Nurses & asked for a call back. The RN who rang an hour later was great - she suggested some timing changes for the meds I'm on. That has already made a big difference.

Aunties Becky & Kathy took the dogs for their normal walks, and left several days of food. YUMMMM.

What I have learned so far.
1) when people offer to help, accept it. You cannot do something as big as this solo.
2) Numerous towns have organizations like the Finger Lakes Independence Center, where you can borrow or rent items such as walkers, crutches, commodes, even sock-puller-uppers & long shoe horns
3) Get ahead of the pain. It's a boat load easier to skate through mild to moderate discomfort than it is to break through a tsunami of pain.
4) If you think something doesn't feel right or seem right, ask your doc, PA, NP or RN. It's better to be the boy that cried wolf than to lose a limb.
5) I have taken the ability to engage in ADL's (activities of daily living) for granted. I won't be able to drive for 6 to 8 weeks. I will need a walker, cane or crutches for support for 3-6 weeks. See the photo of the entrails of what once once Miko's parrot? It took me almost 2 minutes to pick them up, when it would in 'normal' conditions, take less than 10 seconds.
5) People care. Let them help you.
(Spoiler alert: that'll be a recurring theme)

All of this said, it could be so, so much worse.

04/18/2025

Miko and Toka had fun today, because they got multiple visits by favored Aunties who took them for their daily walks. Auntie Becky worked with Miko each time as she learned the Vito Game (go to youtube & search for it if you are interested).

I am *incredibly* grateful to the peeps who have stepped in to help. Most of you will know me well enough to realize asking for -- then accepting -- help is beyond my comfort zone. The fact I'm doing it and doing so multiple times a day, is an indication of how difficult this has been. Becky, that stuffed pepper was delish!

Waiting till 8 to take pain meds, then Unca M will take the dogs for their final trip into the yard, and I'll hit the hay.

Check out the lovely flowers sent by Great Barrington KC. They sure gave a lift to the day.

04/18/2025

Yesterday was a busy, busy day. Visiting nurse appt, then the in-home PT guy came at 1 PM. Very simple exercises if you are a normally-functioning human. Not so simple if you now have a new partial hip. But stick with them I will - feeling better today (in comparison to yesterday) I want to be back to normal functioning ASAP.

Today's fun: I get to take a shower for the 1st time since last weekend! Yay!

04/17/2025

I got home yesterday around noon time. And I'd rather be in hospital, frankly. Getting in & out of a low bed is nearly impossible - and since I can't really move my hip, I'm lying flat out on my back. Not great for getting a good night's sleep.

I'm looking in to renting a hospital bed today.

Carrying anything that doesn't close/isn't opened is problematic. A water bottle? no problem! Cup of tea? Even if it's in a thermal cup, there's an issue of slopping & leaking

Someone from the visiting nurse service comes here ~ 8:30 this morning. It'll be interesting to hear what they have to day.

Fear not, I'll get over whining soon! ;)

04/16/2025

Hello sniffer dog fans,
So, on Sunday evening, the pups and I had a bit of an intersection - which ended with me in the hospital. I now sport a shiny new titanium femoral head. Just home from CMC - everyone one there was *outstanding* from RN's to surgeons to aide. Kind, compassionate, dedicated to their work and helping patients.

I will be unable to drive for 6 to 8 weeks - have pulled out of judging gigs, trials... The Coblekill summit will still happen; a couple of my NW peeps have generously stepped up to help,

I have a roster of ppl who will walk the dogs, bring food, etc.
I know how fortunate I am to have such a great support system.
More as it happens,

04/12/2025

I wanted to take today to post about my wonderful 'Little Red Dog' Toka, who turned 10 on 4/10. I needed this post to stand alone, and not get lost amongst others, or be too short or not emphasize how wonderful he is (because I had a crazy week at work).

His Redness is such a great dog. He has stepped into the role of Walmart Greeter that Kiyo filled. He is nearly bomb-proof, unflappable and handles situations when Miko is being a Silly Young 'Un with calm and aplomb.

Where I go, he wants to go -- his early 'I am the independent, detached Akita' stage is long over.

Toka has titles in nose work, agility, back packing, obedience, coursing, Fast CAT, therapy dog work, parkour, barn hunt, manners, temperament, fit dog, and tricks and is an AKC Ambassador for the Akita breed. He has the 'Versatile Akita Excellent 6' title, and I am now motivated to put in for his VAX7 & VAX8 (He has the titles, I just haven't submitted them.)

Not bad for a little deafie!

He enhances our lives and our home with his handsome face, his kind and gentle personality, and his goofy sense of humor.

How incredibly lucky I am to have this wonderful dog grace my life. It is official. It's in his Cornell vet school documentation that he is 'a very good boy' and a 'very sweet dog.'

THANK YOU to his Auntie Sue & sister Mirage who send him Christmas & birthday gifts every year! He appreciates them!

Love you forever & always, Your Redness. You.Are.The.BEST.

04/10/2025

Miko *loves* the 'bring it here' game.
Here she retrieves a dumbbell from behind a blind. Good girl!

04/08/2025

Toka and I went to a Cornell Companion therapy dog visit at Cornell today. He really enjoyed himself, got lots of ear skritches, back rubs & compliments.

After that, he got to go back to his underwater treadmill sessions at the vet school. We took a 6 week hiatus as they dx'ed his increasing lameness (teeny tiny tear to his left cruciate) and received two PRP injections, a couple of weeks apart.

Thanks, Chris, for the photos of His Handsomeness!

04/08/2025

Hachiko's Story: Hachiko was a Japanese who gained worldwide fame for his remarkable loyalty to his owner, Professor Hidesaburō Ueno.
The Memorial: Even after Professor Ueno's death, Hachiko continued to wait for him at Shibuya Station every day for years, becoming a symbol of devotion.
Hachiko Day: April 8th is a day to remember Hachiko and his unwavering loyalty, with a memorial service held annually outside Shibuya Station.
Location: The memorial is held at the Hachiko statue in front of Shibuya Station.
Hachiko's death: Hachiko died on March 8, 1935, and the memorial on April 8th takes place one month after his passing.
Hachiko's Legacy: Statues of Hachiko have been cast in various locations, including Odate (Ueno's hometown), Hisai, the University of Tokyo, and Rhode Island (the American setting for the 2009 movie "Hachi: A Dog's Tale").

04/01/2025

Great progress! She loves this!

03/30/2025

The dogs and I made the trek to Prince Frederick, MD last week. Miko & Toka's Auntie Mary had such a great time at Joel Silverman's 5 day workshop that we had to join the fun. Here's the highlight reel of Miko's adventures there. The playlist for the full version of each exercise is in the comments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-9d1ub_VvY&feature=youtu.be

These look like simple behaviors - and many are. They are the foundation for more advanced chained behaviors.

Toka got to play, too! Though mostly he was the team mascot and hotel greeter.

Dog Training For Film & TVMarch 23-28, 2025Prince Frederick, MD

03/19/2025

An exciting few days here on Willow Creek. We lost power for well over a day Sunday-Monday (and the generator crapped out! Rats!)
Miko & Toka have been enjoying hanging out on the porch. Here vids - His Redness is such a good and patient older bro.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F20RFurxcog

And here's Baby Puppy rocking the breed ring at the York cluster - she's now 'singled out.' She won best of breed 3 days in a row. We got to do some nose work there, too (practice, not trialing)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYEOp4JW87Q

03/08/2025

It's been an eventful few days here with the Willow Creek Akitas.

A couple of days ago we had a little incident with the neighbor's dog, who broke her leash and made the stupid decision to charge Miko & Toka. Shiloh stopped just before she reached us, and then... she came in.

Miko went haywire. I had her leash wrapped around my hand - she got loose, and there was a brief altercation as I tied Toka to a tree and galloped after her. Shiloh backed down, so the kerfuffle was just that, not a fight to the death. Both dogs are fine, though Miss Bossy Boots was pretty proud of herself.

Alas, my hand is somewhat damaged. Nothing broken, but lots of bruising & inflammation (and it's kinda sorta hard to do anything requiring fine motor skills, including typing. Can you say 'hunt & peck?')

We met up with Auntie Lynne & their friend Ruby for some Fetch practice today. Both Ruby & Miko had fun. When they were done, Toka rooted around in the toy bag & pulled out the bumper. He had a blast Fetching. Who knew he was a retriever in an earlier life?

03/06/2025

Willow Creek Akita Update
Toka is doing *great!* He’s back to his happy, bouncy (for him), cheerful self, wants to walk further than he’s ‘supposed to’ andalso wants to wrestle with Miko. YAY! Still thrilled he did not need surgery.

Miko has had a busy week.
Over the weekend she was in W. Springfield MA for conformation shows, chauffeured by her Auntie Mary & handled by her Auntie Kim. 2 more points, and earned an Award of Merit on Sunday (over a special!! Actually, I’m just as happy about the fact she will p**p regularly when she’s with Auntie Kim. You are right. I have no life)

We started Fetch class tonight. Here’s a vid of her playing with one of her all time favorite Aunties. (I am so grateful to her Aunties and Unkas. Typical of an Akita, once someone is considered family, she loves them with her whole heart).

3/5/25

03/02/2025

The vids of 2 of Miko’s ORTs: good girl!

2/17/25White Plains, NYHost: For the love of dogs

03/01/2025

Update on my little red dog: Ultrasound was somewhat inconclusive, so Cornell proceeded with an arthroscopic examination of his knee.

Conclusion: there is a slight (very slight) tear to his cruciate. There is also some slight thickening to a tendon attached to one of his digits (toes).

TX: Platelet Rich Plasma injection (PRP) to his knee & tendon sheath, to be repeated in about a month.

Toka's left rear leg is pretty sore, so he's on limited movement for a week or so. He's currently somewhat stoned on gabapentin.

Here's a fun video - he LOVES his PT team at Cornell.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6skJOmds8QM