DECEMBER 2020: WHIDBEY ISLAND WASHINGTON

 

JULY 19, 2020: DRUMMER'S NINTH BIRTHDAY

Today is Drummer's 9th birthday. The average age of an Irish Wolfhound is 7-8 years, and I've only owned one that lasted to 10 years of age. You can see Drummer's age by his difficulty with his back legs now. I assume this may be in part due to the burst disc in his back several years ago. Of all the dogs I've owned Drummer has had more medical problems in his lifetime, and always has some sort of malady going on but he just keeps on truck'n - outliving most of the dogs I've owned. He is a celebrity in the neighborhood.

March, 2020: DRUMMER WITH HIS NEWPHEW, ALFRED

Drummer spent a pleasant visit with his old caretakers, Wendy & Andrew who once owned his half-brother (whom Drummer has outlived). They now own Alfred, who is four years old and is the daughter of Drummer's only surviving sister (two others have died). Drummer is the smaller of the two (on the right).

March, 2020: THE MOST EXPENSIVE DOG!

Drummer is the most expensive dog I've ever had! His vet bills are regular and costly. Pictured here are his current regimen to deal with his chronic colitis and skin rash. We did an allergy panel and he's allergic to all grasses - so no more rolling on the greenway, which is one of his great pleasures (see photo Nov. 2018). Also listed here are meds for pain and inflamation. He wrenched his back while slipping on the stairs. His back legs don't work too well anymore. We decided its a quality of life issue to let him continue to use the stairs. He'd feel we were punishing him if we restricted him to one floor of the house. So now we have throw rugs all over the wood floors, particularly at the head and bottom of the stairs.

February, 2020: Drummer with Housesitters

Here is Drummer with Kris (taken by husband, Tom). I was in Myanmar most of February and Judy is working in San Diego. Tom & Kris came out from New York to take care of Drummer (and our house). I originally found them on TrustedHousesitters.com, but this is the third time they've taken care of Drummer. They have a daughter and several friends in the area, and Tom can telecommute.