Thursday, October 13, 2011

WHY I HAVEN'T POSTED…


I apologize for my recent lack of posts. Things have been in something of a mess here since Monday, when Moon-the-Dog suddenly became quite ill. I've been worried, distracted, and busy trying to care for her and keep up with my usual work. After a trip to the vet, we still have no idea what's going. We are currently waiting the blood work results to see if they provide any answers. 

Autumn continues to claim the lanscape here along the river, though it's becoming apparent this will not be a banner year for leaf color. Our hot, dry summer which morphed into a warm, dry autumn is not optimum weather when it comes to dazzling leaves.

Anthocyanin  pigments, which gives the reds, purples, scarlets, and crimsons—Virginia creeper, sumac, nannyberry, dogwood, and sweetgum, among others—are best produced by bright, sunny days and crisp nights. Unseasonably warm weather, with daytime highs often exceeding the 80˚F mark, and balmy nights, favors the carotenoids, yielding mostly yellows, golds, and oranges…which is what we have this time around. And the overall lack of ground moisture means many of our leaves are already falling. That brilliant gold walnut I photographed for my previous post dropped all its leaves two days later. 
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36 comments:

Rowan said...

I'm so sorry to hear that Moon is ill - I hope that the vet will beable to discover and treat whatever the problem is. Your autumn is looking much more colourful than ours, an extremely dry summer has resulted in the most of the leaves falling while still green.

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

So sorry to hear your companion "Moon-the-Dog" is not well. It is such a worry when our pets fall ill - so much guesswork involved in trying to get them better. Hope the blood tests get to the root of it.

I've been busy and distracted too -not posting much on my original blog, nor commenting. Life, amidst all its beauty and glory, does bring its challenges. Your wonderful photography is always a source of inspiration (and a kind of comfort) for me.

Hang on. Hope the news is as good as blood-work news can be.

Cherrie said...

Beautiful picture of the fallen leaves. Hope your doggy gets well soon!

Gail said...

HI GRIZZ - sending lots of love and hugs and well wishes to Moon.
And ya, we have the same colors as you. It is a golden brown Autumn with the leaves falling fast. I am still happy Summer is over. phew.
Love you
Gail
peace......

Carolyn H said...

Grizz: I hope you find some answers about Moon-the-Dog soon.

My hot, wet summer has morphed into a warm, wet autumn.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Oh Grizz - so sorry about Moon. Dogs are such a worry when they are ill because they can't tell us what hurts can they?

Lucky you having warm Autumn days - it is cold and damp here and our leavings are falling rapidly. Yesterday our local river burst its banks and now today it is well down - amazing how quickly it disappears once it stops raining.
Hope Moon soon improves.

Penny said...

Always so worrying when a beloved pet is ill, they cant tell you what is wrong and things never seem to be simple I do hope all is ok.

George said...

My best wishes to you and your Ladylove, Grizz. I can deal with human issues, but I have great problems dealing with the health and welfare my dog. Here's hoping that all with be well with Moon and that your fears and apprehensions will pass as quickly as those autumn leaves floating down your river.

KGMom said...

Sorry about Moon the dog--hope all is well. Pets take such a big piece of our hearts.

Thanks for the explanation on the leaf colors and what causes them to be vivid. We too are having a duller fall than I expected.

bonifer said...

Oh, Grizz, so sorry to hear this and I feel your pain, our fur dogs are our best friends, hopefully it is nothing too serious and she is back to normal real soon. Keeping her in my thoughts and prayers...

Grizz………… said...

Rowan…

Thank you. I hope we get some news tomorrow and that it is good.

A lot of the leaves around here are falling, too—also still green or a sort of dried brownish-green. We haven't had much rain, either. The river is very low.

Good to hear from you…as always.

Grizz………… said...

Bonnie…

Me, too—and thank you. And that's partly why it's so worrying, that we can't communicate any better—her to me, me to her.

Grizz………… said...

Cherrie…

Thank you. I hope this works out well, as I do love my old dog.

Grizz………… said...

Gail…

Thank you. You know how I feel about Moon.

It has been a cloudy day here, a bit of rain, somewhat cooler. Lots of leaves on the water.

Take care…

Grizz………… said...

Carolyn H…

I hope we can get her well. Thank you. It is so sad to see her so sick.

Though we've had a bit of drizzle today, this has really been a dry, hot fall so far—many days in the upper-70s˚ to mid-80s˚. Now, leaves are falling.

Grizz………… said...

Weaver…

Thank you. Yes, it's the not being able to tell them we're helping and what they must do, and not knowing how they truly feel.

Your river apparently responds fairly fast. Mine would be a bit slower, even if the rain quit—partly because its watershed covers a large, slow-to-drain area of flat farmland. Rivers are individuals, with their own character.

Grizz………… said...

Penny…

You're right, it's quite hard to watch them and feel so helpless. Thank you. Maybe we'll be able to start making a difference tomorrow. I hope so.

Grizz………… said...

George…

Thank you. I appreciate your kind and understanding words. I can't deal with this very well, either. Moon has been my faithful companion for many years. I love her dearly.

Grizz………… said...

KGMom…

Thank you. I suppose it sounds unreasonable, but Moon is family. She's a big part of my life—our life—and home. This is really tough because I want to help, somehow, to pass some of my strength to her and make her well.

Jain said...

Grizz,
Hazel, Capo, and Lily send healing wishes to Moon. Please keep us posted.
Belly rubs and special treats,
Jain

Grizz………… said...

Bonifer…

Thank you. Moon is family—faithful companion, a big part of my daily life. Please do keep us in your prayers. We can both use them.

Grizz………… said...

Jain…

Thank you…and please thank Hazel, Capo, and Lily for me, too. I've been giving the belly rubs, but Moon hasn't eaten anything since Tuesday, though I've tried. I will keep you posted.

Wanda..... said...

Sending positive thoughts your way for Moon. My daughter's dog, Cady just recovered from a similar experience...hoping the best for Moon too.

Grizz………… said...

Wanda…

Thank you. I sure appreciate your encouraging words. I'm hoping to know something soon, and maybe then can start making a positive change.

giggles said...

Here's more hopes for Moon's quick diagnosis and recovery.....

Grizz………… said...

Giggles…

Thank you. I'm hoping, but there's been no improvement. The blood work showed liver problems and I have to take her to a clinic in Cincinnati this afternoon for an ultrasound. I'm worried to death…

Robin said...

I hate seeing that kind of title to a post....

Many prayers for Moon the dog.... and you, as well.

May it be something minor....

Grizz………… said...

Robin…

Thank you…and I hate having to write such a post title. Unfortunately, Moon's condition is very serious, in fact, she's having surgery a few minutes from now. I should know by midnight whether she came through the surgery and its potential complications—but it will be several days beyond that before we know whether she'll make it. I worried, frightened, and broken by all this…but we're doing our best. She's in God's hands.

Again, thank you.

Jain said...

Holding Moon and her family in my thoughts.

Grizz………… said...

Jain…

Thank you so much. Moon survived her surgery last night, and is holding her own. The next 2-3 days are critical, as 20-50 percent don't make it. So she's not out of the woods yet, but she has a chance—which is more than she had yesterday afternoon. I'm still a mess…

giggles said...

(((Moon))) (((Grizz)))

They found what was wrong??? And prayers that they've fixed her....

Grizz………… said...

Giggles…

Moon's gallbladder was severely distended to the point of rupture—perhaps in the process of doing so—and the organ's fluids were congealed. So the gallbladder was totally blocked, non-functional. They removed the gallbladder and rerouted the bile duct surgically last night. Survival is something like 50%, maybe a bit better, though increasing as the hours pass without complications. If they make it 2-3 days, they generally survive. So Moon is a long way from being clear, yet, but her odds improve with each passing hour. I wish I could fight this battle for her…

George said...

Good luck, Grizz. I'm delighted to know that Moon the Dog survived the surgery. It's good news to learn that she at least has a fighting chance. My prayers are with both of you.

Grizz………… said...

George…

Thank you so much, my friend. We just got back from visiting Moon at the hospital, which is in northern Cincinnati, a bit over an hour's drive from here. She looks awful, which is to be expected, and is in moderate discomfort, also unavoidable. But her vital signs remain good, though we were unable to get her to eat. I guess everything that can be done is being done, which is some comfort…but looking into those dear old brown eyes as we left was mighty tough. I'm a marshmallow when it comes to those I love…

Rebecca said...

Grizz, I am so sorry to read about Moon's troubles. Keeping Moon in my thoughts, and sending her all the positive energy I can muster. Rebecca

Grizz………… said...

Rebecca…

I believe every prayer and positive thought helps. Thank you.