Rup-date

Rupert: It's been a while since we've blogged.

Sasha: Yes, it has.

Rupert: Because of our lazy human.

Sasha: Well, I would usually be inclined to agree with you on that score, but in this case it's not so much that she's been lazy as that she's been sickie.

Rupert: An awful lot of sickie - all that snuffling and snorting all night long. Why can't she learn to snore nicely like us doggies?

Sasha: It's more than just being sickie - you've kept her busy over the last few weeks, what with the midnight (and midday) vomiting all over the place.

Rupert: Yes, that's true, I have been somewhat vomity lately. Partially because my stomach can't take a lot of food since I was all starve-y when I was a stray, so if I eat too much at once I vomit it back up. Preferably on a soft furnishing.

Sasha: But that's not the only reason you've been vomity, is it?

Rupert: No, the vet human said I might have a deep-seated parasite which didn't get killed when the Lost Dogs Home gave me anti-worming medication. I've actually lost weight since I came to live with you!

Rupey (aka Big Head) - super-model or Bratz doll?

Sasha: So you've had a dose of Drontal and then some antibiotics for the last week or so.

Rupert: Those pills our human shoves down my throat twice a day.

Sasha: Yes, it's a pity you're on special food right now - you can't have your tablets wrapped in cheese.

Rupert: Is that what our human gives you every morning and night while we're eating? I never quite see what it is, because my nose is so deep in my bowl.

Sasha: Yes, I've had a urinary tract infection, which means I need to have tablets twice a day, too. I don't mind, because I'm very good at locating and spitting out tablets, so they need to be ensconced in enough cheese that I don't notice them. Mmmm, yummy! She can't just shove them down my throat, because I'm an expert at the "hold and twist-at-the-perfect-moment" technique.

Rupert: Our human's been coming home from work every day at lunchtime to give me an extra meal. Then she goes back to work again. She was muttering about cab fares being very expensive, and not getting a lunch break for weeks on end. Hey, I'm the one with the sore tummy, human, so stop complaining!

Sasha: I think she's getting Upstairs Girl to come and give you lunch next week. And give me treats, so I don't get jealous! You've more or less stopped vomiting now, haven't you?

Rupert: More or less. I still enjoy the odd blurp, just for old times' sake. I'm trying to help her by joining up all the clean spots on the carpet where she's had to scrub. It's a service I like to provide to those I love.

Sasha: And how's your tummy feeling now?

Rupert: Much better! I've noticed I'm getting more food in my bowl, too. She's been increasing each meal by 5g every day. If I vomit, then we go back to the previous day's amount. If I don't, then we keep going. I'm almost up to the full amount I should be having for a doggie of my weight.

Sasha: Then we have to work on making those meals bigger, so you can get to the weight you're supposed to be. And then get rid of lunch!

Rupert: What?? Get rid of lunch?? Nooo...!!

Sasha: You'll still get the same amount of food, just in two meals instead of one. And you can start having normal food as well, the same as me. And then we can start getting other stuff, like home-made chicken and vegies, and chicken necks, and sardines, and things that are too difficult when there's tablets and weighing, and all that other stuff to worry about.

Rupert: Speaking of going to bed ...

Sasha: What? We were talking about vomiting, not bed!

Rupert: Hey, a talented pup like me knows how to combine bed and vomiting - I've been doing it for weeks! Anyway, there's one thing about going to bed I've been curious about.

Sasha: (Sigh) What was that?

Rupert: You know how we're not allowed on our human's bed?

Not on the bed

Sasha: Er... yes...

Rupert: I know we're not allowed on her bed, coz every time I jump on it, our human makes me get off.

Sasha: ... and your question?

Rupert: Well, I have a nice, soft doggie bed with raised edges and a special blankie that our human tucks me into every night. It's on the floor by her bed, and it's very comfy and snuggly.

Sasha: I am familiar with your bed. I often have a relaxing gnaw on your blankie.

Rupert: Well, at bedtime you always go around to the other side of her bed, but there's no soft doggie bed there, just that footstool thing you jump up onto, so I guess that's where you sleep. It's not soft and there's no blankie, so I just wondered if you got cold or uncomfortable at night.

Sasha: ... er... well... um... no, actually, I sleep quite well at night.

Rupert: Well, you must be some kind of super-puppy to be comfortable there during these cold wintry nights. If you want, you can come and share my bed - there's enough room, and you know I quite like snuggling up to you on the couch during the day. It would be a very cozy way to spend the night.

Holding paws

Sasha: ... um... thanks for the offer... but... heh, super-puppy, that's me... heh... I'm quite happy with my current sleeping arrangement, no need to change it at this point... um... er... what do you say to a quick game?

Rupert: Sure!