The news is good this evening. Both Sounder and Channel Man Stan are doing better tonight. Sounder got through his initial dose of medicine and has started to be able to drink a little water and eat small amounts of a lean specially prepared beef and rice mixture. Go Sounder! Meanwhile at Highland Hospital, Channel Man Stan continues to hold his own. His blood pressure and heart rate have improved and he still doesn’t have a fever. The ventilator FiO2 level is set to 40% and his blood oxygenation is very good. His abdomen is still quite distended, but hopefully the drugs and frequent position changes will help relieve things. The doctors took him for his first ride during his stay at Highland and wheeled him down for a CAT scan of his abdomen. Hopefully tomorrow we will hear more about what the doctors see on the scan. Pop is getting two doses a day of 200 mg each of itraconazole, once in the morning and once in the evening. In addition, his pain and sedation medications have been lowered significantly. Tonight he moved his eyes and tried to open them in response to me talking to him. It is very apparent that Channel Man Stan is in there somewhere! Fight, Channel Man, fight! Happy Anniversary, you tough old bird.

My Mom enjoyed a delicious relaxing meal with us tonight in celebration of Mom and Pop’s anniversary. She was in good spirits and headed to Johanna’s afterwards with Sounder. Thanks Mom, for making the delicious strawberry rhubarb pie! I think everyone will sleep well this night.

During the three and a half hour saga with Sounder at the animal hospital today, they finally ended up giving him a bolus of fluids to fight his dehydration. This was injected under the skin of his back and sides, and could easily be felt with your hand when touching him. It was cold and sort of like a water balloon. Then it hit me! Did you ever see pictures of people and their dogs that highlighted the fact that many pet owners choose pets that bear some resemblance to them? Pop’s dog Sounder suddenly seemed to have a lot in common with Pop. Today, Sounder was Michelin Dog!