Tonight's picture was taken in March of 2009. That day Mattie had a visit from his friend, Charlotte. Together they created silk screens and this was Mattie's final product. He drew a picture of Charlotte and she was smiling. I do believe her friendship brought happiness to Mattie. There was always a sun in Mattie's artwork. It did not matter what medium he worked with, that telltale symbol was ever present.
Quote of the day: Any fool can be happy. It takes a man with real heart to make beauty out of the stuff that makes us weep. ~ Clive Barker
Do you know dogs get the flu too? Sunny got a flu shot yesterday during his well exam and today he was not a happy camper. I knew it wasn't a good day for him because he never left our bedroom this morning. Typically as soon as Peter gets up, Sunny follows him downstairs for a walk and breakfast. When I got up this morning, Sunny was staring at me on the bed. He needed a lot of TLC, as he was lethargic, seemed to have an upset stomach, and diarrhea. Poor guy! So why put him through this and get a flu shot? Well because Sunny doesn't live in a vacuum and he is exposed to other dogs and to dogs in boarding where he can pick up the virus from shared water bowls and saliva.
The origin of dog influenza started from a virus, known as H3N8, that had begun in horses and, somewhere along the way, transitioned into dogs. Also, a different type of virus is thought to have sparked another round of flu – the H3N2 from a bird virus that then transferred to dogs as well.
Dog flu, whether from birds or horses, developed and was transferred in very modern history. Because the viruses are so new, it means that dogs have not had time to develop an immunity towards them. That’s why, if exposed, 80% of dogs that come into contact with a dog flu virus will contract the virus and show symptoms.
The virus is mostly contracted through airborne particles (shared through canine coughing, barking or other activities that would transfer saliva particles), touch (with other dog bowls, dog park equipment) or transference from a human petting one dog and then their own dog.
Symptoms of flu, not unlike with humans, include sneezing, coughing, runny nose, fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite. About 80 percent of the dogs who are infected with the virus will have only mild symptoms, with about 20 percent of infected dogs showing no symptoms whatsoever (these dogs, however, are still able to spread the virus). Most dogs recover in two to three weeks.
Needless to say, Sunny is lying low today. But I feel like I am getting bombarded at every turn with flu conversation.... both human and dog.
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