Summer time!

Sorry for the hiatus. This summer has been crazy. I spend my days looking for jobs, taking Nelson to the park, hanging with other jobless friends and again, taking Nelson to the park. As everyone knows, this is not the best time to be looking for a job, and in my field it's even harder, but I'm not giving up, and there are even a few very hopeful prospects in the works right now :)

As for Nelson, he has continued with the diarrhea, and on Sunday he had an episode where he collapsed. It was terrifying. We have an appointment with our vet today to talk about everything, and I've been praying we can figure out what is plaguing Nelson. Looking at him when we take our walks, or how he is when he sees someone come to the apartment, no one would know he is having some problems. He acts like the typical energetic puppy. Even as I type this he is laying at my feet chewing on his favorite stuffed animal, Mr. Frog.

I've also discovered Nelson LOVES the water. The daycare always said he would spend time in the pool, so my Dad and I went and got a baby pool for their house. We couldn't get him out of the water no matter what! As you can see from the photo, he is in heaven when he is in the water.

If everyone can send their good thoughts our way that would be much appreciated.

Happy Birthday Nelson!

Today is Nelson's First Birthday! I cannot believe it! He is sitting at 96lbs, and is a joy!

His stomach issues seem to be past us (thank goodness) and he's just a great dog.

I am currently now officially no longer a student. Yes, I finally graduated-for the last time!! I'm searching for jobs, and know I will find the right one.

Wishing everyone a safe and wonderful week.

With Love,
Nelson & Ellen

We're Still Here!!

Wow. It has been a while since the last post! Let's fill you all in on what has been going on in the world of Ellen and Nelson.

Well school has been insane. Insane, but good. For one of our classes our project was to create an identity system for the Office Of Diversity Equity & Inclusion at the college. When we were all done the entire Office would vote on their favorite and the winner would have their design be used as the official identity of the Office and win an Ipod Touch. Well...... it was me!! I was so honored and so excited that mine was chosen out of 4 different classes. It made me really see that my hard work is finally paying off!

In the news of Nelson, he is about 85lbs now, finally rid of the Giardia, and takes daily homeopathic medicine to help his immune system along with probiotics to help him. We did have a little bout of the runs this week but the daycare he goes to is so amazing they are helping me figure out why. Wait for it.... its gross..... apparently nelson is.... A POOP EATER. Yes, a poop eater! So Erica, the owner, is so wonderful she has decided to do some special training with Nelson when he is at the daycare to help rid him of this awful habit. She said yesterday he did not eat any poop, but he did decide to ROLL IN IT. Covering his white chest with poop. Gross. I feel so lucky that Nelson goes to a place that cares so much about him.

Other than the poop, Nelson is doing fantastic and we are about to start Advanced Obedience next Saturday.

Thanks to all the friends and family who have been so patient and kind while I am putting all my effort and time into school. In 4 weeks it will all be over!

Last, I want to let everyone know that the senior show is May 7th, at Liberty Memorial. I will be sending you all invites. So keep that date open!

It's February already??

I cannot believe it has been months since I last posted! I guess it goes without saying that school has overtaken my life. I thought past semesters were tough, but I was sadly mistaken.

An update on our lives:
Nelson graduated from Obedience class, made lots of friends, and we are going to continue with obedience classes. Next up will be "Canine Good Citizen" class, followed by Obedience level 2 class in the Spring which will be outside at a park. I am so excited for it. Even though that will be around the time the Senior Show will be getting into gear, along with graduation, having a class each Saturday morning is a nice break, plus it wears Nelson out like no walk can! Nelson got giardia again (or in my opinion, we never fully got rid of it) but as of last friday he was clean. He's growing by the day, and I love him more each day.

As for me, things are crazy with school. I'm in class MW from 12-9, and TR from 6-9. It's the most rigorous schedule I have ever done, but I know there is a goal in sight: graduation and Senior Show. Speaking of the Senior Show, I think it is May 8th, and I would love all of those I care about to come see why I've been killing myself for the last 3 years. I will let everyone know for sure as it gets closer.

I promise I will update more frequently, add more pictures and keep everyone in "the know".

Nelson and I wish everyone good health, love and happiness.

With Love, Nelson & Ellen

Daily Puppy

Nelson is the website www.dailypuppy.com puppy of the day! I am so excited because even before I even got Nelson, I always looked at this page, and I'm beyond proud Nelson was chosen as the puppy of the day! Check out the link below.

http://www.dailypuppy.com/puppies/Big-Boy-Nelson-the-Bernese-Mountain-Dog-_2008-12-21

Have a great day, a merry Christmas and stay warm!!

With Love, Nelson & Ellen

Lights, Camera, Nelson

Well today is Nelson's photoshoot for our friend Max, and as I type this he is being groomed for the first time- EVER. I am really excited for him to look like an even bigger stud and see how he does at the photoshoot. I think it could go really smoothly, or it could go really awry. Either way I'll have a good story to tell.

Nelson is loving the snow, and even better, loving sleeping on the floor all night! We still seem to be having a few stomach issues, but I'm hoping they will pass and aren't giardia flaring up AGAIN. We've been dealing with this virus for 3 months now, and it feels like we've been dealing with it for 3 years.

Wish us luck at the photoshoot, not getting lost (anyone that knows me knows this will probably happen) and Nelson not breaking anything expensive at the shoot! :)

With Love, Nelson & Ellen

Giardi Round Two

Well since the last post, I have finished school, have Nelson back with me, and am just trying to reorganize my life and relax a little bit from the most intense semester I've ever had. All the while trying to prepare myself for the next semester which will without a doubt be the most intense semester by far.
Since getting Nelson back last week he started to get the same Giardia flare up. This is common, and it is common that animals will need more than one round of treatment to get rid of Giardia. So far the medicine seems to be helping which is great.
Nelson and I are also trying a new sleeping arrangement - him on the floor, me on the bed. There area couple reasons we are starting to do this. The main reason being that Nelson would prefer to be on a floor because it is much cooler for him. The reason I haven't let him sleep on the floor yet is because I didn't think he was mature enough to not chew my entire room while I was sleeping. The other reason for me wanting him to be on the floor is that he is now 65 lbs and is taking up almost the entire bed!
So far its been quite an adjustment for him to sleep on the floor. I have not been getting much sleep because he thinks because he's on the floor he can scratch on the door every time he wants to go out, which last night was every hour! I'm hopeful that he will start to see being on the floor is the same as being on the bed, and it means sleeping all night!

We hope everyone is doing well, staying warm, and enjoying December!

With Love, Nelson & Ellen