Happy New Year everyone. I hope that you all had a safe and happy holiday season. We’re in it, a new year. It is January 9th, 2026 and we had a busy, happy holiday season. It was very relaxing with lots of sitting around under blankets and enjoying just being.
For those of you who follow my IG page @mamaregalbuto you already know that I have been dealing with many injuries since the fall. I injured my right shoulder in September, cut the tip of my left thumb off in November, injured my left shoulder and right elbow in December. All of the injuries have been mostly due to helping my flailing girl Elsa. Even with all of my weight lifting and exercise; when she starts to flail around, things get tweaked.
Pretty much everything is almost back to normal. Albeit my right elbow; it has plagued me for years so it has taken the hardest hit. I have been trying to work around further injury of my very painful elbow but this morning I’d had enough. I know by how painful it is that it is going to be sometime until it is back to good. So, it was a “suck it up buttercup” morning. After trying to decide if Elsa could or would use a ramp to get into the car; I got frustrated and put it back in the garage and lifted her into the car. I tried my very best to line her up so that both she and I would have success.
She did great. It is all about positioning and timing. I use the “toedies” technique of getting her in the car. It worked for years with Luke and she learned by watching Luke. I ask her to put her feet up on the back of the SUV and I do the rest of the work. This is getting harder and harder for her to do; but we managed this morning just fine. The problem lies with when she jumps too early or too far from the car and my whole body is tweaked having to catch and wrangle her. She’s a big girl and I’m a small girl.
But, here we are in January 2026, who’d of thought. Miss Elsa’s did pretty good at her last Vet appointment; with her blood pressure staying steady but her kidney numbers are not the best. As the vet says, we are between a rock and a rock at this point. Meds are bad for her kidneys, high blood pressure can cause a severe stroke and perhaps death. So she gets the meds and we do our best.
We had a lot of family over throughout the holidays which is wonderful; and enjoyed every moment of it. Our family grew again with the arrival of Grandbaby #7. We had the whole family here for CKO (Christmas Kick Off) which is just the best. A bounce house, games, gifts, crafts, food anad chaos. Nothing like it.
As we go into the New Year we have hope of a great one. I hope to spend lots of time with the family making memories and enjoying the little moments. Our k9 family also grew by one; a little scruffy guy named Max that is Luna’s little brother. For Riggs and Elsa? I am a realist so I know what I’m up against with all of Elsa’s stuff. But as long as she’s happy and content, I’m super happy. Riggs is being a trooper and I couldn’t ask for a better companion.
Happy New Year everyone.