Golden Retriever Solves Puzzle - Review Puzzle Toy for Dogs

Closing out and changing the blog's title - Makana then

8 week old Makana born in Hawaii Oct 2001

Cali at 8 weeks of age and Makana at 15 in Jan 2017

Makana then...

It's been two years and I'm finally doing this update.

In 2016 we moved out of Orlando, FL to temporarily stay in NC for a month before going to TN for three months and then settled near Charlottesville, VA around Oct 2016. At each move, since Makana was diagnosed with acute liver disease while we were still in Orlando in 2015 - we never knew how much time we had with her. She was the last of our three dogs and no plans for another.

Thankfully my precious girl from Honolulu-FL-NC-TN-VA - lived another year before we got our golden retriever puppy in Jan 2017. I had wanted another dog but there was never a "good time". However, my hubby finally gave in and Cali dogger our golden came into our lives. Makana was annoyed and 15 at the time, but after Cali realized that she couldn't rough-house with Makana, they two adjusted to each other's company.

In Feb 2017 there were a lot of changes in our lives and we ended up traveling more. With the moves, Makana was accustomed to staying in hotels but she was annoyed once again that we were moving and moving and again when we finally reached VA - she seemed to settle down and didn't have any new health scares.


I took Makana back to FL on two occasions for work. We fleed from hurricanes on more than one occasion while living in FL and on my first trip with her, we again had to leave early. It took over 22 hours to get from Orlando to upper Atlanta before we could check into a hotel on our way back to NE TN. On the second trip to FL, I again left the golden with hubby and took Makana to FL for a two-week work trip. She was always a little slower, poor appetite, and had a bum-knew from years ago when she slipped off the couch. But she was still alert, oriented, and if she could talk, she would tell me the day and time. LoL - those are questions we used to ask patients when I was a social worker to figure out if they were oriented to person, place, and time.

Anyway, at the end of my first week on a Saturday evening, Makana was having difficulty breathing. Similar to how her sister Nala was (14 yo), about a day before she passed.

Makana 6.5 yo and Nala 8 y.o.

This time, Makana could sleep, so neither could I. I was doing a load of laundry on the 3rd floor of the hotel and would take Makana with me from the first floor, put the laundry in, and come back down. It was the wee hours of the morning and this time, I walked to the bathroom and Makana followed me into the room and just stared at me. I took her in my arms as I was going to check the wash again.

As I was walking down the hall to the elevator she made this weird noise, her body went sort of stiff and I thought, "oh no, what's happening?" Prior to that, she had not eaten so I bought her favorite burger and she actually took the meat and ate it.

So this was maybe a few hours later when she was off and on making strange noises, which she had off and on for years due to allergies. As I kept walking to the stairs this time, she jerked and went stiff and then I feel wetness on my arms. I knew I was losing her. I got up the laundry and kept saying, "no, no, no, don't leave me." But it was over in a few seconds. I got a towel and wrapped it around her and quietly wept. She had lost control of her bowels and bladder. I cleaned that up and washed up a bit and went outside to the parking lot.

I think it was somewhere around 5 or 6 am. I carefully bundled Makana in the towel and walked around the parking lot crying and checking to be sure she wasn't breathing. I asked her why did she leave me, and my only thought was that it was time, she knew I would be okay if she left me now. Oh, how I ached. She was my last baby, 16 years old. She had been through so much with me, or shall I say she was there with me through every aching moment of my life that I needed comfort and was there for the joyful times too. But she was also my last connection (dogwise) with what I brought from Hawaii with me, when I moved to FL, away from my family and friends.

Makana at 15 as we entered back into FL from a road trip 

Other things happened and I was glad we were in FL because we knew who to call. My friends were there and a few of them came to sit with me. I knew from Nala's passing since it was a Sunday that I could get her picked up when I was ready or wait until Monday as the pet crematory happened to be nearby.  Hubby drove down with our golden to offer support and to drive me back to VA. It was sad to see our golden run to the hotel room obviously looking for Makana. And when we arrived back in VA a week later, Cali ran to the house as soon as the door opened and searched throughout the house. It was so sad, she didn't get to say goodbye. By the time hubby and Cali got to the hotel it was a couple days later but Makana's scent and her bed was still in the room so I'm sure that was confusing for poor Cali.

It's been 2 years since Makana's passing.
Cali is now a little over 3 years old.
We've moved two more times since Va.
I still miss my gift, my Makana.

But I have many great memories and of course, I have my Cali girl, she holds the secrets that Makana has passed on to her, so now, whenever, someday we get another pup - Makana's stories, that were told to Cali - can still be passed on. ###

Makana's first snow walk Dec 2016

How to make healthy homemade dog food - Makana Meatloaf

Makana's Story on why we make her food - Makana Meatloaf or Meatballs

A healthier alternative to dry dog food, make your own dog food using ingredients that you know are healthier for your pet.

A couple of months ago, Makana was very sick, the vet said her tests and symptoms showed she was in liver failure. We don't know what caused it, although it's suspect she somehow ingested some type of toxin where in a day or two she was unable to eat or drink liquids and was stumbling, vomiting and lethargic.

The only thing the vet said they could do was run tests, give her IV hydration and send her home with a supplement that consisted of milk thistle, try to get her to drink water and feed her chicken and rice. Later, if she would eat, the vet said to give her some vegetables.

As I researched the net, I found that I should have "forced" Makana to get water and pureed food into her, to get her healthy - it was a very shaky few weeks. We were told to come back in a month to be retested and hope (we prayed) that her liver would regenerate itself.

This recipe came about after watching youtube videos, reading a lot of material and keeping a diary and food log f what was going on with Makana's health.

We're happy to announce that although her liver numbers were over 1,000 when we went to the vet, in a month, with love and persistence, her liver numbers are in the 200 range. The vet was surprised how well she was doing and said she needs to lose weight (that's an ongoing story with Makana) and although her liver numbers should be in the `100s, he's satisfied right now, that she won't need another check for 3 months.

I don't know if her food contributed to her failing liver but I do know that the combination of changing her diet, giving her a tiny portion of powder milk thistle, based on her weight, water, prayer, patience and love, our little Makana is still with us today. She may be 14 years-old, so my goal is to make sure she's comfortable and taken care of as best as we can. - mm

Makana Impersonates Koda - been watching too much Super Cooper Sunday

We've been watching Super Cooper Sunday on TMartn2's youtube channel and I caught Makana, doing a "Koda" impersonation when he lost his foot in a 'freak accident' - well you see.

Easter Sunday for Makana, Boo Bunny, Comforting Words

It's Easter Sunday - Happy Resurrection Day!

Boo Bunny and Makana visiting with each other.

 Makana looks fine this morning, awake, oriented, no distress noted. We'll see what the day holds for us and if she'll eat.  I'll post Makana's daily diary later today or tomorrow morning, I'm keeping a running log to report back to the vet.


A friend sent me Psalm 91 to comfort me as we all know how precious our doggy companions are to us, so I'm posting this here for those of us who are going through some challenges, may the Lord lift you and encourage you in whatever you're going through.

Psalm 91 (NLT)

1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High

    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 This I declare about the Lord:

He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;

    he is my God, and I trust him.

3 For he will rescue you from every trap

    and protect you from deadly disease.

4 He will cover you with his feathers.

    He will shelter you with his wings.

    His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,

    nor the arrow that flies in the day.

6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,

    nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

7 Though a thousand fall at your side,

    though ten thousand are dying around you,

    these evils will not touch you.

8 Just open your eyes,

    and see how the wicked are punished.

9 If you make the Lord your refuge,

    if you make the Most High your shelter,

10 no evil will conquer you;

    no plague will come near your home.

11 For he will order his angels

    to protect you wherever you go.

12 They will hold you up with their hands

    so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.

13 You will trample upon lions and cobras;

    you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.

    I will protect those who trust in my name.

15 When they call on me, I will answer;

    I will be with them in trouble.

    I will rescue and honor them.

16 I will reward them with a long life

    and give them my salvation.”

###

The Day After - Makana's Health Status

It's Saturday morning and I missed a call from the Vet's office - checking on Makana.

I tried to give her meds - an hour before eating she's supposed to take Denamarin - which is a holistic/supplement to aid in liver function - or as it says on the label - for liver dysfunction. Anyway, I normally give Makana all her pill/meds that she doesn't chew, in peanut butter - she wouldn't take it and refused all foods. I called the vet's office to ask what to do.

Called back - East Orlando Animal Hospital
Call from Nate for Dr. Glenn

My Notes:

Makana had no problem with vomiting or diarrhea yesterday/last night. This morning she

doesn't want to eat, hand fed her small portion, less than a tablespoon of small pieces of

boiled chicken, didn't want rice, but ate tiny amounts of cooked Okinawan sweet potato. Any suggestions?

She is drinking water and urinating okay. Con"t dark orange urine output. No stool, most

likely because she didn't eat much. Will try to walk her later.

The Vet Tech I spoke to with the update, relayed the info to the vet and said, the doctor was surprised Makana ate anything and it's okay that she doesn't have an appetite right now, just let the meds work. I can call later in the day or tomorrow if need. (Fortunately this clinic is regularly open 7 days a week.)


It's storming now. 7 pm, no walk for Makana. The last time she went outside was a very short walk down the street on Friday before going to vet about 11 am.

Makana still reluctant to eat. Basically has eaten a teaspoon of chopped chicken, only if I hand feed her tiny pieces at a time.

She will put food in her mouth and then spit it out. I had to force her little mouth open to put the pills/meds to the back of her throat, as she wouldn't take it with peanut butter.

She will drink water if I offer it to her, with little laps of it.

She had one urine accident upstairs on the cloth under her bed, I gave her a bath and the

orange colored urine has stained her white hair, more on one side of her hip than the

other. Her urine's never been like that before - liver failure has dark orange output.

She's resting okay and wants to be with me or my husband but not overly clingy and not hiding in a corner like she had been a couple days ago. She also doesn't have the heavy panting that she had prior to going to the vet. She seems pretty calm, sadly wants to eat but not going on in, praying for a better day tomorrow. Will offer her sweet potato later in the evening and water at night is always nearby.

###

Makana's Not Feeling Well - A Day at the Vet - Liver Disease or Failure?

What's wrong with Makana?

Last night Makana had another barfy episode. Since last week's barfing day, she seemed to recover okay, with some constipation like symptoms which cleared up with boiled chicken and rice diet and rice noodles when she didn't want regular rice. Makana was raised in Hawaii and loves to eat long noodles whenever her mommy was having some, so it's a treat for her to get noodles.

Anyway, after few days on chicken and rice it seemed her stomach settled down, she was placed back on her dry kibble, the (half/half) of her new Natural Balance Vegetarian formula and Fromm's food - see her food post on Should Makana go Vegan. At first we thought it was the change in food but today we decided it was time to go to the vet as she was also having a couple of urinary accidents, so a UTI was suspect.

Both Makana and Mommy Never Like Vet Visits

Went to the vet with the expectation that they would do a urinalysis but the vet said he found a lump that was on her lower belly area but Makana wasn't going for a 2nd or 3rd try and he said it sort of moved. I felt that same sort of hardness, several times of the years and the other vets didn't think it was an issue - basically cause she's chubby and wasn't showing any problems. Makana's last full blood work up was last July, not even a year and all was clear. She had been having UTI issues repeatedly that the vet said most likely was from being overweight since all of her blood work was in normal levels.

Office Visit, Labs, Tests, IV, oh boy!

So today, the vet said everything looked good except her liver. About $600 later - we don't know why Makana is showing signs of liver disease but it seems to be a top contender for non-accidental deaths amongst canines. Bad news? Well the vet said the good thing is that the liver is the one part that can regenerate itself. The vet suggested a number of tests and we decided to go with the blood draws, pancrea test, IV hydration, shot to reduce nausea, meds include Cerenia to prevent nausea (more barfing), Denamarin to help liver function and antibiotics. The one thing we decided not to do at this time was the xrays to check the lump, for multiple reasons. One because it's been there for a couple years and hasn't been an issue, also if it was something I didn't want her to have any surgery due to her age and we're having PTSD since we lost our golden a year ago while on the table for a mass they were removing, she never made it through the surgery.

Decisions Before You Go to the Vet

I had to think as Makana got older, what to do - if a health situation occurs. I've put some of my dogs through multiple surgeries and tests and financially at this stage in my life and hers, I have to think more practical, based on her age and is it truly treatable, can we make her comfortable or what are we really doing? I decided a few years back, no surgery - even before Makana's sister died suddenly, we never knew why but she was also 14 at the time and in a way it was best for all of us and she didn't suffer endlessly.

Anyway, we would have considered the xrays only if the blood work and other tests did not show any results. Since the liver labs came back high, (one result should have been in the 100-150 range and Makana's lab was 1,000) the vet said he would normally do more two more tests, right now I can't remember what it was to test for but it would include an ultrasound ($800) and another blood test ($200). At this point, the vet said that he would have needed to schedule the ultrasound and since Makana wasn't showing lethargy or actively having any other issues and ate last night, not barfing now and was still drinking water and peeing - he was felt fine about sending her home to be treated at home but to be on the look out for jaundice and not drinking water.

Makana's Treatment Plan for today:

Today's conclusion: Possible that Makana ate something in the yard, on a walk or in the house that was toxic to her liver. - Reason the vet gave was because her liver function was fine last year, no other symptoms prior.

Treatment at home and be sure she is hydrated. As long as she continues to eat, drink, poop and pee - she will go back next Wednesday for a follow up visit - test urine and labs.

Monitor for jaundice. The vet showed me how to look at her gums and whites of her eyes for yellowing. Right now they look normal.

Hopeful: The liver is the one body part that can regenerate as long as it's not end-stage liver failure, which although her lab results were high enough for the vet to keep her in the clinic overnight, he thought she would do better at home and they do not have any overnight staff.

Medicines and Supplement:

• Cerenia - to prevent nausea - 1- 16 mg tablet per day for 4 days.
• In the office - she got a shot to prevent barfing and the Cerenia will begin tomorrow.
• Denamarin - I looked it up and it's a supplement for liver heath - or dysfunction - doesn't need a prescription and I found I can get it on Amazon which is probably cheaper. She is 12 lbs so she will take 1 tablet daily, one-hour before or two-hours after a meal. Even though it's supposed to be before or after a meal, in order to give it to her, I wrap it in a little peanut butter and she took it down. It's a small pill so not a problem.
• Amoxicillin - liquid antibiotic for possible UTI - 2.5 ml, twice a day - keep refrigerated.
• Diet - boiled chicken and rice, can add chopped green beans, broccoli or carrots for fiber. I boiled the boneless, skinless, no antibiotic/free range chicken breast and shredded it to small pieces, added cooked rice and small chopped green beans, bland - due to her barfy episodes. Today, Makana preferred to just eat the chicken. I'm okay with that for now since she didn't eat today and it's been a stressful day for her. The vet said with her weight she can have 3/4 a cup twice a day or a total of 1.5 cups daily. He said less is better than more, right now and she if she will eat it.

Follow up visit with the vet Wed and we'll see how she does.

Tune in - Makana's napping now, breathing okay, not heavy as she did when she wasn't feeling well, no more barfing or peeing accidents since this morning before the vet and she seems content. About an hour or two after the IV hydration, she seemed much more alert and in good spirits - whereas just prior to going to the vet she could barely get herself to walk down the street. God is good. Thanks for praying for her. - Makana's Mom.

Note: I wrote this to try to remember the enourmous amount of information I got from the vet today, they really should write all this stuff down. It's the same as when you go to your own doctor, need to bring a notebook and pen next time - cray cray.

Should Makana Dog go Vegan?

This is Makana's Food Diary - after she got sick a few days ago

Have you seen the movie, Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead? Well I don't want that for myself as well as my Makana, so I'll be keeping a log of her and her food journey to better health.

Fat Dog?

Makana not feeling so well

Makana has had what seems a life long issue with her weight, hmm sounds familiar. It's not that she's been overfed, although at times it was the fact with pet sitters or confused pet parents who thought one of the other didn't feed the poor pup. But that's besides the fact, we now have that straight, and of course Makana could refuse her food when she had just ate and another human put more food in her bowl, of course she obliged and ate that up.

Makana loves carrot stick treats!

But that's besides the point. This is a log of what occurred when I (Makana's mom) decided to take some action and put her on a vegetarian but vegan formula dry kibble dog food called, Natural Balance Vegetarian, after a bout of sicky all over the new carpet, not pretty but hey that's what happens when you have a dog and carpet. (Even though she could have barfed on the tile a few steps away or on the floor covering just a few more steps in the other direction, but then momma's digressing. In addition, Makana's had issues with allergies, snoring, and for over a year and multiple vet visits, antibiotics - UTIs and arthritis in the knees - we need a change!

Makana's Goes Vegan - For Health Reasons First

Natural Balance has various flavors that include meat products but one Vegetarian but Vegan Formula. I guess they didn't say Vegan dog food straight out cause many people don't know the difference between Vegetarian and Vegan.

Day One: Makana ate the new food eagerly when she was first offered a few pieces of it. This came about after having a barfing spree about 2 days ago.

The Natural Balance Vegetarian kibble is smaller than a dime, great for small dogs but I read that large breed owners feed it to their dogs with no problems.

I had her on her 1st bag of another brand of 'high end' food called Fromm's Lamb and Lentil. I had her try a sample bag before buying a whole bag and she did fine (about 2 servings). When she first started on the bag, no problems, about a week into it, dunno if she ate something bad in addition to the food but barfed up mostly dark liquid and 2 halves of a peanut - from somewhere not sure, but she eats peanut butter with her holistic arthritis pill so that shouldn't have been an issue if she ate peanuts.

Anyway, she didn't want to eat after being sick for most of the day, by late evening I gave her cooked sweet potato, which she ate a few small pieces of and then I made her rice noodles cooked in veg broth (vs Chicken Soup and Noodles which I used to give her when she got an upset stomach) and sliced ginger in the broth. She ate the noodles. She seemed dehydrated with dark urine and if I remember correctly the day before didn't have regular stool until late in the evening. At times stool was loose and thinner than normal. Her routine is usually med brown color and at least twice daily in the morning and later in the afternoon or after dinner.

We'll see how Makana does on this diet, she ate one bowl last night and since it was vegan I offered her another 1/3 cup, bag says up to 10 lbs can be 1 cup daily, since she's 12 lbs and needs to lose weight - I'll give her the 1/3 scoop and a bit more, twice daily which is the amount she's been on with other foods she's eaten over the past year. (3/18/16) She did eventually eat the second serving.

Next morning 3/19/16 - Makana's feeling good this morning and ready for breakfast. However when I offered her the new food, she looked at the food, which I also put a small half scoop of doggie probiotic powder (I'll post more on what she takes later) that she's been taking with her other dry food and walked away.  I read that if I added a small amount of nutritional yeast that I got at Whole Foods yesterday, to the dry mix, it might entice her. Well she went back as I was added the nutritional yeast and sure enough that was enough to get her to eat it up and lick the bowl - but then again, Makana does love food and usually eats pretty much anything you offer her.

We'll see how this goes, since she had gotten sick a couple days ago, I'm hesitant to give her a gradual food change with the Fromm's food - which still has a mix of her other food which was the Prescription Diet Metabolic Formula dry dog food that was prescribed for her to lose weight. Since she has been on that food for probably a year, with no real changes - she might lose a little and then gain it back (like humans), I want to give her food that is good for her health as well as possibly help with her weight.

Human Plant-based diet and Canine Plant-based diet

Since I'm doing the Starch Solution - plant based foods and juicing, it's possible that a Vegan dog food that is dry for our convenience and balanced for her nutritional needs, I hope that it works for her system as it's easy to get the Natural Balance Vegan dry food, about the same price if not a couple dollars less than the Fromm and Prescription Diet foods - this is good all around. If this doesn't work for some reason, she doesn't want to eat it later or gets sick again - barfing etc, then I'll look into making her food per recipes online for vegan dogs and purchasing additional supplements that a canine needs. I'm sure she'd like that but at this point it's easy and probably more cost efficient to purchase the dry kibble. Time will tell how she does on this bag of 4.5 lbs. -

I'm including photos of the back of the Natural Balance Vegetarian - Vegan formula package in case you're curious what's on it. Seems Natural Balance is also easy to get at most pet stores vs needing to go to a specialty health store or pet shop like some other specialty dog foods.  If you want to try a bag please click on the link on the right column of Makana's blog, it's several dollars cheaper then what I paid in the store locally - buy on Amazon with free Prime shipping. -- Makana's Mom

Been awhile - where did you go?

After going on Makana's longest road trip - probably over 5,000 miles including side trips from Orlando, Florida to Vail, Colorado - her mom took a break and didn't post the rest of her pics - so while she's catching up on life - she'll be posting on Makana's present journey of getting healthier as  she ages. Makana that is, not her mom but then that may be one in the same.

Makana turned 14 years old in October 2015, she was 14 when she did the long trip and still loves to go on car rides, even if it's just short trips. With the Florida heat coming upon us, even though it's still March - the temperatures during the day can be in the mid 80s - so Makana can't be left in the car for even the shortest of times as car temperatures, even with the windows down, can be 20 degrees or hotter than it is outside. So here's a tip, if you want to take your dog riding, take him or her in a bag into the stores or businesses you go to. Otherwise, leave your baby at home, you and they will be glad you did and take them for a walk when it's cooler in the mornings or evenings before you go out so they don't feel trapped in the house. - word from the wise - Makana's Mom.

Makana does roadside tricks - makes her nose disappear

Look i can make my nose disappear...

Makana in Kansas - the Blue Star Memorial Highway.

See watch this

See told u!

Yup I thought i loved car rides but now i know what road-trip punchy means.

I (Makana) slept through most of Tennessee (sorry Uncle Alan & Aunt Tina)! Will try to get pics in front of 'state' signs but it's not that ez only at rest stops. -makana

Makana One of the American Heroes

Where's Makana? Checking out Superman in Metropolis, Illinois.

Makana Superdog

Pawed by makana

We stopped in Metropolis, illinois, home of Superman & Wonder Woman.

Mom thought i would find this amusing.

Makana looks depressed

Pawed by: Makana

Everytime i see bags, luggage, people moving, makes me anxious and then i get sad as i think they're leaving me again.

Mom & Dad: hey makana you get to come this time.

Makana: really? Am i going to stay with Aunty Janey? I love staying with Aunty Janry when u people travel.

Mom & Dad: that would be a much farther trip then where we're going. (aunt janey lives in Hawaii) Makana you get to go with us! 

(Makana has no clue)

Makana is ready to roll - HI

Pawed by: makana

'HI' (sticker) is home where I was born. The car is packed with my stuff, let's roll mom @ dad, hurry up!

How this dog travels by car

Pawed by: makana

Mom couldn't get my round bed in the car and still have enuf space since we got this little hamster car a few months ago. So i have the whole back seat to myself and i have the 'sling' that protects me from falling between the seats and floor. On top of the seat mom placed my eggcrate bed wedged between the front and back seats so i feel safe, snug and comfy.

I even have my bags & snacks within easy paws reach ;)

Makana's Travel Playpen - a review

Makana Reviews Her New Pet Playpen

Pawed by: Makana's Mom

Here's a quick video review of my new travel pen, instead of staying in a crate when my mom and dad go out, I got this cool new puppy pet playpen that folds up easily and goes with us in the car. I love it, especially since mom got me adjusted to it by throwing pieces of my favorite jerky treats in it. It fits my bed, a pad, and my bowls for food and water.

Go ahead, put your paws on the arrow, click it and watch it!

If you want your own pet playpen, you can click on the Amazon link below.

Have dog will carry, dog carriers finding the right one

Animal Free Zones?

killiebraeamos via wp

Pawed by: Makana's Mom

Okay, so this isn't a picture of Makana, but she liked the pic. Now you might think there's a reason that animals aren't allowed in certain areas. I agree. I look for signs and if there's no sign I proceed with caution. There are obvious places that say, "no pets allowed". I'm working with the idea that there are places that don't post such signs and I don't want someone to make up a rule just as I walk in with my pet. So for this reason, I'm looking for a bag (pet carrier) or bags that I can bring Makana into a facility, rest stop etc. so that I can do my bizness and she does hers outside so there's no reason to be concerned.

I know there are places that just won't allow pets. We're driving and the hotel is pet friendly, I'm just trying to think through the other challenges of traveling with her. Since others travel with their pets, I'll be doing research on where to go and what to do before we hit the road. I know rest stops have places for dogs to go but some may not allow pets in the restroom area, that won't be good because I can't leave her in the car. So both drivers can't go at the same time. That's why it's better to drive during the cooler times of the year but we don't have this option for this trip so we'll figure it out.

I'm sure that once we're out there, we'll have some close calls but I'm hoping that because she travels well, is quiet when she sees people or other pets, she'll be fine. Actually because of her age she's lost some of her hearing so she probably lives in a less stressed world. In addition, she only barks at people when they enter our home. When I take her on walks she ignores other people and walks faster if there's a dog that is barking at her. She's like her mom in that way, just keep walking and don't talk to any strangers. :)

Sherpa Tote Pet Carrier

Today, I got the first of two bags that I ordered online. We have other bags when we had Nala but she was barely 4 lbs and she fit into almost any bag. Makana barely fits in the largest bag that we used for Nala so I needed to find her something that was inconspicuous and comfortable but not doggie-gaudy.

It had to look like a bag that I would carry and one that didn't look like a dog was in it. Since I already had a bag that was 16", I measured the length, height and width and measured Makana lying down, sitting and standing. The 16 inch bag that I already had was narrow at the top and not as wide so I knew she needed a few more inches in every way. This is a large, the medium could probably fit her but since I'm 5'7" this bag didn't look off scale for me and Makana seems to like it.

This bag, see pic, is black with all mesh on one side for ventilation, which is great but if you look closely you can see Makana in there as she is primarily white with black spots. I found a suggestion on a forum on how to deal with the "see through" mesh. (read more below).

Makana sitting down in the bag, mesh side, goes against your body..

Makana still in the bag, this is the other side.

Only been 1-day and Makana seems to know the bag means she gets to go places!!
She actually looks happy and doesn't run away from this bag. 

  In addition, I saved ten bucks by buying one that was "like new" which was probably a return, it came straight from Amazon. You can't return the bag if you put your pet in it so someone must have returned it and I got the deal! Plus I signed up for the free 30 day trial of Amazon Prime and got free 2-day shipping. Nothing I like more than saving bucks!

Anyway, when I get the second one I'll make a post on that and as we start using it I'll write my thoughts on how it works out. so far this black Sherpa Tote is comfortable for Makana, it's 18" long and when she lays down it's big enough. The 16" bag we already had was too snug and not tall enough. In this large Sherpa, Makana even turned about in it while I had her on my shoulder. The floor seems secure for her to stand and doesn't sag down. While I have the bag against my body (the mesh side) I looked at my reflection while waiting for a sandwich at a gas station and you can't see anything unless you look at the bag directly from the other end and only if Makana moved did you notice there was something in the bag.


Possible solution for the see through mesh:

Considering this, I will get a light weight silk scarf as recommended on a forum to drape over the front and back parts of the bag so it distracts from her white hair that shows through the black mesh. Something like this would look nice, it has to be long so that the I can tie it to the mesh side handle and drape it on the sides; but I don't think I have enough time to wait for it by mail so I'll go to Kohl's or something.

Makana: Experienced Pup-traveler

Read the About Makana pageFor Makana's stats and history                                                                    

Pawed by: Makana's Mom

Makana Ages

We're at less than a week before the big trip and Makana knows something is up. Seems that when she sees bags, boxes and lots of movement she gets a bit nervous. Although she's no longer a pup, she will be referred to here as many things including, pooch, doggie, 'you people', etc. She's almost 14 years's old, that's 14 x 7 = 98 in human years?!! Well, as she ages she seems to NOT like changes or doesn't adapt as well as she used to when she was younger. When we lived in Hawaii she was accustomed to visiting other people's homes and riding in the car at least once a week. Now, there's no one to visit that will welcome pets so she doesn't go riding much.

Makana's past mainland miles vs Hawaii Miles

Makana has been on at least two road trips that we can remember; one from FL to North Carolina, along with her sister and sleeping at rest stops until we got in the hotel, she and Nala did great. No one got sick in the car and they were fine as long as they were with mommy. Another trip was from Orlando to St. Petersburg about three hours, not as far but again no problems.

Sometimes I'll just put her in the car and drive around the neighborhood so she can go riding, or just to pick someone up for a short ride.

Here's a pic of her in a kid's booster chair after 'da kid' left the car. It was funny that Makana just hopped into the chair and loved sitting in it.
So now it's been a few years from a long trip and we're trying to get her used to being in the car for an extended period, going in a carry bag to go into rest stops and stores has taken some time to find the right sneak bag for size, comfort and be incognito.

By the way, here's a funny pic of Makana's sister Nala. She was barely 4 lbs and was fine with going in her bag but wanted to stick her head out when she was strapped to the seat, don't worry she wasn't squished the bag was very rigid and she felt safe inside.

Planning what to bring

Bringing your pooch along for a long road trip is almost as much work as bringing your kids! Planning is key, not just finding the right hotel that will accept pets but what do you do when you have to go to rest stops, stores or restaurants. At least I'm not traveling by myself, someone else can stay in the car with her and it's summer so there's no leaving her in the car. I'll be posting about carrier bags that I got for this trip that fit Makana and write a review of how 'we' like it.


I'll be posting a list of all the things we'll be bringing on the trip. Some of the things are coming in the mail so I'll post those items as we get them in and test them before we leave and while we're on the trip.

Makana helps her mom get an upper body work out

In this episode, Makana goes for a walk/carry exercise with her mom after they visit a local farmer's market. Makana has a little arthritis in her knees so mom gets a upper body work out.