This bug may look intimidating, but it's harmless. It's a hornet-mimic hoverfly (Volucella zonaria), which as its name suggests, makes a career out of looking like a scary hornet. Supposedly that helps keep away predators. It's the biggest hoverfly species in the UK.
Here it is next to another, much smaller type of hoverfly. I've seen this hornet-mimic hoverfly in the garden for several days now, usually around this dusty miller plant (Senecio), but I didn't have my camera handy until yesterday.
I promise I won't turn this blog into daily updates about Olga, but she seemed to have a better day yesterday. We have not scheduled another vet appointment. We got some medication from our vet visit earlier this week that's supposed to help blood flow to her brain, which might help her balance -- so we'll try that first. Despite my desire for more specific diagnostics, I don't want Olga to spend her last days or weeks going back and forth to the vet, if we can help it.
I think we've entered a phase when she's going to have good days and bad days, and that's just how it is.
She spent most of yesterday snoozing in the garden...
...with me either beside her on a blanket or sitting on that bench in the background. I've been reading more of "The Man with the Golden Arm" and it's growing on me. I'm about 160 pages in -- basically halfway through. I have developed an attachment to the characters, which helps, because this is a very character-driven book, as opposed to plot-driven. The more I read it, the more I focus on the people and their motivations instead of the card games and boozing.
Sweet Olga. We’d be doing just what you’re doing.
ReplyDeleteIt's all we can do, really, without going overboard.
DeleteWe all need to know Olga is doing OK, it's a worry every pet owner has, and I think you are doing great at balancing her needs without too much prodding.
ReplyDeleteThat's what we're trying for -- the best balance.
DeleteI think that you are right not to be trekking Olga to the vet too much. She looks very comfortable on her bed in the dappled shade. You will know when she needs extra " help".
ReplyDeleteYeah, she seems content to just lie around! Which is fine with us.
DeleteSo long as Olga is comfortable and happy, that's all that matters.
ReplyDeleteI would have been afraid to get close to that faux hornet ... just in case!
It DOES look a bit scary, I agree!
DeleteThe bench in your garden is at hell of an angle. I never realised that your garden sloped so much as it clearly does. Obviously, in the past, you have used trick photography to suggest that your garden is flat. I suspect that you learnt how to do that at The Royal Photographic Society. Let's hope sleeping Olga does not slide down into the bushes.
ReplyDeleteWe live dangerously here in West Hampstead. It's a veritable Switzerland of steep slopes.
Deleteit's amazing how a story can slowly shift your focus until the characters feel almost real.
ReplyDeleteI really did not like the book at all when I first started it.
DeleteI like books better when I can form an attachment with the characters. Olga looks peaceful.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think that attachment is essential. Otherwise, why care?
DeleteHoverflies are amazing beasts. I'm seeing a lot in our garden at present.
ReplyDeleteUpdates on Olga are essential and help you to track her progress.
Yeah, we've got lots of hoverflies too, and bees of all sorts.
DeleteI agree with your approach to Olga's care. She doesn't want to be an invalid for her last months.
ReplyDeleteExactly. I think she wants to do her own thing, whatever that is.
DeleteWe all care about Olga but we do know what the future will hold, hopefully one day in the distant future.
ReplyDeleteWell, yes, the end result is inevitable, isn't it? For all of us!
DeleteShe is such a sweet looking dog.
ReplyDeleteShe is, I agree. :)
DeleteYou're doing right by Olga; she looks so peaceful in her garden spot.
ReplyDeleteThis is dog retirement!
DeleteI would love to be on a blanket beside Olga in the garden (however, I would then have to try to get up off of that blanket & the process WOULD NOT BE PRETTY).
ReplyDeleteHahahahaha!
DeleteHa! Yeah, that's the downside of getting down on the ground!
DeleteI wish I could spend my day snoozing on a padded bed in the garden. If I tried it sans clothing like Olga, I would be a giant beet in a lot of pain by evening.
ReplyDeleteIf you tried it here the neighbors would call the police! LOL
DeleteOlga is as much a part of this blog and blog family as anyone so share away. We love her and we worry about her. I'm so glad today is a better day. She has "good people."
ReplyDeleteI just don't want the blog to become too tedious with dog-related medical news!
DeleteI love your concerned, yet practical take on this phase of Olga's life. Yes. There is not much to be done about it except to make as much of these golden days as you can...for her sake and yours.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly it -- this is the way it is and we just have to do our best to keep her comfortable and happy.
DeleteSleepy Girl - And Daily Updates Will Be Just Fine With Me - The More You Share , The "easier" For Processing - Sending All The Best Vibes Your Way
ReplyDeleteStay Strong ,
Cheers
Well, that's true -- processing is important, for me and for blog readers too! And as Jabblog said above, it helps keep track of ups and downs in her care.
DeleteYou are making the right decisions with Olga. The medication needs a chance to work and she has all she needs with you and Dave taking care of her.
ReplyDeleteI love those bright yellow flowers.
Thanks, Ellen. Sometimes I get impatient, but you're right -- we need to give her current treatments time to see if they help.
DeleteThe picture of Olga in your summer garden is a beauty.
ReplyDeleteI, too, think your attitude about your sweet girl is the right one. I sometimes wonder if all the stress of late-in-life treatments and tests for our pets doesn't actually contribute to an earlier death.
I definitely think vet visits can be stressful, though Olga seems to enjoy them because she gets treats! She'll put up with a lot if a treat comes at the end.
DeleteWon't we all?
DeleteThose hornets sting like crazy too. They need their space.
ReplyDeleteKeeping Olga comfortable is best and with you nearby, she loves her nap in the sunny garden.
Well, if that were a hornet, you mean. Which it's not. :)
DeleteInteresting about the hover fly. I have many wasps and other insects buzzing around. Maybe some of the others are hoverflies.
ReplyDeleteHoverflies are very common here and are easy to spot because they often hang in the air -- hovering -- as opposed to flying forward.
DeleteI agree with The Padre. Updates are welcome and make any hard news less of a shock. That is a sweet photo of Olga!
ReplyDeleteWell, I will keep the updates coming, for all of our sakes!
DeleteYup, that bug would scare me.
ReplyDeleteHopefully that medication will help Olga. She looks so sweet in this photo.
This is really her favorite thing to do -- lie around! Especially on a hot day.
DeleteCodex:
ReplyDeleteI've loved hover flies since I was a kid. Amazing shot, which camera are you using?
As to Olga, for those of us who've been through it, it's hard to read. She's a purebred and has you to thank for 15 years of great care. They rally. Make her comfortable, she could have months or a year rather than weeks.
For these shots I used my "big" camera, a Canon EOS 5D Mark III. (As opposed to my phone camera.) With a macro lens.
DeleteIt does seem that Olga could go on like this for a while. Or not. It's impossible to predict!
I would venture to say the majority of your readers want and appreciate frequent Olga updates. I know I do. As for good days and bad days, I've already reached that point and I don't consider myself old!
ReplyDeleteHa! Well, that's true -- I guess we all have those good/bad cycles, even young people!
DeletePlease don't worry about posting daily updates. We are all so invested in hearing news about dear Olga. Beautiful pictures as usual.
ReplyDeleteWendy (Wales)
Thanks for being supportive and caring about the old girl!
DeleteI would worry if you didn't mention Olga so please post as much (or as little) about her as you feel like! Book Club books often grow on me the more I get to know the characters. Since we read mainly literature, many of our choices are more character than plot driven. :)
ReplyDeleteI usually give a book 75 pages at minimum before I give it up, and by that time I'm usually invested enough in it to keep going. (I give up very, very few books.) It takes a while to warm up to characters and an author's writing style.
DeleteSo glad you're on summer holidays so you and Dave can spend these days with Olga. Glad she had a better day today, and may the better days outnumber the worrisome ones for a good while yet. You've been down this path before, and your priorities are wise. Quality over quantity.
ReplyDeleteChris from Boise
Yes, it's great to be able to stay home with her. Not sure how well this is going to work when we have to go back next month! Quality over quantity indeed -- I agree.
DeleteShe’s lost a little weight dear Steve x
ReplyDeleteShe's lost muscle mass, I think, but surprisingly she weighs about the same as she always has -- about 23-24 kilos.
DeleteOh Steve. I've been away from blogging for a bit, dealing with my shingles, etc. I always love reading about Olga, and I was so sorry to see that Olga has had some issues. I know you love her and you will do everything to make sure she is comfortable.
ReplyDeleteYes, she's been on a downhill slope the past couple of weeks -- since right before we went to Pevensey, really. I think being at home now she's feeling more secure and stable. Thanks for your good wishes.
DeleteOlga is an old girl- I can so relate. There is no fixing that fact as you know. You are doing the right thing- comfort in old age is the thing. less stress and just being there to hold her paw. It is what we do and how it is done. Sleep is essential- garden sunshine sleep a slice O' heaven! Its easier for elderly dogs than it is for theri humans, that is a given!
ReplyDeleteI'm astonished at how much Olga can sleep. I mean, any dog sleeps a lot, but she really goes for it! Yes, there is no fixing this, beyond treating symptoms.
Delete