Round 2 - COMPLETE

Yesterday was Gracy's final chemotherapy treatment from her second protocol.  In other words, her thirty-second (32) treatment since April 2011 (16 treatments in each round).  Her blood work was great and her chest x-ray only showed the remnants of her rock party from this past Friday.

Rocks.  Yes.  Rocks.  I knew she had been eating them, AGAIN!  She had got sick over the weekend and a few came back up.  She also eats rabbit poop.  She is a mess, to say the least.  However, she still has a few in her system.  Should be a fun couple of days, to say the least.

If you aren't familiar with lymphoma in dogs, the chances of it coming back are great.  Since it has already come back once, the risk is even greater.  Although yesterday was a huge milestone, which we are celebrating, each day will present new stresses.  Watching, waiting, wondering if and when the possible inevitable will happen.  A cough, a lump, breathing issues.  Each cough or sneeze will be mentally noted to see if more happens.  New lumps will ensure a trip to the vet with followed up tests.  And then the breathing issues!  Each night, when she snores, I will wonder...is she snoring or is something else going on.  It won't end.  It will continue each day. 

My little princess is a brave, strong fighter.  She fought hard this summer to stay with us.  Very hard.  I didn't think she would ever get well enough to get her 5th treatment in this second round.  As I have said many times, had it not been for her team of Doctor's fighting for her, and the many prayers that went up, she would not be here.  We are blessed to be so close to the University Vet School.  Very blessed.

So, even though I am stressed out.  Miss Gracy is doing as fantastic as she can be!  We will just continue to enjoy our time together.  I will continue to cater to her every need.  I will do my best to relax, a little, but won't let my guard down.  I feel so lucky that this little ray of sunshine waited in that kennel until I got there to bring her home.  She was meant to be with me.  She was a gift from God to help make me smile each day.  Even the bad days.  I can't begin to tell you how much this dog has taught me about life.  She is not just a dog!

Here are the warning signs for cancer in dogs.  Always have a vet check out any lumps.  The sooner you take action, the sooner treatment can begin.
 

10 Common Signs of Cancer in

 Small Animals

1.  Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow.

2.  Sores that do not heal.

3.  Weight loss.

4.  Loss of appetite.

5.  Bleeding or discharge from any body opening.

6.  Offensive odor.

7.  Difficulty eating or swallowing.

8.  Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina.

9.  Persistent lameness or stiffness.

10.  Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating.

Things you shouldn't be thankful for.....

As we embark on Thanksgiving, I have been reading many "Today I am thankful for" posts on facebook.  I attempted to do this last year, as well, and well, I failed to complete it everyday.  I enjoy reading what people write.  To see what blessings they have or things they enjoy. 

I have stumbled on writing about this this weekend.  In fact, this is not my first version.  I have had a hard time being able to say this, type it "out loud".  I feel each blogger has to lay it out there.  Their lowest of low, for people to get it.  I feel I have ho hummed around this fact.

In the smallest, and most shameful way, I am glad that Gracy developed cancer.  Wow, that was hard to admit.  Now, I don't mean that litterally.  I am saddened she is sick and dealing with this dreadful disease.  I would not wish it on anyone....ever.  None of us want bad things to happen in our lives, but they do.  Things are usually out of our control.  But, sometimes, amongst the darkest days, good things happen.  It is hard to celebrate that.  Knowing that suffering has come to loved ones, friends, strangers.

I have often talked of silver linings.  I look back on my life prior to March 29th, 2011 when I found her lump.  A dark day indeed.  But reflecting back on that day, it was the beginning of me living for me.

Had Gracy not got sick, I may have never realized that life was just too short to be miserable.  I had gone from co-existing in my current job to hating everything about it.  It had begun to challenge everything I stood for and believed in.  I had gone from working for a company that believed we were a family to one that was a corporate entity.  So, I quit and started my own business.  While it has been a struggle, I have never not been happy about my decision.

On Gracy's many visits to the vet school, we have met many new and wonderful friends.  Gracy has a new family there.  We never would have met these fine folks, or reconnected with old friends, had this not happened.

I started a charitable cause to help support the oncology department at the vet school.  Again, this would not have happened had she not got sick.

I would not have started this blog!

Gracy's illness has lead me down a road I may have not had the courage to take on my own.  I have fallen in love with this pup in a way I have never loved another dog.  She is a fighter and her courage to survive is remarkable.  I am proud, beyond words, to be her Mom.  Through all of the sad and stressful days (and there have been a few), this girl has made me smile and laugh.  She has not given up on life.  I am glad she helped guide me to mine.  After all, she is NOT just a dog!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Saving and Weighing in on Your Pet

Good Morning Friends!  I have had so many ideas on what to write, I can't write!  This is a combo pet savings/pet health day!

Our pets, like our nation, are facing an epidemic.  Many are overweight.  In fact, a recent survey by the APOP states that 54% of our pets are overweight.  Like us, overeating and lack of exercise are generally the reasons why.

Being overweight puts your pet at risk for some common weight-related conditions such as:

• Osteoarthritis
• Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure
• Heart and Respiratory Disease
• Cranial Cruciate Ligament Injury
• Kidney Disease
• Many Forms of Cancer
• Decreased life expectancy (up to 2.5 years)

So, you ask, what can I do?  Well, putting your dog on a diet is easy!  Much easier than putting yourself on a diet.  First of all, the easiest thing you can do today, is read the food bag.  On the side or back of the bag, they have a recommended feeding guideline.  Start there!  Choose your pets ideal weight, ex. if your dog weighs 100 pounds, but should weigh 80, feed it the 80 pound recommendation.  Second, consult you veterinarian.  Feeding it at the 80 pound limit may only help it maintain its current weight, you might need to go less for awhile.  Also, each food varies in the amount of calories per cup.  If you are changing foods, you may be over, or under feeding your dog.

How you feed your dog is up to you.  Once a day, twice a day, three times a day.  It is also up to the dog.  Gracy will only eat about 3/4 cup of food at a time, no matter the calorie content.  Keys, well, I think she might eat the whole bag if I put it out!  How many pets you have also comes in to play.  Then you have the risk of them eating what is left behind.  Most pets can be trained to eat at certain times of day.  They key is to only give them what they should eat in a day.  They will learn to eat when food is available.  It might take a while to retrain them, but, it can work.  If they are hungry, they will eat!

Here is a fact that can put things in a bit more perspetive for you.  A premium pig ear (231 kcals) fed to a 40-pound dog is the equivalent of an adult human drinking six 12-ounce Coke Classics™ (840 kcals).  So, if you give your pets lots of treats, you may need to cut back on the treats and food a bit to accommodate their calorie limits.

What you are feeding your dog is important too.  I wrote an entire blog on that, and here is the link for it.  What are you feeding your dog? 

You can save money simply by feeding your dog what it should be eating.  If you are feeding it twice as much as it should be eating, than cutting back will make the bag last twice as long.

Feed your dog (as best you can) what it should be eating in a day.  Consult your vet if your pet needs to lose weight so that you can come up with a weight loss plan.  Doing all of this can help you save money now and in the future.

Liebster Award! x 2

Soooo!  My world has been a bit hectic lately.  Nothing in comparison to what most of you go through in a day, but, hectic for me. 

A couple of weeks ago I was nominated for the Liebster Blog Award by Jackie from the Whiney Wife.  Thank you Jackie!  When I sat down to write my acceptance speech is about the time I became overwhelmed...mentally!  Yesterday, my dear friend, Dina, The Plucky Procrastinator, nominated me again for the award!  Yay me!  To say I am honored, doubly, is an understatement!  I stumbled with my first acceptance at finding 11 new blogs to nominate, and now I am faced with that again!  I like to follow the rules and did not want to write this until I had them.  Now, I feel like I have to find more!!  LOL!  I am going to do my best to fulfill both requirements, but, I am sure I will fail!

So, what is this Liebster Blog Award, you ask?  It is an award given from bloggers to other bloggers who have a following of less than 200 followers.

The meaning: Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.

With this award, comes a set of rules and here they are:

• Each person must post 11 things about themselves
• Answer the questions that the nominator set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you’ve nominated to answer.
• Choose 11 people and link them in your post.
• Go to their page and tell them.
• No tag backs!

11 things about myself:

Here are 11 questions for my nominees: Whiney Wife's questions:

1.      Do you prefer to read fiction or nonfiction? Explain your choice.  I prefer to read fiction and my preferred genre is mysteries.

2.      What would you do if you had a million dollars?  I would first pay off all my debt.  I would hire a well trusted financial advisor to advise me on how to invest it.  I would also set up some sort of trusts for my nephews for college, as well as do what I could for my parents.  After that, I am not sure.  I would probably buy a few toys, but nothing crazy.

3.      If your life was a song, what would the title be?  Life is a Highway

4.      Would you rather have the power to be invisible or the power to read minds?  Read minds!

5.      What was the best movie you saw this last year and why? Umm, I would have to go with the last one that I watched, "Up".  Why?  Read my blogs and find out why!  ;)

6.      If you could meet any celebrity or other personality in the world, who would it be and why?  Garth Brooks - because I would like to thank him for his music and how it touched my life.

7.      If you were granted three wishes from an angel or genie what would you want?  A cure for cancer, a better world, a cure for cancer.

8.      Which is the decision you regret the most?  I try not to regret anything, instead find meaning in why they did or didn't happen.  I suppose not having kids, but, there is a reason why I haven't!

9.      Name 1 thing you miss about being a kid.  I miss summer nights.

10.  Do you believe in ghosts?  Yes

11.  What is important to you right now?  Continuing to find my way in the world.

The Plucky Procrastinator's questions:

1.  Can you play a musical instrument?  If so, which one(s) and how long have you been playing?  I can play two instruments, the trumpet and acoustic guitar.  I haven't really played the trumpet since high school (a.k.a. A LONG TIME).  The acoustic guitar took its place in my post high school/college years.  I have been playing it about 20 years, give or take a couple.  I am self taught and would only win an award that I am giving out!  :)

2.  Do you have any tattoos?  NO

3.  When you were 16 years old, what did you think your life would be like when you were 25?  I thought I would be married, with kids and settled into a career.  Needless to say, I am still trying to figure that all out!  At my age, kids are probably not going to happen, but, I still have time to find the perfect guy and find the perfect career!  :)

4.  If you could only choose one, would it be bacon or sausage?  Bacon, and there would be no choice to make!

5.  Have you ever been in a car/truck/motorcycle accident?  Yes.  Car.  But a small fender bender.

6.  If you were stranded on a deserted island, what animal would you really hope was not also on the island?  Snakes

7.  Have you ever ran a marathon? No, I haven't ran since I was 12 and don't plan on it!

8.  If you could pick only one household duty to never do again, which one would it be? The bathroom....not that it is hard, it just seems to be the one I usually put off the most.

9.  What's the one TV show you never want to miss?  Shockingly, I am not too addicted to anything right now.  I enjoy CSI, NCIS, Hawaii 5-0, The Voice.  I guess to answer, I would have to say The Voice.  That Blake Shelton has me wrapped around his little finger!

10.  What is your earliest memory?  Wow, I would have to say remembering watching our cat, Butch, walking across the backyard.  I was pretty young, probably 3 or 4.  This was tough!

11.  Do you like peanut butter in your chocolate?   Only Reese's.  Any other combination will not do!


Here are my nominees:
Beer Bitches
I Will Get Up Again
Tails from the Ruff Side
Fruits and Nuts
A Mommy's Perception
Mommy's Distraction Time
Dina Marie - A Plucky Procrastinator
Diary of an Unbreakable Mom
Running Towards the Light without spilling my drink
Whiney Wife
Jenn's Blogspot - My Daily Jenn-ism
I Will Get Up Again

And here are my questions!

1.  What is your favorite side dish for Thanksgiving Dinner?
2.  What is your favorite pet (if you have one) and why?  (i.e. dog, cat, etc.)
3.  What is your favorite hot drink?  Coffee, tea or hot cocoa?
4.  Do you let your pets sleep in bed with you?
5.  Do you stay home for the holidays or do you have to travel to your family?
6.  What is your favorite color?
7.  What is your favorite candy bar?
8.  Walmart or Target?
9.  Are you more productive in the morning or evening?
10.  What do you miss most about being a kid?
11.  Which would you choose?  A tropical paradise or mountain retreat?

Again, I am very humbled to have received the award!  I have tried to stay true to the rules, but I know I strayed!  Thanks again to Jackie and Dina!  I love your blogs and facebook pages!

Momma crying wolf!

I am wondering where the last couple of weeks have gone!  Not to say I have been overly busy, but, maybe busy and a bit unmotivated, unchallenged...unsomething (yes, I know.....that is not a word). 

I think it all started a few weeks ago when I found Gracy's lump of fat.  I had been doing fairly well (I am sure her doctor's might disagree with this).  I feel like I am analyzing every little move she makes.  I have to make mental notes...she coughed, she didn't eat, she did eat, she got sick, what made her sick, does she have any new lumps.  Some might say I worry too much (including myself), but anything can be an indicator of something beginning and I want to be on top of it.  I want to make sure our team (Gracy, Doctors, myself) have all the tools we need.

It might help if we knew what was making her get sick.  That "might" help me to relax a little bit.  However, we are still trying to figure all of that out.  The fact that I still have to hand feed her most of the time leads me to believe that she still is fighting something.  Her belly still isn't right, or, I have just spoiled her.

Every day it is something.  Some days  I feel as if I am Peter crying wolf.  Gracy started leaking urine sometime this past summer.  She takes meds for it, but, it still happens.  It had only been when she was sleeping and some days are worse than others. 

Last weekend it was really bad.  I have towels and pads laid all over her favorite places to sleep, but, sometimes, it is a crap shoot to catch it that way.  It was a constant rotation of towels, bedding, etc. in the washer.  I wasn't too worried about it until Monday morning when it seemed as if she was doing it while she was awake.  At one point, it was like a dripping faucet.  It was actually kind of a funny moment when Gracy and I sat there in amazement watching it happen!  I had broke down and bought some doggie diapers that you put sanitary napkins in and put them on her until I heard back from her doctor.  Gracy walked around the house like she had a corn cob up her you know what!

So, back to the Peter thing!  I have Gracy, who for days had not been able to control her bladder.  I have become concerned enough to email her doctor and buy diapers.  The doctor isn't too concerned yet (because of her symptoms, or lack of them) and doesn't like the diaper idea (increased chances of infection).  So, after getting the response from her doctor, that little stinker leaked only 2 times the rest of the week.  UGH! 

The moral of my story is that I am continually made to look like a fool by my dog! 

If it sounds like I am complaining, I am not.  Frustrated...yes.  I want to fix her!  I just want my little girl to get better and be with me for a long, long time.  I want to stay on top of things and catch them before they get out of control.  My silver lining is that she is still here for me to clean up her messes and feed her.  She is my sweet, brave little girl who is fighting as hard as she can to hang out with her Momma and sister as long as she can.  She is NOT just a dog, and she knows it!

Sisters!

Gracy and Keys are the typical sisters.  They fight, or more appropriately, bicker, play, sleep and protect me.  When they need to cover each others back, they are there for each other.

If you haven't figured this out yet, Gracy is a momma's girl.  I know, hard to believe, but, she is!  She follows me from room to room, ensuring that I don't escape without her.  The only time she will usually leave my side is if I am in the recliner.  It comes with its own alarm system.  You know, the sound it makes when the foot rest comes down!  She knows I am on the move when she hears that.  She will sprint in from outside to track my new whereabouts.

If I am ever so blessed to get to love on Keys for a minute, Gracy is not far behind, doing her best to obtain the space between Keys and I.  Keys doesn't need affection ALL the time, like Gracy.  She does have her moments.  They are few and far between.  But, when she does get cuddly, I take the time to oblige her, and myself!

Keys is a smart dog, just not a well coordinated dog.  If the girls are playing with a toy and Gracy is in possession of it and won't "play" with Keys, Keys will come to me all affectionately wanting love.  Once I begin to love on Keys, Gracy gets jealous, drops the toy, and worms her way into the picture.  As soon as Keys gains a position of advantage, the loving is over and she swoops the toy away!  Yes, I just get used by my dogs.  It should be a crime!

Gracy's level of commitment goes a bit farther.  I was totally amazed the first time I saw this happen.  After a couple of years, I was finally able to catch it on video.  It isn't the best at showing what she does, but it does show her motions.  In the video, you will see Keys (golden retriever) sleeping on the floor and Gracy (black dog) sitting next to her.  Keys is dreaming and has been making sounds.  Gracy has already moved from across the room to the position she is in in the video.  As Keys continues to dream, Gracy does the sweetest thing I have ever seen.  She wakes Keys from her dream!

This is why I love dogs!  Especially these two!  

5 More Minutes

While at the park one day, a woman sat down next to a man on a
bench near a playground. "That's my son over there," she said,
pointing to a little boy in a red sweater who was gliding down
the slide.

"He's a fine looking boy," the man said. "That's my son on the
swing in the blue sweater." Then, looking at his watch, he
called to his son. "What do you say we go, Todd?"

Todd pleaded, "Just five more minutes, Dad. Please? Just five
more minutes." The man nodded and Todd continued to swing to
his heart's content.

Minutes passed and the father stood and called again to his son.
"Time to go now?" Again Todd pleaded, "Five more minutes, Dad.
Just five more minutes."

The man smiled and said, "O.K."

"My, you certainly are a patient father," the woman responded.

The man smiled and then said, "My older son Tommy was killed by
a drunk driver last year while he was riding his bike near here.
I never spent much time with Tommy and now I'd give anything for
just five more minutes with him. I've vowed not to make the same
mistake with Todd. He thinks he has five more minutes to swing.
The truth is, I get Five more minutes to watch him play."

Life is all about making priorities, what are your priorities?


Author Unknown

I love this story.  I couldn't tell you how long ago I first read it, but let's just say at least 10 years ago (give or take).  Each time I read it, it brings tears to my eyes.  I think of this story a lot.  Sometimes not enough...  I find that my patience sometimes wins over.  And maybe it should.  The world would be a crazy undisciplined place if we gave everyone five more minutes.

I love my snuggle time with Gracy in the mornings.  She will either curl up next to me or lay on my chest.  I can't begin to tell you how many times I have needed to move because my back was killing me.  Instead, I choose to take just a few more minutes with her.  When I have to get up for the hundredth time, each day, to let her out or in, I often reflect back to this story.  I enjoy these moments.  I will miss them when they are gone and don't want to miss out on today.

She is Not just a dog!   No matter how many "5 more minutes" I take with her now, I know I will want 5 more minutes with her someday.  What we all wouldn't do with that?

 

 

 

Up!

A few months back, it was suggested by a friend and fellow dog lover, that I watch the movie "Up".  Now, I am not much into comedies.  Don't get me wrong, I try to be a funny person (notice, I did use the word "try").  I just don't find much humor in making fun of people and things the way most comedies do these days, so, in general, I try to stay away from them.  I told her this.  She insisted, because she had a friend bug her until she watched it and she really thought that I would enjoy it.  So, even though this was a "kids" movie, I finally bucked up this weekend (no pun intended), downloaded it for the second time (long story here that I won't bore you with) and watched it Saturday night.

To say the least, I loved it!  I wish I had had time to watch it again!  Why?  It's a kids movie, right?

Well, beyond the talking dogs and the great adventure that Russell and Carl went on, there were many lessons about life, dreams, promises and second chances.  My favorite quote from the movie is when Russell is talking to Carl about the things he had done with his father.  Russell has explained to Carl a game that he and his Dad had played while eating ice cream on the curb.  Russell ends the conversation by saying, " That might sound boring, but I think the boring stuff is the stuff I remember the most.".  The movie is about Carl fulfilling a promise for an adventure that was never taken because life got in the way, only to realize in the end that the adventure had been "life". 

We all live pretty fast these days.  We rush from the time we get out of bed until the time we go to bed.  We run here, we run there, and here and there and here and there.  We get so busy keeping up with the Jones, that we forget to enjoy a sunset, a quite moment in the car, or an ice cream on the curb. So stop.  Slow down.  Enjoy a sunset, smell a rose, take a deep breath of fresh air, enjoy a landscape.  We all have dreams and adventures we want to take.  Some of us will live them, some of us won't.  In the meantime, try to remember that the most important part of your adventure just might be an ice cream on the curb!

Cancer SUCKS...version 2.....

Cancer SUCKS.

That is the most polite way I can think of to describe it.

If you, a loved one or friend has been through a diagnosis of cancer (or any other life threatening disease), you know what that sick feeling in your gut feels like.  Our minds quickly go to the worst place possible, and we quickly learn that it is a place we don't want to be at.

I watched that place with my Mom after diagnosis of breast cancer, and I didn't like it one bit.  It seemed like in a moment that I wasn't looking, she had given up hope before her battle had even begun.  It had begun with the removal of a picture from her desk.  It was of her grandchildren.  When I asked what had happened to it, she said that she couldn't look at it.  All she could do was imagine not getting to see them grow up.  This was unacceptable to me, this lack of fight.  Knowing she had it in her and that she had just lost sight of it (because she had raised me), I bought her a gift.  Actually, I made her a gift.  I made her a bracelet that had all of the birthstones of her family, her reason to fight and beat it.  And that she did.  Those two grandkids were babies at the time.  The oldest is about to graduate high school, and she welcomed two more along the way.  Actually, four more if you count my girls!

When Pooh and Gracy were diagnosed, I had that sick feeling in my gut.  With Pooh I was distraught.  But, with a good team of doctors, Pooh lived almost 4 more years cancer free.  With Gracy, I was a bit more educated and probably just more shell shocked (both times) than anything.  She is such a momma's girl, that I learned early on that I needed to hold my emotions in and not let her see my concern.  Those moments are for times she cannot see me or sense them.  Because of that, and for her great and wonderful team of doctors, who we consider family now, she has been with me another year and a half.  I am amazed with their fight.  Both have given, or gave, their all!  I feel that Gracy knows she is fighting something.  She proved that as she got better this summer and came home and became her cute, ornery little self.

Our story is still being written.  Each new day, I am blessed to have another with them.  Not every story ends so well.  However, most stories are filled with fight and courage.  I have never been so proud of my girls, my Mom, and my friends who have fought cancer, looked it in the eye and said FU. 

I was sadly reminded of that sick gut feeling a couple of nights ago.  I had not been following his story very long, but, Lane Goodwin, a member of the Cardinal Nation family, lost his fight with cancer.  He was 13.  Our minds will find it hard to grasp that.  Cancer in any form, shape, size or age is sad.  Very sad.  Even though Lane's story ended sadly, he did not go down without a fight.  In fact, he fought this monster for two and a half years.  Quite inspiring. Quite inspiring.  I hope his parents, family and friends can continue to find strength in that.

Not every story ends well.  However, most stories are filled with fight and courage.   Lane did this.  My Mom did this.  My friends did this.  My girls did and are doing this.  As Ferris Bueller said, "life moves pretty fast.  If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."  Sadly, that sick feeling in your gut makes you do that.

Mischief and Rebellion

Remember when I said that dogs are like kids.  Well, I continue to believe that more and more with each passing day!  If you missed that post, here is a link to it, Dogs are like kids.  My adventures with my girls, all three of them, have led me down paths of love and faithfulness, but also down paths of orneriness and mischief.

Keys is my laid back gal.  Normally, she is just hanging out and sleeping.  Mostly because she doesn't feel well.  If you remember, she has bad allergies.  Both food and environmental.  It has become a daily battle with her.  About four years worth.  She gets allergy shots every 10 days.  Yesterday was a shot day.  Usually, I distract her with a treat or her food while giving it to her.  It is a full cc, which means it takes a bit to give.  It has been kind of a bear to give to her the last couple of times.  Yesterday topped them all!  So, I got the treats out, 1 for Gracy and 2 for Keys.  Usually, that works.  Today, not so much.

I always show Keys the shot so she knows whats coming.  I feel that is fair.  I wouldn't want an unknown shot.  I told Keys to lay down, which she finally did, and I gave her her two treats.  By the time I got down to her neck, she laid over on her side.  And ate her first treat.  While I fought with her to get back on her belly, Gracy swooped in and stole her second treat.  UGH!  So, back to the treat bag I went, and grabbed two more treats.  When I told Keys to lay down, she laid down.  As I moved in with the treats and shot, she rolled over on her back.  She of course, was looking at me with her ears back and tail wagging.  This act of rebellion went on through a couple of more cycles.  Finally, I got the medicine administered.  But, she did wiggle her way through the process which resulted in a bit of a painful injection for her.  If only she would listen to me it wouldn't be that bad, right?  It only hurts for a second and it's over with before you know it!  So says the brave Mom who hates shots!

So, yes, dogs are like kids.  Kids fight the process until one day they are all grown up and realize that we were right and they were wrong.  Wonder if this will happen for my girls?  In 10 days, when I give Keys her next shot, we will find out.  My best guess is that she will fight the process just as much!  Thanks for stopping by!  If you like what you are reading, please go to my facebook page, It's NOT just a dog!, and "Like" the page so you can stay on top of all of my posts.  There is so much more to It's NOT just a dog!, than the blog!  Hey, that rhymed!  Look at me go!  I am a poet and didn't know it!

No Dogs Allowed!

If you remember, Gracy has separation anxiety.  Since the end of summer, she has started to destroy stuff.  Usually nothing important, kleenex, paperwork, magazines, money (yes, cold hard cash) and even a check.  Nonetheless, the anxiety is there.

Gracy had a chemotherapy treatment last Tuesday.  Because of that, I had not been taking her with me to work.  I thought it would be best if she stayed home and rested and if she were to get sick (which she did for a couple of days), it wouldn't be in the car.  Well, after two days of that, she lost it.  We had the worst physical destruction yet.  I was only gone a couple of hours, but, I believe she had to go to the bathroom.  The #2 kind that sometimes can't be controlled.  However, the destruction level of the blind makes me believe it went a little bit farther than that (see picture below).

So, on Friday, she got to ride shotgun again.  I had a busy work weekend, but Saturday was crazy!  I only had about an hour break between my mid and evening visits.  Normally I come home, let the dogs out (because I can't let Gracy have free roam of the backyard because she eats rocks), relax, eat, etc.  To say that I had anxiety about leaving her home all day is an understatement.  I could have had my Dad come over and let her out a couple of times to go to the bathroom, but, I was more concerned about what she would destroy while I was gone.  Not because of the cost.  The blind only cost $5 to replace.  Cheaper than some dog toys.  The blind wasn't the safest thing to chew on.  The little bit of blood on it proved that and the fear that she had consumed some still lingers.  So, I took her with me.

A 4 hour morning route and a 9 hour mid/evening route.  She did great!  My plan was to grab some lunch for me and head to a park for our break.  I had brought her lunch and water and I was excited about a picnic with her.  However, it rained.........

So, I headed to the only place I knew that had a covered outside area.  I figured we could at least grab some lunch there, stretch our legs, and get some fresh air.  When I asked if I could hang outside with her they told me no.  NO DOGS ALLOWED.  This town is apparently not dog friendly!  I was a little disappointed, as I really wanted to just relax for a bit.  As I was pulling out of the parking lot, a lady was outside smoking in the covered area (our town is smoke free inside buildings).  All I could think of was that it would be okay for me to sit out there while she smoked her cancer sticks and for me to breathe in second hand smoke, but, it wasn't okay for my well mannered dog to sit out there and cause no one any harm.  I felt like a persecuted part of society.

Instead of spending a nice hour at the park or under a covered patio, we spent a quite hour in a grocery store parking lot, watching it rain.  It was the best hour I had spent in a long time.  It is sad that the only place you can take your dog when it rains, is home.  Another example of a small part of society ruining it for the rest of us.

Be Your Dog's Hero!

A baseball fan, she is not!

Gracy is not a baseball fan.  I am not sure how I could have adopted a dog that was not, but, I did!

I grew up a Cardinals fan.  I can remember listening to Jack Buck and Mike Shannon on the radio, while falling asleep.  Dad almost always had the game on.  Back then, it was a rare occasion to get to watch them on TV.  We were always fans, no matter the score.  I was born into Cardinal Nation and I am proud to be a part of a unique group of fans.

My schedule at my old job kind of pulled me away from being able to take in a game, whether on TV, the radio, or live at Busch Stadium.  I do remember summers of fun with great friends as we invaded St. Louis to watch as many games as we could get to.  I am especially fond of the summer of 1998, when Mark McGwire broke the home run record (no * here).  I believe we attended about 10 games that summer.  Me and my 2 roommates didn't hit every game together, but, we each went to about 10 games.  None of us saw a home run until the day he tied the record.  It was just meant to be I suppose! 

So, fast forward 10 years or so.  I would catch a game here or there, but, following the team became harder and harder, or maybe I just lost interest.  The last couple of seasons have been easier to catch, or my interest has been sparked again.  Watching games became more and more of a constant thing in the house.

The summer of 2011 brought more free time to get back into it and by mid-September, things got real exciting.  Yelling and screaming at the TV became a new thing.....Gracy didn't like this.  Apparently, I had never got that worked up on a consistent basis, because, by the time the postseason hit, Gracy was having issues.  The sounds of the crowd and announcers would take her from a deep sleep to a place of anxiety.

As the postseason progressed, it got worse.  So much so, that I even asked the oncologist if chemo could have made her ears more sensitive.  Needless to say, she said no, laughed and blamed me!  I learned that if I turned the TV volume down very low, Gracy, Cardinals Baseball and I could live in harmony.  At least until game 6 and 7 of the World Series.  Gracy was just going to have to learn to co-exist those two nights!

So, now we have made it to the postseason again this year.  When I yell and scream, I get the look from her.  The "turn the volume down" look.  It may sound like I don't try to co-exist with her, but, I do.  I do a lot of silent fist pumps when I would rather scream and shout!

As the Cardinals proceed farther into postseason, I hope that Gracy will learn to accept my excitement.  We did a lot of practicing this summer.  I am pretty sure it went in one ear and out the other.  However, I will continue to reserve my excitement for what I feel are important moments (they all are, who am I kidding).  I will use the yell and scream tactics for times when I feel the team needs me!  I really wish my little sidekick would learn to love the game.  She is NOT just a dog!  Just NOT a baseball fan!

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Dogs are better than boyfriends!

Dogs are better than boyfriends.  It is just a fact!  It has been so long, I have almost forgotten how bad having a boyfriend can be, but, here we go!

1.  You never get burnt by a dog.  They will never lie to you.  They are forever faithful and will be by your side, no matter what.  Their shit is much easier to clean up and deal with.

2.  Dogs never break your heart.  They only love you more and more each day.

3.  They are always happy to see you!  Even if you have just gone to the mailbox.

4.  They love to snuggle and want nothing in return.  Nothing better on a cold morning than to have a snuggle puppy next to you!

5.  They are great listeners.  When you have had a bad day, they hang with you and listen until it is all better again....AND, they don't give you unwanted advice.

6. They let you watch your favorite shows on TV and don't complain (although Gracy does have a few issues with Cardinals baseball games).

7.  Did I mention faithful, ah, yes I did, but, it is worth mentioning again!

8.  They will protect you from all bad things (i.e. birds, rabbits, squirrels, the UPS guy).

9.  They don't care when you have put on a few extra pounds.  In fact, they encourage snacking!

10.  They are always your BFF.  They are always happy to go with you anywhere!

What a day!! The little things....

Today was a chemo day for Gracy.  Chemo day's are very stressful for me.  Mostly self-inflicted, but stressful, none the less.  We currently go every two weeks for the treatment and checkup.  Yes, I go through this every two weeks.

I am usually good for about a week.  Then, the second week I start to worry.  And worry, and worry.  Today was no exception.  In fact, it was the worst it has been for a while now.  Why?  Because Sunday I felt a growth on her shoulder.  Even though I knew it wasn't a common place for me to find a swollen lymph node, I worried.....A LOT!  When she came out of remission, it wasn't a common way for her to come out of remission.  So, in my world, anything is possible.

Thankfully, when they aspirated it, it was only fatty tissue.  WHEW!!!!!

So, needless to say, I still am a bit frazzled!  But, it reminded me that it is the little things in life that mean the most.  I am lucky that I still have my Squirt.  Although each day creates its own new stresses, I am honored and blessed that she chose me to love the most in her life.  This is not the road I would have chosen for us, but, I wouldn't trade a minute of it.  The people we have met and the lives she has touched has all been worth it.  After all, she is NOT just a dog!

Sisterhood of the World Bloggers!

Today I was nominated for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award by Dina Marie ~ A Plucky Procrastinator.  This has truly been an honor.  Now I know at least one person is enjoying my blog!
With this award comes prestige, fan fare, photo shoots, guest speaking engagements...okay, well maybe not, but it does come with respect of my writings and knowledge of their existence!  Which, is what we are all aiming for!

Starting this blog was something I had wanted to do for a while, but, was only recently, and silently, encouraged by my friend Dina, who had started her own.  I figured what the hell!  I love my dogs and need to share that and our stories with the world.  Whether they want to read it or not!

So, there are no photo shoots or guest appearances on Letterman, but, there are rules that must be followed once receiving this award and they are:

1. Thank the blogger that gave you the award.

2. Post 7 things about yourself.

3. Pick 7 blogs to pass the award to and let them know (this one will be hard..there are a lot of awesome blogs out there!)

Rule #1 - THANK YOU Dina!!!!  You rock!

Rule #2

1.  I love dogs!  Especially my two girls!

2.  I play the guitar.  It helps me to relax.  I am self-taught, but, I can make it through a few songs!

3.  I am a pet sitter.  I left a job I had been at for 15 years to make myself happy for a change!

4.  At the moment, I am addicted to Smarties!  Stay tuned, that will change soon!

5.  I hate cancer, although, that may be obvious.

6.  I can get lost in a good sunset, or sunrise, anywhere, but, prefer the ocean and palm trees!

7.  I could not survive without spaghetti and Pizza Hut pizza.

Rule #3

1.  Bunkblog 

2.  The Urban Farmgirl 

3.  Dina Marie ~ A Plucky Procrastinator

4.  Mom-spirational

5.  Jenn's Blogspot - My Daily Jenn-ism 

6.  Beer Bitches 

7.  Martha Stewart Doesn't Live Here

Wow, #3 was the hardest!  I am new to the blogging world, but these are the ones that I enjoy the most!  Thanks again, Dina, for inspiring me to go down this path, and for the nomination! 

Feeding Gracy during chemo.....

Feeding a dog who is undergoing chemotherapy can be a challenge.  In fact, it can be quite frustrating.  Add in a possible food allergy that limits your choices of food and that challenge just became huge.

There are many different theories about what you should feed a dog with cancer....raw, grain-free, high protein (Atkins Diet like), home made, etc.  I bought in to a few of them.  I was determined, both times, to cook for Gracy.  It started off good, great as a matter of fact.  She loved my stew.  Devoured it to say the least.  Did I mention the word theory?  Ah, yes I did!  It was great until she didn't like it anymore.

Not only can dogs associate certain foods with nausea and vomiting, they can associate what they eat it from (dish) and where they eat it (room).  Also, what they eat in the morning may not be the same thing they eat at night.  The temperature of the food, texture of the food or who is feeding it to them can also cause issues.

I am attaching a link to an article that I found this past spring, feeding a pet during chemotherapy.  It talks about the behaviors of feeding a dog undergoing chemotherapy.  It is a good read that can relate to any dog who is sick.  I wish I had had this article last year when she was going through chemo.  Once I read it, I kind of had an "ah hah moment" and then it all made sense!

Feeding Gracy this summer has been a bit more challenging.  Not only are we fighting chemo side effects, but, we are also fighting an unknown reason to her vomiting.  Since we are toying with a food allergy, Gracy is limited to just one food.  She can have it a couple of ways, dry, the dry smothered in ginger water or water, canned or pasta.  If you read the article above, she had been getting whatever she would eat, chicken, rice, pasta, baby cereal, hot dogs, vienna sausage, turkey, pork, oatmeal, potatoes, different dog foods, etc.  I shopped and cooked every day trying to find something she would eat.  Granted, this probably only escalated her tummy issues, but, she needed to eat and she needed to keep it down.  Sometimes, I have to hand feed her.  It seems the aroma, or even possibly the bowl, is not to her liking.

Whatever the case, I do whatever it takes to feed my girl.  I have noticed, that if she is walking around the kitchen, cleaning bowls (licking empty food bowls), she is usually ready for a snack!  I am up and down a lot with her, just trying to make her happy.  Spoiled, well, maybe.  I just call it loved a lot!  After all, she is NOT just a dog!

Do I finish watching the show or not?

Have you ever been in the middle of a really good movie and you feel it coming.  Is the dog going to die?  Because, if it is, I am done watching this show.  I refuse to finish watching it.  I recently found out I was not the only person in the world that felt this way.

I mean, blow up all the humans you want.  That is okay.  It is only make believe, right.  Kill one dog, and I am done.  No matter how fake it is.  How can they kill the dog?  Does it have a gun?  No!  It is just going to bite you a couple of fake times.  Leave the poor dog alone!

This has happened a number of times for me.  I usually don't turn the channel, but, I do continue to watch in disgust. Very seldom, do they kill the dog, but the fact that they put me through that stress is bad enough.

Below I have include a couple of those scenes from two of my favorites.  The first, Independence Day and the second, Dante's Peak.

Hanging with Gracy!

Gracy has always had a little bit of separation anxiety.  However, as she grew older, the episodes were fewer and farther between.  While walking out of my visit with her on day 9 of her 10 day stay in ICU this past July, I heard a dog crying.  I asked her student if that was Gracy.  She said yes, she does that after you leave everyday.  My heart sank.  As I walked out that evening, tears filled my eyes.  All evening, all I could do was think of ways to get her home.  We both had separation anxiety.  No matter what, she would come home with me for at least one night, even if I had to break her out!  Luckily, by the next day, she had improved enough for me to bring her home honestly!

Needless to say, she still needed time to recover, and by the end of August, she was slowly getting back to her old self.  She was eating better, the vomiting had and has become a thing of the past (knock on wood), and she was bouncing around the house again. 

However, the separation anxiety returned.  The first major destruction was the screen door.  Apparently, she needed to go out.  Needless to say, I was a bit disappointed in her and posted her misbehaving on her facebook page.  Yes, Gracy has a facebook page.  It really just started out as a test page one evening and before I could delete it, a few of my friends saw it and friended her.  So, now I just use it to update those who care on her medical status.  A friend commented on that post, "at least she is feeling better".  BAM!  How quickly I lost site of that.  Not that I really cared about the screen door.  I can tape it up (I watched a lot of MacGyver growing up) and move on or just buy a new one.  It was just a screen door.  However, the silver lining (apparently there is a silver lining on every cloud according to her Aunt Sandra) was that she was feeling better!  She was feeling better!!!

So, to help with the anxiety, I started taking her with me again on my morning visits.  She LOVES to "go to work" with me.  When I ask her if she wants to go with me, her tail wags and she gets excited.  She rides up in the front seat with me and just watches me drive.  She does get jealous if my free hand does something other than pet her and I occasionally get that dew claw in my arm!

Honestly, I decided last fall that I wanted to spend more time with her.  I was also having separation anxiety.  Having a dog with lymphoma, even though they are in remission, you know your time with them is limited.  Even though there was a good chance for her to have a long remission, there was always a chance that is wouldn't be.  She could be fine today and have a lump tomorrow.  It is stressful.  Very stressful.

The hardest part is that she senses these emotions and I have had, from the beginning last March, to suck it up.  I just turn my stresses into jokes and try to keep the mood light and airy!  We have become a pretty good team in her fight with cancer.  She needed me to be strong and not a blubbering fool, and I sensed that.   There is no time to be sad while she still makes me smile!

Dogs are like kids!

So, everyone, even though they "say" they understand that my dogs are like my kids, I know they don't....they just don't get it.

I can sum it up like this.  Do your kids miss you when you go to the mailbox?  Mine do!  You would think I had been gone for hours.  Now, I have seen plenty of kids run into their parents arms when they arrive home after being gone.  I know that feeling too!  When my dogs run to see me when I get home.  Just knowing that they missed me and are glad to see me again, makes coming home wonderful.

You let your dogs sleep with you.....REALLY?  Yes, really!  They can sleep wherever they want, within reason, of course.  Hey, back at you.....you let you KIDS sleep with you....REALLY?  So, dogs lose hair, get the blanket a little dirty.  Kids lose hair and have runny noses and get the blanket a little dirty too, right?  That's what they made washer and dryers for.

Now, how about the way a dog begs to go outside, on a walk, or for a treat, or even dinner.  I have seen plenty of temper tantrums through the years just over ice cream, candy or t.v. shows.  We cater to our dogs in a very similar way that one would cater to their child.  A dog wants to eat, we fix them dinner....a kid wants to eat, we fix them dinner.  The only difference, the kid probably could have cooked its own dinner.

So, what about the pups with separation anxiety that destroy something while you are gone.  Expensive problem to have in some cases, right?  People laugh at your story and tell you to crate your dog.  How many walls have had to be painted because of kids writing on the wall?  How many computers have been destroyed because of spilled juices?  Maybe they should crate their kids (just kidding)!

Dogs pee and puke on the carpet.  People say can't handle that.  Really?  I have watched plenty of kids pee and puke on the carpet.....a number of times.  Not really any difference here!  Dogs have to be trained, just like kids do.  I won't even talk about the things that we will do as we adults grow old and start losing control of our own bodily functions.  Most dogs will be as well behaved as children, for the majority of their lives.  You just have to get through the puppy stage (usually), which is much shorter than a kids "puppy" stage!

So dogs might do some of these things a bit longer than kids do.  However, we all make choices and choose to live on the path we are on.  Kids would be more than welcome in my home.  My path, as for now, has allowed me to be an Aunt to three wonderful and handsome nephews, and one sweet and beautiful niece. 

I have, instead, been blessed with dogs.  Even with all of their troubles, I learn that I love them more every day.  I wouldn't trade them for anything.  Carpets and bedding can be cleaned and things are just things, and can be replaced.  They don't judge me, yell at me (well, occasionally) or wish I would leave for awhile.  Instead they wish, like me, we could spend every minute together.  Just like your kids will always be the most important things to you, my girls will always be the most important things to me.  After all, they are NOT just dogs to me!

Cancer SUCKS!

Cancer, as defined, is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body.  My definition.....IT SUCKS!

During one of Gracy's chemo visits last summer, I continued to ponder why I was so lucky to have another dog with cancer.  Cancer had seemed to surround me through the years... my Mom had breast cancer, fought it, and is a survivor... Pooh had it, and beat the odds... now Gracy... not to mention many friends along the way.  Then I got pissed and decided I wanted to do something, no matter how small, to help fight it.  I pondered the idea over the summer and waited until Gracy was done with chemo to make sure I was still in a good place with it.

I approached some of the oncologists about starting a "cause" to help the vet school.  They were all open to the idea.  After a couple of months of planning, in January 2012, we launched Save the Paws - Fighting Cancer 4 Paws at a Time.  We are not yet a non-profit, but hope to be someday.  We are just selling t-shirts at the moment, but hope to do some fundraising events in the future.

When I began this, my reason was to raise money and awareness to fight cancer.  We would have these events, raise some money, teach people and move on to the next event.  After our event this weekend at Paws in the Park, I have realized that is not the case.

We are still doing the things above, but, we are also a place that people come to to tell their story.  As people stop, they begin to tell their pet cancer story.  Many are brought to tears, while remembering their beloved lost pet.

I never thought of this being a part of this process.  I had looked at this from a business side and a personal side....my story, I suppose.  Let me tell you, each story I hear makes me want to fight cancer even more.  Being able to be there on a bright Saturday afternoon and allowing someone to open up and tell their story, because they know, that in our little 10x10 area,  it's NOT just a dog, has been the most rewarding experience.

Hearing that a loved one has cancer is life changing.  To fight it is life changing.  To watch it happen is life changing.

My life has been changed three times.  I have never been more proud of my Mom, Pooh and Gracy for their courage to fight cancer.  Cancer SUCKS!

Here are 10 warning signs for cancer.  Please, never take any lump for granted.  Have each one checked by your vet as soon as possible.  The earlier the detection, the better chance of survival.

10 Common Signs of Cancer in

 Small Animals

1.  Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow.

2.  Sores that do not heal.

3.  Weight loss.

4.  Loss of appetite.

5.  Bleeding or discharge from any body opening.

6.  Offensive odor.

7.  Difficulty eating or swallowing.

8.  Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina.

9.  Persistent lameness or stiffness.

10.  Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating.

What are you feeding your dog?

There are so many choices of dog food.  And more coming out everyday, it seems.  For someone with a "healthy" dog, they can just pick up some brand at the store and be done.  For others, like me, it is a challenge!

Some of us aren't "health" conscious, and don't look at the ingredients.  We see an ad for the food that tells us how great it is, and we go buy it, without doing much research.  My dogs eat better than I do (at least one of them does...more on that in a bit).  I pay more attention to what I give them than to what I give myself.  Now, I do read ingredients and I do try to stay away from HFCS and hydrogenated oils, as well as artificial preservatives.  However, I have my usual breakdown for an occasional Twinkie or cinnamon rolls or pancakes or Doritos.....you get the picture!

The "worst" food my girls have ate was their puppy food.  I chose to go with Science Diet lamb/rice puppy food for them (the large breed version for Keys).  Probably more for simplicity than rationalized thinking.  I also "believed" it was good for them.  Which it wasn't bad, just not the best.  Looking back and knowing what I know now, I would not have fed them that.  That particular line of their food is given 2.5 stars from a website that rates dog foods (okay, maybe it is bad!).

With Keys' allergies, we have tried many different limited ingredient foods.  Prior to that, they both moved from puppy food to Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul.  It is a 4 star food.  However, back then, I chose it from the Whole Dog Journal's review of foods.  Plus, it was made in Missouri!  Other brands we have experimented with, Natural Balance (3 star), Nature's Variety (4.5 star), Blue Buffalo (4 star) and California Natural (4 star).  She just started on Wellness Super5 Mix - Whitefish (4 star) and her allergy symptoms seem to be getting better (knock on wood).

Unfortunately, Gracy is on a prescription diet at this time due to the issues that she had over the summer.  I have agreed to keep her on it, for a bit, but in return, they (the vets) have to listen to my sarcastic comments about it.  Since it appears to be a part of Gracy's recovery, I will keep her on it a bit longer.  I don't want her to be a one hit wonder.  I call it zebra doo (it is Science Diet z/d).  They don't even give it a rating..........

So, you might ask, where do I get these ratings?  Dog Food Advisor (www.dogfoodadvisor.com).  It is a wonderful website that is not jaded with advertising nor is he swayed by any particular brand.  He looks at all of the ingredients in the food and then gives it a star rating of 1-5, 5 being the best.  I discovered the site a couple of years ago and I love it.  It has been a great resource for me.

I am not here to change your mind about what you feed your dogs.  Some dogs thrive on 1 star foods and some dogs suffer on a 5 star food.  Just look at my dogs as an example.  Even though Keys was eating a 4.5 food, she was allergic to something in it, probably the salmon or pork.  And sweet Gracy is eating zebra doo and it is a 0 star, and she is thriving.  Also, and apparently in my world, feeding a better dog food does not keep your dogs issue free.

I am here to offer you a resource to help you make informed decisions about your dog's food.  Again, www.dogfoodadvisor.com.  I challenge you to look up your dogs food and let me know what star rating it gets, if you like.  But more importantly, find out why it is given the rating it is given.  I believe that anything 3 star are better is good eats, although, I prefer 4 or better!  You can find plenty of 3 star foods at your local retailers, without too much cost added to your budget. 

Thanks for reading this week!  I will be taking the weekend off from writing!  However, explore the above website and bookmark it.  Also, don't forget to like our facebook page, www.facebook.com/itsnotjustadog.  Enjoy spending time with your pups this weekend.  Spend some extra time snuggling with them.  After all, It's NOT just a dog!