CHRISTMAS AFTER

So here it is two days after Christmas. I hope if companions became presents that they are welcomed into loving homes, where children appreciate the value of a long term friend. A friend who wilk wait by the door til they come home from school. A friend who will be your best cry buddy, the ear if a friend who will keep what you say, to be patient why you make them up in grammy's old clothes an hat, a run around pal by your side wherever you go.  And finally be your first experience at losing someone.

Dignity In Death...Knowing when to let go

Anja's time had come, 6 months after a fatal diagnosis of kidney disease, her body could bounce back only so many times.  Each time, I thought my wife would be calling me at work but Anja always seemed to be active and eagerly awaiting me at the door.

But now, two days gone by and she was not greeting me, not doing the happy dance and after my wife had returned from a week away, even I had to give up hope as she could see the obvious.

I came to the vet's office, they brought her in and she came to us, letting us pet and talk to her but the grief was too much for my wife who being a full time dog boarder, was home with her much more than I.  She took some photos for me and then left.  I too didn't want to see her pass but I knew in my heart that the last thing she would want to see was me stroking that groove between her eyes and talking to her. 

I had 20 minutes with her hugging in that way she loved so much.  She liked being held by me, with her paws and head over my shoulder.  I posted the photos and a comment that it was time on Facebook so that all her human friends could know she would soon be free of pain.  I then stood her up and bending down to be eye to eye with her, I said, "Anja, We did every thing we could do and we just don't want you to suffer".   The vet came in, she glanced at her, then back to me.  I picked her up and put her on the table. "lay down sweetie, it's time."  She eased down and kept her eyes on me. I lowered to a eye level position and spoke to her about finding Mollie and Natasha, our cats who pass years ago.  Go to the rainbow bridge every day and wait.  All the while, people was posting comments causing a little bell to go off.  I told Anja that those bells were her friends ringing the way for her to find relief and that she was loved by many many friends. 
As the injections went in, I marveled at her dignity in death, never quaking, never wimpering, never fighting it.  She was at peace with the fact that no more would she lead the dogs racing around the yard, watching over the little iggies in case she needed to break up a fight, laying on the corner of our beds staring at the door always the guardian of our home.

Her last seconds, I stroked her face, told her to wait for me and then her eyes lost the blue hues that was everyone admired so much...

.......and she was gone, quietly, courageously and as a true champion of man's best friend.

Tella's got her Groove

Tella Got Her Groove
This week, we were happy to find our foster Italian Greyhound Tella Bella (Donatella) had made it outside through the doggie door without any assistance, that she was comfortable leaving her bed in the living room and wander down the hall to chill out in the bedroom doggie bed or just to do her usual walkabout in the back yard and end up at the back door.   Despite the fact she is sightless.  

She's had a bad couple of weeks with crying in the night, restlessness (which cause us the same) and overall depression which worried us tremendously.

However, she's rebounded and seems to be better than ever, more confidence and even a force to be reckoned with if she finds another IG lounging in her bed.

While unable to actually catch her doing the doggie door walk through without assistance, I managed to 'help' her with one and get it on the digital video camera.

'Mega E or how I love to feed the puppy' (with apologies to Dr. Strangelove)

If you have a dog with Mega E, then you know it takes extra time and care to feed them. For those who  know now what this is, think of having to eat standing up because your esophagus does not function properly.  Food is not pushed down to the stomach through the movement of the e tube.

Finley, is one of those.  He's a lovely young pup who came to us from a situation where time was a issue.  Now you may say, hey who wants to spend 30 minutes hand feeding their dog.  But think of it as I do, 30 minutes of close bonding and development of trust.

The trick is to get them to stay upright while you feed them small portions.  Some people may just cut up the pieces while others like myself will cut long strips then expose just a portion between my fingers to that he has to nibble with his front teeth and pull with his tongue.  It also keeps him upright longer since nibbling takes longer to get more food than grabbing a small piece and dropping back down to the floor to eat.   You'll know when you did it improperly when your dog regurgitates the food back up.



See the admittedly sideways video (hey you feed with one hand and shoot with the other while sitting
               :-)  but first, a PSA I created for Rescue Adoption Services around the U.S.A.

Sleepless Nights

10 o'clock at night watching my dog as she steps towards her bed. Each step, a little shiver ripples through her tan fur.  She looks at me with that look a child gives their parent when they feel something wrong inside them and they need a reassuring voice to gently give them hope.   5 months since her diagnoses by not one but two vets of complete kidney failure.  She defies logic and medical knowledge with her spunk and determination.

In the other room,  a foster lays in a state of confusion and fear.  Blinded 7 months ago by a medical condition, old age is adding more weight to her little world.  Where once the steady arms I wrapped around her gave her comfort, now seem to hold her down in what seems to be a flight from inpending death.

We have or will someday have to face the moment when our pets, our companions are no longer that bouncing bundle of fur.  No longer do we come home to barks of joy and dancing paws, licks and hugs.

We don't want to think of that and just dwell upon the now,  but it is important to think ahead so that you will remember deeply and more strongly about the times you are enjoying  with them now so that those memories will hold back the crumbling wall that keeps the grief from taking over.

So, as I go over and sit next to Anja's bed to rub that little crease between her eyes that she likes me to do,  I remember the first time she ran down the road to greet her new family and know that she was given a good life.  And if I wake in the morning to be greeted by big licks on the face,  it means that God has granted me another day with one of his special angels.

Getting up and letting all our little ones out for their morning run in the backyard,  I will gather up the old blind foster, hoping she will once again find solace and comfort in my arms as I place her gently in the back of the yard for her walkabout.   My wife and I will sit in the cool breeze on our patio, sipping coffee and relaxing while our babies play. It will be a good day....a day to remember.

Labels

Got a new dog in as a hold while someone picks him up.  The previous owner thought he had some issues.  Hummmmm.
Pottytrained.   Crate trained. Curls up in your bed an is dead to the world til you get up.  Does'nt bark, or bite.  Just wants to be that quiet little doggy by your side.   Oh maybe it was overfeeding him til he got twice the size a iggie should be.  COME ON PEOPLE, STOP FEEDING YOUR DOG LIKE YOU DO YOUR CHILDREN.  CHEAP FOOD & FREE FEEDING IS LIKE KIDS GORGING AT MCDONALDS, ALL DAY LONG.  Okay off my soapbox now.

Preparing for a loss

When your best Friend on 4 legs is sick, you worry.  BUT WHEN THE SICKNESS IS DEADLY, you see them in a whole new light.  6 weeks ago, the vet informed us that our spitz mix Anja was dying.  All tests and her condition pointed to kidney failure.  We were advised to treat the next few days as her kast.  Crying, immense sadness and lots of hugs were followed bymy wife Connie, doing lots of research on raw food diets and preparation. She had already started feeding raw food and wait to see her that's the only within the past six months. Anya eat some days some days she would not. If she drink water or eat, she would around and throw it up immediately.  A normally highly active dog who loved to chase the italian greyhounds or allowed them to chase her, always looking back and slowing so they could catch up.  She became unintereted and woukd just lay in the grass. 
Days became weeks and her bad days were being outnumbered by the good, leaving us happy but worried that we're being set up for a fall.  So far we treat it as a gift and when I come home from work to a house full of happy dogs, I pick Anja up and walk around with her paws locked around my neck.  She melts like warm butter draped over me, content knowing she is loved