Helen's Home World

Saturday, January 31, 2026

Got to have Heart!

At Teddy's last visit to the vet before Christmas, our vet noted that he had a heart murmur and said there were tests that could be done to see if medication would help. Well, since that visit Teddy's been coughing a lot when he plays with Liam, when he tries to roll over on his back and lately even just getting up after laying down for awhile. I made a visit for Teddy this past week and had those tests done. Sure enough, Teddy has an enlarged heart that the vet thinks is due to a leaky heart valve.

So Teddy has started on heart medication and we have an appointment to see a veterinary cardiologist for an echocardiogram to see what is really going on. I'm only going forward with the specialist consult as I have insurance on Teddy and the deductible was covered with the bloodwork and x-rays with our regular vet. I'll have to pay for appointment fee with the specialist but 90% of the echocardiogram will be covered.

I don't want to do the math to see whether or not I'm ahead of the insurance game. I never had insurance with my first few dogs. But then when Ceilidh got cancer and shortly afterwards Tucker had pancreatitis and also possibly Cushings, there were times when the vet bills would take one whole pay cheque, and let me tell you I made decent money when I was working. So I put insurance on Beckett and Keltic but Beckett's passing was so sudden I never even put in a claim for him and with Keltic, even though we had a diagnosis, he too went so quickly so that even though I'd put in a claim the deductible hadn't been paid.

The deductible for the interdigital cysts that Teddy has, still hasn't been fully paid but the claim is open and once I've fully paid that deductible, that condition will be covered as well. I'm hoping that it's never necessary but if the toe had to be amputated, I wouldn't have to worry if I could afford the surgery. I guess that's the good thing about insurance is that you can make those decisions without worrying about where the money is coming from.

For Teddy, the insurance is now covering 90% of the cardiac medication. If that's all we do going forward, it's nice that those meds will only cost me about $40 a month rather than over $200 a month. He's only been on the medication for a couple days and I notice he's a bit more active.

Teddy has heart and let's hope with medication it keeps right on beating.

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Farewell to Fergus

For me, the end of the Christmas season is marked by the day I take the tree down. Now that I'm retired, I always leave it up until Epiphany. It might have come down earlier when I was working as it is a lot of work to take it down.

Now that I usually invite friends to help me decorate the tree, I enjoy taking the tree down and packing away the ornaments that hold so many memories since I'm not the one to put many of them on the tree.

This year's tree was named Fergus. Fergus is an ancient Gaelic name meaning Man of Strength. Fergus definitely was a hefty guy. I go to pick out my tree on my own and the main things I look for are a good top and thicker trunk. I try to see if it's trunk is straight too but that's sometimes hard when you're holding the tree yourself. One thing I don't know is how much they weigh until I get the tree home and lift it up to put it in the tree stand. Fergus was a bit heavy; I even had to put him down on the front deck to get him in the house. Although he was heavy, Fergus was just the right height. I have learnt that the trees look much smaller on the lot than they do in the house.

Fergus was decorated a few days later. I always think that gives the tree time to acclimatize to the warmer temperatures before loading the branches with ornaments.

Just lights.

All decorated

This year, it took me awhile to really get fond of Fergus. There was something about him that initially didn't really call to me. But every morning when I came downstairs on these dark winter mornings, said Good Morning Fergus, and turned on his lights, I warmed up to him. He grew more beautiful every day.

I left up up him up perhaps a little too long though as he really left his mark behind, so many needles. I'm sure I'll be finding them still at Easter. It's kind of sad to put the tree out on the porch and then to the curb. Fergus like many trees before him, tried to escape with a few of his pretty baubles but he was generous in giving them up.

Farewell Fergus, you were an excellent Christmas tree. I hope you enjoyed your time with Teddy, Liam and me.

Monday, January 12, 2026

Someone Recognized the Tune!

Well, one of my friends recognized the tune from my atrocious singing. It's a German folk song called Du, du liegst mir im Herzen, which translates to You, You are in my Heart. She sent me links to two videos but I found another that is very close to how we learnt the song for Glee Club.

German Folk Song video

Where they sing Ja, Ja, together is where we would have had the repeated line. I think they are also singing 4 verses where we only had 3, although I think we did repeat the last verse.

Snowy fields in the winter

White sheep looking for food

Star and angel appearing to the poor shepherd so good

Star and angel to the poor shepherd so good.

Haste to Bethlehem stable

There in manger for bed

You will find the Christ Child

That's what the angel had said

Find the Christ Child that's what the angel had said

Bowing before such glory

on that beautiful morn

there the shepherds beheld him

thus was the Christ Child born

They beheld him, thus was the Christ Child born.

So now I know, after all these years what the song was. I was probably told way back then but forgot!.

Snowy Fields

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Does Anyone Recognize the Melody?

When I was in Grade 9, so many years ago, I was in the Glee Club. That year, one of the local radio stations was recording school choirs singing Christmas carols. Our club had learned I song that I thought was called You, You, Tender and Wistful. Our director said that if anyone wanted to write some words to make it a Christmas song we could sing that for the radio. I tried to find the song on the internet but couldn't find it, I'm thinking now that it might be a classical piece that later had words put to the music.

Anyway, one of my fellow students wrote the following words:

Snowy fields in the winter

White sheep looking for food

Star and angel appearing to the poor shepherd so good

Star and angel to the poor shepherd so good.

Haste to Bethlehem stable

There in manger for bed

You will find the Christ Child

That's what the angel had said

Find the Christ Child that's what the angel had said

Bowing before such glory

on that beautiful morn

there the shepherds beheld him

thus was the Christ Child born

They beheld him, thus was the Christ Child born.

After all these years I still remember the words to the carol but not the words to the song I originally learned.

Since I couldn't find the original song or music, you'll just have to listen to me sing. My apologies. If you know the melody please let me know what it is.

Snowy Fields

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Meet Fergus

A few years ago, after I saw that a friend named their Christmas tree, I decided to do the same. To date, my trees have been named Gaston, Albert, and Cailun. The names in the running this year were Theodor, Huw, George, Tasha and, of course Fergus.

Fergus was the overwhelming choice of my friends and family. I really liked the name Fergus but also liked Huw. I use coloured lights on my Christmas trees and thought it was neat that a homophone of Huw is hue. But also because my father's middle name was Hugh. Maybe Huw will be the name of next year's tree. The deciding factor for Fergus was when one of my friends commented Fir GUS. I hadn't even clicked in on the fact that the tree was a fir tree.

Anyway Fergus is a hefty guy. Lifting him into the house was quite a feat. The trees always look so small on the lot but when I got him home I wondered if he was going to be too tall. He wasn't he was just the right height. He does have a bend in his trunk so to make him look straight in the tree stand he had to be at a bit of an angle. It's not visible from the front as he leans back somewhat.

With no further introduction, meet Fergus. My Christmas tree for 2025.

Welcome home.

Getting Lit

All lit up.

Introducing Fergus

The Christmas Tree of 2025 - Fergus

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Agility Blessing

May the tunnels not have too much suction,
May the course be fun and fast.
May your dog not stop to say "hello" to the photographers they pass!
May the table not be too slippery,
May the chute house no scary beasts,
May all the yellow parts be touched with one little toe, at least
May the wind be always at your back,
May no bars fall on the ground,
May the A-frame have no stop sign on the top,
May the judge's whistle never sound.
May your dog obey all correct commands,
And ignore the ones that are wrong.
May your heart be light, your feet be sure, and the bond with your dog grow strong.
At the finish line, may great joy abound, regardless of your score,
You have your dog, your dog has you, and who could ask for more?

Written by: PJ Hughes

What is a Title!

Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores. A Title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor that dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in the record and in the memory for about as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard, and though the dog himself doesn't know or care that his achievements have been noted, a Title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.

A Title says your dog was intelligent, and adaptable, and good natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed. And a Title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog, and that you believed in him enough to give him yet another chance when he failed, and that in the end your faith was justified.

A Title proves that your dog inspired you to have the special relationship enjoyed by so few, that in the world of disposable creatures, this dog with a Title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return. And when that dear short life is over, the Title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of praise in one small set of initials before or after the name.

A Title is nothing less than love and respect, given and received, permanently recorded.

Written by Sandy Mowery, Wisconsin

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Author Unknown

Beyond the Rainbow

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,

I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.

I saw a wondrous image then of a place that’s trouble-free,

Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side

Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!

My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new

I wanted to run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you, and tell you I’m alright

That this place is truly wonderful,

Then a bright Glow pierced the night.

Twas the Glow of many candles shining bright, strong and bold

I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,

We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.

So, whenever you need to find me, we’re never far apart,

If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

Do you think the time is right?

May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond, and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and living light.
I want to go, I really do; it's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know,
That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too,
And that's why it's so hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,
Because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.

I Loved You Best

So this is where we part, My Friend,

And you'll run on, around the bend.

Gone from sight, but not from mind,

new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on; I'll find the strength,

Life measures quality, not its length.

One long embrace before you leave,

Share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,

But they be they, and they aren't you.

And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,

Will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,

The fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.

And as you journey to your final rest,

Take with you this...I loved you best.

-Jim Willis

The Price We Pay

There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals.

It is a cycle unlike any other.

To those who have never lived through it's turnings and walked it's rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with the full knowledge it will be broken seems incomprehensible.

Only we know how small price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given.

Suzanne Clother