Helen's Home World: April 2010

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Ceilidh's Journey - Week 10

Tomorrow, 21 Apr 2010 will mark 3 months since Ceilidh's surgery to remove a mast cell tumour from her left hind inner thigh. Not a great anniversary to recall but so far she is doing well, although she has some issues with the medications including some diarrhea, some appetite changes and at times seems very fatigued.

Last Thursday 15 Apr 2010, we went to see Dr Beltran, a holistic vet at Blair Animal Hospital. A 90 minute consult, that was very overwhelming. He took a complete history of any medical problems she has had, did a complete physical and an acupressure physical. He also did a mini-Darkfield, a live blood analysis. He said that she was quite strong except for some stress in her large bowel. The Darkfield test indicated that she had eaten and she hadn't so he thought perhaps she wasn't metabolizing food efficiently.

He put her on a vitamin supplement, L-glutamine and arginine for her GI tract . He also gave us HMF powder, a probiotic, which is supposed to help with the diarrhea. The diet that was recommended was vegetarian (root vegetables) with high quality protein preferably turkey, lamb or fish ( but no tuna or tilapia). Ceilidh also got a B12 vitamin shot.

Dr Beltran also asked me, if and when I'm comfortable to talk to Dr Bravo, our veterinary oncologist about taking her off prednisone and possibly reducing the chemo drug, Palladia. I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with that, I wanted the holistic treatment to complement the standard protocol but not to replace it. If Ceilidh has severe side effects to the drugs, I would consider just holistic treatment.

But despite everything, she still seems happy and, for the most part, very energetic especially in the agility ring. I sent in her entry for the 2010 Ontario Agility Regionals this week. I only entered her in the warm-up games and the Regional events. I don't want her to be overly stressed by the event. She ran well this past weekend despite having some diarrhea. We didn't get any Q's but had a good Jumpers run with only 5 faults and two good openings to her Gambles.

Last weekend, she was in five events and had a wonderful opening in the Gamblers getting 36 points including the mini Gamble which was a teeter out to a tunnel followed by the chute. She also got her first All Level Team Q with a Golden named Tessa. She also had a great time jumping off the teeter in Standards which came before the Gamblers event.

Hopefully the next month will see her remain happy and healthly. Enjoy every day, life is just too short.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Ceilidh's Journey - Week 9

I missed updating Ceilidh's Journey last week as I was home for Easter visiting with my parents. All of my dogs stayed with my sister. I am so blessed to have family and friends that will help out with my dogs. I know, especially now, that it is a big responsability to accept.

Ceilidh had her two month recheck today. She has lost a kilogram (2 pounds) since January. She weighed 9.6 kgs (about 20 lbs) in Jan and now weighs 8.6 kgs (about 18 lbs). So even though her blood work came back normal, that weight loss is a concern. Ceilidh's next recheck with Dr Bravo will be in three months unless the weight loss continues.

We have an agility trial tomorrow . Ceilidh is entered in five events but we'll see how things progress during the day as she seems quite tired today and I don't want her to over do things. Not sure now if we will enter Regionals. It will depend on how things go tomorrow.

We have our appointment with the holistic vet on Thursday, 15 Apr 2010. I hope he'll be able to give us a diet and supplements that will support her immune system and protect her gastro-intestinal system.

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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