Friday, March 15, 2013

Follow up Friday 5

Oh my dog, what happened to February? (For that matter, what the heck happened to March!!!) I went looking for what number Follow up Friday this would be and realized I seem to have misplaced an entire month. :(

Anyway, on to some follow up and then I want to take a moment to talk about some blog-keeping notes.

First, the follow-up:

  • "Black & White Sunday: Let me in..." had a lot of people wondering why Bella, apparently already inside, wanted to be let in and in where? This picture was taken Christmas morning and Bella wanted to be let in to the room with her presents. (Which is actually the basement.) Sorry about that.

  • Going back just a little further to a week ago Wednesday's post "A little nervous", this was actually a fairly recent picture taken just in January of this year in her agility class. As far as Bella has come, she still gets nervous sometimes but is learning more and more to look to us for assurance.

  • And now a word about Wordless Wednesday 82 Thanks for all the kind words about my beautiful boy, Beau. He was handsome and he knew it. Of course, everyone who met him told him that so, you know...

    I will undoubtedly wish Beau a happy birthday every year. I spent a third of my life with him and his presence left an indelible mark on me. But don't worry or feel bad, I no longer dread the day. Although I won't commemorate the day of his passing, his birthday has become a day of appreciation. Beau was A Good Dog.



So, you might notice that this follow-up is a bit thin. That's because I haven't been posting as much as I would like. Which leads me to some blog-keeping issues:

First, allow me to apologize for not keeping up with everyone. I miss you all and look forward to maybe having some time this weekend to do catch up.

Second, allow me to apologize even more profusely for doing such a crappy job at recognizing the kind folks who've presented us with awards over the last several months. I swear I had a post written to get me back in to the groove and my PC shut down on me crushing all my pride and enthusiasm that I was finally getting "a round tuit".

Finally, allow me to apologize for letting Bella's agility story wane a bit. I know the next chapter, I just need time to write it.

Now, please, allow me to offer this series of lame excuses for all of the above:
  1. My job is simply out of control. I can't say much more than that but I'll be lucky to have time to breathe over the next 3 months. If I live through the experience, one would hope it will make my life easier going forward.

  2. Jan, being retired, has decided this is the perfect time to begin work on finishing the ceiling in our master bedroom. Fair enough, I've been whining mildly about the lack of such for some time. However, it demands some of my time and attention at times or, at the very least, creates an interesting ambiance what with the scaffolding and air compressor hanging about.

  3. At the same time, our master bath shower decided to crumble and we've spent the last several weeks at glass and fixture stores, talking to plumbers, and fighting over designing the tile layout for a new one.

    And let's just say I find myself regularly considering a change in profession as my mind boggles over the estimates people keep delivering to us with a straight face. Really, if you've never been through it, it an incredibly eye-opening experience.

  4. Finally, there's the reason you all are here: our beautiful Bella.

    Bella is still doing well in her agility class and her behavior modification program continues as well. However, since September 2012, she has been limping and doctor after doctor hasn't been able to figure out what's wrong or offer her much relief.

    She has been going to rehab (details on that forthcoming) and been through a number of vet exams, x-rays and ultra-sounds. It is frustrating and heart-breaking that we haven't been able to ease her pain and on top of it, she can't run and play because we don't know the impact doing such would have on whatever is wrong with her.

    She is still our little darling and has been a plucky little soldier through the whole thing but it's discouraging and sapping my energy in ways I never imagined.

    Over the last few weeks, she's started having tummy issues (diarrhea, a bit of lethargy, and even a morning barf-fest) and we were back at the vet again today. We're trying a special, limited diet and pro-biotics for now but will probably have to cancel her rehab and agility class if she can't have her special "go-to" treats that help her get through those scary events.

    I don't mean to whine. I know this is what life is. But with Bella, just going to the vet is a traumatic adventure and requires careful planning and preparation.

    It's also unspeakably heart-breaking to know that, despite all we've done to allay her imaginary fears, when push comes to shove, we can't protect her from real danger.

    On the bright side, she has an appointment with a neurologist at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston on Tuesday. The doctor we are seeing has been presented as something of a miracle worker by absolutely everyone we have spoken to so our hopes are high for some sort of resolution or at least a path to progress. We will keep you posted.
In the meantime, I ask for your patience and forgiveness. Bella is the reason I started the blog and right now she takes priority over it. But I do miss you all.




Thank you, Jodi of Heart Like a Dog for allowing us to jump in on your Follow up Friday Hop. We promise to catch up with you, Sampson and Delilah, and all the other blog hoppers this weekend!


16 comments:

  1. Aw, I'm sorry you are having a rough time and I totally feel your pain. I have two sick cats and Cali has just not been herself lately, it's enough to make a girl want to crawl into bed and not get out! I hope your appointment in Boston goes well and you get some answers! I just love that picture of her laying in all of the paper :)

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  2. Oh my goodness, you have a lot going on! Don't worry, mom and I definitely understand...well, mom does anyway; my schedule is pretty relaxed :)


    I am so sorry that Bella's limping is such a mystery. And about her tummy upsets too. It must be frustrating, especially when you are doing so much to try and figure out what's going on! I hope one of these vets will be able to help Bella out very soon!

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  3. Jan K, Wag N Woof PetsMarch 16, 2013 at 8:09 AM

    I've been having time management issues myself lately. And medical issues with the dogs, that are just so stressful....so I relate. Luckily mine are all fine right now though. I have heard wonderful things about Angell Medical Center and I hope you can finally find the answers you need there. Mostly hope that Bella feels better soon, and that things settle down for you. Take care of yourself, as we know stress can be so hard on us also.

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  4. Sometimes it is actually good to get away for a bit and then come back all refreshed!

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  5. Pamela | Something WaggingMarch 16, 2013 at 1:12 PM

    I'm amazed and impressed by all you have going on. We have several unfinished home projects right now and I was planning to spend the afternoon priming new trim in the bathroom. But the SPCA just called to ask if I could foster a puppy so...


    But don't feel guilty about not keeping up. Your posts and pictures are gifts to us. And it would be a rude person who begged for more gifts. :)


    As for the limp... I assume Bella has had blood work? I just found out that Pup Fan's dog Tavish has lyme disease and I remember that lameness is one of the first symptoms to show. I hope you get some help soon.

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  6. To add to the mix -- as you know, dogs are super at taking on whatever it is that *you're* feeling! House a bit torn up, you stressed at work = Bella intestinal distress. Maybe a communication would help? I know you delved into that area a bit, but it's been a huge help with Gus and especially Molly.

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  7. Sometimes life happens! I haven't had nearly as many hours in the day as I'd like lately, either!

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  8. Wow...it sounds like you are a bit overwhelmed right now. Nothing wrong with taking a blogging break so you can actually live life a little...and fix you your house a bit. I know how THAT goes. LOL!



    Sincerely hope you get to the bottom of all of Bella's health issues. Always heartbreaking when our pups are ill and we don't know why. Good luck at the neurologist.

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  9. SUGAR: Golden WoofsMarch 17, 2013 at 8:45 PM

    Woof! Woof! No Worries. Totally understand ... we've been there and mom says its on going. Sending Golden Luck on Bella's appt on Tuesday. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

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  10. Thanks for the pep-talk, Donna. I know you know the deal. (I am really looking forward to seeing the completed projects though - very excited.)

    We'll keep you posted on the doctor visit. Stupid snow is predicted for that morning though so we're keeping our fingers crossed...

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  11. Thanks Cindy - of course you're right, that's certainly part of it. We're really hoping Dr. Sisson will be able to offer us something. Once I get through that, I'll have time to consider other options as well. We'll talk.

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  12. Thanks for the kind words. And squee - congrats on the puppy!

    Re: the limp, yeah, she's had blood work, x-rays, ultrasounds, exams, etc. She's seen 3 vets already and had another consulting as well. All the vets have ruled out Lyme so far but we'll see what Dr. Sisson says on Tuesday.

    He seems to be the guy that everyone sends their dogs to when no one knows what's wrong with their dog. Everyone has raved about him so cross your fingers. We'll keep you posted.

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  13. Hi Julie, sorry to hear Cali's not been herself. I hope she's feeling better soon.

    Thanks about the picture - I thought after all my whining, you all deserved a sweet pic. :)

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  14. Hi Leslie, sorry I'm so late in thanking you for joining us on FUF. But thank you!!

    I'm sorry to hear of your stressors at work and even more sorry to hear about Bella. I hope the Dr. has some answers for you. I'm not sure if I ever mentioned this or not, but Dr. Kevin Landau is a holistic vet up there in Pelham MA, he makes house calls, in fact I have Sampson scheduled to see him for his wrist. It is wonderful to have your pet seen in your home and so less stressful for them. He brings everything he needs to do an acupuncture, or laser treatment. He was instrumental in getting Delilah well when the only option being offered to us was seizure medication. http://landauvet.com/


    I do hope you have some good news to share soon!

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  15. Good Dawg you have a lot goin on! :O

    Sorry to hear about Bella's leg and tum tum troubles. Sure hope she gets to feeling her healthy happy self very soon! Mom had the opportunity to talk with a vet who practiced applied kinesiology - maybe this or an acupuncture approach could help? Anyway, the doc's website is...http://www.drhowardrand.com/

    Waggin at ya,

    Roo

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  16. Oh man, so sorry to hear Bella is having mysterious ailments. I hope your sweet baby is doing better now. And I'm really sorry to veer off like this, but, um, is that a bunch of packaging paper she's ensconced in? LOL

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