Day -1, 0 and DDay

I want to keep a record....

Day -1 Sunday February 16 - Cluster of "seizures" on trail head.  Rush to the Per ER.  He was wheeled in on a cart.  Medicine was given to relax him.  They ran some blood and urine tests. Seizures, he said. We  visited the vet for the next week looking for causes.  Most suggestions were out of my price range. We did a few tests, which were inconclusive..  He never returned to "Jake" after this day.

Photo from Day -1 resting on Maddie for moral support.

Day 0  - March 3rd.. Jake seemed extra depressed.  I thought, "I'd be too if no exercise for two weeks!"  So, I took him to Sugarhouse Park to walk.  He was extremely uncomfortable and looked bloated. He looked like a tootsie roll!  He also had no stamina.   His gait was off.  We pushed one round and then went home.  I proceeded to feed him.  He threw it all up in half an hour.  He stayed away from his pack... He kept hiding.  Eventually, he came into room.  However, he tossed and turned all night.. Uncomfortable all night.  We both were....

DDay -March 4th -   I made a decision to take Jake to vet.  Something wasn't right.  I wrestled with decision, thinking I was being paranoid.  We were rushed in to see good ol' Dr P.  He agreed there was something definitely wrong.  Keeping financial constraints in our minds, we made a plan of discovery.  We ordered additional blood work and an ultrasound.
Around 10:30, I got the call.  Jake has Hemangiosarcoma.  He has a few tumors on his spleen, one being large.  He has a few on his liver.  There is blood in his abdominal cavity.  One tumor must have ruptured.
I bolt out of work.  A dear friend meets me at the Clinic.  We begin the in dept conversation about Jake with the Vet.  There aren't a lot of options.  " He is dying" is what I remember.  "quality of life" decision is another.  I move from a range of emotions and feelings.  I vacillated between shock, OMG and denial.

                                                                               Jake on DDay

We spoke about and decided to bring him in tomorrow to check his red blood cells to see if internal bleeding has stopped.  He is given some anti nausea  medication.  Off I go with Jake in tow. We stop to get ice cream and return to work.  Numerous calls, texts, and  messages. The outpouring of support is magical.   My heart if full as so many realize what a fantastic dog Jake is.

 I plan to stop at Grammy and Grampys.  As we make our way down 7th East, Jake comes to life.  He sits on counsel and his mouth smiles.  We pull into driveway and he jumps ever so enthusiastically out the E.  He is home.... Jake returns to Jake at their house.  The love they give him and he in turn.  I leave him there as I run to store to buy bland food for my heart dog.  We leave and go home.  Dogs are fed.  I bath with Jake and Zoe lying in the bathroom keeping a close eye on me.  Zoe, keeping a close eye on her brother.  We all fall asleep, with Zoe sleeping on the bed with Jake and I.  This is a rare event.  One must wonder if Zoe is in tune with what is happening.
..
I want to chronicle our last footsteps on this most amazing journey.  I need a place to put my memories as they come up, a safe place to express my emotions, and my feelings.

We became avid hikers this past year.  I am glad I constantly took photos of my dogs.. *dog selfies*
 Here are a few shots from a few recent hikes.

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.

Roger Caras

WW - Happy 8th Birthday to the Dog that Started it all

WW - The Borador and the Seal

WW - Team Work

Flyball Weekend

We attended a flyball tournament this past weekend. We went down to sunny and warm Saint George.


I had to pull Jake Sunday on the last run. Instead of one stride between jumps, he was doing 2-3. I noticed it on his last run the heat before. He had a good hour sleep between the next heat. Plus, we needed him for Lucie's TFP title. First run good - second run - again 2-3 strides. It scared me. Thank goodness Ross had Tripp on the side line and she came in for Jake. Took him immediatly over to Anita. She palpated his muscles pretty good - and he didn't wince. And as of today, no swelling anywhere. So I am thinking he just ran out of gas. And that is my fault. He isn't in the greatest shape after the winter.

I have also noticed something else in my handsome boy. His vision is starting to go. Last few months when we play chuck it - he misses on catches he use to catch all the time.
Then this weekend, anytime my hands may have flown in front of his face, he flintched. Those of you that know me, know I would NEVER hit Jake, on purpose. In talking with a friend about it, she said maybe his vision is going and he is flinching because of shadows.

So I am a little worried. Going to keep my eye on his vision. I am not going to try and run him this week until at least Thursday. Give his body time to recover. I'll take him out to run and make sure he is ok. We won't be having practice for a few weeks. So, if there is something going on, rest will help.

On a "oh.my.gosh." note - I actually got a .001 start with Jake in singles. It wasn't anything I did - as I think Jake pulled off. Still it was cool for me!

Jake received his Top Flight Premier-Level I. So now only about 8000 more points until Top Flight Expert; which would be a plaque to recognize his flyball career. That is my plan for him.

I know I know...Some of you are thinking - who cares about titles! Well, I do. And this poem explains my feeling about titles;

What Is A Title Really?
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 honour the 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 a 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.
Author Sandy Mowrey

WW - Belated Birthday Wishes to My Black Pack

Zoey - 6 y/o 2/23/10
Jake - 7 y/o 3/23/10
Sneekers - 2 y/o 1/21/10
(not real birth days, but a guesstimate)

WW - GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WW - Fly Dumbo Fly

WW - Soulful Eyes

Weekend of w00ts!

What a fun filled, goal meeting weekend we had! We went to St George to attend a flyball tournament. I took Jake, Sneek and Zoe with me.

Jake started off really really rough; not sure what it was about. After his lack of stellar performance during the first heat, I took him to see Anita -who is on site. He was a warm on his left front leg. So, she worked on him and I iced him a little afterward. Needless to say, whatever it was - it went away. He seemed to run better after that. So, Sunday I had her massage him prior to racing again. She said the front left leg wasn't warm at all. Whatever the issue was on Saturday, it had gone away. Maybe he stepped on something or bumped it or twisted it - heck I don't know....

So many amazing things happened this weekend for our flyball team. ...Our dogs ROCKED. Lots of personal bests for our dogs....Seriously, we did so well and met the two goals we had going down - ok 4; tailwind to take first place in their division both days (met), HR not break out (met), not run faster than 18 seconds (met) and to qualify for the U-FLI Championship (met).

I was blessed to run not one, but two dogs this weekend. I got to run Hannah B - which is so much fun!! She is an amazing flyball dog - and so darn fast!!! She is just a spitball of fire and such a sweet girl who has come so far...
Jake also earned his Top Flight Premier title. For those unfamiliar with titles - every race a dog completes, they earn points. At certain point levels, you earn titles. So Jake had enough points for the TFP title..Our next title goal is Top Flight Expert - which is a milestone plaque. He needs a total of 20,000 points for that big title. So only 10,500 more points to go...Average 500 points a race day - so that is only 11 more tournaments, give or take a day.. So, that would be in about 3 years :) That is if, God willing, he will still be racing then....

We also had tons and tons of fun, starting with a good dinner on Friday evening. We were all pretty darn goofy Sunday - lack of sleep or just too much sugar - I am not really sure.. Just really good times - with lots of laughs, some silly string and way too much junk food! There are some crazy photos of us out there - including some of me - but I will save those for a later WW post...I just love my flyball team mates!!!

Everything was done and over with around 7:30 Sunday. I I had decided earlier that I was going to stay in Saint George Sunday evening. I had Monday off, and well - why not stay in St George and relax... Plus, our teammates mentioned a reservoir right down the road. I thought it would be kind of cool to take the dogs swimming. So we met Zoey, River, and Bailey to swim. Some people and pups from Phoenix Fuzion came over too.

Here are Jake and Zoe - I know it is difficult to see the dogs in the photo, but the scenery is just beautiful. As tired as Jake was - he was still swimming non stop!

Zoe loved it!Sneek got pretty far out chasing the ball - but still she did not swim. She was so funny - she kept running up to all the humans to throw a ball for her.
It was hard for me to turn north on the hwy instead of south. I really wanted to stay in Saint George or travel a little more to another place for the dogs to swim and play. One day - I will take the week off after a tournament. I can stay in St George to play, drive to Lake Mead, and then onto California - to the beach... One can dream right?

ps thanks Heidi for taking that awesome shot of Jake and I...

Catching Up

I haven't been updating the blog recently. It has been crazy, busy at work and well, I am kind of addicted to Face Book! LOL I can update my page straight from the crackberry. But I realized, it would be good to take time and update my blog. This blog is for me - yep I am selfish. I want to be able to look back and see the things the dogs and I have done so far. Sure, I can do that on FB but it is a little harder. To me the blog is more a diary of the fun, the accomplishments, and the struggles the dogs and I walk thru life....

So, here are some updates...

Maddie - Her rash came back a little over a week ago, but this time under her front leg shoulders. We got some more cream from our vet and i loaded her up on benadryl. Happy to say it has now gone away. But I wonder as to what is causing this? It has to be some weed in the yard. Right now she has the zoomies, and is doing her Pitty cry to go outside.....

Zoe - Zoe has returned to flyball. It is good for her to have a job - good exercise for her. She isn't fast - and that is ok. When she learns the game, she can just run singles or doubles. I am concerned with her back legs - but if we take it easy she should be ok. Zoe also attended Splash Dogs this past weekend. She actually jumped off the dock; not far but she jumped two out of the three rounds I took her up to the big pool. I was excited for her. Not sure why she wouldn't jump the last round. A friend suggested she might be tired - that is no excuse - LOL

Jake - Participated in the annual SYM where we did a flyball demo and Course A Lure. At SYM, Jake was the third fastest dog out of almost 350 sets of paws running the course. I was excited for him. He was beat by Sneek and our fellow flyball team mate, Zoey. He did well at the flyball demo. You can see a video of my dogs and fellow teammates running CAL, and the flyball demo here. Our fellow flyball team mate made an amazing video of the day. I love not only how he captured a little bit of everything - but the team work that went into the day. He and his wife are amazing asset to UTB. Jake also attended Splash Dogs and CAL this weekend. On Friday, he ran a 14.02 at CAL (again beat by his sister, Sneek, who ran 13.96). He swam tons in the practice pool and off the ramp in big pool,but for some reason - he just won't jump off the dock. I was disappointed but well, have to accept Jake for who he is...

Sneek - She is attending a beginning agility class on Tuesday's. This past week she completed the pinwheel jumps on her first try.. She also completed her first sequence - 3 jumps and the tunnel. (side note - first CAL runs - she wouldn't go in the tunnel - agility has helped her now complete the tunnel at CAL). She really loves to run and take the obstacles at agility.
She too participated at CAL at SYM - 2nd fastest dog - woot! She also participated in CAL this past weekend, beating her brother with a 13.96 run. She lived up to her name, by figuring out how to open the side door on the crate. SNEEK! I tried to get her to swim in the practice pool - no go. She was so fixated on CAL - the minute she heard the sound of the pully her focus was on the course. So, no Splash Dogs for Sneek.
So, that is a short update on the pack and our doings....In between the big events, we Rollerblade, flyball, work on our box turns, housework, make meetings, eat, sleep, potty, work, lol. We have some full days in our house. Heck, I even forgot to grocery shop last week. Nothing like Atkin shakes, apples and cheese for lunch!

I swear I need three of me just to keep up with our busy schedule! But, life is meant to be lived to the fullest - and I believe I am trying to do that. I want to be able to look back when I am 90 and know that I gave my dogs, and me, the chance to engage in life....After all - isn't life what you make it????

WW - Are They Serving Ice Water in Hell?????

Jake says "Watch out... Here I come!"

Ever since the rimadyl incident, I don't like to post about where we might be going this weekend. I am afraid to talk about it .So i won't tell you all - but will let the photos tell the story.




Yea - his ,off the box, isn't anything to write home about - but Jake gives it all he has. He gives Flyball every ounce of energy and every single beat of his heart. I couldn't ask for a better dog...Love you Jake! Let's Line UP!

Is Jake a star?

Last summer, at one of the Course A Lure events, a team came out to make a new video for CAL.

The video is now posted on You Tube and the Course A Lure website.

Below is the video. WOW! I wonder who that handsome, fast, adorable, with the green collar, black lab featured in the beginning, middle, and end of the video is?? - hehe

Iz Sore Mom!

Don't you wish your animals could verbally tell you when they are in pain? I guess in a way they can but they also tell you a lot about pain thru body language - but you need to be able to read your dogs body language to see they are. Something I am not very good at. But the longer you have your dog, the more attune you become to normal and abnormal.

Jake's right hind leg has been off. When we saw our holistic vet yesterday, I told her that. But it wasn't his right, it was his left rear leg. She said I probably thought it was his right because he was over compensating on his right rear for the left being sore. On the thermo scan, his left rear was very hot. She also said his left rear was extremely tight and sore . So, she did an adjustment and then we did some acupuncture - which Jake just about fell asleep during - lol. She suggested 48 hours of rest (no CAL for you Jake - sorry) and lots of stretching. So glad we were able to get him in prior to a month of flyball tournaments.

Sneek made her debut at the office. I wanted to get a reading on her and an adjustment, especially after all the wall turns we have been doing. The doc was very very smitten with Sneek; and Sneek smitten with the vet. It was so darn cute! Sneek was an angel sitting in the chair as Jake was adjusted. Watching Sneek, we both agreed she if very observant - and very good at problem solving. We also discussed what breeds she might be. We spoke about Sneek's known history; which concerned the vet as she assumed Sneek's muscle system would be very out of whack and the toxins that could be in her system. The doc ran the thermo and it was clean - normal spots were there but nothing out of the ordinary! We were both very happy. The vet did say that because of her muscle structure, especially the size of the muscles in her back legs, if she has a strain or a pull, it will be a doozie. We have to make sure she is warmed up, stretched, and cooled down to prevent that from happening. She also gave Sneek a high does of Nux Vomice to help rid her body of the toxins. By the end of the visit, she was sure that Sneek's body and ears were that of a Whippet and she may have some Staffshire Terrier or Boxer in there.

I am so grateful to have the opportunity and the funds to be able to take my dogs to this vet. In the long run, I believe the benefits they receive from the visit and the knowledge she shares with me, is well worth the drive to Park City and the money I spend. But, as you might of assumed, I would drive to the ends of the earth and sell everything I have to make sure they are healthy and happy....

In Jake's desperation....

In Jake's desperation , he initiated play with the girls today. He isn't known to play with Maddie or Sneek. He usually wants nothing to do with them.

Since Sneek has been so good lately, I decided to reward her by letting her play in the snow with Jake.

Jake thinks he is so smart playing ring around the shed. Since Sneek and Maddie are on long lines, he knows they can't catch him if he stays in certain areas..

Maddie and Sneek say "PUNK!!!"

To my #1 Boy......

Happy 6th Birthday Jake!
And to think, I picked your sister over you! Thank goodness Dad knew the right words to say to convince me you were the dog for us.

His first summer.........
Winter 2009

Could you be any cuter??!! I wish I had 4 more just like you!!!!

WW - Jake's Smooth Moves

Ok maybe that one wasn't too smooth.

WW - Happy, Handsome Boy

Doga

Tonight, Jake and I will attend Doga class, held by one of our favorite trainers.

We went last week, and I really enjoyed it. So did Jake - well except when I tried to put my legs up-over his back. He gave me a "I don't think so Mom lady". Not only did we do some poses, but we did some visualizations and transfer of energy and light from human to dog (I eat that stuff up. I have used it before with humans, but not with one of my dogs - pretty cool!). He did really well on the stretch parts and a few times he wanted to blow off the pose for a belly rub - LOL he can be so funny sometime. Jake has been getting muscle rubs since he was a pup - his Grammy started doing it and I picked it up from her. He usually gets a nice massage before he falls asleep. So he is use to it.

There were times I felt really in tune with him; to the point that I felt almost tears of joy coming to the surface; almost overwhelmed with joy and gratitude that we have each other. For a few poses, Anna took him up front to demonstrate to the rest of the class a pose. As i looked at him up there, I will filled with warmth and pride watching him. His shiny coat, the wag of his tail, his bright eyes, remembering the puppy in him... Of course, he did not take his eyes off me :)

"Jake?" you ask. Jake participates at Doga? Jake calms down for Doga? Jake doesn't bark at Doga? Jake has a relax switch?????

It may surprise many of you, but Jake does have an off switch. At home, he is pretty laid back and relaxed, except when he needs to referee the girls play. Mostly you will find him laying on one of the many dog beds in the house or in the spare bedroom; it depend on what room his Mom is in :)