ivdd

Wednesdays with the Wisdom of Dog: Hope

Posted by Barbara Techel

gidget and dragonfly pillow

I try not to give too much thought to what I will write about and share for this weekly series about the wisdom I’ve gained from my dogs over the years, and wisdom that they continue to share with me.

I just try to let it come to me. Sometimes the wisdom comes easy and I quickly write it down. Sometimes it takes awhile to come to the surface.

Such was the case today. Until I wrote the word hope in an email to someone. Once I typed that last letter, e of the word hope, I knew this was what I wanted to share today.

A post I did earlier this month I shared with you that Gidget has had three seizures since January.

I’ve been working hard on staying positive and not carrying around the energy of fear because I do believe strongly that our pets pick up on that from us. I’ve also been practicing Reiki with Gidget to help keep us both grounded.

While at the same time, I do believe in educating myself and doing some research to see if there are other ways in which I can support Gidget– and hopefully help her not have any further seizures or as few as possible.

It’s taken some time, but I have hope in a holistic vet I found who is about two hours from where I live. She is also an acupuncturist and is well versed in Chinese herbs and has worked with pets with these modalities and seizures.  We will be going to see her on May 8th.

As I thought about hope and Gidget’s situation, it brought me back to the memories of Frankie’s diagnoses of Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). It was such a scary time for me then.

But one thing I found was hope through Dodgerslist and others who’d gone through this. And as many of you know, I went on to give hope to others whose dogs were diagnosed with IVDD – which I continue to do to this day because it brings me joy to help others.

And Frankie truly taught me the meaning of never giving up on hope as she went on to live a long, full, quality life spinning many miles in her wheelchair.

While I don’t yet know the outcome of what will be discovered during the appointment in May, I must say I feel better knowing I’m taking a proactive step in seeing what can possibly be done to help support Gidget.

I have hope and that is a beautiful thing.

I will also share what I learn in hopes that it can help others who may be dealing with seizures and their pets.

A special thank you to reader, Edwina, for reaching out to me and helping me give thought to Chinese Medicine.

Thank you for subscribing to Joyfulpaws.com

…On Appreciating Normal

Posted by Barbara Techel

sun g e

It was a quiet day for the most part yesterday. We had brunch at my sister’s house for Easter which was nice. My nieces were there and their significant others, my brother, my mom, and a friend of my nieces who has two little boys. It was fun to watch them look for their eggs hidden throughout the living room.

When we got home Gidget was “off.” She was more hyper than usual and wouldn’t sit still so I could express her bladder. I noticed when I picked her up that her fur felt funny – almost waxy.

I looked for evidence to confirm my suspision. I found a section of the hardwood floor in the kitchen wet with urine and bits of white foam. My suspicion confirmed. She had another seizure.

She had one in mid January and February. I thought perhaps she may not have another since she made it through March. Not the case. I’ve never had to deal with seizure’s in a dog before, but once again, like I did with IVDD, I’m learning and understanding what they are about.

My heart hurt thinking of her being all alone when this happened. Though dogs don’t know they are seizing, I felt bad for the extra confusion she likely felt as she came out of it.

While her seizures have been short, I was concerned if she had had another longer seizure and I wouldn’t have been there.

I calmed her down and then got her into the sink for a nice warm bath. As I ran my hands down her little, soft body, soaping her up, I decided to let go of the fear. The fear of the what if’s. The fear of what next? The fear of hoping this does not turn into anything more serious.

The thing is, if we live in fear, we don’t really live. I’ve done my research and have talked with my vet. While seizures are scary, they are common, and oftentimes dog’s live long lives even with them.

I snuggled her in a big blanket and loved her as hard as I could. This is all we have right here, right now, I thought. Gidget knows I love her. I made sure to tell her that. I made sure to feel it deep in my heart so it embeds in her heart and helps her feel save and loved.

I talked with God and asked him to take care of her for me—it is in His hands. I prayed that He help guide me if, and when, I need to do more.

And then I appreciated normal. Well, what normal is for me. Normal is different for everyone. But the quiet of our house as John took a nap and I held Gidget in my arms  made me feel normal again. To be in solitude with Gidget, talking to the spirit in which I believe in. Connecting in a way that is always there for me when I trust and open to it.

Appreciating deeply that I have a heart to love my Gidget on such a profound and deep level– even when it is scary to think of loss that will come again someday.

But for now normal is what we have. So I soak it in and I give thanks that Gidget is herself again today. And normal is giving her at least one hundred kisses on the side of her snout this morning after seeing her sweet face peeking at me through her kennel as I got out of bed.

And appreciating normal makes each day grand with the hope of a new day.

…On Feeling Grateful and Delivering the Goods to Frankie’s Forever Home

Posted by Barbara Techel

helper delivering the goods

Gidget my faithful helper

Sometimes I swear there is a bit of Frankie’s spirit in the my pint-sized little Gidget. It’s hard to explain, but it’s just a certain feeling that comes over me once and awhile – like it did today.

Bookworm Gardens where Frankie’s statue likeness resides ordered more Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog books to have available for their season opening May 1st. This will be their 5th season! Miss Gidget was my helper today as we hopped in the car to make the 20-minute drive east to drop them off where they will be available yet again in their gift shop.

Where has the time gone, I wonder?  I still remember so clearly the day I walked behind John and Joe, Frankie snug in my arms, as they wheeled Frankie’s dog house (that John built) down the paved brick walk to a permanent home below a shade tree where her story now lives forever.

IMG_1772For me, in many ways, Frankie’s home in this beautiful garden feels very sacred to me. It is here that I feel her spirit very much alive.

For quite some time I’ve been giving thought to scattering her ashes there. But I’ve not done it yet. When I feel the time is right, I will approach the staff to see if that is a possibility. I’ve pictured a few times in my mind doing this and it feels right.

Time will tell. But as I drove back home today I was reminded of how far I’ve come — in big part because of Frankie. I just couldn’t help but smile and be so very grateful.

If you ever find yourself in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, do be sure to plan a visit to Bookworm Gardens. It is an enjoyable (and free!) outing for the whole family – I promise you will not be disappointed. It is such a magical and delightful place!

…And you just never know… you just may hear a distant bark of the sprite of a spirit named Frankie.

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