Thank you

Thanks to everypup for all the birthday prezzies and well wishes. We had a pretty good day remembering Jarvis and how much we love him!!

Mom again

It's been almost six months since Jarvis left us. I still think about him every day. The crushing sadness did end and my heart has healed. Mostly.

I got teary the other day while I had Diablo at the vet. I still give his box of ashes a kiss every now and then. His beloved flashy ball and cancer collar that Ella gave him are on the shelf with his ashes. Those things make me smile. Sometimes I accidentally call Diablo Jarvis. Sometimes our friends do too. It's okay. It just means we haven't forgotten him. I haven't really been able to look at his Dogster page much. Today was the first day in months that I re-read his diary. It's more of a comforting sadness now than the sheer anguish I had at first. I have all my friends to thank for that comfort...

I will always love you Jarvis. You will forever be my special boy...

Mom here....

This is an exceedingly sad time and I'm not really sure what to say.

As most of you know, Jarvis made his trip to The Bridge yesterday. The cancer most likely spread to his liver or spleen or both. They were both enlarged and he was extremely anemic. He had been going downhill for the past two weeks - not eating much, had to bring him water while he was laying on the couch, stopped playing, going outdoors was a challenge. He had no energy, almost like he was depressed. I really didn't want to hear what I knew the vet was going to tell me so I kept him home, took care of him, made him eggs, and loved on him as much as possible. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore and took him to the vet. He jumped right in the car like always. Then I suddenly knew just how bad it was. He usually gets in the car and goes straight to the backseat. He got in yesterday and just laid across the front seat. He wouldn't budge. I had to lift his hind end up and put him in the passenger side so I could drive. He wouldn't get out once we got to the vet. Two of the vet techs had to come and lift him out of the car. When he got in the exam room, he just kind of fell. The vet examined him and we decided together that he just wasn't going to improve. The vet said I could bring him home for the day so the kids and my husband could say goodbye. I called Ron (husband) at work and we decided that bringing him home was being too selfish. I couldn't bear to see Jarvis stuck in the car like that or to fall down again. We decided that it was time to say goodbye and give him peace. I stayed with him the whole time, looking in his eyes and telling him how much we love him while he got the shot. It was very peaceful. I'm so glad I was with him when he went.

I know that we did the right thing for him. I know that he had a good, happy, and loving life. He brought so much joy to our family and friends (everybody knew about Jarvis Davis - he's a mini celebrity in our neighborhood). I also know that this crushing sadness will eventually end. What helps the most is all of our pals on Dogster and Facebook sending so much love and support. I said it last night and still mean it - words cannot express the gratitude that I feel.

Wow!

I woke up today just knowing that something special was going to happen. Dad is working from home today so we were all sleeping in. I don't get to do the Morning Cuddle very often with Dad. He has this crazy notion that dogs don't belong in bed. What a weirdo. Anyhow, there I was, as Ella would say, being the meatses in the Mama and Daddy sammich. Diablo was this weird little wandering-around-the-bed side dish or something. Finally, he settled down by me and we all four had a great snuggly nap. (Then Diablo got up and tried to poop on the floor - Dad scooped him up and ran him outdoors though. I stayed snuggly with Mom and laughed)

After we got up, Mom FINALLY checked her email to see that I'm a DDP today!!! I knew it was going to be a good day. Thanks HQ!!! And thanks for my prezzies and well wishes!!

Bark at ya later!

Vet visit

I had to go to the vet last week. (I needed my rabies vaccine and some other booster shots. I was, of course, very well behaved!)

The good news is that the vet has a lot of confidence that we might have got all the cancer when the leg was amputated. He said so many people wait weeks or months to decide to amputate after receiving the diagnosis and that gives the cancer more time to spread. It was just 3 weeks from our first vet visit to the amputation surgery. Of course, this cancer typically spreads quickly to the lungs. We have to watch for me to have very labored breathing - that's how we'll know if the cancer got in there. So far so good. It's been almost 2 months since they took my leg (it went to THE Ohio State University even though I decided not to). We are just trying to enjoy every day that we have together!!

P.S. I like that little guy a lot better now. He's fun to play with! It's also fun to tell him to do bad stuff then watch him get in trouble!! BOL!

FREE GIZMO

The poor guy has to be exhausted....

Dear Dogster/Catster,

Please release Gizmo and Luke from the dog/cat of the week spots. It was wonderful to read all about them but now I would like to see another dog/cat honored there. For all of our pals out there please feel free to copy and paste this message and spread the word to Dogster/Catster that we would like to see Gizmo and Luke set free. FREE GIZMO (and Luke)!!!!!

I’m hoping that if others post the same message that their pals will agree and do the same thing. Maybe if there was a mass movement Dogster/Catster would move this situation up on their “to do” list and set them both free. I admit I am sort of in a panic here because I only have 6 more days before we hit the road again and I will not have access to the internet so my campaign will either be a success or stop short of getting them free.

Please be aware that this is a very hard request for me to make because I am used to just taking what I want. I did put a lot of thought into it and have been second guessing myself wondering if it is an appropriate thing to request because it could end up in a huge failure where no one will join in on the cause. I decided that not trying was a failure in it's self so what do I really have to loose? I just want to get the word out that Gizmo (and Luke) need to be free and I'm hoping it happens before we leave next weekend.

Hugs, kisses and FREE GIZMO,

Coco Rose

Explanations...

Some of you pups may have noticed the apparent abscence of the Davis Brothers here on Dogster. It's Mom's fault. I've been tellin her to update everypup. She just says that she'd rather play with us dogs than type or upload photos. Dang her sentimental logic (although I do get LOTS of treatses these days...)

Anyhow, things are going well around here. My new brofur and I play and now even nap together! I taught him how to go poo on the front porch so he can avoid the rain. I taught him how to shred a Loofa dog too! He's still to little to do it without my help though!

Yes pups, life is good....

Pupdate

Hello Everypup,
We haven't been around much. I blame that dang Devil Puppy, but Mom says it's because she wants to hang out with us pups as much as she can.

The biopsy results came back. The tumor that was in my leg is malignant. We knew that was the case, but it didn't hurt to hope. We are sticking with the decision not to do chemo. Mom doesn't want me to be miserable. So we're enjoying every minute that we can together!

I've started playing with Diablo a little more. It's fun to steal his toys! At first I would growl at him whenever he came near me and I would stay upstairs in a bedroom away from him. Now I'm hangin' out in the family room with everyone again like I used to and being more tolerant of the Little Devil. Howevr, you can't give me any treats when he's close - I'll pretty much eat your hand! Mom's keeping us separated while eating. I get growly and it makes Mom nervous (but we all know Mom gets nervous a lot!)

So listen, pups. Don't be all weepy and teary about the biopsy. Mom and Dad and I are ok. We're prepared for what's going to happen. It's not gonna be easy, but we have a lot of love and are just enjoying each other. We love you all and thank you for all your support and kindness!

Love,
Jarv

What the woof?!

Where'd all those extra zealies come from? A gift? From HQ? From my Fairy Dogmother? Thanks whoever you are....

Wow....

What a weekend! I'm exhausted pups! Being Dog of the Day was fantastic! All the prezzies and stuff from you guys....again wow! We were overwhelmed with your kindness!

Mom hooked me up Saturday night. Chicken and rice for dinner, too many treats to count, a pigs ear, and most importantly, she kept Devil Puppy away from me!!! I know the little guy just wants to play, but dang! He's a pest!!!!

Thanks again Dogster HQ and to all my pals. You guys rock!!!