Light a candle for Britt, for Zeus.

**http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=en g&gi=stafz


Thank You so very much. It is hard to get through the Holidays with this hanging over our heads. Brittney is in agony. It's hard for her to focus on things. She wonders if she should end it now, or spend with much time with him as possible before then bad/sick days hit or try chemo knowing it will make him sick and in the back of her mind knowing it will not help....but not wanting to give up even with the very very slightest chance. She has lots to decide.

People just don't understand when we talk to them about this. I get things like, it's just a dog or well lucky it's just the dog and not her child, well it's just a dog, she can get another one, it's not like he's her baby.
Well, he is her child, he is her baby, he is a member of the family, he is NOT replaceable!

Mommy cried tonight for Brittney because she knows what she's going through. She knows about those tough decisions, she knows about the bond, she knows how loving and dedicated Brittney has been. She's sad that Zeus will be gone soon. She sad that Zeus is so sick. She sad that Brittney is sad. It's hard not to be able to help Brittney. It's hard not to be able to help Zeus. Once day he's fine and the next he has a few months to live. It's very hard knowing he only has a very short time left, wondering what day will it be. Will be wagging his tail in the morning or will he not be breathing. It's ugly....the not knowing. I hate it.

I don't mean to bring you down. I just don't know what to do to get Brittney through this. He is her very own first dog.
Zeus's Birthday is in 2 weeks, he will be 5.

;( It's not good......

*wiping away the tears that won't stop flowing* Very bad news sweet ladies. Zeuser has the bad cells, he will not get better, chemo is pretty useless and Brittney is told maybe 2-3 months.

Mommy just got home from work and sissy was in here just bawling and howling in agony. I am trying to comfort her the best I can but it doesn't seem to help. Mommy hugged and hugged her but sissy wouldn't hug mommy back and she had to rush back to work. Brittney is just beside herself. She is devastated to be losing Zeus and is faced with a terrible decision. All our hearts are breaking for her, for Zeus and for even Grace. What is that Graze going to do without Zeus? Brittney is worried she will starve grieving or herself of hurt herself trying to get out to go find Zeus once he's gone. She's done that before, I mean hurt herself tying to get out because Zeus wasn't home. Zeuser keeps Grace sane and in order.

Here's what was posted by Brittney in a post today:
Barked: Mon Dec 14, '09 11:21am PST

This is like my own little personalized version of hell -- where news that you once thought was the worst -- infact looks like a tea party besides the most katastrophic news you just recieved.

Zeus' histological stains came back. I had almost forgot all about them because of the plans we already had -- heal the wound and get the ball rollin' on the chemo.

We had all but assumed that he would have b-cell cutaneous lymphoma (since the odds of that were so good). However, unfortunately bad luck has decided to follow me and branch out and take the most important part of my life -- my Zeus.

T-cell responds very poorly to chemo -- and even if it does respond his remission time is cut into a fraction of the 8-12 months we once were so optimistic for.

We're discussing it a little more (and opinions on this are welcome) -- but we don't think it makes sense to put him through a chemo that we know will probably not work -- and that will probably make him feel like crap for the remainder of his time left on this earth with us. We will probably opt to do a Prednisone regime -- which may give him 4-6 weeks of remission if we're lucky -- and then when this monster creeps back up on us -- we are going to have to make the decision that's pretty much already set in stone.

His 5th Birthday is exactly 2 weeks from today.

*sniff* Wiping away the tears again. What are we going to do without that "Big Guy"? (that's mommy calls him.)

a different letter to Santa Paws this year

Dear Santa Paws,
Usually my letters to you are all about me, what I want....what I want. I feel a little bad about that right now because I have not seen in the past years what is REALLY important. When I think about Christmas I think about Christmas trees and shopping, presents and cookies, family and lights, Christmas carols and snow and yes, Jesus's Birthday does enter my mind. I think about you and Mrs. Paws and the reindeer and the elves but most of all I think about....well...me and what am I going to get for Christmas. I have been good, so I feel like I am deserving. But Santa Paws something has happened that makes me very sad. My Zeuser, the best guy, the most friendliest of all the big dogs on this earth, the silliest, the dog with the biggest tongue you've ever seen in your life, and by far the most handsomest Zeuser is sick. He is sick and it makes me feel sick. As much as I wish, I know you can't make him better and that's not your fault Santa Paws and that's not why I'm writing. I want you to know this year I'm not thinking about me. Christmas isn't all about me raking in the gifts this time. I wanted you to know that. This year I want it to be all for Zeus. I want Zeus to have it ALL, everything. I don't want a thing, except for Zeus to have the best Christmas ever this year. He deserves it. That's what is REALLY important is for Zeus to have a good Christmas. For HIM to have ALL the fun, to squeak all the new toys, to jump with delight at the pressies with pretty wrapping and eat all the Christmas goodies. I want it to be him. Thanks Santa Paws, I would greatly appreciate it. I love you.
XOXO,
Tuesday ;)
Oh and by the way, you can give Zeus ALL Grace's gifts too, she hasn't been a very good girl anyway.

That's right!

My sunshine doesn't come from the skies,
It comes from the love in my dog's eyes.
-Unknown Poet

Happy Mother's Day!

Mommy,

For all the fun you are
For all the things you do
For all the walks you take me on
For not yelling at me for my "accidents"
For all the trips to the pet store
For all the brushing me to keep me beautiful
For the care that you give me
For all the toys you by me
For all the games that you play with me
For all the car rides we take
For the loving way you get my "yums" ready everyday
For all the medication given too me
For all the money spent on me
For being so good to me....always and know matter what
For all the sweet talks you give me
For all the hugs you squeeze on me
For the bottled waters you pour in my bowl
For all the softball games you take me too
For all the help on Dogster you give
For all the groomer and spa days you take me too
For the beautiful clothes you get for me
For the tender way you give me my shots for my allergies
For the sweet way you call me in
For the loving way you wake me up in the morning
For all the times you don't get mad when I bark at the mailman
For taking extra special care of my ears and eyes

This is why I love you so much. For all you do mommy, I am so lucky that you came into my life. Happy Mother's Day.

Dear sweet friends,

Please forgive us for not being on much. It's an awfully busy time for us. My sister is graduating High School (YAY ASHTON!) so there is so much to do.
One weekend is the graduation party. Mommy and daddy are getting the yard ready and doing little things in the house. Mommy is planning, planning, planning, ordering, ordering, ordering, shopping, shopping, shopping. Mommy says Ashton is costing her a small fortune. She finally got announcements mailed. She was many short and had to make some. That was a BIG hassle as the paper was too think and kept paper jamming the printer. What should have been simple and a few minutes took hours and hours. (Shhhh, *looks around and whispers* I thought I saw mommy actually pulling her hair out. *whispering* Don't say anything to anywoof, that's just between us.)

Another weekend there is Prom. There is also lots going on getting her ready for her senior prom. It must be a very big deal because there is talk of jewelry, up do's, gowns and limos. Wow, I wish I could go. Mommy says again my sister is costing her a small fortune and will be very glad when it is over. We picked up the dress yesterday and it was all ready and fits perfectly. She is going to be sooo beautiful. She is getting her "nails done". I can't imagine why, I hate having mine done. Then again if I got to go to prom, I'm sure I'd suffer through it.

Then another weekend there is the actual graduation. Mommy says she'll be there forever and she is worried how bad it's going to be on her bad back. Ashton's class is somewhere around 500 students. More shopping for this too. Ashton SAYS she needs a new outfit for under her graduation gown. I say what for? Now this is where I tend to agree with mommy and say that child is milking us dry!

Of course there is SOFTBALL, SOFTBALL SOFTBALL! *shakes head* Ashton plays High School softball. They have double headers every Tuesday and Thursday night. The team is not doing very well this year. The starting pitcher tore her ACL and her MCL. The 3rd baseman moved away and the shortstop graduated last year. Anyway, it's not been good. They went to State last year and placed 4th but they won't be going to State this year. It was Senior night last week. That's where the seniors on the team are honored. I didn't get to go. It was hot that day and mommy said with my ear infection I'd be happier at home. Ashton got flowers and everything.....not fair! They have been doing lots of fundraisers too. That keeps us all busy.
The end of the school year is also wrapping up so there are things at school mommy and daddy have to go to with Ashton. It seems like at least twice a week they get dressed up and go to that High School. *rolls eyes* No pets allowed. Phooey on that...pppfbbt.

Those of you that have asked, my grandma is doing okay. There are lots and lots of doctors appointments to go to and she has her bad days and bad weeks but I think she has more good days and good weeks. We have to keep a sharp eye on her though, she has gotten forgetful and easily confused lately. She would make anywoof a great napping partner! She naps a lot too. She still drives...although mommy is not sure that's such a good thing. *looking around making sure that no one can hear* She's been stealing a lot of my attention lately too. Between her and Ashton there is not much left of mommy to go around! I'll be as glad as mommy when all this hoopla is over.

Mother's Day is coming up. Maybe mommy can get some rest that day. I think I'm going to be extra sweet, good and cute that day just for her.

So that explains the absence lately. It's all Ashton's fault.

Surgery

My surgery is tomorrow. Wish me luck! I'll let you know when I can how things are going.
XOXO, Toos ;)

YiKeS!

I figured it was coming....and it is, I am going to have to have the surgey to remove the bladder stones.

For the past month, almost two I have been sick. Too sick to have fun, to sick to eat and too sick to even potty! I do have my bursts of energy and playfulness after I get pain meds but it's been ruff I'll tell ya.

Incase you didn't know I have bladder stones. My little tiny Shih Tzu bladder is full of them and my badder is swollen and it's awfully painful. I wasn't able to pee for a bit and have been in and out of the dogtors for weeks. They opted not to do surgery but to try to get rid of them with a strict diet of Hill's S/D. It would be a slow process but my vet felt comfortable that if could be done. I think it only works if you actually eat the food though. Oh I did eat it for the first few days and since then I turn my nose up. Mommy has been hand feeding me for weeks. Sometimes I do get a little bit in but when I feel really crummy it just comes right back up. Throwing up is something I do quite often now too. Mommy thinks maybe it's also my nerves.

My urine is still bloody, not good. I have been on an antibotic for well over a month now. I don't pee a lot and I still have that sensation of needing to pee because my bladder is swollen. I am given pain medication when needed as well.

I am still having the shivers and shakes. Sometimes they go away but not often. I have still been wanting to sleep under the beds instead on top like usual. What's up with that?

This stinks! Hopefully surgery will make me all better. I'm really scared but I want to get better too, very bitter sweet ;(

The dogtor will call later to tell mommy when surgery id scheduled. I'll post it then.

***Also, sorry I haven't been on lots. Mommy is just busy. My human sister's softball season has started they are at games. She is also a SR in High School so it is a very busy time for my whole family and then not to mention my grandma who is ill.

MOI? DOGSTER'S DOG OF THE WEEK?

WoowhoOOOOoo, yes! I am Dogster's Dog of the Week! I know I was just as surprised as the next pup. I have been showered with pressies, rosettes; pup pal requests and p-mail notes of congratulations, I feel like a STAR! The fun thing is that I have made several new friends and have heard from several that I haven't talked with in quite awhile! I don't know how on earth I'm going to thank everyone. I started out real good by sending a rosette to those who had sent things but they just came pouring in I was running out of rosettes and got a little overwhelmed as I couldn't keep up! So I went to Sloppy Kiss and made this sweet card for all of Dogster. Please if you can take the a sec. and check out the card, it's for you.....my friend and THANK YOU.

http://www.sloppykisscards.com/sgd5njc4

XOXO, Tuesday

Valentine's Trivia about Flowers and Chocolates

110 million roses, the majority colour red, will be sold and delivered within a three-day time period.

The red rose was the favourite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. Red stands for strong feelings

California produces 60 percent of American roses, but the vast number sold on Valentine's Day in the United States are imported, mostly from South America.

15% of U.S. women send themselves flowers on Valentine's Day.
73% of people who buy flowers for Valentine's Day are men, while only 27 percent are women.

More than 35 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will be sold for Valentine's Day.

While 75% of chocolate purchases are made by women all year long, during the days and minutes before Valentine's Day, 75% of the chocolate purchases are made by men.

Over $1billion USD worth of chocolate is purchased for Valentine's Day.

One-third of all Valentine cards are accompanied by gifts.

An estimated 25% of Valentine's Day cards are humorous.

70% of those celebrating the holiday give a card, followed by a telephone call [49%], gift [48%], special dinner [37%], candy [33%] restaurant meal [30%], and flowers [19%].

The Italian city of Verona, where Shakespeare's lovers Romeo and Juliet lived, receives about 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet every Valentine's Day.

About 3% of pet owners will give Valentine's Day gifts to their pets. (Probably chocolate.)

The most fantastic gift of love is the Taj Mahal in India. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan as a memorial to his wife.