Dear Humans: feel sorry for me and give me lots of presents

Hello dear readers! I know, it has been a long time. I've been a busy girl, with things to do and places to go. Not a lot of time for diary writing, but I thought I'd oblige you all and give you an update on, well, being me.

Lets see...where to start. I guess my story here is a follow up on my last diary entry. The whole "Luna has a heart murmur, blah blah blah" story. Yeah, I get it. Meh, I am not too impressed with it.

Mom and Dad, see they love me lots. And are they nervous nellies? Well, you could say that. So Mom has been watching me like a hawk ever since my diagnosis, even though the cardiologist said that my mitral valve disease was minor and that I'd be around for a lot longer. She knows all that, but still can't help but worry if I start to show even the slightest of symptoms.

So a couple of weeks ago, I had a little tickle in my throat. Nothing major, just an itch. I cleared it, and since I was laying on my sleeping mother at that moment, she felt me cough that little cough, as I am 70 lbs. I heard her explain to Dad the next morning as she dialed the Vet on her speed dial that coughing is one of the first symptoms of heart failure. They got me in that day.

Well, the nice Vet listened to my lungs, said they were clear, and said there was no reason to worry. She knew it was just a throat tickle, with her medical degree and all. But, she had a great idea. Since I had never had chest x-rays, and only an echocardiogram, why not schedule me for them just to get a baseline for the future? Ya know, since my lungs sounded so good and all, something to compare to down the line?

Come to find out, this place schedules x-rays like a surgery day! I had to get pre-anesthesia blood work, have Mom not feed me the morning of, yada yada. Well, I went in all normal and happy, and proved to the Vet how amazing I am. She said, "this dog is so sweet, she is laying down calmly for an x-ray. we don't need to give her anesthesia!" So all that work for nada. I was in and out in five minutes.

However, the Vet called Mom at work with some shocking new. She said my lungs had what appeared to be fluid in them. She said she couldn't believe it, and even brought in the head of the practice for his opinion. Both Docs were shocked that my lungs could sound so clear, and that I wasn't hacking constantly, why there would be this fluid.

The Vet emailed my x-rays right away to my Cardiologist. We had to wait until today to get his opinion.

Ever since this news, Mom has been a crying mess. I keep looking at her like she's an idiot, because I thought she knew by now that I defy all odds and do my thing the way I want to do it. Even still, she got choked up each time she looked at me, thinking the end was near or something. Psha. I don't think so.

Over this past weekend, Mom and I hung out with my first Mom. She was also very upset about my prognosis, even though I tried to tell them both that they were acting like weirdos for being so worried. My first Mom did have some interesting news to share though-when I was a puppy, I had very bad kennel cough, and it turned into pneumonia. It was so bad, that I wasn't expected to survive. When Mom heard this, a light bulb went off...maybe...just maybe...could it be?

It was the case! The Cardiologist confirmed that my lung damage is NOT heart related, and rather resulted from some long past trauma. They said I must have coughed so hard, I actually caused my heart to sit off to one side! Even though that isn't really a bad thing, they said, they couldn't figure it out since most times that happens with dogs who have severe lung trauma, like being hit by a car. But when Mom shared the news that she just found out about my puppy hood, they said that was the exact cause.

So, the verdict is, I was once again correct and Mom is a blubbering mess. I am no worse off than I have been in the last five years since coming to live with Mom and Dad.

This last week did get me a lot of extra love and attention though. I might have to rile the humans up more often!

An update on the Princess...

...hold on, let me put my new chew toy down to type better. Excuse the drool on the keyboard.

Hello friends! As you probably guessed, I have a new toy. Or ten. See, the humans celebrated this Christmas thing again this year, and once again, I made out like a bandit. The weekend before, Mom and Dad took me for a three hour car ride to the great state of New Jersey to see my Dad's sister and her husband. What fun I had! They bestowed upon me some new toys, some new treats, and a bath set. That I could have done without, but I am hoping Mom forgets about it. It is my gift, I should be able to say when it is used, right? Is, um, NEVER too soon?

After only a couple of days home, Mom and Dad packed up the car again, and lo and behold we set off for a much longer drive-to Florida! I knew exactly where we were going, and of course remembered my Grandma's dog Muffin from before. Would you believe it, she got another dog? Katie is her name, and she is a rescue. She is scared of other dogs, men, toys, etc. but guess what? She loved me. I mean, can you blame her? She would get up on her hind legs and lick my face whenever she saw me. Mom took the two of us to a local dog park when there was nobody else there, and I played with her nice and gentle. She had so much fun, and as I understand it, she is sad now that I am gone. Sorry people, there is only one of me. Not enough to always go around.

On the way home, a bad snow storm hit the east coast. Mom and Dad decided to drive half way and spend the night at my favorite hotel again. I am convinced that this ECONOLODGE is really a mecca of hotels. They have the most comfortable beds in the world, I think. At least for a tired dog who can barely walk from all the playing and love I had received for the previous week.

Now, I am home and back to normal. Well, as normal as I'll ever be.

I also have some other news to share. A couple of months ago, Mom took me into the Vet to get my updated shots when the Vet heard something called a murmur when she listened to my heart. She classified it as a "strong 3", which is 3 out of 6 on the severity level. The Vet was concerned because six months earlier, I had been there and didn't have the murmur.

Mom was so scared, she started shaking and crying. The next day, Mom called a cardiologist and got me an appointment. Would you believe that we are lucky enough to have the largest cardiology practice in the WORLD right near us? The nice man who saw me even does cardiology for the National Zoo and Baltimore Aquarium. Anyway, I had this thing called an echocardiogram done. It really wasn't so bad, and everyone said how good I was. The nice Doctor saw a the reason for the murmur...I have valve regurgitation on both sides of the top portion of my heart. Basically, blood is flowing backwards through both valves on either side, due to the valve "flaps" not closing all the way as my heart beats.

The Doctor said that so far, it is mild, and that I could live for a few years if it doesn't progress quickly. He recommended a low sodium diet, and six month checkups. Mom immediately put me on a really low sodium diet-raw! She had tried feeding me raw before, but I decided that I didn't like chicken, so I refused to eat it. Since she couldn't afford to feed me filet mignon that I would have liked, she switched to premixed raw instead. I love it! She also has me on a daily regiment of fish oil, which I don't mind at all.

Mom is bound and determined to keep me around as long as possible, and healthy for as much time as possible.

I think I'll oblige her.

Apparently, I am a retriever

Well fellow dogster pals, it has been a long time for me. Despite the fact that I haven't written in a while, I am still around. And having lots of fun.

My Mom often wonders if I am really a dog. I sleep like a human, don't really follow my nose, don't bark, and give incredulous looks to my parents when they try and go anywhere without me.

Besides assuring my Mother that indeed, I am a dog, I have recently decided to also let her in on a little secret...shhhh...I am of the retrieving persuasion.

I kind of think that she might have known, but up until a few weeks ago, I had her fooled. I liked to make her guess, ya know, keep her on her toes. Because each time we'd get around water, I'd run through it some, maybe swim a little, maybe even bring a stick back here and there. But it didn't seem to occur to me that I was supposed to be bred for this kind of stuff.

Then, two weeks ago, that changed. Mom took me to a dog beach that we had never visited. I was the only dog there initially, and wasn't really interested in doing anything other than exploring the reeds and swamps, ignorning the crashing waves altogether. Then, like a flash of lightning, a streak of red hair came flying past me and dove into the water. His name was Cody, and he was a handsome Golden Retriever. RETRIEVER. Get where this is going?

Anyway, Cody wanted no part of me or anything really, other than swimming after and retrieving a toy his owner had brought. I watched cautiously, letting him do his thing. The nice man that owned him asked Mom if I wanted to play, and Mom assured him that I wasn't really interested in being a dog, no less a retriever. Then the nice man picked up a stick, said "Here Bruno" (he was nice but dumb), and threw it a few feet into the water. I started to walk out, even though my name is not Bruno, then left it alone. He tried a few more times, and while I'd show a little interest, I wasn't really into the whole thing. He gave up.

But then something happened. Mom tried, and since I noticed that the only other dog there was ignoring me, I figured I'd join his antics. I began bringing the stick back.

Mom began throwing the stick further and further away, and I got more excited with each grab. Once timid in the water, I'd crash through the waves, looking for the piece of wood bobbing up and down in the water. Sometimes I'd lose it and swim around looking for it, but then Mom would throw a rock near it to make a splash. That would get my attention. Each time I'd bring the stick back, I'd drop it for Mom and look at her expectantly. Mom was so stinking proud of me, she couldn't keep the smile off her face.

Today, she tried to get me to go two for two. We returned to the same beach, and found lots of dogs and owners. Some were playing in the sand, some wrestling, and a few just walking through the surf. Mom found a nice piece of driftwood, and walked down to the far end of the beach. Guess what I did? Followed her. I ignored all other humans and dogs and followed Mom and what I knew to be my stick. For about fifty throws, Mom and I hung out, her tossing, me retrieving.

Several humans were trying to get their dogs to do like me, and were pointing me out, saying "watch how she does it". Who knew that I could not only be a retriever, but also a role model? Certainly not Mom.

Keeping her on her toes is fun. I wonder what she'd think if I meowed at her.

Luna 1, Vet 0

Dearest pals o' mine,

Today was the day, the once a year day, when I go to the Vet even when nothing is wrong. I have to go apparently, because Mom said I need an annual check up and vaccines. Whatever, I like the Vet, so I didn't care.

In we went, and I came alive once in the waiting room. I saw a Mastiff puppy (that was as big as me and she was only 6 months!) and an older Beagle. Then I heard the magic words..."Checking in for Luna".

Back we went, with me proudly prancing back to visit the Vet. He loves me and all.

After getting on the scale (and Mom saying I need to diet), we saw the good Doctor. He asked Mom the normal, how I was, whether I was eating or drinking, blah blah blah. Then, much to my dismay, Mom told him about one of my deepest secrets-that in the last few days, I had been dragging my butt across the floor.

Out came a set of gloves and the Vet got behind me on the exam table. Now, I am a pretty cool dog. I never flinch when they cut my nails, or clean my ears, or prick me with needles. But soon I felt a finger going where it didn't belong and tried to leap off. I made eye contact with Mom, giving her the "HELP ME WOMAN!!!" look, but she just told me it was ok. Um, no it wasn't.

So, I did what any fine dog would do. I let out an odor right in the Doctor's face. Yup, made him gag.

He said Mom wouldn't let me in the car smelling like I did, so he had to spray my hiney with some good smelling stuff. I bet he ran and threw up after that.

That will teach him to do anything to my special glands again.

Once again, I retain my title as "stinky butt".

I.Love.Camping.

There, I said it. I love camping.

Mom and Dad took me on quite the adventure this weekend. We went to a place called Green Ridge State Forest. The two hour car ride wasn't so much fun, especially since I didn't know where I was going. Plus, those mountain roads didn't look a thing like the roads I am used to!

But then we arrived, and I was soon met with a feast for the eyes...miles and miles of seclusion.

Would you believe that all day and night long, Mom and Dad stayed outside with me? Little old me! For the night time, we did sleep in this thing they called a tent, but it was still outside like. And they had a special mattress filled with air that was very nice for my tired bones.

I got to do so much investigating. Mom took me everywhere. We hiked and walked, and ran, and chased and did it all! Since the weather had been very rainy, there were a ton of puddles that were great for diving in. Mom didn't even care.

I was such a good girl, too and hung around the humans the whole time.

By the second night there, when we went to bed, I fell onto the special mattress and fell asleep immediately with my tongue hanging out. I heard the laughter of Mom and Dad, but I didn't care. Vanity is no match for exhaustion.

Life is back to normal, but hopefully we can go to this camping place again real soon!

A letter to God, from my Mommy.

Dearest Pals,

My Mom wrote this on Catster about my feline sister Eleanor. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Dear God,

This is Eleanor's Mom writing. I wanted to send you a little note about my girl, who is now in your care.

I had to unexpectadly send her to you last night. It wasn't supposed to happen like this. My girl, my heart, my soul was supposed to be with me forever, not just 8 and a half years. She was my first you know. For a whole year, it was just us two. Eleanor and Mom. Two peas in a pod.

Eleanor was more than a cat to me. She was truly my soul mate. We could look at each other and read the other's thoughts. I always knew what she was thinking, and she seemed to read me as well.

She was the smartest animal I have ever known. She really did think her feline and canine siblings were beneath her, and to tell you the truth, they really were. Often times, when Annie or Luna would be doing something silly, Eleanor and I would make eye contact, and it was as if she was saying "get a load of this moron".

Eleanor was the cat that made "non-cat people" lovers. I met her adopted father when she was three, and he took to her immediately even though he initially told me he didn't like cats. He is taking her loss very hard as well.

For me, I feel like a piece of my heart has been ripped out. She was my cat. I went to pick her out of a litter, and all scattered in different directions when I walked into the room. I scooped down and picked one up, the runt. All the others were big, meaty, beautiful tuxedo kittens. I looked at this one in my hands, this skinny, scrawny calico with hair sticking out in every direction, and it was love at first sight.

I told her that when I held her last night, as she was dying God. I hope she heard me.

Please tell her I didn't know she was sick. I promise I didn't. She was just at her Vet check up about two months ago. I never knew she had a clot forming. I didn' tknow she'd have a stroke.

Last night, when she came out of the bedroom, dragging her back leg behind her, I thought it was just hurt. I assumed she jumped off something. I rushed her to the Emergency Vet, and told her the whole way she'd be fine. Please God, tell her I am sorry. I tried. I really did.

Words can't describe what I felt when that Vet came in to tell me the news, that she was shutting down. I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd be bringing my beautiful girl there to die that night. Silly me, I asked for an x-ray. I hoped and prayed that maybe, just maybe, the vets were wrong and she really did just have an injury.

They obliged me, but soon told me that without a doubt, she had thrown a clot, and was going down fast.

Please tell her that signing my name to that paper, allowing them to send her to you, was one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do. I did it for her though. She was suffering. My girl didn't deserve that.

When they sedated her and brought her to me, I held her for what felt like a short eternity, just like a baby. It wasn't her though. She was still breathing, but her whole body was limp, and her eyes were glazed over. I told her everything I could think of at that moment, how much I loved her, how much she meant to me, and how my world was going to fall apart without her. Then they came in, and gave her the injection into her IV. She passed within seconds.

I left my girl's body there. I am going to have her cremated and her ashes returned. I couldn't bear the thought of brining home her lifeless shell. It was too much for me.

So God, she is in your hands. I told her this, but just so you know, when I make it to you one day, I hope she is the first one I see.

In the mean time, she likes to be scratched on her cheek, and sometimes under her chin. She also loves playing with pennies, boxes, bags, and those feather toys at the end of a stick. Please don't try to rub her belly, unless you want to bleed. Or give her a bath. She once ripped down a shower curtain when I tried to give her one.

Also, if she can lend a little support to her surviving siblings, especially her feline sister Annie. Eleanor was a surrogate mother to her, and Annie has never known life as the only cat. She misses her already.

And tell her that Mom dreamt about her all night last night, and that when the sun came up this morning, she cried really hard because it was the first morning she has faced without her girl.

Please God, love my baby as much as I do. I don't know how I am going to make it without her.

A warm Christmas for me...

Dearest pals,

Well. Moms did it again! She tricked me into what I thought was a normal car ride, and ended up hauling me (and Dad) to Florida! I was really excited you see. I knew that Grandma's house meant lots of love for me.

This year, I got to meet my new cousin, Muffin. Muffin was brought into my Grandparents home this year. She was a stray, and was really afraid of people and other dogs (and toys, and treats, and pretty much everything), so Mom hoped I wouldn't bother her much.

We ended up hitting it off, and she loved me! She followed me everywhere, and I was really low key for her. We went to the dog park, and she even chased me around! Normally, she just stands next to the humans.

The little human I met last time as a newborn was there again. My mom calls her a niece. Anyway, she is older now, and is walking. She squealed with delight every time she saw me. Mom held her on her lap, and was throwing my toy for me to fetch. Each time I brought it back, the little one screamed like it was the greatest thing she had ever seen. I knew I was special, but wow.

She even laughed when I got right up on her when she was trying to walk and knocked her down, then smacked her around with my tail. The kid thought I was hysterical. Mom, not so much.

Christmas Eve saw a full house. There were about 15 people there. All of these newbies wanted to see my tricks, and I was happy to oblige them (I love an audience).

On Christmas night, something weird happened. Mom and Dad left, were gone about two hours, and came in a' calling my name. Mom was all sniffly. Apparently, they saw some movie about a yellow lab like me named Marley and it made them rush home and love on me for the rest of the night. Whatever, I took it.

Now, I am back home. It is hard to believe that I was just in temperatures that required A/C. I somehow think it is harder on Mom than it is me. Maybe she'll take me back there really soon.

Cheer up, Mom!

I have been having a rough couple of weeks trying to cheer my Mom up. I am trying my best, but she just isn't having it!

Apparently, there was some mean and dumb man that my Mom knew a long time ago-like over ten years. He harassed her and her ex-boyfriend for a while but had kind of gone away. Well, now, many years later, he has popped back up again and is bothering her and her family. I told her not to worry, that I'll protect her!

On top of that stress, Mom got called into work a few days ago and told that they were doing something called layoffs. Thank DOG Mom wasn't one being let go, but it felt just as bad...she had to do the "laying off" part to her coworkers. Mom liked both the people, and one supports his wife and newborn baby. She told me it was very difficult for her to have to sit there with these people and tell them the news, and then escort them out. It made her feel very guilty.

I can tell Mom is sad, so I have been an extra love bug towards her. I have been putting my head in her lap when she sits on the couch, and last night I stayed glued to her side. I think she needs me a lot right now.

The good news is, she is on vacation next week (and boy, does she need it). We are making our annual drive to Florida, only this time Dad is coming too. Sunshine and good times, here we come!

Oh Dear Dog Park, how I've missed you...

Today, Mom shocked the bejeezus out of me once again. I thought we were only going for a walk see, but nope-she loaded me into the car to take me off into the great unknown.

Within a few minutes, I knew exactly where we were going...The old Dog Park!!! I hadn't been there in so long. As we pulled up, to Mom and my excitement, we saw several other dogs in there. Since it was a cold day today, we didn't have much hope.

I ran in like a princess. Immediately, I began leading the chase, and all the other dogs just loved me. Can you blame them? I was also very, very good with the owners too and didn't jump a single time. Mom had her scares, as a couple of times I ran full speed towards someone but stopped dead in my tracks before jumping.

When I was done playing, I went over to Mom and just sat next to her, wagging my tail and staring at her. She knows my signals. One of the other nice humans said "boy, she lets you know when she is ready to go!"

Now, I am lounging in front of a nice warm fire...life is grand.

Cake? For me? You shouldn't have.

Dearest pals of mine. A lot has been going on in my house as of late. My Mom has a birthday coming up and yesterday was some anniversary of when my parents got married. That was before my time, so really, I don't care.

Well, this past weekend, we were all supposed to go up to visit my Dad's sister and her husband. Since Mom's birthday is right around the corner, my Dad ordered a cake and thought they could do an early celebration. Come Sunday though, the plans fell through.

Mom and Dad decided to pick up the cake anyway, and just eat it between the two of them. They came home from the store where they got it, and I greeted them at the door-with cat claws embedded all over me. Apparently, the cats STILL don't like it when I stick my nose up their butts.

Anyway, Mom picked the claws outta me (she called it free acupuncture) and got to work putting groceries away. When she finished, Dad cut a couple of pieces of cake and they went into the other room.

Would you believe, they left the rest of it right there on the counter for me? That is the only logical explination, since they obviously know that I am good at putting my paws on the counter. And that I like cream cheese icing.

Not wanting to disturb them, I decided to help myself. I discovered that I liked the icing the best, so I licked all of it off the one side. I guess Mom had an epiphany a few seconds later, because she remembered that the cake was left unattended and I was no where to be found.

She said "Oh Luna!" and I pretended that I didn't know what she was talking about. I guess my lip licking didn't help my cause because she knew it was me.

Personally, I think I deserved it for having to deal with the angry felines and their claws.