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My Diary

My itsy bitsy heart...

... has a murmur

Yup doggies and doguettes. I have a heart murmur. And it's gotten worse. When mom and I moved to NYC the vet here discovered it. But it was so small it was sometimes hard to find. But now it's gotten worse and mom noticed.

See, I was a little more tired than usual, panting more, coughing and generally looking like I had a cold. But nothing showed up. Then on my yearly visit, the vet found the murmur. I finally got it checked out (I had to spend the whole day at the vet! Waaaa!!!) and so far it seems I'm ok. The murmur is bigger, yes, but my heart is enlarging to compensate for it.

Mom's instructions are to check on me when I play, see if I run out of breath sooner than normal, if I cough more than usual, etc. I don't really feel a thing, except when I try to play and run for long periods of time. It bugs me, I really want to run and frolick and my heart just can't take it. I know it breaks my mom's heart, because she can tell I want to play more and my body just can't take it. She can see my frustration and it breaks her heart she can't do anything else to help. But I love that she is concerned and still plays with me, even when she knows I won't be able to play for the long periods of time we are used to. First she tried to have me play lighter games, not so much chasing, etc, so I wouldn't stress my heart, but they bored me and I was frustrated. So now she lets me be the one to choose the game and pace myself. I like that she is not changing anything in my life, just letting me tell her when I need to rest. It's best that way.

But I am doing well, really. No need to worry. Trust me. Nothing seems to have changed except I can't play very long if the game is too energy-driven. Other than that, I am healthy, happy and chasing squirrels as usual!

Park day!

Mommy took me to the park today! We went with my roommate Ruby and her mom and a bunch of ther people that go to school with our moms. The picnic was soooo much fun! Mom had promised to take me out to the park when we returned to NY (I was so used to our big grass in our vacation time) and I was worried she had forgotten. But no! She made good on that promise today and I got to hang out with her, get my belly rubbed by almost everyone, and I stole some bites of human food. Best of all, though, was meeting two new friends, Megu and Rosie and getting to nap and sunbathe! Can we do it again soon, mom?

My Tail of Devotion for Milo

There's always the story of how the human rescued the dog. Mine is the story how how the doggie rescued the human. No, I wasn't in any mortal danger or bout of depression. But Milo has been my rescuer every time the loneliness of NY and the distance from my family have been there to haunt me. He is one of those famous dogs who licks tears from your cheek and does whatever he can to make you smile. He can tell when I am happy and is always ready to celebrate with me. He trusts me with his all and makes me feel like the most loved person in the world. I don't know what my life would have been without him and he is my heart and soul.

This is a special Tail of Devotion

See All Tails of Devotion