One year

From mom to Cali:
Cali, when you left me one year ago, I had to shut down in order to process what was taking place. My world went into safe mode and every minute of every day had to be readjusted to not having you by my side. As time and tears drained the sadness from my soul, the happy memories began to return. Talking about you became easier and once again I could watch your videos and smile. Finally, I felt peace that you were happy, healthy and only a whisper away!
Cali, I know now, that you watch over me and your baby sister, Ruby! I feel safe and secure knowing that we are forever connected and that we will one day be together again!
Cali, I love you! You are mama’s “Honeypot Redemption Piece!”
forever love Sweetie!

Mom finally listened to me....

I'm not sure about your mom, but I know that sometimes MY mom can be a very hard one to convince! You see, she has really has been missing me since I left for the bridge a couple of months ago. I've tried to dry her tears by whispering in her ear, "Smile , mama! I'm feeling great and I'm around so many wonderful pals! I'm fine here, really I AM!" But despite all I tried to tell her, I saw mama crying for me everyday.
About a month ago, I finally convinced mama that it was time for her to start looking for a little one to share her life with once again. Thank-goodness she listened! After many weeks of e-mails, photos, phone calls, visits and WAITING, it looks like I'm gonna be a big sister to a sweet little red poodle girl! She is only 3 weeks old and we've named her "Ruby Mae O'livia." ( I've put a picture of her on my page for everyone to see! Not much to look at now, but I'll help her fit into her poodle personality in no time!)
Please, be happy for my mom! When she is happy, I am happy! Mom and I will always be a pair and I will be right there helping mom with this new little one!
(Believe me, she's gonna need all the help she can get cuz' it's been a L-O-N-G time since she had a baby in the house! LOL!!)
I'll let everyone know when Ruby arrives! She should be here around June 1st!
Stay tuned...........

Memories chased by tears.

Cali,
You will always remain in my heart and soul! Living together for almost eighteen years, we knew each other so well! Rising each morning at 5:30 am, you had to go around the house opening all of the blinds with your nose so you could scope out what was happening in your yard! You would look out and bark, with every bark having a special message- “there’s a CAT!”… “grrr better get out of my yard” …..”Hey, wanna come on over here to play?”…….and there were so many others!
Cali, you had some very special talents! One of them was that somehow you always knew when I would be coming home! You would go and sit at the door before my car could even turn down the street! Many times your grandma and I would be on the phone trying to figure out how far away I was before you seemed to sense that I was on my way home! Utterly amazing!
Another one of your “talents” was your love of money! It certainly got you in trouble often enough! How many times did I find my purse raided and paper money shredded all over the floor! There you would be, looking up at me with that “Umm, not sure what come over me” look! Some dogs like to play with toys, but not you! You went right to the source- MONEY! I always said you would have made a great sniffing dog to train for the K9’s! No doubt, there are countless memories that I could share here and I will truly cherish each and every one forever!
Cali, I am thankful for all the years we shared, Sweetie! But, I still would have traded a fortune for just one more day! I love you forever, Cali! And know that one day, we will be together again!

Just like I promised!

Cali,
I am celebrating your birthday today!
"Happy 18th Birthday, My Love!"
Even though you're not here to play the lead role in your "Queen for a Day" party, I am honoring you with special pictures for your page so that all of your Dogster pals can celebrate too!
Sweetie, you will always be my Queen and I will carry you in my heart forever!
How blessed I am to know the joy of being your mom!
Birthday kissies to you, Lovie!

The day 2 became 1.......

Time pushes me through the days
while tears replace the sun
forever etched in my soul
the day two became one..........

Cali, how I miss you so!
Please, Lovie, whisper in my ear so that I can know the answers to these questions that flood my brain......Help me make peace with Life's choices, Cali...
Cali, how I miss you so...........

Lifted from her battle....

Today, around 3:30 pm, Cali was lifted from her battle with liver disease.
She now is back to doing everything she loves most, running, jumping, eating and playing with some of her best pals! Please, smile for my girl as she is feeling great!

Cali wants everyone to know how touched she was by all of the outpouring of prayers and affection that so many of you graced her with during the last few days! She promises everyone that as soon as she is settled in with all her pals at the Bridge, she will come back to check on all her Dogster pals here!

day # 5....still up and down

Cali's mom here to let everyone know how she is doing.
........The last 18 hours have been a roller coaster of events and emotions! Cali has shown some great signs of improvement (giving kissies, using her potty pads, eating a little) to showing signs of failing (refusing food for12 hours, no stool in 36 hours, constant sleep and very little body movement)
However, less than an hour ago, Cali stood up on her bed, got herself down from it and walked to her potty pads in the kitchen where she finally poo'ed! She then walked over to and drank from her water bowl, then sat by her food bowl telling me she wanted something to eat! Cali then proceded to eat about 3 tablespoons of the chicken/rice/food mix!!! Next, she drank a little more fbefore following me into the computer room. After she watched me sit at the computer, she turned around and went back into the kitchen to pee on her potty pads ! For me this is a great relief! Cali acting like herself means that , for now, she is holding her own!
Let's all pray that she continues to make this kind of recovery! Thanks everyone for caring!

up and down

Hi, everyone! Let me first say a heartfelt "THANKS" for the all of the prayers, kind words and gifts that you have sent me recently! Mom reads each and every one to me when we are at the computer. When times get tough, you guys are always there for mom and I! How blessed we are to have pals like you!
Sadly though, I'm not feeling like watching mom play secretary too much right now because I just need her to hold me or be next to me alot these days. So please, be patient with us for getting back to you! We will though, I promise!
On the positive side, Mom thinks I'm feeling a little better today. I am eating a little and drinking , just not my normal. I'm moving slow ,but can still manage to take care of business, just a little sloppy. I even gave mom kisses today when I opened my eyes from a nap and there she was laying right there on the floor with me! On the down side, all this resting seems to make my joints hurt and it's tough to get going when i want to move! Each hour is a little different.....up and down....All in all, one day at a time....we'll see what tomorrow brings. Paws crossed, I have more ups than downs!
Please, keep us in your prayers! We love you ALL!
Cali and mom

Doing the Best We Can

Mom finally got back from the Doctor's office and pharmacy! ( Between her and me, we have really been through the wringer the past 24 hours!) But she promised to update all my pals for me while I settle in and take a nap.

Hi, everyone. This is Cali's mom here to report our latest update for all of Cali's pals to read:
Turns out that Cali did NOT have a stroke or seizure last night, but that she is in the final stages of liver disease. This news is not totally out of the blue for us as Cali has been dealing with liver issues for the last 4 years and we knew at some point things would probably come to this. And that is the fact that, in spite of the total Liver Diet lifestyle with added health supplements and restricted exposure to environmental toxins, Cali's liver has just become so overwhelmed it simply cannot keep up with her body's needs. The doctor and I discussed options and we decided to add Lactulose today in an effort to reduce the amonia in her blood. She may try Predisone, if things don't turn around in a day or two. (Some liver dogs respond well to Predisone reducing inflamation in the liver. Only a liver biopsy could really determne if Cali's liver was inflamed or not, but at this point, we would just take that option anyway, as there is no need to put Cali through a biopsy. )
For now, it is just a watch-and-wait kinda thing. On the positive side, Cali's liver may rally and she could feel like eating normally and living normally again for a while, be it days, weeks or months!
On the down side, the liver may continue to fail and totally shut down . Then, Cali would refuse all food. It would be at that point in time, that quality of life decissions would have to be made. As Cali's mom, I'm dedicated to what's best for HER! After almost 18 years, we know each other pretty good and Cali counts on me to be strong for her , no matter what! That's just a mom's job!

So.... there it is, not much more to say, except .................
we can really appreciate your prayers right now! And for those of you that have sent your well wishes already, I will be reading each and every one of them to Cali when she awakes from her nap! I know it will make her smile!
Botom line- We're doing the best we can for now!
will keep you all posted!
Cali's mom

***SNOW***

I knew mom was all excited about this snow thing, but I never thought that she would expect ME to actually go out in it! Sorry, mom, but no way am I going out in that stuff! You'll just have to take pictures of me from inside the house where it's warm, cozy and DRY!