The Calendar Arrived Yesterday

The peeps received their copy of the calendar from The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs out of Cleveland, Ohio yesterday. They are still so surprised my photo made it into the calendar and I am the only entry from Canada to have received this honor.

Mom opened the package from the sanctuary while sitting in the truck outside of the post office yesterday. When she read what they put for me, she got very emotional. Luckily, Buddy was in the truck to distract her a bit.

If you haven't already, please check out The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs and see the awesome work that they do for abandoned and sick senior dogs in and around the Cleveland area.

A Christmas Story

Long ago in the deepest of winters all of the animals on earth were abuzz with the news.

"He is BORN! HE IS BORN!" Cried the snowy owl.

"Come one and all rejoice!" Roared the mighty lion.

"Bring gifts to the new King!" The deer hurried.

The forest grew bright with the din of excitement. Every creature was running towards the star. The noise was so loud and joyful that it traveled distant lands.

In a quiet glen, under a bramble bush, a small lonely dog raised his head from his slumber and heard the sounds from afar. He raised his little head and wondered. Slowly he raised his tired body and sniffed the air. He knew something was amiss - but he knew not what.

A voice ever so sweet was singing in the distance, this he could hear. The words were not at all clear, but the sound was of waterfalls, and misty mornings and everything dear...Eagerly he followed the sound and soon saw a star. It shone so brightly his little eyes watered. What was this shiny thing that happily glowed? What could be happening that would bring about such a lovely sight?

His little legs beat the path for many days. He became tired and hungry but still he walked on. He had to follow the sound of that voice. The voice that reminded him of warmer and kinder times. He had to follow the light of the star. The star told him of happy things to come.

At last he came into a clearing and his eyes beheld a mystifying sight. Animals were everywhere, and each had a precious gift. Some brought shiny berries from the forest, some brought beautiful leaves, some brought twigs from the rarest of trees and even some brought the most precious wildflowers of the field. They were laying these gifts at the entrance of a stable. Above the stable the light of the star twinkled more brightly than before.

He turned to the deer and asked: "What is all this? Where have I come?"

"You have come to see the new King. He is Born. Where are your gifts for the child?" asked the deer reproachfully.

"I have no gifts...I didn't know..." said the lonely little dog with his head hung low.

The deer sneered and snubbed and quickly walked away as he tossed his head indignantly.

The little dog's body trembled all over, his little tail flew between his little legs, and his little head hung lower than ever. He was ashamed. And yet...he still he wanted to get a little peek at the New King.

Quietly, ever so carefully, he creeped over to the stable. He was so small he could easily hide under the other animals. Ever so sleekly he crept up to the manger and peeked inside.

"WHO ARE YOU!" Boomed the voice of the Lion. "WHY DO YOU DARE NOT BRING GIFTS FOR THE NEW KING?!!!" and the little dog cowered, much humbled...he laid his little head at the foot of the manger and hid his eyes. He was ready to be killed by the Lion, and yet he spoke ever so quietly, ever so meekly, ever so bravely: "I have no gifts, I have no berries, or twigs, or bright flowers of the field...all I have is my life and I will gladly give that, for I have shamed all my brethren tonight..."

He waited - with his eyes closed, thinking that if he did die tonight, at least he would die beneath the cradle of his King. That's when a warm and gentle hand was upon him.

He did not dare to open his eyes, until he heard a woman's voice speak: "Do not fear little one. You are safe here. This bramble in your fur speaks of the gift you have brought to him."

The lonely little dog opened his eyes and looked up at the woman.

"But I have no gift to offer, save for myself, and that is very little..." he shyly protested.

The woman smiled and scratched his ears. "Little dog, you traveled far to see the King...that is gift enough when it comes from your heart. What gift is more precious than one given in innocence and humility? No - little one, you are welcome here." as she spoke she raised the little dog up.

"Behold, your King, the Son of Man. You shall serve him well."

and the baby smiled...

So it came to pass and dog was lonely no more...

And dog has served man ever since, loyal to a fault, and humble he remains. A gift from God to us, for who, but dog will travel miles without explanation? Who, but dog will cower from you even if he is not wrong? Who, but dog will take a scolding even when he is not to blame? Who, but dog is content to die at our feet if he so must?

Let us care for him well.

I am an Angel Calendar Girl

My mom entered a picture of me in two calendar competitions this year. Both of the pictures were entered in the competitions in June of this year just after my first surgery.

The first competition was a local competition and the pictures were voted on in Facebook and I was lucky enough to make it into that local calendar. The calendar is for The Konan Koalition (http://konankoalition.co/) and they offer financial assistance to families facing large and non-routine veterinary bills. The Konan Koalition provides families with an alternative to euthanasia when there appears to be no other option. Calendars can still be ordered from their website.

The second competition came to mom's attention through a friend who had also entered her dog in the contest. This contest was through The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs (http://www.sanctuaryforseniordogs.org/) out of Cleveland, Ohio. Mom submitted a picture to them, but really didn't think my picture would be picked. We found out on Sunday that my picture will be the featured photo for the month of July 2013. The Sanctuary does awesome work for neglected and abused senior animals in and around the Cleveland, Ohio region. The peeps felt humbled that I was chosen to be in this calendar. Right now there is no ordering information for the calendar, but hopefully it is back from the printer's soon and then mom will be ordering a bunch.

Both of these are awesome organizations and my family is honored that my picture is in each of these calendars.

Meet Buddy

Well pups, I searched high and low for the right pup for the peeps. I was sorry I had to leave the peeps so early, and I will wait for them at the Rainbow Bridge until we meet again. But I knew they had so much love to share that I had to find them another pup. I knew it would help heal there hearts, and because they cared for me so well, I knew they had enough love for another pup.

Without further adieu, here is Buddy!

You Came Home Today

Abby girl, today I picked up your ashes at the Veterinary College. The receptionist asked what you were like, so I told her about some of your antics, and then we both had a good cry.

Your long time vet phoned to offer his condolences on your loss and to say how bad he felt for us and how brave you had been. We know now that your cancer had started internally and by the time I found the lump on your abdomen, it had spread substantially. You were always so strong, that we never realized how sick you truly were.

We miss you so much and the house is too empty without you. We will never forget you.

Both your long time vet and the Veterinary College and the crematorium included this in the cards they have to sent us and the words are so true.

"What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us". Helen Keller

R.I.P. Abby. You were the best dog we could have dared to hope for. We were truly lucky to have had you in our lives. I have shed many tears over you since you left and I know I shall shed more. We love you. We miss you. Rest easy, Abbykins.

Thank you, Ebony for this poem

WHEN TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME,

And I'm not there to see;
The sun will rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me.
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
Remembering how I'd lay my head
In your lap that special way.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too.

But when tomorrow starts without me.
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name
And petted me with her hand.
She said my place was ready,
In Heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.

But, as I turned to heel away,
A tear fell from my eye,
For all my life I never thought
That I would have to die.

I had so much to live for,
So many sits and downs to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.

I thought about our lives together,
I know you must be sad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
And all the fun we had.

Remember how I'd nudge your hand,
And poke you with my nose?
The frisbee I would gladly chase,
The bad guy, I'd "bark and hold".

If I could relive yesterday,
Just even for awhile,
I'd wag my tail and kiss you,
Just so I could see you smile.

But then I fully realized,
That this could never be;
For emptiness and memories
Will take the place of me.
And when I thought of treats and toys,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you and when I did,
My dog-heart filled with sorrow.

But then I walked through Heaven's gate,
And felt so much at home;
As God looked down and smiled at me,
From His beautiful golden throne.

He said, “This is eternity,
And now we welcome you,
Today your life on earth is past,
But here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last;
For you see, each day's the same day,
There's no longing for the past.
Now you have been so faithful,
So trusting, loyal and true;
Though there were times you did things,
You knew you shouldn't do.
But good dogs are forgiven,
And now at last you're free;
So won't you sit here by my side,
And wait right here with me?”

So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart.
For every time you think of me,
I'm right there, in your heart.

I am now an angel

Abby's mom Diane here.

Last night Abby's health took a sudden and dramatic turn and we rushed her to the Veterinary College. We were with her when the vet helped her pass shortly after midnight this morning. R.I.P. sweet girl. We already miss her so.

Cytology Results Are Back

Our veterinarian phoned with my cytology results yesterday. The 10% of the cells that he wasn't sure about appear to be Mast Cells reforming. This lump is continuing to grow.

The peeps were given the following options:
1) Radiation - best option, unfortunately the machine in Saskatoon is broken and the radiation would need to be done in either Colorado or Calgary.
2) Chemotherapy - this might give us a year
3) Radical surgery - this would involve removing the muscles and body wall where the tumor is and rearranging other muscles to take their place. This would be a very difficult surgery.

Mom and dad feel they have to explore all avenues, so mom will be phoning the Veterinary College to set up an appointment with the Oncologist there next week.

Mom and dad are wondering if you pups know of any pups who have had radiation and chemotherapy for a Mast Cell Carcinoma. If you do, could you please put me in touch with them?

Mom and dad have been talking lots about this and they both are on the same wave length. Sometimes there just are no good options, and keeping me comfortable and happy with limited pain and discomfort is foremost in their minds.

Everyday at our house will now be "Abby Day".

Thank you

Thank you to all the pups for all those cakes on my page. They are pawsome and oh, so yummy!

Thank you also to Dogster for picking me to be a Daily Diary Pick today! Hugs to everyone that has sent rosettes and pawmails!

On a different note, I think I have lost my mojo pups. Yup. Yesterday, I was barking at a deer that was on our drive. The momma decided to let me outside to chase it and I raced after her down the hall because I knew I was going outside. She opened the door and I raced outside --- and then I stood on the step. The peeps kept looking out the window to watch me race after the deer, but nothing.

Finally daddy came outside to remind me why I was outside. I then raced off, in the other direction. I came back and then went after the deer. I didn't chase it very far, though. Maybe I am getting puppyheimers?

Oh well, have a great day!

I am a Calendar Girl!

Thank you to everyone that voted for me in the calendar contest mommy entered me in. I placed 5th and will be in the 2013 Fur-ever Home Calendar by The Konan Koalition.

The Konan Koalition is a great organization started last year in my city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan that helps people in Western Canada experiencing financial difficulty in treating their sick or injured furbaby.

As stated on their webpage (http://thekonankoalition.com/), they have two goals:

The Konan Koalition has two goals:
• Mitigate unnecessary pain and suffering in animals that cannot access veterinary treatment because of financial constraints facing their owners
• Assist pet owners in making animal care decisions based upon the needs of the animal rather than financial limitations. Helping pet owners in this way will go a long way to reduce unnecessary euthanasia

All sales of the calendar will go towards helping The Konan Koalition achieve this goal.

Thank you once again for voting for me!

P.S. Mommy has still not gotten the results of the cytology results from the cells taken from the lump that showed up at my incision site last Friday. It scared mom to feel and see a lump that big at the incision site so soon after my cancer surgery. We are still hoping the other 10% of the cells are fat cells as well.