March 24th 2010 12:17 pm
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I went back to the doggie doctor yesterday, because I had developed a quarter-sized nodular at my lower abdominal region. Mom was worried of a possible undetected coywolf puncture and possible organ damage or some other more sinister event.
My bloodwork came back within normal limits (YAY!!!), and it seems the growth may be a resolving hematoma (a really bad internal bruise) which may take up to a week to resolve or a hernia. We're going to wait a week to see if the nodule dissipates. But worse case scenario is I'll require surgical hernia repair. All and all, I consider myself very lucky. The vet said I am a very brave and lucky boy, and of course, Mom started getting teary-eyed!! I asked her not to embarrass me in public :)
My grateful Mom and furmily wants to thank all of her Pals for their friendship, concern and prezzies following the tragedy of last Friday evening. It has meant the world to all of us. Composing the diary entry really helped Mom, too.
We've also made friends with a wonderful new angel pal, Autumn and her brofurs Dog and Roscoe. Remembering Autumn as a major force in Cookie's 'Sirius Rising' manuscript, along with our angel brofur Alex.
Through Cookie, we have met some of the most WONDERFUL pals on Dogster. So we are sending a special thanks and hug out to Cookie, Riley, Rosie and of course their WONDERFUR Dad for being a remarkable judge of character and reminding us all of those extraterestial powers of our beloved Angels!!! We believe, in addition to my brave brofurs Tucker and Max, an added component was at play on Friday and not of earthly nature. So thank you every angel!!
Within the week, we'll be swinging by all of your pages to leave a token of our gratitude, friendship and admiration.
xoxoxo
Joey, Vayla, Tucker, Max, Alex and Mommy
March 22nd 2010 7:28 am
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This past Friday evening, our family took our daily hike in the woods. The weather was beautiful - in the 70's and sunny. Vayla and I walked along side our Mom. Tucker and Max enjoyed all the wonderful smells that a warm spring evening provides - the bounty of little critters out to feed; the sounds of birds singing throughout the trees and the gush of the robust streams. Our little spot of paradise.
After around 60 mns, we took a break at our favorite mountain top retreat. After digging at some critters in hopes of unearthing a tasty treat; shortly thereafter we headed back down the hill to begin our 30 mn hike out. Mom usually leashes me at that point, but not tonight. An error in judgement that will NEVER be repeated and one she wholeheartedly regrets.
Heading down the hill, Max began to howl - unusual for him. Mom's greatest fear was realized - two 'coyotes'. Although their size appeared more like wolves. They were very large - larger than Tucker and Max. Their height, weight and length were inconsistent with coyotes. Going further, I will refer to them rightfully as 'coywolves'. These were NOT 50 pd coyotes.
One coywolf stood in the path, while the other cut across and ran straight through the deep woods. Tucker, Max and I began to pursue, and startled the one standing in the middle of the path. I darted straight behind them, quickly and didn't stop barking at them. Max and Tucker kept a fast pace, symetrically separated - Max to the left, Tucker to the right. I barked the entire time, Max howled constantly, Tucker pursued purposefully yet stealthly, and Vayla was leashed alongside Mom. Mom tried to get me, to distract me but I continud to run through the thick brush. Mom tried to use a loud and authoritative tone. Calling my name, yelling "treat", "chicken", "this way" - but I was in terrier mode. I couldn't hear her, I was barking. Mom became hysterical - screaming the entire time.
Tucker and Max methodically maintained a safety parameter around Mom and Vayla. Never reducing the zone, keeping it inpenetrable from the coywolves. My brothers purposefully ran front and back, Max loudly howling - Tucker silent but constant, fast and vigil. At that point, my barks turned to a horrific whailing - sounds never before uttered. Screaming, screaching, piercing - horrific!!! Mom screamed, "They've got Joey!!" Mom was devastated. She immediately yelled to Max and Tucker - 'GO GET IT" , GO GET IT, GO GET IT - and they did. They ran toward my screams, as my screams were becoming faint. The coywolves had me. Then no more screams. Mom was screaming and inconsolable. Mom realized Max's howling was getting closer to her, and she then heard the sound of leaves and then - I APPEARED!!!!!!!!!!! Mom will finish this story.
I could not believe my eyes!!! I cannot begin to describe how I felt, nor will I at this time. Because this isn't about me - it's about my amazing soldier, JOEY and his two skillful and loyal brothers!!! The screams will never leave me. BUT, here he was! I called him, and he began barking :) Luckily I was able to break his mode with the word 'treat'. I leashed him and rechecked the lock and my grip on the leash -assuring myself that NOTHING could go wrong.
While leashing Joey, I realized Max and Tucker had tightened their safe zone around us - they were no more than 6 feet from either side of me and not progressing more than 5 ft ahead, previously the area was greater. Max continued to howl. As I looked up, I saw them - the coywolves!! One standing on a felled tree around 12 feet away- the other creature further behind, off to the right, staring in our direction, but unwilling to proceed my AMAZING SAFETY ZONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Max and Tucker were then leashed; and we walked the remaining 20 mns out on lead. I turned constantly to confirm we were not followed. All five of us - together again; went to the safety of the SUV!!!!
Joey sustained several punctures and some abdominal swelling. He's on antibiotics and appears to be gaining strength by the day. He's eating, drinking and eliminating as usual. He will NEVER again enjoy the freedom he once had. He will, unfortunately, be relegated to the leash, even at the park.
I cannot tell you the immense respect I have for my three heroes. Joey is amazing! While he'll turn 9 years old (God willing) this July, he's full of spunk, spirit and joy. But Tucker and Max!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whatever they did that allowed Joey to escape certain death will never be known, but they did it!! They provided a necessary distraction. I am so proud to call all three of these rescued dogs my boys. They will FOREVER be my heroes, my champs, my boys!
And this is why our family motto has always been German Shorthaired Pointers ROCK!!!!!!! And terriors, too!!
xoxo
July 4th 2009 6:38 pm
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Wow, what a wonderful day we had. Today was my 8th birthday!! The weather was a gorgeous 80 degrees and dry with an awesome seabreeze! The wind makes us run faster. We had two hikes in the woods today with some of our friends. It was a beautiful day with my family and freinds.
I got stuffies, a frozen beef bone, bully stick and homemade carrot cookies with yogurt frosting! Tucker, Vayla and Max were JEEEEEALOUS!!! So jealous of all my new toys, that they tried to pry them out of my mouth. We had lots of fun chasing and taking them from each other! Two of them have survived the frey. The others..... let's just say they weren't as resilient with our play and are living happily in the disposal!
Mom made chicken and spinach and put frozen brussel sprouts on our dinner (YUMMY)! We LOVE frozen or raw veggies with our meals!! I had a double-tied bully stick, too. That's unusual! Mom doesn't like us to depend on commercially-prepared foods or bones, but on holidays and birthdays - we go craaaaazy!!!
Thank you pup pals!
I would be remiss if I didn't thank all of our wonderful pup pals for stopping by my page, sending sweet birthday notes, leaving me prezzies and birthday wishes - gosh, I even got a homemade card and a diary entry from my pals, Flicka and Riley, respectively! I think every birthday wish was so very sweet of every pup - yes I do!! My entire pack is so blessed and lucky to have such wonderful pup pals in our lives - and we adore each and every one!!!
Thanks again every pup!! I'm looking forward to enjoying eight more years of love, life and laughter with each and every one of you and my crazy family!!!!
Muwah, muwah and hugs from Joey to each of you!!
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