I'm slipping away

This is the saddest I have ever seen Mommy. She got the bad news about 4 weeks ago that I have Lymphoma. That is cancer and not a good type and Mom has chosen not to have me go thru chemo. But it is so hard for her to see me go thru changes and she just hopes she will not make me suffer in any way.

5 th class

Monday night was our 5 th class and boy were we excited to go again. This week was mostly agility. I loved everything. We did a series of 4 jumps the weave poles a mini tetter and my favorite the tunnel. We switched off on stations and of course like before Yogi and I worked together. I was the only dog who ran through the tunnel when it was completely bent the first try. Everybody else tried to back out where they went in. Mom was surprised because our tunnel at home does not bend so I have always been able to see out. We also worked with a phonebook. The idea is to be able to eventually keep our front paws on the book and slide our back end around. Yogi and I were the only ones interested in the phonebook at all, but Mom think it is because she has worked very hard on our homework of rewarding us for doing new things. So we both got our paws up there in class and our practice since has been going very well. Of course you might know that I would have to act silly. I knew Mom had extra treats on the on chair and I could not stop thinking of them all class so when I had the chance I tried to jump over the tunnel to get them. I didn't quite make it and landed on top of the tunnel spread eagle. It seemed like 30 seconds till Mom could stop laughing and help me down. Then near the end of class Mom was walking toward Grandmom and talking when she heard the trainer say Cookie is your Mom dragging you. Mom turned around and I was flat out like a pancake and she was idea dragging me on the slippery cement floor. I can't wait to go next week :-)

My 4th class

Tonight was our 4th Your Dog and You Class. Tonight we had a little refresher on our rally commands with a mini course set up. We also started agility and the trainer brought 2 jumps and a tunnel. She also had a mini see-saw thing. We were all to take turn at a jump the tunnel and then the 2nd jump. I think she wanted to see how much we all knew. I was the 2nd to go and guess what Mom told me to Jump and I did and then said tunnel and tapped it and I ran through, and then said jump and I did that jump too. The trainer said I am a natural. I guess I should confess at this point I continued to run and knocked down one of the rally signs, but I was so excited. Later when we were practicing these separately Yogi and I really loved the tunnel. Mom and Grandmom were at opposite ends and just kept sending us through. At one point we ended up in the tunnel together. I practiced rally some but after about 45 of class I had to take a break. Mom is so proud of how well I did! Class was fun

My Second You and Your Dog Class

Mom wasn't quite sure how I would react when it was time to go to school tonight. To make it harder she had a very tough day and she found out the husband of a patient she is very close to ( a nice man who was also a patient) was killed in a car accident Friday. She was worried how we would feel her mood. She remembered the wise words of another patient she is close to who shows dogs that you have to be an actor and convey what you want reguardless of how you feel. It must have worked! Mom did not know if she should tell me where we were going. It was already raining and I don't like to be in the car when it rains. Water splashing up and all and then sometimes rain bring thunder and lightening. But Mom said are you guys ready to go to school and we got all excited. We ran outside and wanted to hop right in the car but she told us we had to do our business first. So we did and got in the car. Mom thought she might have to drag me out but I even tried to beat Yogi out the car door. I almost pulled Grandmom's arm off dragging her in the building to see my new friends. I did great the entire class and we worked on many new things. Grandmom worked with me quite a bit but if she was overwhelmed Mom took over and guess what? I did not shut down the whole class and I had a big smile on my face. Next week we have to bring a box. I wonder what that is for. Mom is so happy I am doing well. I think I saw a tear in her eye on the way home. I think she is proud. Mom is a little concerned about all the treats I am getting during the training and she said to the vet who is also in the class "Cookie has her exam in June so I hope she hasn't gained any weight". The Dr. said to her " I won't say anything"

First Day of Class

Today was the first day of my new class. It is kind of a mixture of all things related to doggie sports. I am not sure at all whether I will like this or not. We signed up as Yogi and Mom and Grandmom and I. The class moves kind of fast and Yogi, Mom and I are all familiar with the commands but Grandmom has not worked with them before. I responded well to Grandmom with Mom coaching and explaining along the way. A couple of the doggies in class are very noisy and distracting but I did fine for the first half hour. After that I pretty much wanted to go home. Then the next thing we worked on Mom knew I could do well so she took the lead and had me heel 1 step-sit, heel 2 step-sit, heel 3 step-sit and I did it. Mom through such a wild party and I think I smiled a little. She is determined to make this a positive experience. Mom is looking forward to working on what we learned and Grandmom said she can't wait till Friday when she will see us and be able to practice.

My teeth cleaning experience

I don't know why but Mom decided I needed to have my teeth cleaned and checked. I wondered why I didn't get supper on Wednesday or breakfast on Thursday. Mom tried to explain what would happen Thursday but I don't think I understood because I jumped in the car anyway. Mom brought Yogi too because she wanted to weigh him. It was also to make me feel better and so he understood where I was for the day. What a circus trying to get a weight on both of us. At one point we were both on the scale. One of the nice tecs came over and helped so we both could be weighed in. Then my Aunt Carrie came out to get me and Mom kissed my head and told me to be a good girl and she would be back for me later. She didn't look to see if I pulled to try to get back to her because she was trying not to cry. After Mom left I had to have an exam and then I was given something Aunt Carrie called "happy pills". Then I had my arm shaved and a catheter put in my vein. Then I started to feel really drowsy. When I woke up I guess it was over because my jaw felt tired.(Mom said I was propped open for a while) There was a really noisy doogy next door so Auntie took me into another room to recover. Something smelled familiar. Next to me was Yogi's favorite toy that he had sent to comfort me. Next I checked around with my tongue and realized all my teeth were still there. I didn't have to have any taken out. After several hours Mom came to pick me back up and I was really glad to see her. I keep getting lots of kisses this weekend because Mom says I no longer have doogie breath. I have a nice white smile again!

Here's more about me....

1. What color is your collar?
Monarch Red- a red, black, and yellow aztec design

2. What kind of food do you eat?
Iams premium protection and Natural Balance

3. What are your favorite treats?
Barkery treats

4. Do you have a Valentine or significant other??
Yes, Rex who lives a few doors down from my Grandmom

5. Do you get Table Scraps?
Yes but only safe foods Mom would eat herself

6. What is your favorite toy?
Frisbees and tennis balls

7. When is your Birthday?...
May 13, 1999

8. How many times a day do you get to eat?
Breakfast and dinner and a snack at lunch if Mom is around

9. Do you have a favorite color?
Tennis ball Yellow

10. Do you hope all your pals put this in their diary?
Yes, I can't wait to see their response.