It's been a long time........

It has been quite awhile since my last diary post but the Bridge is a busy place. There is much to do here. Sure, most of it is fun and games, hunting, relaxing in the cool grass, eating all my favorite things, swimming and hanging out with my family and friends but we have a job to do too. Surely you have felt our presence from time to time or seen our influence in those family members currently with you. We're here watching over you, comforting you when you don't feel well, playing right along side you on your best days, keeping you company when you're lonely, letting you know when it's time to add a new face to the pack (welcome home Derrin) and waking you from a sound sleep just for fun. We also search for you when you're lost. Shortly after I got to Rainbow Bridge, I joined the 'Cold Case Club' and we set out to find Lady. She had been missing for 4 years! I'm happy to report that Lady was found 4 months later. Here is a link to her story: Lady's Cold Case File

Thinking of all of you often,
Chance McGregor

Note from Chance's Mom:
I have had this article for several months but had misplaced it. I am so proud of you guys for helping Lady find her way home!

He's here................

Hi everyone,

My little brother is here! Check him out - he's pretty cute.
His name is Flannigan McCloud and he is a wheaten scottie.
We're all happy to have him in the family. Mom and Dad are happy again too and that makes me happy.

We celebrated Bea's birthday with an elegant evening out on the town. She is a diva ya know! Nothing but the finest for her - not like us boys. She made me try grapes - I was not impressed. Simply does not seem like proper K9 cuisine. The bacon wrapped steak was delicious though and, I'm always game for a big slice of birthday cake. We went to see "Cats", a broadway musical. I was hoping it was a bunch of cats we could terrierize but NO DEAL. Watching a hundred cats parading across the stage for an hour or two doing so called dancing was frustrating. Bea really enjoyed it so I put on a happy face and minded my P's and Q's.

Tomorrow I'm going hunting. I should have enough pent up energy to catch a vermin or two.

Love,
Chance
with Ace, Bea and Bubba

Good News..................

Arrrooooooooo,

He did it!!! The little guy passed the test and we now have a new little brother. He even gives kisses - yuck - I didn't tell him to go that far. I'm sure he was just doing everything possible and didn't realize he was doing it. Has he no dignity - scotties don't give kisses. Even his Mom gave kisses. I think she was just showing that she approves of his new parents. No kisses from Dad though - much more scottie like! He was quite a talker though! Watch for his page to be up soon!!!

We're thrilled to have a new addition to the family! It's going to be a fun week for us, as we welcome him and party for Bea's birthday on Tuesday.

Love,
Chance
with Ace, Bea and Bubba

Howloween and more IMPORTANT stuff...........

Hello There Everybody,

I haven't written in awhile cuz I've been quite busy seeing that my friends were properly celebrated on thier birthdays and everyone knows how time consuming Howloween is. We hope all our pals got a good scare from the Howloween messages we sent out. Thirteen pals celebrated birthdays in October: Allee Oop, Ernie George, Spike, Dubya, Bogie, Mousse, Lady, Daisy Mae Davis, Courage, Harley Davidson III, Georgie Burns, Macdougall and Lance. It was a party from beginning to end and I hope everybody got just what they wanted. Now it's on to November! We'll be celebrating my big sister Bea's birthday on the 4th. We also have five pals with November birthdays: Henry, Pixel, Cleo, Coco and Maggie.

Guess what??????
I've been watching Mom as she sits at the computer looking at scottie rescue pages and breeder sites. She missed out on a real handsome guy in Idaho cuz she wasn't sure she was ready yet but now I've just confirmed (by eavesdropping) that she and Dad are going to see a puppy this afternoon. We are all very happy up here and hope he does what it takes to win a spot in their hearts. We'd love to have a brother, even if he looks different. Keep your fingers crossed!!

I'll keep you updated,
Chance

We had a fun weekend up here at the bridge..........

A big howdy from the bridge,

What a fun weekend I had! The party started Friday afternoon in celebration of Spike's birthday. He's one of my schnauzer pals and the brother of my bridge pal 'Miracle'. He's a pretty popular guy with many friends. We played some fun games including "Name that Rodent", "What's the flavor of that Milk Bone?", "Pin the Tail on the Squirrel" and "Squeaker Toy Relay". There were lots of yummy snacks but my favorite was the birthday "cheese" cake. When darkness came, the sky was lit by huge round sparkling bursts of color. I'd never seen anything like it! Bea said they were fireworks and that they were usually accompanied by loud booming noises. I guess that explains why I'd never seen them. I'm sure I've heard them before but never had the nerve to look. I must admit, I feel a little silly now as they look so harmless. As the party wound down a unanimous decision was made to meet again tomorrow for another party.

I woke late (as usual) Saturday morning and had just enough time for a quick breakfast before going to the parlor with my brothers and sister to get fancied up for the days events. We all wanted to look our best for today's party would be in honor of our Mom who had a birthday of her own last week. She's forty something - that's all I'm allowed to say! The party was attended by all the members of the group she helped to create - Scottish Terriers Bridge Brigade - as well as many other furry and feathered friends. We played many of the same games and a few new ones like "Bury that Bone" and "Team Tug O'War". In the evening we visited with friends as we dined on Chunky Chicken Casserole and Beef Stew. For desert we had more "cheese" cake and ice cream. The night came to a close with a loud rendition of Happy Birthday to our Mom and all our Libra friends.

Sunday came and went in kind of a haze. We spent most of the day by the river swimming and squirrel hunting. Then after a hearty dinner, it was off to bed for me. I was so tired that I slept through most of Monday. I can't believe it, it's after midnight and now I'm wide awake.
I'm going to head back to bed now and hope I don't wake anyone up with my tossing and turning.

Love to all,
Chance

No More Tears...........

To my Mom,

The time has come for the tears to end
for you to be happy and cheerful again.
I am safe in God's home above
cradled in His arms; covered with His love.

We run and play by the Bridge all day
waiting for the day when you'll be here to stay.
You've been crying so much I feel bad
I want you to be happy and not so sad.
Remember the time when I was so small
I couldn't even pickup the rubber ball.
I fought that ball from morning to night
it made you laugh, I was quite a sight.

Remember teaching me sit and stay
we had such fun since I didn't really obey.
but you kept at it with test after test
so when I entered my first show I was the best.
Remember the great times we had in the past
like when we walked to the park we had a blast.
We'd run and play all through the park
until the sun went down and it got dark.
Remember the times we went for a ride
I was so excited I'd jump right inside.
Away we went to who knows where
but you and I we didn't really care.
I'll always love you, you're my best friend
I'll be right with you even to the end.
Always remember the great times we had
and there will be no reason to ever be sad.

Written by John Quealy

Meeting Fern............

Hello to all my fans,
It's been awhile since my last entry. I've been really busy meeting new friends and scoping out all the great places here at the bridge.
As promised, Ace took us into the woods to meet "Fern". We had strict rules - no barking, no chasing and bring treats. I hit my stash for a bunch of bones, took a "chill pill" and off we went! On our way out we stopped at the 'Conversion Club'. Unbeknown to us, our bones were not going to have a dramatic effect on Fern like they do us. We traded in our tasty bones for Jolly Roger hard candies at a rate of 10 to 1. I was shocked, I mean really now, 10 bones for 1 little hard candy? I might trade 10 bones for 1 stick of string cheese but this was only for 1 little piece of candy. It turned out to be worth every bone.
When we found Fern, she was hanging out with about 8 other deer. That's right, Fern was a deer that Ace knew from his ranch days. She was bottle fed and raised by our Mom and her boss at the time after her own mother was presumable lost in a wildfire near the ranch. She roamed free with an orange ribbon around her neck and had 6 fawns over the years - maybe they were with her now, I don't know for sure.
I really would have liked to chase them and I had to muster a heavy dose of self restraint. Mom would have been very proud of me - I rarely display this kind of restraint. It's so unscottie like!
When Fern approached me, I dropped the cache of candy that I had brought along and backed away. Ace told me that she was known to attack dogs and her hooves looked much sharper up close. She snatched up two candies and I could hear them clanging around in her mouth as she worked them over. The other deer stayed away and seemed a little confused as to why she wasn't afraid of us. It was really neat meeting Fern but to tell you the truth, all this calm and quietness is very trying on my terrier nerves. I'm ready for some action!
On the way back, at the edge of the woods, we were given the green light to resume scottie behavior - Great!! There were several tree squirrels scurrying and a few bunnies too. It was a free-for-all with each of us heading in different directions chasing something. We chased, played and dug for the rest of the afternoon. Fall has arrived and the trees are ablaze with color (some of you may think we are colorblind but its simply not true). We have decided to come here again when the leaves have fallen. Playing and pouncing on imaginary thing in a thick bed of leaves is great fun - I can't wait!

Enough rambling for today - I'm taking a nap!

Hey Mom,
Two mornings in a row without a Starbucks in the fridge? Now you know how I felt when I ran out of string cheese! Better go to the store!
I love and miss you and Dad,
Chancey

I've met lots of great pals here...........

Hello diary peekers,

Today marks two weeks since I came to the bridge. I have met so many great friends in my short time here. I was trying to think of a way to memorialize all the "scottish ancestors" that have come to Rainbow Bridge. I came up with an idea and relayed it to my Mom in hopes that she would help me. As I expected, it was no problem, she would do anything for me. I sent a long list of my terrier friends of scottish descent that I have met. Mom got things moving and many invitations later my memorial dream is a reality. Ace, Bea, Bubba and myself are now the hosts of the ~~Scottish Terriers Bridge Brigade~~. It is a group page here on Dogster that is dedicated to all Scotties, Westies, Cairns, Skyes and Dandies who have gone to Rainbow Bridge. Check it out if you have a 'chance' - get it??

I want to send a big sloppy lick to Mom for setting everything up. Just so you know, I'm not big on the kissing thing but she deserves it and I know she'd be happy to get it.

We've been teasing Bubba pretty bad the last couple of days. Seems he has a special friend who thinks he's quite handsome!! Her name is Allee Oop and although he tries to hide it, we know he's smitten.

In the next day or two, Ace is going to take us into the woods to see Fern. I don't know who or what Fern is but I'll let you know as soon as I find out.

We all send wishes of good health and happiness!

Love,
Chance

A special message for my Mom..............

I Haven’t Left At All

I saw you gently weeping as you looked through photographs
You paused for just a moment at one that made you laugh.
But as you turned more pages the tears began to flow
You whispered that you missed me but I want you to know;
I softly licked those stinging tears that down your cheeks did fall
I want to help you understand I haven’t left at all.

On those days that you are overcome with sorrow, pain and grief
I rest my head upon your leg to offer some relief.
When you take our walking path I’ve seen you turn around
Because I know you surely heard my paws upon the ground.

At night while you are sleeping I snuggle at your side
You stroke my fur as you touch that place where I used to lie.
You said it’s just your heart playing tricks upon your mind
But rest assured I’m really there, my spirit’s left behind.

I know your heart is hurting; it’s like an open sore
You think my life has ended and you won’t see me anymore.
But for those of us bound tight by love, death is not the curtain call;
It’s really the eternal beginning that waits for us all
So, dear Master as you live your life I patiently await
For us to be together when you pass through Heaven’s gate.

Unknown

Answering the big question..............

Arroooooooooo,

I'd like to start today's diary by answering the question - What kind of cancer did I have (past tense - I don't have it anymore)?
I had squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal cavity. Here is a link that best describes my symptoms http://www.vetsurgerycentral.com/oncology_nasal_tumors.htm
I was diagnosed when I went to the vet for a dental and they could not open my mouth fully even under anesthetic. An xray was taken and a tumor was visible on the bridge of my nose to the left side. A biopsy revealed the diagnosis with bone invasion already taking place. You could feel it through my hair but was not really visible unless you held my beard down. Mom had given me a haircut about a month prior and was sure she would have noticed it if it was there then. It covered about a 2 inch section midway between my eye and nose. That was August 29, 2007. I appeared to be healthy in all other aspects and continued until the tumor showed obvious signs of growth.
In about the ninth month, my upper jaw had widened due to the bone invasion and altered my bite alignment making it hard for me to chew. We still carried on as normal only now I got only soft food - no complaints here. We went to the park about 3 times a week and nobody ever knew I was sick - I could swim and chase squirrels with the best of them. Unlike some dogs with this type of cancer, my outward appearance didn't change all that much. I never lost the hair over the tumor and the growth of the tumor stayed within my skull. In mid August 2008 I lost sight in my left eye. It happened within a few days. In late August, Mom and I stopped in for a quick visit with my friend "Bogie" and I was quite happy but not allowed to play at all because my face was very sensitive. Two days later, without warning, I woke up totally blind. It was a very hard adjustment for me even though Mom and Dad tried their best to help me. My quality of life had deteriorated and so that I didn't have to deal with the inevitable next stage - seizures - on September 9, 2008 my parents made the hardest decision and let me find peace. It is a testament to Mom and Dad's love and care that I survived happily as long as I did. I made it twice as long as my best prognosis. I am now restored to my cancer-free vigorous self and enjoying every minute.

Ace, Bea, Bubba and I lounge around and tell stories of our adventures. I told them about my trip last year to see Grandma in South Dakota. How cool it was to sit and look out the window and see the lake right there and the squirrels so close. It was cold out so I wore a coat - I liked it too! I'd chase a squirrel up a tree and then bark at it to come down - never worked though.

Then Ace told us about drinking a vodka gimlet that was set down on the floor beside a chair during a party and nobody knew why he was acting so strange until the glass was found empty. He said he got pretty sick and couldn't walk too well. Lesson learned - ask first!

Bea and Bubba shared stories of rat racing around the house and how Bubba had so much hair between the pads of his feet he couldn't get traction on the non-carpeted floors. He was not amused when Bea told how she would jump up on the sectional sofa and run back and forth knowing that he couldn't get up there without help most of the time. It always startled her when he actually did manage to make it. I think she must have thought pay-back was coming.

Mom,
We all love our dogster pages and it appears others do as well. Bones are plentiful here but the ones left by our friends and family are by far the best. I hit my stash again today for about 120 of them. Don't worry, I plan on sharing them with some of my friends and of course my sibs too!

Well, I'm going to close for now.
Love,
Chance