dughlas

So it seems I did myself an injury as a result of that very fast walk on Saturday. I've developed tendinitis in the the tendons at both top and bottom of my right hamstring. The connection at the lower is the most uncomfortable. I skipped walking yesterday to rest it but will leave soon to walk this morning. Planning a slower more relaxed pace. On another note, my dad was taken to the hospital on Sunday afternoon. It seems he developed non-Covid pneumonia. Spent the last two nights there for treatment. Waiting to hear if he'll be released today. Mum and I leave tomorrow morning for SC.

Thistle was very vocal. One of my favorites was when he and mum first greeted each other when we returned from our morning walk. She would ask if he had a good walk and he would literally say "uh hunh".

An ooey, gooey mess?

Thistle used to do that with me.

Where is your kitty toe-warmer?

Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks. I have been slowly cleaning and packing up his things, the multitudes of toys, blankets, collars, etc. into small tubs for storage. Perhaps in time there will be another pup. If not then in time when my heart is not so broken I will pass them on to others. For now I feel compelled to keep them safe. Food and treats are sorted to share with other pups within the extended family. Two items I have kept aside, the fleece sweater that he wore on chilly morning walks and a small bandana he had been wearing the last few days. The scent of him still lingers on them ... most recent mornings found him snuggled under the blankets against my chest .. the smell reminds me of when I would first come awake to find him there ... the warmth of his small body and the way he would shift sleepily when I would scratch behind his ear to waken him. I've gone to the park to walk the last two mornings. Yesterday I went at the usual time and walked in the predawn dark. I set a fast pace, the one I walk when alone never with him. Made it slightly more than a quarter mile before I was overwhelmed. I screamed and burst into gasping anguished sobs and raced along the darkened path for another 2 miles before I reached my car. I decided I couldn't walk in the dark another time so this morning I waited an hour until dawn began to lighten the sky. I set off at what became a surprising pace, 3 miles in 37 minutes. I don't know that I've ever walked so fast, I passed a trio of college-aged joggers. I know that I didn't intend to walk that fast and when I finished was shocked. There were no tears today, perhaps I outpaced them. It wasn't until I stopped at a traffic light and said "almost home little guy" and turned to smile at him only to encounter an empty backseat ... Last night we went out to celebrate my son and daughter-in-law's fifth anniversary and had a lovely time. Tonight we'll join the others from the shop for a dinner celebrating the completion of another faire season. So while my heart and soul are battered and bruised life continues. Wednesday morning mum and I will load the car and head for SC. Thistle was my sixth pup and the one most firmly entrenched in my life. Sometimes he led the way, mostly he trotted along beside me, occasionally he scurried to catch up after stopping to sniff something of interest but always we were together. Each other's most cherished companion. Thank you all for allowing me to share him with you. Blessed be ...

Thank you Val.

Thank you all. I know that though incredibly hard I made the right choice. Within the short period, less than an hour, when they discontinued the glucose iv and when the vet collected him his system had burned through all the sugar and he started another seizure episode. There was no possibilty we could have cared for him at home. His remaining time wasn't measured in a few weeks or months but rather in hours. We were fortunate that they could give him medication to stop the seizure so he was calm and comfortable and knew we with were with him at the end. I was blessed to have shared his life.

Thank you all.

I cry lamentations to the Lord my God ... I've lost my precious dark-eyed boy. I had Thistle euthanized this evening. Despite attempts to stabilize his blood sugar it remained low and he began to seize again. With the tumor he wasn't going to get better and likely only had a few months remaining. We had 9.5 wonderful years those few months were likely to be subpar as he faded. I couldn't do that to him or me.

Preliminary thought is he has a rare pancreatic tumor that is causing his body to produce too much insulin. His blood sugar remained low all day. Even after they added glucose to his fluids. I can pick Thistle up at 6:30 this evening. I'll learn more then.

Thank you.

Thanks. I was able to get him in at the vet. His blood sugar is still low so they are going to monitor him and periodically check his level over the morning. The vet just had to put one of his own dogs down yesterday because of seizures. He was teary eyed and had to step out at one point. He really likes Thistle.

Thistle had another more severe seizure last night. Lasted about 10 horrible minutes. Afterwards I was able to calm him and we got about an hour of sleep. When we first woke he seemed moderately coherent, paying attention to what I was doing but within 30 minutes he began circling obsessively to the left. Bumping into furniture and walls, stumbling over shoes. I'm currently biding time until my vet's office opens. I am frightened for my pup ...

Mum said congratulations and bless you for providing Max with a loving home.

Thanks. Thistle slept pretty well though he got restless about 3am, well before I was ready to wake. Currently he's curled up dozing in my lap. We're going to try our usual morning walk but will need to bundle up. It's a cold 35/2° with a light breeze.

Wow, congrats dad. I'm so happy for all of you.

Thank you all. He's not quite himself, a little shaky on his feet but otherwise doing okay.

Thistle had a grand mal seizure this morning at 3:20am. It was kinda of scary being woken up to find him in full body spasms where he was curled up against my chest. We think he also had one on Sunday while mum and I were at faire. The vet gave him a full physical exam and drew blood for more comprehensive testing. He currently seems fine so we're in watch and see mode.

Cyn may have shed his antlers but he's still got hooves. Does use their hooves to great effect to protect their young if cornered and unable to flee.

It seems John aka Cyn, was one of those shy barely noticed kids we all sorta knew in school. Were some of them been cernunnos?Wonder what might have developed between he, Tucker and Chris had the change not taken him when it did. Might their friendship have helped create a more confident Cyn? Another of the great what if's. Excellent chapter.

Maybe if you sent him a speedos pic he be nicer ... then again, he might just ask for another.

Good on you ... compliments help feed the soul even the ones that warm our faces as well as our hearts.