Nov 4 2015
Three things that make me happy: 1, Playing with the dogs. 2, My very soft and warm fleece shirt. 3, Mitzi’s recovery
Yesterday was a hard day. I had to get some groceries and it was one of those days when just thinking of the effort to make myself presentable, leave the house, and face people makes me tired. And I had to take Mitzi to the vet. Mitzi is our sassy miniature dachshund who has a very checkered past. When Mitzi’s original owner was incarcerated, her son took Mitzi. After the son died in an accident, Mitzi was taken in by one of his friends. When that friend brought home a new baby, Mitzi showed her displeasure and jealousy, so she was given to my son, Matt. While Matt was having some work done on his apartment, he asked Don and me to take in Mitzi “temporarily.” But then I got cancer and Mitzi became my chemo buddy. Don, who had always spurned small dogs in the past, became just goofy over this little imp. He cuddles her, makes baby talk to her, and encourages doggy kisses…..And, when he comes into the house and calls, “Honey, I’m home,” he's not talking to me! Anyway, Mitzi is about eleven years old now, is losing her hearing, and her coat is grizzled. But she still has ‘presence’. Even at the farm with the German shepherd and the Irish wolfhound, she is the obvious alpha. She can quell their enthusiastic overtures with one look. Monday evening, she did not seem like herself and by yesterday morning she could barely walk, would not eat, and vomited after drinking a little water. She was cold and very lethargic. When I took her to the vet, I was bracing myself for a recommendation that she be put down. Instead, the vet gave her a couple shots, pumped her full of fluids, and sent us home with some pain medication. I snuggled her in a blanket with a hot pack and hoped she would still be here in the morning. Well, I awoke to her sharp little yip. I tempted her with a morsel of liver cheese which she ignored yesterday. She gobbled it up. Since that went down well, I poured some of her usual kibble in her dish. She looked at the kibble, looked sternly at me, then trotted to the kitchen and stood imperiously in front of the refrigerator, obviously demanding more liver cheese. The queen is back!
Yesterday was a hard day. I had to get some groceries and it was one of those days when just thinking of the effort to make myself presentable, leave the house, and face people makes me tired. And I had to take Mitzi to the vet. Mitzi is our sassy miniature dachshund who has a very checkered past. When Mitzi’s original owner was incarcerated, her son took Mitzi. After the son died in an accident, Mitzi was taken in by one of his friends. When that friend brought home a new baby, Mitzi showed her displeasure and jealousy, so she was given to my son, Matt. While Matt was having some work done on his apartment, he asked Don and me to take in Mitzi “temporarily.” But then I got cancer and Mitzi became my chemo buddy. Don, who had always spurned small dogs in the past, became just goofy over this little imp. He cuddles her, makes baby talk to her, and encourages doggy kisses…..And, when he comes into the house and calls, “Honey, I’m home,” he's not talking to me! Anyway, Mitzi is about eleven years old now, is losing her hearing, and her coat is grizzled. But she still has ‘presence’. Even at the farm with the German shepherd and the Irish wolfhound, she is the obvious alpha. She can quell their enthusiastic overtures with one look. Monday evening, she did not seem like herself and by yesterday morning she could barely walk, would not eat, and vomited after drinking a little water. She was cold and very lethargic. When I took her to the vet, I was bracing myself for a recommendation that she be put down. Instead, the vet gave her a couple shots, pumped her full of fluids, and sent us home with some pain medication. I snuggled her in a blanket with a hot pack and hoped she would still be here in the morning. Well, I awoke to her sharp little yip. I tempted her with a morsel of liver cheese which she ignored yesterday. She gobbled it up. Since that went down well, I poured some of her usual kibble in her dish. She looked at the kibble, looked sternly at me, then trotted to the kitchen and stood imperiously in front of the refrigerator, obviously demanding more liver cheese. The queen is back!
Replies
Oh, she sounds SO COOL!!! I wish I could meet her... I\'m glad she\'s feeling so much better!
I\'m sorry yesterday was hard for you, honey... I sure know what those days are like! (ooof!). I\'ve been down for a few days lately and wanted to take a little walk a couple of times, just to get some fresh air and sunshine, y\'know? But then I realized that would mean putting on clothes, SHOES (ugh!) and walking up and down a flight of stairs... and I couldn\'t face it.
I wish you a FAR better day today. Hugs
What a wonderful journey Mitzi has been on. It seems she has touched lives wherever she goes. I am so pleased that she is feeling better. I know what it\'s like to go to the grocery store and have errands. It can be more than a person can face. People don\'t get that because they do it all the time, but imagine trying to do it when you have a 50 lb rock tied to your back. That\'s how I think of it. You are a dear. Much love.
You made me laugh with..honey I\'m home.So funny.Dear little Mitzi certainly hasn\'t had a smooth life .However she has been loved and protected by many and continues to land back on her feet. I am glad that she brings both you and your husband so much joy. I can relate to the difficulty in accomplishing a regular task like grocery shopping.I usually just don\'t make it and my husband does it. I really want my independence back.I feel very insecure in not being able to achieve so many basic things. Wishing you all good health and happiness my friend.xo
Man! Mitzi sure does get around! LOL....what a wonderful little doggie. Not at all surprised that your husband fell in love with her. AND she sensed your illness and become your little chemo buddy! Dogs are amazing that way. She sounds precious and wonderful and I\'m so glad she is feeling better.
My daughter presented to my home with two dogs. A little pit bull (which she raised from 8 weeks) and a little chi hua hua! WELL, as you have read in my journal, the chi hua hua is a little barking, yipping machine and not loveable in her mannerisms, but the pit bull (who\'d a thunk) is just a joy!! I love this dog. Our pets give us joy and protection. They are little gifts from God.
Always happy to know of the things that make you happy!! It\'s a good way to start your journal, and to live your life!! xo