Docs from LateNightOwl

My, how we have changed!

nobody@ipernity.com (LateNightOwl) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:46:41 +0000

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Almost 5 years and apparently we haven't changed much. (compare to my Flickr icon)

Though you can't tell it from this picture, we really enjoy the added space in the girls' new room.

P1010935

nobody@ipernity.com (LateNightOwl) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 21:29:20 +0000

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I Love You

nobody@ipernity.com (LateNightOwl) — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 02:59:55 +0000

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Thank you for your support and caring.

Though it feels broken in grief for my Swoozie, my heart is full and I know I am blessed because of dear ones like you.

There is so much I would like to say, but for now, please know that you are loved.

Swoozie's Sunset

nobody@ipernity.com (LateNightOwl) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 00:04:18 +0000

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It was a suitably golden sunset this evening to light Swoozie's way to the Rainbow Bridge.

I had hoped our time together would be longer, but it was not to be. Swoozie told me this morning that she was ready to journey on. The promise would be kept and she did not have to suffer. We cried and hurt of course, but did our best not to burden her with too many tears. There is time for that now, though. For the most part, we spent a loving, peaceful day together. And just a while before sunset our most wonderful, beautiful girl began her journey to the Rainbow Bridge.

We are fortunate to have already forged a relationship with two great vets. Dr. Maggie was here to ease the way for Swoozie... and for the rest of us. She did it with as much love and heart as I've ever known in any vet. I am grateful for her tears and empathy as I am for the job she performed.

I am grateful to all of you who left messages on my last photo and sent your love, hugs, prayers and kind words. Your presence helped me make it through this, one of the most difficult days of my life. My heart is so broken, but I am not alone.

Below are a few pictures of Swoozie and her angels who kept watch today.

Swoozie

nobody@ipernity.com (LateNightOwl) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:01:22 +0000

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I'm sad to report that we are losing the battle with Swoozie's cancer. The first round of chemo helped her a lot and gave us several weeks of being together and enjoying life. But that evil cancer has mutated, grown, and is probably spreading, unaffected by the second treatment. In other words, our time together is likely very short now. There is little more we can do now, but to make her time happy and comfortable as possible -- and continue in love.

She is surrounded with the love of her family, furred, feathered, and human. And it didn't take long, for even her new doctors here have grown to love "The Swooze", taking time to stroke her and give her kisses at every visit. All of us who love her are agreed that she will not have to endure suffering. I promised her this years ago. She has given her love and trust freely all of her life. We won't let her down.

I ask your prayers, please, that her transition will be easy and peaceful.

Thanks and love to you all.

The Annual Portrait

nobody@ipernity.com (LateNightOwl) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 20:40:07 +0000

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And the out-takes :)

Happy New Year

nobody@ipernity.com (LateNightOwl) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 02:16:06 +0000

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Angie Day

nobody@ipernity.com (LateNightOwl) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:44:53 +0000

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Please join me in celebrating Angie Week!

I'm a little late in posting this, but you all know that we have a tendency to extend official celebrations over several days, if not weeks. Angie came into our lives two years ago on December 27th. In truth, she has been a celebration ever since!

I have known few people, let along dogs, with as much personality or charm as our little Angie. She makes me laugh out loud several times every day. Her she is modeling my new Christmas hat. She absolutely insisted on trying it on first. Seriously! Probably looks better on her anyway.

P.S.
Swoozie had a CBC on Sunday and her white blood cell count is the same as before the chemo. This is good news - no bone marrow damage, the chemo is doing its job on cancer cells.

Love and Hugs

nobody@ipernity.com (LateNightOwl) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 22:26:27 +0000

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And happy holidays.
----------------------

Thank you so much for sending your healing love to Swoozie. We may not be able to give you real hugs, but we send you our love and hold you in our hearts always.

Swoozie started her chemo treatments last Sunday and is showing no visible side effects. We will go in next week for a CBC to make sure there are on ill effects that we can't see. She is eating well, no upset tummy, and continues to be full of happiness and vigor. Most important, she is peeing better. That is a good sign that the love and the drugs are helping her have a bit longer and better life. That's the best we can hope for.

Share?

nobody@ipernity.com (LateNightOwl) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:12:42 +0000

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Sometimes Dora doesn't think sharing is in her best interest. ;)

Toots

nobody@ipernity.com (LateNightOwl) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 20:52:11 +0000

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It has taken me a few weeks to get the mechanics right to consistently turn a good wooden whistle. There are lots of little details that go into producing a pleasant "toot" sound.

One of the most important rules of whistle making is to be sure the glue on the mouthpiece is dry before testing. Mmm hmmm!

WoodenYouKnowIt.com

nobody@ipernity.com (LateNightOwl) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:46:22 +0000

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WoodenYouKnowIt, it has taken me almost a year to put up a website and it still isn't finished! LOL

I hope you'll check it out if you have a few minutes.
WoodenYouKnowIt.com

There is a 10% discount for my Flickr Friends who might want to make a purchase.
Use code: FlickrFriends at checkout to redeem.

Silly Girls, Silly Faces

nobody@ipernity.com (LateNightOwl) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 21:00:32 +0000

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Swoozie and Hayley

Thank you so much all who are sending love and keeping Swoozie in your prayers. She is a lucky girl to have angels like you in her corner! Her symptoms are improving, and she remains happy, playful, and full of life, leaving the fretting to others. Just as it should be.

Looking at that face makes it easy to believe in miracles. She is in incredibly good health, but for the damned cancer.

The Swooze

nobody@ipernity.com (LateNightOwl) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:02:34 +0000

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We are in need of another miracle.

Got the test results on Thanksgiving morning telling us Swoozie has Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC). Basically, it is an aggressive cancer in her bladder and urethra. She has begun basic treatment with an NSAID that is also known to have an effect on TCC cells. I can see that it has improved things for her already. She'll probably start on chemo next week.

To be honest, her doctors all say the prognosis is lousy. There are a small percentage of dogs, however, who go into at least a partial remission on this course of treatment and live six months to a year. That's the miracle we need.

Swoozie is the dog of my heart. Her 12th birthday is January 2nd, and I hope we have much to celebrate. Right now, today, she is happy and feeling great except for having to pee all of the time. She had a wonderful playtime in bed with Alice this morning and just came in from a romp in the yard with the little ones. In this picture that I took a few minutes ago, she's waiting for her share in our popcorn party. We will squeeze in every little bit of good times we can while we can. Well, that's what we do around here anyway - we try not to squander life.

If you have a moment to think some healing thoughts or say a little prayer for The Swooze, I would sincerely appreciate it. Thanks.

Love and hugs from all of us at the Mountainside Menagerie.

Sleepy Beauty

nobody@ipernity.com (LateNightOwl) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:11:56 +0000

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Dorable, relaxed and ready for her after dinner nap...
but keeping eyes and ears open just in case there is dessert.

Alice - Queen of the Winter Carnival

nobody@ipernity.com (LateNightOwl) — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 23:49:19 +0000

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Full of love, Alice is the picture of grace, beauty, and dignity... when she's not being a goofy, silly, girl inciting others to play.
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Hayley Snowplow

nobody@ipernity.com (LateNightOwl) — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 01:19:49 +0000

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Snow Day Play

nobody@ipernity.com (LateNightOwl) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:25:24 +0000

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I'm exhausted!

More pics later

Snow Day Play

nobody@ipernity.com (LateNightOwl) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:25:20 +0000

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I'm exhausted!

More pics later

Snow Day Play

nobody@ipernity.com (LateNightOwl) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:25:15 +0000

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I'm exhausted!

More pics later