Got some things goin on, so instead of doing 50 different posts, I'll put all in bullet formation for ya...
*So my son just left for LA for almost 3 weeks. THREE WEEKS!!!! This will be the longest he has been apart from me. I'd totally be cool with it if he was with one of my parents, but no he's with exholes parents. Joy fun! (major syrupy sarcasm here) He'll come back beyond spoiled and a little cocky to boot, and it will take me 5 weeks just to get him off the cloud they put him on. Yeah honey money does NOT grow on trees. Okay I'm moving on, no no I'm not bitter. Really!
*I got to spend a wonderful hour or so with Michelle and her husband today. We may not have been able to go camping together, but at least we got to have a cup of coffee and chat. So nice!
*Remember our camping trip to Big Sur that was canceled...yeah I'm not gonna be turned away by some smoke and a little fire. NOPE! I NEED BIG SUR!! SOOOOO the campground we have reservations at is way below the fire and is in no danger, just a little smokey and we have to drive WAAAAYYYY out of the way to get there. SOOOOO we have to drive all the way past Big Sur almost to San Luis Obispo and then cut across back to hwy 1 and drive back up towards Big Sur. Just a little out of the way, but worth every penny in gas we will be paying. EVERY PENNY!
*Oh I forgot to post a picture or two from the Father's Day baseball game I sent my boys on! How about a video instead..
Both Mike and J had a great time. A once in a lifetime experience.
*OMG!!! I was cleaning a house today and low and behold the people forgot to put away their p@rn. WTF!! Hello people you don't just leave that crap lying around. Put it away BEFORE the cleaning lady comes. You know the lady that comes EVERY week, same day, same time. And just for your FYI, it wasn't just the lone dvd, it was a freaking pile! OMG!
*Yesterday we were talking about a trip to the happiest place on earth for the holidays and then my wonderful husband says, "oh wait, we'll probably be in China then." Ummmmm what? Okay, can I have some of those dreams? Do you think that could really happen?? Naw...I think I'll be on "It's A Small World".
*Ella and Summit are the best of friends. It is SO wonderful to see a smile back on Ella's face once again. It's still hard to believe Summit has only been with us for 2 weeks, it seems like she's been a part of our family for ever. Molly would have absolutely loved her. Speaking of Molly, we miss her. A LOT. We were recently told that by getting another dog we are opening ourselves up for the pain of loosing another loved one again. Opening ourselves up willingly. Willingly. But you know what? I can not imagine NOT having Summit in our lives. She is a gift, just like her foster mom said. A gift.
*And finally before I finish packing and hit the highway....we are once again celebrating our LID anniversary....Sunday will mark 27 months of waiting for Baby J. WOW! TWENTY SEVEN months.
OMG I can't believe I'm writing this! We are so excited to share with you the referral of our newest dogter.
Name: Summitt (not sure of her middle name yet)
Birthdate: April 27, 2007 My grandmother's birthday! She's just 14 months old!!!
Foster home: Lockwood CA
She has beautiful black and white hair and lots of freckles! Her foster mother says: "She is the sweetest thing ever and loves to cuddle. She has a wonderful disposition and is happy playing with her foster sisters and brothers. She will be a wonderful addition to your family, you are so lucky."
No pictures as of yet, as soon as we get one I'll post it.
Our travel approval came today as well!!! We leave approx. 11am on Wednesday June 11th and are due to return home the same day, around 6pm!
Okay....I hope you all know what is going on! hehe! Here's the back story....
We started thinking about adopting a rescue a while back but we just weren't sure when we would do it and we definitely didn't think we would be ready so soon after loosing Molly. Since Ella has been so lonely and sad, we knew we would need to do this sooner than later, so a little over a week ago we filled out an application with a rescue agency and waited. We were told to expect a week wait until we got our first phone interview. Let me tell you all that filling out the application was JUST LIKE putting together a dossier. We were told to expect phone interviews, a home study and to have references. OMG!
Well after waiting 8 days we got our phone interview last night at 8:30 and it lasted about an hour and were then told we would be matched in the next few months. FEW MONTHS!! Hell we can wait a few months we thought, gee we've waited almost 27 for lil-J! Well, we were checking out the "waiting dog" list this afternoon and decided to request information on a little boy 400 miles away. We went to email the foster family when we saw an email from someone regarding a little girl named Summitt.
It was a sign.
We immediately called the foster mom only to find out that this situation was not normal and this NEVER happens this fast but that the agency and she felt this was a perfect match. TEARS! Summitt hasn't even been posted on the "waiting" list yet. After talking with her foster mom, it sounds as though this is the perfect match and HELLO, today is referral day for the China referrals! FREAKY!!!
SO sight unseen we are bringing home our girl on Wednesday as long as all goes well. It feels so strange to be making this choice so soon after our recent loss, but yet it seems like Molly is playing a part in this as well. Summitt is currently in foster care approx. 50 miles from Big Sur. Tears. We can't wait to take Summitt with us to scatter Molly's ashes in the fall.
We also want to say a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to the families who are seeing their daughters faces for the first time today. We celebrate with you!
While it has been two weeks since we lost Molly, it feels as though it was yesterday. It seems that time has stopped, literally stopped. The days are very long and sometimes very hard to walk through. As much as I have tried to clean up from Molly's last week with us, I can't get rid of the stains, the blanket we had her wrapped in when she passed, her bowl, the meds, her collar, her many tennis balls. The blanket has already been cleaned with tears that have fallen from our eyes, but I've been told in so many words..."never wash this, never". We all take turns wrapping ourselves in it when we need a few moments of Molly. The vet called today to let me know that her ashes have been returned to them and are ready for me to pick up. Okay. Really? I think I can pick them up sometime soon, maybe when I'm having a good day, but not today or maybe tomorrow either. Soon.
Ella has become a part of my body. I can not go anywhere without her next to my left calf. The bathroom is not off limits. If I don't leave the door open, she cries and scratches the door until I either am done or get up off the pot and let her in. She then curls up at my feet until I'm done, 5 seconds or 5 minutes. I'm also the only one she will let make/feed her food. Our entire life has changed in a matter of 14 days. We can not and I mean CAN NOT leave Ella alone for more than about 2 hours. She is a mess when we return. You can hear her just howling away inside when we pull up to the house. She has never howled before. And once we come in she is so wet under her chin, I wonder who gave her a bath. It takes her about an hour to "calm down". We have had many a sleepless night in the last 14 nights. She will wake up and just start crying away. Crying until one of us gets up and sits with her. While it is very reminiscent of having a newborn which gives me great joy, it is straining.
We are walking on the beach everyday now and going to the dog park in the afternoons and walking another 2 miles there. The dog park is new for us. We want to make sure to keep Ella around other dogs, but all she does at the park is sit as close to me on the bench as she can get. She has said hi to a few dogs, one in particular. Another springer. It was the saddest thing. Mike took Ella to get water and say hi to the other dog. Ella started wagging her tail immediately and ran up to the springer (who looked like Molly) she then sniffed the dogs face with great interest. (She has had NO interest in any dog that walks in front of her.) When she realized it wasn't her sissy she looked at Mike, that sad look was in her face. So while we are doing everything we can to keep her spirits up, it's a challenge. She is so lonely. And SO sad. It breaks my heart.
The last few weeks have been busy and full of new adventures, many of them with a dog in tow. I really am serious about finding out how to make her a service dog so I can take her into the movie theater with me or to the grocery. Can't I tell my doctor I'm in need of a furry pet to make me feel safe in public places?? She does great in the car waiting for me but unfortunately we live in the PE*TA capitol of the world. As soon as I shut the door, mind you my window are half down all four of them, I'm getting stares and comments. "Is there water in there?", "How long are you going to be?". COME ON FOLKS!! I'm walking up to the ATM!! Thank goodness school is out in 2 days and Ella and J can spend many a day together this summer.
While we have done very little outside the house or away from said pup, we did take a 2 hour 45 minute break and went to see SandTheCity. I “Abso-fucking-lutely” (as Doris put it)LOVED IT. Is it okay that I cried through the majority of it though? I'm not talking a lone tear, but get me a box of kleenex and some more mascara crying! I'm not sure if this is the normal reaction to this movie.
It is so beautiful here at the beach. Really beautiful. Although the fog comes in at some point, for the most point it has been in the mid to high 60's and clear as a bell. This makes me happy. Very happy. My roses are just starting to pop and that makes me even happier! Pictures to come, someday. As for now, I just watched the sun set outside my living room window and history is being made today on this our second week without our Molly. Another day done. And an exciting day in these United States of America.
Thank you for all of your support during this time with Molly.
Your thoughts, prayers and concern are so meaningful and much appreciated.
This will be a week spent with our girl and a week of hard choices to make.
With that said I'm going to be stepping away from blogland for a bit, I will return when things have settled down. I will continue to post my New Music Monday's because I've been working on them for a while and have the posts all ready to go for you, and well to be honest, music is helping us here right now also.
Back soon.....
I am getting back into the exercise mode again and am walking with Ella 3 days a week now and man does it feel good, but the guilt I feel for leaving Molly at home is eating me alive!!! I try to convince Molly that she can enjoy some alone time and take a peaceful nap while I take her rambunctious sister out, but the look in her eyes just about kills me. Ella and I try to sneak out the door before Molly knows we are gone, but I see her peeking out the window at us. So I go and grab a bone and lead her to a pillow in the sunshine, she will have nothing to do with it, she follows me to the door. I finally have to just walk out the gate and not look back. IT KILLS ME!!
I had to stop taking her with me on walks because obviously she just doesn't have the strength anymore. I do take her to the beach 3 days a week and we just sit and talk and lately she can barely make it to the waters edge, but we go anyway. When we first found out six weeks ago that the cancer was back, I stopped walking completely because I felt horrible leaving her home alone and I knew she really wanted to go. Last week I couldn't stand not walking anymore and Ella has been putting on a few pounds in the last six weeks ( and so have I!!! ), so we went out and now we have the guilts!!
The look on Molly's face when we come back is so sad, she literally looks mad at us. No tail wagging and no barks of hello. She just goes and lays down. Oh I just want to cry. She does go with me everyday to pick up J from school, but I'm sure that's not enough. I need just one more hour in the day to make two trips to the beach...one for Ella and one for Molly.
Oh my girl! She's laying here with me right now wondering when we are going to bed. The day's are getting harder for her. Her glands are swelling more and more every day and her breathing is a little more labored, but she is still chasing the ball (like she's a 85 year old lady), and eating all of her dinner every night. I am blessed everyday she is here with us. Everyday.
The hospital just called us with an update....she is doing fine, very vocal about being caged up, (that's our girl) and her temp has gone down to 102.9!! Good news! She will be spending the night in the hospital though and that makes us all sad and it will be a long night for her. She has not spent a night away from us since we rescued her from the SPCA 7 years ago, and dear God she has not spent a night in a cage since then either.
Our trip to Big Sur in a few weeks will be soooo good for her. The picture above is from the last time we were there....
We miss you baby girl!
Well we've hit a little bump in our road with Molly. She went in yesterday for another Chemo day, but they couldn't do the treatment. Molly's white blood cell count is VERY low and she was running a slight fever. Well this morning the poor thing woke up shaking and VERY VERY weak. I rushed her to the hospital only to find out she had a temp of 106. It looks like she is septic, and I'm sorry I can't explain what that all means right now because I'm still doing my research. The doctors admitted her to the hospital in ICU where she will be on an IV with fluids and large doses of antibiotics.
At this point she will be there a minimum of 24 hours. Keep her in your thoughts.
Meanwhile at home I have a very sad little one who doesn't understand why she has to be all alone for the second day in a row. Oh boy tonight is gonna be tough!!
Sweet Molly Sue is doing SOOOOOOO good! Her treatment is going great and we are so happy we decided to do this, it is worth all the money we are spending and the things we've had to give up to do this for our girl.
Molly goes in for Chemo once a week and has done so well. All of her lymph nodes have gone down and her energy is huge! The doctors are very impressed with her and see her being around for another 3 or more years. We still have 23 more weeks left of treatment, but the beginning is the hardest...she's made it through the tough parts so far!
Yes I changed my skin AGAIN!!!! Sorry....LAST time I promise!
SO yes I do have an update on our Molly. She is doing REALLY well. She started Chemotherapy last Friday and handled the first treatment well. Her prognosis is good and as long as she handles the treatments then we should have her in remission in about 6 months. From there we can continue to see her beautiful face for the next year to 3 years.
The treatments are pretty extensive, no not expensive, extensive. (I'm not even going to go into expenses because you will all freak out!). Anyway, she has weekly chemo treatments for the next 4 weeks then a week off, then another 4 weeks of treatements. After that we go to everyother week for 17 weeks. It is time consuming and can or will be difficult at times, but we are prepared. The side effects for animals are about the same as us humans, except she wont loose her hair. I beleive that is because dogs don't have hair folicles, but I could be wrong. She will loose her wiskers though. We also may have to deal with some vomiting and diarehea, (I hate that word, so I always spell it wrong). Ohter than that, Molly should have a normal life and be happy. YEAH!!! She has had some loss of energy which was to be expected, but other than that she's GREAT!! I'll try to give you all updates when I can. If you have any ideas, questions or what ever regarding doggy Lymphoma, I'd love to hear!
See you all tomorrow for Working Out Wednesdays!
Our sweet sweet Molly has cancer. It hasn't quite hit me yet. Molly came into our lives in a very special way and she has touched us so much. Six years ago we were looking for another dog, we had a lab at the time and we wanted to find another lab or lab mix. Jake and I had been looking for days online, in the paper and at the SPCA. One day we went to the Santa Cruz SPCA and saw this mangy, long faced, sad eyed black and white dog. She was it! I found out all the info on her and went home to tell Mike, his response was instant NO! I begged him to come check her out and I finally got him in the car and down to the pound. The moment he saw her he melted. We imediately went home to call our family in the vet business to ask about English Springer Spaniels. "Don't do it" was all we heard. "They're hyper and take A LOT of attention". We stopped listening and knew she was the next part of our family. The day we picked her up, was the day she was to be euthinized. This was her third stint at the pound and they'd already kept her longer this last stay then they should have. Her previous owners kept her in an appartment and couldn't control her, she ran away a lot and the owner was never home to love her. He tried to get rid of her several times, but she either ran away from the new owners and wound up at the pound, or she'd be too hyper for anyone to handle.
It was rough at first when she came home. She'd never had such luxurey's as what we gave her, a bed, warm dinner, lots of balls and many walks. We NEVER gave up on her, even when she jumped the six foot fence and wound up MILES away from home. But one day she just settled down and realized we weren't going anywhere and we were there to love her unconditionally. She became a constant compainion to us all. A VERY faithful dog.
Today we take her to a specialty hospital for the start of treatment for Lymphoma. She will most likely have chemo and radiation treatments for the next 9 weeks. We can only pray she does well with the treatment. We aren't ready to give up on our sweet Molly. She deserves to have all the stops pulled out for her! We're in it for the long run!
By the way...Happy Birthday Molly!!!!! Her 12th birthday was Tuesday!
LID anniversary,Life,Molly
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