Fabulous Friday

Bailey is resting after a busy play day with Katy.

We are celebrating though because tomorrow is a spa day. Well normally only Katy loves spa days. She thinks her monthly visit to the groomer really is a spa and Mom has continued this fantasy for years now. Bailey not so much. He hates the spa. However, even Bailey is celebrating this month as much as he dreads going. You see last month after getting his Lymphoma diagnosis we weren't sure if we should make this appointment based on the information we got from his vets regarding his prognosis. We weren't sure he'd still be here to go or if was here he'd be healthy enough to go.

Well folks Dad made the appointment and the people there knowing our situation let us know we could notify them if there was a reason we wouldn't need the appointment. Bailey is going to that appointment tomorrow and we can't be happier.

After the first terrified week of preparing for death, we are deciding to live life each day. It took some time to let go the fear and learn to live in the moment. We don't know how long Bailey will be with us. However, we don't honestly know how long Katy will be with us either. With Bailey, we just happen to know there is an issue that will shorten his life soon. Katy's future health is a bit more of a mystery.

We have made some practical plans regarding the future. We are now on a waiting list for another Sheltie working with the breed rescue who brought us Bailey and Katy. Katy will not function well as an only dog, so we have to prepare for that situation. The vets helped us find medications which have allowed Bailey to continue eating and functioning for the time being. A close friend helped us to find food that Bailey would eat and for the moment we've stopped his weight loss. That has been a huge help in keeping him happy and playing.

Bailey is doing well and today we celebrate his continued fight. We thank all of our Blogville friends for their good wishes and prayers.

Thankful Thursday: Good Friends

One of the things I've always been grateful for is how quickly Katy and Bailey bonded. When you rescue two dogs so far apart, each with their own challenges, even with the best screenings you can't guarantee they will bond this way.

As Bailey continues his fight, he has his closest friend by his side encouraging him to enjoy each day, each moment. Katy has encouraged ball games, yard explorations, bones wars, and all kinds of other games. She is doing everything possible to encourage him to live his days to the fullest.

Join the hop here

Dealing with the Demanding Press

Even when we want a quiet moment of privacy, the press is constantly shooting pictures of us. Even the death stare doesn't deter them from snapping pictures of us.



Bailey is still doing well, eating, playing and chasing Katy around much to her delight. He is living life to the fullest and that is all we can ask.

One Day at a Time

We had an amazing weekend. If you didn't know Bailey was dealing with Lymphoma you wouldn't have guessed. The beef and rice diet has been agreeing with him and he has been very playful.

We are are trying to find a balance between denial and grief and live in the moments that will be cherished memories in the future. Lots of play time, cuddles, and silliness that are life with Shelties.

The dogs were groomed this weekend and there was that tense moment as we booked appointments for the next month, do we book one for Bailey or not? We booked. We can always cancel, but while he's never enjoyed groomings, he felt better after this last one. Again it is the balance between denial and pessimism. I don't know how long he has and why not make sure he is clean and comfortable for as long as he has?

Oddly enough while Bailey has been more playful, Katy has been more reserved. Other than chasing bunnies she has been much quieter and calmer lately.

On the bunny front they actually had a coordinated herding movement yesterday. Bailey who has always been more into the garter snake hunts than the bunnies joined in corning an escaping bunny for Katy yesterday turning it in an expert herding movement right towards Katy. Katy was so thrilled that she herded that bunny right to the fence and she and Bailey celebrated their bunny removal.

We thank all of you who have posted your thoughts, prayers, and good wishes. It has meant the world and more. Blogville is and continues to be a very special place for those of us who dwell here.