7/28/2012 Dog gone :(

 

 

The family has finally come to terms with the facts. China is not getting better and is slowly declining due to her inability to control her bowels.
It is with heavy hearts we chose to have her euthanized but with full recognition that she will be much better off not having to deal with the indignities of wetting herself, not being able to stand or jump or even wag her tail.
Several people came by to visit over the last week and some of our loving friends gave us funds to pay for her treatments. We had a small gathering of friends last night, all took turns giving China treats and love.

This morning we had our mobile vet put China to sleep, may she rest in blissful peace running through the fields of Summerland eating the bees and wallowing in super stinky things to her hearts content. May all the Fey revel in her beauty and love while rubbing and petting her until the fur flies off in drifts of coppery snow.

Thank you every one for your support and love we will all miss 'China the Gate Keeper, Greeter of the Masses'! My only dog ever and beloved companion of the whole family.

Blessings
Makai

7/25/2012 Doggy days

Whew it has been a rough morning already. 10am

Skot took China in to the shower with him, she was getting pretty gamy. Then he wrestled her out and dried her off, I gave her her first dose of meds then she started leaking again. So Skot carried her outside but with no real success in having her stand or potty on her own.

After he brought her back in and got her cozy on her cushions I broke down crying again. I want so badly to have my wiggly bouncy puppy back and it's becoming harder and harder to believe we can rehabilitate her. We can't keep carrying her around and cleaning up dog piddle forever. So Skot and Mom and I agreed that if there is no marked improvement by the end of this week we will let her go on Monday.

It is such a heart rending choice to make. I know how much I love her and I know how much others enjoy her so I have been holding on to hope that this was fixable. But we need to be realistic.

SO for the next 5-6 days we are going to go ballistic with healing sessions, acupuncture and all around spoiling of the dog. If by Sunday she can wag her tail or stand on her own we will persist until she is fully recovered. If not then with great love and deep regret we will need to let her go. Highest Will be done.


All your love and prayers are very appreciated!
If you want to come visit please call and arrange a time.
If you want to donate a little to the medical bills that would be awesome too.


Light, Life and Love
Makai

7/23/2012 Update on China

During the day it was much the same. Still unable to move on her own, not able to control her bladder and still no excrement. =(
Poor puppy has been listless and limp.
She perked up for dinner and was down right excited when the vet showed up at 6:30. We took her outside and had an exam, did some rather unorthodox removal of feces then came back inside. It took us a few tries to find the right location to have China for the acupuncture treatment but the best was flat out on the floor. Maria worked tirelessly at getting the needles in and to stay, she went absolutely overboard knowing we need results sooner than later for fear of China going toxic with a full colon. She must have used over 40 needles, after the initial shock and twitching China finally hit that 'zone' of relaxation. We discovered more clearly where her nerves might be damaged.

Maria gave Skot several instructions for physical therapy to do over the next few days and she will be back tomorrow for another treatment. She says that given some care there is potential for recovery but we are keeping a pragmatic view as well. She was here for 2+ hours and really gave China a good thorough treatment.

China is in a good space tonight and ready for bed after her evening dose of meds.
More tomorrow
Makai

7/22/2012 doggy update

Last night went well with all the fuss and care. We made it through the vet visit, the Prednisone injection and the meds last night. We all slept well.
She is liking the wet food and liverwurst wrapped medications. Unfortunately there has been no change in her condition. If anything she is still confused as to why her rear end does not work. 

She has been outfitted with diapers and a piddle pad but accidents do happen and I have had my share of wiping up the carpet today. She has no control over her bodily functions and is terribly embarrassed by it.

Jeri is collecting Reki practitioners and is planning on a group remote therapy session. Contact her if you want to be in on this. Other than that I spoke with the Vet again this afternoon who was saddened by the news that there was no change after the Prednisone treatment. We discussed a few options and I got a few phone numbers. SO we have a Veterinary Acupuncturist coming to our house Monday evening around 4:30

I am so hoping this will help.
All your prayers, well wishes, love and energy are much appreciated
China sends her best wet doggy kisses to you all.

 

7/21/2012

So last nights shocking events with our dog China have not changed. When we got home from dinner last night she was fine then all of a sudden she could not walk. We held her and did whatever we could to make her comfortable last night and finally exhausted the family went to sleep after midnight.
This morning nothing has changed. She is still unable to walk or even wag her tail. She looks sad and is trying to be patient.
We have all had several good cries today and made an appointment with the vet for noon. We do not expect miracles and she is an old dog. She has been a member of my family for 8 of her 9 years. She is loyal, loving and sweet.
I will update later today the results of our visit to the vet, but most likely we will have to put her down.
Love and Peace my sweet puppy.

Update:
The Xrays are inconclusive, we are not able to do any surgery or cat-scans (irony)
So we are using cortisone, muscle relaxants, hands on healing and patience.
She is comfortably drugged at the moment. We'll give it 48 hours and see how it progresses.
2pm
Went and dropped off kids, attended the Lughnasadh rehearsal then stopped at Safeway and bought; diapers, puppy mats, baby wipes, wet dog food and liverwurst. A truly odd combination but I remembered my good friend Jeri when dealing with a sick pup putting diapers on it with a hole cut for the tail. This will hopefully waylay any yucky clean ups.

5:30 pm She is happy and chipper, I fed her some of the wet food, which she gobbled off the plate. I am waiting to see if it settles before I feed her more. She is really alert, aware and happy to see us. I will continue to update.

6pm

7/20/2012

 I really do suck at blogging
and today I bashed my left pointer finger while changing the rabbit cage doors around so it's hard to type.

7/7
After the CS walk at Fall creek we gamed all day, it was a blast. =) Although getting the kids to all the places they needed to be was tricky. Skot had to skip the walk to make the drop offs.
7/8
We worked in the yard then went to the Lughnasadh rehearsal. good fun
7/9
Back to business, I think I did chores around the house all day!
7/10
I did my usual morning then packed up for a day out. Lunch with the LoL then met with Skot for coffee and snuggles before I raced off to Livermore for dinner with Aaron, Wendy and Rhana. Then out for drinks with the Birthday boy before returning home and having a nice cozy evening.
7/11
Drove like a bat out of hell to get back in time to pick up meet with Abra and pick up D. Home to get ready for the Board meeting and potluck dinner, which ended at 915. I then took a shower and went to bed!
7/12
Went to Beverly's to purchase fabric for Abra's project. Came home and sewed one pillowcase together, showed it to her and she approved so I finished the rest of them. Dropped them off at her house when I went to fetch D from Dance. Started on Skot's costume for Lugh.
7/13
Skot's and my 5th year together and our 4th Hand fasting! Squee.
It was a tight scheduled day though so we only had an hour+ to run out to the stone circle and renew our vows. Then we took D to Games group, she stayed with friends. Aya's friends were out of town so we wound up just hanging out and playing video games before bed.
7/14
Saturday was busy too. I drove to Bonny Doon to pick up D by 11am, then home, then dropped D off at her Dad's, went to OC, left early to pick up D and take her to work. Stopped by a couple stores and found a fantastic idea for Lugh, I will put birdseed in tissue paper to huck at the participants during ritual. giggle.
Lughnasadh rehearsal went well, all sorts of finalizing ideas coming to light.
After the rehearsal we came home and crashed with more video games.
7/15
Aaahhh. Finally a day to be together. This is the day Skot and I chose to really celebrate our Anniversary. First I went through our copious amounts of seeds to chose what I wanted to plant. Then we went to the garden store and bought some soil as well as some flowers for Aya to plant.
Skot helped me tear out the old veggies and prep the soil. then he took Aya to her Mom's while I planted seeds. We had a few conversations while doing this. I wanted to know why he wasn't helping me and he reminded me that I tend to get cranky when someone takes over my project. :) accepted. He went on to roll a log across the yard, well almost he never got it to ts destination.
I then took a shower to scrub off all the grunge before we set ritual in motion.
Casting circle from the ring in the yard, calling up the property guardians and ingesting a vision quest. The rest of the afternoon was spent exploring the property, inch by inch, vista by vista, reconnecting with the land and each other as we went. Skot pulled stories out of me and was so sweet when he said 'I forget just how long you have been a witch on this property'. Sigh, squee, oh and how in love with him I really am.
I had the best peach ever while sitting on the back deck enjoying the sight of the neighbors trees and the fog that never really made it over our house until after 7pm. :) (2-3hours! of glorious fog wisps)
We had a light dinner then made love, coming back out to retrieve our ritual gear from the circle and have a late evening snack.
Atruly delightful way to end the weekend and celebrate our time together, here.
unfortunately later that night Skot got a migraine and wound up throwing up for a few hours, I got up to help then put him to bed on the couch. Poor baby.
7/16
Water my seeds as well as the new flowers, feed animals and fill water containers. I think I finally feel like I own this place, it's mine and thus I should treat it as such.
5 loads of laundry a SMOG certification for the Acura and $320 worth of groceries purchased and put away. All on top of my Cycle starting, I fell over at the end of the day!
7/17
Started the day off slow. Animals, seeds then sewing. Was sewing when it came time for LoL so I took it with me. A good day to learn about the evolution of Darwinism. Came home and continued to sew. burned out about 530pm, went in and had left overs for dinner then read for a few hours. Skot was out in Monterey with Colin. D arrived at 7, visited with Juan til 9. I continued to read while D did some Algebra. A nice quiet evening. :)
7/18
Started a cleaning spree on the house with D, had Aya delivered at noon. Had a good chat with Abra, we may not have Chip at the river this trip??? because of Carsen, what a hard time. Abra got to meet Alisa, then Abra left and I helped Alisa look through the shed for cord, no luck. The kids were acting wonky but D finally settled on painting her room and Aya did some work books and read.
Aya went to a friends house while I prepared for the gathering. Friends showed up and we had dinner together then we all gathered around the fire pit. We burned things that no longer needed to be kept. It was really nice to have Tamara join us.
Everyone left by 9:30, again a nice mellow evening.
7/19
I made up my mind to make it up to D for not taking her out on Thursday. I got my chores done and rummaged her out of bed all groggy and cranky.
We took the Suzuki, I showed her how to put fuel and oil in it. Then we went to the bank to make a deposit and over to Java Jct. for treats. We arrived at Geoffa's around 11:40, picked up a very tired Aya and went to town to shop for gifts. We found a couple of books but Aya's energy was really low, so instead of dragging them all over the place we went home and rested until Aya had piano, D also accepted an extra shift at the restaurant so I dropped her off at her dads to get dressed and ready. Back to get Aya from piano then back to get D. Took D to work and Aya to Yssy's. Good grief, by this time it was after 5pm! When I go thome Skot had warmed up left overs and fried the chicken, a little tough but tasty. We then separated the baby bunny's by gender, mighty strange, 4 of each! Then we played video games for while and true to his word Skot gave me one of the best massages I have ever had! He went back to working while I read then went to bed, after D finally got home at 10:30. She looked so tired.
7/20
So Today is Mom's Bday, 79!
I took care of plants and animals, then lots of emails. Took D to games group then went after feed in Soquel. Traffic was horrid. had a couple hours online then went after the girls. They have both showered and are getting read for us all to take Mom out for dinner at the Crows Nest. =)
A delightful and delicious dinner with Bill Jeri, Tamara and Dave. To our surprise Dave paid the bill!!
We came home and were greeted by our bouncy loving dog, with wags and a toy in her mouth. The kids went out in the near twilight to water the bunnies and check on the yard. They started calling for us to come help China. For some reason she was unable move her back legs. We carried her inside and checked her over as best we could, we gave her some Benadryl in case she had a bite. We watched we waited we fretted we cried and huddled together as a family with the realization this could be the end of our China Girl.

7/6/2012

Friday
I have been having really vivid and bizarre dreams lately.
But as Skot is still in a foul mood I did not get to share them this morning. I thought about his predicament again and all I could come up with was to rewrite his resume and present it to his employer. Ask what Job description he fit and take no less than what we need to survive. He heard me and mulled it over but he still seems panicked.
In the kitchen I made him a lunch since he was leaving for the day. Then He stared cleaning something nasty while in his nice clothes I tried to stop him but I was accused of micro managing. hrumf
I got him out the door as fast as I could.
Now I have a bored 10 year old, the teen is still asleep but will be going out for the afternoon.
sigh
M~

6/28-7/5/2012

Been quite a week
Thursday was consumed with excruciating CS email stuff. Which had the entire Board up in arms. ugh.
Kids to Piano and dance then home for dinner

Friday I herded the kids around to various destinations. Dropped D off at Games group, left Aya home with Dad.
Went to the tattoo parlor to support Jeri as she got her Raven Tattoo. 4 hours, quite a long sit. In between, I went home, checked on Skot and Aya, drove to Scotts Valley and picked up Camille, back to Santa Cruz to pick up D, back to the Tattoo parlor.
Bill and Jeri had invited us to ice-cream after the tat, but that was when they thought it might be done by 3. so at 4:30 I gave up and took the girls to the grocery store, picked up ice-cream and came home, made dinner and chilled.

Saturday Skot and Aya left at 9:30 to walk Wilder creek to the ocean. I was on retrieval. Then I fed and took Camille and D to the Boardwalk around 11:30, well almost. I didn't make it past Bay and Westcliff, the traffic was ugly. I dropped them on the corner and told them I would fetch them at 3.

I had a couple hours to myself but by 1 I was fretting that I had heard nothing from Skot. At 1:30 I left a message on his cell that at 2 I was going to start driving up and down Hwy 1 looking for them. :)
At 1:45 I got a call back saying they had just reached the highway, so I took off after them.
Somewhere about this time D and Camille ran out of money and decided to walk to her fathers house.

I got the pair of wet, tired and bedraggled hikers home and in to the shower. We were supposed to bring Aya to her mother so I got them dressed, fed and rested then in to the car. Several things needed to happen, all at once. We dropped Aya off at Moms then went to Juan's where I dropped off D's Uniform for work, picked up Camille and took her home to Scotts Valley. Came back to fetch D (who did not look ready to go to work!) and took her to Jefferey's, where she promptly got harassed for looking disheveled.

Skot and I then contacted Annika, who was in town and planning to stay the weekend. We had a hell of a time connecting with them. We waited at Saturn but then they called since their car battery had died, so we had to drive up to the Seabright neighborhood. This had Skot and I snarling at each other since we each had our own ideas on how to get there. We jumped their car and all drove back down to Saturn for dinner. A delightful adventure.
After dinner we took Annika home, the two of them not knowing what to do with themselves decided to give me a tandem massage. Oh man that was wonderful! When they were done with me they poured me on to the couch in the living room and went back to the bedroom to re-consummate their relationship. By the sounds of it they were having a great time.

Sunday We all got up and had breakfast together, it started a little late and I was expecting the CS crew at 10 so I started setting up while Skot and Annika made food.
I put out tarps and shade umbrellas for the Shed cleaning, then I dusted chairs and moved the deck around for the Solaris post-Mortem. I think Angus appreciated that.
People started arriving just as I was finishing breakfast. The Solaris meeting lasted 2 hours, by the end of it Ang was too toasty hot to stay and help. That wound up being me, Steve, Nancy, Willow, Skot and Annika. Thank goodness we had a few good hands. It took us 3 hours and numerous rest breaks to get it all cleared out on put back in. But it looks Fabulous!!

After all that I collapsed on the couch, Skot and Annika took off and had fun. When they returned they tried to talk me in to sleeping in the bedroom, but I was already glued to the couch and so I shooed them off.

Monday, back to the regular schedule. Skot went to work and I took Annika to the Bus station. Came back and met with Matthew Cummick and discussed the layout for the new bunny hutches.Need food so I went grocery shopping and holy moly was the traffic strange out! People were getting ready for 4th of July, I was so glad to get home and hide. I made a kick ass dinner and then Skot and I went to Logos for our date nite.

Tuesday I spent most of the day creating the CS newsletter and E-Announcements. Also discussed with Abra a project for some curtains at the studio. Checked in with Matthew as he worked. And had a generally low energy day. Skot went to dinner with his mother so I took D and Mom to see the movie Brave. A real tearjerker for Moms and daughters. :)


Wednesday I finished the CS announcements and got them emailed. Checked in with Matthew, got D up and out then went and picked up Aya at noon and re-discussed the curtain project with Chip. Less material needed and no real sewing required. I took the girls to Beverley's picked up the fabric and got a few things for the girls. :)
Took D to dance about 2 hours early but there you have it, we were out and about. Dropped the fabric off at Abra's and had a really nice long talk with her about D and the future of her dancing.
Aya and I headed home, she and her father had some video game fun while I finished a few more details on the newsletter.
I packed a bunch of warm jackets and Skot grabbed a couple blankets and tossed them in the car. We took off at 4 to get D from dance at 4:30 (the traffic being horrendous on the 4th of July we gave ourselves a little extra time.) We got there in time, D switched in to her pants and we went to Chocolat for dinner and hot cocoa, our traditional 4th celebration. It was too early for fire works so we went to the Santa Cruz bookshop for an hour. The kids both found a book they wanted in the psychology section!!!
Off to Scotts Valley, we looked around and I chose a parking spot all the way near the front exit and we walked in to an empty parking lot that was filled with spectators. We plunked ourselves down and claimed a space. After about 10 minutes D and I decided we needed to pee. We also wanted a hot drink. We ventured to the Nob Hill just before the rush and it still took us 30 minutes to get our drinks.
Back at the blanket Skot and Aya really needed to pee so they took off as soon as we got back. When they returned looking a little less pained they enjoyed the tea that we brought, everyone was grateful for the coats and scarves I brought. :) The show started at 9:15 and ended by 9:35. Then the madness hit!!!
We bolted for our car, way up front. I thought I had figured it out but noooooo. We were stuck in the same spot for nearly 45 minutes before I decided to take the back way out. Counter intuitive the rest of the folks were still waiting to get out the front where as a few of us knew how to get out the back and get on Bean Creek. We made it home around 10:45 exhausted but in good spirits.


Thursday recovering from our night out everyone was up late. Skot went work, me and the girls were on slow motion. I finished the newsletter and put it on a thumb drive. Matthew finished the bunny hutches and we said our farewells. I got the girls to do their chores and the house looks great. We took off at 3 to get treats at 7/11 then to Aya's piano lesson at 3:30, D and I read our books on the balcony. At 4 we took D to dance then back tracked first to the grocery store then to Office Max where I printed 75 copies of the newsletter while Aya petted kittens a Petsmart. I called Angus and he was thrilled to have me drop them off.
We whisked by and dropped that off then headed home. Whew got home a little after 5 and Skot had not started the BBQ, hrmph. And thus we began snarling at one another. Skot has been very topsy turvy this week with work so he has been very unsettled at home with me. We argued about how the feeders should go on the bunny hutches We made dinner and Aya suggested we eat out doors, Skot was ready to do so when I reminded him we were going to watch the recital at 7. Again I must have been using the wrong tone of voice cuz he got miffed with me again.
I left and went to get D from dance we got home at exactly 7, dinner served up and we ate in front of the TV. The kids were thrilled to see themselves in performance. They then did the dishes and went to bed. Skot was still in a foul mood, we tried to discuss his predicament, I looked over the documentation and realized why he was so frantic. There just simply was not enough information for him to create a new employment contract and the one that was in place was not sufficient to keep us solvent. I tried to make suggestions but he was just too upset to listen.
We went to bed, he did some meditation while I did yoga, he did not cuddle me when I got in to bed and I had a cat wrapped around my pillow as well as my feet. Gah!


Boy I hope it gets better