Wanna Be a Steader!

The Good and Bad of 2008...and It's Only 8 Days Old!

Well...I have good news and bad news for this 8th day of 2008.  I'll give you the bad news 1st and get it said...

THE BAD NEWS ~~

Ever since my sweet hubby nearly had a heart attack (http://www.homesteadblogger.com/wannabeone/80140) back on the 18th of December, our sweet little 10 year old Sheltie, Hickory (Dickory Dog), has been in failing health.  At first, we thought it was because of all the excitement of what happened to my hubby, as Hickory is so sensitive to what goes on in our house.  He has always, being a Sheltie - which makes him a herding/watch-type of dog - thought that we are all HIS responsibility.  So, while my husband was in the hospital overnight for observation and to have his heart cath, Hickory slept on a pile of his clothes in the laundry room.  He has always done things like that...there have been times that when I'm gone for a couple of days that he wouldn't eat the whole time I was gone; you could always tell that he was "counting" each of us as we would enter the house if the whole family went somewhere and if someone was missing, he "worried" about it for a little while until he felt that since the rest of us weren't worried then he shouldn't be either. 

Anyway, we took him to the vet on Dec. 21st where his symptoms were classic of some doggie intestinal viruses that have been going around our area.  So he was given 2 shots and some meds to take at home.  After 2 more days of feeling lousy, he finally started to perk up and then had about 3 good days.  When he was sick, not only was he not eating (or keeping anything down!) during this time, but he wasn't even BARKING!  So when he started barking to greet someone coming in the door and wagging his big fluffy tail, we thought he was getting better.  But after those brief 3 days he started to throw everthing up again and all the other yucky bodily things that happen.  2 days ago he began to absolutely REEK of some foul odor, so much so that you could tell when he entered the room.  Late Sunday night we noticed that he was also passing blood which, of course, was worse on Monday (yesterday).  So, after giving him a warm bath, which seemed to comfort him some, I made a call to the vet to get him in asap.  The soonest they could see us was 4p.m. and that was fine.    Being that Hickory just turned 10 years old on Dec. 1st, we have slowly been trying to prepare ourselves that he might not be here too much longer.  I'm glad we did b/c with Jasper turning 20 (TODAY!!) and Jenna nearly 17, they have had Hickory nearly all of their lives and not having him would be a big adjustment for us all.

Well, the vet did a few tests on Hickory, including an ultrasound, where he found an enlarged liver and spots...not good.  He also took a sampling of a fluid that he had found while doing the ultrasound and tested that.  While the test was being conducted, and while trying not to cry to upset Hickory while I sat on the floor loving on "the boy" (as we liked to call him), I called Ty to keep him and the girls up-dated on what the vet was saying.  I told him I expected bad news from this test and what would we do?  We decided that if the test was bad that Hickory, bless his sweet heart, should not suffer as he was failing quickly.  And I'm sure you've guessed it by now...the test was not good.  Hickory had liver cancer and it was quickly progressing and could not be controlled, much less stopped.  Even if they had caught it a couple of weeks ago when everything first started. 

After I called Ty to come to the vet's w/the girls I called some friends of ours who know and love Hickory (and us) to pray for our situation.  What good friends.  Their prayers worked (of course) as even through our tears we were calm and cheerful for Hickory.  The girls didn't want to see him actually pass, so they left the room and Ty and I stayed.  Sweet little Hickory...he and I were on the floor and he was laying pressed next to my legs, when the vet gave him the shot he just looked up at me, laid his sweet head on my knee and gently passed away.  When the girls came back in to pet him again before we took him home, the vet's assistant cut a lock of his hair and put it in a bow for us and while we were still petting him she took his paw and pressed it into a plaster mold so that we have his print to keep.  He was our "little boy" and we'll always remember him with love and joy. 

THE GOOD ~~

OK...now everyone wipe your eyes cos I have some GREAT NEWS to share now!

TODAY is our Jasper's 20th birthday!!!!!!!!!!!   Yep, as hard as that is to believe, it's true.  I know, cos I was there!    She will have 2 celebrations this year.  The 1st will be tonight; our family and a few of her closest friends will come over for an Italian dinner (which I need to finish blogging so I can go get the goodies!) and a fun time at home.  The 2nd will be on Friday when she and a few other friends will be dressing "to the nines" and going to The Green (a local she-she-froo-froo shopping and restaurant area) where her friends will buy her a wonderful dinner and go to a movie. 

Our girls are the joy and pride of our lives.  I am SO GLAD that we kept them home to homeschool them.  As quickly as the time has gone so far, I can't imagine all the memories I would NOT have made w/them if they had spent over 24,000 hours of their growing-up years away from us being molded by some strangers!  God so richly blessed us and we are constantly aware of His grace in our lives!

Happy 20th birthday my sweet Jasper.  And many, MANY more happy years!!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

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04:30, 2008-Jan-8 .. Posted by stitchnchick

Oh Kim, I am so sorry for the loss of your little "boy." I had no idea that your husband had been ill! My goodness, so much going on. I'll keep you all in my prayers... Wishing a VERY Happy Birthday wish to Jasper! :-)

PS What do you think of this crazy weather??

Amy

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10:04, 2008-Jan-8 .. Posted by blessedmomof10

Oh I am so sorry for you loss......... and sorry to hear of your husband's health issues! Such trials to walk thru.... but bless you for taking time to enjoy the JOY too in your jasper's b-day! The Lord is mindful of us - especially when we are walking thru the dark spots of life!

I do hope that 2008 brings blessings to your home & heart!

Blessings~
gloria

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09:05, 2008-Jan-15 .. Posted by chimicole

Kim~
I'm sorry about your husband being ill there for awhile!
And I did tear up when you told your story of Hickory. Our Riley is getting older and I'm scared of the same thing. Ri is a Great Dane and I've noticed more and more trouble with getting up and coming in after being outside.
Riley is such a part of us and our lives...it wil be so hard when that time comes. My heart goes out to you nad your family.