Today I was going to post [finally] the blog entry on our anniversary extravaganza. But, life intervened, as it has been known to do on many an occasion. I spent the entire day at the vet’s office and the emergency referral vet’s office. It wasn’t good news. Two of our dogs have been diagnosed with imminent life-threatening diseases. Mostly cancer related. It brought to home that you need to celebrate each day, be it with each other, your kin, your animals, your children. Sorry, my scope is a bit skewed here since we don’t have any children, so naturally the animals come next in my thought progression.

It’s a longer story than I want to get into in this entry, but both Bart and Bode won’t be with us for very long. Bart more than likely has progressive renal failure, as yet in the early stages. More disturbing and upsetting is Bode, who we thought just had Lyme’s disease, turns out to have a very abnormal liver [cancerous more than 95% likely], and perhaps another tumor in his chest causing build up of fluids. I was totally unprepared for the news on my Bode. Very upsetting. A double whammy is more than any one person should have to endure in one day.

However, other than breathing a bit differently at this point, Bode seems to have a good attitude. As does Bart. Rather than dwell on how much I will miss them, or how awful this devastating news was today, I am going to do my best not to let them know. I will take Bart as many times as I can down to the pond to wade around in the water as he loves it so. He is a true water dog. Bode on the other hand, doesn’t like walks as much. So, he will just get lots of special treats and cuddles, trip in the car with me by himself [preferably with his head out the window], and lots of one-on-one time. I plan to treasure each moment with both of them, to the point where they will let me. They are both very independent dogs and I don’t want to make them come inside and ‘cuddle with mommy’ just for me. If they want to stay outside, then they should. I think they should do whatever brings them the most joy for whatever time they have left. I know I would want to. Don’t pander to me; let me do what I want to do.

Sometime in the next few days we are going to have a Birthday celebration for the dogs, even though it’s not their respective birthdays. We’ll get some Frosty Paws and do it up right. Yum. The dogs all love Frosty Paws.

So, tonight for me, please rethink your lives and your priorities. What are you doing solely for yourself, and what are doing for the sake of someone else? Think about it. Hug your loved ones tonight.