It Takes A Village....And Wagging Doodle Tails

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

This morning for the first time in over a week Guinness was wagging his tail....really, really wagging.  Always when I first wake up I lean over and say "good morning" to my boys who are sleeping in their beds right beside me.  Guinness always has started wagging his tail when he saw that I was awake, but all that stopped when he was so sick.  He wouldn't even pick his head up....but this morning he was happy, and he felt good.  I can't even describe how awesome it was to see that little tail wagging.  In just a day our lives are good again, and I've been thinking so much about this experience.  I want to share a few things with you, my friends.

Our Doodles are precious, and they are vulnerable.  I realize now that in just one day you can go from having a healthy, happy dog to one who is so sick that their lives are in danger.  Guinness's chances of survival were only 50%, and with complications even less than that.  I'm hoping that this experience will help me to keep in mind how important it is to truly celebrate every day with my boys.  Sometimes I know I get sidetracked with the "small stuff"...grooming, training, walking.  I know now that all that is nice, but just celebrating all the little things that make them such a special part of our family's life is what is truly important.  I'm going to put PJ's cartoon on my page so that every single day I'll remember to "hug the ones I love".

It does "take a village".  We are a strong, loving and powerful group of friends here on DK.  We are incredibly lucky to have this community.  Through this whole nightmare, I came right here for information, guidance, support, prayers, humor, strength, and just plain love.  You are Guinness's extended family, and it was clear that you love him.  You gave me hope and resolve that he would make it.  Some of you have gone through similar experiences with your own dogs, and you were so willing to share that with me.  For a few of you, that was very painful, but you "went there" to help me.  How do I even begin to thank you all....I have no idea, but I'll keep trying.

I spent some time last night putting together information that I have gathered from my Vet and the Specialists along with some of my research about Pancreatitis.  It is a serious and too often deadly disease.  My Vet told me she is seeing more and more of it.  I'm going to post all of this information in the Health group so that someday it might help someone else who is going through this.  Probably the greatest "take away" from this whole experience is that when your dog is vomiting, has diarrhea, and just seems a little "off", it's time to get him to the Vet.  Yes, it could be a stomach virus, but it could also be Pancreatitis.  We caught this with Guinness right away, and I really believe that is why he's alive. 

So thank you, Clark and Adina for creating Doodle Kisses.  Thank you friends for just being who you are.  You are all blessings in my life.  Oh, and hugs from G & M too!

[Susan and Sasha]

So happy to hear that Guinness is wagging his tail again! 

I can just imagine how happy you were to see that again Jane...

I couldn't agree with you more...about taking the time to hug and love...and keeping the priorities straight...with our Doodles...and our friends and family too!

We will be there to support you when you need it...and celebrate the victories also...

Hugs...from Sasha and Me

[Carol and Banjo]

OMD Jane.....I've been away from DK for a while and had no idea Guinness was so ill!!!!   I'm so happy to hear that he's back to his playful, happy self!   I can't even imagine how frightening this was for you.    Stay well Guinness!

[Margaret & Pebbles]

So glad that Guinness recovered.  Yours was the first post I would read, thanks for all the updates.  What a relief for you Jane.

[shelly]

Just checking in on our buddy, Guinness... hope he's back to his old jolly self by now!

[Christine & Shelby]

So glad to hear the tail is wagging again!  Love the reminder to appreciate the day to day things with our doodles. 

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I'm so glad Guiness is doing well! He had us all worried there for a bit. Give him a hug and kiss on the nose from me!

[Melody & Bruin]

Bruin & I are practicing our "high fives" in honor of Guinness's recovery!!!

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Hooray! So happy little G is doing better. Rosey thumps her tail in the morning too! Bandit likes to sleep in like his mom:)

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Knox and I are doing a "happy dance" for Guinness!! We are SO HAPPY that he is on the road to recovery!

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

I am so glad to hear about Guinness's recovery!!  Seems like we all dodged a bullet with the little guy.  I really feel like I know him from reading all your posts about your boys and also seeing videos of their training and everything on DK.  Funny how when you buy a puppy, you really don't consider them ever getting old or getting sick.  That always seems like something that will happen "way down the road."  It has made me a little nervous about the fact that Bexter will eventually have a problem at some point or if not, he will definitely get old eventually.  I guess I didn't really want to face those facts.  But...we can't dwell on all that; we just have to love them each day and appreciate them each day we are blessed to have them.  That is a lesson I learned from your scare with Guinness. Thanks for keeping us posted!