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!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Happiness is ...

[Suzanne & Jack]

So glad that Guinness is on the mend.  You're right we have to celebrate every day, because you never know what will change.  One thing I have learned from this forum is that we have to be the advocate for our furbabies.  I am so greatful for this.  It really struck home today when I was talking to a girl at work.  Her great dane had been coughing and spitting up bile for 2 months.  The vet kept telling her that it was heartburn and prescribed Prilosec.  They finally scoped her dog and he got worse overnight.  She took him in this morning.  The vet finally diagnosed bloat and rushed him to surgery.  Fortunately they didn't have to reconstruct his stomach.  I hope I never have to be one of those discussions, but if I do, I know I'd get great support from this site.

[Frannie & Callie]

So, so glad that tail is wagging again!!!

[shelly]

I know EXACTLY how you must have felt when you saw that tail wagging!  I bet you felt like 100 pounds had been lifted off your chest!  I am so happy for Guinness' recovery!  Ya' know... when I had my first dog - I loved him and treated him like he was our baby - or so I thought... but now - with Tori, it's different - I don't know... maybe because I'm older and wiser ??? Before DK,  people would tell me I was crazy to treat her as - well a person - to worry about her like I would a family member.. and then there was DK - "WE" all get 'it' - we truly can feel for one another and we truly have found a deep concern and love for each other and our doodles.  so I join you in saying "thank you" - AMEN!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Fuzzy warm feelings is what I needed this evening. So excited that G made is way back to the happy side, I just knew he would.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Jane, I am more thrilled than you could guess to hear this tail-wagging good news.  Guinness is one of the most 'special'  doodles to me.  I wish Ned was much more Guinness-like - except in the digestion area, of course. I agree that the dk family is such a wonderful support group. I am going to read up on Pancreatitus  so that I might be ready to act quickly if my guys display the symptoms.

[Anna and Achilles]

So happy that tail is wagging! And yes we are so lucky to have each other on DK! I have also been on the receiving end of love and support here, and I will never forget it.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Jane, you can't even imagine how great news this is for us. Well, I know you are just thrilled since it's YOUR baby that was sick. But I mean, I truly felt like one of my family members was sick. It's just amazing what connection we all have here. We laugh together and we cry together...and we don't even know each other! As someone else said in a different discussion, if everyone had a doodle, world would be such a better place!

Ever since I got my dood, my world was all about him. I just wish I could win the lottery and retire so that I don't have to waste precious time at work and be with Monty 42/7 instead!

Doodle hugs and kisses to your boys and a big hoooraaay to you!

[cheryl & oliver]

OMD, what a wonderful thing for you to wake up to!!!...I am so happy that he is doing much better and becoming his wonderful self again.  And Jane you are so right.  In the blink of an eye things can change for our pets and for ourselves too.  It is so important to hug and let our pets and humans family and friends know that we care and love them, and for ourselves to stop and smell the roses so to speak, life is too precious to take for granted...Hugs to all of you there, and a big kiss to the boys please...

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I'm just thrilled to hear about the wagging!! That says it all! It's a lovely blog and I am so happy that you and the Irish Boys are part of our community!