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!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

@Linda...Monday he just ignored him for the most part.  He'd go over and smell him, but he didn't want to be close.  Yesterday he kept trying to play.....lots of play bows, but Guinness just wasn't able and he finally gave up.  Tonight for the first time they actually did their evening game of "tag"...but twice around the dining room table was all the energy Guinness had.  They're getting back to normal.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

This is wonderful news.  I was so worried that he had a pancreatic abscess.  I am so glad that Guinness is on the mend and wagging his tail again.  What a relief.  Is Murphy glad to have Mr. Guinness back?

[Camilla and Darwin]

So glad that Guinness is doing better, SO glad. And amen to everything you said!

[PJ and Zach]

What a wonderful and uplifting post.  I can just picture a happy wagging Guinness.  Thanks for making this day better.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jane, I am so glad to get on DK and hear such great news about Guinness. A tail wag seems like a miracle after the week you have all had and we have all had as a community that cares about all these Doodles, including your sweet Guinness. Sometimes, all we can do is offer support and prayers and I am so glad it helped you at such a difficult time. Thanks for the reminder about not "sweating the small stuff."

[Lorraine Bromley]

I am so Glad that Tail Wagged!! I totally agree about thanking Adina and Clark for creating this site. Adina invited me after I was Looking around on other doodle sites and have been so glad she did!

[BG and Gavin]

A waggin' tail is worth a thousand thank-yous!  So glad you are through this.  Time to take a deep breath, enjoy a nice meal and get some sleep.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I am just so happy to hear about one wagging tail many miles away.  It feels perfectly natural for me now to come to DK and check on my Doodle family. Sometimes I feel useless both as far as knowledge goes and all I have is some words written from the heart.  

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

so glad to hear Guinness is feeling better!

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Soo happy to hear the latest! Your world must be at peace again! and ours too! I'm giving my guy an extra hug, just because. : )