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!

[GBK]

So happy Guinness is starting to feel his old self :P  We always called our dogs tails their "happy meter"  glad you are feeling better Jane, seems those happy meters and our own happiness are tied together for sure!!!!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

The tail seems to be an indicator of ALL THINGS GOOD in a dog!  I am so happy to hear it is wagging once again!  Hugs to all!

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

Sending you and you mom lots of doodle kisses and a very happy wiggly butt.....Love Bailey

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

such good news.  It is funny how a little thing like a tail wag can mean so much.  I will now make more of an effort to treasure those tail wags that we tend to take for granted.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Dear Guinness,

My mom and I are soooo happy to hear that your wag is back in action! I am wagging my tail myself in your honor right now!

You are a very important part of our village, little buddy. How could I manage the NDC without you?

Stay well and keep wagging. And kiss your mom for me!

Your friend,

Jackdoodle

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

So, so glad to hear this news! I've been keeping you and Guiness in my thoughts and prayers, and I'm so glad to know he's so much better.

[Jennifer and Jack]

His tail,wagging=me having goose bumps!! Yay!

[Donna K & Quincy]

Waggin back at ya Guinness, this is the news we've been waiting for. Yipppppppppppppppppppppppeeeeeeee!

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

What a wonderful thing to wake up too!  When the morning light comes in the form of a hearty "tail wag" especially after a dark night that is something to be very thankful for.   My prayer is that Guinness continues on the path to recovery and that the Irish brothers have lots and lots of tail wagging days ahead!

[Sally]

Happy tales end with waggin tails! So great to hear! I know when duncan was attacked at the dog park a few weeks ago i learned the whole "vulnerable" lesson. I am grateful it was only one bite wound and that it's literally almost 100% healed in just a few weeks and that he has no emotional ramifications from the incident. But I sure as hell was reminded that just a day can change everything. Give Guinness a big hug from us and murph too so he isn't left out....