Until a week ago, I thought I successfully avoided the thing I was dreading most about cancer: losing my hair. But then, last week, it started to fall out. It doesn’t seem like it should be a huge deal considering how much worse things could be, but it is. And to think I spent years curling, straightening, dyeing, and all-around under-appreciating my hair.

So what does that have to do with BlogPaws?

On top of everything else that’s going on, John is spending the next year on an amazing research project halfway across the country. I can’t go – his rural site isn’t anywhere near a cancer center – so I’m here with the boys, being sick, with tons and tons of time on my hands.

Even though I haven’t done a good job keeping up with OMD! or commenting on other dog blogs, I’ve been reading them all, finding new dog blogs, keeping up with forums and message boards and the BlogPaws community boards. It’s sort of been a lifeline to me for the past couple months. That, and having Emmett, Lucas, and Cooper as my snuggly, furry nurses!

Over the years, I feel like I’ve gotten to know many of you and many, many more of your dogs. Going to BlogPaws in the past was an incredible way to put faces to URLs. I feel lucky I’ve made so many great friends through the pet blogging community.

So, of course I’m going to BlogPaws 2012. I can’t wait to catch up with everyone and to attend the sessions (especially the Google+ one… I’m still not sure I get it). It’ll be a challenge because I’m going to have to fly with all my medicine and have a doctor’s note and all sorts of things. But it’s totally worth it because where else can I connect with hundreds of people who share my passion for dogs and animal welfare?!

Tell me: Are you going? I’d love to connect! Hopefully I won’t be completely bald by the time it rolls around, though I suppose that would make me easy to spot!

Oh, and if you haven’t registered yet, I have a discount code for 20% off that you can use: BlogPaws2012-POPs-Maggie

]]> http://ohmydogblog.com/2012/05/blogpaws-bound-4/feed/ 8 http://ohmydogblog.com/2012/05/cozy/ http://ohmydogblog.com/2012/05/cozy/#comments Wed, 02 May 2012 20:02:22 +0000 Maggie http://ohmydogblog.com/?p=4608

"I don't know where you're going to sleep, lady, but I'm good here."

Poor Lucas.

He’s the classic middle child. Turns out, he just needed Cooper to come in to make it his official position instead of just his state of mind.

Middle children often feel looked over, and, in this case, it’s true.

I missed Lucas’s adoption anniversary.

Sorry, Lucas.

Last month, on March 28, we should have celebrated his fifth adoption anniversary! My, how time flies! I clearly remember picking him up from the shelter… well, trying to pick him up. He would. not. get in the car. Poor guy was so scared. At the time, we had no idea the depth of his fear. But even if we had known, even if we had a crystal ball that showed us all the cowering and aggressing and crying and barfing and drooling we’d face, we still would have shoe-horned him into the backseat to take him home that day.

Because helping Lucas overcome his fears has expanded our hearts more than we could have dreamed that day we first picked him up. We’ve cultivated patience. We’ve developed an intense well of compassion. And, each time Lucas overcomes something else, we’ve mastered the art of celebrating victories!

Now, I’ve gotten into the habit of saying we’re not “there” with him or that there’s a lot more to still work on. The reality is that every single day is work. Just the other day he flipped out at a dog on the other side of the street. While it’s disheartening when we have a setback, it’s also another huge lesson for me: There isn’t really a “there” to get to.

Even though Lucas gets overlooked sometimes – because of Emmett’s larger-than-life personality or Cooper’s need for constant supervision – I’m confident he’s happy with his place in our family. He is a sweet, goofy, gentle giant, and I’m so grateful that he came into our lives five years and one month ago.

I love you, Lucas!

Well, hello there!

Loving the extra warm spring!

When I started interferon in February, I foolishly thought I could keep up with… everything. In fact, I thought that it would be like having a month of downtime that I could use to blog, read others’ blogs, catch up on writing projects, and so on.

Not so. I had no idea just how badly the chemo would kick my butt. However, I’m finished with the two-hours-every-day treatments and have moved on to every-other-day treatments at a lower dose. It’s been a couple weeks, and I’m starting to feel so much better that I decided it’s time to start dabbling in working, blogging, and dog walking again!

Oh, and – of course – dog training. Specifically door training.

Over the past few months, we have been taken care of by the best friends and family ever. People have dropped off food, walked the boys, and visited with me. It’s been fantastic – except I started to live in fear of the random drop-by.

These guys are horrific at the door, especially if someone rings the doorbell instead of knocking. They act like we’re under attack. They bark, lunge, jump up on the door, and just generally lose their minds. Cooper then redirects his energy and snaps at Lucas. It’s not pretty. And it’s so hard to get them to settle once they get that riled up.

Pre-planned visits or visits with a text or call beforehand are no problem because I put the boys outside or in the sunroom or upstairs. Of course, that’s the band-aid approach and isn’t actually teaching them door manners.

So as I start to dabble in activities again, door training has become my number one priority!

How do your dogs do with the door? Any training tips or advice?

Last week, I got the tube out that was inhibiting my ability to be on my computer. Let me tell you… after three weeks of little internet usage, I was getting the shakes! While I attempt to return to normal, you will probably see John here a lot more often. However, of all the things I haven’t been able to do for the past month or so, this is what I’ve missed the most (well, second most, after walking the boys)! I swear this won’t turn into a cancer blog; if there are updates, I’ll put them at the bottom in little italics type or something. In the meantime:

1. Did you watch the Super Bowl last night? It seemed like the majority of the ad campaigns featured dogs! My favorite was definitely the Bud Light “Here We Go” commercial. The dog was adorable – and SUCH a great actor! Which one was your fave?
2. And speaking of the Super Bowl… We have to talk about the Puppy Bowl! I watch this event every year, and it is so dang adorable. However, did anyone else think Aberdeen, the “star” of the game, was sort of a jerk? I know, I know. He’s a puppy. But still. The internet is abuzz today, complaining that the pup was robbed of the MVP award by little Fumble. But Fumble deserved it because he played nicely! Ah, the competitiveness! I was completely smitten with Lucie, though. I’m so happy that they decided to include so many bully pups this year!
   

   Lucie, I'd adopt you if I didn't think I'd get divorced over it!!

3. Because I’ve had so much downtime – with lots more to come – I’ve been building up my “to read” list. In my stack I have: Through a Dog’s Eyes, Follow My Lead: What Training My Dogs Taught Me about Life, Love, and Happiness, and The Dogs of War: The Courage, Love, and Loyalty of Military Working Dogs, along with a few non-dog books like Stylized: A Slightly Obsessive History of Strunk & White’s The Elements of Style, the one I’m reading now. If you’ve read something great recently, I’d love any recommendations, dog books or otherwise!

Have a happy Monday, everyone!

Seriously.

Have you thanked your dog for never being angry at you when you’re too busy to throw the ball one more time? Have you thanked your dog for keeping your feet warm when it’s cold outside? Have you thanked your dog for being so excited when you come home, no matter how long you’ve been gone? Have you thanked your dog for loving you unconditionally? Have you thanked your dog for never judging or criticizing you? Have you thanked your dog for his/her unending optimism? Have you thanked your dog for showing what true kindness is? Have you thanked your dog for never asking to be thanked for anything? Have you thanked your dog for always being a dog, and so much more? If not, get to it!

What do you thank your dog for?

**Hey, guys! Maggie here. As you can see, John now has his own byline since he’s taken over the blog while I recuperate. I got the tube out of my arm yesterday (yippee!) so after a weekend of rest and puppy snuggles, I hope to be back next week with tons more dog-related posts because, oh man, these guys have had an eventful couple of weeks. Thanks for sticking around!

Is it the wrinkles? The angle? Or is he just growing up?

No, this probably wasn’t the nicest thing to do, but…

Cooper was so tired while I was sitting on the couch eating pretzels. Emmett and Lucas each got a pretzel. Cooper didn’t wake up, so I put one right by his nose. Still didn’t wake up. So I put one under his lip, thinking he’d wake up and be like, YAY! A PRETZEL!

But nothing.

So John said something like, “How many do you think you can stick in there before he wakes up?”

The answer?

Five.

1. Surgery on Friday went well. No dog walks for two weeks. Boo. I don’t get the results from the lymph node biopsies or the cancer “stage” for a while, so we’re just waiting and hoping right now. I can’t even begin to tell you how much your comments, emails, and messages meant to me. Saying thank you doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the depth of my gratitude, but thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
2. This is how I spent the weekend.
   
3. Lucas hurt his shoulder going bonkers in my parents’ backyard on Christmas. This is how he’s spent the last two days:
   
4. Have you seen this Dogs in Cars video? Preciousness. And happiness.
5. Also, I wanted to remind you that the Ella B Jewelry 20% off coupon for OMD! readers expires on 12/31! You can click from the little box on my right-hand sidebar or just visit Ella B Jewelry and use the coupon code OHMYDOG20. There’s a ton of really cute jewelry, but if you’re looking specifically for the dog bone necklace or paw print charm bracelet that benefit Rescue Ink, click on the Shop for a Cause button. Otherwise, click away!
6. Thanks for sticking around as I wait for things to return to “normal.” I’m excited to get back to blog reading, writing, and commenting – in the short spurts that John lets me have laptop time!

In the meantime, did you have a nice holiday weekend? How are your dogs faring the winter weather (is anyone getting any snow yet??)?

In an unprecedented move, John reversed his ruling yesterday and decided that dogs can now get on the bed!

Emmett spent the morning testing each and every corner. The verdict? He loves them all!

Lucas was unsure, perching on the edge, not really comfortable with the sudden change.

Don’t worry: Cooper’s not missing out. He’s at doggy daycare today, but I’m sure he’ll settle right in this evening!

As for me, I’m not sure I’ll ever work at my desk again now that I can have laptop plus puppies in bed!