If you’ve been reading for a while, you might remember when Cooper first experienced his head tremors. I thought it was a seizure. It was horrifying and scary, but after tons of tests and a consultation with a veterinary neurologist, the diagnosis was “idiopathic head tremors.” In other words: his head shakes, but we don’t know why.

It doesn’t seem to cause him pain. He seems a bit disoriented during the tremor, but then he’s totally fine immediately after. I can usually distract him out of it by asking for some very basic behaviors (sit or high five) and doling out treats. I noticed that he tries to get it to stop by turning his head all the way to the right and holding completely still.

We’ve tracked the tremors – time of day, duration, notable events, food, exercise, and so on – but there is no pattern that we’ve been able to discern. It’s so frustrating.

Anyway, he was snuggled in bed while I was folding some laundry. I looked over and saw him start to tremor, so I got a few seconds of video so you could see what we’re up against. You can see him try to hold his head to the right, then I tried to give him a treat. Thankfully, if it happens when he’s in a relaxed position like this (versus standing or in the middle of play) it seems less severe and doesn’t last as long.

Have you experienced anything like this with your dogs? For me, it’s not even the worry about the tremors, but it’s that the medical mystery aspect is so frustrating!

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/ 4 http://ohmydogblog.com/2012/05/maryland-declares-pit-bulls-inherently-dangerous/ http://ohmydogblog.com/2012/05/maryland-declares-pit-bulls-inherently-dangerous/#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 18:56:13 +0000 Maggie http://ohmydogblog.com/?p=4616 Continue reading →]]>

Have you been following the situation is Maryland?

The gist is that the Maryland Court of Appeals declared that pit bulls are “inherently dangerous.”

Who? Me?

While this ruling isn’t legislative - in other words, it doesn’t actually ban bully breeds – it sets the stage for discriminatory renting and insurance practices, owner surrenders, greater burdens on shelters, and so on.

It baffles me how little the Maryland court learned about dogs before making the ruling. It baffles me to think about how many dogs’ lives will be lost because of this single, shortsighted ruling.

Beyond how simply heartbreaking this situation is, there’s this: It’s a massive setback in terms of public perception about bully breeds.

I should know better (I do know better… sigh) than to read the comments on all these articles, but I’ve been pouring over them. I’m amazed, completely flabbergasted, to read the misinformed rants that accompany the news articles about this ruling. It’s disheartening.

Anti-bully-breed folks feel vindicated and are posting things like, “There’s a reason this ruling is pit bulls and not cockers or labs – cockers and labs aren’t dangerous. Pits are.”

Of course, we know that cockers and labs do bite people. Any dog, regardless of breed, can bite. Instead of a dog-bite prevention focus or a responsible-owner focus, this ruling puts the onus on the dogs’ shoulders now. Not fair.

As you follow this story – or any other BSL story, really – here’s what I’m asking you to do: Leave polite, cheerful, informational comments in response to the article itself or in response to comments like the one I shared above. Try to educate without pulling from the deep emotional element of this debate.

I’ve read two comments that drive home the importance of being polite in our responses to this stuff. First, someone wrote on a newspaper piece, “The only thing more rabid than a pit bull is their owner.” While it doesn’t make any logical sense, the sentiment is clear.

The second one cracked me up. It said that the only type of people that poster hated more than pit bull owners were hybrid drivers.

Rant over! But as you follow this story, please, take action. Leave comments, engage in discussion, be polite, educate!

Image: NetDiva

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?

Howdy, folks. John here again. I figured it was about time for another update on Maggie, the dogs, and even me! Maggie finished her daily chemo treatment two weeks ago. Right now, it seems like that was all went by in a blur, but I know it wasn’t like that for Maggie, who felt completely miserable the entire time. She’s now on the second week of the 11-month portion of the treatment. She has to give herself a shot three days a week. Last week when she started, it was pretty bad. Migraine headaches, nausea, fatigue, all of the same stuff she’d been feeling for the past month. The side effects aren’t as bad now, mostly she’s just tired all the time. But, she’s able to work on some of the projects she put aside while all of this was going on. We had our weekly meeting with the oncologist today, and he seemed pleased with how everything was going, and told her that since the shots weren’t kicking her butt, he saw no need to lower the dose. Everyone reacts different to the chemo, so throughout the treatment, the oncologist will lower the dose as needed. Maggie made it the entire month without having her dose lowered until the last two days of her treatment. Most people need the dose lowered the first week. I tell you this so you’ll know how tough she is… Anyway, she’s doing well, and the dogs are of course keeping her perfect company.

During her month-long treatment, she was spending her time at her parents’ house in Indianapolis and Emmett, Lucas, and Cooper were her round-the-clock nursing staff. They had so much fun, but I think they’re glad to be home. We’re happy, because it means we can get Cooper back in doggie daycare, which means it’ll be quiet around here to get some work done! Trust me, we love him, but he is one loud (and sometimes annoying) little bugger. Since there aren’t any major dog-related revelations or happenings, here are some recent pics of our guys (I got an awesome new camera for Christmas…).

Emmett's so distinguished...

He looks tough, but he's so small!

Pasta!

More pasta!

He's guarding us from the children who dare ride their bikes in front of our house...

I take the pictures, but I don't edit them. He's still handsome!

Give us that treat and no one gets hurt....

John here. I just wanted to give everyone a quick update on how Maggie is doing these days. Yesterday, she started her third of four weeks of daily chemo. Some days are better than others in terms of the side effects, and even though it’s a pretty rough process, we know it’s for the best in the long-run. However, knowing that doesn’t really help much, especially on the bad days.

We’ve had some amazing support from family and friends, and we couldn’t be luckier when it comes to the doctors and nurses we see every single day. Through all of the surgeries, blood draws, infusions, meetings, follow-ups, check-ups, and all of the other daily activities, we are constantly reminded of, despite everything, just how lucky we are. Seriously, if you’re a doctor or nurse, you should know how much you’re appreciated. If you’re not a doctor or nurse, thank any that you know.

Emmett, Lucas, and Cooper haven’t left Maggie’s side in the past months since all of this has been going on. Surprisingly, Cooper has actually stepped up to be Maggie’s protector. She’s been staying at her parents’ house during the week since she gets her treatments in Indianapolis, and I’ve been going back and forth from there and Bloomington, and the dogs have stayed with her. The first few nights, when things started getting bad, Cooper slept on Maggie’s feet the entire time and even growled at her parents when they came to bring her food, tea, medication, or even another blanket. He finally came around and realized they were there to help, but you’ve got to appreciate his level of concern for Maggie. Truly amazing that little guy is…

These next two weeks are going to feel like forever, but once they’re done, things should start to get a little better for her. Again, a big “thank you!” to everyone who has sent a kind word, had a positive though, sent a card, or even just posted something nice on her Facebook page. Your continued support means more to her than you can ever imagine, and I truly appreciate everyone keeping Maggie in your thoughts.

I apologize that I don’t have any cute dog pictures to go along with this post. Hopefully, we’ll have some good pictures of Maggie feeling better covered in a pile of dogs in no time!

*Maggie didn’t proof this post, so I apologize if there are any grammatical errors!

At 4:30 today, I will finish my first week of interferon.

At 4:30 – a mere five hours from when I’m writing this – I get to walk out of that horrid chemo room and have two whole days without blood tests, IVs, a stream of doctors and nurses… just home with my boys! (Okay, the chemo room isn’t that bad. Everyone gets their own little cubby with a recliner, and they bring you blankets and drinks. But. Still.)

Though this week has been rough, rough, rough, I had an unexpected but pleasant surprise: I was visited by a therapy dog!

That scruffy little girl is Molly Brown, and she visits the oncology wards at the hospital where I’m doing my treatment. They have 25 therapy dogs, all of which are Cairn terriers and Westies because the woman told me they’re hypoallergenic. (I haven’t researched this, but… can anyone verify whether or not that’s true? I was thinking that she just meant they don’t shed, but when I looked at their pet therapy program, those are the only two breeds they allow in… thoughts??)

Anyway, when they wheeled her in I was super excited to have a dog there, a little fuzz ball I could pat for a moment. It was different from Emmett’s and my experiences because this little gal couldn’t walk on the floor – she was wheeled in the wheelchair – and her person had to hold her while the patients patted her. I wanted her on my lap! Boo!

While I was really happy to have a dog there, it gave me a patient’s perspective on therapy dogs, something that I never could have had as just a handler. I took away some thoughts for do’s and don’ts for the future, especially if Emmett and I ever work with patients getting chemo.

This hasn’t been an easy week, but having Molly Brown visit definitely helped! Well, that and my guys crawling into bed to snuggle me every day when I get back from the hospital!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Happy Friday, everyone!

I spent yesterday having my third – and final! woot! – surgery to get ready for interferon on Monday. For the first month it’s two hours every day, so posting might be even more sporadic than it is now. We shall see! Because I’m looking for silver linings and such, imagine how excited I was to see these were my hospital-issued socks yesterday!

Um, yeah, my giant feet need XL adult socks, but I was so excited about the pawprints I made John snap a pic!

Anyway, I meant to post this poem on Valentine’s Day, but the week got away from me… Enjoy, and have a great weekend!

How Falling in Love is like Owning a Dog
by Taylor Mali

First of all, it’s a big responsibility,
especially in a city like New York.
So think long and hard before deciding on love.
On the other hand, love gives you a sense of security:
when you’re walking down the street late at night
and you have a leash on love
ain’t no one going to mess with you.
Because crooks and muggers think love is unpredictable.
Who knows what love could do in its own defense?

On cold winter nights, love is warm.
It lies between you and lives and breathes
and makes funny noises.
Love wakes you up all hours of the night with its needs.
It needs to be fed so it will grow and stay healthy.

Love doesn’t like being left alone for long.
But come home and love is always happy to see you.
It may break a few things accidentally in its passion for life,
but you can never be mad at love for long.

Is love good all the time? No! No!
Love can be bad. Bad, love, bad! Very bad love.

Love makes messes.
Love leaves you little surprises here and there.
Love needs lots of cleaning up after.
Somethimes you just want to get love fixed.
Sometimes you want to roll up a piece of newspaper
and swat love on the nose,
not so much to cause pain,
just to let love know Don’t you ever do that again!

Sometimes love just wants to go out for a nice long walk.
Because love loves exercise. It will run you around the block
and leave you panting, breathless. Pull you in different directions
at once, or wind itself around and around you
until you’re all wound up and you cannot move.

But love makes you meet people wherever you go.
People who have nothing in common but love
stop and talk to each other on the street.

Throw things away and love will bring them back,
again, and again, and again.
But most of all, love needs love, lots of it.
And in return, love loves you and never stops.

Taylor Mali

Mali. Taylor. “How Falling in Love is like Owning a Dog.” What Learning Leaves. Newtown, CT: Hanover Press, 2002. Print. (ISBN: 1-­?887012-­?17-­?6)