Oh, hi there! Remember me? I’ve certainly missed checking in and hearing from you. How’s everything been going for you and your pups? Things have been a smidge nutty around here, but I think (I hope, anyway) that I’m finally getting a handle on all of it. Or, I will have a handle on it by the end of this week. That’s the plan anyway!
For now, a quick run-down:
1. Lucas started chemo yesterday. It was a long, trying day for him. Here, he’s attempting to hide between two counters. “Hehe. I’m hiding. No way that doctor can find me.”
It was the first of four treatments, plus – because he’s enrolled in a specific trial at Purdue – he’s taking an NSAID on top of the chemo to see if it works to slow tumor growth. Coincidentally, Emmett’s on the same one, and we know how well he’s doing! I was so grateful to have the blog Pooches Smooches to reference throughout all this. She went through much the same ordeal with her pup, and just reading about it all before we encountered it was so helpful. I’m outlining some posts to track Lukey’s journey, too, so look for those (starting with the amputation then more about the drug trial) in the coming days. And if you have specific questions, please leave them in the comments so that I’m sure to address them!
2. On Monday, John started a new job. From home. Now we both work from home. That’s a whole lotta togetherness! Hmm. Anyway, to make space for him, I cleaned out a good chunk of my office. He now has a little bit of desk space and a little bit of cabinet space. In the process, I rediscovered lots and lots of awesome pet products that languished in boxes these past six-ish weeks. I tossed my editorial calendar out the window when we got Lucas’ initial diagnosis, and I sort of just forgot. So! Look for some super fun giveaways coming soon. And, speaking of which…
3. Have you signed up for the newsletter yet? It goes out monthly and contains fun extras you don’t see here. Including exclusive giveaways. Like the fun stuff I found in my office!
4. Our BarkBox came yesterday. PERFECT timing, actually, because the mail came mere moments before Lucas got back from Purdue. I was able to distract Cooper with a fun squeaky toy and give Lucas the chew that came in it to get everyone settled down quickly.
5. Finally, among the goodies on my desk is a box of sneakers. They’re running shoes designed for trails and wet terrain. Here’s the thing: I hate to run. Like, I’d probably trade a long run for a trip to the dentist. But sweet, high-energy Cooper needs far more intense exercise than he’s been getting, especially with all the periods of no exercise as we’ve dealt with his brothers. And, I suppose the reality is, my thirty-cough-cough-year-old metabolism could use more than walks around the block. So, we’re starting a training plan. I have two possibilities that I’m researching (no, not at all to procrastinate actually starting it… haha… nope… what would give you that idea? ha.ha.) and will share the details once we hit the ground running. Literally.
Please do let me know any questions you have or anything you’d like to learn more about or see in giveaways or, really, anything at all in the comments below! I promise to get my act together very soon! For now, I leave you with Newt sitting on my leg. I can never tell: Is she going to bite me (because she’s swishing her tail)? Or does she want a scritch (because she’s purring)? It’s a daily, scary debate…
*If you order from our code, we get a tiny commission that previously went toward hosting this site. From here on out, though, it’s going to doggy cancer treatments. Sigh.
Hey! I train with Daisy in the spring and fall! (Not summer. Too hot for both of us.) We have a waist leash for running, (GET ONE. Running while holding a leash is the pits!) and I make her do things while I do other things. If I do walking lunges, she has to do repeated sits while heeling tight to my side; if I do planks, she has to hold a down stay while I’m planking EVEN IF there are distractions (we do this in the middle of a big walking path); etc. That way, by the time I’m done with my workout, she’s WAY more tired than she would be if she were just jogging next to me!
Ooooh, great tip!! I never would’ve thought of a waist leash but so grateful for the suggestion! It sounds like you have an amazing routine. I’m definitely inspired! Thanks, Amanda!!
What a good boy!
Good luck with your new workout routine!!
He IS so good! And thanks!! 🙂
Love your updates!! And yes, we have missed you!! I do have a question. Some time ago you blogged about clicker training for dogs reacting to the doorbell. Can you point me to that blog? I need to review that, as I can’t leave my door open to the screen anymore without having total chaos 🙂 Silly dogs!! And, let me say that I have a cat very like your Newt. Our OrangeCat can be laying next to you accepting a rub or a pat, and then without much warning a bite and scratch can be yours!!
We just found a spray called “Quit it” and it makes a loud chhhhhhh sound. Kind of like Ceaser does and it has been a dream!!! It is a small spray can that basically just makes the noise. Not positive reinforcement but that never worked for window barkies:)
YES!! Here’s the post: http://ohmydogblog.com/2014/11/barking-at-the-front-door/. It was working SO WELL to use the Train N Praise. And then Newt knocked it off the mantle, and it shattered. Darn cat. (It’s our fault – it actually suggests wall mounting it or similar.) We need to buy another one, though, because they were making huge progress. I really hope the post helps!! Let me know if you have any questions or if I can help at all!
Oh, energy! When Melvin first came to me he needed 3-4, hour long walks a day. THREE TO FOUR HOURS. Other wise he was a terror to society. So I added a backpack to his walks. Slowly I’d add water bottles to make the walks work harder but it also made him focus on working. It worked miracles. Just an idea!
A saint, Tracey. You are a saint. Since Cooper IS a terror to society at present, I love your pack idea. I’ve noticed when he carries his pack, he’s more purposeful and focused. It’s really on me to be consistent with it… But I’m still stuck on 3-4 hours!!!!! You need a cape, Superwoman!
Your life is full and busy. Good luck and hugs to all the furbabies.
stella rose
Thanks so much, Stella Rose!! They said thanks for the hugs! 🙂
Ha! You can never really know with cats! You are sounding a bit more optimistic, I’m glad of that.
I need to get back to running myself, I have a new hands free leash to give a try with it!
Let me know how it goes, Jan!! And if you have any tips or tricks for sticking with it/getting through it, I’ll take ’em! (BTW, Can’t wait to meet in person… a month to go!)
I’m so glad you’ve found the early Pooch Smooches posts helpful. Hopefully he won’t be as wiped out by the treatments as Abby was. I think I mentioned (here or on Fbk?) that she had 6 treatments and by treatment #5, she was pretty wiped out. At the time, the research was apparently inconclusive about whether 4 or 6 treatments was optimal so we went with 6, but I think later they decided 4 was the best. She did great through the first four and hopefully he will too!
So funny about the cat. And, wow, both working from home together. That’s great that you can both do that. And at least you know you like your coworkers!
Yes! Jackie, it was SO helpful. I’m so grateful. I looked that up, and it seems like the number of treatments varies by practice? I couldn’t find consistent data. The trial he’s on is about adding that NSAID instead of just the chemo. They seem optimistic about it. He’s had a rough couple of days, though. We shall see. I’m going to try to write about the trial more next week.