A Good Dog

That is one thing that cancer has definately given me and that is TIME to do something I so enjoy and have not previously had the time to do it and that is READ! Reading is a form of escapism for me. It takes my mind away from cancer treatments, needles, appointments, illness... it takes me to another world and another life.


I have just finished reading the book "A Good Dog" by Jon Katz and am bereft. It is a true story and I found it such a compelling read. I liked the way that the author was truthful and honest about his dog Orson. There is no Hollywood ending here..... just the cold hard facts of life and moral duty.


Jon Katz has had quite a slating over this book and what happened with Orson and this makes me really angry. What right does any human being have over another to judge them. They did not know Orson the dog, they did not live with him, they were not in Jon Katz shoes so how dare they have the audacity and arrogance to judge him.


I live by the code of "judge not lest ye be judged". Nobody knows what they would do if they were put in the shoes of another person so it is not our place to be the judge and jury that is for the hands of a far greater being than us, thank you very much.


Now, let me climb down off my soap box, and lets hope I dont trip up while I get off...... no of course I wont trip, I haven't had a glass of wine...... oops...... sorry...... private joke.


Seriously, this is a great book, not one to be read without hankies but one which has evoked powerful emotions in me......

Session 3/12: Success!

This is an "arty" photo of me wearing my bandana and cowboy hat by my husband! He produced the photo for me to display on my group which is called "The Bandana Brigade" on Face Book, just a little bit of fun with friends!!!!

So today, I have been so tired, my body has felt like a lead weight, my veins still hurt and I now know what it feels like to be old! However, at least my heart burn has subsided and I have some relief and although I am craving fruit, I am frightened to eat any in case of a reaction.

Now, back to my title "SUCCESS". I did have success today with my one year old Miniature Schnauzer, Wilbur. He is a gangly, big hearted, silly boy with no co-ordination, life is one big party to him and everyone is his friend. When we go out for walks, he barks the neighbourhood down and NOTHING can calm him at all. Since my diagnosis I have been focusing on training him and going to classes. Today; one chunk of smelly blue cheese, and we made it to the woods without him being hysterical! Hurray! He walked to heel and after about 100 yards, that manic look in his eye was gone, he was no longer hysterical, he listened to me and when we got to the woods, he sat, waited for me to take off his headcollar and release him.

I felt amazing! I was so proud of him and so proud of me! There is light at the end of the tunnel. The woods in the rain were so much more beautiful for our success! I had to share this with the world because cancer hasnt taken everything!

Session 2 of 12: So Great to Have Friends

Yesterday, I was asking "Why Me?" and my friend Ron told me that I shouldn't be asking that question, I should be asking, "How am I going to deal with this.." and he is so right. Thank you, Ron for my wake up call.

I feel much brighter today. The sun wasn't shining in Rossett, we had a storm and it has been cool but I feel good. My dear friend Jan went out and bought me the most beautiful scarves, one of which I am wearing now. It is silk and feels so warm and soft on my head. I didn't realise just how cold my head could get. I lay in the bath yesterday and my head had a jolt when I rested it back against the bath side. It did the same again today when I laid my head on my cotton pillow. All these new experiences.

I do think about cancer coming back but as my friend revealed today, if I had had this type of cancer diagnosis 5 years ago, I would be in a bad situation but the fact that my cancer is HER2 pos and receptive to Herceptin means that the tables have turned full swing and I am in the best possible situation.

My pandora bead came the other day and it symbolises "Love, Faith and Hope" which is what I live by, a great partner for my lovely breast cancer bead.

My dogs are looking good but need a bath so tomorrow I think I may just take the plunge and bath them. Oh, they get conditioning treatments too followed by a blow dry, tidy up and Eau De Toilette... they get the works. I have decided that seeing as how I have this year off work as a mobile dog groomer, I am going to concentrate on my two dogs. Pickles is five years old and a complete joy, she stays close too me and apart from demanding endless cups of tea, she is an easy dog. Wilbur on the other hand is just over 1 year old and he is naughty! He barks like a wild thing when I take him on walks and it is stopping me from taking them out at certain times of the day. I am going to invest some serious time into training him now and turning him into the dog that Pickles is!

Watch this space!!!!!