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Luna’s future is so bright…she’s gotta wear shades

28 Jul

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So Luna had a fed bad days after vacation and was limping and sliding on our hardwood floors. I honestly was worried her time was ending and she was in a sharp decline. She wouldn’t leave the carpet in our bedroom (which resulted in a nice accident right where I put my feet down when I get out of bed), and I was having to carry her up the back stairs to go to the bathroom.  So I called our vet who came over (a mobile vet is a blessing to an elderly dog), and her recommendation was: a chiropractor. What? Yes a doggy chiropractor!

Ironically, my husband has been going to a chiropractor for years and begging me to go. I have abstained so far, although I am intrigued. Just scared after suffering a serious car accident in my twenties with lingering neck and shoulder stiffness that never seems to go away. But would I take my dog to a chiropractor? The answer was – of course.

I knew people would laugh, but forget that. It wasn’t like my vet was making money off of this referral – it took the care to someone else. And I trust her.

Okay so why the photo? Well, the chiropractor suggested this newer cold laser therapy to help Luna’s back and hip heal faster. I thought it may be a little over the top, but after some research found it had been around a while and was extremely helpful to older dogs. I consulted with my vet, and got the go ahead. So here is Luna with her googles on, getting ready for her laser treatment. The funniest part was as soon as the glasses were on and I shrieked, the vet tech turned to me and said: “Go ahead and take a picture. I know you want to!”

And the best part, well the second best part:  the bill. Yes I said the bill. The laser therapy was a whopping $45! (I know Nashville prices may be slightly lower than the national average!) And the adjustment – $65. But the real best part is getting Luna back.  She’s all smiles again, trotting along on our nightly walks, and letting Rudolph know through a few growls that he is not welcome to eat her food.  She’s also off her pain meds, although I think she may miss the chicken flavored pill pockets.

Really wish we had this therapy years ago when I had to replace knees on both of my dogs (for a cool $2,000 each).  But at least now I know a new treatment exists for aging dogs with hip and arthritis issues.  She may only need monthly or quarterly tune ups, depending on how often Rudolph tries to jump on her or wrestle.  But it’s a small price to pay for her quality of life and mobility.

So rock on, Luna, you still have some good years left after all :)

 
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Posted by on July 28, 2014 in Uncategorized

 

Luna’s Story

11 Jun

Sometimes we focus on the new shiny object, or the new baby, or puppy and unintentionally overshadow someone special.  I am guilty of that – mostly because my youngest pup Rudolph has given me so many things to blog about!  So today we hear Luna’s story.

School is out and so my boys are all about staying up late and sleeping on the couch.  Yes good parenting I know!  The other morning I woke up early to see my 10 year old snuggling with Luna.  This is such a rare occasion I tried to snap a photo, and apologize for the quality.  I was so touched to see his hand over her and her looking back at him, because I know she doesn’t always get equal attention.

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After I lost Cato back in 2006, I wasn’t sure I’d want another Siberian husky.  But I slowly became (slightly) obsessed and would yell every time I saw a beautiful husky walking in our neighborhood.  Another year or so passed, and I realized I was ready for another dog.  And it had to be a husky.  I went on pet finder and saw a picture of Luna – then known as Lollipop.  I just about cried and thought that’s it.  I packed up my two toddlers and drove over two hours to go see her.  We were just going to look at her – yeah right – and of course we came home with her.  The night drive back was gorgeous with a full moon so we decided to name her Luna after the moon (and her white face also resembled a moon).

Luna was found in a Wal-Mart parking lot outside of Jackson, TN a few hours from Nashville.  No idea what happened to her but she was very thin, and not ready to share much when she came home.  Her tail appeared to have been broken; her back right hip was slightly weak from genetic problems or possible trauma. She fought several times with our older dog Solo – who also was a rescue – but we knew she just needed time. After Solo passed away, she got her day in the sun, but that time was limited because soon thereafter came Rudolph, a 6 week old Golden Retriever puppy who was ridiculously cute.

But Luna didn’t fight with Rudolph.  She embraced him, acting as his mother, cleaning his ears, and watching out for him.  DSC03386

She took on a new role, and it was obvious by this time that her estimated age was probably a little off.  We thought she was 2-3 years old when we got her but feel sure now she is much older.  Flash forward several years and Luna is a polite, sweet older lady. Her only flaw is her breath which, even after having 12 teeth pulled, is beyond death :)

Rudolph is 4 now and full of energy, and therefore gets more attention.  Luna is probably between 10-12, and starting to slip and slide a little, but always up for a walk. And a treat.

We are blessed to have Luna, and so when I saw Murphy snuggling with her, I made a new resolution to make sure we give her what she deserves.  We know her life was hard, and yes we have spoiled her over the years. But this old lady needs some more loving.

And we will make sure she gets it!

 
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Posted by on June 11, 2014 in Uncategorized

 

Why Dogs are Better Than People

28 May

I’ve been struggling recently with the realization that a close friend was not the person I thought he was.  I won’t go into details, but it involves infidelity and much heartache, and impacts not only their entire family, but also us friends who are their extended family.  Many times it’s so easy to say these situations are just between spouses, but when you see firsthand the impacts on the kids and grandparents, you realize we are all in this life together. 

As usual, I find support in my love for animals.  Animals are honest – they don’t pretend to be someone they aren’t.  They don’t hold back resentment over years.  Each day they are truly happy to see you.  And if they’re mad at you – you know.  They growl, snarl, maybe even snap.  But wouldn’t that be better sometimes to know where you stand?  To not hide your emotions, but to express them? (Assuming, of course, that we humans keep the normal social behavior standards and not bite or hump in public!) 

Which brings me to Lance, one of the VICKtory dogs rescued seven years ago from Michael Vick’s disgusting dogfighting ring.  See the cute photo below.  Those animals were subjected to unmentionable pain and torture.  I was brought to tears by Lance’s heartwarming story (to read more click here: http://bit.ly/VicktoryDogLance) – because now after six years of therapy and support he has found his forever home.  If ANY animal deserved to hold a grudge, and lash out at people, it would be Lance.

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Because in life sometimes, dogs ARE better than people.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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Posted by on May 28, 2014 in Uncategorized

 

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He Who Dances on Table

13 Apr

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For most of us across the country, it’s been a long, long winter.  And COLD.  In addition to us humans being locked up inside, our dogs also suffered the same fate.  So in comes the guilt – why didn’t I make more time to walk my dogs?

We finally have welcomed spring here in Nashville and thankfully my dogs do NOT hold a grudge.  This photo was taken a week ago while walking my crazy golden retriever Rudolph, and my beloved husky Luna.  I stopped to try and add some exercises into my walk (no one could see me so I wouldn’t be too embarrassed) and Rudolph literally jumped up on the nearby picnic table he was so excited.  The sheer pleasure of being on a walk, being able to jump up and down without being scolded too much (well I did encourage him to get down) was awesome to watch.  It’s one of the best qualities in dogs and small children – they are so sincere.  They wear their emotions on their face, in their bark, growl or kisses.  

Why aren’t humans more like dogs when it comes to their emotions?  Seems we are taught to hold things in at a young age, which definitely has its good qualities [insert memory of heinous toddler temper tantrums here].  And growling at work or dinner parities would probably be socially unacceptable.  BUT I do wish sometimes we could all release our feelings and not hold things in so much. Even if it means every once in a while we need to dance on a table…

 
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Posted by on April 13, 2014 in Uncategorized

 

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Looks like dog love is hereditary…

13 Jan

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I’d like to say this photo was a candid shot of unconditional love experienced by my 8 year old son and our 4 year old Golden.  Well….that’s half true!  Although during this snuggle fest on our bed, my son whispered to me “take my picture” so it wasn’t exactly candid!  But both my sons adore our dogs and that is such a blessing.  But what did I expect?

I was born into a family of dog lovers.  My dad always joked that he wanted to come back as the “Murphy dog” because they were all so spoiled and loved.  And the ironic thing is that my family seemed unable to express their love for each other, but never shied away from kissing and hugging our dogs and saying “I love you!” as long as the recipient of the declaration was canine.    

Last year was a hard year for my family.  After losing my mom’s rescue dog, two weeks later we lost my dad.  But the two events couldn’t be more different.  My dad had suffered for years in an assisted living facility dedicated to patients with severe dementia.  He had multiple strokes and was in a wheelchair, unable to eat solid food for a long time.  My mother visited him and sat with him for years; sometimes you felt there was some recognition, other times you knew there wasn’t.  Quite an emotional roller coaster for all of us.  My children were fearful at times walking into the home as dementia patients would come try to hold their hand and talk to them.  But they were troopers and we all learned that just being there could mean a lot to other patients who never saw friends or family.  Since my parents retired to South Florida, my mom and friends were close by, but us kids (and grandkids) didn’t get to visit as often as we’d like.  

In the end his passing was a blessing.  People always say that and you think it sounds awful, right?  But it was true.  After having to put two of my beloved dogs to sleep in the past, I know how excruciating that process is.  And I can’t tell you how many times my family talked about the fact that we treat our animals with more respect than our human family members.  

This photo is one we chose for my dad’s memorial.  

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We had to have a picture with his favorite child – Jessie the pug :)  After raising three independent girls, Jessie was truly the boy he never had!  

And as for my mom, well she’s doing remarkably well.  She’s 84 (she doesn’t use “the internet” so won’t be upset with me for mentioning her age!) and has a new baby that she’s just nuts about.  Casper, a rescue Maltese.  

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So the cycle continues – all of us Murphys and now Coiles are true crazy animal people.  It’s in our genes.  And I wouldn’t have it any other way :)  

 
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Posted by on January 13, 2014 in Uncategorized

 

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Guess Tennyson was right…

07 Jun

I’ve always been an optimist, and tried to see the reason behind things happening.  But I’ve also always been someone who feared the worst case scenario, which has definitely increased since having kids.  So last week I had to reconcile one of my worst fears and find a reason for it.  Easier said than done.

This past week my husband and I had to watch my kids and my mother go through something awful – my mom’s new rescue dog – which we named Carson after Downton Abby because of his dapper black and white fur – was killed in front of us.  It was a freak car accident – somehow he freaked out at the vet, wiggled out of his collar, flew through the front door as another client was coming in, and took off.  We all chased him for nearly 20 minutes with the vet techs, but he was out on a joy run.  The only saving grace was it happened instantly, no blood, no gore.  Which of course is a pretty low standard for “the good news is…” (Sorry have to keep the sense of humor or else I’d be crying again!)

I felt like we were in a movie, that surely we would catch him.  But that didn’t happen.  It’s made me think of other tragedies friends and family have endured.  When children get sick you think they’ll get better.  When friends are diagnosed with serious illnesses, you think they can be cured.  But that’s not always what happens.  Handling the reality of life can be overwhelming to us adults, so how do a 7 and 9 year old handle tragedy?

Unfortunately my kids have been around death before – death of their dear grandfather, death of my mother’s pug Jessie, and the death of a close friend of ours who had kids their same age.  But I realized it was the trauma of seeing it happen and the sudden shock of it that made it so hard to understand.

I also know that I’ve passed along the Murphy “dog crazy” gene to my kids.  And as hard as everything has been, I have to say I am happy to see my kids developing a true love of animals.  It’s heart wrenching to lose them, but it’s so rewarding and wonderful to love animals.  Would we ever choose to be different?  Although I have to admit momentarily as we were running down the side of a busy highway I did think we were all crazy, and I should get my kids back to the car (they weren’t near the traffic we were being safe).  But I couldn’t turn around.  We had to keep going, keep trying to save the dog.  Why?

I think it’s unconditional love that is so rare in life.  And even though my 7 year old said “Nana needs a cat” which was heartbreakingly funny and such a simple solution for a child, I knew that wouldn’t fly.

Because we are dog people.  And proud to love our pets because they sure deserve it.  So the old cliche is still true, and it’s the only reason I can find in this hour – I’m glad we’ve loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.

And I know little Carson is safe and running free. Image

 
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Posted by on June 7, 2013 in Dogs, Loss of pet, Uncategorized

 

A personal reminder of wisdom and unconditional love

14 Apr

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As I’ve written about before, ever since I lost my beloved Cato I have seen owls during my walks in Percy Warner Park.  At first, people thought I was a little crazy (guilty!), that most owls don’t come out during the afternoon, that I must be imagining things, etc.  But then I started taking photos, which is hard while walking two 75-pound dogs!  For me, the owl represents wisdom and unconditional love and it almost always pops up when I need to see it. Weird, huh?

Yesterday I was allowing myself to get worked up over some discriminatory remarks made by some close to our family.  I have a real hard time letting things go sometimes!  So as I was walking the dogs, I was getting more and more upset, wondering how people can be so judgmental and think that denying other people basic human rights is somehow okay?  Just as I was using my lawyer mind to craft my best arguments for a hypothetical discussion that will never take place, I looked up and there was my owl.

Yep, I needed that.  Because, to me, the owl represents wisdom and unconditional love.  It reminds me of Cato, and of other lost loved ones.  It reminds me how our pets love us unconditionally no matter who we are, what we believe in, or who we love, so long as we treat them with respect and love.  So instead of allowing the views of others to upset me, a wiser approach is to focus on myself and how I treat others.  Easier said than done, part of my “letting go” problem I guess :)

So I will continue to take deep breaths and remember that only I control my emotions.  And if others want to eat chicken fried in peanut oil and sit back (or drive thru) and condemn others, well I guess it’s their right.

But I’ll be out walking, appreciating and celebrating the diversity of nature, both human and animal.

 
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Posted by on April 14, 2013 in Uncategorized

 

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