Updates and Revision

An update:

For those that didn't know, it turned out Tellie did not have cancer.  It was only a growth on her front paw which resolved itself and cleared up shortly after the last time I posted about her in June.  She's doing really well and is truly a joy in our life. She makes us both laugh. She gets excited with us when we are happy and celebrate, she comforts us when we are sad.

Skylar is a truly a part of our family.  Her best friend is Tellie and she is a very, very, very well behaved, friendly dog.  I've never had a dog with such a great personality.  Everyone she meets is her best friend. Every dog she greets is a potential playmate and Skylar is always ready to "get her dog on."

A few months ago, we bought a new car.  I don't know why I was surprised at myself when I realized the decision about what to get was based on research I had done about what car was the most dog friendly.  I already knew I would get some sort of SUV.  The first new car I ever bought was a 1994 Jeep Cherokee Sport and I've had an SUV ever since.  I used to have to haul and schlep video equipment when I was actively making TV.  I still carry stuff around but most regularly I load the dogs in back.

When I was researching what would best suit my needs, I was most concerned about getting a vehicle with the most cargo space so the dogs would have adequate room.  I also had to concern myself with how high the rear hatch was from the ground.  I needed something low because Skylar could never work up the nerve to jump into the back of the Jeep.  She thought it was too high off the ground.  I wanted to get something to accomodate her.  She is 80 lbs big and I was the one who had to lift her in and out of the vehicle since she never learned how to get in the car by herself.

I also needed to take into account the color of the interior.  I didn't want somethething that would show all the hair, mud, dirt, grass that invariably accumulates when you travel with dogs.

I also needed storage compartments to keep all their stuff in order.  I needed a place to store extra leashes, water bowls, toys, bones and all the other dog related junk I had to carry around.

Finally, I would require something that had windows big enough for them to stick their heads out  of. They needed a way to stick their heads out and have their tongues hanging out in the wind, so dog slobber could get streaked along the outside of the car; and noses twitching with their ears swept back as I would drive the roads and highways as we visited old destinations and explored new places.

I ultimately decided on a 2015 Subaru Forester.  We are all very happy for the purchase.

Finally, I let the Jersey's Place web page expire.  It is no longer active.  Instead, people have been joining us at the Jersey's Place Facebook group page.  Members share news of their dogs, seek advice from one another about different dog related things, post dog stuff and generally support each other in celebrating all things dog. 

A down side to letting go of the webpage is that there was no longer a vehicle for folks to access the National Canince Cancer Foundation webpage to make donations and get Jersey's Place wristbands.

I created a Jersey's Place Friends page at www.wearethecure.com where people can donate if they choose to help in the fight to eradicate all forms of canine cancer.  Check it out, it's a great resource for information .  Vist our page at
http://wearethecure.org/friends/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=828

There you go, you're updated.

Don't forget to visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/202086693263877/

Welcome to Jersey's Place! Come, Sit and Stay for awhile...

To the Moon and Back

Tellie has cancer.  It's a Mast Cell Tumor and depending on its staging can have either a good prognosis or a bad prognosis.  At least the vet thinks that's what it is. The tumor is on her front right paw and is big and ugly. The vet palpated it and basically knew what it was as soon as she touched it.  She aspirated it and drew a sample to send in for lab testing.  Though she didn't actually say the word "cancer" she cautioned us not to worry about it until results from the test were in.  I know though what a Mast Cell Tumor is and don't know if I'm ready to go through the process again.

Granted, Jersey had a different type of cancer that was very advanced by the time we took her to get her lumps checked out. We know how that ended.  Because of our experience with Jersey we are quick to act if we discover any lumps or bumps on the dogs. Early detection is the key to success in this battle.

A Mast Cell Tumor is the most common cancer that will strike a dog.  No one knows why they occur, no one knows where they come from. 

"Mast cells are specialized cells that normally are found distributed throughout the body and help an animal respond to inflammation and allergies. Mast cells can release several biologically active chemicals when stimulated, among them histamine, heparin, seratonin, prostaglandins and proteolytic enzymes. Although these chemicals are vital to normal bodily function, especially immune response, they can be very damaging to the body when released in chronic excess."

Knowing this doesn't make it any easier.  Tellie will still probably have to go in for surgery to have it removed.  Since it's on the top of her little paw, there is not much room to get an adequate margin to check for spread of the cancer.  Aspiration will tell us what stage it is at.  Removal, biopsy and testing will tell us whether it has spread.

A saving grace is that her Lymph nodes appear to be normal.  If it has spread there, we're looking at a sad prognosis.

Fortunately, Tellie displays no other symptoms. Hopefully we caught it soon enough to make a positive difference.

Tellie is the biggest little dog I have ever seen.  She is a sensitive soul, exhibiting compassion for our pain and joy at our happiness.  She loves her family and demonstrates it on a daily basis. We are committed to providing whatever is necessary to help her.  I carried Jersey, I've carried Skylar and I am prepared to carry Tellie to the moon and back if I have to.

Unfortunately, this situation is a powerful reminder to continue support for the National Canine Cancer Foundation.  It's bewildering that know one knows why this cancer happens.  It's shocking that there is not really any alternative to provide a cure other than submitting a dog to a lumpectomy.  Our on-going support provides a much needed resource to fight this terrible disease.

Telluride is only four years old is full of life and has been our joy ever since I spotted at the Animal Shelter in Aurora, CO.  She invaded my dreams and captured my heart right from the beginning.

At this point, I'm not really worried or anxious.  Absent any conclusive information there is no room for speculation. It is what it is and right now all I can do is hold that healing place for her.  And wait.

Backyard Memories

A year ago today Jersey spent her last afternoon lying on her blanket in the backyard.  I remember the warmth of the sun, the sound of the birds and the way she seemed to drink it in.

Alexa and I decided that since it was such a beautiful day, Jersey would probably enjoy being outside. We placed her blanket in the rear of the yard and got a place ready for her.  We wanted to spend time with her, enjoy her. We wanted to let lay on the grass for a little while on this unseasonably warm and sunny March day.

I carried her down the stairs and gently put her on the ground.

I can still see her ears moving about while she listened to the breeze through the trees, picking up the sound of some critters rustling among the fallen leaves.  I lay down next to her. I can still feel her fur and smell her when I buried my face in her neck.  The orange, red, and gold of her coat was highlighted by the sun and stood out against the brown dirt and light green, dormant grass. I can still see her looking at me with peace and contentment in her eyes. She was alert, she was present, she was with us.

My heart knew we wouldn't have much time left with her.  My senses were attunded to capturing these last impressions so I could always hold them in my heart and remember.

Jersey, Alexa, Tellie and I spent a large portion of the afternoon not doing anything other than being together. Tellie knew what was going on and was watching out for us.  She sat among us alternately climbing into my lap, climbing into Alexa's lap and stretching out next to Jersey.  She knew what to do and provided the physical touch each of us needed in our own way to stay grounded in the moment.

The mildness of the day brought the robins out.  Their round little bodies were still puffed up with the downy feather coats which keep them warm for the winter, their chests vibrantly red.  They hopped around the yard looking for bugs and worms, scrounging for something to eat before the weather turned cold again.

Jersey watched them closely as they gathered food.

In that moment we were alone, we were together, we were a family.

She was getting restless.  I picked her up and Alexa gathered Jersey's blanket. We brought her to the brick patio and I set her down next to the Adirondack chair I would sit in at night with a blanket wrapped around me, alone with my thoughts and Jersey at my side.

Alexa and Tellie went back into the house and Jersey and I were alone.  I sat in the chair and stroked her head and began talking to her.  I began saying my goodbye.

24 hours later, she was gone.

As I think back over that serene afternoon, I consider myself foruntate to have spent that afternoon with her, just the two of us. I am thankful I can measure the passage of time with that beatiful memory of me and Jersey and the robins.