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Something About Us

Grouse Grind

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The Grouse GrindYesterday (Sunday) was a busy day. I had made plans with Michelle, someone I used to work with, to check out the Grouse Grind. She had done it before and was looking for someone (some sucker?) to share in the abuse.

If you don’t know what the Grouse Grind is, it is sometimes called Mother Nature’s stairmaster. It’s a STEEP climb up the side of Grouse Mountain. Stairs have been cut into the mountain, and some sections are so steep that you need to use your hands to pull yourself up. It’s roughly 2850 steps straight up Grouse Mountain.

Grouse Grind Gondola.Sunday was not the best weather, and the further up the mountain we moved, the more the weather became overcast, drizzly, and flat out raining. It is very challenging. I’m not great on stairs, even though I do quite a bit of running. I was pleased to make it in at 1 hour 35 minutes.

Michelle did much better – making it in just over an hour. A really terrific time for her. She had set a goal of 1:35 for herself – so I was happy to make her goal! Way to go Michelle.

It was too bad the weather was so overcast that the views were totally obscured from the summit. So we had a beer and took the gondola back down. The larger pic here was taken on the journey down.

All About Max

Saturday – 10:30 am

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Max looking sharpPam tells me Max had a restful night. The vet gave us some pain pills for him, so we gave him one last night and he had a good sleep. He ate a nice breakfast, too and got his meds.

This morning, it’s raining, which he hates. When he was healthy, he’d come over to the door, and raise his paw to let us know he wanted out. We’d open the door, and he’d charge out, but as soon as he’d see the rain, he’d slam on the brakes and run back in the house! Made of sugar!

I just took him for a squirt; he was reluctant to go on the wet grass lol. But his rear leg is amazing today. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but he’s walking normally on it! When he balances, he puts it in a strange way I haven’t seen him do previously, but it works!

When I brought him back in, there are 3 beds in here, so I put him in the middle of them, and let him chose which he wanted. He’s decided to lay on none of them! Crazy guy.

My sister Karen arrives tomorrow, with her husband and son. They have not met Max. I’m hoping he doesn’t get too stressed over it. He’s not the best with ‘strangers’ at the best of times. Maybe we’ll give him some St. John’s Wort and see if we can calm his nerves! haha

Anyways, he’s good today. All positive!

All About Max

Some thoughts

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Max hurtingGood old Max…. he’s doing his best. Here is the thing: when he is bad, I despair for him; when he is good, I’m overjoyed. I have to realize it’s only been a couple of days. We can’t discern patterns yet. I need be a little less emotional, and a little more stoic. We’re just trying to roll with the punches.

We do know Max is a brave guy. He’s struggling with the front paw that won’t lay on the pad properly, but lately he’s been putting weight on it, even though it’s not flat. I’m worried he’ll break that ankle, but he’s just ‘giving her’ when I’m supporting him with the sling. I could barely keep up to him last night when he went for a squirt!

But here is the thing: we’re going to give him all the time HE needs. I see positive signs, and I’m not going to let the little setbacks throw me into despair. We just need to keep struggling on. The vet was very encouraging to us. Many signs we’ve seen she said can take weeks. So Max is obviously special! 🙂

The difficulty comes in December when we go to the Caribbean. Certainly Anne-Maria is not going to want to deal with Max in his current state. So there is our “hard deadline.” By December, he needs his mobility, enough to manage his needs.

So, bear that in mind with everything we say. We have a goal in mind. Max needs to be able to manage his needs by December.

I think he gets more sleep than Pam and I combined! lol

All About Max

Ten Commandments

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I was reading about dogs with mobility problems on the ‘net and found this lovely bit of work.

I thought 2 was wonderful, 3 was so true (and one of the reasons I had to leave my job – when trust in the people you rely on is gone, there is no point in being there), 4 made me think how very true, yet I hadn’t thought of expressing it that way, 7 just made me nod, and 9 is so so true. 10 I don’t want to think about, but agree with, with all my heart. It was no great hardship to be with Buck in his final moments. It was indeeed comforting.

A PET’S TEN COMMANDMENTS

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, maybe I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak, I might even have a toothache.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

All About Max

Morning with Max

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It’s early Thursday morning, and I’ve sent Pam off to bed. She watched him all night and he rested pretty comfortably. I took him out, and it’s raining, which he doesn’t like! He had a quick squirt, then he wanted to come right back in…

He’s trying to get around once in a while, but his legs are letting him down. His rear one seems to be a bit stronger. If we can get the rear one going, then the front one is not that big a deal. Lots of three legged dogs around! It is heartbreaking to see him struggle so…

I haven’t had the heart to go for a run without my little buddy. Doesn’t seem right. Silly, I know, cuz Max will never run with me again. I’ve got to accept that, but it hurts to think of it…

There have been so many changes in my life lately. Being forced to leave my job due to a racist office manager and a general manager who lies to support her… poisoned by the company I spent 13 years working for, with no hint of responsibility or apology… memory loss so significant I can’t remember my 31st wedding anniversary… and now poor old Maxie is in trouble.

At least, I’m at home to give him the care and support he needs.

All About Max

Wednesday night

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Max is resting comfortably outside. His rear leg seems to have a little more strength today. His front is not good, but if his back can keep improving, his mobility will be difficult, but not impossible.

He got up and tried to walk a few times today. That is so very encouraging. I was in despair because he seemed to be just not caring enough to get up. But i think maybe i was rushing things. I do hope we can continue to see improvement every day.

He is so alert, so bright. It’s nice to see that his mind is clear, and his vision is good. There has been no muscle involvement with his face at all. So maybe it was not a stroke? Who knows. We might have to do the MRI. It’s pricey, (1500-2000) but I think I need to KNOW what it is. You can’t make informed decisions if you don’t know what it is you are deciding!

I sure hope things continue as well tomorrow!

All About Max

Wednesday Morning

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Max is giving us reason for optimism. He has dragged himself around the house a little. Nothing major, but it’s a good sign he’s TRYING! His left front leg is the most gimped, but the rear one he seems to be working a little harder with… it’s something anyway. At least he is ready to try to get moving again! He seemed willing to not even try to move yesterday.

It makes me so happy to see him making the effort! He is alert, and when I came downstairs this morning (Pam took the “night shift” sitting up with him) he started to wag his tail, which has not been all that active! That was good to see too.

We’ve been putting a harness under his chest and supporting him to try and get him to walk, and he’s made an effort, but just won’t do his “business” outside (or inside!). So if doesn’t do something soon, we’ll have to take him back to the vet for “draining!”

But, I’m a little more hopeful today.