She sure is a beautiful Lady.

Love Jan and my Angels x

Yes, she's beautiful, and she KNOWS IT! Gets away with murder because of it. People fall in love with her everywhere we go--I find them huddled around my car when I've left her in back while I've run into a store. Even non-dog lovers fall in love with Lady...sigh...

Margi and the Prima Donna Wolf

Click to view attachment
Hi Margi,
I seen this and thought it was beautiful

Thinking Of You
Anna

That's gorgeous, Anna--thank you!!

Lady is doing well today. Really, most days she doesn't seem to be much impacted by her tumors. I know they're at least a little uncomfortable, but she largely ignores them. (Luckily for me, though maybe not for her, since they're inside her groin, she can't really reach them to lick, lick, lick, lick LICK interminably!)

We're having a good Ladywolf day. Her appetite continues to be voracious, as long as she's getting the GOOD STUFF!!!

Hugs to everyone--

Margi and her Wolf

I could just kiss that beautiful face, what a darling angel she is.

madi xx

Yes, she is, Madi. I wish I had time to try to post some other pictures, but I don't.

I have an editing job that is taking me out of town for 3-4 days at a time, every couple of weeks. I have two angel friends who are happy to care for Lady, each of whom has a solitary dog who is glad for the company. But it still wrenches my heart to leave her. I know that nothing is going to happen in the very near future with Lady's health, but it's still so hard to say goodbye. Spent the whole afternoon today cooking for her--brown rice, sweet potatoes, and boneless chicken breasts. I felt like I was getting ready for a catered dinner for 12 (since I had to make about 12 servings of Ladywolf food.)

The beat goes on. She is still perky and alert and happy and seemingly healthy, but for these tumors that luckily I can't really see unless I make a point of feeling and looking around for them...

Thanks for all your support, everyone! I may be off the grid for a few days now, but I'll be back...

Hugs--Margi and the Wolf

Just reporting in an a rainy day...

I had to leave Lady again for three days because of work, but I left her with one of my two wonderfully loving dog-owner friends who are willing to take care of her for me,, which is just great. I wouldn't be able to travel at all if I didn't have these two friends. One or the other is always willing to take great care of her while I'm gone, but it sure is hard to be away from her for any period of time at all. I don't worry, really, I just MISS her, and covet every day that we have left together.

The tumors ARE slowly taking over her hind leg, they ARE growing, and she is moving with a little more difficulty, but she is still perky and bouncy and has her usual attitude. So we are hanging in there. I'm a long-time jeweler, among other things, and last night I made her a gorgeous necklace with turquoise and shells on it so that she can look her very best during this precious time we have together.

That's about all--I've been working very very hard, so today I am having an "in bed" day and it's lovely!

Hugs to everyone--

Margi and the Wolf

Hi Margi and Ladywolf
I'm glad to hear that you and Ladywolf are still hanging in there== I was in AZ this past week on vacation and lit a candle for all of us at the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona -- I hope you continue to have many more wonderful days with Ladywolf.
Sharon

Thanks, Sharon. I know that chapel--it's amazing, isn't it?

I am feeling guilty because I am not walking Lady much the past few days because it's COLD outside!!! Not east coast kind of cold, but damp, raw, 4500-foot-elevation kind of cold. She is giving me dirty looks and I deserve them, but I get really cold really easily and I'm just not inspired to go out, especially at night which is when we often take our most fun walks. (Luckily, I live in a VERY safe area.)

I'm sorry, Wolfie, but mommy just wants to stay warm. The forecast is for better weather ahead, and then we'll go back out...

Hugs to everyone--

Margi and Wolfie

Hi Margi
Just stopping by to say I am thinking of you and Ladywolf. I hope she is doing well, I have been away for a week. Wishing you both well.

Anna

Hi, Margi and Ladywolf,
Just dropping in to say "hello." It's Saturday, at last, and I'm home with my two kitty kids for the weekend. Here in the Blue Ridge / Piedmont Mountains of Virginia we had a skiff of snow last night. Thank goodness it was only a skiff. I'm not in the mood to have another weekend of major shoveling to do, although that may very well come to us on Monday. The cold temperatures are not very friendly for "me bones" either. I am so glad Oslo is with the angels because I know this winter would have been totally impossible for him to bear, and I do not have the physical strength to have had the opportunity to be much help to him when he needed to take care of personal essentials. I miss him so o o much, though.
I'm so o o glad you have a couple of friends who can help you with Ladywolf when you're traveling. That must take a major concern off your mind, even though every minute and second with her now is so precious to you both. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers every day. It seems we are traveling a similar road together - - you with your Ladywolf and me with my Abbygayle.
Thank you so much for letting us know how things are going for you and Ladywolf.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Just wondering how you are Margi and hope dear Lady Wolf is still doing well. Hugs to you both xx

madi xx

Hi Moon Beam, Madi, everyone--

Thanks for the good wishes. I'm glad I'm not really in snow country this year, Moon Beam. I basically hate the stuff, although I admit that it's pretty...
But I'm cold enough up here at 4500 feet in the foothills of the mountains in southern AZ. Today is a particularly blustery, unpleasant day. Lady, of course, wants to go out for an adventure, and I don't feel like doing anything at all.

I've been in a real funk for the past few weeks. It doesn't have as much to do with Ladywolf, I don't think, as it has to do with the fact that my very closest friend Janice hooked up with a disagreeable man a few months ago, and it is clear by now that I have truly "lost" her to him. She and I used to do everything together, I mean everything--all our grocery runs to Tucson, doctor's appointments, we buried Poppers together, that sort of thing. Now she's hardly available at all and I am very very lonely, as I don't have any other close friends here.

I wouldn't mind so much if the man was personable, but he's not--and he's obviously trying to cut her off from her former ties and keep her all to himself. They never invite me to do anything with them--they've become a "closed society," and I think it's unhealthy for her and, obviously, an intense loss for me. She adores being "adored," (I would call it "smothered,"), so even though she's a pretty shrewd woman, she's pretty blind to what's really going on in this situation and I'm fearful for her.

For me, it's just another HUGE loss, as a time when I don't need anymore losses. I've already lost my part-time teaching job...

Thanks for letting me vent a bit--I really don't have many people I can talk to about this...

But Ladywolf hangs in there. The tumors may be growing, and she seems a little more tired, but maybe that's because I myself am way more tired because I'm depressed, and I'm not getting her out enough to suit her fancy. Her appetite continues to be terrific--whose wouldn't be, for things like salmon, steak, pot roast, and chicken? She LOVES baked sweet potatoes!

On top of everything, I also have to have surgery on my FACE in a week and a half. I have a small cancer--it should be a simple out-patient procedure, but I sure don't like the idea of having my face cut up, not knowing how much tissue they'll have to remove...

My doctor and I are "tweaking" my antidepressants yet again, in an effort to find me something that will work better. Sigh, I've been on one or another of them for 42 years now...

So that's the skinny, folks. I'm not a very happy camper right now, but I'm hanging in there too...
'
Love to all, and thanks again for listening!

Margi and the Lady

Hi, Margi, thank you so much for writing and letting us know how you and Ladywolf are doing. When it comes to relationships with the human male species I must confess I am at a loss. Many eons of years ago a "relationship" I was in brutally ended when the man in my life said I had provided him enough "amusement" and that he was ready to move to "fresher blood." From that point forward it has strictly been "hand shake" friendships only with the opposite gender, and finding a lot of freedom from mental anguish in living a single life style. But to your friend, I have to agree with you that she is in an abusive situation with him "controlling" her. This is not good, but she will need to have you when her life falls apart with him, which it eventually will. Hopefully she will be able to walk away from him healthy and wiser. Right now it sounds like all you can do is just pray for her and be there for her if and when you can.

I do hope everything goes okay with your surgery. Let's see - - a week and a half would be around the first Wednesday in March, is that right? Please let us know how things go, okay? It sounds like you have a lot on your plate to deal with, Margi. I am so glad you wrote.

I am glad to know that Ladywolf is hanging in there with you. It's a one day at a time journey just enjoying what you can together, and being out in the cold is probably not the best for Ladywolf either. You know, a change in your meds can also cause "depression" type symptoms because your body is adjusting to a "new" regimen. The traveling that you for your work is also phusically draining so when you're home of course you just feel like hibernating. It's okay to be kind to yourself, Margi, and do what you feel up to doing. Ladywolf only wants to be with you.

Thank you again so much for writing and letting us know how things are going for you and Ladywolf. Please know you and Ladywolf are in my thoughts and prayers. Please let us know how things go with your surgery when you can.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Moon Beam--

Don't get me started on men!!! I too have enjoyed being single for almost five years now, though my last serious ex-BF has somehow crept back into my life, by email and Skype, from 1000 miles away. I'm not sure why...?

Thanks for your empathetic response, I really appreciate it.

I only have a moment to write right now, but want to clarify that the tweaking of the antidepressants only began today, and in a very low-dosage manner. So that's not the cause of my depression of the past few weeks.

I may be outta' here before Janice's relationship falls apart. I'll still support her no matter what, but it may have to be from a distance. After Ladywolf leaves me, I'll be seriously looking at moving back to California.

Hugs to everyone--

Margi and the Ladywolf

Margi, so sorry to hear that you are feeling so 'low' . You have a lot to deal with right now, and you have been through so much too. Ladywolf must be loving her new diet, wow, I could eat it myself, sounds so good. I hope all goes ok with your surgery next month. I'll be thinking of you.

Love Jan and my Angels _And also newly rescued Samoyed/Malamute ? ,Pixie, who joined us at home today. xx

YAY PIXIE!!!!! You rock, girl! Jan, really, that's very exciting news...how old is Pixie? We expect pictures really soon!

Ladywolf and I ARE eating pretty much the same diet. I'm not crazy about canned fish, but the pot roast, steak and chicken we SHARE!

Yes, there's been a lot going on, and there IS a lot going on in my life that I'm not crazy about either. But I and the wolf prevail...

Thanks for your kind words, ladies. I've had a slightly better day today, because it snowed here today too, and I got to be inside and all cozy and warm and almost domestic. Not quite (I'm an outdoor kind of gal), but almost. At least I cleaned all the rubble off my bed and changed the sheets for the first time in what feels like ten years....(Not really--but I'll betcha' it's been ten weeks. It's a very awkward bed to make.)

Hugs--Margi and Lady

Hi Margi and Ladywolf
Glad to hear Lady is still doing okay -- sounds like some good food you two are enjoying. I've been thinking about the two of you alot and trying to send good vibes your way.
It's snowing here in North Dakota too -- so you're not alone with the cold weather.

Take care
Sharon

Thanks, everyone, for your good thoughts. Sorry I've been absent a lot this week, but I had a killer dental infection, so bad that the antibiotics didn't start clearing it up until I'd taken them for FIVE DAYS. (I have horrible teeth and really need to have 17 extractions done and dentures made, but Arizona doesn't pay for them through state insurance, and I can't afford them myself, so what's a poor girl to do?)

I'm afraid that Ladywolf has taken her last long, brisk walk. A friend came by this evening and invited us for a walk. I didn't know that she chugs along at about six miles an hour--I was out of breath myself within ten minutes, but didn't consider Lady, who kept up fine...at first. By the return trip, she was stumbling and falling and finally just lay down and said that she couldn't go any further. We finally got back to the car by strolling along ever-so-slowly--but Lady's age and condition had become very obvious to us by then. I guess that "strolling" is all she can do anymore, and that makes me very sad. I could have killed Joan for going so fast and so far--I didn't know the trail and didn't realize how far we would be going, as it was a circle--but we both learned something from it--that Lady is OLD and SICK, and that we have to slow the pace down enormously...

It was so sad to see Lady stumbling and falling on her bad leg--I felt really guilty for subjecting her to this experience. She's okay now, lying down, and very VERY tired, but I think she'll bounce back. But it all made me aware again of her compromised situation and her mortality...

Just a (tearful) report...

Margi and Lady

Hi everyone--

A quicky catch-up report the next day...Lady has recuperated from her ordeal last night, and was able to take a short stroll today with no problems, thank GOD!! I was really really worried...

Margi

Hi Margi
I'm so glad that Ladywolf has recuperated from her long walk. It's hard to face the fact that they're getting older -- isn't it. When I look back on Sammy's last 6 months of her life, I realize now that I was in denial about just how sick she was. I've kept all the vet notes and on each and every one - it says' can't rule out the possibility of cancer or tumors -- but all I heard them say was that is could possibly be IBD. I didn't want to fact the fact that my baby was going down hill on me. I pray for you and Ladywolf every night -- I hope you get to have her with you for a long, long time.
Take care
Sharon

Hi, Margi and Ladywolf, I was so glad to get a notice that you have posted again. Both of you are so close in my thoughts and prayers every day. I am so sorry about your dental infection. That certainly has to be painful indeed. I am glad that you are recovering from that, and of course you have your surgery this coming week for the growth on your face to endure. You know something, we get into situations where the information we have beforehand is very misleading - - like your friend inviting you to go for a walk and thinking that this would be okay for Ladywolf to join. I believe I can honestly say that Ladywolf understands that you would not have subjected her to that ordeal had you known what the circumstances would have been. I'm sure you have apologized to her at least a thousand times already for what she went through. The good news is that she has recovered, and she has your love and comfort to get her through whatever comes along, as well as the wisdom from this experience to make a more "informed decision" about accepting similar future invitations. We can only do what we can at any given time with the information that we have. Please know you and Ladywolf are in my thougts and prayers, and will look forward to knowing how your procedure goes this week, and how Ladywolf is doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hi Margi and Ladywolf

Pleased to hear that Ladywolf, and you hopefully, have recovered from the gruelling marathon walk the other day. If you read my posting on my 'Pixie' thread you'll see that my husband(Dave) and I were taken for a squirrel chasing dash through our forest by Pixie yesterday. It ended up with Dave rolling about in the mud and both of us having the best laugh we've had in months, so well done Pixie........ some training needed there I think tho', lol. You ask how old she is. We think she is around a year old as still has the 'leggy' look and acts like a big puppy, also her teeth are so white. We will get the vets opinion next week when we take her for her check and micro-chip etc.
I'm sure Ladywolf knows that you have her best interests at heart, and yes we do learn from our actions, don't we. Hope your friend Joan learned from the experience too.
The dental problem sounds horrendous, hope it's improving for you. When do you have the surgery on your face? I will be thinking of you and hoping all goes ok for you.

Love and hugs

Jan, Pixie and my Angels xx

Thank you Sharon, Moon Beam and Jan--

This has been a rough week for a number of reasons and I've been offline a lot. One reason is that my PC got virus-infected AGAIN, but this time I somehow managed to fight it off myself without outside intervention...Hooray!!!

Jan, your story about Pixie, Dave and the mud was hysterical. I'm so glad that you have her now!

My face surgery is tomorrow and I am nervous, as the doctor told me that he may have to cut into my nostril. ARG! I, however, am planning on that NOT happening because, well, I don' wanna!!!!!!!!!!!! So please send good thoughts my way--this could be a very minor procedure, or COULD end up being pretty major, but again, I am not planning on that!

Love to all, sorry to be so absent on the Forum, but my plate is loaded right now. Ladywolf doing well.

Hugs--Margi and the Wolf

Well, the surgery is over and it was traumatic. While the doctor did NOT have to cut into my nose, he did have to pull one nostril down and one side of my lip up in order to suture the hole he made, and while he THINKS that everything may return to normal, he is not sure! I woke up this morning with the big wad of gauze taped to my face, thought, "What happened to my FACE?!," started to cry, and realized that I couldn't cry because I can't blow my nose. I think that that's one of the most unfair parts of all this--that I can't even sit on my pity pot and have a good crying jag to get it out of my system!

But I'm dong better now, later in the day. I've seen some friends, and even though my face presently looks like the mask in Phantom of the Opera, I've kind of come to my senses and realized that it is what it is and that it WILL get better, one way or the other. But I don't recommend having face surgery as a way to try to brighten up your week!

Just wanted to let everyone know that I'm okay, sorta'....

Love--Margi and Ladywolf

Hi, Margi, thank you so much for letting us know how things went for you yesterday. I am so sorry that the surgery was so traumatic. Are you having any pain - - still? I hope that at least in that respect you're not, or that the pain meds your doctor gave you are doing their proper job. You certainly have a lot on your plate to deal with all at once. When do you go back to the doctor for your follow up - - to get the bandages off? Do you have home health services to help with the bandage changes at home? I am so glad you still have Ladywolf with you along with your other furkikds to help you through this healing. Please know that you are close in my thoughts and prayers, and will look forward to hearing from you as to how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hi Margi

Glad to hear that the surgery is over, sorry it was so traumatic. I hope that you have a swift recovery and as Moonbeam says hope you are not in pain. Let us know how you are getting on .

Love and hugs to you and Ladywolf.

Jan and my Angels and Pixie xx

Hi Moon Beam and Jan--

Thanks for your well wishes. I've calmed down by now and stopped wishing I could cry. It is what it is, and only time will tell what kind of healing I'll have--just like the grieving process. I don't need help with bandages or anything--I have one on now that I'm supposed to keep on for the first 48 hours, and then it goes (thank GOD), and I can either leave the wound open to the air or rebandage--but the problem is, I'm allergic to almost all adhesives, so I'll probably leave the stitches just exposed. All I'm supposed to do is keep it clean and covered with antibiotic goop, not do any aerobic exercise, sleep with my head elevated, etc. and so forth--so many RULES!! But the head and face do tend to bleed a lot.

Moon Beam, I don't have any other furkids left now--just Ladywolf. That's why she's so very very important to me.

Thanks again for checking in--I really appreciate it, both of you. I just can't be here to post on other peoples' threads right now.

Hugs--Margi and the Wolf

P.S. The pain was awful last night, in spite of the painkillers, but it eased up a lot today...

Hi Margi
I'm glad your surgery is over - but sorry it's been such a trying experience! Hug Ladywolf whenever you feel like crying! I hope you get better soon.
Take care of yourself and Ladywolf
Sharon

Hi, Margi, I hope you are doing better today and that you and Ladywolf are enjoying this day together. Please forgive me - - it sometimes takes me awhile to properly "connect the dots" - - so thank you for your patience and for gently reminding me that your precious Ladywolf is now your "only child." Post-surgical pain can be very excruciating beyond the reach of the prescribed pain killers. I do hope this phase of your recovery has passed and now you can get relief from discomfort of the sutures with whatever you normally take for a headache or muscle strain, etc.. When I had my gall bladder surgery in March 2007 I specifically asked the surgeon for Percocet for post-surgical pain. Instead she wrote me a prescription for Oxycodone - - which isn't the same as Percocet. I took one dose of it the night I got hoome from the hospital and that was the last time I took it. It made me feel so sick and did nothing for the post-surgical discomfort / pain. So, I doubled up on the doses of the aspirin-free extra strengh Excedrin that I take for headaches and when my right leg is being really painful, and after about 3 days of that I was able to back off on the Excedrin.

Today we are enjoying a "spring preview" with temperatrues hovering around 60 degrees, bright sunshine, little or no breeze. I was able to get outside and bag about 11 or 12 bags of leaves from around the upstairs heat pump and the area under the basement bedroom window and from the area around the basement big double door porch. Oh - - there are LOTS more leaves to clean up but this is already a major improvement. Tomorrow is supposed to be about the same as today so I'm hoping I can open the basement door and put a gate across it to keep Noah and Abbygayle inside but so that they can look out and get some fresh air in their lungs. Of course the leaves I'm cleaning up are the last leaves that Oslo walked through last Thanksgiving before he had the stroke that took him to the angels.

Well, Margi and Ladywolf, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and will look forward to knowing how you're doing. I hope that each day in your recovery is better than the day before.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hi Margi and Ladywolf
Thanks for checking in on me at my thread -- I have my days - yesterday wasn't a good one. That picture of Sammy was the last Christmas card we took of her for Christmas 2008. I took one of her every year from the first year we had her. She was always very cooperative. One year it was red fuzzy deer antlers she was wearing -- one year I put her in a wooden wagon that was decorated for Christmas -- one year she even let me put her in a box I had wrapped with white paper with a big red bow on it -- just the top of her head peeked out. She never seemed to mind me taking the photos -- but sometimes it seemed she gave me a look that said '' enough already". Our friends and family enjoyed the "Sammy" christmas card every year.

I'm finding that it's those kinds of things that you remember doing that can bring you to your knees when you realize it's over and never to be again.

How are you doing post surgery? I hope you're getting better every day and that Ladywolf is still doing well.

I think of you two often and include you in my daily prayers.

Have a great Sunday

Sharon

Hi Sharon and everyone--

I'm so sorry that your grief still throws you to your knees, Sharon--but I know how that can happen. I still feel it over my mother sometimes, who committed suicide in 1983, and my dad, who died in 1987. I was the only child, and I never HAVE adjusted since to being totally alone in the world, but for my friends. Sammy was obviously super-special!

I'm doing better by now. The bandages are gone and I just have a row of tidy stitches around the lower half of my nose on one side. It's healing well, no infection, and I'm not taking painkillers or antibiotics any more. (I was finishing off a course of antibiotics at the time I had the surgery, because I had a massive dental infection the week before. Gads, it's always something, isn't it?)

Anyway, I'm reconciled to it being what it is. I'm old enough to think that a new scar shouldn't matter, but of course, I am curious to see what this will look like a year from now. Getting the bandage off and the pain going away were big steps in my accepting this thing.

Ladywolf is hanging in, not much change, really. She just climbed up on my bed while I ran to the store to get a Sunday paper, and when I came back, she had very very carefully extracted a chunk of cheese that I'd been munching on from the baggie it was in--no tooth marks on the baggie at all, just the cheese gone. Crafty!

Hugs to all--

Margi and the Wolf

Hi Margi....I'm glad to hear Ladywolf is still doing good, she is a fighter for sure.

Try some cocoa butter on that scar....I've used it for my scar on my tummy, it's about a foot long...runs vertical from under my rib cage straight down through the middle. It comes in a stick like a fat tube of chapstick and I do think it helped the scar. Scars are like maps...keep you focused on where you've been and where you never want to go again...lol.

Hope you are doing well.

Sending hugs for you and dear Ladywolf...and Poppers,
Brutus' Mom

Hi Sonya and everyone-

Well, the stitches are out now and yes, there IS a noticeable scar between my nose and mouth, but like you said, scars remind you of where you never want to go again--in my case, through "Moh's" cancer surgery! I'm doing okay with it, however. Thanks for the cocoa-butter tip, but I have some special bee propolis cream that I have great faith in and I think I'll stick with that one.

Just an update on Ladywolf--she is still gorging herself on the people-food I am feeding her, and still getting around pretty well. There's a little deterioration in her ability to move with the hindquarters, where the tumors are, but no noticeable decline at all. I can't help but believe that custom-cooking for her is making a big difference in the speed of the growth of the tumors. She is still perky and alert and demanding and has her usual attitude, so I still have the Full Wolf, thank god!

Love to everyone--

Margi and the Wolf

Margi I'm glad that you and Ladywolf are doing well. It's good to see them eating isn't it? When Foxy was ill I used to love to cook her something nice and watch her eat it. You'd have thought she'd never been fed in her life, she loved her food so much.

Irene

Hi, Margi and Ladywolf, I am so glad to log on to find your latest news. I have been thinking so much about you and wondering how you've been doing, and when you would be free of the stitches. I have a "very remarkable" 2 foot scar on my right hip from where the rod implant is holding my femur together, and I have numerous other scars on my right leg from various other surgeries - - all from the automobile collision of almost 25 years ago. Never had a broken bone in my body before then, but sure did make up for it all at once. Five surgeries in 3 years and had to learn how to walk - - - after a fashion - - all over again after each of them. So, yeah, I know what you mean - - been there done that and don't ever want to go there again, thank you very kindly.

I'm so glad Ladywolf is hanging in there with you and seems to be doing well. Please know you both are continually in my thoughts and prayers and will look forward to keeping apprised as to how you both are doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hi Margi and Ladywolf
Glad to hear you are doing okay! I think your good home cooking is the trick for Ladywolf too. In fact - if I get another Westie I think I'm seriously going to think about cooking for my new pup from day one. I have some holistic pet books on order from Amazon and am going to do some research before we think about another furbaby. Have a great day and give Ladywolf a big hug from me.
Sharon

Thank you, everyone, for your kind thoughts. Sharon, I am totally convinced that corn-based commercial dog foods CAUSE cancer--there's barely anything nutritional in any of them, even the best of them.

Ladywolf is slowly beginning to fail more and more. Her rear leg is more swollen, she can't walk as far, she's having more trouble getting in and out of the car, and she's more uncomfortable when lying down now, I think. But she is still perky and alert and demanding and ready to go at a moment's notice, and still a glamour girl--just moving more slowly and with more difficulty. It's very sad to see, but I sure am having a good long time here to get used to the idea that she won't be with me forever (as if I could ever really "get used to" that idea!)

The way the vet who checked her out was talking back in January, she made it sound as if I'd be lucky to have a few weeks left with Lady, and now it's been a few months and she's still relatively healthy, aside from the tumors. (Which are not really an "aside," but at least they're not impacting her overall health much, I don't think--the problems are localized to that area so far.)

I'm so grateful to have all this time, as life without Lady will be pretty bleak, I fear...

Big hugs to all--

Margi and the Wolf

P.S. I'm still pretty scar-y from the surgery, but I'm sure it will get better with time. New scars are so shocking--especially on one's FACE!!!

I just posted something similar, I can only say I am going through something very, very similar with my German Shep and your post describes exactly how I feel. I wish I could help more, but maybe knowing you aren't alone and there are others going through this awful thing and feeling just like you.

Peace through this hard time - I know exactly how you feel.

Hi Margi
I just purchased 3 holistic pet books and received them from Amazon yesterday:

The Nature of Animal Healing by Martin Goldstein
The Holistic Dog Book by Denise Flaim
Natural Dog by Deva Khalsa

I am going to start my research to see if I can figure out a way to take better care of my next furbaby. Maybe by focusing on this I can feel productive and redeem myself in little Sammy's eyes. I want to do a better job than I obviously did with Sammy and hope my next dog lives longer than 11. I know there are no guarantees -- but I want to give this one the best shot at a possible long life. I hope Ladywolf is still doing well -- keep up the home cooking -- that's a real key to all of this - ending all of this cancer and other health problems that our pets have -- I'm totally convinced of it.
Have a restful evening.
Sharon

Sharon, I've been doing some reading along those lines myself. I just ordered a book about the problems with commercial dog food. It also has recipes for homemade diets and suggestions for supplements, which I think I'm going to try with Belle. I've always fed my dogs high quality dog food, but from what I've read even many of those use questionable ingredients. The vets have told me that Charlie's problem was probably genetic, but even so, I want to give Belle and any other dogs I might own, the best possible chance. Both of Belle's parents are alive and apparently still in excellent health. Genetically. at least, she seems to have a pretty good chance of living a long, healthy life and I want to make sure I don't do anything to jeopardize it.

Barbara

Hi, Margi and Ladywolf, I know it has only been a couple of days or so since you last posted, but am just checking in with you to see how things are going. Oh, how I do understand how you're feeling watching your precious girl "slowly decline." It's heartbreaking but still you have her with you - - you can hold her and comfort her, and she can hear your voice. Please know you and Ladywolf are in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how things are going when possible.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Thinking of you Margi and Ladywolf,

Hugs,
Brutus' Mom

Thanks, Brutus's mom. We're not doing too badly, but Lady is now limping on one of her FRONT legs, which are not (obviously) connected to the tumors in the rear legs. So I don't know what is up--has the cancer spread? Did she injure herself somehow? I can't find any visible or palpable injury, so I'm gravely concerned that all of her legs are going to be affected now. This situation has cut way down on our walks together, and I am really aware now of how old she is (14 or 15).

Lord, I do pray for a peaceful ending when the time comes. I've talked to her a bit about the idea of just dying calmly in her sleep, and she's pretty receptive, so...

Thanks again for checking in. I haven't had time this week to be on the Forum very much--have had too much else going on. But what a precious place this is! Hope you, and everyone, are doing okay.

Hugs to all--

Margi and Ladywolf

Hi Margi and dear Ladywolf

Sorry to hear that Ladywolf is having trouble with her front legs now. Maybe just wear and tear and of course the extra pressures with having to compensate for the bad hind leg. As long as she 's still enjoying her food and your company and life in general she should be ok. Do as you're doing and take each day as precious time together. She will sense your worry, all our fur babies do don't they, and they do so love us to be happy. I know that's hard with all that's going on sometimes but you are doing great things for Ladywolf and she knows that.
I meant to say about the scar from the surgery, have you tried Rosa Mosqueta oil ? It's brilliant for scar reduction, also great in reducing crows feet and wrinkles too, (not that I think you have those of course )
Well I had a weird day of very mixed feelings yesterday, obviously so happy that Pixie has come into our lives, but really missing the girls again. I feel more positive again today and I'm trying to focus on the many happy memories I have of all my Angel fur babies.
Keep on doing what ya doing and big hugs for the Lady.

Thinking of you.
Hugs Jan , my Angels and Pixie x

Hi, Margi and Ladywolf, thank you so much for keeping us updated as how things are going. I am so sorry that Ladywolf is now having challenges with her front legs. Like Jan I hope that this is just a "stress" symptom and nothing else. Hopefully rest will restore strength to her legs. I, too, talked to each of my furkids when it was close to their time to join the angels letting them know that it was okay to go home to heaven's perfect garden. I do so know how hard that is for you, Margi. Please know you and Ladywolf are always close in my thoughts and prayers, and look forward to knowing how things are going.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Margi, I'm sorry to read that Ladywolf is having trouble with her front leg. You're doing the right thing in talking to her about being ok to go when she's ready. I really believe that helps them. In college I took a class about death & dying and we learned that it is really important for a family member to let the dying person know it is ok to go. Sometimes they feel immense stress to stay for our sake. I know the class was pertaining to humans but I believe it's true for our fur babies too. I hope tomorrow will be a good day for you both. You deserve it so much. Ever since Frasier got sick I tell people an uneventful day is a good day. You know what I mean?
I so hope that Ladywolf will go peacefully when it's her time. But even if it's not exactly how you want, you know we're all here for you. Every step of the way.
-Donna

Hi Margi
I'm praying for you and Ladywolf. I hope too -that when that horrible time comes it's peaceful for you two as well. And you're right this is a precious place -- I don't know what I would have done all these weeks without the wonderful support of you and all the people ont his great forum. Haved a blessed evening.

Sharon

Thanks, all, for your good thoughts. Today was a hard day for me--the wind was howling and outdoors felt very unwelcoming, but I tried to take a short walk with Lady anyway and part-way through just this very short walk, she sat down and said, "I've gone far enough." And then she had trouble climbing back up the hill...

I can't stand this.

So I took a tranquilizer and went back to bed. (I really hate the high desert wind!) I'm up for a couple of hours, and then I think I'm going back to bed. I do this sometimes--just sleep the whole day and night away. I just don't feel like doing ANYthing...

I think I'll be okay tomorrow, maybe...

Hugs--Margi and the Wolf

Hi, Margi, just getting caught up on posts and I am so sorry that yesterday was a bad day for you and Ladywolf. I mentioned to you in my response to your post in my Abbygayle's thread about understanding what you're going through with the depression. I was clinically diagnosed with PTSD and Survivor's Guilt as a result of the physical and emotional trauma of the automobile collision in August 1985, and I do so understand about panic attacks.

With the type of cancer my Abbygayle had that the down turn happens so suddenly - - although in reality it has been slowly creeping up to that point. How is your precious Ladywolf doing otherwise - - is she still able to maneuver through the house comfortably? And does she still look forward to her scrumptuous meals?

Margi, please know both you and Ladywolf are in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam