Lambiedog: At the Bluffs

At the Bluffs

11/17/2015

Quality of life

I'm poised to start an oral chemotherapy regime of Chlorambucil (Leukeran) combined with Prednisone. These are strong drugs. Just having them in my body is a scary prospect, although the web includes numerous reports from veterinarians attesting that this regime is both effective and generally well-tolerated.

Another element here is also alarming. Chlorambucil, a powerful drug, can actually be carcinogenic to those coming into contact with it incidentally. Directions for the administration of Chlorambucil caution that it should be handled wearing protective gloves because it can be absorbed through skin contact. And not only during the direct handling of the medicine:

Because of the potential for absorption of the drug or its hazardous metabolites through the skin via contact with urine, feces, saliva, vomit, etc., you should wear gloves to clean these up. Washable items coming in contact with these should be handled wearing gloves (and a protective gown if needed) and then washed twice. Use these precautions for a minimum of 48 hours after the last dose is administered.

Saliva?

I'm a licker. Other dogs specialize in hunting, herding, retrieval, and so on. I specialize in licking. I love to lick. I emit probably two hundred licks a day. My favorite spot to lick is the area around and including the human nose and mouth. It is my way of connecting, and of expressing my joy in the world. When my licking is repulsed I feel like I'm being punished.

So this is going to be a challenge for us. We're going to need to eliminate the cues that start me into my licking spiral, and add new elements to maintain my joie de vivre. There are many ways to skin a cat [such an unfortunate phrase]. Although licking must be eliminated from my happiness lineup for the time being, I will endeavor to keep this from negatively affecting the quality of my life.

I might take a page from Dolce, who has gotten into contemplation, eastern religion, inner awareness - that sort of thing. She has a favorite meditation spot on the edge of the bluff. She seems so at peace. I could try that.

in 2015, At the Bluffs, Dogs, Health and Fitness, Philosophy, Worries | Permalink | Comments (0)

11/03/2015

I try to read the tea leaves

After a brief rain, I walked outside to ponder my recent medical travails and look for a sign about what could be next.

There was some scary stuff, but also a rainbow,

and an amazing sunset.

There could have been a sign there, but what was it?

in 2015, At the Bluffs | Permalink | Comments (0)

09/02/2015

Back from medical leave

A couple of weeks ago I had surgery to remove a mast cell tumor. It hadn't metastasized to key organs, but watchful waiting is the new world order.

The experience brought me down. All that poking and prodding. The pain. The anesthesia. The meds. The anxiety. The Elizabethan collar.

I was miserable. For a while I lay low and let it all roll over me.

Finally I rebounded. On our 'walks' I stopped asking to be carried. I relocated the spring in my step. Now I pal around with Snoopy, sniffing at this and that. I race down to visit Buggsy and Beverly.

Sadly, however, Buggsy is actually no longer there to visit: In July he had a fatal accident. His family misses him a lot -- he was dearly loved. Below is a photo of him from 2014. He's the dog on the left, standing next to Beverly and David.

When I go to their house I still always search for him. First Beverly gives me a treat, and then I do a check of the house to see if I can find him.

With Snoopy getting a treat from Beverly 2

in 2015, At the Bluffs, Dogs, Health and Fitness, Lap Dog, People, Worries | Permalink | Comments (1)

06/04/2015

So what has the Most Important Guy been up to over the past two months?

I was hoping you'd ask.

At the end of March each year, when the sun stops setting over the ocean and moves behind the Malibu hills, my life takes on a different pace. The feverish evening social scene of winter abates.

No longer bound by the traditional rhythms of sunrise and sunset, I take the opportunity to let my hair down and try some new things -- for example, going collarless, as I did in the photo above.

And I focus on appreciating long-held pleasures:

A Passover visit with Charlie.....

A hike to Inspiration Point.......

A sleepover visit from Aunt Margie.................and a stair walk with Teresa.

Additionally, I took up yoga. To the right you can see me as I come out of a Down Dog pose.

in 2015, At the Bluffs, People | Permalink | Comments (1)

04/06/2015

My obligation to the next generation

I was out at the bluff when I was approached by a petite fan.

Out of the corner of my eye I could see Bugsy walking past. It would have been nice to join him, but I knew I should not pass up an opportunity -- nay, a duty -- to help acclimatize this impressionable young person to the canine world.