Skipping Out on Bloodwork

My energy has been pretty depleted as of late, so I am able to do less and less during the day before my body decides it's enough. 

Sometimes I push straight through anyways, but for the most part I have had to rest. This means that our youngest pup has been a bit bored and acting out. I don't blame him. I feel awful about it. He still gets tons of play time in the house and cuddles and hasn't had to stay in his kennel through the night in weeks, but he has been bored, which is our fault. 

Today I woke up with a medium level of energy. What I mean by that is that I can do one fairly big activity. One thing today that depletes my energy further, and then the remainder of the day will be spent resting. 

Technically, I should have gone to get bloodwork done. I have a few appointments next week and updated bloodwork would be nice. Not mandated, but nice. BUT I felt far more guilty about our pups, so I decided to take them for a short walk instead. 

I couldn't do both activities, so I chose the one that would make my heart happier. 

Plus, I still have the opportunity to potentially get bloodwork done on Tuesday, so that's the tentative plan. 

So I played hooky on bloodwork to hang out with my dogs and ensure they are well-exercised and played-out today. 

I think I made the right choice. 

Not That Cold

With the perpetual ice and snow, the polar vortex, the cold snap, many people have resorted to concealing themselves indoors.
I mean, the idea of a burning fireplace with tea and a good book is nice, but when this cold lasts for weeks on end, cabin fever can set in pretty quickly.
We avoid going outside.
We hermit and hide and pray for nicer weather to start.

This year, during this cold snap, I am even more grateful for my pups.
Especially when they LOVE the ice and snow.
It encourages (well, forces) me to get outside with them. This move to spend more time outside reminds me that I have warm clothing for a reason. I have layers and winter clothing and warm coats that are all meant for this kind of weather. It reminds me that, as long as I dress for the weather, it is really not that bad outside! I can be out there with the dogs actually enjoying the weather. The brisk fresh air. The starry sky and snow crunching underneath my boots. The sounds of silence in the neighbourhood - since we are usually the only ones out there apart from a couple of shovels.

Sure we live in a country where ice and snow is expected for several months out of the year. We also, however, live where snow tires help us get around. Where winter clothing is sold year-round. Where we can find the most appropriate gear to be outside.
I am grateful to be able to enjoy the outside with proper gear. I own everything to be able to comfortably spend time outdoors, and I am going to take advantage of that fact.
There are so many people who are homeless, who would kill to own some of what we are privileged to own, so the dogs help remind me that I should be using what I have.
Otherwise, if I am going to be hiding indoors during the entire winter season, maybe I should be donating a lot of what I have for winter weather.

Thanks pups for reminding me how beautiful it is during the wintertime and that it really is not that cold outside.

Taking Care of Someone Else

Sometimes, the best way to distract yourself from your own pain is to be taking care of someone else. Not only does it offer a loving distraction, but it can frequently offer a bit of perspective.
Taking care of another being - especially one that cannot verbally communicate - also forces action.

I love taking care of our pups.
Well, 99% of the time. I get frustrated, just like anyone else, but even the most difficult moments are worth it. We have two little beings who rely on us for everything. That is a big commitment. Not even a quarter as much pressure as taking care of little humans, but still pressure.
These little dudes often force me out of bed even though I am comfortable, they force me outside even in the coldest weather conditions, and they force me to play. On days when I feel run down and like I barely have enough energy to even eat, these guys encourage me to kneel on the floor and play with them. And then I realize how little effort it takes to entertain them - and myself.
There is nothing like playing with little beings. They bring out the best in people, they bring out laughter and joy and a sense of purpose.

The most important balance for me right now is to allow these pups to push me, but to make sure that I don't entirely sacrifice my health. I need to find that balance. So far it's going swimmingly, with the lack of sleep being the largest issue. I think that getting outside several times a day to let them pee has been a very positive influence on my day-to-day health.

I am so grateful to be taking care of these boys. I am even more grateful to have a partner who is the perfect mixture of helpful and patient.
I love our little family.

Complete Family

Well, hubby and I decided to adopt a second puppy. The driving force behind it was so that our older pup has a little brother to (eventually) play and hang out with. Of course it doesn't hurt for us to have another little being in the house, all cute and cuddly.

There is no question that I have had to adjust expectations over the years due to illness. The idea of having kids quickly disappeared long before I was ready to give up that dream, and lifelong aspirations had to be.... redirected.
Apart from random emotional moments and feelings of a bit of loss, I have harbored only a little resentment. Sure, my life took turns I never would have anticipated, but it has led me in directions I have loved to explore.

My greatest aspirations in life - like marriage, a family, a home, that white-picket-fence feeling, and love - have all been fulfilled. Love really truly is the most important thing. Whether it is great friends that are always there no matter what, the love of family who are always finding a balance between concern and support, from pets, for others, for hobbies, for fellow men and women, love is the thing. The epitome of this life. Love from and for . And it's everywhere.

I am lucky.

Even though I am exhausted from staying up with a brand new baby pupper, even though my bladder is still wonky and my migraines are in full force, even though I get frustrated when pups are whining and I am stuck puking in the washroom - my life is full.
Completely full.
Now all I have to learn how to do is to stop feeling anxious and terrified to lose this wonderfully full life.
But, I guess, why worry? Try and prepare, try and keep cautious when necessary, and enjoy every single minute that we can.

My lifelong dream of having a beautifully completed family has come true.
Who cares if I'm sick if I get to experience all of this.

Non-Toxic

We were watching tv tonight and we heard this phrase:

"Anything we use on or feed to our dogs is plant-based so it is completely 100% non-toxic".

I laughed uncomfortably.

It is VERY IMPORTANT to know the difference between plant-based and non-toxic. They are absolutely not, I repeat NOT synonymous.
Especially when dealing with our pets, it is of vital importance to know and understand that many plants and homegrown foods are toxic and dangerous for pets. There are many plants that are just as toxic to humans.

On the ASPCA website alone, it lists over four hundred different plants that are known to be toxic to the majority of dogs specifically. The website also has a disclaimer that this is not a complete comprehensive list, but that it lists the plants that we are most commonly in contact with.

The same is true for humans - just because something is plant-based does not automatically make it healthy or non-toxic. Poison Ivy is an obvious example, as well as Sweet Peas, Nettles, Poison Oak, Ragweed, Cattails, Datura, the pits of various fruits, Salvia, etc...  One of the most toxic substances to ingest (as we have learned over recent years) is sugar - which is also plant-based.

So is Cocaine.

Food for thought.
As always - please read the ingredients, for you and your pets.

Always Cuddle Time

Decker and I have a daily routine.
When RJ leaves the house, Dex jumps up onto the bed and we get to nap together. He cuddles up to me as we sleep for a while or watch tv - he even watches with me.
He endures my incessant need to take selfies and show everybody on Instagram how handsome he is and that he is SUCH a good boy.

He is so patient.

Then I feed him at specific intervals, and I'll throw the ball for him outside (in the snow right now). I sit on the edge of the deck in the Winter or on our wooden bench in the Summer and he fetches the tennis ball and runs it back to me (most days anyways). He drops it in my hand or at my feet. We play for a few minutes and then go back inside. Sometimes we will play tug-o-war in the house and even on the bed, and basically we are just best buds.
He is my best puppy buddy.
Ever.

Plus, the sicker I am, the cuddlier he gets.
At least most of the time. Sometimes he just gets mad that I am so boring.

The Lighter Side of Medicine - daily puppy cuddles.