I'm doing it

I am going to california. I have scheduled, cancelled and rescheduled this trip a million times, and now I am going. I have not left carver overnight since the diagnosis. e will be home to care for him, and lili will be by in the afternoons. I am not worried, exactly. I guess mainly I will miss him. and I do not want HIM to worry. california! thats a long ways away! and what will I do with no dog beside me? I guess I can pat my nephew-eli should provide enough distraction. so, if you are local and a FOC, drop by, give him a pat, tell him I love him and will be home soon!

we walk, and rest

gosh, I have not been writing much these days. it is partially a reflection of the normalcy that carver and I have fallen into. we take short walks. we sit on the side of the road a lot, resting between bouts of carver leaping, sniffing, marking his territory. we jump up to great other dogs, despite any tiredness carver is feeling in the moment. he still takes derramaxx in the morning, although he has not had a tramadol in a long while. janice the acupuncturist still comes every three weeks to give carver a treatment, which I think helps him a lot. we hang out together every afternoon in the house, eating snacks, visiting with the cats.

but partially it is my not wanting to think of carver and cancer. I know this truth rests in the back of my mind always, but in the day to day I see him more as old man carver then cancer patient. his turning 13 was such a milestone. the party was cheery, but distracting in a way-I have not really let sink in-13! that is an excellent age for a big old dog. and carver is a grand 13, still full of life and happiness.

I am going to california in 6 days, to visit my sister and nephew, and will be gone for 4. e will stay home to take care of carv, along with our angel friend auntie lili, patron saint of old ailing dogs. lili is willing to sit outside with carver for 2 hours if that is what he feels like doing. it is a huge comfort to have lili in our lives-having help is HUGE. with e and lili I have a dream team of support, and know that carver is well cared for. but of course I feel sick about leaving. the thing that is hardest about having a dog is that you can't explain what is happening in the moment-4 days isn't a concept he can grasp (or can he? some folks who are into animal communication would disagree). I will explain it to him anyway. i guess a few days not being in care taker mode will be good for me (but there will be that baby...). and san francisco is wonderul. I don't know-I wish I could feel excited, but for now I am settling for not too freaked out.

so that is how we are! I want to extend lots of love to all FOC (friends of carver) especially those folks whose dogs have osteosarcoma.

me holding up carver's portrait

in front of the window with a beware of the dog sign, that includes a drawing of carver as well.
painting by the incredible andrea sparks, beware of dog sign by me.

happy 7th month anniversary carver

and HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Carver turned 13 on friday, and we had a party to celebrate. his pal lili took him for a walk when she arrived, which was wonderful, allowing me to continue to get the party set up. lots of friends came, and there were many excellent presents, including a new stuffed squirrel, lots of treats, colored tennis balls, a wonderful photograph of carver in the spring time, under a flowering tree, and, best of all, an amazing portrait painted by our artist friend andrea. carver loved having lots of guests and being the center of attention. he received lots of pats, and basked in the limelight. the night took a turn when two visiting dogs had an altercation, in which e's hand ended up in the middle of. she got a good bite-puncture wound and a large cut on the side of her hand. a friend took her to the emergency room while I tried to entertain guests, but I was filled with shock and worry-not a very good hostess! but everyone was sweet and helpful, and the emergency room was not too crowded so e made it back before the party ended. carver crashed around midnight on the living room couch, but we stayed up with some friends talking till 3 a.m. we went to bed around 4, and e, carv and I laid low yesterday, lounging around in the living room all day. a memorable evening all around!

7 months is amazing-carver continues to do well. he did not do too much walking this morning, but has been a great spirits and enjoys hanging out in the shade. all his hair has finally grown back in, and he looks great. wow! 7 months!!! the party decorations are still hanging and the house looks cheery. today is another day to celebrate!

in just two days carver will turn 13!

and we are celebrating. if you are local and want to say happy birthday to carver, drop me an email & I will send you the address!

thunderstorms

carver and i are sitting in the dark, waiting out another thunderstorm-it has pretty much rained here every day since june-a tropical summer! the sunflowers like it. I Just wish it did not have to happen every day during our walk time!

carver has been doing great since our visit with dr. walker-he has remained bright and happy. without a car we have been neighborhood bound, but that has been fine. we signed up for zip car so we can still get over to the arboretum every so often.

carver, e and I had a crazy week, with my big sis visiting with my nephew elijah. carver liked the baby, gave him a few good licks, but our cat blackie was obsessed, sleeping with the baby every night and following it around the apartment. it seems like we went from visiting straight into a busy week of work & plans. but we have exciting things coming up!

carver's 13th birthday is a week from tomorrow and we are having a party to celebrate. back in january I would never have imagined we would be having this celebration. e made beautiful invitations and I have been emailing friends who I will not see before hand.
i promise to post lots of pictures! carver's 7th month anniversary is right behind the birthday, so there is a lot to celebrate and be grateful for.