2014 IN REVIEW

2014 has come and gone. It was a year filled with many ups and downs and many, many bumps in the road.

KK started out the year earning multiple agility titles and her first DAM Q. I gave her a break from USDAA agility in April due to some table problems. I continued to run her in AKC agility to give her time to mature. Just as we were coming together as a team, she got deathly ill and we didn't know at one point if she would make it back to agility. She ended up diagnosed with ehrlicia and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and an adverse reaction to a steroid injection. She was out of commission for about 4 months. I entered her in a trial at the beginning of November and the old KK was back. Not her usual speed but her skills were back. We did a few more trials and she had some great successes. She ended her last day of her last trial for 2014 with her very first QQ.

Marley retired from agility in February due to worsening bilateral hip dysplasia. She had a right total hip replacement in October and has done great. She has just been the best patient ever. I thought she would give me fits being restricted so much, but she hasn't. She loves her crate and her evening X-pen. I have scheduled her left hip replacement for March 10. I'm hoping within a year, she can run pain free and maybe do some backyard agility.

Missy is 14 1/2 and is very healthy and active. She keeps the young dogs in check. Molly is slowing down at 13 1/2 and unfortunately has been attacked 3 times in her own yard by a neighbor's GSD that has required multiple stitches and drains. She hates being restricted to the house and backyard but until the GSD's owner does something with his vicious dog, I can't let her out in the front yard.

On a professional level, I quit the job I've had for almost 13 years and accepted an Assistant Professor position at UALR. It was the best career decision I've ever made. Only my real friends knew the real details on why I chose to leave. But I needed to go be happy and I am now. I was put in charge of the pediatric course after just 7 weeks of employment at UALR. I love the collegiate setting and the professionalism of it. I love that administration stands behind their employees and our work group is a tight knit group and has each other's backs.

Leaving my previous job caused me much pain. I was attacked and basically bullied via emails, texts, FB and even had a rumor started about me. I had to block 27 people from my FB just to get away from the drama. Keep in mind, these were grown women who were acting this way. Ridiculous!!

I struggled so much with my emotions and feelings this summer due to the work drama and the fact that KK got so deathly ill and Marley had major surgery. I had to dig deep and find internal strength to get through it all. Despite everything I endured, I found my strength and found someone who is my rock and holds me up when I need it.

 

I ended 2014 on a happy, positive note. I'm happy both personally and professionally. My girls are healthy and happy. I can't wait to see what 2015 holds!!

 

 



 

MARLEY AND MOLLY UPDATES

Marley was seen back at Mizzou last week for follow up X-rays 9 weeks post op for her right total hip replacement. The implant remains stable and there is new bone growth around it. She is completely weight bearing on her right hip. She is happy and playful and has been the best patient. She is still on short leash walks with no house privileges yet. The surgeon was pleased with her progress. She will get repeat X-rays in February and will probably get a little freedom at that time. I, however, have scheduled her left total hip replacement for March 10. I want her to know life pain free. She is now just on Rimadyl for her left hip.

Molly has been the unfortunate victim of being attacked by a neighbor's GSD (German Shepherd Dog) 3 times. The first time was significant bites to her back and thigh that required stitches. The second incident she was bitten on her shoulder and thankfully that did not require stitches. This last incident was quite severe. She was bitten on the neck and it caused significant damage. She required surgery and had 3 drains placed. It has taken almost a month, but she is finally better and all of the wounds have healed. The worst part of it all is, that she is being attacked in her own front yard. The GSD is getting into my yard and attacking my dogs. I cannot allow my own dogs out in their own yard due to this GSD. The owner of the GSD told me the dog doesn't bite people...... I haven't caught the dog attacking Molly but I have seen the dog in my yard. It is beyond frustrating!! I hate disrespectful, ignorant pet owners, especially owners who fail to see that they own an aggressive dog and choose the do nothing about it.

BACK TO TRIALING

KK and I ventured back into the agility ring for the local AKC club the first weekend of November. It was her first time back in the ring since July. My goal for her was to just get through the weekend, stamina wise. She took to the ring like she had never been sick. She ended up with 2 Q's in T2B and Master JWW. Her speed was back but not up to top speed yet.

We then went to McKinney a few weeks later where she managed a 50% Q rate and even placed amongst dogs that compete basically every weekend. I was pleased with her progress seeing as we have done very limited training.

Over Thanksgiving we went back to McKinney for a 3 day trial. She had many high points but I got very sick and we had to leave the trial early. She managed several Q's despite me.

The next weekend we went to Shreveport where she had a stellar weekend, going 6/7 Q's and earning her very first Double Q with a Double Blue! I was very happy with her. She's coming right along for a little dog that was so sick this summer.

We are now on an agility hiatus until late January when we will start back doing some USDAA!!

MARLEY HAS A NEW RIGHT HIP!!

After many years of dreading the surgery, I signed the paperwork for Marley to have a Right Total Hip Replacement at the University of Missouri on Oct. 9. It was hard for me to do, but I know that Marley needed the surgery and she has been in pain for so long. She needed the surgery. And it was finally time in my mind and heart.

While Marley was getting preop labs and Xrays done, my friend and I went to a local diner that was recommended to us by the girls at the front desk. As we were eating, the waitress stopped by and dropped off a business card and said a local artist had paid for our breakfast. Columbia has been so friendly to us. We have gotten a free meal twice at local restaurants when we have been at UM.

We stayed in the waiting room until the surgeon, Dr. Fox, came out and said Marley had come through surgery well. She was waking up nicely and once she was settled in the ICU, the student would let us see pre/post op Xrays.

Marley's hip pre/post hip replacement

 

New right hip!

 Our vet student was so knowledgeable and friendly. She even took my phone back to the ICU and got some pictures of Marley for me.

Marley in ICU

 

Marley did very well and she was discharged home the next day. I was beyond nervous but I am so grateful my best friend was with me and did all of the recovery stuff. Marley was even putting weight on her right leg the very first day.

 

We drove all night and even stopped at the cemetery to visit my mom's grave on the way home. I haven't been to my mom's grave in about 6 months. We took new flowers and an angel for her grave.

 

My friend and I got tattoos last week. I went with a verse: 'You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it'. I added a butterfly to remind me of my mom. Those close to me know how much I've struggled with life since my mom died. We found this verse and it was so fitting to me and my struggles. I just need to keep being strong at whatever life throws at me.

 

 

 

Marley is crated during the day and night when I'm not here and she has a condo in my living room so she can be with me during the evenings.

 

Marley is getting better everyday.

 

 

 

Her sutures came out today and we meet with a physical therapist tomorrow to start some light rehab with her. I'm glad I finally made the decision to do the surgery but I know that she will have to have the left hip replaced, probably within the next 6 months or so. But for now, we will focus on getting Marley stronger and healthier and when the time comes, she will get a new left hip.

 

Marley hugging her Mommy. See her little paw on my shoulder?

 

 

I'm so grateful that my best friend has been by my side through it all. I would not have been able to get through this without her. I'm grateful that my trainer/friend kept KK for almost 2 weeks for me and grateful to my dad who was able to stay with Molly and Missy while I was in Columbia. I'm grateful to my new job and friends who let me take off work to take Marley to Columbia and who checked on us while we were gone.

 

I'm blessed to have the right people in my life at the right time. I would be lost without them.





MARLEY'S SURGERY DATE

Marley's hip replacement surgery had been scheduled for Tuesday, October 14. I received word last Wednesday that they needed to move her surgery up due to the surgeon going out of town on the 14th. After some juggling with work, I was able to get off work and she is now scheduled for Thursday, October 9 at 8AM.

The next week is going to be rough. I have an agility seminar with KK this weekend that I am really looking forward to. I come back from the weekend and immediately have finals for my pediatric students. Wednesday is going to be a long day at work and then we have to leave for Columbia.
My dad is going to babysit my older girls and KK is staying with my friend/trainer for a week. Hoping she gets a little attitude adjustment while we are separated. I babied her all summer while she was so sick and she has gotten an attitude from all the pampering. I think the separation will be good for both of us.

So grateful that my best friend is able to go with me to Columbia. I know I am going to fall apart when they take Marley away from me and I need someone with me. I'm going to be a basket case the whole time she's in surgery and hospitalized.  I know she needs the surgery badly, but I'm still not ready. I don't think I will ever be ready. But I know it's in her best interest.

SEPTEMBER TEARS

September. A month I dread. Especially the last part of the month. It's been almost 3 years and the pain is still as fresh as it was in 2011. I literally sit and think about the last time I talked to my mom. I can tell you the last time I talked to her and what we talked about. It was September 22 and Grey's Anatomy was coming on TV. That was our last conversation. I would give anything to talk to her one more time.

 I still feel overwhelming guilt about taking her off the vent, even though I knew she was already gone. My good friend asked me how she could be there for me this month. I don't have an answer. I never know when the pain and tears are going to strike. They struck tonight.

People say time heals. They lie. At least for me, time hasn't healed me.

PROGRESS REPORT

Miss KK continues to improve. She has now been cleared to begin some light activity. I've started putting her on the treadmill everyday. She's up to about 5 minutes a day at a slightly brisk pace. She's gained about 4.5lbs while being sick. So we have a lot of conditioning to do. I've started working with her on lefts/rights on the ground. No jumping. She hasn't been on a piece of agility equipment since July 6. My plan is to have her start on some agility equipment around mid month.

This picture was taken one week before KK fell so ill.

We are going to a working seminar the first weekend in October. I hope she will have the stamina to get through the weekend. Hopefully she will be able to jump by then. She's entered in 2 days of the Memphis AKC trial the next weekend. We leave immediately after that trial and go straight to Columbia for Marley's hip replacement.

It's been a very exhausting 10 weeks. It seems like I'll be getting KK all better and then Marley will be down for weeks. I just can't seem to catch a break.

On a positive note, just 7 weeks into my new collegiate job, I was given the course leader job for pediatrics! I'm a little overwhelmed, but am excited at the same time. So glad the timing was right and the perfect job opened up for me at the perfect time.