Six Month Check Up

Yesterday we headed to our local vet for our six month check up. Trojan was diagnosed with a Grade 3 MVD in April. We immediately began healthier food and supplements. So going into the check up, I was really optimistic, especially since her resting heart rate was 18 per minute. 

But after listening, the vet thought it had increased to a Grade 4. That took my breath away. She was then x rayed which did indeed show a slight enlargement of her heart. I sat there looking at the X-ray in dismay.  

Really it has progressed that quickly. Damn heart valve. How could you fail on an otherwise healthy dog. 

So off to the cardiologist we go to determine if mild drugs are needed. Ugh. 

I'm not going to lie, this was a blow. Trojan is my best friend. And while I know that I'm losing her, I won't give in without a fight.  People talk about that once in a lifetime dog...that's my baby girl. 

Week n Rewind: July 30

As we move toward the end of July, I'm reminded how really hot weather slows the pace of life. We've been walking early morning, just to get some exercise, but other than that, it's been slow.

Trojan amuses me. She definitely is not wanting to wake from sleep, not as quick with the draw as she once was. But once up and walking, she's fine. You would never know she has a heart condition.  I'm going to push exercise as long as the old gal wants to give it a go. The hard part for me is leaving them inside. Trojan has always been attached at my hip. And sometimes while we're in the pool, I glance up to see three pathetic looking dogs, wanting desperately to get out. Can't say I boame them

This week mommy was down in DC for a conference. The girls stayed by the door awaiting my arrival. They barked with joy as soon as the door opened.  Each taking their turn to give mommy her kisses. Trojan has a special way of stretching completely out with a longing in her eyes. Her tongue licking wildly. People without pets don't understand how anyone could stand these kisses. I don't understand how anyone could want to miss this love.  They say dogs release endorphins, like humans, when seeing their family. I, for one, completely agree

Funny story of the week. Little Miss Mattie ventured outside one evening after the sun went down. She made her normal check around the fence boundary  (the scheming diva).  As she approached the back fence, she suddenly jumped a foot of the ground, landed and did a twirl. Our neighborly ground hog was also startled...standing frozen. After a brief stare down, the ground hog zipped away. That's when Mattie, feeling a little more brave, began to bark. Now imagine a 12 pound dog, chest out , giving her best bark.  The other two dogs, momentarily looked up, and immediately went back to sleeping. I tell ya, can't Mighty Mouse get some respect around here. 

Week in Rewind: June 15

Here comes the Sun. Pretty ironic song that came on while walking the dogs. Why, you might ask?  Because it's pretty darn wet and cool. In fact, the humidity is so bad that there is a mist level. And Bella's fur, no likey.

Each of the girls has distinctive fur. Mattie has the best and it lays perfectly. Trojan can easily become a big puff ball...I swear when wet, she's half the size.  And Bella, well, she's our wooly monster. Funny that the same breed can have such differences. And yes, we do trim them up in summer...a big no no by some breeders. But honestly, we would never make it through otherwise

So, I was watching 60 minutes on Sunday and the amazing story about dog intelligence and their ability to make inferences. It turns out, dogs are like 4 year olds and each has a different type of intelligence just like humans. I, for one, have witnessed this first hand. 

Trojan has always been very smart and does anything to please. Ask to retrieve the ball, and she's off. Mattie is more of my rebel.  Ask her to do something and you can see the cunning response in her eye

Bella is my problem solver. Screen door shut..watch how I open it

So, when you combine the wit and determination of all three...watch out

It's been over a month now since transitioning to home cooked meals. The girls really seem to like it. Little time consuming on my part, but I attempt to minimize by cooking double and freezing the second. Trojan definitely is doing well...but there are signs more tired...but then again, she is 10 in human years.  She still sparks up when I get home.  And loves her walks. I've grown more aware when she's next to me. Her heart still bears strong...and for that Im thankful.

Week in Rewind: June 11

We are full steam ahead into summer. The first heat wave means early morning walks and dips in the pool.  I still remember the day Trojan accidentally fell in the pool. Pure instincts took over and she doggy paddled to the steps...but not before a few wayward turns. That's when it dawned us...the pups can swim. Ironically, Trojan, my skittish dog, loves the pool. Bella tolerates it. And Mattie is a wet mess.  It keeps them cool on these hot summer days

Notice the red saddle bag on Mattie?  When first looking into the fence, we made sure the dogs wouldn't fit through it. So that first day, we let them out to run loose. And run loose they did, happily chasing each other. That is until Miss Mattie discovered the fences perimeter. She charged to the back and made her way all the way around it...like a prisoner looking for a way out. Which should have been our first clue.  As we watched, laughing that there was no way out, we watched in horror as she simply bullied herself through it. And the next thing we knew, the escape artist was on the wrong side of the fence. Now really, there is only one real option in this situation...pretend like hell that everything is ok (but under your breath cursing luck), casually making your way to her.  So, we proceeded with caution.  As we got closer, that intuitive little monster knew something was up...and off she went.  The little stinker has some serious jets.  She was caught after we dove for her...this after a chase around a neighbor's house three full times.  You want a real work out?  Chase a loose dog through the development in pure panic....at one point, tired and broken, I succumbed to the idea that it was the end. She was destined to live her life outside the confines of her prison. But alas, we caught her.  And the little stinker will forever be destined to wear a red saddle bag...like a prisoner with a home monitor. That will show her!

Week in Rewind: June 4

It's all about the positioning.  The positioning.  No pushing. It's all about the positioning. The positioning. No pushing.

Seriously, it's all about the positioning with the girls, while we are in bed.  Each night, the three of them jockey for the single best spot next to mommy.  And some nights there are multiple maneuvers until that spot is found. Once we settle in, it's every women/dog for themselves...and god forbid if I have to pee during the middle of the night....because it all begins again...and worse, sometimes it leads to a chain reaction of dog potty breaks.  (Nothing worse than a 2am potty break with Mattie suddenly awake and energized.).  Meanwhile, on the other side of the bed, the hubby sleeps perfectly free of the chaos. Just how did this happen???

And don't get me started with the snoring. It starts as a small rumble (like bees making their way to pollen)...but after midnight we gonna let it all hang out. My goodness, who knew three little things could snore that loud.  As for Trojan and that bad MVD, she may snore loudly but that heart rate still slows way down to a nice resting pace. And to be honest, I like her closest to me so can feel that beating heart. Be still my beating heart...and yes, she's not beyond pushing one of those siblings out for prime positioning.

Week in Rewind: May 29

We had a great Memorial Day weekend. Lots of walks and outdoor time for our four legged creatures.  Trojan has always been an outdoor dog.  And I love that about her.  She sniffs around the yard with mindful purpose. And this week as luck would have it, found a dead bird near the bird feeder. This, of course, resulted in lots of dog activity around this area. Mommy, completely unaware, watched as they barked crazily. The give away, they went nuts and started rolling over it....which was  when we realized what was going on.  A little too late, the morning showers were ruined. So, back to baths we went...and let's just say that Miss Mattie was not a happy camper.  

Speaking of baths, it's super fun to watch them post shower. They run around like their hair is on fire. Save me..save me..save me. The adreline rush must be out of this world.  This high is quickly followed with subdued sleep.  So, we know get through the craziness and then they are out for hours. 

And how is the homemade food going?  Pretty darn well. They love it. And it really isn't that hard to make. The only nasty part is blending up the chicken hearts and liver, but I'm starting to get used to it.   Can you tell which two are first in line for dinner?  

Week in Rewind: May 22

This week has been perfect dog walking weather. Cool with a breeze. So, we've been out in spades. These days, the girls sleep a lot more than normal. But when it comes to their walk...giddy up.  We're lucky because there is a nice park across the street. And yes, the girls strongly believe that they own it

Have you ever walked three crazy dogs?  To say, it's an adventure is an overstatement. We crisscross leashes throughout the walk. Trojan assumes the rear.  Mattie on the right and Bella on the left. But it's all about the nose...and scents, scents, scents. So, the girls often cross from one side to another. And don't get me started when someone screams "Cavs". That usually means a stop and often ends with me hog tied. But it's worth it when make someone's day. Yesterday, we encountered an older lady. I saw her from a distance and could see the eyes lighting up. She stopped and said, oh my goodness, are they Cavaliers?  And it's always neat to watch the girls reaction. They perk up like rock stars. "I know, it's only rock n roll, but I like it.  Like it Like it. Yes, I do"

But my favorite part. The solitary sounds of walking them in the middle of the afternoon.  Click, click, click of their nails on the pavement. The blue sky and green trees. The hawks flying high above. The birds chirping announcing our arrival. I think way too many people lose track of this beauty. So, I'm lucky to have three crazy dogs that love their walks. 

Week in Rewind: May 15

TGIF. It's been a quick week in this household and some of us are taking naps. TBall, soccer, hair cuts, walks in the park, Korean tutor and a really busy work schedule will do it to you. And the pups have been there right there with us

Last weekend, we started a more holistic diet for the girls. I took Trojan to a vet that specializes in this area. She actually has 7 rescue Cavs so knows the dogs well. We made the decision to try some home cooking instead of Merrick. So off we went in search of chicken hearts, liver and beef...uckie, right. I blended this with veggies and fruit and made a puppy loaf. I have to say it looked darn good.  And the girls approved.  It was slowly introduced, but they gobbled it down.  And no leaky issues at the other end...so success.

The vet also suggested Omega 3 and direuitic foods for them to help their hearts and flush fluids.  And let me tell you, it's working. As in, 3 am potty calls. Just like women going to the rest room as a clan...once one of them stirs...they all want out.

And we switched their treats. Banana chips were not a hit with them...but our little guy loved them.  The girls were more into a little ball of peanut butter, oats, and parsley. The good news is that I can break that ball into pieces and feed all three of them.

We'll see how week two goes with the homemade diet.  But, it really wasn't as time consuming as thought it would be. And if it helps the girls....then it's worth the time

Bella

Then there was Bella, who came to our family as a surprise.  We were headed out on our normal walk when a lawn service person came over and asked would be interested. They just had twins and were struggling with her.  After some wrangling, we went for it. 

Some fun facts:

Her favorite move, the belly roll, is just part of her DNA....and she does it when ever it strikes her fancy. 

She sometimes gets crazy eyes..especially with other dogs

Trojan and her initially butted heads. Now, they actually sleep next to each other

Mattie and her look almost identical  during their summer haircuts

She's the dog that I know has my back. Big dog, off leash, galloping towards us. Trojan and Mattie run directly head behind me. Bella charges out after. The girl has no fear. 

In a word, loyal

Happy Mother's Day

To all of the amazingly strong, loving mothers in my life. Happy Mother's Day. Hope you have the type of day where you roll on your back in pure bliss...and just don't care!

I started mine early with a potty break for Trojan at 3am.  Not wanting to wake anyone up, Trojan and I snuggled on the sofa. When I woke several hours later, Bella was on my legs, Trojan by my side and the little guy was on the other end. That was quickly followed by waffles from daddy and the little guy (please note who is sitting in my spot eating).  I'm loved.

Miss Mattie

The arrival of sissy.  We waited less than two years to get another Cav. And this little bundle of kisses, has not disappointed. Little Miss Mattie, all 13 pounds of her is simply amazing. We met her at 3 months. Small, friendly, she screamed pick me, pick me.  Honestly, her tag wagged the entire two hours we were there with the breeder.  My love bug. 

A month later we picked her up.  As the breeder said, introduce her to Trojan at a neutral site. So off we went to a local park.  The funny part, Trojan completely ignored her...instead chasing her ball ball. After a quick 30 minutes, we headed home. And that's when Trojan took notice..."what the ..."  "where did she come from", "are you serious", "really, you expect me to share my food and toys with that thing".  Yeah, it went something like that...Mattie desperately trying to play. Trojan desperately trying to keep out of her way.  (which is ironic because they are half sisters). 

The above picture was snapped a few days later when I believe they finally made piece.   They share a funny relationship.  I like to call them, the odd couple. There's Trojay who is shy, prefers only Momma, and quiet frankly towers over her. And then there's a Mattie, outgoing, playful and exemplifies a show dog. No kidding, when we walk, Mattie has her head cocked up, chest out, tail completely upright. It's as if she calling all people to her attention.  And I swear, she gets offended people don't melt over her.

Along the way, there have been milestones.

The claps of everyone at Thanksgiving when she went to the door to potty (that a girl).
The nonstop retrieval of her ball ball (my baby has mad ball skills).
The trips to Ohio to see grandparents. (8 hour car drive, giddy up)
The strolls at Cape May where everyone wanted to pet her. (diva without the attitude)
Our first 5k race (of course we beat the mommy with stroller)
The accidental plunge into the pool (wait just one minute, where did that thing come from)
The introduction of her half sister, Mattie. (was she really necessary?)
The welcoming of an adopted son (why won't he leave me alone)
And, of course, the arrival of her non related sister, Bella. (you're torturing me)

And through it all, Trojan has grown and thrived. But there is that one love that she'll forever cling to...mommy. It isn't you. She really will never get comfortable with strangers. She only mildly tolerates the hubby and son.

The Beginning

The beginning began with the desire to bring a dog into the family. We were childless, newly married and had plenty of time on our hands.  So we began to research dogs and were immediately drawn to Cavaliers. Everything screamed perfect dog to us: small, intelligent, loving and trainable...not to mention breathtakingly beautiful.  Shoot, if they also cleaned up after themselves, we would have bought 100 of them.  Ever heard of 101 Dalmatians...

But there were those serious health concerns just living beyond the surface. We knew the risk, but simply could not resist the breed.  So we did our due diligence and found a good breeder with relatively healthy lines. I say relatively because no lineage is perfect, but hers were pretty good.

Thats what led us to a small breeder on a chilly November morning. As we excited the car, I remember saying "we're just looking".  But let's be honest that went out the window the moment we saw the litter. There were 2 rambunctious males and 1 highly frightened female.

We wanted a female. As I picked her up, she looked directly into my eyes as if peering deep within my soul.  Her tail went limp, hidden between the legs.  She wiggled uncomfortably.  And generally appeared to be saying leave me alone!  At one point, we put her down to talk with the breeder. The two boys playing between our legs. Not the female. She had strategically placed herself underneath the end table.  I'm pretty sure she was willing herself to invisibility.  Everything screamed what not to look for in a dog as stated by the "dog experts".

We'll take her.  I don't know why, but we were drawn to her.  As we left, the breeder placed all three pups in a box. The two boys each took their turn walking all over her as she sat sulking, huddled in the corner.  We were not deterred.  This dog was made for us.

This is Trojan

This is my baby girl, Trojan. The love of my life. And simply stated, my best friend.  We've had 9 amazing years together. I'm really hoping for many more.  But last week, we heard devastating news. Trojan has a Grade 3 Mitral Valve Disease. There is no cure. And it hits this beautiful breed especially hard. We knew that going in. Did all kinds of research before getting her (and yes, she's a girl!), but one look at those beautiful eyes and we were hooked.

Today, Trojan is still relatively healthy. There were no signs. She's  a little slower getting up...but still active. Heart and lungs are fine for now. I'm praying it stays that way. But deep down, I know the odds are against it. And that makes my heart ache. I've been a hot mess since learning the news. A week later and I still feel like bawling.

To work it out, I'm going to document her amazing life. She deserves as much. Because it's not hard to fall deeply in love with a Cavalier.