blue : tail of the dog

here

Iris dropped by on her way back to the East Bay. Huge tail wags and Blue got the duck for Iris. Liver treats, high fives, perky snorts and play stance.

# posted by tiger_grrrl @ 10:23 PM

we picked up Nancy and Shady, headed down Highway 1 just south of Miramar.






we did heed the discharge notes, and stayed away from the sand and ocean.
we took it slow, but Blue was very excited and tugged me along.

she didn't tire, especially when there were rabbits, horses, and the favorite: voles underground.




lots of liver treats for Shady and Blue. still, i lifted her into the back of the car and watched her water intake.

afterwards, Trader Joe's. i got some flax seed oil in a bottle, easier to pour.

i've decided to write a diary.

a beautiful sunny saturday. smog the car and then, off to the beach.

i puit the dog in the car and head over to Nancy's. We drive to Bernal Hill. there is an easter re-creation of the Crucifiction, processioners spilling into the street and swarming the car as i hold the emergency brake and hope not to run over any small children.

dusk falls as we walk the paved path with Blue, Shady, and Fritz.

above the city, the view is spectacular.

after leaving the office, i call Craig, Su and Mark on the cell phone. i don't even cry.

then it is off to Safeway for more rotisserie chickens. I cruise the vitamins aisle, pick out some vitamin C wafers and gel capsules of fish oil, omega oils. what the hell it can't really hurt can it? Blue accepts them easily, wrapped in chicken skin.

i pick up Angela and we drive to the park. Blue is energetic. we walk three times around the park.

Blue and I bump into Jaco and her dog at the park. she is the woman we met earlier this week, who's other dog had cancer and died just a month ago. i wanted to say thanks, so i do right away. there is something comforting about running into her. we chat long enought to be running late for Angela and i have to get going.

Angela and i have a leisurely breakfast over at her place, and i eat an entire omlette. afterwards we smoke cigarettes and study french verbs at the table.

afternoon: sitting on the stoop, surfing the net. i need to go into the office. that's the plan. Blue ambles by me and i watch her body snake between me and th wall. the sunlight is bright, and there is no mistakeing the shadow i see on her stomach. it is not alongh the incision. i get up and examine. the spot has raised enough to throw a shadow. a tumor. yes, it does happen that fast. i can see it with my own eyes.

we play the lottery and later check the results . well a few are cash winners but it is only $12. sorry Blue.

day eight since surgery. we are back @ BAVS for removal of Blue's staples, and to consult with the oncologost. Tommy & Romy come with.

Nancy, Charlie & Shady walk over for a pizza party. Sausage and olive. now that's pretty tasty! we rent an early Sophia Loren - Peter Sellers film: The Millionaress. I however, do not last, and fall asleep in the middle.

i phone Dr O'Conner over at Pets Unlimited to give her an update on Blue. She is not available. Before transferring me to voicemail, I ask the receptionsist in very vague terms about the vet who euthanizes at home. Dr Ken Speil DVM, that's the name. I write down his phone number. I leave a detailed message about Blue for Dr O'Conner, who phones back soon after. I catch the phone as the machine picks up. We have a wonderful conversation and i express my gratitude to her and to all the staff at Pets Unlimited. She has been receiving fax updates from BAVS, so she knows the story.

Afterwards i ring Dr Speil, and get his answering machine. It announces his visiting hours: the standard 9 -5. I don't really want to leave a creepy message asking about how one arranges for the final house call, so i hang up.

it seems i have developed a crush. Chris Gallagher called, we have a good laugh. what is that, conference. Transference, he corrects. yes, thats it. later on i read about it. classic Freud. it is all there, so easily spelled out . . . i seem to have so many of the signs. Charlie and i talk about how basic that is. triuth be known, i just don't get out enough. how pathetic is that?

hello everyone

apologies for the group mail thing but i wanted to send out the news to all of our friends that Blue is very happy to be home recovering from her surgery. again, thank you for keeping us in your thoughts as it has been a truly wonderful source of strength and comfort during this rollercoaster of a week.

the very sad news for us is that Blue's biopsy report came back: she has visceral hemangiosarcoma, a very aggressive soft tissue and blood vessel cancer which is terminal. Her surgeon estimates Blue's time in active, good health with no discomfort to be approximately 3 months at most. every day is a beautiful gift and we will make the most of our time together!

Thanks to my Mom & Dad, we are headed to Tahoe with my Mom on Earth Day for a relaxing long weekend in the mountains, which Blue absolutely loves. Blue should be fully recovered from surgery by the time we return (27 April). i intend to spend my time with Blue going on walks anywhere and everywhere so give a call and join us if you are in town. Fort Funston, Pacifica, Fort Mason, The Embarcadero, The Headlands, day trips around the Bay Area, you name it we're there.

when we are not out walking or poking around the garden, Blue and i plan to be working here at home on Rock & Roar, continuing full steam ahead with developing the project and writing grants for production.

your emails, phone calls and visits are always welcome!

love and hugs,
anne & blue

mom calls and over the phone i guide her online as we purchase her flight - arriving Earth Day, 22 April.

looks like we are going to Tahoe

i call the lodge and get some rates, send it all off in an email to my mom

i go throught all the boxes of photos and pull ones of blue. Angela drops by for a visit, we sit on the bed with the boxes and laugh with the stories