Day 849: The Story

Well, well, well...It has been a while since I have been here to share my foughts and feelins and the whatnot... It's been a busy and difficult few weeks: I have been workin hard to feel better. Me and the Mom have been busy seein people and talkin about fings. The Mom has been hoverin over me like crazy. And the Bleu has been rambuctious, rebellious and an all round 'bad boy' in a way that makes me proud and the Mom sigh.


I will begin wif the good news. I am feelin much better... like my old self. And I'm happy!

[Photo taken Day 845]


And now for the story:


Days 830 - 833. Monday-Thursday. I saw the Dr. Mark on Day 825 Wednesday and was put on aunty biotics for a sinus infection... along wif the Love Protocol adminstered by the Mom (what is more intense hoverin than even normal). We were hopeful on a counta one day I would feel better, but then the next... I would not. The Mom took notes on all of my actions and inactions, ever sound, ever breaf, ever ever fing.


Day 834. Friday. Me, the Mom and the Dr. Mark were in agreement that an exploratory procedure was in order to figure out how to help me feel better, so we planned that for Day 837.

[Photo taken Day 835]


Day 835 - 836. Saturday-Sunday. I didn't feel good, but the best and also the worst part was the Love Protocol aka the hoverin Mom. Just sayin.


Day 837. Monday. I had an exploratory procedure that turned into radical surgery to remove a growf from my froat. Sadly, the Mom's premonition was true. After a long conversation wif my the Dr. Mark, we knew that it was very likely not goin to be good, but breathin and swallerin was so much easier! I was restless and uncomfy overnight... and so was the Mom. The LP (Love Protocol) was in overdrive.


Day 838 - 839am. Tuesday-Wednesday. My froat hurt. But the LP made it just a little better. Just sayin.

[Photo taken Day 839. The cone belongs to the Bleu!]


Day 839pm. Wednesday 6pm to be exact. Dr. Mark received the results, did some local research... and called the Mom. It was the news he had prepared us for...: malignant melanoma. The Mom turned inward to the me and the LP.


Day 840 - 843. Thursday-Sunday. Oncology Appointment #1 was scheduled for Monday. And the Love Protocol mounts!


Day 844. Monday. My dear, sweet (the Mom's adjectives, not mine on a counta they are SO not dudely) Uncle Tom... came over bright and early to take us to Appointment 1. It was a little brutal... so Oncology Appointment 2 was made for Thursday, and the Love Protocol escalates, as does the research for holistic approaches to treatment...

[Photo taken Day 841]

Day 845 - 846. Tuesday-Wednesday. I am off all of the aunty biotics and pain meds, and I am startin to trot outside, chase squirrels, root for buried pecans and all in all, nap a little less. I'm even kinda enjoyin the LP a little more!

[Photo taken Day 842]


Day 847. Thursday. My dear, sweet (MY words this time on a counta he's THE UNCLE) Uncle Tom came over again to pick us up for Appointment 2. Wif the exception of the brief nap I took durin the serious part of the conversation... I had a blast! Even the way home was fun, and I enjoyed a brief stop by the Casa De Herd!


Day 848: Friday. Decisions have been made, appointments scheduled, and we are committed to a combination of conventional and holistic treatments and ferapies.

[Photo taken Day 840]
So that's the story. And now, as much as I hate to ask for help... I need it. Please keep me in your foughts and prayers. Please. I believe in that sort of fing... you know, The Power of the Paw!

[Photo taken Day 842]


And there's one other thing I need to ask... Please to not share a negative story wif me, on a counta the Mom reads this stuff. Me and the Mom are boaf fighters, but I fink the Old Gal is feelin a bit fragile these days. She real strong on the out side, but I know her like no body else... and she is hurtin. So please to share your postive energy and encouragement! We need and appreciate it more than you could ever know!

[Photo taken Day 848]

By the way, my Aunt Melanie has proclaimed my friends and family "Team Luke"  (has a nice ring to it, don't you fink?). And I would love you to join my team and the Love Protocol!

Day 794: Various And Sundry Sunday [And Two Days Precedin]

It is fun to sit for a portrait,
but it is even funner when the original artwork arrives!

You all know that I am a big fan of Mike McCartney.

He understands me. He really understands me!

Of course I was curious what the Mom was photographin in the gift chair.

And while she was tryin to frame a shot of me respectfully admirin...

I zoomed in for a sniff!

The Mom screeched... 

"Don't touch art wif your snooter!"

I backed off and then I pouted.

The Luke is a very sensitive boy.

And I do not like it when I guess the wrong fing to do.

I take criticism to heart, and 

I like that the Mom will all ways redirect my pout in a positive way.

That way I can shake it off!

Yesterday, the Mom took some time away from The Bleu Infirmary

and also from the Factory Work, and she headed to the

GRRH Meet N Greet at Orvis Westheimer!

Allow me to introduce these Special Girls and Boy!

Poppy

5 year old red-headed Beauty wif the soft furs

Healthy and Available

Joie

Gorgeous blonde wif the soft silky furs, about 3 years old

Healthy and Available

Mikey

This Sweet Boy met his Forever Family!!!

Dora
Recovering from a horrible case of mange, this Sweet Girl met her Forever Family!!!

A very successful day for the GRRH!!!

----------

Now, I do not have pitchers of our snow cone eatin extravaganza last night... 

but it was definitely worfy of the photographic documentation!

Guess I'll have to send the Mom off wif the Aunt Susan and Uncle Mike

again real soon to fetch me, Bleu and the Sammy 

some more shaved ice wif the tasty flavor!!!

The Bleu, by the way, is Bleu again today!

Big Boy's hair ball has come to pass,

and the bounce in his step has returned!

He is not 100% in the digestive department.

But Big Boy is not green any longer,

but more like a shade of aqua.

I will close wif a Mutant Leaf update!

And as an aside...

The Mom has been sittin here by me sayin 

"You gotta tell your friends about all your mischievous antics this weekend.

You are goin to be the end of me, Luke!"

Then I flash her this smile.

And the Mom say

"O The Luke, I love you. 

I do not know what I would do wifout the you. 

You give my life purpose and make me complete. 

You are my most favoritest of sons."

I fink that's what I hear her say, but

I might have made some of that up. 

I forget. Just sayin.

Day 187: Sammy Claws!

Sammy (Claws) who is my great pal cross fence leave bounty at my door what in pretty bag guessin his mom Aunt Susan pick out wif red bird what me and the Sam boaf chase from our yard.

And inside bag is other bag what got treasures and structions for boaf me and the Mom!

What also got Sanicle what the Mom used to take till she use hers on my scar to ward way evil disease. Then also in pocket of stockin... gift card. Woe... way too generous. Me and the Mom neever know what to say. Way way too generous. Thank you hardly seem enough.

Also in bag is sweet bear what I call Sammy Claws in Santa suit what I love and love to suck.

Luke love the Aunt Susan, Uncle Mike and (our secret) Cousin Sammy. Thank you seem not enough for such great gift!

Day 156: Random Thoughts

Saturdays are confusin for me. Go to bed same time Friday night as all others but not posed to wake up same time Saturday mornin?

Guess not by way of hearin the adjective the Mom used when she announced the time of my complete impatience... "six duckin fifteen", she said. Hey, I gave her an hour reprieve... our normal time is five duckin fifteen!

1. Breakfast on Saturday mornin might be bit later than usual. One hour late is bout my maximum.

2. Feel it my job to make sure the Mom know it daylight. Just sayin.

3. When the Mom go back to sleep after mornin routine... good idea upon her risin, to dance to food bowl. Never know. She might forget she already served breakfasts.

4. Watchin her work never fun but some time sighin and always scratchin make her stop. Note to self.

5. Imperative to point out workers in yard next door just in case they not posed to be there. Never know. Some time random electricians try fix problem neighbor don't really have. Good to have a Luke to try make their job miserable.

6. Fun too, to have the Mom chase you cross yard in jammies... though it also kinda barassin. Just sayin.

Day 89: Lifelines... Just In Time!

Aunt Susan and Uncle Mike given us a hot pink lifeline, and now we got the colorful tv, a fan and the poor fishes got their filter running again!

Mrs. M brought us a bag of much needed ice as we was slap out, and she said she wished she could put a bow around it. The Mom was so happy I thought she was gonna spring tears again.

I can't claim to understand, but just from watchin the Mom... I think it must be overwhelmin to reduce your foodstuffs to a tiny box on the back porch and then not be able to find enough frozen waters to keep it good.

Then again... the Mom says there's those that got no tiny box nor back porch to put it on, so see...

Luke is lucky. And so is his Mom. Even though the stress sometimes gets you to thinking you're not.

Day 88: Rockin Sam's Yard!

The Mom finished cleanin the backyard and patio, and then she fixed her and Uncle Mike a margarita. Said she was breakin out the top shelf horded best she had. To be clear, she was referrin to the ice (that Mrs. M's son brought in from Katy... and that she was kind and generous to share with her nay-bors!), not the tequila.

And then came the best part of all! I got to go over to Sammy's yard and run around and sniff and test the greenness of the grass on the other side of the fence.

Uncle Mike and Aunt Susan loved on me, and I had a x-tatic time. The Mom felt bad, though, cause Sam had to stay inside... so they brung him out to meet me with no fence betwixt us.

Guess he was a little mad to find me in his backyard and can't say I blame him. We both barked our fool heads off. Twasn't pretty and the Mom is disappointed in me.

I hate that and feel bad but let the record show that my long suit is havin all the peoples I love to myself (and sharin is my short suit).

Day 60: Good and Golden Fortune

Me and Mom spent the last coupla days feelin' a iota bummed on a count of the belly up trolley and all the fun things we missed on a count of it.

But today we heard that, while we were here lickin' our super-fishull wounds... my Cousins Zeke and Rizzo, Aunt Karen and Uncle Craig had a trolley crash on the way to the beach.

Thank Heavens...!!! Noone was hurt, and they were all rescued from the big fast road by Uncle Tom and Aunt Madison!

So I'm pawsin' to reflect on what good and golden fortune is not... and is.

It's NOT that your trolley is without cool airs. It IS that you have loved ones like Aunt Susan to rescue you from a hot day on the road!

It's NOT an OW-WEE and a bald butt. It IS that you have a Mom that worries and cares. And an Aunt Susan who delivers brown bag treats to prevent more!

It's NOT the fact that you missed adventures you were so looking forward to, but it IS living in a home full of mutual care, adoration and respect, with a Mom that makes every day special in some way...

It's NOT that your trolley is banged up, and you are stranded. What it IS IS... you are safe and without physical harm. And equally important IS having friends you call family, like Aunt Madison and Uncle Tom, who rescue you!

And base and bottom line... It's NOT Chapter One. It IS having GRRH believe in you... provide you an awesome ride to H-Town, proper representation and excellent match-making!

Day 59: Random Thoughts

Things I THINK I love:

1. Trips to Galveston.
2. Walks on the beach.
3. Board Meetings.

Things I KNOW I love:

1. Oodles of loving. (Mom's guilt ROCKS!).
2. Bacon and eggs.
3. Aunt Susan's "treats".
4. Muncho chasers.
5. Squirrel chasings.
6. Brushings.
7. Mid-Afternoon Stories.

Things I DON'T Like So Much:

1. Chores. Especially of the Dyson nature.
2. Moonlight work (Mom's), though I'm grateful for the benefits.
3. The storm defender cape. I've personally sent mixed messages as to whether it works. But do I like wearing it? Not so much, but I've also got a gargantuan bo-bo on my butt!
4. Windmills... and warm temperatures on both sides of the door. (Windmill people presented Mom with a bill for $531! Not much market for a PPV dog blog, past my prime for centerfolds, and I ain't deliverin' newspapers, so...)

Things I HAVE TO Get Used To:

1. Mom's thrill (not) over windmill bills.
2. Warm temperatures on both sides of the door.

Things I HATE With A Passion:

1. STORMS.
2. THUNDER.
3. IMPENDING MONDAYS.

Day 58: Random Thoughts

Things I love:

1. Big and happy plans for a Saturday!
2. Visiting with the teller in the bank drive-thru!
3. Coffee and pound cake on the Starbucks patio!
4. Promised destinations reached! Even if it means a baff!
5. Air conditioning in trolleys!!! This cannot be understated!!!
6. Cape and cone free weekends!
7. Aunt Susan aka Sammy's Mom for rescuing MY Mom. And for delivering healthy and tasty treats to help my hind side heal!

Things I don't like so much:

1. Hopes dashed. Plans cancelled.
2. Loud explosions in the trolley. Hot air blowing from her vents.
3. Did I mention hot air blowing from the trolley vents?
4. STORMS. THUNDER.
5. Capes and cones. And a nervous, distracted Mom.
6. Going to bed when it's still daylight. Gonna be a good boy, though, 'cause Mom's stressed!
7. The proverbial dark cloud over mine and Mom's head.

Day Three: Mom Left and Came Back Again!

Mother hurriedly printed photos from our shoot, gussied up and broke the news that she was going to leave for a short while... a 'lupper' of sorts with Aunt Dav and Uncle Benjy... more fine kin I'm happy to know I have!

These are good peoples who look after Mom. I'm to understand that they go way back.

Uncle Benjy was the first to tell her she needed a new love (puppy or dog, I think he said). And I hear tail that Aunt Dav played no small part in my visit here, as she proclaimed "He's the one!"

At any rate, I took a short nap and next thing I know, Mom is coming back through the door... and she's pretty happy. Said something about having fresh guacamole and a rooster tail or two. I don't know nothing about rooster tails, but I hope there's plenty more where those came from... because she's in a FINE mood!

And then the real fun began. Shortly after she landed, I was hitched to my leash... and I finally got the chance to see Aunt Susan again, and to meet Uncle Mike! This guy is 'Luke' style all the way. He plopped down in the front yard... and we leaned into one another, Mike with his arm around me. There was a lot of talk going on, but the sound I heard was one of security.

I like it here. And I think I might want to stay put for a little while longer. I'm a bit conflicted... because I miss Aunt Melinda's. Here, though, I'm a solo act... a Headliner! And the attention feels kinda good... for now!

Day One: Welcome Wagon!

I've spent the afternoon exploring this new place, pawsing only to sit for a snack (though that has been abruptly ended by some misfortunate and what I can only assume are unmannerly gases), sip a few fresh waters and meet the locals!

First I met this really nice woman I found out is my Aunt Susan. I liked her right away, and felt comforted and reassured. She seems to know this 'Mama' person pretty good and says she's really happy for both of us... whatever that means.

I know she said "meant to be" a few times, and I'll have to ponder that when I get back to Aunt Melinda's. That house of hers is a great place to ponder things... safe, comfortable and relaxing.

I feel like I'm really racking up on blessings, because they both told me about an Uncle Mike I have, and how he'll really want to meet me. Another thing I've learned... just like friends, you can't never have too many Aunts and Uncles. Them is good folks, they are.

And speaking of friends! I've got a new one... might just have saved the best for last, because I met this fellow through the see-thru fence!

Seems his name is Sam. I like that, suits him in that "he am Sam" sort of way.

We ran the fence a bit. Sam had a lot to say... me, not so much, but this 'Mama' seemed to celebrate the 'wuh wuh' that I added to the conversation. (Another thing to ponder when I get back to Aunt Melinda's... strange woman, this 'Mama').

And lo and behold, next thing I know... my new Aunt Susan appears on his side of the fence! Who knew! Well... she and 'Mama' started exchanging greetings again over the fence top, just as Sam and I had, only much quieter and with less intensity. And Sam and I slipped to the other end of the yard to sniff noses. I got a good sense about him... and we exchanged pmail addresses.

All good things gotta come to an end, though, I've sadly come to learn. And it happened then, as the skies began to darken in the middle of the afternoon. I urgently persuaded the 'Mama' to let's go to the in of doors as my love of the out is over for today.