The House of Harmony

Spring has always been my favorite time of the year; for me it’s Mother Nature fulfilling the promise of new hopes, new dreams, new beginnings.

For the House of Harmony, spring is all about vet-checks, vaccines, mud and hair . . . A LOT OF MUD and HAIR. Four large puppers, the hub-a-dub, and an unusual wet spring ensures my investment in lint rollers, Febreeze and Skunk Oder Removal (I buy all by the case). On a side-note here, the Skunk Oder Removal stuff is great for the wet dog smell. And on the occasion we deal with skunks (not a matter of if, but when), at least I’ll have it handy. Last time I tried the tomato juice remedy and had the fight the other dogs licking it off the skunked one. Who knew!? We use the Jacuzzi tub to bathe them which is an all-day-affair. If it didn’t traumatize them, I’d turn the dang thing on and “bubble” them clean! LOL!

Mariah (aka – Little Bit, Dumb A–, OMG How Can A Little Dog Stink So Much) went for her check-up earlier this week while Mel (Melody) goes today to have her lumps and bumps evaluated. Because she’s getting older (she just turned 9), she’s starting to have maladies that are most often chalked up as geriatric normalcies. She’s also, thanks to the hub-a-dub, getting “fluffy” which is a cause for fatty tumors. Thanks to Harmony, we don’t take them lightly and have them checked regularly.

Double-stuff (aka – Kingston, Stinkie, Buddy, Big-Boy, also answers to Dumb A–) had a bout with MCT 18 months ago. So far (knocking on all the wood I can see) he hasn’t shown any symptoms of recurrence. MCT is what took our Harmony so we’re vigilant about his well-being. He will turn 7 next month and doesn’t appear to be slowing down. He also is getting very “fluffy”.

Meesha has been in three dog fights in the last six months. The last fight ended with her in the Vet-ER getting stitched up. The garage floor looked like someone had been murdered. We don’t know why she has started bullying Mariah, but Meesha is always on the losing end. Because of this we’ve had to tweak the pack arrangement so that the two are never unsupervised in the pack. It’s been a challenge along with the fact that Mariah has figured out the e-fence and gets out when we’re not watching.

The hub-a-dub retired in September and has taken the job of house-husband (I’m still working) which includes the daily care of the fur-babies (which also explains the sudden rise in fluffiness), bless him. He went from button-down oxfords to a cross between Cousin Eddie and Steve Martin’s character from The Jerk. Really, he did  . . . I have pictures. My mother asked, “Has he forgotten how to use a comb?”  My response was, “As long as he has a hat . . . (shrug shoulders)”

As you can see the House of Harmony is crazy busy on the tamest of days.

Tripawds will never, ever be far from my heart.

I hope spring brings all y’all the love that blooms in the heart of those who choose to hear the birds sing. ♫

I’ve been away. I can’t really put my finger on it, but I think that sometimes I equate this site with the grief of losing Harmony. Today, as I meandered through some of the posts, my heart was twisting as I tried to feel joy for all those fur-babies who have humans to care for them. I tried to feel relief for those who aren’t suffering any more. And lastly I tried to feel compassion for those who have taken on the “journey” whether it be a few days or a few years.

I know that we (and our fur-babies) won’t live forever and I’ve lost friends and family, but I’m perplexed as to why losing Harmony still feels like a raw nerve.

She visited me in a dream last week. It’s the one-and-only time this has happened. In my dream I was broken down on the side of the road of a desolate area. It was dark, lonely and very scary. I got out of my car to look up and down the highway to see others, but there was no headlights in sight. I was panicking when a dark object came toward me. It was Harmony in her favorite blue harness. She looked up at me and I immediately found peace and safety. We walked together side-by-side in the darkness until I woke up. Even now I still feel the ‘warm and fuzzies’ I felt when waking from that dream.

Since my last posting, Kingston (AKA Double-stuff) has had three surgeries for MCT. Thank goodness the tumors were detected early enough to be dealt with surgically. We are now 7 months post-surgery with no recurrences. While we check his flesh regularly, we can’t check his internal organs, but we’re optimistically hoping that we’ve addressed the monster and have put it to bed for a while. He is doing very well. The vet approached us about chemo, but he’s six years old now and, for a British Golden that’s a pretty good age, we decided to keep him as happy as we can. He has already spent three months in-and-out of the hospital with sutures, prescription drugs and E-collars. We felt it was time for him to be a dog. We did have a little side trip to the vet due to him eating a bunch of rocks (Good-God-Gurdy) but with some special meds he was able to pass them all. He’s still eating rocks, but at least it’s not 20 at a time.

We’ve also acquired a fourth fur-baby. Completely unplanned, we rescued a puppy we found eating road kill on the side of the road. Unable to find her human (we think she was dumped) we waited to turn her over to authorities. However, the 2 days we had to wait for the establishment to open, we became attached. We took her to the vet to scan for a chip and also to get her health evaluated. She had a cough, worms and still intact. But before the vet would see her we had to give her a name. And let me tell ya, this girl is very vocal. She can hit notes that would put Mariah Carey to shame.

Meet Mariah Carey Klein:

And the best part of this? Her and Mel play like Mel and Harmony used to play. (comforting warm-fuzzy heavy sigh)

I found this story about Bum, San Diego’s High Society Street Dog. Look closely, he’s a Tripawd. Read his story here:

Bum, A Dog Who Chose San Diego as his Home

Well, Harmony’s Angelversary is quickly approaching, but my attention has been on Mel (Melody) lately and the changes she’s gone through since Harmony’s departure.

When we first acquired Mel (dumped out in the country) we couldn’t help but love her. She was very young, spastic and hadn’t grown into her ears yet. Harmony was an 3 year old “only child” and we didn’t know how she would adjust, but our fears were squashed as they immediately began to bond. It was as if Harmony found her missing puzzle piece, hence the name Melody. And for Mel, well Harmony brought peace to her anxiousness. She was much more balanced as long as Harmony was around.

They were so happy together and never was there an ill-grrrr between the two of them.

As the next 4 years came-and-went, they continued to play until Harmony got sick.

For nearly a month, Harmony got all of our attention out of necessity. Poor Mel sat on the sidelines while she not only lost her playmate, but our temporary companionship as well.

She patiently watched and waited.

When the day came, November 1^st, Mel very gently sniffed Harmony’s face and walked on. In that moment as my heart was breaking, I wondered how Mel felt knowing that her best bud was gone. I wondered about her mental and emotional pain, or the lack thereof. I wondered about her coping mechanism all the while wishing at that very moment I could be more dog.

Yes, she is blessed to be without human baggage, but I still couldn’t help but be sad for her loss. I anticipated her possible personality changes and became more attentive than ever.

We mourned Harmony, but we also mourned for Melly.

Then we decided Mel needed a new playmate and found Meesha at a local rescue. We assumed they would be best friends, but they never meshed. Meesha treats Mel more like a pet than a playmate. She will lick Mel’s face and ears, but that’s all.

When Double-stuff (aka Kingston) joined the pack, he and Meesha bonded like Harmony and Melody had in the past. It’s a happy thing, but also sad knowing that Mel is still left-out.

Sure, we love on her but as every day passes, the more aloof she becomes or maybe I just notice it a more. When we bring all three fur-babies in from outside, we nearly always have to go look for Mel. Typically she’ll be by herself looking as if she’s waiting on Harmony.

It’s hard to compensate for her absence, but we try.

As we celebrate Harmony’s Angelversary, my heart sings on behalf of our Melody and the joy she brings us every day.

As this busy year comes to a close I find myself here reflecting.

Many of you probably have noticed my absence, but please know it wasn’t intentional. It’s just been so dang crazy these past few months and trying to find time to “talk” to everyone has been a challenge. Add to that my pooter problems; sometimes I could post, sometimes not so much. Don’t even ask me what the problem(s) was ‘cause I still ain’t got it all figured out.

When the email notification policy changed (no verbiage of the comments posted on forums I subscribe to), I pretty much lost my ability to keep up with everything and everybody. I totally understand the change. I can’t even imagine what it’s like to manage the great Tripawds.com.

Any-hoo, all y’all have been on my mind and heart. When I do get online to touch base, I see all the amazing work everyone does to help those in need of support. It’s very much like my first post when I was filled with terror and anxiety over Harmony’s journey. I can’t say I would have made it if it weren’t for all y’all. And as much as I want to be there for the newbies, please accept my apologies for being absent. It truly isn’t intentional.

With all that said, I wanted to share what Tripawds has taught me.

I have a friend who’s fur-baby recently was diagnosed with MCT. When I found out, I immediately gave her the link to Tripawds so she could read up on those experiences with canine cancer. She was devastated upon the news, but after reading the journeys on Tripawds (she never joined) she came back the next day and revealed that it helped her immensely. With some new-found knowledge, she went to her vet armed with a better understanding and not nearly as petrified. Now her fur-baby is on prednisone and doing wonderfully.

Then, just a couple of weeks ago, my niece found out one of her fur-babies had osteo and had to have a rear leg removed. We’ve had an ongoing conversation regarding her concerns for recovery and what to expect. The good news, the leg was all that was involved with cancer and the pup is expected to recover completely. I saw her (the fur-baby) on Christmas Eve and she was the most loveable, sweetest thing; obviously no pain and very happy to get some well-deserved loving. As expected, she’s still having mobility issues, but I predict by New Year she’ll be back to ruling the country acreage they live on.

Sadly, I’ve also had a few friends who’ve lost their fur-babies within the last few months. One had lost her two pups just weeks apart. I think all y’all will agree; unless you’ve lost a pet, it’s difficult to understand what another goes through. Losing our Harmony has allowed me to comfort others.

So, here’s my toast to all you wonderful pawrents of the Tripawd Nation. For all the love, support and friendship you’ve selflessly offered to complete strangers: May your cup always be full of slobber (love) garnished with fur balls (joy). There is a special place at the Bridge for saints such as yourself. St. Frances ain’t got nothing on y’all.

xoxoxo

ps – Harmony came to visit us last week in the form of a three-legged buck. How’s that for a sign!!??

ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzz . . . .

Mel and her Dad taking a nap.

Such a convoluted, oxy-moron title, but life has gone on with (and without) Harmony.

November 1^st (Day of the Dead) will be Harmony’s angelversary. It’s hard to imagine how much can happen in just a two year span, but time waits for no one, especially grieving pawrents.

Although 2 years older now, Melody is still just as adorable as she’s always been. I look into her eyes (yes, the only pup I know that will gaze back with love) and pray that when her time comes that she never has to suffer as Harmony did. She’s very reserve and quiet and won’t present any symptoms unless absolutely necessary. This makes me nervous because I don’t want to know when it’s too late that she’s been hurting in any form-or-fashion. But for now, she seems healthy and content.

Mel chillin’ with Dad

On the other hand, our Meesha, who we adopted a month after losing Harmony, can stub her toe and will come running to us whining as if to get a “make it all better kiss”. It truly is hilarious at times, but I never, ever thought about how different doggie-personalities can be. Meesha is so loving, crazy and loves to do zoomies, whereas she ignites the “border” part in Mel to try and “herd” her.

“Where’s my treats?”

Meesha enjoying her luvin’s.

And then there’s Kingston, a British Golden; 84 lbs. of hair, slobber and stink. I call him Doublestuff most of the time because that’s what it looks like when laying between Mel (62 lbs.) and Meesha (72 lbs.), like a Double Stuff Oreo.

“I know it’s cleaner over there, but I want to lay right here in this mud ’cause I’m white!”

We didn’t adopt him. We’ve been more like foster pawrents. His owner ran into bad times and asked if we would take him until she got back on her feet. That’s been more than 6 months ago and I’m not sure his “mommy” will ever come back for him. It’s sad, but he doesn’t know ‘cause his life is filled with love and promises that he’s a part of our pack. He is just the sweetest thing you’ll ever meet; not a mean bone in his body. Not the brightest thing either, but, like my sister-in-love would say, “At least he’s purdy.” LOL!

Anyway, having 218 lbs. of puppy luv keeps the void that Harmony left, full of hope and laughter.

Harmony has been tugging on my heart especially hard this week. I’m sad, but not in a grieving way. It’s more to do with the realization that all our fur-babies will leave us eventually.

Harmony’s message? Enjoy every fur-ball, lick, look, bark, and growling minute you have with them for tomorrow comes so much quicker for them than it does for us.

Love you guys.

Harmony Watching It Rain

Why do we live on a planet where each life, whether plant or animal, has its own unique life expectancy?

Every day I come to the Tripawd Forums and read about the loss of another fur baby. Rarely do I ever get online and not feel the rage and heartbreak over the premature delivery of another innocent to the Rainbow Bridge.

We would be better humans if we were more dog.

And they are innocents! Never, ever was there a companion with purer love and devotion than the fur-babies who’ve come in-and-out of our lives. Their capacity to love through any emotion we throw at them is unfathomable. To wag their tail or greet us with a “kiss” when they’ve just come out of surgery or chemo is truly love in the purest form. And what about all those sweet rescued souls who lived lives of abuse and neglect? Whether they hobble across the floor or run, the outcome is the same; unrequited devotion.

We should be more dog.

But the truth is, their lives weren’t meant to be as long as ours. Maybe it’s because we were charged in the Garden of Eden to take care of the plants and animals. We can’t do that if our life expectancy is short. There are so many more in need and my heart has plenty of room.

There is a price to be paid for such a love. Harmony gave of it freely as did all the others. I can only hope to live by their example.

Be more dog.

R.I.P. Saint Harmony

I have to admit that every time I watch one of the Harry Potter movies, I can’t help but correlate cancer with the whole reference of “He who must not be named.”

I’ve seen it time-and-time again where we reference cancer as the “c-word”, as if we’re afraid that by saying the name, we relinquish some part of ourselves to the disease. Maybe deep down we think it equates the same response as saying “Lord Voldemort”, I can see that.

Both are ruthless. Both would torture you and your loved ones before taking your life mercilessly at the end. Both leave devastation in their wake. Lastly, both are hard to defeat, but it can be done.

Our attitude about this disease has to change. Instead of being afraid or dreadful of what lies ahead, we need to get angry; foot-stomping, red-faced, ass-kicking mad.

I’ve personally started an “I HATE CANCER” attitude. Every time someone or something makes me angry, I’m taking my rage out on cancer. I’m done pussy-footing around this scourge.

I feel the cure for cancer is just around the corner. In the meantime, I ain’t giving in to “Lord Voldemort” any more.

Let’s put it in its place. Yell the name in disgust. I’m gonna make a voodoo doll and by George (by the way, who is George?), its name will be CANCER. I’m gonna torture that doll until cancer gives up.

In the name of all our loved ones, both furry and furless, let’s put cancer where it belongs; under our heel as we grind it into extinction. Get mad and take no prisoners. It’s time to get even.

“TAKE THAT YOU PIECE OF CRAP-CANCER!”

As the quote at the top of this page implies, we have started a new story with the addition of Meesha, a Lapitor (Lab/Pit). I thought at first it would be difficult, feeling like I had replaced Harmony because she reminds me so much of her, but she brings a new dynamic to our pack.

Meesha is a rescue from a hoarder and came with “baggage”. It’s the baggage that keeps us on our toes and reminds us every pup has their own personality whether by breed, litter number, or environmental factors.

For example, because Meesha spent the first few years of her life in a cage, her canine tips are wore down from biting at her bars. She also has back/hip problems due to that prison being too small for her. When we first read her story online, it was communicated that she was only around 3 years old. At our first meeting I noted her muzzle was grey, much like that of a senior pooch. But the vet says that she’s prematurely grey, to me that only reiterates the abuse she suffered.

Another one of our observations is Meesha wasn’t afforded the things that most dogs do naturally. She doesn’t know how to “mark”. That in itself is actually a good thing, except she will hold her bladder sometimes as long as 24 hours. She will hold #2 as long as 3 days. We were a wee bit successful in trying to recondition her. I thought it kinda funny that we had to reward her for going to the bathroom, LOL. She continues to improve, but can’t be left in the house unattended. We’ve found this conditioning the hardest to break.

AND she will eat/chew everything as if she’s going through a delayed puppy stage. We don’t dare drop a single thing or leave anything laying around for the fear of her eating it. She’s quick. We dropped a paper towel yesterday and it was gone in seconds. Yet she is the most delicate thing when taking food from our fingers. That big ole pit bull mouth will gently nibble a cheerio while Mel (Melody) would take your fingers off!

Her personality is just wonderful and it’s my understanding from her foster mom that it has just recently come out after months of nurturing foster care. She’s quite lovely. With the black of a Labrador and the single coat of a Pit, she is very stunning. And her eyes: I would have to say they’re the most gentle eyes I’ve ever seen on a dog, even Harmony’s.

It’s no coincidence that we all equate our fur-babies as children because they’re like kids who mentally never grow up. It’s as if they’re stuck at the human age of 4. That’s like having a preschooler for many years. With that said, I also recognize that any kind of abuse forever changes the adult human or dog. No matter what kind of abuse it was, the outcome is typically the same. Meesha challenges us every day. There’s always something that changes or pops up as a result of her earlier life.

Even with all of her baggage, I can see balance. She brings a center to our pack that we desperately needed. She shows us love and companionship. She plays with Mel as if they were born attached at the hip. She moans and sighs in approval as she lays her head in our lap.

Meesha brings our home, Harmony.

Melody and Meesha

I remember when  I was so flustered that everyone else was getting “signs” from their Angels and I wasn’t getting anything. Truth is, I was closed down emotionally and not able to recognize a brick upside the head! LOL! But then it happened and I felt like that part of the movie where Helen Keller (Patty Duke) finally realizes that the water she felt on her hands is also what her teacher was spelling out with her fingers. The signs have always been there, I just wasn’t open yet to recognize them!

And, while we’re on the subject, I figure many of you are noticing a pattern with me when I refer to this movie or that movie. Well, that’s because I’ve been working in the movie industry for 23 years. I kid folks that it’s the closest thing to getting paid for using a TV remote! HA! So when I reference a movie, and I will, please forgive me in advance. Thanks!

With that said, I watched a lot of movies over the weekend and I saw some more signs. But what I realized was that when I opened myself up to see the signs, there was more than one Angel talking. For example, I can’t even remember what the movie was, but as I watched the credits scroll at the end, there it was; one name above the other, “Jasper” and then “Lily”.  Now what are the chances that a) that would occur in the credits and b) that I would actually notice it!? Is it because I’ve had Alison and Jasper Lily on my mind or was it Shelby talking to Alison through me?

And then I re-watched the movie “Epic”. And there he was, an animated tripawd pug named Ozzie that saved the day. They didn’t have to draw him that way. He could have saved the day as a quad. And since I had seen the movie before, the pug was an uneventful character for me. Now after my journey with Harmony and you folks, he means everything to me!! I didn’t have to watch the movie again, but I chose to.

But there’s more, hold on to your britches ’cause I received an email from a very good friend who was telling me about a bar/grill that he was going to see with thoughts of purchasing it. He sent me a picture of the frontage, “Harmony’s Bar”.

Got chill bumps?

My point is this, signs are everywhere. We choose, sometimes subconsciously, to see them or not. I’m no expert, but I think it’s a matter of freeing our hearts and minds of the emotional baggage we picked up during our perspective journeys.

We can’t put more tea in a cup that’s already full. Yeah, I got that from a movie too. WOOT!

pam

Ozzie the Tripug