"Roses, Wines, and Canines"

If you've been around here for any time at all, you already know that I am one of the core members of Greyhounds Rock Fredericksburg, a nonprofit fundraising charity.  We raise money for, and educate the public about, canine cancer.  We staff the GRF booth at local events (pet fairs and wine and beer fests, mostly.), selling our hand-made collars, leashes, jewelry, wine glass holders, etc., talking pretty much nonstop, and soliciting donations.  We also organize an annual event in the fall.  Since 2010, Greyhounds Rock has donated over $40,000 for canine cancer research, support, and treatment.

Emma and Daniel, with their friend TJ.  All three of these sweet dogs died of cancer.

In the past, our fall event has been a two-day conference that we called "Take a Bite Out of Canine Cancer".  This year, we are doing something a bit different.  On Sunday, September 27, from 11am to 6pm, here at Hartwood Manor and next door at Hartwood Winery, we are hosting "Roses, Wines, and Canines" ... a fun family and dog-friendly day in the country.

Emma, our first greyhound, adopted in 1999.  She loved squeaky toys ...

... and laying in the sun watching the world go by.

She enjoyed children ...

... and she was a superb Therapy Dog.

(Now you know what's been taking up so much of my time and why I haven't been here very often.  I have been doing what I can to tidy up this place and whip it into shape to receive guests ... hopefully LOTS of guests.)

Then, there were two.

This pic was taken at the greyhound gathering in Dewey Beach, Delaware.

Emma was mostly people oriented ... she tolerated Daniel ...

... and I like to think that she came to enjoy having a little brother, after we adopted him in 2005.

As of today, five days in advance of the event, plans are in place, the gardens look as good as they're gonna get, and we are VERY excited.  We will have food, Blessing of the Hounds, a scavenger hunt through Hartwood Roses' gardens and Hartwood Winery's vineyard, wine tasting, a vendor market, photo booth, raffle, auction, door prizes, and more.

I love this photo of Daniel and me.  It was taken at the GRF conference in 2011, four short weeks after Emma died.

Daniel was such a sweet boy!

I knew from the first time I met him, while transporting him and another dog from NC to a foster home in VA, that he was intended to be my dog.

His sweet, smiling face got even more beautiful with time.  He left us way too soon, in 2013, just shy of his 12th birthday.  This is the last photo that I took of him.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children 12 and under.  We will accept walk-in registrations, but we prefer that folks register in advance (so we have the most accurate guest count for food and chairs and such.)  Register at the Greyhounds Rock web site, www.GreyhoundsRock.org.  Our beneficiary this year is the Greyhound Health Initiative.

There is still time to plan to attend "Roses, Wines, and Canines", and we will be honored to have you.  If you can't attend, and you want to support our efforts, donations are always welcome.  (we make this easy, with a donation page on our web site.  Click HERE.)

Ruby and Winnie are excited to welcome everyone on Sunday.  Okay ... Ruby is excited ... Winnie will probably just bark.

All of us who have dogs have probably lost at least one of them to cancer.  It's a heart-breaking fact, but I accept this as part of the bargain.  The joy that dogs bring to my life is worth the pain of their passing.  My work with Greyhounds Rock makes me feel like I'm fighting back ... paying it forward ... so future dogs can have the benefit of the programs that we support.

Happy Easter

I took this photo of Daniel for Easter 2013.  He's been gone for almost two years now, and I long ago reached the point where I smile when I see photos of him ... remembering circumstances or events with him makes me happy.

I hope a silly photo of his sweet self wearing bunny ears makes you happy, too.

TJ, the Big Red Dog

I haven't mentioned this before now, because I wasn't sure that I could get through it ... I'm still not sure, but I'm going to dive in and say it and see how this goes ...

Our friends Kim and Andy's greyhound TJ, the dog that I loved as if he were my own, was sent to Heaven on October 1.  Four weeks ago ... it feels like yesterday.  A friend of ours said it best, "the world is a little quieter and the light is not so bright."

 

 

 

 

 

 

TJ was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma and had amputation surgery in July 2010, at the tender age of 8.  In the face of a disease that has a 12-month or less average survival timeline, he defied the odds and lived 39 fantastic months ... showing everyone he met that life on three legs was just fine with him.

Here he is, already up (with a little bit of help) the day after his surgery

Look at that smile, right after his stitches were taken out.

 

Getting a drink, after working a long day at our GRF benefit in 2011.

I have so many stories I could tell about TJ.  What I remember most is that he loved people, and how he was such a clown. 

Working with other Therapy Dogs, at the Santa line at the mall.

 

Gathering toys while at a Greyhounds Rock planning meeting.

 

TJ, and his friend Oscar, at GRF's event in 2011.

TJ touched thousands of hearts in his time on earth in his work at schools, hospitals, festivals, fairs, and other events ... and so many of our hearts are breaking now that he is gone.

Blessing of the Hounds, 2011

 

Blessing of the Hounds, 2010

 

My favorite photo of TJ.

Those of us who love TJ are channeling our grief into energy and working hard on the final details of this weekend's 8th annual "Take a Bite Out of Canine Cancer" benefit.  We are dedicating it to the memory of TJ, and my sweet boy Daniel, and all the other dogs who lost their battles with cancer in 2013.

Fly free on your angel wings, TJ ... your work here is done.

Meanwhile, Back in the Sewing Room ....

Outdoor work in the garden has come to a halt for now, because it has rained at some point during the day for nine of the last ten days.  For the past three days, we have had periods of fairly steady showers and the place is thoroughly saturated.  (For those of you who desperately need rain, please accept my apologies.)  Since I can't plant roses while the ground is like this, I have been keeping myself occupied doing other things. 
 
Yesterday's project was to make a pile of martingale dog collars for the Greyhounds Rock Fredericksburg booth at the Heritage Festival in downtown Fredericksburg on July 4th. 

Those of you who are connected with me on FB saw this photo when I posted it yesterday afternoon.

When I started making collars years ago, I only made them one-and-a-half-inches wide and greyhound size.  Martingale collars, at that time, were mostly used for greyhounds and other sighthounds, so it made sense to cater to that market.  Since then, owners of other dog breeds have learned about the safety provided by a martingale's limited slip choke loop ... and that it doesn't have to cost a fortune to have a whole wardrobe of colorful collars for your dog.

These are some of the collars that my Daniel wore.  The one in front was my favorite!

To feed this new interest in martingales, I have added a smaller-size to our inventory.  As the photo says, these collars are 1" wide, and they are slightly shorter than the original size ... think of this as a Medium.
 
I use donated discontinued upholstery fabric samples to make my collars.  The samples are small, and I am only able to get two, three, or (at the most) four collars from one piece of fabric.  The benefit of this is that you're not going to see your dog's collar on every other dog at the dog park.  The downside is that once a pattern is sold out, it's gone ... get 'em while you can, because you may be disappointed when your favorite isn't there when you come back to the booth.

Anyway ... as I looked at the new collars, I realized that there was nothing there for the girliest of pups.  There is the brown rose chintz one, and the lime green one has polka dots on the lining, but something was definitely missing.  I dug through my fabric stash and I came up with this:

Pink houndstooth!  Such a classic pattern, small scale to compliment a more petite collar, and oh-so feminine.  It was hard for me to put all four of these collars in the pile for the booth ... one of them would look SO good on Ruby. 

If you are local and plan to come to the Heritage Festival, please stop by the GRF booth ... I will be working the afternoon/closing shift.  If you can't make it to see us in person and you are interested in one of these collars, let me know and I will pull it from inventory and sent you a PayPal invoice.  Or, if you have an idea for a custom collar, I would love to work with you ... I once made collars for a woman so her two dogs would match the couch in her office.

I donate my time and all supplies to make these collars, and every $ of the purchase price is donated to Greyhounds Rock Fredericksburg ... to support canine cancer research that benefits ALL breeds of dogs, not just greyhounds.  This is a cause that is close to my heart, since it was cancer that took my Daniel in May (and Emma in 2011). 

I love this photo of Daniel and me!!

It is appropriate that I post this today, because it is a special day to celebrate.  Today is the three-year anniversary of my dear friends Kim and Andy's dog TJ's osteosarcoma diagnosis and surgery to amputate his front leg.  Three years survival is a miracle for this horrible disease, and TJ has thrived as a Tripawd ... continuing to work as an active Therapy Dog in hospitals, schools, and mentoring other Therapy Dogs.

Happy Ampuversary, TJ!!

There's Never Enough Time

Yesterday, I had to let my dear Daniel go.  Everything happened so fast.

 

 

On Monday, I took him to the vet because he just wasn't right.  She found that he had a kidney infection, prescribed an antibiotic, and he should have been better within a day or two.

 

He wasn't.  I called the vet on Thursday morning, and she told me to bring him in right away.

 

 

 

As soon as she put her hands on him, the look on her face changed.  His abdomen felt normal on Monday, but Thursday it was full of a very large spleen.  Ultrasound confirmed this.  His lymphoma was something different now, extremely aggressive ... and it wasn't something that we could fix.

 

 

 

I don't remember much about how I drove home through rush hour northern Virginia traffic that afternoon.  It took forever, my mind was racing, and my heart was breaking. 

 

 

 

Friday morning, it was obvious what had to be done that day.  I called my vet, made the appointment, and spent the rest of the day spoiling Daniel with attention and treats.

 

 

Daniel left this life, cradled in my arms, as I whispered in his ear.  I promised when I adopted him that I would be with him forever ... and I was.

 

 

 

 

Godspeed, my sweet boy.

 

Forbes Nakdaniel (6/12/2001 - 5/17/2013)

 

Forgive me if I am unable to reply to what I am sure will be very kind, caring comments.  I don't know if I can do it right now.  Please accept my sincere gratitude in advance.

 

 

Happy Easter!

I bought these bunny ears last week at Target for $1.   It was a simple matter to shorten the plastic headband, and thread a piece of elastic through the fuzzy fabric band to make them fit the dogs.  (Those of you who follow Greyhounds Rock on FB have already seen these pictures ... they're so cute that I have to post them here, too, for everyone to enjoy.)

First up, we have my sweet boy Daniel.  He finished his chemotherapy treatments last month, and he had a great check-up last week!  (To see his story of successful treatment for Lymphoma, click HERE.)

"I'll wear the ears, but I don't have to like it."

 

Our friends Kim and Andy adopted a new dog in November ... meet Anu, a beautiful, loving-but-skittish, work-in-progress Saluki.  (We were shocked that he let us put the ears on him.)

 

Anu can melt people with those eyes!

 

 

Our final model for the bunny ears is TJ ... Kim and Andy's other dog.  Next week, TJ will celebrate the 33-month anniversary of his osteosarcoma diagnosis and amputation. In that time, TJ has been an inspiration ... showing everyone he meets that there is life after amputation (especially for a dog) and that a physical challenge doesn't have to be a handicap.

 

 

 

I tried repeated to get a photo of Ruby wearing the ears, but she kept shaking them off before I could get the picture.  You'll have to take my word for it ... they were really cute on her.

 

Happy Easter, Everybody!

 

Hey, Connie, How is Daniel Doing?

It has been almost exactly six months since our eleven-year-old greyhound, Daniel, was diagnosed with T-cell Lymphoma of the spleen.  You would never know by looking at him now that he was anything but a happy older gentleman dog.  I am thankful for the expert care he has received from his oncologist.  Look at that sweet face!

"Mom, is that cheeseburger for me?"

 

 

Daniel has received six doses of CCNU.  It is an oral chemotherapy drug, which is powerful against his cancer, but usually has minimal side effects.  (liver toxicity and low white blood cell and/or platelets are the most common.)  Only once did he feel even the least bit puny after one of his treatments.  Other than that, you would never know by his behavior that he was receiving treatment of any kind.

 

He has been steadily regaining the weight he lost earlier in the year before his diagnosis and treatment.  My normally 70-pound dog bottomed out at 58 pounds.  He is up to 65 pounds, as of his last vet visit on Christmas Eve. (that's why he's wearing his red velved holiday collar.)

 

"Yes, Daniel, it is.  Here you go, Sweetheart.  You were such a good boy for the doctor."

 

 

Daniel is the dog that picked me seven years ago.  I remember that day so well ... the little voice in my gut was screaming, pleading, begging me understand that this precious boy was meant to be mine ... what a wise little voice! 

 

Cat safe?  Yes, he is!  

 

 

As far as Daniel's lymphoma goes, we are making his treatment decisions one vet visit at a time.  He has a less-common low-level type of lymphoma, and we are taking our cues from him about how to proceed.  So far, he continues to be in remission ... eating well, gaining weight ... with a cheery attitude and a great quality of life. 

Ruby's Perspective ... Going to the Doctor with Daniel

Hi, Everybody.  Ruby here.

Daniel had an appointment with his cancer doctor today.  Mom took me with them because no one else was at home to watch me, and she didn't want me to be in my crate for such a long time.  (She's a really good Mom and she loves me very much ... I'm glad I picked her.)

 

 

I like Daniel's doctor.  She hugged with me and scratched my ears and told me that I will be a wonderful therapy dog.  Then she told Mom that Daniel is doing even better than he was when she saw him three weeks ago.  That made Mom happy.  I like it when Mom is happy.

 

Daniel had to go to the "back" (wherever that is) so he could get his special medicine.  The doctor said that he was getting a meatball ... I like meatballs, but I don't need the special medicine so I can't have one.  While Daniel was gone, Mom and I sat on the floor and waited.

 

 

 

When we left the doctor, Mom told us that she was going to have lunch with her friend Deborah, and that she was going to leave us in the car for a little while.  She also told us that she would take us to get a special treat when she got back.  (Daniel gets treats whenever he goes to the doctor ... he tries to hide it, but I can tell because I can smell it on his breath when he comes home.)

 

Our next stop was a place called The Drive Through.  Mom told the man in the little box that she wanted "a double cheeseburger plain, please".  Mom broke the cheeseburger into little pieces and she took turns giving some to Daniel and some to me.  This was the first time I ever tasted cheeseburger, and I really like it!

 

 

 

It was a long day for us.  There was a lot of traffic on the highway, and it took us longer than it normally would to get home.  I didn't mind, though, because Mom and Daniel and I got to spend more time together riding in the car on a beautiful sunny day.  I like riding in the car.

 

Another Daniel Update

I won't make you wait ... I'll just come right out and say it ... shout it, actually ...

Daniel is doing AWESOME!

 

 

In case you don't know what I'm talking about, here's a quick summary.  Daniel is our eleven-year-old greyhound.  In late July, he was diagnosed with low-level T-cell lymphoma of the spleen.  (Click HERE to read my first post about this).  He is being treated with chemotherapy (CCNU) and prednisone, and he has responded perfectly.  (The update I wrote after his first chemotherapy dose is HERE.)

  

Along with his cancer, a big concern for me has been his loss of weight while he's been sick.  He is so thin.  Since his first chemo treatment, I run him across the scale at my vet's office once a week to keep a close eye on it  ... my normally 70-pound dog bottomed out at 58.2 pounds when I weighed him on August 15.  (That's three pounds less than he weighed when he had his first chemotherapy treatment.)  He has a great appetite, and will eat anything I put in front of him, but he was still not regaining any of his weight.

 

 

"Is breakfast ready, Mom?"

 

 

August 20 was our appointment for a follow up with his oncologist and his second chemotherapy treatment.  Upon examination, Dr. Sheafor pronounced that Daniel's spleen is now "dramatically and palpably smaller" (her words) than it was when she saw him three weeks before.  She reassured me about his weight loss ... she theorizes that it was probably the reduction in the volume of the cancer in his spleen that accounts for most of it.  I was over-the-moon excited when she told me this.

 

 

"What's that?"

 

 

Our weight check this week revealed that Daniel now weighs 62.2 pounds ... that's a four pound gain within two weeks!  He is still really thin, but that's okay because he is going the right direction and he should soon be back to a better weight.

 

 

"Yum!"

 

 

Our happy, active Daniel is back.  He has a spring in his step, a boyish twinkle in his eyes, and he has the energy to run and play again. 

 

Thank you for all of the wonderful messages that so many of you have sent asking about Daniel.  It is wonderful to report that he is fantastic, and I can't hardly stop smiling about it.