Great Day to Be a Dog!

Today was the day my pup went back to be tested to see if he was heart worm free. When we took him to the vet specialist back in November about having his cataracts removed and getting lens implants, thanks to generous benefactor's who are dog lovers (thanks Jerry and Dee Dee) we discovered he had heart worms and not a candidate for the surgery.

Once his story got out, the help flooded in. Other blog readers and friends on social networking pitched in and provided the funds for the quick kill which consists of three treatments over a thirty day period. The vet I normally used (when we had money) wanted over $1100.00 for the quick kill.

 The mobile vet I had recently discovered who visits our county once a week (we call him the "Vet in a Van") said he could do the slow kill (a two year process) for forty bucks but the quick kill could cost $500.00. Ham's eyesight had deteriorated rapidly and only being five years old just wanted to let him have sight again as soon as possible.

Then the blessings really started to flow. People sent us money with notes saying to use the money  for dog food, the heart worm treatment or gas to get him to and from appointments.

I mean, who could resist THIS face? Obviously not many. My sister posted my blog about Ham on her Facebook page and the word spread rapidly.I know I am leaving someone off this list but a few of Ham's benefactors have been Jerry, Dee Dee, Elaine, Kathy, Rhonda, Terri, Dennis, David, Ellen, Paulette, Tim, Kristal, Margaret, Kim, Denise and Jill. None of these people have ever met my dog but came to his rescue. He also had 72 friends on HIS Facebook page praying for and encouraging him. I had all the names written down but once I sent out thank you notes seem to have lost the list in the hovel I call my house.

The quick kill wasn't pretty and very painful for Ham. (and me) The first treatment seemed to almost kill HIM and didn't get up from his bed for almost two days. The second treatment was a bit better but still difficult.  Shout out to my younger son, Zach who  went to every treatment with us and babied Ham every step of the way.

The third treatment was a mere shot in  the hip and the "Vet in a Van" said we had to wait three months before having him retested to see if it worked.

Technically I should have waited until next  Thursday but just couldn't.  I woke up this morning and let Ham out back to pee before we loaded him up for the "Vet in a Van." I sat out back and noticed a beautiful red cardinal perched high up in a barren  tree. I don't know if I am right or just wishing but think I remember from when I was younger that if you see a red bird you  make a wish, shut your eyes and if the bird is still  there when you  open them, the wish  will come true. I wished like crazy for a good outcome and the little red bird was still there when I opened my eyes. I took that as a good sign.

Zach and I loaded up Ham and with fingers crossed went to see the "Vet in a Van." As usual we kept Ham in the car...the Vet comes to your car. Have I mentioned he is incredibly nice, not bad on the eyes and seems to genuinely love animals?  He drew blood and said to give him ten or fifteen minutes for the results.

It was a long fifteen minutes that stretched into over thirty.  He went back in his "Van" and didn't reappear. Of  course I am a worrier and kept thinking maybe the test came back positive and he was running it again to make sure.  Zach let Ham out of the car and walked him around to pee. I sat in the car praying.

Forty minutes later the van door opened and as he saw us sitting there, shook his head and turned back around. He  came back out with a piece of paper and me being the worried mom thought, "Okay, here it comes, bad news."

He came over to the car and apologized, twice. He had been spaying a cat and forgot about us. He handed me a piece of paper saying Ham tested negative and was good to go  for eye surgery!

I haven't been this thrilled in quite a while. He patted Ham and said to us in his Moroccan accent "He's a strong, sweet boy."

So  thanks to many, my boy is headed back to the specialist.  I went into work tonight (my day off but  picked up a shift) and although it was slow (Damn you  March  Madness) made enough to put gas in Tim's car for work and give  Massey  some money for gas  too.

We are a struggling family but  a blessed family.  We work hard, pray hard and are blessed beyond belief.
 
I have 100 pounds of dog food sitting in my garage  another friend brought us. I have a heart worm free pup who is good to go for eye surgery.

Life is good!

"To the world you may be one person; but to one person you may be the world." (Dr. Seuss)

The gratitude I (and Ham) feel is quite simply "Immense and overwhelming."

Well the dryer just buzzed so I guess I gotta go for now. It's been a good day here. It's been an excellent day here. It's been  a fantastic day here!

Thank you each and everyone for loving me, reading me and living my life with me!

Hang on ...Hopefully it will only get better!

Til next  time...Contented and Grateful COTTON

Stopping The Negative Thoughts...For At Least a Week

Of course it was slow at work tonight when I needed it to be slam banging. We are leaving in the morning for a week in St Augustine and I am desperately behind on my cash collecting for the trip.

I got lucky and was standing up front by  the host stand when some people that used to work with my brother came in and asked if I had a table?  They bumped me up quite a bit but I still  felt nervous.

I am a worrier...never used to be but have perfected my skills the past few years. I keep thinking "What if Massey gets really sick or we have car trouble?"

I get paid on Tuesday and since changing my exemptions have been getting a small paycheck.  I told the owner's wife if she could float me some emergency money I would sign over my check.

If you follow my blog or journey you know exactly what she said. "How long has it been since you have been on a real vacation?" I told her about four years.

She handed me two bills and said "Go relax and try not to think about all the money  you could be here making."

Zach worked a ten hour shift, got off around eight and had to come back to pick me up. We walked out the back door to my car and the owner's wife was getting into hers beside us. She got back out and handed me a box of Cornflakes and simply said "It was  the penny item at Publix this week,  thought you might want to eat breakfast too while you are there."

That was the turning moment. Even my bosses want me  to go and have a good time. Not only does she loan me money but worries about us as well.

 I came home and started packing up my kitchen. It's not like it was fully stocked but I took every staple I could. Cans of soup, took sugar and condiments. Packed up laundry detergent and dishwashing liquid, toilet paper and paper towels. Oops...forgot  the saran wrap. When  packing that up I decided on taking trash bags, paper napkins and a bottle of red wine Barb gave me a week ago.

Leaving Zach a detailed list of how to take care of three pups in this exhausting heat, when the trash needs to go out and a reminder to check the oil in my car. A year ago I wouldn't have left him home with a scooter but I am leaving him now with my precious Lil Beemer.

I have prayed about it and thought about it even more. He has grown into a responsible young man. He has done some really stupid things but manned up, served his time and deserves to be given another chance.

I was typing this blog when he came home  from meeting with friends and handed me fifty bucks, saying "Take this money in case you need it."

I don't want to jinx myself...but how much luckier can a woman/employee/mother feel?

I am destined  to take this trip and take it I will!!!

Next blog will be from  the beach!

Til then...COTTON