Update on Flossie: Tales of an English Springer Spaniel

Well I wanted to give a latest update on Sweet Flossie. So many of you took the time to pray for her and send well wishes when she was so very ill this year that I thought we should share the Good News too.

Flossie is doing Amazing ! Especially considering her original diagnosis of less than a 50% chance of living due to having AIHA. She's living proof that Lots of prayer, love and Good Dr.s , medicines and natural supplements have been a blessing to her body.

I took her into ER on April 24th of this year ..and here we are at October 29th ~ 6 months out. She is only on 1 medication twice a week .. along with natural supplements.  So far her blood tests have been good .. we are up for another one here in a week or so just to make sure all is still going well. From her energy level and appetite I would say she's doing pretty o.k..

The picture above is from this week. We were on a little jaunt out in the country and she was so Ornery ... wouldn't sit still for the life of me. Just look at those eyes .. she knew she was being a handful. After the picture I let her go and she just ran her little heart out back and forth across the field until you could see she was winded but smiling ear to ear. We got back in the car and she had some water and took a nice nap coming back home.

Anyhow so far so good .. April 24th of 2017 will be the 1 year mark we are shooting for with no relapse as well we don't know what caused the onset of her disease so it could have been something as simple as the spring grass pollens etc. So we'll continue praying and building up her body with good things and hope that she's one of the lucky ones that lives a long life and never has a relapse again.

Thanks again for all your wonderful prayers !

Until next time ..

Sweet Flossie ~ My blessing from Heaven ~ Chronicles of an English Springer Spaniel

Well Hey there Gals ... I thought I would give you all a bit of an update on my Sweet Flossie .. truly my blessing from Heaven. Did I ever share with you all that when I knew I was getting Flossie .. well I didn't know I was getting her. I was only given the choice to have a female out of her litter at 4 weeks old but didn't know what female would be assigned to our family. So I just prayed every night that whatever one was supposed to be mine that God would make her special for me and that I could be as much a blessing to her little life as she could mine.. Well I can't tell you the inumerable blessings she's been to mine .. and I'm glad I got her to be a blessing to hers with this disease she now has.

So many of you sent well wishes and prayers for her and honestly that just meant the world to me !

We are now headed into the 5th month since Flossie became so ill. She has been doing really well and has done better than expected. We just recently completely weaned her off the steroid which was very scary wondering if her body would go back to attacking itself without it. Now mind you she was still on another med. but even with that one it was worrisome. She did well coming off the steroid and so far so good her body is readjusting well and so far no attacking itself. And 1 week ago today we started weaning her off the last immunosupressant. This morning she had a blood test to see if her blood level held steady over the week as we dropped the dosage significantly. I think it has.  She's good and red and her energy is up and she's actually returning to her old self. For the first time she jumped on my bed last night in one straight up in the air bounce. I was stunned ! But so very happy. I think that means her muscle mass is re-building from the break down caused by the lengthy time on steroids .. woohoo !

(no she's not playing ball yet.. just a pict from before she got sick)

We still have a ways to go .. April 24th of next year (2017) before we cross the 1 year bridge with this disease. Basicly they consider her in remission like cancer patients and the 1 yr mark with no relapse will be a better chance she won't relapse in the future. This is a life long disease that we will have to watch for the return of. Some dogs relapse often right from the beginning and others can have 1 bout with this disease and go the rest of their life without relapse. There's no rhyme or reason and no cure. Just veterinarians who treat it in various ways to save the dogs life and then try to manage it if there is relapse. I am praying we are on the side of just this 1 time for her whole life. I never imagined the day I got her, that 3 years later I would be laying on the ER floor outside her kennel with blood transfusing into her leg hoping and praying she would make it. 6 days in the ER and now almost 5 months later we are in a much better place .. Thank the Lord ! It had been such a short time since I lost both our Goldens, 1 to old age and 1 to cancer ... I couldn't imagine 3 losses in such a short time. Well I'm feeling so blessed I didn't have to go through a 3rd Loss.

Thank you again to all of you who left comments and said prayers ! You know Prayer is an awesome thing ..  and uplifting someone with positive words is so helpful. I am ever so grateful for all of you !

Well it's a beautiful day here in the Ozarks .. a little rain this morning ..Some sunshine right now and some more rain tonight .. that's what makes this part of the Heartland so so beautiful !

Have a great day and I'll be back with another post about a sweet vintage market that just opened in our area with pictures shortly !

A Renewed Spirit ...at Cambria Shores Inn

 

Happy New Year !

My Goodness is it just me or does it seem as I grow older that the years just seem to pass more quickly ?

2014 already. It seems like yesterday when we were turning the year  2000 "the Millenium" .. and everyone was scampering to save the world. Computer Crashes worldwide were going to happen and all sorts of other frightening things.  Here we are 14 years later ... and another year older and hopefully wiser.

I hope you all had a fun New Year Celebration ..that is if you celebrate .. I'm not one of those that does .. My idea of celebrating is just a good old black and white movie a good dinner and to hope for a good nights rest. I know not to exciting by any means but it's just my speed ..LOL !

I also hope you all had a Super Duper Merriest Christmas !

We decided to change things up this year.

Usually Christmas is just myself and my parents here at home with a traditional home cooked meal, which is truly a favorite of mine. I am without a doubt a complete homebody so celebrating right here at home is the perfect Christmas ..but this year we decided to step out of our box and get away for a Christmas Vacation which I must say was very much needed !

After working 12 and 14 hour days for the last 10 days leading up to Christmas ..Abbey and I were exhausted and just about burned out. But we made it through .. The Lord gave us the strength, energy and will power to make it through.

Working from home however means that your work is always pretty much in your face. And it gets so hard to just walk away from it even when you are on your down time. There is always something that needs doing or can be done and for me it's hard to not do it. So getting away where I couldn't work at all was a really wonderful idea.

We decided we would head out on the Saturday Morning before Christmas for one of our Favorite Destinations .. Cambria, CA. It's a small town that sits on the CA coastline. Not touched by chain stores or chain restaurants. They have done an amazing job keeping it a small town filled with shops and restaurants owned by small business owners. They even keep a limit on housing which really makes for a beautiful place to visit. You truly feel like you can get away here from all the hustle, bustle, and craziness of the everyday world so many of us live in.

So off we went ...arriving to find our beautiful destination.. just as lovely and untouched as it was 5 years ago when we last visited.
 

 

 

The Motel we love to stay at is "Cambria Shores Inn" .. it sits on an ocean front road that runs about a mile I believe and is filled with many more motels all of which have ocean front views.

The above photo is of the knoll that sits out front of Cambria Shores .. filled with aqua Adirondack Chairs. These very Chairs are where you would find the 4 of us ..just about everyday we were there. Lazing in the Chairs ..listening to the roar of the Ocean .and watching the surfers, paddleboarders and other vacationers walk the wooden boardwalk along the ocean.

 

 

This is a birdseye view of the motel... a sweet single story place most likely built back in the 50's which has been renovated beautifully with all the modern conveniences you could want...
 

 

 

 

Most of the Rooms have ocean Views .. Ours did .. and every morning we rolled up the blinds and opened the window and had our breakfast in bed...

 Cambria Shores Inn ..has so many special touches but their breakfast in a picnic basket brought to your room every morning a 8 a.m. and hung from a cast iron hook outside your door is positively wonderful. Fresh Fruit, Orange Juice, Bagels, and Muffins along with real silverware and cloth napkins is just the perfect touch .

The big Plus about Cambria Shores Inn for us is that they are "Dog Friendly"...Yes any size dog as long as it's friendly is welcome. In fact upon arrival you will find a special basket addressed to your dog. With Food and Water Bowls and Place mat, A towel for drying off after getting out of the Ocean, Dog Treats and much more. Plus dog biscuits come in the breakfast basket every morning so your best friend isn't forgotten. They even provide throws for the beds so your dog can cuddle and sleep with you .. and during the summer time they have an old cast Iron tub for washing all the sand off your dog after a day at the beach.


Just down the road a mile or so is a Dog beach ... where we took Sweet Flossie ..

This was her 1st time to the Ocean ....

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was a little concerned about how she would react to the roar of the Ocean and the water rushing up the shore.... She's always been a bit of a cautious pup

 

 

 

Well she hurried into the ocean and swam away

 

No not really....

 

I just loved her paw prints in the sand and had to get a picture of them.

 

 

 

 

 

Flossie had Such a Fun time at the beach .. she was a little cautious at first .. there was a small rock sticking out of the sand on the beach...and she went about 6 feet around it in all directions ..I would try to coax her to it ..but she would get within a foot of it and then quickly begin back peddling.We eventually conquered the fear of the rock after I covered it in dog treats and they were more important than her concern for what the rock might be or do ..LOL !  

The above photo is of the ocean front 2 lane road that runs in front of the line of motels that all overlook the ocean...Each one has been beautifully renovated over the years and all are well kept. We were shocked at how many people were vacationing for Christmas in Cambria. We had this picture in our heads when we decided to go that we would be there all alone... but the opposite was true. Scads of people with their dogs walked the street, the boardwalk and played in the ocean. And the motel we stayed at was full every day. We met some wonderful people while staying and Flossie met some furry friends that she got to play and bark with as well.

This shot was from the Adirondack chairs on the knoll at our motel... all those rocks you see out there in the ocean.. each day they were covered with seals... You could walk the wooden boardwalk ( where you see the people standing) the complete mile length of the beach .. down to the lookout where the seals are. There are steps that lead down to the rocks where you can view the tide pools with sea urchins and starfish and other little sea creatures and you can view the seals up close and personal too.

 

And in January begins the whale watching season .. Now how fun would that be !

 

 

Well 5 days was fabulous but I sure think I could have gone for a whole month. I was just getting relaxed when it was time to come back home. However I came home with a renewed spirit... and that's a good thing. Being able to enjoy all God's beauty and peacefulness was just an absolute blessing as well as making more memories with my family !

 

It truly was a Merry Christmas I won't forget !

 



The Flossie Chronicles " 1 yr and counting" ..Tails of an English Springer Spaniel

 

It's hard to believe that Tomorrow will mark the 1 yr Anniversary of Flossie Finding her new home with us....

 

Yes 1 yr has passed since we brought that sweet little 8 week old puppy home and it's been such a wonderful and delightful journey.

 

Flossie actually turned 1 yr on November 19th ..

 

 

 

 

 

 She is growing up to be such a beautiful Girl ...

 

She's full of feisty fun ..and just loves to run. Having always had Retrievers of Some sort all my years growing up .. I must admit that I am truly amazed at Flossies speed .. She's like a Bunny on Steroids .. Her run is more like a hop yet unbelievably fast ..and her favorite thing is to run circles in the yard and have us chase her without ever being able to catch her.

 



She brings an amazing amount of Joy to our home and I can honestly see why they say that having a dog can lower blood pressure and bring health to a home. I can say that there isn't a day that doesn't pass that we are not hysterically laughing at her ... for some antic she's up to.. Like becoming a scrapper .. Yes all those lovely scraps that I cut away as I work on projects have become Flossie's love. She searches my work room each day for anything she can possibly find scrap related even if that means nosing through my scrap box and making a choice find .. She then saunters into the room with it hanging out of her mouth staring at one of us with those eyes that ask is it o.k. if I have this piece ? ... We then examine how valuable the scrap is to us ..and give her the o.k. or ask her for it back .. and give her something in place of what she's found. She then just carries it around until the novelty of that scrap fades and begins a search for another .. It's a bit awkward to say your dog is a lot like you and loves fabric .. I guess all those months as a puppy observing me at work gave her the idea that working with fabric is what she's supposed to do to .. ? Who knows but she sure loves the stuff ..LOL !

 

 

And her favorite treat is "Carrots" ... she "Loves" a whole carrot to carry into the back yard and chew on .. what used to take her 30 minutes now takes her about 3 minutes to eat ..but that's o.k. they are good for her and she so enjoys them. What's funny is when we eat a carrot and she looks perplexed . 

 

Our Sweet Girls is as quiet and content throughout the day as she is bounding with energy when we pull the leash out each morning for our daily walk. She is full of love..hugs and many a snuggles and still thinks that what is ours is hers even as many times as we have tried to convince her they are not... She still has some of her puppiness that needs to be molded into better ways such as jumping on us when we are all talking and she wants in on the conversation ..and we are working on all of those little things to mold her into a well behaved Girl.

 

Flossie is an absolute blessing and we are so thankful she is ours to Love and be Loved by.

 

 

Give your pet a hug today and show them some love ..they need it like we do ..

 

P.S. don't forget to read the post prior to this one to enter the Free Giveaway at Sugarpie Farmhouse ...

 

 

 

 

 

The Flossie Chronicles .. Tales of an English Springer Spaniel ...Cool Dog Training, Temecula, CA

So I was sitting here the last week at my computer thinking about the posts I had done on Flossie and the many to come in the months and years ahead ...and for some reason the words " The Flossie Chronicles" kept coming to my brain .. I have no idea why ..but you now have the new title for My Flossie posts ...

Several weeks ago ... I began taking Flossie ..to what is called " Puppy Socialization Class" ..

It's an hour long class ..where owners bring their puppies for playtime ..so they learn how to play with other puppies and learn how to bit nicely through correction from the other pups ... not the people ... and they learn correct behavior from a few older dogs that are brought into the class in the second half hour.

I've been attending "Cool Dog" ...located in Temecula Wine Country

Cool Dog Training Center is wonderful .. for one thing it's located in the countryside but just a few short miles from the city .. which I love !

 The Cool Dog Facility is Beautiful .. Clean... and Spacious !

After .. having attended several classes .. Flossie instinctively knows when we arrive at Cool Dog ..and the minute her paws hit the gravel ... she's on a dead run to the front door ...ready for her playtime !

The Front Door leads you into a Beautiful Reception Area ..loaded with wonderful Pictures of many of the Dogs that have attended "Cool Dog"....

There is a small double door entrance from the reception area to the Grand Training Room .. where all the Fun .. and all the training Begins ..

And

Puppy Class Begins ..

This Last Saturday .. Flossie and Deogie (a miniature australian Shepherd) ..were the first to arrive ..and had about the first 5 minutes together to romp and play ..

This Class has been awesome for Flossie .. She has gone through that Puppy biting Stage for about the last 3 to 4 weeks ..and this class has helped to curb that ..by biting the other puppies she has learned to have a soft mouth because when she bites to hard the other puppies YELP ..and walk away from the play and she learns that biting too hard stops all the fun .. and vice Versa ..when they bite too hard she walks away ..

This Class has also helped teach Flossie and us .. Doggie Body Language and what it means ..

One of Flossies Playmates for the last 3 weeks has been Dakota ..( a German Shorthair) His Daddy Carlos and Momma Sheila .. are raising her to be a good indoor dog as well as a hunting dog for Carlos. Dakota is full of energy and loves to play .. And she became a wonderful confident puppy and graduated this last Saturday .. we are going to miss Dakota and her Mom and Dad at Class !

Lynne .. is the Owner and Trainer of "Cool Dog" ...

She is such a nice Gal .. So Helpful ..Willing to answer all your questions and give you advice before and after classes and number One ..she is a Fabulous Trainer !

Below is a pict. of Lynne ..in the Grand Training Room .. while the pups are playing...

Lynne... Shares pertinent information during class on training your puppy, socializing your puppy and believes in "POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT" training... !

This last Saturday we got a new addition to the Class .. "Macy" ... at first she was scared and ran in the corners of the room away from the other puppies ..which is normal.. every puppy that comes to class suprisingly is scared the first class of the other puppies ..but within the hour or some puppies it takes the 2nd class ..they start coming out of their shells and begin to realize that their is alot of fun awaiting them and it isn't going to kill them !

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Flossie started her First Obedience Class "Cool Dog II" this last Thursday .. She did awesome .. ! It was actually kind of funny because Obedience Class is held in the same room Puppy Class is held ... and Flossie having been to Puppy Class just assumed that's what we would be doing Thursday Night ..and she went in rearing to play ..and boy did she get an awakening when she realized she didn't get to run around and play for an hour...LOL !

  However she did really well at class .. I had been teaching her, her sit Cue for several weeks so she had that down great ..she learned to WAIT ..and to COME ..in addition and we have been working on those Cues this week .. She is so quick to learn them, eager to please ..and loves the learning ..she looks at me after we have worked on the Cues as if to say " what else can we do Mom " ...

In This First Obedience Class Lynne is teaching us 10 Cues .. it's a 6 week class ..and well worth every Penny .. Lynne only allows 4 dogs per class ..so you are basicly getting personalized training .. your not just 1 out of 20 trying to figure it all out. She works with all 4 dogs and their owners in the class One on One ..and she even stays after class to answer questions ...any questions that is about training your dog ...

I'm not sure who looks more forward to going to class me of Flossie !!! ROFL !! I enjoy so much watching all the puppies play and learn ..and I love learning about them and how to train them. Flossie loves the interaction, the learning and of course the "TREATS" ..she needs me to make her a sign .. that says " Will Cue for Treats" ..LOL !

Having your Dog Trained .... Meaning they Listen and and obey on Command not out of Fear but because they respect you as their owner is very rewarding ... and it makes for enjoyable walks, a calm home, and lots of fun outings ..because your dog is "WELL BEHAVED" ...

If you live nearby .. and have a puppy or an older dog that needs training ..Lynne is your Gal .. ..Check out the "COOL DOG" website HERE ... and contact Lynne if you have any questions ..or want to sign up for a class.

Until The Next Flossie Chronicles ....

Joy Joy Joy down in my Heart ....

"Joy Joy Joy down in my Heart " ...

Do you Remember that song...??? well if you attended church many years ago ...that was a song that was sung in little peoples church as well as in the sanctuary by the Big People too.

It's a wonderful song and the true sentiment of my own heart regarding my sweet little girl .. "Flossie" ...

Maybe I should have named her "Joy" ...

This last week has been such fun ..Flossie is growing up so quickly and keeps a smile on my face and keeps us as a family in stitches with her funny looks...and antics...

Of course this proud doggie mama is throwing out her proverbial unfolding picture holder ...from the last few weeks .. I tried to keep it to a minimum though ..LOL !

The Look below is one we now get when she want's to go out.. she just stops, sits and stares ...and we know its "That" time

Keeping "Flossie" busy can be a little bit of a challenge at times when  her energy peeks so I started playing hide the kibble under the cup and she would have to figure how to get it out ..That lasted about 15 minutes and she had it down and was bored with that and looked at me like now what mom ..

We think "Flossie" is part Lop bunny .. with her long ears and look at these back feet ..don't they look like rabbit feet ??? ...

This is her favorite way to lay down and play and fall asleep....

This week she proudly found a stick in the back yard and was ever so proud of it .. I decided to grab the camera and the stick was the perfect distraction for getting some too sweet picts of her

Those eyes till the whole story .. "Joy Joy Joy ...down in her Heart " too !

I'm so blessed to have Flossie .. we had a scare 2 wednesday's back. I took her for her second set of vaccines. She had a severe reaction and within 3 minutes started screeching for about 30 seconds and then dropped limp in my arms and quit breathing ...we shook her until she started breathing again but it was very shallow and her eyes would not open and her gums were snow white... we were told her immune system rejected one or more of the multiple vaccine shot and her body went in to anaphalactic shock ..which meant she was dyeing luckily the vets office was able to bring her back by giving her a few medicines and adrenaline... I can't tell you how terrible that whole experience was... and I'm thankful for the Vets office and there knowledge to know what to do for her. The day after she was a little tired ..but back to her feisty puppiness .. Thank the Lord ..!!!

Needless to say Flossie won't be vaccinated again ..we will be giving her the Titers test ..which all dogs should get instead of vaccines. They have found over vaccinating animals is causing a great many health issues in animals ...And it only makes since ... The Titers test tells if there immune system at that time is up to par I guess you would say .. Read more about the titers HERE  

Flossie and I wish you all a Beautiful week to come ! with lots of Joy Joy Joy down in your Heart !