Nada, zilch, zippo

Pebbles, yesterday, still enjoying life even on chemo.

Jerome catching a ride on Lolly, under Madison's eye!

Bunny, checking the status of the world on the deck

I am making crockpot burritos for tonights dinner. It's already in there getting close to bubbling and permeating the house with an aroma that indicates I have been slaving away in the kitchen. Not a whole lot to talk about here. Life is in a bit of a lull from our usual frantic chaos.

Pebbles is starting her next 'rescue therapy' protocol in chemotherapy. Since she was diagnosed with Lymphoma in August of 2009, we didn't think she would even be around to enjoy her Christmas treats. Her type of cancer is small cell, T-cell Lymphoma both of which have the worst prognosis. Typical survival times with chemo is about 3-6 months. Her first remission was easily achieved and she stayed in remission for about 6 months. Since then the cancer has come back and her lymph nodes are swollen, yet she remains asymptomatic. Yesterday she tried Lomustine, a drug that will most likely be her last chance at extending her life.

The odd thing about dogs on chemo is that they have very few, if any, side effects from the chemo drugs. She has not lost her hair, her appetite, or her playful nature. Everyday is a good day for her....and us! She still loves to chase her balls in the yard, eat horse manure in the barn, and chase the puppies. She is enjoying life as if she were not sick. We have been fortunate to have such an extended period of time to 'mourn' her eventual loss. When the day comes when she is ill and no longer able to enjoy her days, we will be by her side, holding her head and whispering in her ear what a good dog she has been and help her slip away to Heaven where I know my Dad will be whistling and calling to her. My dad never got to meet Pebbles, but he loved all of our previous Rottweilers and I know he will be waiting just across the Rainbow Bridge to welcome her home.

When Kitty and Bunny, our 7 month old Rottweiler puppies came home I began feeding them the holistic food i was feeding Pebbles, which is Blue Buffalo. We noticed they seemed to have soft mushy stools and so last week i switched them to an Ultra premium organic dog food. They are now on "Dick Van Patton's Natural Balance" brand and it is AMAZING!!!!!!!!! It is a limited ingredient food with the main protein being Venison. It's loaded with antioxidants and it must be agreeing with them as they only poop 1x a day now and it is non-stinky and firm. I know, I take joy in life where I find it. I can't say enough about the new food and how fantastic it is. It is worth the expensive price tag. It is Super, premo, fantastico!!

Jerome has finally started to ride the horses, well, pony actually. He has taken to riding Lolly our 15 year old miniature Shetland and she is wonderful for him. She is calm, forgiving and if he falls off, he doesn't have too far to fall...approximately 36 inches. Nice weather always gets us all out playing with the horses and i love the fact we can all spend more time on them on the prairie.