Recovery of an Old Friend

Came back from our weekly (yes, weekly) trip to the vet today. She is on a new insulin and doing very well. In fact, I never thought I would see her in such fine shape again. She's has more energy and is putting on weight. Instead of sleeping in the backseat on the way there she hung her face out the window and let her ears flap in the breeze. She is almost healthy enough to have the surgery she needs. I didn't know recovery was possible. For a while every time she had an appointment I worried that it would be her last visit.

I just hope that no-one else needs health care any time soon. All spare money goes to the vet for special food, insulin, needles, and glucose checks. Soon a big chunk of savings will go toward surgery. It has been so worth it for extra moments of holding paws, well timed snorts in the middle of someones conversation, ears flapping in the breeze, and those magic smiles. I love you Chloe.

The Last Straw

Could not sleep at all last night, tossed and turned for what seemed an eternity. I had to be up before the sun for a meeting. The rest of the day was mine. I chose to get all my chores done after the meeting so I can just relax this evening. I have a giant blister on my hand from vigorously steam cleaning the carpets. The dishes I ignored yesterday are done, as is the mopping. The bathroom really needed cleaning too. Enough is enough. It will have to wait one more day because I'm stopping here. Hey there are other people in this house perfectly capable of picking up a sponge and a mop bucket. (Not so subtle hint to grown kids. :)

Madam has not been feeling well. She is taking shorter walks and being sick more often. She has also had moments of confusion when she can't feel her way around the house like she use to. She is draped across my foot now resting after a short walk and a lunch of boneless chicken breasts and broccoli. It is so sad for me to watch her health get worse and see her age so rapidly. Another vet visit will be needed in a few weeks when we have the funds. I am dreading the possibility of bad news on that front.

Well, I'm certainly meandering about aimlessly today. My main thought today? It was actually said to the whole group at the meeting. "We need you to better plan your vacations in advance so we aren't left shorthanded." Um, vacation? VACATION???!!!! My father died. I'm so sorry, now that I know how you feel we will plan all family members deaths on weeks that are convenient for you and your corporation.

The job hunt starts Monday.

My Personal Money Trap (and I wouldn't have it any other way)

It's time I confessed where every spare penny of mine goes. This is why I never receive health care and we do not vacation. I earn a low wage as does my husband. We are frugal so we are able to survive. Bills are as low as possible and we are careful with every cent. I don't drink and gamble every spare penny away. We are caretakers to an aging lady who has been with us since the kids were little. We get medical treatments for her and not ourselves. A few years ago I had to sell my van to afford her cancer surgery. Now that she has diabetes we have to buy special groceries for her and the needles and insulin are expensive for us on our income. When she does pass we will be heartbroken.

I've read many people don't believe the poor should have pets. I disagree, having a pet teaches children responsibility and gives them something to nurture. It also gives all family members something to look forward to coming home to. Chloe has definitely provided us with years of companionship and love. It was worth the financial hardship we are experiencing now.

When she was diagnosed with diabetes I read everything I could on the disease and treatments. One book was all about natural foods and how all dog foods are made with corn which turns to sugars in the bloodstream. We quit buying dog food immediately. Now each morning we cook old fashioned oatmeal for her and sprinkle it with cinnamon because it lowers blood sugar. Sometimes she gets scrambled eggs and a slice of double fiber wheat toast. We buy canned meats for her because they are a convenient and quick protein. We buy canned chicken, kippers, and sardines. Sometimes she gets vienna sausages for a treat but you have to be careful which brand you buy because most are made with corn syrup. We have been known to give our dog steamed fish and brussel sprouts. When we rarely grill steaks we make sure she gets one too. It us very expensive to feed a dog this way but we are keeping her alive.

The doctor was very surprised when we brought Chloe in for her blood check and we had lowered the blood sugar almost all the way where it should be by diet alone. She said they usually recommend a special dog food but whatever I was doing I should continue. She still needs an insulin shot every morning and night. She is also completely blind and lost most of her weight early on in the disease. It is so hard to watch her age so rapidly but she still seems to enjoy her life so we will continue to do what is necessary for her.