Since May, we have been dealing with Zed and his health problems. I have continued to post on my Facebook page (private) about his health and have posted #dailyZed pictures there. Recently, I created a Daily Zed Facebook page and have posted #dailyZed there along with on Instagram.
At Zed's yearly check-up, it was suggested that we visit the cardiologist to see how his heart murmur was. We have known about his heart murmur for awhile and it was given a 5 out of 6 rating without an ultrasound.
He did well at the appointment and was the perfect patient. We were given two prescriptions to hold on to until his blood work came back. His blood work came back and shortly after that (like within 2 weeks), he started to go into heart failure. Basically, water in his lungs. He was breathing really fast. He also will start gagging and can't stop, then faints. It was suggested to put him on a couple of heart meds (like 2 meds and then a supplement for his liver since his liver enzymes were up). The cardiologist mentioned that when a dog goes on heart medications, it usually extends their life about 2 years.
Zed had a couple of incidents during the night, but I thought he wasn't waking up in time to go outside to go the bathroom. I also figured it might be the meds. Then one day (August), I ran upstairs and Zed followed. I turned right around and started back down. Zed turned around and "fainted" in front of me.
I took him to the cardiologist and they did another ultrasound and said there was more damage to his heart so he was to take 2 more meds. I asked what his life expectancy could be and it was now down to one year.
That's when I decided to create Daily Zed Facebook and Instagram. I thought about how people had "bucket lists" for their dogs. There wasn't any way that Z could do a bucket list trip, but a flat Zed could! So a created a #flatZed and asked that people print it out and do selfies.
At least one of my friends has been having fun with it and Dan and I took Flat Zed on vacation with us to the Outer Banks.
Zed has been doing well since starting the two additional medications. At first he was a little lethargic, but after 4 weeks on the meds, he started to become himself again and we found out that his liver enzymes were going down, so that was probably why he was acting much better.
Then last week, Z and I took a trip to NY. I had noticed that he was hacking a little more than the once a day, but he seemed ok. He ended up peeing in the house, but that could be because of the smells in the house AND mama slacked and didn't realize it was that time when he usually goes out. That was Thursday night. Friday morning, we were going to leave. When we woke up, he had an episode. Hacking and didn't stop until he "fainted". I was so scared. Here I have to drive with him for 6 hours - what if he didn't jump back like usual.
Luckily, he did. He was quiet/tired on the drive home, but he was really good. I added an extra Lasix to his meds to help. We probably won't be doing any more traveling with him.
Today, I stopped the mid-day Lasix and now I'm wondering if I should have. He has hacked a little more than usually, but still seems good.
Please visit Zed's Instagram or Facebook page for pictures of Daily Zed and see what we have been up to.
(and their human parents)
This blog started as The adventures of a D.I.N.K. family where the two "kids" are four legged and how we are going to retire early. Now it's a 1 income, 1 entrepreneur, and 1 pup getting closer and closer to retirement.
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Book Review: On Toby's Terms by Charmaine Hammond
I was asked to review this book at the last minute - "Dog story? Of course I'll read it!" I was happy that I was given the heads up of "with a happy ending." I don't think I could handle a sad dog book with Zed's medical outlook.
I really enjoyed reading about Toby, Charmaine, and Chris. Oh how I relate because when Esa was a pup (like 7 months old), she was a terror!
Charmaine and Chris took a chance with Toby even though they knew about his quirks (separation anxiety and destructive behavior). It takes a big heart to handle any dog with behavioral issues, let alone a 95 lb dog!
Kudos to Charmaine and Chris for seeking professional help for Toby. Most owners don't even take their dogs to obedience school. The stories that followed were wonderful. Once Toby became a "work dog," he found his calling - and so did Charmaine. Volunteering at a local hospital, becoming a book celebrity - just being a dog - gave Toby a purpose, which most dogs are looking for. All was not rosey, as there were still behavioral issues, but they were limited.
Charmaine did a great job telling the tales of Toby. She told of not just the bad behavior, but how he changed over the years. She also told of Toby's medical emergencies and how he became older. Most importantly, how Charmaine and Chris's lives were changed by this dog. I was glad that the story continued with Toby 2.0.
****
When Charmaine and her husband adopted Toby, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, they figured he might need some adjusting time, but they certainly didn’t think he’d be a holy terror, beset by severe anxiety and destructive behavior that would take a miracle to curb. Turns out, Toby routinely opened and emptied closets, turned on water taps, and pulled things from the bookshelves. Oddest of all was his penchant for locking himself in the bathroom, and then push the lid of the toilet tank onto the floor, smashing it to pieces. After a particularly disastrous encounter with the knife-block in the kitchen—and when the couple discovered Toby’s blood and paw prints on the phone—Charmaine decided Toby needed professional help.Little did she know what they would discover about this dog. And how he would change their lives.
Book available to buy from
“Simply a beautiful book about life, love, and purpose.” —Jack Canfield, Chicken Soup for the Soul series
"A deeply captivating and heartwarming story that will touch your heart!" -Ken Kragen, Film & Television Producer
The Team Toby mission is to PAWsitively improve lives by teaching kindness, acceptance and respect. Team Toby accomplishes the mission through professional speaking and corporate training, presentations to schools and organizations, through the Team Toby Global Speakers team, our books and products, philanthropy and causes projects, and philanthropy efforts.
Follow Team Toby on their Million Acts of Kindness Tour, a six week, 10,000 mile kindness mission road trip in a camper across North America stopping in communities to provide presentations to workplaces and schools, and to participate in acts of kindness.
Charmaine and Toby Sr., and their new Toby, have presented to more than 30,000 students across North America, raised more than $10,000 for charities, and have donated books and presentations to schools and organizations to support healthy character development in children.
Charmaine and Toby Sr., and their new Toby, have presented to more than 30,000 students across North America, raised more than $10,000 for charities, and have donated books and presentations to schools and organizations to support healthy character development in children.
Other Toby Books
Toby the Pet Therapy Dog and His Hospital Friends (A CHILDREN'S DOG STORY)
Toby is a big, brown, happy dog. Every week his owner takes him to visit and comfort children who are in the hospital. Follow Toby the service dog for a day and see how he makes friends, and makes others happy. Beautifully illustrated, this simple story sends a positive message about community and the importance of kindness and being helpful to others.
Available to buy from...
Toby the Pet Therapy Dog says be a Buddy, not a Bully
When Toby steps into the path of a dog who bullies him, and shreds his beloved stuffed teddy-bear toy, we see the hurt feelings it creates. This beautifully illustrated book teaches children about the importance of kindness, acceptance, and being considerate of others, including pets. A wonderful story to start discussions in ages 3 to 10.
Available to buy from...
About Charmaine Hammond
Charmaine Hammond is an international transformational speaker (has spoken to more than 75,000 people around the globe), helping build inspired and resilient teams. She speaks on the topics of resilience, Bouncing Forward, and courageous dialogue.Together,She is also a #1 international best selling and award winning author of dog book On Toby's Terms, (Bettie Youngs Books), Toby The Pet Therapy Dog & His Hospital Friends, and Toby The Pet Therapy Dog Says Be a Buddy Not a Bully. Her children's books are A Mom's Choice Awards Recipient, and also received the Parent Tested Parent Approved Award, and gold in the Global eBook award. She is co-author of wildly popular new book, GPS Your Best Life-charting your destination and getting there in style. Charmaine was the winner of the 2012 Business Matchmaker of the Year award, an international award (eWomenNetwork)and the Outstanding Alumni Award. On Toby's Terms won a GOLD in the Reader's Favorite Book Awards.
Her book On Toby’s Terms is currently in development to become a major motion picture! She has been featured in the Metro USA, Metro Canada, Edmonton Journal, Edmonton and Spruce Grove Examiner, Calgary and Edmonton Sun, Del Mar Times, National Post, Global TV, CTSTV, Alberta Prime Time (CTV) and on many radio stations in the US and Canada.
Find the Author on the following sites...
Meet Toby Snr
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| A. Wells Photography |
Wednesdays with Toby were life changing for the patients he visited, as well as for Charmaine and Christopher. While Toby was bringing unconditional acceptance and happiness to those he visited at the hospital, he was also becoming a teacher for Charmaine and Christopher, teaching them powerful life lessons, about patience, purpose, persistence, the power of unconditional acceptance, and showing up as your authentic self.
The patients that Toby worked with at the hospital and all of the children that he met in schools experienced the benefits of a therapy dog’s whose mission in life was to leave pawprints on hearts everywhere he went x
Toby Snr and Jnr even have their own Facebook and Twitter page too!!
Follow the book tour
I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY
SIGNED BOOK GIVEAWAY!! 5 WINNERS!!
Open Worldwide
Open Worldwide
Ending on Sunday 25th October at 11.59pm EST
Friday, October 2, 2015
Book Review: A Pet for Christmas by Rachelle Ayala
I originally signed up for the review of “A Pet for
Christmas,” but since I hadn’t read the first book, “A Father for Christmas,” I
got to read both at the same time!
I enjoyed “A Father for Christmas.” I haven’t read a romance novel in a while and
this was a nice chance to just read about a blooming romance. The story was a sweet one where you learned
about Kelly and her daughter, Bree, along with their backstory. Then comes the rugged, handsome, Tyler. But, like Kelly, he has “baggage”. (NOTE:
I’m not degrading PTSD in any way – I’m just saying we all have some
sort of “baggage” that we bring into a relationship.)
The story is touching because it shows how love overcomes
the “baggage” and you create your happiness.
It’s a sweet story and ends on a good note.
“A Pet for Christmas” happens a year later with Tyler in
Afghanistan working on his children’s charity.
The family has been apart and the family is coming apart with Bree
asking about her real father instead of accepting Tyler as she had in the
past. Kelly is pregnant and
stressed.
The writing in this book flips back and forth between Kelly
and Tyler. The “taking turns” between
the two characters makes sense so that you keep up with the “two worlds.” I noticed that the writing style between the
two characters were different. Kelly’s
sections are in the first person point of view, while Tyler’s is in the 3rd
person point of view. Tyler’s portions
were more about the activity around him, so the 3rd person point of
view make since.
I was more interested in Kelly’s sections of the book than
Tyler’s. Maybe because I’m not really an
action reader. I prefer to leave the
action to movies. However, the story
made sense. You couldn’t just write
about Kelly and leave Tyler in nowhere land!
Getting past the “action” in Tyler’s section, you can see
that Tyler realizes that he belongs with his family of Kelly and Bree (and the
baby on the way). His caring side showed
through the trauma he was going through in Afghanistan.
I do not have any family that is in the military, but I can’t
imagine them being so many miles away and not knowing what is going on with
them. Ms. Ayala does a great job showing
both sides of the story – and, of course, ends with “A Pet for Christmas.”
NEW RELEASE...
Dedication
To those who still suffer the wounds of war.
>>><<<
Kelly Kennedy thought her life was finally on track. Engaged to the man of her dreams and with a baby on the way, she reassures her five-year-old daughter, Bree, that the father she picked for Christmas still loves her.
Unfortunately, war veteran Tyler Manning has been away most of the year. Recovering from PTSD isn’t easy. Rather than worry Kelly, Tyler spends his time traveling to Afghanistan to work at a children's charity he founded.
Kelly decides to distract Bree with promises of a pet for Christmas. When Tyler is taken hostage by terrorists, she finds it hard to convince Bree that they will truly be a family in time for Christmas.
A Pet for Christmas is a sequel A Father for Christmas. While it can be read as a standalone, you'll get more of the relationship aspect between Kelly, Tyler, and Bree by reading A Father for Christmas first.
Available to buy from...
"Heartwarming story of hope and second chances.” - Ruth Davis on Book 1, A Father for Christmas
"Absolutely breathtaking love story." - Amber McCallister on Book 1, A Father for Christmas
Also Available
A Father for Christmas (A Veteran’s Christmas Book 1)
Single mother Kelly Kennedy can't afford lavish gifts for her four-year-old daughter, Bree. Homeless veteran Tyler Manning doesn't believe he deserves a Merry Christmas.
When Bree asks Santa for a father and picks Tyler, both Tyler and Kelly vow to keep Bree from being hurt while fighting their feelings for each other.
Tyler struggles with frightening flashbacks that scare Kelly. Meanwhile, Kelly's criminal past threatens her chance for happiness. Tyler and Kelly must believe in the power of love to give Bree her best Christmas ever.
A Father for Christmas (A Veteran’s Christmas Book 1)
Dedication
To all the veterans who gave so much.
>>><<<
Single mother Kelly Kennedy can't afford lavish gifts for her four-year-old daughter, Bree. Homeless veteran Tyler Manning doesn't believe he deserves a Merry Christmas.
When Bree asks Santa for a father and picks Tyler, both Tyler and Kelly vow to keep Bree from being hurt while fighting their feelings for each other.
Tyler struggles with frightening flashbacks that scare Kelly. Meanwhile, Kelly's criminal past threatens her chance for happiness. Tyler and Kelly must believe in the power of love to give Bree her best Christmas ever.
Available to buy from...
About the author
Rachelle is the founder of an online writing group, Romance in a Month, an active member of the California Writer’s Club, Fremont Chapter, and a volunteer for the World Literary Cafe. She is a very happy woman and lives in California with her husband. She has won awards in multicultural and historical romance.
Find the author on the following pages....
I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY
Win $25 Amazon.com GC / Paypal Cash
(winners choice)
Open Worldwide
(winners choice)
Open Worldwide
Ending on Sunday 18th October at 11.59pm EST
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