Scarlet at Six Months

This pup is growing and continuing to give us her love and energy. She wants to be as close to us as possible, and sometimes that means in our lap or even on TOP of us! Jenna was doing homework one day when Scarlet found her appealing, and the only way to get close to her (her lap was occupied by the computer) was to climb on top of her. She loves Kelly the mostest because he plays and rough-houses with her. She just climbs right up in his lap. Scarlet is a little different than Sariah in this way. Sariah wanted to be near us, but she was content with putting her body next to a leg or a foot. She didn't climb on the couch ever. She loved her bed and would cozy up there when we were all in the living room. Scarlet wants to be in our laps, will climb right up on the couch and isn't interested in a dog bed at all. The only place she is comfortable is in a lap, right next to us on the couch, or on the couch by herself. She will not go near the dog bed, nor will she curl up on the floor unless she's on a foot.  So crazy, but she loves us.

Saying Goodbye to Sariah

We met with the oncologist this morning, and we have a diagnosis. It's not good. Sariah has disseminated Histiocytic Sarcoma which is an aggressive form of cancer and is affecting her spleen and liver. With chemo she would have a 30% chance of surviving only six months. The cancer usually returns while the dog is healing from chemo. There was no guarantee she would survive the chemo. The doctor said our pup was suffering, and we didn't want her to suffer anymore. She has been declining rapidly this past week. So, tonight, after prayerful consideration, we tearfully said good-bye to our sweet puppy. She passed peacefully surrounded by our love witch each of us petting her gently.

Our girls have been troopers. It's finals week for the semester and not a good time to lose a beloved family pet. We knew we didn't want to wait once we found out. Not only the suffering but the waiting for the inevitable would be worse.

We decided to save pups ashes in a beautiful box. After spending nearly $4,000 on all the testing, we didn't want to spend more, but the thought of leaving her there was awful. At least with our little box we would be able to keep her with us for a little longer. I never thought I'd be like that, but I needed to know this wasn't "it" when we left the hospital. I think the girls felt better about having her ashes also.

We drove to In-N-Out for dinner, and the sky was beautiful. Jenna said it was Sariah in Heaven saying hello to us and letting us know she was okay.

The breeder has been outstanding in her support, and willing to answer all our questions. When she found out what was going to happen, she cried. She has offered us a puppy from their next litter which she knew wouldn't replace Sariah, but she wanted to do something. It was very nice of her. The pups aren't due until March. We'll see how we feel then. For now we will mourn our sweet pup as we walk in the door and experience the absence we feel expecting our pup to come to greet us.

Waiting for a Diagnosis

Hanging out with the pup. The only sign she shows of not feeling well, aside from throwing up her food, is the lethargy. We find ourselves sitting and petting her a lot. The pathology report was confusing and is being run through a second opinion. Best guess diagnosis is liver cancer that is also in the spleen. We meet with an oncologist Monday. When we get the definitive diagnosis I will write more. I'm holding my breath hoping the pathology report is confusing because there's actually something else wrong, something curable. For now we wait, try to feed her when she'll eat, and keep her comfy. Jenna has donated a stuffed animal to keep Sariah company.

Sariah is Sick

Our pup is sick. She's only three years old, but we're looking at auto-immune problems and cancer testing. When we took her in a few weeks back, the test results didn't show anything abnormal, and the blood work seemed within normal limits. When things didn't improve we took her back. This was the clinic we go to.  This time there was a drop in her liver count, and they told us we needed to see a specialist. We drove her to the VCA hospital near our home. There's definitely something wrong. I More testing has been done. We'll know more in the next few days. I wasn't ready for this at this young an age. I keep hoping it's what the breeder told us it is which is Valley Fever. She's had two dogs with it and nearly lost one of them. But we're being told that they've tested for that, and it's not Valley Fever. I so want this to be something fixable. She is too young, and such a good dog.

Christmas Eve!

Christmas is almost here! Decorating is done. Cinnamon rolls are made and presents are wrapped. It's been raining and cold. Heather was so bundled up in this picture getting ready to walk the dogs that we laughed at how she's going to be so, so cold in Idaho if she can't handle 50-degree weather. Sariah has been really mellow, and she seemed to like being near the Christmas tree and the presents.  Can't wait for Santa to get here!

Homework and Our Pup

Jenna is getting SLAMMED by homework! Her Accelerated Biology class is a huge part of that. So much homework. Jenna is a perfectionist too, and between that and her teacher's demands, things take a lot of time. This visual window project for cell structure took some time, but Jenna made it look amazing. Sariah comes and looks for us wherever we are, and often times she finds Jenna doing homework. Sweet pup.

Daddy-Daughter Dance and More

 Jenna and Dad attended a Daddy-Daughter dance where the little girls dressed as princesses. 

 One of my favorite times of day is when Heather sits down to play through all the songs she knows. She may be avoiding homework and distressing, but it's 30 minutes of beautiful music guaranteed!

 Sariah started this sitting thing. She doesn't want to get all the way on, just her hind section. 

Silly Dog.

Our latest Dutch Oven dessert was chocolate/cherry cobbler. Kelly continues to gather and try new recipes. Love it!

Random Happenings in March

 3•15 Jenna's first club team picture. She declared that she will keep all her team pictures until she goes to the Olympics

 3•18 Walking field trip to Tacos El Rancho with AP English. They needed chaperones so OF COURSE I grabbed on to that opportunity! Field trips are fun!

 3•19 Bring your own container and fill up at 7-11 Boo-yah! Thanks to the Holbrooks for letting us in on the secret and providing the containers.

 3•28 Jenna's room is completely furnished now, and she decided to move her bed so she could have a  nightstand. Looks so cute!

The LeBaron's lost their dog sitter at the last minute and asked if Boca could come for Spring Break. Of course we said yes! The weather was beautiful and the pups were so awesome together. We love Boca! (Check out the majestic pic of Sariah...she's so pretty!)

January and a New Bike

Today Sariah and I took my new bike out on the river trail. It is so fun to ride along the path and look at the sky and the beach ahead. Sariah is a great bike companion. She answers the "heel" command when someone else passes by coming over to the right side of the bike and trotting along with me.  Looking forward to doing this a lot!

Miscellaneous December

 12•3 Jenna is doing a PE football unit at school and loves it. Kelly threw the ball with the girls this afternoon. Jenna has receiving skills, and Heather has throwing skills. Who knew? I actually loved our flag football unit when I was in 6th grade. Kelly would have joined the team, but his mom wouldn't let him. Too many injuries.

12•8 Went to Costco and grabbed a hot dog before going in. Look at the sunset dinner view we got from the Costco patio tables!

 12•9 Sariah doing her Super Dog pose

A Boca Visit

We welcomed Boca back this week while her family was at camp.  Mom was with friends and Dad was at a training, and both kids at camp. It was nice to have both dogs while I was alone for the week. Boca's a great watch dog and she keeps Sariah company when I'm gone.

Our Pup and Sunday Walks

Sariah sitting regally in our front yard (she's really on high alert because of the cat she sees across the street, but we'll go with regal).

Took her on a morning trail walk which I don't do very often. It was great to be out on a beautiful day.

A boy and his dog (Kelly didn't really want a dog, but he has so far been her best bud).

Having our pup has gotten us out of doors locally more than ever before. We've been enjoying some family walks in Huntington Beach near the nature preserve. Good bonding time for the family especially since we don't see our dad on Sundays as much with his bishopric assignment. Loved snapping candids of the girls on this walk since they were pretty chummy.

February Doggie Report

Sariah got a new bed which looked appealing to Jenna.  Jenna tried out the bed before Sariah did and promptly fell asleep.  When Sariah got to try it out, she did the same. Favorite time of day is trail time with Kelly. She bounds around and runs to her heart's content. Kelly has been taking her up the cliffs, and she tears right up those too. We love our active pup.

Pets

Some photos of our regal pup...Her favorite activities are sleeping and playing with us. She especially loves her trail partner and can't get enough of him.

And one of Jenna's hammy...because hammy is cute and growing too.