:Time…there’s enough time.
Posted: June 26, 2008 Filed under: Apso Aficionados, DRambles on Black Mountain 12 CommentsAsteya. A yogic principle shared by Athena last night during yoga class. Athena is my friend, first and foremost. I met her years and years ago, back when Mountain Pet Grooming was still in the yellow house. She is the reason I can still groom. All those years ago, she opened my mind, showing me the possibilities of….ummm…body awareness.
Asteya is the yogic principle that teaches us to be at peace with ourselves, out family and community, to be grateful for our things, our time and our health. There’s enough time. It may not be all the time *I* want, but there’s enough time. I can tell you, that’s a lesson I need to master. Not to actually make more time, but simply to realize there’s enough time.
So, here’s the sequence of photos I mentioned sharing yesterday, if only I had enough time. 🙂 Magoo is the Apso. He is blind. He was found wandering a country road outside of Pueblo, both eyes missing and turned over to ApsoRescueColorado. He remained with Vickie until he was placed in his forever home. Prior to placement, Vickie wrote Lessons From A Blind Dog which was published in her local newspaper. That piece touched hearts. One thing led to the next. Magoo found a home.
His confidence, self-assurance was evident as he approached our gathering Saturday. He walked in front of his owner. Look at him approach Christi..
..accepting a scratch on his cheek.
Just a point of canine body language. Notice his head and Christi’s hand in the above photo. He is ‘up’ in posture, enjoying her touch. In the photo below, her hand has moved to the top of his neck. He has moved his head downward, in a gesture of slight avoidance.
I hadn’t realized this body language until just now, but what the heck. I have time!! to comment. Dogs prefer to be petted from underneath. There’s an interesting series of photos in Pat McConnell’s The Other End of the Leash. All photos are taken from behind. The first photo shows a couple of chimpanzees, sitting side by side, expressing affection with an arm around each other. The second photo is the same, only the species changed to human beings. The third photo shows a young man and his dog, with the young man’s arm around the dog, over the dog’s back. The creatures in the top two photos are obviously at ease with the gesture. The dog, however, is obviously not comfortable with the gesture. To a dog, a front leg over another’s shoulder is a display of social status. I see the gesture between my dogs, always meant to remind the ‘lesser’ dog exactly where s/he stands. It’s not a mean gesture, it’s simply a reminder. Sorta like when I used to give Nate the ol’ “mom’s eye”…..watch it!!
Kunza at FleetFire Timbers 
Magoo’s story is incredible and so beautifully shared by Vickie. Magoo’s sweet trust and confidence underscores the noble Heart of the Lhasa Apso.
Debby, if you have a snap of Scout, Pete’s bro, would love to see it!
Time….seems now to be running out for our other blind dog: Champ.
Yesterday I took him to the vet to check on his mouth which seemed to be bothering him. I had no idea we were going to get a death sentence.
Champ’s sore mouth is due to an aggressive tumor which has already created an oronasal fistula (which is why he sneezes when he eats) and destroyed the bone holding his teeth in place. The doctor took a biopsy, and in a few days we will have more information on the type and stage of the cancer, but ….
I’m putting this out for all of you who have shared in Champ’s travels, because I don’t know how soon it will be that he will take his last journey. I am sure you don’t want to hear this any more than I did. On the other hand, you are all part of his family, and you should know….
Susan
I am sorry for Panchen. Give him my love…Maybe there is something to be done. Gail
Damn … I’m so sorry to hear this, Susan. Is certainly not what any of us would want for a beloved companion.
Make each day count, count each day as a blessing … and bless him with gentle release when the time comes.
Thanks, Vickie.
I am currently swinging back and forth between calm acceptance and graceful thanks, and wild raging weeping gnashing until I’m worn out….then back around again….
Meanwhile, Champ is sleeping like the little angel, tucked into his favorite corner of the armchair.
Susan
>>> Meanwhile, Champ is sleeping like the little angel, tucked into his favorite corner of the armchair.
Unlike most humans, canines have the ability to abide whatever comes their way without all the emotional baggage. It’s during these times that I always proffer an article for reflection … http://tinyurl.com/5tldm2
We give them the best that we can, Susan, and you have certainly done that with Champ.
In turn, they give us the very definition of unconditional love and trust.
He is with you, now, at this time, for a reason.
We all send you our love and prayers for a peaceful, grateful heart.
These little guys, Champ, Magoo, and the Special People who come into their lives to rescue and love them are what makes life so precious for all of us, precious and fragile and each one unique.
Katy
Oh Susan,
You are being asked to walk with Champ through triumph and pain. It’s a journey that breaks your heart. Because of your unconditional love, awesome acceptance and sincerity, Champ will remain gently tucked into a corner of your tattered heart.
Peace, Kathy
Thanks all
For making me cry
Which I’m sure is good for me
No matter how much I hate it.
Susan
Yesterday I trekked back to the vet’s office to get some more pain meds for Champ. There was a “partial report” from the lab, but unfortunately all it said was that they would have to look at the tissue again and get back to us on Monday or Tuesday. I have determined to wait at least for a clear diagnosis. The nurse who gave new the additional meds said she was quite sure what the diagnosis was going to be was SCC (squamous cell carcinoma). Until I know that for sure, I am going to do my best to keep him pain and infection free. If that is the real diagnosis, I will probably elect to have him euthanized sooner rather than later. If his life is only eating (which aggravates him) and then sleeping fitfully under a heavy dose of meds, well….that isn’t a life, and I will let him go. This morning I woke up with him snuggled up to me — just like always — and after I got up and made them all breakfast, he even jumped down and ate and hussled outside to pee. But, soon his midnight dose of pain med started to wear off and he started fretting, and I remembered that his feeling okay is just so very transient.
I’m going to keep you all posted, but understand that it is because I really need to talk, and you are the audience that I totally trust to know that he’s not/they’re not “just a dog”.
Susan
Susan, I’m so sorry to hear this news. Champ is special. He’s fortunate to be in your loving care. Peace.
Thank you Chris, for your kind words. I will pass them along to Champ who is feeling rather perkier today. He seems to have gotten over the part of the agony that came from the dental surgery and probably gotten back or close to whatever baseline we will use for determining the quality of his life on an hourly/daily basis. Sure he’s just sleeping, but even his sleep is less fretful….
He is grateful for all the help he has gotten….from you and from everyone else.