Update on Teddy and a big big thank you

Hi, this is going to be a short post. First thank you from the bottom of our hearts. I am so unbelievably touched by the kindness of your countless emails and comments. I was FLOORED and just blown away.... I think that broke a record, almost 250 comments and over 150 emails...wow!!! They were truly a bright light during a very dark two days. For those of you  who do not know what happened, click here to view the post from Wednesday to be filled in.  The latest is that we visited Teddy last night, they were able to put in an additional three drains, it was honestly really hard to see, the open wounds, the shaved body, the drains, my heart broke for poor Teddy, but he was so happy to see us and we were soooo happy to see him. Despite the pain he was in, his gentle and sweet disposition was still in check. Because there is still such a buildup of fluid, they still do not know if they can operate today, they will assess that today around 12. The two bites that were the worst tore into the muscle which is why it necessitates surgery. He is on an IV and is on heavy duty  painkillers so thankfully is comfortable and not feeling any pain. That to me is most important, just keeping the little guy comfortable. I get so mad seeing his innocent face, then thinking of how he was attacked not even seeing it coming. He is one of those dogs that just assumes everyone in the world is like him, a sweetheart and  full of kindness.
Now onto the dogs who attacked him and the owner, which so many of you have asked about. The three dogs belong to a single owner who lives about 1/4 mile away. They live on 6 acres. Belongs to a lawyer and his wife and young kids. He called me yesterday, is distraught over what happened (naturally) and you won't believe it but within an hour of what they did to Teddy, they went to another neighbors dog and killed the poor dog...this is just incredible! It is heart wrenching. Yes, the police are involved and have been from the get go. I called them immediately. They have been fabulous. My husband is friendly with our village mayor and bottom line is we are all concerned about these dogs and the threat that they are to all dogs and people around them. 
The dog owner immediately stepped up to pay the bills and whatever else is required but it goes so beyond the bills, it is safety and the fear that we all live in knowing those dogs are there. So this is still going on, but rest assured we are very much on it, and it is so tragic that it was at the sacrifice of landing Teddy in the hospital and killing another dog but something will be done. Its been a really traumatizing experience but I know Teddy is going to be OK in the end, a bit banged up and will have to stay in the hospital maybe a few days longer than originally thought, but thankfully he has such a wonderful positive attitude that i know before long he will resume his role being my walking companion, official taste tester, my kids ball chaser, and our beloved sixth family member. 
Seriously I don't remember being this touched in a very very long time as I have by your countless comments and emails.....just amazing!!!!!!! Thank you so so so much. I was saddened to hear that there were so many stories like Teddy's but inspired to hear so many happy endings too. Thank you for being there to offer support and words of friendship and compassion, it helped to brighten a very somber mood. I feel like I have been walking in a dark gray fog the last few days.  If Teddy looked better I would post a picture so for now lets just keep this image of Teddy in our hearts.....of him healthy and happy as I know he will soon be again! Promise to keep you posted! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Also I want to say that I normally try to respond to all my emails. I frankly got so many yesterday that I am a little overwhelmed. I am so touched that you took the time to write me and I did read each and every one but am juggling a lot right now ( while still getting a lot of orders out the door) plus have family coming in tomorrow for Easter so I promise I will get to them but it might be after the holiday. Thank you so much for writing.


UPDATE AS OF FRIDAY MORNING- Once again many many thanks for the barrage of kindness and well wishes, I believe that will see Teddy through this horrible ordeal. He is the best of spirits that he could be in all things considered. There is no doubt that its taken the greatest toll on me, it is so tragic just seeing him in the state he is in. Leaving him every afternoon is heart wrenching and I go through the whole cycle all over again of extreme sadness, and  incredible anger, but once I get out my good afternoon cry on the 20 minute drive home from the animal hospital I channel all that energy into staying positive however and realizing naturally that it could have been much worse, and he could have met the same fate as the other poor dog. It is a tragic situation all the way around. 


They have decided to keep the drains in for another 2 days, have gone into one of the bites and closed it up successfully and will assess the big one on the shoulder possibly on Monday.  They are keeping him comfortable, on an IV and on heavy duty painkillers/antibiotics so he is not in pain. Unfortunately he will not be home for Easter but we will make up for it when he does come home hopefully shortly after and have a nice welcome home celebration for him and serenade him with a favorite meal and some new toys. We can't wait just to give him a big hug and welcome him back to where he belongs. Thanks for your prayers, support and friendship, means THE WORLD!!!!!!
As you might imagine, I am physically, emotionally and mentally worn out. My parents are coming in today so I am going to take the weekend off to decompress from this rough week. I so miss being a part of blogland as I normally am but its not in my heart at this very minute and I know you understand. I am sure within a few days once Teddy is on the mend, and things are looking up I will be too....and we will both be on that road to recovery together. I look forward to reporting back to you on Monday! Hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend.


                        Wishing you all a wonderful Happy Easter and a Happy Passover.

                                

Say a prayer for Teddy......

Good morning. Yesterday was a really really rough day. Really tough. Teddy was attacked by a trio of dogs, (neighbors dogs all belonging to one owner from a distance) they are I believe some kind of hybrid wolf mix, not sure but they look eerily like a pack of wolves with very tall skinny legs and long snouts....they ferociously marched onto our property and took full advantage of my precious little Teddy, who was just sitting in the grass minding his business.  We didn't realize at first how bad it was. But at the vet, after they shaved the areas that were affected, we soon realized that he had been bitten multiple times, and had received several serious deep bites all the way to the muscle. By the time we got to the vet, his fever spiked all the way past 105 and excess fluid started to build all over his little body. He was having a hard time walking and was so lethargic, it was incredibly painful to see my little buddy like that. Just writing this is so unbelievably hard. To know Teddy is to love him, everyone at the animal hospital adores him, they could not believe that despite the tremendous pain he was in, that his little tail was still wagging while we were all petting him (while he was being examined)....that's how sweet he is!

 Bottom line he is having surgery in the morning, last night his condition was too fragile, his fever too high to put him under general anesthesia,  but hopefully this morning he will be good to go. He will remain in the hospital for at least 3-4 days,  as he will have several drains and though we desperately want him home,I know that's the best place for him. The house feels eerily quiet without him. Walking into the kitchen is just not he same without him there to greet me, cooking seems boring and mundane without his curious little face at my side wanting samplers as I go along, there is no "taste tester" like Teddy, my morning walks will come to a halt as I have no interest in them if he can't be with me. I cannot imagine his amazingly sweet disposition and adorable face not here for the next four days. I am trying to channel my extreme anger and turn it into something positive for Teddy's sake. 
 I know everything will be OK. You really don't realize just how important a dog is to you, until something happens, just how much a part of your family they are until something occurs that shakes you up to your core and you realize that your family is not your family without them. Well this has really shaken me up more than words can say. Somehow, it just doesn't seem appropriate today to post about the things I normally love to post about...not when my heart is aching and is somewhere else. So today I am taking the day off. I will keep you posted. I am praying and hoping for great news today . Promise to update you tomorrow. Thank you and wishing you all a wonderful day!

Teddy, I cannot wait to see you just lounging about as you do best next to the flower beds, just "doing your thing". I love you dear sweet boy and cannot wait until you come home!

UPDATE AS OF 3:40PM.....He is comfortable, on heavy duty painkillers, stable, wagging his tail (amazing that his sweet personality shines through even while going through such trauma), they were able to put in two additional drains today, so he has a total of 3 now, they did not operate today, because his body is getting rid of the excess fluid of which is there is a great deal. They will access tomorrow how things are looking and if its a good idea to operate tomorrow. His fever is thankfully down and they are doing to do stomach xrays. We are going see him at around 6pm. Fingers crossed that all continues to go well. I cannot thank you enough for this TREMENDOUS OVERWHELMING outpouring of support, I was blown away when I came onto to see nearly 200 comments and tons of emails overflowing my email box, thank you, thank you, thank you.....they truly touched my heart. Its been a rough 24 hours and you better believe I will give you en ear full of this owner and his pack of horrendous vicious dogs and whats going on over there as soon as all this goes away...........will continue to keep you updated. I am confident he is going to be just fine. Thank you again.......

 

Happy Sunday and highlights from an early morning walk.

Hi there. Well, my day yesterday did not turn out exactly as I would have hoped, ended up getting a migraine which became full blown by around 4 or 5 and off to bed I went after taking my medication which totally zonked me out. I slept until this morning....missing the party, my husband and oldest son went however. I woke up definitely feeling better, THANKFULLY, I would say about 90% which I will happily take and decided on an early morning walk with my faithful companion, Teddy in tow to lead the way. It was an overcast morning but that didn't stop me from taking some pictures of things just starting to bloom and enjoying being headache free and out and about to enjoy all the pretty nature ushering in a new season, confused as it might be! So here are a few highlights......

The "master" meditating!

Deciding if he up for a walk or not......

Cherry blossoms a little confused, just started blooming (no worries electrical boxes soon to be covered)

Part of the old house....love these old planters and pedestals

Gorgeous daffodils still going strong.....

The old pond which we will restore at some point

Even love the old benches.....just as they are

And the old fountain

Teddy on the prowl....

We have many stashes of wood for next winter, used almost none this winter with the mild temps!

A hook mark from a deer......

Such a handsome little devil!

I have a thing for moss covered anything.......

Stubborn Teddy telling me hes ready to go inside and lounge...his morning nap is long overdue!

A final few minutes of meditation.....

And a few thank you's to my blogging friends for current posts about my products and my online store! Thank you all so very much, means a lot....stop by and visit them if you have a minute! (click on header to visit)

Hoping everyone has a relaxing and wonderful Sunday!

Merry Christmas!

Hi there, hard to believe Christmas is just a few days away. Boy, this month really flew! This mama elf is ready to call it a holiday wrap. As the saying goes...."it is what it is". As of today, what is done is done and what's not done well.....shall remain:) It's kind of a relief to know this, no more pressure, no more 14 hour days running around, sleepless nights tossing and turning over what hasn't gotten done, no more fighting crowds, strategizing for choice parking spaces, no more brainstorming about what to buy so and so etc...... It is all done. Woo hoo!

 I am going to be taking a few days off to enjoy my family and savor this magical season of togetherness, family and friends, great food, downtime and doing a whole lot of nothing!

I will be back later in the week but do want to send a heartfelt greeting to each and every one of you, may your season be bright, full of hope and happiness, laughter and smiles. I thank you for following along with me this year, 2012 and look forward to what lies ahead!  The best is yet to come......

Merry merry Christmas from our house to yours!

Finally he decides to cooperate :) 

Teddy the "homeboy" says Merry Cbristmas too (these were a few shots from a mini photo shoot)!