Positivity

Putting on my Yoda snoody to say – “A positive mindset brings positive things.”

But Yoda never said that. LOL! He did say – “In a dark place we find ourselves, and a little more knowledge lights our way.”

This is exactly how we felt after we’ve been to see Dr. Julia at Dr. Birgit Ahlemeyer’s holistic clinic in Tunbridge Wells. Recommended by Dr. Grammel of Pet Bio Cell, we were lucky to get an appointment so quickly

Dr. Julia felt me all over and I let her because she had treats!

Then came the needles! First an injection and then she gave me an acupuncture session. As soon as the needles went in, my heart rate immediately increased.

On Monday, I had begun limping. Short of getting an x-ray hoping the acupuncture might help.

That shopping buggy suddenly became very useful.

Dr. Julia also prescribed two herbal mixes – Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu (unblocks the three yang stages and sedates and calms the spirit) and Dang Gun Shao Yao San (reduces swelling, healing tissues and help in building blood cells are just some of the benefits that this herb is known for) and while the other mushrooms are flying their way over to us, she had also prescribed Corpet, another “magic mushroom” that helps to improve the immune state.

Now my food is a full concoction of Honey’s raw meat (thumbs up from all vets – absolutely no processed foods) and a sprinkling of herbs and then I get pills wrapped in turkey slices.

Seems like every week, something else might go wrong. After pain meds didn’t help the limping, we went to the vet on Friday. As it turned out I had been putting a lot of weight on my front legs and had sprained my shoulder. Thank goodness they found the source of pain. The vet gave me some anti-inflammatory along with pain meds and I am now limping less, though still walking slowly.

In the mornings, there’s no more jumping off the bed in full anticipation of breakfast. Mum stays longer in bed for cuddles. As the day wears on, and after breakfast and dosages of herb remedies, I become alert again. And I am definitely barking at the neighbour, and I am still ravenous. I even jump up and down from sofas though I am not suppose to. Mum wouldn’t let me jump on and off the bed. And so it’s another week of …

May’s comment: “You live with her, not the tumour! Keep it positive!” was Julia’s reminder as she waved us goodbye when we left the clinic. “Stay positive” for her. Couldn’t agree more. Dwelling on sadness is not constructive for me nor her – especially when dogs are so sensitive to our moods and feelings, they feel our distress and grief which is unnecessary burden for them.

It’s been a month today since the beginning of this new chapter of our life adventures.

The cycle of life and death has its own agenda. It does not necessarily coincide with our wishes or hopes for a long shared life. Of course I grieved after the initial shock of the tampered word “masses” was mentioned. It was unexpected. I found that once I accepted the fate, my grief shifted, and then I was able to feel gratitude for the life we’ve shared together and for the time we have left … cherishing what we have and making the most of every last moment. Staying positive for her, if not for anything.

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow. (Helen Keller)

Dr. Julia Ledger-Muennich (Chiro Vet) is a colleague of Dr. Birgit Ahlemeyer as she was away on holiday. We will be returning at the end of the month to see Birgit – so she can check on how the remedies are working for Darcy.