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Thursday, May 10, 2012

The good days continue...

K continues to amaze me. I felt a bit sad this morning but K wanted to play. She brought me a stick and pranced excitedly waiting for me to throw it. She was so close to my face that she's not even in focus!
We played a happy game of fetch with the most incredible backdrop that I can imagine. As always, K knew what I needed and made me smile!
During our morning rides with just the two of us, K has been playing a game that she created as a puppy. She adores doing recalls because I emphasize them so much in our training. They are nothing but fun, fun, fun! So, as a youngster, K started "hiding" to entice me to call "K Come!". She was training me.
After I figured out that this "game" actually could become annoying by the 14th repeat within one walk, I stopped calling her when she "disappeared". Instead, I'd point at her and say "I see you!". Then, I'd go get her... After a while, she stopped "hiding" quite so often.

Well, since she's become sick, I've started letting her play her game again. So, she hid in plain sight this morning in the photo above, and I complied with her wishes by calling her. I love how happy a recall makes her!
I've learned that her good energy level is typical for a dog in her stage of osteosarcoma. Apparently, the "decline" is usually very short and fast when the lungs become too filled with cancer to deliver enough oxygen. In a way, a fast decline is a blessing... K can keep having fun until almost the end of the journey.

After her morning run with me, K usually snoozes on the deck, resting up for our sunset hike.
Then, K bursts into action again, playing with her brother during our evening hike. R is definitely a faster runner than K at this point.
But, K hasn't given up trying to outrun him. She even employs her ears to try to fly!
I've found a great forum (tripawds.com) where people with dogs going through cancers, and particularly osteosarcoma, can share experiences and support each other. When I posted about K's grim prognosis, one of the wonderful people there included this quote in her reply: "When you start missing what isn't gone, you lose what's left."

I couldn't agree more. I shall remember those words in the coming days, weeks, and hopefully months.

34 comments:

  1. What a lovely creature K is! I can feel her passion for fun and life! The photos record this so well to! Nice job.
    K and Sophie have a lot in common....must be the Chocolate lab!!!
    Love that quote as well!

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  2. Snoozing after a good game of hide n seek...what more could one want...K must beyond happy that you started this up again...not to mention the stick chewing photo...so beautiful!

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  3. I LOVE that quote - as well as your photo of K peeking from behind the tree. Speaking of amazing photo backdrops, I don't know if you follow Wilddingo.com, but you MUST see HER backdrop today. Even YOUR jaw will drop!

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  4. Dear K

    Aren't humans sooooo easily entertained?

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra
    PeeEssWoo: Keep up the great work!

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  5. That is a wonderful quote! I couldn't agree more. What a sweet photo of K sleeping. Of course you know me, I loved the stick part BEST. I wish I could share my sticks with K. Hope on over to my blog and pick one out and I'll send it to her right away.
    Blessings,
    Goose

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  6. She's absolutely right!
    Dachshund Nola

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  7. You and K are so inspiring. You've made me and my momma want to live every day to the fullest!

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  8. What a perfect quote adn more of us needed that than you can imagine. Oh K looks wonderful and happy. You can see her love for you in her eyes as she plays "Recall" a game that Bert and Jamie know well.
    Lovely post today...as usual

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  9. What a perfect quote adn more of us needed that than you can imagine. Oh K looks wonderful and happy. You can see her love for you in her eyes as she plays "Recall" a game that Bert and Jamie know well.
    Lovely post today...as usual

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  10. I love those words at the end! So very true and something to definitely remember! I have a feeling that K will do things on her own terms. She's probably just letting R win to make him feel better, too! ;)

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  11. we love that you are having these wonderful days with K.. Memories to build on
    Benny & Lily

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  12. It is so cute that K invented her own game. What a wonderful quote. I am going to remember that too as I see my 14 year old girl decline.

    Cindy

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  13. I love that shot with K peeking out from the tree! That is so adorable! The expression on her face is so innocent and sweet.

    I love the sound of your hide and seek game. We have one we play as well with our dogs.

    I'm so glad you found a forum to share your experience and group with others going through the same things. Support like that is such a blessing. :)

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  14. I am so happy you found Tripawds. Not just for today's quote (which is great) but for what the future will bring. Its great to hear from people who are now going through what you are.

    As always, the best pics!

    Is there a Dogs Who Hate Groomers support group somewhere?

    Cheers,

    Jo, Stella, Zkhat and Ron

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  15. Ann. from THE OUTER BANKS of NC..said.. Beautiful pictures today..K behind the tree was so adorable... playing hide and seek ...but what I really see is a big "THANK YOU" written across their faces..reminding you that you are such a blessing to them.. and spreading sunshine..as you embrace these precious moments together

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  16. That pic of K hiding behind the tree is pure gold!

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  17. What a perfect quote for all of us to remember.

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  18. Thank you for sharing that quote with us. It is something I will write down and remember forever.
    I see that look in K's eyes... looking to see if your serious-- are you two really going to play the game!!?? And of course you do and she is so happy..... your making her so happy.
    love
    tweedles

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  19. That is a wonderful quote for all of us to listen to. K looks just fabulous in these pictures...one can just see the love in her eyes!!

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  20. Love your morning hikes with K. Great pictures again of your wondeful landscape, the mountins in the background with snow on it.

    Have a great day you all, hugs from us!

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  21. I'm happy that these good days continue for you both. K looks amazing. What a great quote!

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  22. Hi KB, wonderful photos of K. We totally agree with the quote you found. Its perfect. Take care and hugs to all. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

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  23. You are so smart and so beautiful, K, and that person on the forums nailed it with that quote.

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  24. I would be comforted by hearing that K will not suffer long and should be able to enjoy a full life right up to the end. I'm sure it's still weighs heavily wondering when that will be but that's when that simple, yet profound quote must be remembered. The hide and seek game shows what a unique bond you and K have.

    I'm glad you have that forum to help you thru this.
    Chester's Mom

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  25. Love the hide and seek - that's adorable! What a great companion she has been. I know it must be tough knowing the end will come but not knowing exactly when. That's the hardest part (at least it was for me). Hang in there. You and K just keep on having fun and keep savoring these moments. :)

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  26. I love "Flying K!" And I love that she is still playing her games ... so amazing when you think of all the ways that THEY train US!

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  27. I just love the way K still has so much fun and when your down she basically comes and tells you to snap out of it! LOL! As hard as it is I am glad for you that it won't be a slow decline. She can stay in her fun element longer. God is still letting her shine!

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  28. You will nevers know da impact K,s story has been to us. Just watchin' her love and run makes my heart all giddy.

    Nows, bout dis training...I wish I could hide and not let mum find me. If hers can't find me then her know I is up to sumptin! Can you seriously believe I would do wrong? Maybe you shouldn't answer dat.

    What a profound response dat person gaves you.

    Puddles
    PS: I likes where you said K was training you. She certainly is, in more ways than one.

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  29. An exceptional photo series! The expression in that first one is particularly wonderful!

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  30. Beautiful photos! We're happy you found support in the Tripawds blogs and forums.

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  31. I love it when I discover I've been trained again. The hide and seek game is very cute.

    My Boo's cancer went to his lungs and the end was very fast. He was fine and then in the middle of the night he started having trouble breathing and the next morning I took him to the vet for the last time.

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  32. She is just too adorable for words hiding behind the tree.

    Mango Momma

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  33. I love that quote and try to live by it. I'm so glad you found the support group, and I hope they will be there for you, and I hope this will help you be there for others when they go through this. I hope others will learn so much from your spirit of enjoying what you have left.

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