Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you for all the Matty love.
You have no idea what that means.
I can't even tell you.
Today he is wanting to walk around a little more.
He is sleeping a lot too.
A little dizzy-ish, head to one side a bit still.
Not too interested in eating.
But seemingly, a bit more lucid.
I am cooking him things he likes, and from time to time he gobbles some up.
But, dare I say, the steroid for potential inflammation might be working.
(he is on 6 meds right now)
Hoooray hoooooray hooooooray!!
(knock on wood)
We are all cuddled up, me doodling for sanity.
Still.
And maybe always.
The doodles found me at the best time.
I think we should all doodle, 100% for sure.
It's like purging your emotions and feelings through journaling.
Only, better.
Easier.
For me at least.
I am finding sun rays.
I am working on myself.
Heart and mind.
Nerves and anxieties.
Seeing life's challenges in a different light.
All I care about right now, is that Matty is not in any pain.
That is the part I can't stand.
I just want him to have comfort.
I sleep with him all night.
He cozies up in the middle of my bed.
He is with me, by my side all day.
I hope he is feeling better.
That in some way the medicine is working.
The medicines are meant to work on different things that could potentially be the cause of the ailments.
All I hope is that something works, and he is comfortable.
The doctors were extremely thorough both at the vets and the hospital.
They worked hard to find a cause.
Blood tests, neurology tests.
But they couldn't really tell.
So, we are in that space where we will know within 1 week how things are going.
Life is such a strange place.
It is so wonderful and magical, and so harsh and tough.
All bundled into one.
I often say that life really is like a fairytale.
Filled with lots of good and bad.
But all we can do is hope that we learn from the tough times.
Grow and become better people.
That we have the strength to pull ourselves out of the sad times.
And that, we find some hearty sense of peace within.
Life has ups and downs and all arounds.
It's how we face those times, that gets us to the brighter other side.
Sometimes, the going through things is beyond painful.
And we just can't see the light.
After a while you learn that, the light is there.
At the end of the tunnel, the light is waiting for you.
It is.
The key is, trying hard to find a way not to loose your zest and love for being on this planet, when the going gets crazy tough.
That's the challenge, isn't it?
We never want to see those we love in pain.
Seeing someone suffer hurts like mad.
When Mister Lovee had his really bad car accident several years ago, I would go in the garden and cry. Hoping and wishing for times to be as they once were.
After a while of getting through the madness of such an event, and broken bones etc, things were just as good again.
A miracle.
A gift.
When Baby died, I couldn't imagine my heart mending.
Then Miles came into our lives and brought Matty, Lovee and me much joy.
There is love to be found.
There are wonderful full days again.
It's just, they might be a bit different.
The one thing I know is, it's good to cry.
It's good to sob.
It's good to laugh.
It's good to hope and pray and have faith.
It's okay to break down.
And then puzzle piece yourself back together again.
It's okay to love, no matter how much it hurts sometimes.
It's important to remind ourselves of this over and over.
And to love those in our life, everyday, like it's the last.
Life will be sad and hard.
And good and wonderful.
In no specific order.
With no warning.
Through trials, we learn, it'll be okay.
Somehow.
We will make it.
Love or loss.
We are so lucky to have known such love.
Whether it is current, or a memory.
But, for now, it's living in the moment that matters.
This is what I am reminding myself of.
Every.
Minute.
Especially when the worry critters run through my belly, for my furry boy.
Just love love love.
Thank you for being out there.
Such bountiful good wishes sent from us, to you.
Love,
Vanessa, Mister Lovee, Matty & Miles
With all the good wishes & prayers coming your way, Matty has to get better! Right?
It’s funny how everyone was sending out hugs Then we got desperate. We were all researching & trying to figure out what could be wrong with him & sending you our ideas. We discussed this before on here. You never know what you can find out when other people give you ideas based on things they have seen & been through themselves. Knowledge is power & you have a vast audience here.
When I’ve had problems with my dogs eating, I made Satin Balls. Just google it & you should be able to get the exact recipe.
It’s good for dogs who are sick, old, etc. Of course, you might want to double check the ingredients with the vet first, just in case.
I’m so glad he seems to be better. Still praying!
On a lighter note…You should make up a book with all of your doodles & you could title it…Oodles of Doodles! :o)
I was waiting and hoping to see a post from you tonight and one with hope in it. Glad that has happened! I hope he continues to feel better. x
I am so happy for the continuing good news. We are all praying, hoping, dreaming that Miles finds his way back as well as you, Mister Lovee and Miles are in good health also. It is family what you all need. I love the thought of all of you in bed together. That is what family is all about. I Continue sending good wishes.
Hello sweet friend!!!! I headed out today and I had Matty on my mind all day! I was glad you posted again! I am sooo glad to hear Matty is moving around somewhat. That does sound positive!!! I was thinking surely they have tested for Valley Fever, cuz it is a big thing here in AZ and affects both humans and animals. Just couldn’t remember if this was mentioned already!
Matty can sense you LOVE him with All Your heart and SO keep the Faith and Hope. You have MANY friends praying and sending their Love and positive Energy, the rest is up to our Maker! As you mentioned this Life we live is kind of crazy and we just have to try and go on the best we know how. You have been through some tough times these past few years. I admire you for being strong when you felt so low! Sharing all that you have has helped me and I know many who come to visit your blog site.
My heart waits along with you and the Boys! <3
I Love how Miles cuddles around you and Matty! You have a precious family Vanessa, you should be PROUD! <3<3<3
This is such good news! I actually woke up this morning and Matty was the first thing on my mind. So I said a prayer for him before I even got out of bed. I am so glad to hear he is starting to feel better. I hope he will be back to his tough and swiftly sprinting self again very soon! Thanks for the update! 😉
Oh Vanessa, your doodles are so precious! I can see your heart through them and just a wee glance of the love you have for your furry boy…furry boys “-). It is good to love no matter the heartache that may be involved.
I’m very glad that your Matty is feeling better and it’s a good thing that he’s gobbling up everything your fixin’ him. It shows that he hasn’t given up and wants to continue his adventure.
I’ve been so worried sick for all of you so I was glad to see your post so soon.
Hugs, kisses, and prayers are being sent from me to all of you!!!!
xoxo,
Cori
Oh yes, My Beloved New Age Hippie, I do understand the power of love.
In the end, Only Love Remains.
**blows kisses**
Deb 🖤
So good to hear that Matty is on the mend 🙂 but with all our prayers and the medicine, he is going to make it..I just feel it.
I love you girlie and yes, we must keep our lights glowing even when it’s just an ember waiting to spark once again.
You know what’s weird? omg I have actually been doodling lolol I said no the first day ..just wasn’t into it but the next day.. I sat here and drew some flowers, then a bird cage LOL. It’s funny when we doodle like that, it’s usually on a piece of paper that’s been stained or written on somewhere hehehe.. well mine is… and I have covered the entire rest of the page since then. I’ve decided to start a new one on an actual tablet..who knows where that will lead.
Thank you V for giving us hope…smiles… and tears…and love.
xoxo with blessings,
Deb
I was thinking about your boy last night. Does he eat processed dog food and treats? I am on a list that sends me notices every time a company recalls dog food. Just a thought. Hope it wasn’t a bad treat, or batch of dog food. http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/
I am so glad that Matty is on the mend! I’ll continue prayers for your sweet family.
Remember to take deep breaths. That always helps with anxiety 🙂
On a different note, if your doodles aren’t too personal, I think a doodle book would be fantastic ( black and white for others to color)! My girls love theirs by Nellie Ryan. Yours would be nothing short of fabulous. *love & hugs* Lisa
Retta,
the thing is he hasn’t thrown up (I wish it had been something bad like
that, that we could pin point and cure). During all of this it has just
been neurological symptoms. Shaking, tremor type things, bumping into
things on the left side of his head. Weird sort of, falling over
behaviors. Acting sort of blind in one eye. Just really
scary. But he hasn’t eaten anything that Miles hasnt. And Miles is
fine.
I keep wondering if it was a spider bite -but more and more in my
gut,I lean towards some sort of inner ear thing. I suffer from
vertigo, and I am wondering if it isntsomething like that. He has
had so many tests.
Tests for valley fever, for ticks – blood tests for over all health –
organs etc.
Everything keeps coming back clean.
He is taking a steroid, which might be making him feel better – but also
might mask the real issue.
The vet is thinking something in his head is causing pressure that is
causing the dizziness etc.
Sigh…..
So right now – we are just waiting to see if some of the antibiotics and
other medicines will cure something that 2 vets and one ER unit could not
find.
Heres hoping….
Thank you for your thoughts, so much.
Love, V
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 2/28/2013 6:27:14 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Lisa, thank you!! I so hope he is truly on the mend. My whole heart
is wishing and praying.
We will know in 1 week says the vet. Right now the steroid is taking
away any swelling and helping him to feel better. Now, we need a
cure!!
Go week go…… let us know 😉
I LOVE those anxiety breathing exercises, I do them everyday. Even
when I am not anxious.. yoga breathing and such. It feels sooooo
good.
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 2/28/2013 7:01:31 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Miss V so glad Matty is doing better, I thought about you all day, after the 1st post. My kitty went through the same thing awhile back, she had all the tests and they couldn’t find anything. She stayed in the hospital for two days on IV fluids, finally she got to come home when she started to eat. Never on any Meds, figured she was bitten or ate something she shouldn’t have. I live in a similar environment in Central FL always worried about the bugs and snakes.
So glad he is doing better, thinking about you and your family.
Matty will get better, all the love he gets will heal him
take care
Karey
Dearest Vanessa, I am praying for Matty! Love, Twyla
Sending oodles of love and hope to you and Matty. I will be thinking good thoughts for you both. <3
I love the bits of color you have added to your doodles-are they markers? The color looks so rich like paint. Healing Hugs to all of you, especially sweet Matty.
Oh, Vanessa, I’m so glad Matty is better! I just feel that he is going to come through this with no lasting ill-effects…and he so fortunate to have you and Lovee who care for him so much!
It is so true, what you said…life on this planet is such a series of highs and lows, ups and downs…maybe our reason for being here is to test how we deal with the bad times as well as how we enjoy the good, and how we treat each other along the way…<3
It is coming up on 3 years since that dark day in March that I lost all my furbabies...yet now, as I sit here with Leo, Cyrus, and Tallulah, I am happy again. Content in the fact that I will be with them all again, as you will Baby.
Much love to you my friend, and our continued prayers for dear Matty.
Hugs,
Anne
Hoping Matty continues to feel better. You always have such good words of wisdom. I appreciate that so much.
Beth
I didn’t know Matty was so very sick. I know you told me he was sick, but I just didn’t realize how sick he was, though I was nudged to pray for him! I am so sorry. For him not to even have a fever is strange too…but I just had an experience with myself where I didn’t have a fever and I suspected an insect or spider bite…which included a headache (as the bite was on my head)and chills and numbness which was localized around my head but scared me as it came on like lightening, so fast. Gosh! It amazes me that sometimes even the blood tests won’t show what is going on…even for humans. When I had Toxic Shock Syndrome NOTHING showed up on a panel blood test, yet I was so very sick for ten days years ago.
That is just too strange for words, and frustrating with what you are going through with Matty. It is so weird that any of us can ‘go’ in the blink of an eye. Life is so very precious. One of my sister’s cats was bitten by a spider 12 years ago and the kitty couldn’t walk but would drag his back legs, because the spider bite had taken its toll, sweet Quincy the cat,succumbed to the bite soon thereafter. Yes, there were lots of tears.
But steroids should help Matty and whatever else they are giving him.
Sometimes I feel like an ethereal spirit floating around realizing my human frailty is a moment by moment experience, knowing that Time is a precious energy meant for us to capture and relish every single second of its fleeting embrace.
I guess I should try my hand at doodling…
love you,
Miss Teresa
I read your response…and wanted to mention that I noticed the pretty pastels in your doodles. It made me smile 🙂 Carry on!
Hope Matty ist feeling better! Everything you wrote sounds like vestibular syndrom to me. This is the german name, I have trouble finding the right translation in english. It’s an inner ear problem, often reffered to as a stroke.
Anyway all the best from far away, you are in our hearts and thoughts.
Rest up, Matty.
I hope being home and surrounded by lots of love helps you heal.
I’m so sorry to hear about your Matty not being well. We love our pets as much as the rest of our family and hate to see them ailing. I pray that he will heal soon and be out and about again just like the old Matty. Sincerely, jennifer
Matty the Matador…..it must be hard for you to see him like this. What a good life you’ve given your fur babies.
Life doesn’t get more difficult ~ we just get stronger……..
I only know you from your delightful blog and artistry, but your love for animals and nature and art and family and your Mr. Lovee makes me believe you to be such a very lovely and kind and sweet person and someone who if we met, we would be friends. I read your details and sorrow and worry over sweetest Matty Man yesterday and didn’t comment because all your kind comments were what I would say, but last night and this morning I was sharing your story with my husband and on the train to work I kept thinking of your worry and fear and Matty’s confusion and (Temporary) illness and I just wanted you to know you are not alone and neither is Matty! You have touched so many of us with your selfless blog and art and recipes. Matty is going to get better and you are doing everything you can. The most important being the Love you, Mr. Lovee and Miles are pouring on him. He knows he is safe and with the ones who love him and he knows he is Home. That will get him through this. We are all thinking of you and we are all pulling for Matty. Hang in there Ms. Vanessa, be strong, cry in the shower if need be, but know you will get through this!!! Love to you and Best Wished!
Just thinking about you and Mr. Matty again today, and hoping he did good through the night… Give him a kiss between his eye’s from me…
Sweet little furry family! We’re in the process of losing one of ours, although he’s better since he had his leg amputated, so we’ll see!
Oh, the waiting – it’s so hard. I hope the week goes fast, but I know how that goes. Hopefully the doodling will make the waiting easier. What a precious boy. I wish I could hug him. Sending many cyber hugs as I continue to hope and pray.
I have been thinking of your Matty and sending good thoughts. I am so happy to hear he is feeling a little better. Sending waves of love and hugs of healing.
You are so right, dear one. Live in the moment and enjoy each precious second with those you love. I do remember last summer when my young boy, Neo, contracted a terrible case of kennel cough and sarcoptic mange. I was so scared. My baby had never been that sick. I drove him all the way to New York in the pouring rain to have a specialist see him right away about the terrible wounds on his legs that my local vet could not immediately diagnose. With medicines and time, he healed completely. I did what I needed to do to help my baby boy. Good things can happen, Miss Vanessa. Keep good positive healing vibes in your thoughts, and I will, too! xxoxo
those are really tragic pet stories. it’s as if the world don’t want you to own one. dogs are really adorable and can teach you so much<3
Vanessa these doodles are so sweet.
We love our fur people and in opening up to that we also have to die many deaths. They are more fragile than we are and they aren’t here as long. But it does not mean we aren’t supposed to take them in and love them and steward them through their lives. They are no longer completely wild. And they risk in loving us too.
xox