I had to work today, but while I was gone, Dad and Woo did a little photoshoot so that all our Tripawds friends could see our new collar and how stylin’ she looks in it.
Enjoying the sunshine
Serious Woo
You talkin' to me?
Gladys is keeping an eye on the neighbors
My pretty girl!
Sporting the new bling.
Rio’s not much for action shots, but she does good profile! (The collar is from Chief Furry Officer.)
Okay, all, as promised, here’s my recipe for Rio’s Soup for Dogs. I should mention up front that this soup is different every time I make it. This is simply how I made it this time ’round.
RIO’S SOUP
1 whole organic chicken (I use whatever meat is least expensive — beef, lamb, pork, chicken, turkey, etc.)
3 lbs. chicken trimmings (my butcher’s dept does chicken trimmings and fat for broth)
A few beef marrow bones and bison rib bones
Place in a large pot, and cover with water or broth. (The one I use is 24 qts). Allow to simmer until chicken falls from bones. Allow to cool, then remove meat, skin, etc. from bones and set aside.
Remove meat from bones and set aside
1 lb. liver or other organ meat (This can either be cooked in the pot with the chicken or in a separate pan with coconut oil for a little more flavor. Be forewarned, if you use kidneys, your entire house will stink!)
Liver cooked in a little bit of coconut oil
To the broth, add any veggies, coarsely chopped — this time, I had available:
1 red and 1 yellow pepper
2 cups of white cabbage
2 cups broccoli
1 medium zucchini
1 cup snap peas
2 cups green beans
1 15 oz can diced tomatoes, low sodium (I also had a couple of fresh tomatoes and several tomatillos from my garden, so I threw them in, too)
1 cup chopped kale or spinach
Chop veggies coarsely
Allow veggies to cook in broth until slightly softened, then puree the mix with a hand blender. Once the vegetables have been finely chopped, add the meat back to the broth and bring back to a simmer. At this point, you can also add in 2 cans sardines or mackerel (in water, no salt added) mushed up a bit.
Simmer veggies until slightly soft
Puree veggies into broth
I ran this by my Quality Control Department……
Rio says, “Three enthusiastic paws up!”
Zephyr concurs
Tosca also gives it her seal of approval
You can think you’re totally prepared for bad news, know exactly what the doctor is going to tell you, psych yourself up to hear the absolute worst news, and still be stunned to hear it. I think it’s because somewhere deep inside you’re still hoping that there will be a miracle. Somehow, in an amazing turn of events you become the lucky winner of the lottery, the amazed and grateful recipient of the ultimate jackpot!!!! And you smile and tearfully accept the prize, because you know there was never anyone so deserving of a miracle as your beautiful Rio.
But this was not my lucky day…. nor was it hers…. Today, the doctor told us that in the span of four weeks, while taking the Kinavet (our “last ditch effort” drug), the tumor in her lymph node has doubled in size. Soon it will be creating pressure on her colon. It could eventually become blocked, leading to a very rapid decline in her internal functions. The other possibility is that the mast cell could degranulate, causing something very similar to anaphylactic shock.
I’m trying so, SO very hard to focus on things like the fact that we’ve had four and a half years together since she was first diagnosed. My beautiful Rio and I have had some wonderful adventures together, and we still have time for a few more (if we hurry). Like the fact that she’s a fighter, and she hasn’t quit yet. Like the fact that she doesn’t know she’s sick, and she’s not in pain. But my heart is breaking because I know that soon, way too soon, the thing I love the most in life will be gone. And there’s not a damn thing I can do to change that. So, I’m gonna have myself a good cry and several glasses of wine, and tomorrow, I’m gonna see if I can’t find in myself a little more of Rio’s strength and courage….
Today is Rio’s 8-month ampuversary! Treats for everypawdy!
I’m sitting here next to my girl, listening to her tummy gurgle it’s way through her breakfast, and I’m almost overwhelmed by how much I love this girl. She truly is my heart and soul.
Love this girl, I do, I do....
We had a visit with our dog-ter yesterday for bloodwork to make sure the meds are being tolerated on the inside. Other than a few extra medicinal naps (Gayle and Charon would be proud!!!), Rio is doing really well. Outwardly, we really haven’t seen any noticeable side effects from the Kinavet, so I’m hopeful that her bloodwork will indicate that she’s not having any negative effects from it (elevated protein in the urine, elevated liver enzymes, etc.). We have a follow-up ultrasound next week to see if it’s having any impact on the metastases. Fingers and paws crossed!!!!
Meanwhile, our city-girl friends, Rayna and Yoshi, are visiting again while their pawrents are visiting family in the Caymans. Good thing we have lots of room for doggies here at Camp Monroe!
Rayna
Yoshi
Today, me and Rio’s dad went to Vashon Island to Misty Isle Farms (cool name, right?) to watch sheep dog trials. We thought it would be interesting to go and watch. Plus we have friends who live over there, and it was a fine excuse for a visit. The dogs reminded me of Maggie, the agile Cowdog or all the dogs from the movie Babe!
