Thank you Sherri at The Spot for creating this image for The Woodro
Diary December, 1997
Dec. 1, 1997 - Spied The Woodro eating out of the "regular" dog food bowl at lunch today. Maybe he is simply still eating on his own and we just don't know it?
Dec. 2, 1997 - Found a source for soy weiners to replace the meaty kind - much better for The Woodro and thank you to all who have contacted us on this subject. He enjoys these just as well. The Woodro had a great day today. He was alert and frisky. Mams Raubyn had surgery today and will be home for the entire week to "heal". The Woodro will share his new soy weiners with her - such a sweetheart to help take care of Mama!
Dec. 4, 1997 - The Woodro's spirits remain up and his appetite standing well. Enjoying the company of Mama Raubyn this week and she him!
Dec. 6, 1997 - The Woodro's appetite has been simply voracious these past two days! We had to return to the grocery store to restock his goodies and meals. One more exciting piece of information is that he is waggin' his wittle tail off 'cause The Tennessee VOLs became The SEC Champions tonight! The Woodro's team defeated The Auburn Tigers 30-29 - whew! A close one!
Dec. 8, 1997 - The Woodro's shipment of ~
chlorophyll tablets was delivered today. He easily chewing the tablet. We also telephoned a lady in Oregon (Marina) tonight who specializes in homeopathy treatments for animals, (thank you Gayle). She added three (3) more herbal remedies to increase the strength of his liver. We will detail these ingredients when we receive the package. A nasty and snowy day in Tennessee today - The Woodro's spirits also reflect the weather . . .
Dec. 10, 1997 - The weather here in Tennessee has warmed up and dried up - hoooray! The Woodro's appetite and spirit really seem to reflect the weather. Today - he couldn't get enough to eat - even ate half of Mama Raubyn's supper (peas and pasta). He is coughing more often now though. Let's hope it is simply a reflex in loosening the tumor. Believe it and it WILL come true . . .
Dec. 12, 1997 - The Woodro's appetite is again down. His mood is gloomy and he tends to just "sit and think". He still chases "the invisibles" with "the group" but Mama Raubyn and Papa Chip are worried. We have to remember that the sole intention of this diary is to "report" the day's findings and to be honest. The shipment from Marina Z. arrived today: Modified Citrus Pectin & Pure Liver. She suggested these herbal capsules to support his liver function. These items, plus their dosages have been added to The Woodro's "medicine" list on Page one of this Diary. We purchased new meat items at the store this evening for The Woodro and spent two hours making a "meatloaf" for him: Ground chuck (1 lb.) plus one cup of cooked brown rice, one cup of oatmeal, 1/2 cup of raw pecans, three (3) eggs, wheat bread crumbs and seasonings. He "woofed" it down before we cooked it (in it's raw form) - but turned his nose up at it cooked . . . oh well . . . Chip can eat it. :-)
Dec. 13, 1997 - We took The Woodro to the park today. He did not "gallop" around this time - simply "strolled". Because of the temperature outside, he had to wear his sweater. We think that the sweater may "embarrass" him? :-)
Dec. 15, 1997 - The Woodro is not fairing so well. His mood is gloomy, we are hand feeding him, his rear legs are uncoordinated and he seems to be in "a confused state". Took him to his doctor. It seems the lung tumor may be pressing his heart. His pulse was 167 beats per minute in the doctor's office (I retook it while he was at rest at home - 142 beats per minute). We immediately purchased three (3) herbal remedies for circulation: Gotu Kola, Ginko & Hawthorn Combo and HS II. We will SEA . . . He seems to be in no pain though. Please, let The Woodro be happy . . .
Dec. 16, 1997 - The Woodro's doctor explained that his "slowness" may be due to his body adjusting to the lower level of oxygen his brain and limbs are receiving. We have increased his oxygen treatments to 15 minutes (from only 5 minutes). He enjoyed a 1/4 mile walk this afternoon and a jaunt to his Mee-Maw's (Raubyn's mother). The Woodro begged and "spoke" for his share of Papa Chip's supper pizza. He is looking and feeling better today.
Dec. 19, 1997 - The Woodro's appetite is not the best. We spoon feed him all his favorites. He will eat - but only if we hand feed him. This keeps his strength up. Our lunch hours are spent at home to feed him his lunch. When we return home at the end of the workday - the first thing: a 1/4 mile walk in our back field for The Woodro and then 15 minutes of oxygen therapy. This seems to help his circulation and agility. Then supper time for him and an evening of simply "cuddling" him. He still is willing to chase "the invisibles", yet rests mostly.
Dec. 22, 1997 - Never know what to expect from The Woodro these days. Normally - he is up and slobbering on the door with the rest of the bunch when we come home from work. But today - he just laid there and looked up at me (Raubyn). Then I took him for his walk and he ran my behind all over that field. Whew! We have changed his herbal medicine regiment to make it easier on all of us. He now receives his dosages three times a day - instead of four and he has Sunday's off. Trying to SEA if maybe he is getting too much of a good thingy. He still remains a bit "dazed and confused" and his coordination is slow.
Dec. 24, 1997 - Well, it's Christmas Eve. The Woodro enjoyed a long walk yesterday and a short one today. We will make this the best Christmas Eve for him ever. His gifts will be opened in the morning (special thanx to Lisa and Ernie and to Mare for his gifts!) Merry Christmas to all - Tis The Season To Be JOLLY MON!
Dec. 25, 1997 - The Woodro's Christmas was very tiring for him. But he enjoyed a visit with his Mee-Maw and Aunt Kiss-Kiss (Raubyn's mother and sister).
Dec. 26, 1997 - We have The Woodro on so many herbal pills, etc. that with his complete
lack of appetite - we have stopped the treatments. It is all we can do now to "force" feed him. He still likes his cornbeef hash though and bedtoy and enjoyed a walk today.
Dec. 27, 1997 - The Woodro's appetite is completely gone. Purchased baby food and formula yesterday. He still has his happy moments tho and please do not worry - we will not let him suffer. If anyone contacts us and does not receive a response - please understand that we are with The Woodro.
Dec. 28, 1997 - Over the holidays our cooktop decided to cease all functions. We need burners to cook The Woodro's food so we headed out to Sears last night to purchase a new one. When we returned home I thought "maybe Woodro will eat a treat while waiting on his supper to be cooked". Well - surprise, surprise - he gobbled down four T-Bone treats and TEN pieces of homemade beef jerky (Chip makes a batch each week for him). We had to go back out to buy a new roast to make more jerky. He has not received any herbal pills nor any flex seed oil since Tuesday (Dec. 23). Maybe his digestive tract is recovering? Not sure. But the baby food and fourmula seem to be perking him up. It is a beautiful sunny Sunday here in Tennessee today. Headed out to walk The Woodro.
Second entry of the day ~ 10:58 pm: The Woodro is very tired. Gone to join him in the bed.
Dec. 29, 1997 - A rough night last night. We will be pulling the downstairs sleeper couch out tonight so we can be closer to the door to let The Woodro out to go pee-pee. He is not showing that he is in any pain but baby aspirin seems to help him - he is simply tired and confused. His appetite has not improved. Many kind and considerate folks out there continue to contact us with advise, webpage references and new holistic products to try, etc. Right now the simple task of getting Woodro to eat is grueling, frustrating and sad. We have by NO MEANS given up on him. Just want all you sweet people to know that we are doing our best and do not want to stress Woodro anymore than neccessary. We pray we are making the right decisions and only want The Woodro be happy.
Dec. 30, 1997 - Received the following message from some caring folks today: Chip and Raubyn, I'm thinking that The Woodro is resting and healing from within (all the special care and supplements and delightful food you have given him especially since October) and from without (your companionship and physically comforting and constant presence. You haven't mentioned any coughing spells lately...isn't that a good sign? I seem to also remember reading that an effect of Essiac Tea on tumors is to at first harden them and then soften and disperse them. Love and Peace, my friends, Suellen Sure hope this is true - believe it and it WILL come true! Have begun a new regiment for The Woodro: combining Essiac Tea, Alfalfa, Red Clover Blend and Ginkgo/Hawthorne combo with flax oil and hot water as a paste to apply to his right chest area (location of the lung tumor) and a bit applied orally. Just can't give up . . . but he is so tired . . .
Dec. 31, 1997 - Happy New Year Woodro! Spied the wittle bugger staring at the regular dog food bowl, so Mama Raubyn scooped out a handful and offered it to him. He gobbled up three (3) handfuls. But about one hour later, The Woodro vomitted it up yet seemed to feel better afterwards. He ate a whole bowl of vegetable soup at midnight. Happy New Year Woodro!
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