Cisco, Sleeping in Rays of Sunshine(Photo by Ellen )
My friend Ellen and I had a long talk on the phone last night. For a couple of weeks now, we have known that her senior whippet Cisco was experiencing some health issues, and Ellen had already been given the heads up that the news might be bad.
On Monday night she received confirmation of what we both feared. Cisco, the whippet that melted my heart and stole hers completely, has been diagnosed with lymphoma - the same horrible cancer that stole my Caleb.
And now Ellen is going through the overwhelming task of weeding through research, making decisions, trying various treatments to keep Cisco comfortable and to help his last days or weeks or months - or possibly even years - to be as precious to Cisco as Cisco is to Ellen.
Just as I made the decision that chemotherapy was not an appropriate route for Caleb, Ellen has decided it is not the right choice for Cisco. And so now begins the process of researching and considering the best choices among dietary changes, herbal remedies and homeopathic treatments, conventional pharmaceuticals like prednisone, and so on. The goal, as always, is to provide Cisco with a treatment plan that is right for him, that will give him the best quality of life for whatever time he has left.
Cisco is twelve, and Ellen adopted him just over a year ago when his not-so-great family decided they no longer wanted him and took him to the vet to be euthanized. Thank goodness the vet they chose talked them into surrendering him, and phoned Ellen to see if she could offer him a home. Thank goodness that Ellen said yes. Thank goodness that Cisco has been blessed to experience her loving care, the company of his young whippet brother Kinley, runs on the dikes and rides in the car, sleeping on the bed (under the covers, yet!) and curling up with the cat. It is the type of life I wish all dogs could live. And, oh how I pray that he will have many, many more nights curled under those blankets and many, many more days racing along those dikes.
Please keep Cisco and Ellen in your thoughts and prayers as they make this difficult journey together.
((((((Hugs))))) Ellen. We are here for you both.
7 comments:
Ahhhhhh. It has been a bad year for good whippets. It just has.
Sending thoughts of comfort for Cisco and Ellen.
hugs-
Patience
I am so sorry Ellen..I had the pleasure of meeting Cisco at the TG reunion last year and he is a darling..I hope he has lots of relatively good time left..I appreciate how your heart must hurt
Cheryl
while we've never met, I feel like I know Ellen and Cisco through your blog, so a ((((((((((hug))))))))) for them both and one for you as well as this must bring up tons of memories
(((((((hug)))))))))))
My thoughts are with all of you - with Ellen, with Cisco, and with you, Jean. Heart breaking news. I'm hoping the best possible treatment plan, the one I know Ellen is working hard to put together, will let Cisco get on with the business of living and loving for as long as comfortably/happily possible.
Ellen, I'm sorry you are going thru such an awful time, it hurts the heart and soul. Cisco was so lucky to have found you, and now he is even luckier that someone truly cares about his welfare, and will be there for him. This is not an easy road for either of you, but I know that you will be surrounded by tremendous support, and knowledge, try to take a little comfort in that and be kind to yourself.
prayers,positive thoughts and paws from:
Kate D.
Awwwwww I am so sorry to read about Cisco's condition. But I am so happy for him that he found you when he did.
Love and light to you both and may God Bless you with more time then you thought possible together.
Ellen, I've met your beautiful boys and seen the love that passes between you and each of them through every glance. There are no words strong enough to guide you through the process you face with Cisco. I just lost my beloved MacKenzie, and I do know the pain, it is devastating.
Know that your love for him is all that Cisco knows now. He is blessed, as are you.
Shalom.
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