The Heart of the Matter
By Mona Lease

Hi, all!! I've been working with my poodle. She is 11.5 years old. A couple of months ago I learned she had Lymphoma. I chose an alternative treatment option.

It is a more detailed method. I started calling her "Miss Q2H" For those of you knowledgeable of the medical lingo - Q2H means "every 2 hours." A prescription of this type is usually associated with one-on-one care - like "turn the patient Q2H" - every 2 hours. Or; "walk the patient Q6H" - every 6 hours. I was doing something with or to her every two hours.

The key to all of the "alternative option therapy" is consistency. So - consistent I was. I scheduled all of my work - even these columns - around her - Q2H.

It all looked good. She was responding well - I believe. We had to adjust to new dietary rules.....mostly I had to adjust. NO table food no matter how much she begged...or how pitiful she could make her face look.

Then came Sweetest Day. As I watched her breathing I knew there was trouble with her heart. She picked at her food. We had had to make a minor dietary adjustment. She had responded well to that. Her last late night deposit on my kitchen floor was proof.

She came to get me late in the night on 10/20. I put the sofa cushions on the floor and laid down with her. When I awoke with a start at 1:29 am of 10/21 - she was gone. As I sat staring at her in disbelief; it hit me. I could control food intake and the types of food. I could give shelter, rest and love. I could hold her paw - and I did. Aside from pacemakers; (I am not sure if they are available for pets) how many times a heart beats is something I could not give or control. That is someone else's domain. The best I can do is what I did for Miss Q2H - food, shelter, rest, and love. And, I believe that is true for man or beast.

Remember the kiddies and our service people. Take good care of the furry and feathered ones out there. Be safe and healthy. See ya next time. Ever Toodles!! MONA