The diagnosis was no big surprise. I have greyhounds aka "greys", and around 25% will eventually develop bone cancer. It is the leading cause of death in greys, and they are the breed most likely to get it. This was not even my first greyhound with osteosarcoma. (aka "osteo However, she was the first to occur when my relationships were electronically networked, rather than members of the local dog park.
Up until that point, my greyhound social networking had revolved around "Greytalk" a social media platform for, well, talking about greyhounds. I was a member of a group for greyhound osteo, where I met another instructional designer (!), Dorothy T.
Dorothy T connected me to Ohio University's Greyhound Osteosarcoma programs, through which I got reduced cost chemotherapy and who got me a referral to a clinic at UF veterinary school, staffed with veterinary post-docs and faulty. I later connected my vet, who had not had many greyhound patients) with this clinic. (Her practice still keeps in touch with the clinic for treatment updates and professional development.)
Dorothy connected me to Circle of Grey, a support group for parents of greys with osteo, where I received oceans of support and a "healing blanket" for Maggie,
As time when on, I became a regular contributor with a reputation for sound information to other parents of greys with osteo.
I was a member of two support groups, and a follower of the University of Ohio's research and clinical postings, where I learned home treatment for a host of post-surgical issues and, later, some valuable information on being the parent of a dying pet.
The 2007 version of the Triple Revolution made a significant difference on the way Maggie and my husband and I lived our lives. While my husband was a great source of emotional and financial support, I was the family clinician, care-taker, and "content receiver, responder and thanker" - incurring the stress mentioned by Rainie and Wellman.
Through the use of social media, I was able to find information on how to deal with minor but messy post-surgical complications (my continued thanks to the University of Ohio.) I was also able to find resources for my local vet. My neighborhood social media outlet provided neighbors with the ability to reach out to others about Maggie's illness. (Like Peter, I was reluctant to ask for help.) They rallied. We received offers of "walkies" and transportation to vet and therapy visits, as well as emotional support and cuddling (for Maggie...I'm rather standoffish.) We needed less logistical and practical help, but we did need lots of post-surgical canine t-shirts. When this information came out, my mailbox was stuffed with them - mostly from people I knew from Greytalk, or didn't know at all. The 24/7 availability of information and world-wide parents of similarly ill greys soothed many a sleepless night.
When Maggie lost her battle, the traditional funeral meats appeared, again, often from total strangers. Dealing with the acknowledgement of and thanks for all this help was a stretch for me, an introverted isolationist. (Social media has been a help for me in developing my f-2-f social skills. Who knew?)
Because my journey with Maggie occured before the wide-spread use of mobile media, the third R didn't have much of an impact on us. Which was fine. Walks with Maggie were a challenge enough without a cell phone. My keyboard, however, was almost grafted to my fingers. (Now, however, my Google Drive threatens to overflows with videos of my greys racing around or lounging in a nearby lake.)
The Triple Revolution created for Maggie and me a world of assurance that her medical needs were being met with the best knowledge available. We were given support in the work of parenting any dog, much less a sick one. She received the physical comfort of her healing blankie and her t-shirt wardrobe. I certainly received practical and emotional support. At the end, I was given assurances that it was time to let go, as Maggie herself was telling me. This saved me from the guilt may dog parents face in similar situations.
This situation will come to me again - it is a fact of life for most pet parents, and especially for the the parents of greys. It is comforting to know that there will be even more resources and greater connections now (especially that You Tube video on draining a seroma!)
****
This is not Maggie the Marvelous Tripod, but quite similar. Same color, same blue coat, same speed. Faster on three legs than on four.
RIP, Maggie. See you at the Bridge.
Up until that point, my greyhound social networking had revolved around "Greytalk" a social media platform for, well, talking about greyhounds. I was a member of a group for greyhound osteo, where I met another instructional designer (!), Dorothy T.
Dorothy T connected me to Ohio University's Greyhound Osteosarcoma programs, through which I got reduced cost chemotherapy and who got me a referral to a clinic at UF veterinary school, staffed with veterinary post-docs and faulty. I later connected my vet, who had not had many greyhound patients) with this clinic. (Her practice still keeps in touch with the clinic for treatment updates and professional development.)
Dorothy connected me to Circle of Grey, a support group for parents of greys with osteo, where I received oceans of support and a "healing blanket" for Maggie,
I was a member of two support groups, and a follower of the University of Ohio's research and clinical postings, where I learned home treatment for a host of post-surgical issues and, later, some valuable information on being the parent of a dying pet.
The 2007 version of the Triple Revolution made a significant difference on the way Maggie and my husband and I lived our lives. While my husband was a great source of emotional and financial support, I was the family clinician, care-taker, and "content receiver, responder and thanker" - incurring the stress mentioned by Rainie and Wellman.
Through the use of social media, I was able to find information on how to deal with minor but messy post-surgical complications (my continued thanks to the University of Ohio.) I was also able to find resources for my local vet. My neighborhood social media outlet provided neighbors with the ability to reach out to others about Maggie's illness. (Like Peter, I was reluctant to ask for help.) They rallied. We received offers of "walkies" and transportation to vet and therapy visits, as well as emotional support and cuddling (for Maggie...I'm rather standoffish.) We needed less logistical and practical help, but we did need lots of post-surgical canine t-shirts. When this information came out, my mailbox was stuffed with them - mostly from people I knew from Greytalk, or didn't know at all. The 24/7 availability of information and world-wide parents of similarly ill greys soothed many a sleepless night.
When Maggie lost her battle, the traditional funeral meats appeared, again, often from total strangers. Dealing with the acknowledgement of and thanks for all this help was a stretch for me, an introverted isolationist. (Social media has been a help for me in developing my f-2-f social skills. Who knew?)
Because my journey with Maggie occured before the wide-spread use of mobile media, the third R didn't have much of an impact on us. Which was fine. Walks with Maggie were a challenge enough without a cell phone. My keyboard, however, was almost grafted to my fingers. (Now, however, my Google Drive threatens to overflows with videos of my greys racing around or lounging in a nearby lake.)
The Triple Revolution created for Maggie and me a world of assurance that her medical needs were being met with the best knowledge available. We were given support in the work of parenting any dog, much less a sick one. She received the physical comfort of her healing blankie and her t-shirt wardrobe. I certainly received practical and emotional support. At the end, I was given assurances that it was time to let go, as Maggie herself was telling me. This saved me from the guilt may dog parents face in similar situations.
This situation will come to me again - it is a fact of life for most pet parents, and especially for the the parents of greys. It is comforting to know that there will be even more resources and greater connections now (especially that You Tube video on draining a seroma!)
****
This is not Maggie the Marvelous Tripod, but quite similar. Same color, same blue coat, same speed. Faster on three legs than on four.
RIP, Maggie. See you at the Bridge.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I welcome any comments you wish to share. Thanks.