Tag: Cookie

One resource led to another

by Pawrenting Tails, posted in health, resources

Some days, when I stop and think about the accounts I follow and the resources I lean on, I wonder how I got here. But there are a few essential resources that led me to where I am (before the algorithms took over).

Where it all Began

I don’t remember how I found Tripawds. I suspect in reading material Ziggy’s diagnosing veterinarian shared when amputation was initially mentioned.

Once we decided on having the surgery, I read all I could about amputation and how to support Ziggy. Tripawds’ e-books and web community were invaluable.

Most tripawds are three-legged due to cancer. Naturally, my next stop was the book Dog Cancer Survival Guide, a book recommended within the community.

Dog Cancer Deep Dive

The Dog Cancer Survival Guide is authored by a veterinarian, Dr. Demien Dressler, and veterinary oncologist, Dr. Susan Ettinger. I began with the first chapter, and despite repeated recommendations to read the book in sequence, I jumped around based on what was most pressing, given where we were in Ziggy’s journey. I don’t remember exactly the sequence, but I recall focusing on the suspected cancers to learn about treatments, what to expect, etc., then focusing on nutrition and nutraceuticals while ending on other alternative therapies.

Cookie posing with my copy of Dog Cancer Survival Guide
Cookie posing with my copy of Dog Cancer Survival Guide

My copy is well-highlighted and flagged. While it started with Ziggy, when Cookie had her own encounters with cancer (more on that in a future post!), it was helpful to reference and learn what to expect with her cancer.

Note

I’m an Amazon affiliate and can earn commission on eligible purchases.

I found DogCancer.com as it is run by the publishers of the Dog Cancer Survival Guide.

In addition to resources on the site, they have an excellent podcast, newsletter, and Facebook support group. In the beginning, I listened to EVERY podcast episode – even ones that didn’t seem particularly relevant to Ziggy. With time, I learned to be more selective of which episodes I listen to for the sake of my emotional health.

Similarly, the Facebook group can be heartbreaking, seeing how many lives are touched by canine cancer. But, it can be incredibly helpful to lean on a community that can relate to the rollercoaster of emotions you experience. Sharing the wins along the way can also bring so much joy, or even asking for ideas and suggestions when you encounter challenges (just be sure to consult your care team before making any changes).

And more!

Thanks to DogCancer.com‘s podcasts, I was introduced to many great resources that led me to even more. I often start following many accounts, and with time, I may choose to unfollow some that may not align as well with my values or are otherwise not a fit. Visit the Pawrenting Resources page for more recommendations.

Tips

Don’t take my word for it. Your experience or views of a particular resource may differ from mine based on your journey and values.

As you start following different professionals, assess if they’re one-sided, if they address counterarguments, and how they align with your views.

The more you follow, the more viewpoints open your mind, and the more likely you will find some that rub you the wrong way. Don’t write them off because there’s one bit of content you disagree with. It’s hard. Who you follow should bring you joy or expand your knowledge. If they do neither, unfollow them.

Always consult your real-life pack (vets, specialists, trainers, groomers, and beyond), and remember – you can unfollow people in real life, too. (More to come when I tackle being your pup’s advocate!)

Happy Cookie-versary!

by Pawrenting Tails, posted in General/About Me
Gotcha Day family portrait with Cookie
Photo Credit: Countdown 2 Zero Photographer

What’s a Cookie-versary?

Big stretch from puppy Cookie
Cookie striking a pose in her new home.

It’s Cookie’s Gotcha Day! Nine years ago today, we adopted Cookie at the inaugural Countdown to Zero adoption event!

My husband and I talked about adopting a dog a couple months after dog-sitting for my parents’ dog, Brie. When my husband pressed me for a timeline, I blurted out the date for the adoption event.

Then, we didn’t talk about it until the week before.

What we were looking for

When we finally started talking about what we wanted in a dog, we were pretty much on opposite ends. I wanted a female, he wanted a male. I was open to dogs around a year old, my husband preferred a puppy. I wanted a 20 pound dog, he wanted a bigger dog.

Ultimately, we agreed on one thing: we both had to agree on which dog we wanted to bring home. And seeing who we ultimately brought home, it seems like we blended our preferences.

Spotting Cookie

The inaugural event was held at the convention center. Knowing me, I made sure we got there early so we’d have the maximum selection. There were SO many shelters and rescue organizations present. We walked a couple of laps, stopping here and there to meet some of the dogs. We would each find a pup that one of us liked, but the other person wasn’t wanting to bring home.

I remember spotting Cookie from afar when she was in an X-pen, bouncing up and down.

Me: “What about that one?”

My husband: “Too hyper…”

We took one more lap, and said that maybe we’d need to try again another week at a specific shelter. Then we walked past Cookie, out of the x-pen on leash. My husband kneeled down to say hi. She crawled into his lap, and that was it!

Cookie’s Story

Cookie biting fingers at the adoption event
Cookie, formerly known as Allie, puppy biting our fingers.

At the time, Cookie’s name was “Allie” (we think it may have been short for alligator, given the sharp puppy biting we’d come to experience…). A Second Chance found her litter in a dumpster. Cookie weighed 12 pounds, and we were told she was a Chihuahua terrier mix.

Me: Perfect! She’ll be 20ish pounds.

Several months later when we ran into her foster mom at another adoption event, her jaw dropped and she proclaimed, “That’s no Chihuahua!”

Thankfully, a 50 pound dog was the exact perfect size.

Cookie at her first day in school in 2014.
Cookie in 2023 at Dog Day in the Garden.

Hi, it’s nice to meet you!

by Pawrenting Tails, posted in General/About Me

Welcome to my site! I’m Jessica, and I’m a Dog Mom. I started the pawrenting journey in 2014 when my husband and I adopted Cookie. Since then, we’ve also adopted Ziggy and Chip. I’ve learned a lot over the years, and I look forward to sharing my experiences with you.

About me

Cookie and me at dog day at a local botanical garden
Photo Credit: My mom

I’ve always loved dogs since I was a kid. I convinced my parents that I should get a dog because I was the only one who had never had a dog, and fish didn’t make good pets because you couldn’t take them for a walk. (I was 8, and I was terrible at walking Lady.)

After my childhood dog passed away while in college, I decided I didn’t want to get another dog until I was on my own. Like in many households, I may have been the one that advocated for getting and ultimately picked Lady, but she quickly became my mom’s dog.

I have worked in the corporate world in marketing and product management. In the years since adopting Cookie, I’ve gone down the rabbit hole of “crazy” Dog Mom. I would love to be a stay-at-home Dog Mom or otherwise immerse myself in the world of dogs. Maybe that’s in the cards, or maybe my love of dogs will be what keeps me sane in the professional world.

Why Blog, Why Now

In March 2019, my husband and I adopted our second dog, Ziggy. He was three months old when we brought him home. About six months into the pandemic, in October 2020, Ziggy was diagnosed with cancer. Two months shy of his second birthday, his hind leg was amputated, and right around his second birthday, we finally learned what kind of cancer he had – hemangiosarcoma.

Hemangiosarcoma is a cancer of blood vessels. It is common and often has a very short survival time (about six months). Ziggy lived with hemangiosarcoma for 17 months. He died just three months after his third birthday.

As our journey into canine cancer began, I learned SO much – not just about canine cancer, but canine health in general. There is so much that seems obvious when you learn it, but it is counter to common knowledge or what we knew as kids with our dogs.

Dogs are incredibly precious to me. They are loving, and loyal and bring us so much joy. No matter how long they live, their lives are always too short.

With each of our dogs, I learn something that makes me a better Dog Mom to the next dog in our life. I want to do everything I can to give them the longest, best life possible. And I want to help like-minded pawrents do the same for their pups.

Meet The Pups

Now it’s time to meet our dogs, and the family dogs, that will make appearances in future posts.

Cookie

Cookie flying over an agility jump at the 2019 Tailwaggers CPE agility trial.
Photo Credit: Robin T. Brumfield

Cookie made me a Dog Mom. My husband and I adopted her in September 2014 when she was three months old. She benefitted greatly from being an only child for years.

She is incredibly smart, a fast learner, a good two shoes, strong willed, friendly but anti-social, and an amazing athlete. Cookie introduced us to the world of dog sports beyond obedience.

While Cookie earned titles in agility, barn hunt, and tricks, she also tried tracking and nose work.

Ziggy

Ziggy competing in the instinct level of barn hunt in 2019.
Photo Credit: Pix ‘n Pages Photography

We brought Ziggy home in March 2019, also aged three months. He was our first second dog. Ziggy was my greatest teacher and the inspiration for this blog.

There will be many posts about everything that Ziggy taught me, but the top two are how to advocate for your dog and how to pawrent two dogs.

Ziggy was the happiest, friendliest, and sweetest pup. His tail was always thumping, and he was delighted to go with the flow. I hate that he had to be one for half of his too short life, but he was also a fantastic patient.

Cookie introduced us to dog sports, and Ziggy introduced us to canine holistic health care.

Chip

Chip laying in the grass trying to take off his bandanna on his first birthday.
Photo Credit: Me

Seven months after Ziggy passed, we made room in our hearts for our second second dog, Chip. In October 2022, Chip became the third dog to enter our home at the age of three months.

Chip is a firecracker, and our biggest challenge. He is vocal, anxious, stubborn, silly, sweet, and smarter than I often give him credit for. Chip lived through a lot in his first three months of life, and it shows. It hasn’t quite been a year, but he has come SUCH a long way.

In under a year Chip has taught me that patience and love pays off. He reinforced a lesson learned with Ziggy – that every dog is different. Most importantly Chip is teaching me how misunderstood reactive dogs are.

The family dogs

Me with Lady in the early 2000s
Lady & Me, early 2000s
Photo Credit: one of my parents
Brie
Photo Credit: Me or my mom

Lastly are two girls no longer with us, Lady and Brie.

Lady joined our family in 1991 and passed in 2004. Compared to the dogs I have now, she was tiny – just 20 pounds! But boy did she have presence. While she was only ever taught the most basic obedience commands, Lady was very well behaved and super smart. She was healthy her whole life, until the last year or two when she was on several heart medications.

Brie replaced me when I moved out on my own. My mom lasted five months after I moved out before bringing home Brie. She was at least a year old when she joined the family in 2007 and she crossed the rainbow bridge in 2019. Brie never played, was a steady companion, apparently could hold a grudge, had separation anxiety, and taught Cookie how to behave and paw at the door. (Meanwhile, Cookie taught Brie how to bark and eat grass.)

Here we Go

In a nutshell that’s me and the dogs of my life. I look forward to sharing lessons learned, resources I turn to, products I’ve tried, and countless silly stories.

An important note and reminder: I’m not a veterinarian, certified dog trainer, or other dog professional. I’m a dog mom sharing her tales in pawrenting.

While I hope that my experiences help you, I’m only an expert in the dogs that I’ve lived with (and even with them, I’m always learning). So please, consult the experts that are part of your pack for the needs the pups in your life. When applicable, I’ll link to accounts of the professionals that I follow.