Just as attending a flea market on Sunday morning is a necessity... so is the companionship of a dog. I am a dog convert. Indeed, I was always a cat person until my very special rescue cat died of a brain tumor over 8 years ago. I had never before known a cat that would meet me at the door or eagerly sit in my lap, or curl up just as close as possible when I went to sleep. Losing him left an amazing hole in my life, and although I have had other pets, I never thought I would find that same friendship again.
Enter Oscar:
Six years ago, when my eldest step daughter went off to college, I gifted Jenny with a six-month-old Yorkshire terrier named Oscar. I had read a great deal about the breed, and my hope was that our new Yorkie would attach himself to Jenny and fill the void left by Michelle's departure. What I wasn't prepared for, was how Oscar and I bonded (especially at meal time) and how the sound of his feet wherever I went brought me such joy. He has since become my best friend and constant companion, and he follows me from room to room - whether at home or the studio.
About 10 weeks ago, Oscar began having a great deal of pain and we thought it was joint pain from something like Lyme disease. He began a varied course of medicines in the hope that he would bounce back quickly. Needless to say, that didn't happen; and now 4 veterinarians later, he has been diagnosed with deteriorating disc disease and must face surgery to remove the deflated cushions in his spine and fuse the open spaces left behind in order to take away his pain and restore him to his usual personality (which has been spotty at best). The surgery takes place today (Tuesday) at the esteemed Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston. It has been a hard ten weeks, and this coming week - and the ones in the future months - promises to be long and stressful. So, it is necessary for me to ask this great community to lend their positive energy, their love and prayers and send them Oscar's way this week, and for the next few months, as he undergoes the surgery and recovery to find his way back to comfort and good health. This request makes me feel like I am actively doing something to help him... something that will lend him some levity as he and I both deal with his recovery.
Like everything, this is not without risk; and as I watch him resting, I hope and pray that this course is indeed the right one for my best buddy. Thank you in advance for the prayers and positive energy.
~ Matthew~
52 comments:
Matthew, it's truly amazing how much we become attached to our pets - they are a part of our family and our little Jake - terrier mix that we rescued 6 years ago is that for us. I hope Oscar's surgery is successful.
Matthew, I want to tell you that my heart goes out to you and little Mr.Oscar. He will certainly have my prayers and thoughts. I want to hug you for going through this to give Oscar a better life. I too have degenerative disc discease and also spondyliosis (arthritis of the spine) I have had 2 spinal fusion surgeries in the past year, so I feel Oscars pain. I hope he's comfortable and resting well. ;-)
So sorry to hear about your Oscar, but I will definitely keep him in my prayers!
God bless! :)
Matthew, I am so sorry your sweet pup is having trouble. I am praying that it will all turn out ok and without complications for him and for you and Jenny.
Margo
I will be praying for his speedy recovery, our pups are very important!
Smiles!
Michelle
You and Oscar will be in my prayers. I'm so sorry Oscar is having this trouble. laurie
i wish the best to you and oscar, i know how hard it is when our pets get sick. devastating and stressful...
i hope for his successful and speedy recovery and i hope that you can just think good, positive thoughts for you both. things will be ok.
-Stacey
A Sort Of Fairy Tale
ttp://asortoffairytalegirl.blogspot.com
The best dog we ever owned was a silky terrier named Buddy-we rescued him from the pound. BEST dog ever- I will pray for you and your dog.
I'm sorry to read that Oscar is having trouble. Reading about how Oscar follows you around reminds me of our dog because she does the same with me. My prayers for a safe surgery and a speedy recovery.
Jane
I am also a convert to dogs. I have my own little shadow everywhere I go. Well, she's not so little at 100 lbs. For Oscar to be only 6 he'll do just fine. He has many years left of following you around and bringing joy to your life.
Matthew, How I understand how you are feeling now..I too stress and fret over my dog companions should any type of health issue arise, given the fact that they are so much apart of my life..and the thought of not having them there is unthinkable..I am sure Oscar will come thru with flying colors..I will send positive thoughts and energy his way..he looks just like my daughters yorkie Roxy!!!
Hi Matthew,
I spent all last week crying as we lost our beautiful dog Zack after he was with us for over 16 years. He was just like one of my children and our house has not been the same since.
I hope Oscar recovers quickly and I hope you spend many more wonderful years together.
They are part of our families and we love them so.
I just joined your party, but I think I,m a bit late as I have only just added my link and returned to check it when this post arrived. Oh well... hopefully I will be early for the next one.
Regards from Australia
Coty Farquhar
I will keep you and Oscar in my thoughts and hope for a speedy recovery.
I'm sure he will be OK & with all our love & prayers & with you & your family to look after him he will be as perky as ever. Love the photo, I would have been very tempted to call him 'Pumpkin'.
My thoughts and prayers are with Oscar and your whole family. Love 'im good. May his recovery be quick and complete. ~ Yaya
http://yayashome.blogspot.com
Praying for Oscar to do really well!!
It's amazing what God has done for our pets, and I pray that He does amazing things for Oscar as well!!
What an adorable little dog. My thoughts are with him.
I had a little Yorkie for the first 13 years of my life and, in some ways, his shoes have never been filled. I hope little Oscar does well and send you all the best x
Prayers and positive energy coming Oscar's way, all the way from Montreal....
I wish him the best , and a speedy recovery , oh how our dogs become our best buddies , easy to love .
Chris
As requested, I was happy to say a prayer for Oscar the Cutie! I hope he's back to normal soon and delivering his usual joy throughout your household.
D~~~~
i never understood how people could spend so much money on expensive surgery for an animal. . . . until our current companion, brogan, needed his ACLs repaired. wishing you ALL a speedy recovery--it is the hard part for everyone. happy, healthy thoughts are being sent your way!
I am sending out my prayers and positive thoughts to you and your beloved Oscar. Lori
Sending prayers Oscars way! He sounds like an amazing companion.
Oh Matthew, my heart goes out to you and Jenny today as Oscar undergoes surgery. We used to have a Yorkie ourselves and my cousin has had many throughout her life. They are the dearest of doggies - and they may be small, but they have a strong will. I'll be saying a special prayer today for Oscar (and you and Jenny too).
hugs,
jeanne
awww how sad for Oscar, and for you. I wish him a speedy recovery!
Lisa
Poor little Oscar... I wish both of you the best and a speedy recovery for little Oscar. I am so glad you are doing everything you can to make his life better.
Matthew,
We are so sorry to hear about what Oscar is going through. :-( I can't imagine how stressful and scary this day is for you and your family! Good thoughts will be coming your way all day from Prattville, Alabama!
Kevin and Layla Palmer
Hi Matthew
Oscar is so adorable! Keeping him in my thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery ♥
I'm keeping your family and little Oscar in my thoughts and prayers. I always thought of myself as strictly a dog person until we found a little stray kitten over the summer. Now I couldn't imagine life without a cat around. Dog or cat, our animal friends are some of the most special we'll ever have.
Pets are amazing parts of our lives. I am praying for you and for Oscar. What a brave sweetheart he is.
My prayers are with Oscar as he undergoes surgery and recovery. We have two dogs and they are our children. Give him lots of kisses from all of us!
Am sending positive thoughts for Oscar and you.
It is so nice you can do this for Oscar. It is a long hard, expensive road. I work in an animal hospital and not every dog is lucky enough to have this opportunity. I wish you and Oscar the best.
Hugs and prayers, Lisa
my bulldog just returned home from an unexpected knee surgery, so i am sympathetic to your situation. best wishes for a speedy recovery!
oh... so sorry to hear about your Oscar.
i can only imagine how very hard it must be to see him in that pain...
there will be a family in WY keeping him in our prayers... and you!
we too have a yorkie... what loves they are... true companions... true family members.
Matthew, I have 3 cats and 2 dogs - all love affairs - so you are in my prayers and your best buddy. in you flip through my blog ... you'll see 'I get it' jennsthreegraces@blogspot.com
Gentle Hugs, Jennifer
Sending lots of love and prayers for Oscar. He will feel so much better after the surgery and he obviously has a warm and loving family to take care of him while he recovers. Take care all of you.
Your little Oscar is a dear! Sending positive wishes your way for a speedy and comfy recovery.
I am sending happy and healing thoughts to Oscar:)
Matthew, you are a special person for Oscar to be in your life...good wishes and speedy recovery Oscar!!!
Oscar looks just like my little Teddy, sadly he has gone to God, its 4 years and i still miss him everyday, but hopefully your Oscar will live to be a very old, happy and painfree man. Give him a hug from me, Amanda
Oh Matthew!! Your poor baby!! I will send him distance reiki energy. God bless. :)
~ Wendy
http://Crickleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
Matthew, my prayers are with Oscar as he faces this journey in his life. I am an animal lover, and I know that this must be very hard on you, to have to watch you little buddy go through this.
"Bless him, may God watch over him, protect him and restore him to his healthy body, that God so graceously gave him. He blessed him once by giving him you, as his protector while on this earth, with prayers he will protect him again" He is a handsome little guy.
Keep us posted
Blessings~Cheryl
prayers for oscar, hugs for you. hope all goes well.
I hope everything goes well for him!
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT... IT TRULY MADE THE DIFFERNECE FOR JENNY, OSCAR AND ME. I CAN'T WAIT TO GET HIM HOME AND WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED ON HIS PROGRESS... THANK GOD FOR THE MIRACLES IN LIFE AND SUCH A HAPPY FACE THAT KEEPS ME SMILING. MATTHEW
Bless little Oscar. I pray he has a speedy recovery. I wonder if this is a problem with Yorkies. My neighbor's Yorkie had similar back problems and surgery. I know how much my standard poodle and my cat mean to my life. They are such a joy and part of our family. Our pets give us unconditional love and loyality, and certainly deserve the same in return.
They step into our lives & often with a turn of their head, our hearts. We treasure their ability to provide just what we need, just when we need it most.
So, to your Oscar....I send my own "care package" full of wishes & prayers for a quick recovery --my hope that soon you will again hear his feet traveling to your side.
Kari
Thinking of you and your best bud Oscar - hoping he's having a good day. Jennifer
Thought about you and Oscar on this rainy day and wondered how you both are - Jennifer, Spice, Thomas, Elaine & Autumn
jennsthreegraces@blogspot.com
Hi Matthew,
I'm pretty sure Oscar will be fine as soon as you think!
I'll sure pray for him and you too.
Don't be afraid, because God loves "a little more" people that loves animals, so Oscar and you will receive a special God's blessings.
Be peaceful,
Rose
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