May 13, 2015

Tanya's Daily Scoop

Only Time Heals..

Hello friends,

Today is Wednesday, or Hump Day whichever you prefer. 
Here on Travelin' Cousins it is W2GW (Where to Go Wednesday *see below) and I'm going to attempt to focus at keeping business as usual...

But as you read further down and to Elisa'a column, you'll know that it is a somber day. My heart goes out to Elisa, Tedd, and to the girls for their loss.

Dealing with loss is not something you can ever truly be ready for. And coping with the grief is something that each of us handle differently, in our own way and on our own clock. 
There is no rush, there is no timetable or schedule, but it has to be done.
Burying the pain is just about the worst thing that you can do and it only leaves you with an everlasting open wound. 
In order to live fully you must feel and you must go through some of these awful and difficult heartbreaking moments to really find yourself. 
It's just what has to be done..
Otherwise you will live with a lifetime of pain and the pain and struggle will constantly find other outlets to order to release the pressure. 
(Think human volcano.)

So with understanding and compassion, let's all give Elisa as much time as she needs to heal and to cope with the grief that she is feeling. Keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

W2GW (Where to Go Wednesday)

Not too much exciting going on today...
We'll be heading to the stables for Cosette's horseback riding lesson, and then later tonight Dominic has his regular fitness class to attend.
 
In between running around, I will continue working on the new travel article that will focus on my recent Adventurous visit to the Southwest and hopefully I'll be able to post it later today - look for it on our Home Page!

So let's take a look at what's going on this weekend and beyond and where to go:

Neil Diamond will be in concert at the Hollywood Bowl on May 19th!!
Tickets are still available. 
I'm always listening and singing along to his CDs...and in 2013, Dave and I went to see him perform at the MGM in Las Vegas. 
We had a great time!

OPA! There is the Orange County Greek Festival being held on May 15, 16, 17 at 
St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church - 405 N. Dale Street, Anaheim, California 92801
The OC Greek Food Festival celebrates the best of Greek food, music, dancing and culture. Experience authentic Greek foods and homemade Greek pastries; traditional Greek dancing and Greek music; an outdoor marketplace and expansive “Kidz Zone” with carnival rides & games and other children’s activities, and much more.
For more info CLICK HERE

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There is also the Doheny Annual Blues Festival which is being held May 16, 17 at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, CA
Filled with music, plenty of vendors and an International Food Court featuring foods from around the world. Let your taste buds do some travelin'!
Celebrate the beginning of summer with this Orange County Favorite and one of the most anticipated summer festivals!
For more info CLICK HERE

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And my last selection of the week, and certainly not the least is the Catalina Gran Fondo - of which Dave and I will be participating in! 
It's back and it's going to be bigger than ever. The 4th Annual Catalina MTB Gran Fondo is a must attend event on any cyclists calendar. Breathtaking views, challenging climbs and lots of fun to be had after the ride!  For more info CLICK HERE

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This will be our 2nd annual ride with this event. Come on out there and cheer us on!!
Read about last years event HERE

Oh well, that's about it for today folks! 
See ya back here tomorrow for another edition of TBT (Throwback Thursday) and lots of fun Throwback Pics...

Hope you find your joy and have a peaceful day!
-T

Elisa's Daily Scoop

Too Sad for Words

Hey folks,  

My sweet, loving Liberty (August 1, 01 - May 11, 15)

Sorry I missed you yesterday. If you checked in, you know from Tanya's blog post that I took a "off" to mourn the loss of my sweet, loving Liberty girl.

Monday started off like any other day. I had tons of errands to take care of so I was out most of the day.  Then a quick trip to physical therapy for Gianna, fast dinner and the whole family set off for Gianna's band concert at a little before 7pm.

We left Liberty alone (as we do all the time) in her room off the kitchen, assuming she'd rest patiently until we get home.  

Well, the girls wanted to join the other kids for ice cream at Baskin Robbins after the concert, but Rebecca opted to head home.  It was now about 9pm.  

We had just arrived at the ice cream shop, when we received a horribly distressing call from Rebecca telling us that she found Liberty face down in her bed, struggling to breathe, her tongue all blue.

We raced home and while doing so, called my vet on his cell -- the animal hospital was long closed according to their hours, and so I thought it best to just call him directly.

I explained the dire emergency and he said to bring her over immediately.  I won't elaborate, but seeing her was quite a shock and poor Rebecca was a mess, having turned my baby on her side, trying to comfort her.

Gianna and Kelsey were pretty shaken up by the time we got home, as I explained that we don't yet know what's happening, and that it might be Liberty's time to go to heaven. 

I folded down the seats and made a mock bed with towels and blankets in the back of the car.  Tedd carried Liberty into the car, as she was breathing terribly hard.  Rebecca laid in the back of the truck with her, caressing her and talking gently to her.

 It's funny how God works, because when we pulled up to the animal hospital, assuming Dr. Silverman had not gotten their yet, we all of a sudden heard the back gate rattle and it opened to the sight of two techs.  They had been shooting the breeze since officially closing at 7pm and just happened to still be there.

They carried her in quickly and began working on her immediately.  We all stood by as they gently laid her on the table and began intebating her so they could get oxygen flowing into her lungs. 

Within a few minutes, her gums and tongue became pink again, but she had no real response.  At this point, Dr. Silverman arrived and they started hooking her up with a drip to hydrate her and medication to calm her and bring her heart rate down.  Still no response from my girl.

He explained that the medicine was inducing the calm, but I had my doubts.

After all her vitals were ok, they decided to give her an x-ray.  There was nothing unusual except for some fluid around her heart but he told me how strong and perfect her heartbeat was.

It was at this point, around 10:30 that he began to wean her off the meds and the oxygen to see if she responded on her own.  His opinion was that she suffered some kind of massive stroke because of the signs of oxygen deprivation.  Of course, Liberty had been struggling with her breathing for months now, so it was no surprise that her lungs were failing and when taken off the oxygen, there wasn't enough strength in them to get the proper amount of air into her frail body.

I knew what was coming next. He explained after another 30 minutes that she was not responding and that this was probably a result of her being "brain dead."  

Let me just preface this with the fact that our family never left her side.  We were talking to her, petting her, kissing her and hugging her all the while that she was in that emergency room.

Tedd and I spoke alone and knew that we needed to let her go.  Of course, we were hysterical - everyone was.  The girls were, poor Rebecca nearly collapsed as we explained the next step.

Dr. Joseph Silverman and the amazing, loving and caring staff at Garden City Park Animal Hospital (FACEBOOK PAGE) told us to take our time with her.  

One by one, starting with Kelsey (the youngest) and ending with Tedd (the oldest) we went in to spend individual private time with her to say our personal sentiments and goodbyes.  

At this point, it was 11:20pm and we told the doctor we were ready.  I couldn't leave Liberty's side.  Tedd and the little ones decided not to be there till the end.  But, Rebecca and I stayed.  

Before, Dr. Silverman gave her the last two injections, I laid over her, kissing her and telling her how much Mommy loved her; how she was the most amazing dog; how I will see her again in heaven and how my dear Grandma was waiting to greet her upon her arrival. 

I pet her all over from her beautiful face to her adorable paws and her, now frail body.  I knew this fur baby inside and out - I knew every little part of her body and loved her more than words could ever express.  She was loyal, gentle, dependable, gave unconditional love and even had a sense of humor!

I watched as she went still and I am haunted by those words "She is gone."

I didn't know how to leave at this point.  How could I leave my baby on that table, alone...forever...never to see her again!!! 

You know, that is hardest thing - just not seeing her again!! Roaming the house, her bark, curling up next to me while I sit at the kitchen table on my laptop - doing work; writing my daily - every day, all the time.  How??

I told Tedd he should say one last goodbye, which I'm happy he did - for his own closure, since I was worried how badly he would take losing her.  I had come to terms with the fact that she was going to leave us this year - I just knew it.  But, he couldn't even bring himself to talk about it.

The staff took an impression of her paw and we decided to have her cremated so we could keep her ashes forever.

Friends, I really cannot say much more.  I will probably be a little scarce this week as the sadness gets too much to bear at times.  But, know that Tanya is here, writing business as usual for our traveling blog.

-E
(tears)