Jasper Love in July

Here’s the latest word for the Jasper Love fan club.

Jasper lost a pound in the last month which is not good, but his elimination is actually improving with calorie reduction. And healthy poops are an especially important bio-indicator for this guy. So I’ll take that and hope that the scale reading was just Jasper being bouncy. (What do I know? I so miss being in the exam room with them.) Also, it was super hot. Bella was down a pound too. His heart and lungs were great and his conformation excellent. Back on the scale in early August. Shheeesh. August?!

Till then, remember. A tired puppy is a happy puppy!

COVID ROADSIDE

One COVID day at a time, Don and I kept working through Spring 2020. We counterbalanced the nightly news with daily spiritual practices. For three months I had the luxury of contemplating pandemic as portal. Still, I lived in a steady state of low grade disquietude touching on flammable anxiety.

Then George Floyd’s death, it’s anguish, and aftermath took what was already upside down here and turned it inside out. I was stopped, gut tied and stuck. I witnessed action unfolding. People taking measure and making choices. I did what wise guides have trained me to do. I sat in discernment and waited.

Within days the monthly ezine from the President of Healing Touch International, Joel Anderson, arrived by email. He too was fumbling but suggested to all practitioners like me that we view maintaining a healing presence as an act of political defiance. Really? I am still pondering it, without the threat of tear gas or arrest. But he did move me to action.

As intense summer traffic in and out of the Ledges raised dust on our gravel roadway, I realized that I had a board on which to write. With some apprehension and grade school execution, I staked out “Your life matters” (south to north) and “All life matters” (north to south) for anyone to read. A compact roadside message board. 

I found a place for my public voice and an outlet for creative design. Two weeks later my sign trio was Imagine Another Way. Healing Beyond Borders remains the signature sign.

Today, amid rising covid numbers and ridiculous bad behavior all around me, I switched it out to  Wear a Mask Please (south to north) and Get Over It (north to south).

May you rest in a healing presence, healing beyond borders.

Jasper Love Update

Our seven-year-old broke 63 pounds last week! This definitely puts him in his fighting weight range and he is certainly feeling strong and energized. We consulted with a veterinarian nutritionist, Dr. Churchill, at UMN to see what might be next in Jasper’s wonderful world of food. We wanted to stabilize his weight without compromising his recovery and hoped to gain some recommendations for replacements in his all Rx diet.

Here is her recommendation. Jasper will continue to eat the same prescription food, just less of it as he steps down from his starvation correction portions. Oh, boy. I anticipate he may get a little cranky. :^)  And the other big change for him is crackdown on treats- even those organic dog cookies he loves. Now I’m thinking REALLY cranky.

Jasper and Bella each get a frozen kong whenever I drive away to work, 5 days a week. It’s been easy fun just loading them with nutritious, delicious, soothing snacks. Now I am asked to measure and apportion calories in the kongs I fill. Now who’s getting cranky? Ok I can do this and I’m sure I will be quick at it once I do the math. Sigh.

Jasper’s daily medications and supplements, and monthly vet checks and weigh-ins continue through at least 2020. So here we go. It’s a new reel of the Jasper love movie and thanks for staying tuned.

If you have already contributed to Jasper Love via a deposit to Boone Veterinary Hospital in our name, thank you. (Please note the hospital doesn’t tell me WHO donates, so YOU have to tell me to get a proper Jasper thank you.) If you are only able to wag along and pray with us, thank you, as well.

Invitations to dog walk remain open for summer. We can wear masks and social distance as we stroll. Bella is easy to walk and I’ll be just six feet away with Jasper. I can even take both leashes if you simply prefer to tag along. We would love to be with you and we know some quiet, nearly private places to go.

Jasper's Bithday

Jasper celebrated one year in his new home and his seventh birthday one day later.  Just like his bonded buddy, Bella, a year ago Jasper had never been in a car, crate or kennel or house. He rarely walked on a leash and had next to zero obedience training and minimal veterinary care. Unlike Bella, his deteriorating physical health has interfered with his capacity for canine calm.  We have to remind him that it’s a good thing he is so cute. Happy Birthday, Jasper.  We are sticking with you. Count on it!

Adoption Anniversary

Adoption anniversary May 18, 2019- another celebration day here. Too bad both of the two-leggeds had to drive away and go to work. But not before morning walks! This family wants to thank all the folks who cheer us on. It’s been a dazzling sometimes frazzling year, adopting two rescues at once.  Jasper would have delaminated months ago without Bella and I would be a wreck without Don. Jasper’s chronic disease compounds his high strung behavior. And his Rx expenses for meds and diet confound our budget.  It takes courage for me to ask again, but please know that your direct gift to Boone Veterinary Hospital (2507 Eastgate Drive, Boone IA 50036 phone 515-432-4601) goes right into the dogs’ account.  No middle man, no percentage withheld.  Every penny to the pups. Any time. Any amount. Thank you.

Of course some people just like to shop. An Amazon card burning a hole in your wallet, PETCO reward points racking up, or Chewy credits rolling? You can’t help with Rx but feel free to snag a Benebone or Kong. (See photos or contact me to get the right size etc.) Benebones are car ride calming treats that reduce canine vocalization and make it safe for humans to drive. Kongs are the only “toy” allowed without supervision. Jasper and Bella get Kongs loaded with frozen snacks whenever we go to work. Like today. Sigh. 

Adoption day May 2019 Let's get these dogs home!

Bella Lulu's Birthday

Bella turned seven yesterday, a beautiful Saturday and a very happy one indeed. Extra walks and a new Benebone (yum bacon flavor) and generally making a bigger-than-usual fuss over her. As we recall all the changes in her world in one year- car rides, crates, kennels, leashes, moving indoors, regular veterinary care, and soooo many new friends, we marvel at her resilience. Happy Birthday Bella and many more ahead. Next canine b-day? Jasper just two days away.

Mother's Day 2020

Join the Jasper Love fest. Yes, there he is at 59.2 pounds last Tuesday.  Covid protocols kept me out of the exam room, but vet staff assure me the scale actually said 60 and that’s where they charted him. He started wiggling and wagging for the photo so I guess he was .8 pounds airborne. Anyway that’s up just about 20 pounds from death’s door in November. Thank you to the Jasper fan club for cheering us on.

If you have not yet had an opportunity to send Jasper a gift, you could do so for his birthday next week. He will be 7. His inflammatory bowel disease is with him for life, so even has he regains weight and strength, the costs do not abate. Your gift goes directly to Boone Veterinary Hospital, not me. No middleman organization gets a penny. It’s just whatever you can give, whenever you are able.

You can remind yourself how to get this done at centeringporch.org and click on the Jasper Love menu tab. I know lots of people are hurting now. I totally get it if this isn’t a good time to give. It takes courage for me to even ask.  Come take a walk with us. We can mask and social distance as we spread Jasper love. Thank you so much.

Easter 2020

Hope is on my mind. This photo was taken March 10, 2020 at Brenton Arboretum. I was there with my gardening girlfriend, Sandy, on our annual March goof off day. The first corona virus case had just been identified in Iowa and we both felt some kind of change in the atmosphere. I recall that it was the last day I felt balanced. But this sculpture of St.Francis lifted us then and now. Arise. Attend. Awaken.

Jasper Love update: COVID 19 at the VET

We have been walking the dogs at least twice a day and sometimes three times. Our routes vary from a half hour to an hour and a half. So Jasper did not gain any weight between early March and early April check-ups. But the protocols at the vet sure did change! The sign above awaited us at the door when we rolled in for our appointment last week. Vet staff took in each of our dogs, one at a time, on vet leashes after we took off their collars outside. I spoke with the doctor on my phone after each exam. I appreciate that. I want Boone Veterinary Hospital to stay OPEN and SAFE.  HOORAY FOR BVH!

And the dogs have been there so many times, who needs me? Apparently Jasper was a little over active, but Bella was sweet as pie and reluctant to come back out.

Timely, here's a quick 5-step daily checklist from Healing Touch for Animals to support your beloved family.

1. Embrace the animals in your care.
2. Allow them to emotionally care for you.
3. Accept and take in the unconditional love they offer.
4. Thank them for being part of your life and a part of your Support Team!
5. Breathe & Celebrate your special Bond!

Social distancing

Encouragement from Henri Nouwen

This came my way from Henry Freeman, board member at henrinouwen.org and I hereby give him full credit for all text below

 

"What does it mean to truly and authentically be with another person?" asked Henri Nouwen.

…Only a single question that speaks to the heart of something very powerful in the human spirit-the need for deep connection with others who care about us.

As we struggle to keep a safe physical distance from both strangers and loved ones, Henri's question reminds us that being "physically present"-as is often the case in many social settings-can never replace the emotional and spiritual presence that is at the heart of "being with" another person.  Indeed, what we all need-and what each of us can provide to another human being-is our desire to be present and our recognition of the privilege it is to share the burdens we all carry during this challenging time.

Three months behind and ahead

Just past equinox and three months since the solstice. That December night we experienced an evening of live music with Peter Mayer in Slater. Such a wonderful start to winter. Not my favorite season but Peter warmed my heart with his poetry and voice on the longest night of the year. 

Now he has pledged to release a new song on youtube everyday till "the distancing is over."

I’m pondering the energetic events and surprises of the past three months. Working in retail fueled December, campaigning for Mayor Pete consumed January, kaboom the caucuses deflated February but energy rebalanced with community valentine makers in our dining room, and the dogs - always the dogs. All beneath the brewing cloud of covid-19.

December seems like much longer ago than three months. I contemplate three months ahead and cannot imagine what will happen to all of us. It’s an anxious fearful time that I cannot fully understand. I can only live each day with mindfulness, humility, and compassion. I aspire to let the covid-19 experience make me the best possible person that I can be. Meanwhile, we shall rely upon Maxwell as stabilizer supreme.

Life's Persistance

  Another utterly remarkable weekend here with warm temperatures in the sixties and friendly winds. Once again, perfect dog walking weather and we did plenty of that.  We also paused to rescue a deer who I saw slam into a chain link fence. THAT was a healing experience. We actually thought she had a spinal cord injury and would have to be euthanized. With heavy hearts we trudged home to come back with a rifle. When we got back, she was gone. We searched thoroughly, not wishing to leave her suffering if she had simply dragged herself into hiding. But it was a large fenced area, a finite realm to search, and she was gone. Apparently she needed some recovery time alone and a whiff of spring ahead to choose life.  I like to think of her rally. Leaping over the fence that downed her. Choosing life.

We also marked this day one year without our beloved Tobey. I visit with him each night under the stars. I ask him- sometimes beg him- for help with the new dogs. His remarkable presence continues to inspire me. If Jasper and Bella are not already feeling his welcome, they will be with this anniversary. Thank you, a million thank yous, Tobey.

JASPER LOVE Spring Preview

We had a preview of spring here this February weekend with sunny skies and 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Navigating between frozen snow chunks, intermittent ice patches and eagerly emerging mud made for heavenly dog walks.  We got in three hour-long rambles both days. Oh what smells those canines must be inhaling!

It’s been a winter and a half if you include the caucuses as an extra season. I do. A winter of healing. That sounds serene but bringing Jasper back to some semblance of health has not been a serene journey. More like a slow grind with derailments of despair alternating with bursts of optimism- frozen snow chunks, intermittent ice patches and eagerly emerging mud.

Jasper came home from intensive care weighing 38.8 pounds in mid November. Three months later he’s nine pounds heavier. If we can stay apace, he could be a healthy weight this autumn. That’s our goal.

To that end, we will be launching Jasper Love next month. You are invited to join in Jasper’s care and story.