November 4, 2012

White Dog, Nuka, Puff, YoYoMa and Oso (with Daisy Mae and Maple, the extended White Dog Army as well as Dragon and Sen-ge, our honorary members) led the small but dedicated and determined group of Walkers at the Puppy Up! Edgewood Walk to End Cancer this afternoon.

It was a sunny day but the winds were stiff and blew sand trying to shake the Warriors resolve.

We Walked, and Remembered, and Honored, and Asked the Universe for a breakthrough that will bring about an end to this evil monster.

We also shared in community, the advantage of such a small turnout being that we all truly united, as we learned how to check lymph nodes (a vital bit of knowledge for anyone with a pet. Knowing this could save a life as swollen lymph nodes are often the first indication of cancer. To learn how visit here: http://www.helpyourdogfightcancer.com/LymphNodes.shtml)

We stretched and loosened up on the fresh green grass in preparation to Walk. Owners and pets together laughing as we leaned and reached.

An animal communicator gathered us around face-to-face with our four-leggeds and she taught us often self-absorbed and dense humans how to be better "listeners" by learning to read the body language and facial expressions of our furred ones.

After the Walk, we ate pupcakes and doggie treats and ran off-leash to celebrate...and to just indulge in the companionship of our new friends.

When the WDA got home, they shared the day with Quinn. This morning Quinn wanted to go with and had asked to have his harness put on. He lined up at the door to go to the van, but just as Steve bent to lift him in, TOWD turned and hobbled back into the house; the spirit was willing but not the body. We left him to rest and watch the White Dog Ranch. Later, he listened with excitement as the group filled him in and then stood, shakily. It was clear our boy was experiencing pain in his back quarters, we medicated him and within 20 minutes he gratefully was able to socialize with our California guests whose time with us in New Mexico was rapidly running out.

There were other Puppy Up! Walks across the country today that were much more successful financially (although we made a bit of money) and in number, but the WDA would bet that there was not a single group ANYWHERE that is more devoted to working toward the day when cancer.touches.NO.one. From volunteers to participants to vendors to sponsors (and certainly the WDA), every human and pup with us today was focused and committed and amazing. The spirit was strong and we felt the added force of those Walking in thought and heart as well as those guiding us from over the Bridge.

November is National Canine Cancer Awareness Month. Please memorize these 10 Warning Signs and spread the word:
1. Lumps...check them with your vet;
2. Lesions...sores that do not heal;
3. Lameness...prolonged limping or favoring a limb or side;
4. Loss of Appetite...if declined interest in food persists past a couple of days see your vet;
5. Lethargy...loss of interest in daily activities and dramatic increase in sleeping;
6. Loss of weight...an sudden unexplained drop in weight;
7. Loud odor...strong or offensive smell;
8. Loss of normal body functions;
9. Bleeding of Bloody discharge;
10. Labored breathing.