sIX Months

"6 months does not a year make”

Changed a Neil Simon Line from Barefoot in the Park, but it applies.  It has been a long haul, but yet WE have only just begun.  Melissa is doing awesome work at PT; working on the speech, cognitive and physical skills.  She is getting much better at dressing herself and getting around with some assistance ("spotting" her like in tumbling class).  After being home for a bout 3 weeks some of the circuitry connected and She made some big leaps.  Lately we have been on a plateau, but that is fine I will take that over the suffering I saw this woman endure.  

I don't know what to expect in the next few months, except more marginal gains that add up to a huge step up.  No pressure, no worries, "time and patience" as Dr. Liefer the Neurologist said last time we visited him.  I knew that from the beginning--"Marathon" as Dr. Eisenbrock the neurosurgeon said to me in his first sentence.  No hello, no how did this happen, just we need to get your wife in surgery to save her life.

Melissa is surprising in what she says at times.  Sometimes does not know what the day it is or date and then says something very wise and profound.  I enjoy her company and am not frustrated by the care giving tasks I perform/assist her with.  Thanks to my sister, Angela, she showed me the way to do this and how you have to "suck it up" as Coach Kiblai said in Junior High.  Melissa enjoys her days with Megan, when I go to NYC to spend a day in the office.  AND once in a while I get to ride my bike.  Not worried, those days will come, remember "patience and time".  Thank you to our neighbors Meghan Frost and Mary Lonsdale for their assistance over these past few months. 

Melissa is focused on goals we have talked about for the end of Summer.  This will be a HUGE task, but WE are willing to "go for the Gold" as they say.  

And on a very solemn note, WE both miss our precious little Cairo who went to the BIG green meadow just before heaven.  She will be waiting for us when me make our journey to the next realization.  I miss her every day.  So many things remind me of her and the way she approached her life, never complained and always hanging with US, her pack.  Melissa said she is not able to process it yet, which is fine all in good time.  We still have Nina Belle, "Forty Ninuh" is not Cairo but she is loving and gives Melissa comfort each day sleeping/resting by her side.

Thank you AWL for your prayers and good "vibrations" for Melissa.  Don't Stop NOW, there is more work to be done.  But know that if two or more agree on anything that they ask, then it shall be done for them.  By faith, positive thoughts, whatever your belief is; continue to believe in a complete healing.

Cairo PotterIx

1/1/2007--12/1/2019

We love you so much Rhoady Rho

Our Sweet Little Girl

 "Our Sweet Little Girl"

Our hearts are broken and life is empty today after the loss of "Our Sweet Little Girl."  Some would say she was just a dog, but to those who knew, Cairo was more than that to Melissa and I.  She was a HUGE part of our family who we loved so very much.  When we were apart the 3 of us could not wait to get back together in the comfort of our friendship, trust and love.  I knew the first day we saw her at Happy Tails Rescue Center that it was a done deal; that dog is coming home with us. She was saved then, at almost age 2, by Rescue Ridge from most certain euthanization due to the fact she was found on the side of the road. She had been wandering around for a week or so.  Her former owner was not to be found.  And who knows the story there, AWL rescues come with a background of mystery and "baggage".  She was well trained and very smart and had a HUGE appetite.

Melissa and I have had Cairo 10 years and 8 days in our lives.  She definitely helped me on my bad days at work, in life and most recently dealing with Melissa's road to recovery.  But she had been through much in the past year with 2 operations. I thought she might stay with us longer even after I got the news that she had cancer. In August our Vet tried to extract it all, but it was not possible.  The inevitable was always looming in the background.  Myself, I was very selfish thinking she was going to beat it and if you saw her you would say she was "fit as a fiddle." Her 13th birthday was only a month away. 

I have been lucky to know 3 dogs that their personality went WAY beyond just a loving pet. Jingles, Benedict and Cairo had true personality and connected with their family in many ways. "The Pupperooni" as I named her, will forever be remembered for her protection of her family, played hard and rough, marching to the park down the street because she wanted to go, she loved to run in the woods like a "woodland nymph", very obedient except when someone made deliveries at the office, she loved to be loved but did not give out many kisses AND for such a little girl she had a very healthy appetite--a sly beggar finding the weakest link at the table.

I was with her to hold her and comfort her as she slipped away from this life into her next realization.  I have never experienced so much sorrow as I did last night knowing that Cairo would not be coming home with me to be with her family.  She will be waiting for Melissa and I in heaven. In the meantime in that great lovely lush meadow I know she is free of pain, has her eye-sight back and is having fun.  "There will be plenty to eat Cairo so slow down.  Enjoy the heavenly treats, they are plentiful."  You will be loved by Us until our time comes.  Nobody could ever replace the love, friendship and comfort you gave Mommy and I.  Cairo you were truly one of a kind, a real personality that was full of energy and life.  She was the sweetest little pup I ever knew.  You will be missed.  

Cairo PotterIx 

January 1, 2007 - December 1, 2019

If you care to make a donation in Cairo's name to Rescue Ridge or Monmouth SPCA it would be appreciated.  Save another life who will save others.

https://www.rescueridge.com/general-donation 

https://www.monmouthcountyspca.org/support/