23rd July 2010 – brighter

Today is a new day and HRH is so much brighter. We took her to the vet last night just to ensure that we hadn’t missed something. I was pretty upset as I had to carry Heidi out to the van and then into the surgery, and even when she was at her worst last year she always managed to walk – even after her operation. However, little minx started to perk up as soon as I put her onto the vet bed at the vets and started to move around the room, stepping on and off the scales and stepping over the dangling cables. Gradually the twinkle returned to her eyes and she put on a clear demonstration that no blood tests were necessary thank you very much!

Vet Sarah gave her a thorough check up; temperature was fine, heart was good, lungs were clear, no more lumps and bumps, back appeared to be tight, but then that’s pretty much situation normal. We went through our regime and diet, but still no clues. Sarah concluded that she’d possibly strained her back so gave us 2 remedies; Arnica for the evening, and Hypericum in case a different one was required.

We were in there for a good hour and only charged £80 (including the remedies). I mention this on the back of last night’s TV programme about Vets Undercover and unnecessary charges from a vet chain MediVet. We came out feeling confident that there was nothing seriously wrong with Heidi and that remedies and rest would help her back on her feet.

Heidi went straight to her bed when we got home and slept more. She looked flat again but was at least more mobile. I warmed her food, which she ate happily. We were beginning to have a suspicion that she’d got a chill on her kidneys. The fur over her kidneys had become more curly the day before and she had been feeling relatively chilly, so we stuck extra blankets over her cool bed and gave her more healing and TTouch. I’m currently boiling up some pearl barley to make some barley water for her, which I know is a great tonic for the kidneys.

This morning? 5am she was still on her cool bed and managed to come out for a wee – it took some effort to get up and go out, and squatting looked uncomfortable, but her tail looked happier. 9am she was on the sofa but less interested in coming off to greet anyone, and certainly wasn’t coming to the bottom of the stairs to give me my ritual greeting. However, she was keen to go out for a walk a short time later, accompanied by her happy “hurry-up” barks  and metronome tail was back to its usual position. When we got back she hopped up onto the sofa, which was a sight for sore eyes – she’s been a firm ground dweller for 24 hours.

And now? She’s back to being my shadow, a slightly less active one, but there and happy to follow Meg’s lead at barking at the deliverymen.

Just for today, look at your companion and give appreciation for their uniqueness. Even when they are driving you insane with their antics take a small step back and savour the moment. I have just had 24 hours of concern about my little colliedog. In the last 20 months I have grown to love her so very much. For any of you which are living with that concern from day to day know that your love will get you through. Each moment is perfect. Look at the animal in front of you, look into their eyes and hold their love. Fear has no place where love resides.

Thank you everyone for your wishes, your love and your healing. We are never alone.

Rachael, Demetri, Heidi, Meg, Kugel, Tig and Moley (who would still like to sit on Heidi when she’s unwell)