What a dog!

Madison T. Dog
July 14, 2001-February 22, 2011

I lost my shadow this morning.

Last spring Madison developed a bump under his left eye, all of a sudden. I thought I had konked him on the head accidentally with the shower nozzle. It persisted.

Tests early in the fall indicated cancer. He wasn’t in any pain.  We decided not to put him through the discomfort of radiation treatment to prolong his life for only a short time. 

Silly dog; he never knew. He behaved just like always. Happy to do whatever was suggested, even if the highlight of his day was sleeping at my feet.

We thought the cancer was growing as the lump grew and spread above his eye.  It turned out to be a raging infection. He stopped eating, but never complained. We learned about the healing properties of Beggin’ Strips, a smell so strong even hand sanitizer has trouble un-stinking it from my fingers. The delicious aroma penetrated his swollen sinuses and he was on his way to recovery.

In November the right antibiotics did the trick and by the end of the year, the left side of his face returned to normal. We got our old dog back! A week ago yesterday our vet suggested perhaps it never was cancer in the first place!

What a happy day!

Routine blood tests on Tuesday were all “good news!” By Wednesday he was walking funny. On Thursday he was favoring his right front leg. After shoulder x-rays on Friday he was limping. By Saturday he refused to walk without a lot of coaxing. We wheeled him outside to do his business on a dolly. At 75 pounds he was just too heavy to lift. It worked great until his tail feathers wrapped around the back wheel. Not a peep out of him.

Sunday the three of us swaddled him in towels and wheeled him outside in a 28″ rolling suitcase (lid open) and then headed to the emergency clinic. We were told to make a decision in the next 48 hours, sooner if possible because the pain medications weren’t helping. A specialist was suggested, as was amputation.

One last-ditch visit to the specialist yesterday was in vain. Even after a page-long list of suggested tests, the earliest they would know anything was three more days, more likely a week, and then several more weeks for treatment to get at the root of the problem, which they could not identify. After five trips to various clinics and animal hospitals and evaluations by five different doctors, we brought Madison home.

After much soul-searching we decided to end his suffering. He died in our arms. It was so hard.

Remembering Madison

 

Madison loved to blog. I know that so many of you enjoyed his unique perspective. If you enjoyed his writing, please bark, woof, or yip in the comment section of the blog. If you would like to support his favorite charity, please consider a donation in Madison’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative.

I’m going to stay low for a while, trying not to look over my shoulder too may times for the faithful friend who was always there.

Ami Simms

Hair of the Dog

Greetings from Madison T. Dog, canine correspondent for Mommy’s blog, Through The Eyes of a Quilter.

Today we’ll be looking through the eyes of a Golden Retriever. My eyes are just a little closer to the ground and I don’t play with needles.

I am a Golden Retriever. My fur is gold colored and Mommy retrieves it.

Often, rather than letting me deposit my hair wherever it falls, Mommy prefers to harvest it.  This is called “grooming.” She prefers this to random vacuuming.

I was relieved of much of my hair yesterday.  I feel considerably lighter.

Mommy asked me to stand next to the pile of my own hair, lest anyone think I have met my demise and the pile of hair was all that was is of me.  I have survived.

She caught me mid-lick, however, but I don’t want to criticize.

Contrary to what you might think, hair harvesting (or grooming) does not eliminate vacuuming. The leftover bits must still be sucked up.

This leads to yet another sewing tip I have picked up along the way:

Once my hair, or stray quilting thread, wraps iteslf around the beater bar of the vacuum cleaner, use a tiny pair of scissors to cut it off.

Please wash your hands before you pet me.

I often blog here and say very interesting things. You should sign up here to have my posts go right into your in-box. Very convenient. You and your dogs should also “like” Mommy on Facebook. She would appreciate that and then maybe wouldn’t have so much free time for grooming. Hint, hint.

Beam N Read Contest Results

Madison T. Dog reporting back on the Beam N Read contest. I have read every single comment and must say I am very, very impressed with your kindness and generosity, not to mention your creativity in thinking up all sorts of great ways people in need can use the Beam N Read light.

It was a very hard decision to pick the winners.

Yes, that’s right, PLURAL. More than one. Actually in this case TWO.  One very nice quilter lady purchased THREE lights plus car cords and wall adapters for all three. She bought one for herself, one for her friend, and one for me to give away. I hope one day I can meet this wonderful human person and accept head scratches and admiration for my butt feathers (my best part) as I deposit my fur about her shins and knee caps, the international dog sign, for “You are so nice, I love you a lot. More scratching behind the ears, please.”

Mom says we can give away the adapters too!

Before I announce the winners, I wanted to share all the cool ways to use a  Beam N Read.

1. Failing eyesight due to macular degeneration, diabetes, cataracts and other conditions. The more light the better.

2. Light sensitivity. A bright light focussed with pin-point accuracy is better than ambient light which just makes everything bright, and sometimes painful.

3. Reading at night in bed. Spouses and napping children will appreciate the courtesy of not being awakened by lamps or overhead lights. Plus, you will not have to hold a flashlight in your mouth.

4. Nocturnal visits to the bathroom. No more tripping or careening off walls. Several pets mentioned being stepped on accidentally by their over-eager people answering the call of nature.

5. Outdoor present deposits by pets.  Some humans suggested that a light would help them navigate the “mine fields” in the back yard as well as locate pets hiding in the shadows who don’t want to come back inside. One person mentioned their pet’s failing eyesight could be helped too. Chasing chipmunks was also mentioned. A word to the wise on this one, especially for small dogs:  one good gallop and you could knock yourself unconscious with a blow to the underside of your jaw. Best to leave the squirrelies alone. For the dog who wants to wear a Beam N Read to attract moths….please seek counselling.

6. Temporary immobility due to injury or illness. If you’re not feeling well and stuck on the couch recovering, the light switch might just be too far away. Ditto for lamps. A private light source would be ideal.

7. All number of sewing tasks could benefit from better light, focused right where you need it, including quilting, embroidery, knitting, crocheting, beading, and more.

8. Fisherman who tie flies and bait hooks at dawn or dusk might appreciate the extra light of a Beam N Read.

9. Auto mechanics could use a bright light under the hood.

10. Winter Bar-B-Q-ing. Now that the sun goes down so much earlier you’re going to need more than your sunny disposition to see if that meat is cooked. Bring your own sunshine with a Beam N Read.

11. Finding things under the furniture.  I have lost several favorite toys this way and will be borrowing Mom’s Beam N Read again.

12. Kindle reading. They’re not as bright as you might think. But neither am I.

13. Changing diapers at night. Just make sure not to shine the light in your baby’s eyes, just on their bottom.

14. Checking for fleas. Sorry to be so indelicate, but this is a really good idea, especially with the magnifying glass that comes with the Beam N Read.

15. Sewing or writing in the car.  (As a passenger!)

16. Needle Retrieval. This I thought was particularly brilliant since I already know how to pick up needles with a magnetic pin Grabber, but sometimes you they do get wedged into the carpet and don’t come up. Extra light glinting off the needle would surely help.

17. Save electricity. Use task lighting and turn off the other lights in the room.

18. Walking at night, preferably with a dog.

19. Illuminating things where big lights just don’t help, like campers.

Forgive me if I missed your exact suggestion.

Now, (drum roll, please) for the winners. Our two winners are:

Becki, who wrote: “I would give it to my Aunt Billie, who has macular degeneration and has very little sight left. Reading is so difficult for her because the light needs to be so close to whatever she is trying to read. She is 86 yrs young and a delight to everyone who knows her. It would make a wonderful gift for my 90 yr old mother (Billie’s sister) to give her for Christmas! In a way, it would be gifting 2 wonderful ladies.” 

And

Sue, who wrote: “If I won one of these wonderful lights, I would donate it to one of the soldiers at Blanchfield Army Hospital who is doing a long-term recovery from wounds suffered in Afghanistan. The 101st Airborne from Ft. Campbell has suffered large numbers of lost and wounded, and I think being able to read at night (when ward lights are generally turned off) without bothering one’s roommate would be a tremendous thing for one of these young troops. Not everyone finds it easy to sleep at night in the hospital!”

Thanks to everyone who entered  my little contest.  You are all beacons of light and grace, thinking about others before you think of yourselves.

If you thought of someone else on your gift list that needs a little sunshine wherever they go, the Beam N Read Special is still going on. And I am also required by my employer to ask, “Would you like fries earrings with that?” I just hope I don’t have to model those too!

Beam N Read Contest

Hello,

This is Madison T. Dog and I know you’ve missed my blog updates, so I am back. 

(I almost wrote ‘I am bark’ because of the canine thing, but I don’t bark unless Mommy tells me to. And we have a spellchecker.)

Mom and I are doing a contest and she wanted me to look  memorable to get you in the mood for the contest. So I am wearing her Beam N Read LED light.  She uses it for sewing.  More about me later.

 This is what the light looks like in real life.  As they say, “Dog sold separately.” (Except that I am not for sale.)

Mom says she has been using her Beam N Read for a long time now. I’ve seen her on car trips sewing in the front seat at night. It has six bright LEDs and you hang it around your neck. Mom calls it her “boob light.” She embarrasses me sometimes.

Here I am using Mom’s Beam N Read in the dark. I usually get more food then that, but by time the sun went down I had already had dinner. So this was just a snack. It was delicious, not to mention quite bright.

Mom has recently discovered that the nice people at Beam N Read have made optional AC and DC power adapters for plugging your Beam & Read into a wall socket or the round thingy in your car where the cigarette lighter used to go.  You need to stop reading for a minute and to take a look and maybe order those things right now. I’ll ”stay” until you come back. I am a good dog.

Here I am after the photo shoot being very pleased with myself. I especially like the way the Beam N Read lights up my chest hair.

Mom said to remind you that you can  SAVE $5 if you don’t have a Beam N Read yet and you want to buy one along with both adapters all together. Just go here. I will help package up your order. Let me know if you have a dog at your house and I will add a special gift.

Now that you have seen the Beam N Read in action, Mom said the nice people who make them are letting me give away one light for free. Here’s how to win it.

Answer this question: If you could give a Beam N Read light to anyone, who would you give it to and why? The best answer wins. The dog picks. Be creative, be specific, but don’t mention other people by name except in the most generic way. “Aunt Petunia” is fine. Using her full name is not; she might not like that. You must include HOW she would use the light. Do a good job and you might be able to give her one. Or your Uncle.

2. Make sure you put your answer in the COMMENT section of this blog. If you are reading this by email and you hit reply, it goes to Mommy’s email inbox and your comment will be disqualified. You have to click the word COMMENT in the email and that will take you to the real blog page so you can comment there. One qualifying comment per person.

3. Your blog comment has to be received by the end of November 15th.  Than I, Madison T. Dog, shall pick the winner. Mommy will mail you the Beam N Read if you win. You have to have a mailing address in the US.

If you just want to comment on this blog and not enter the contest, go ahead. I’m in charge and dogs like all kinds of comments all the time.

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With happy licks and tail wags,
Madison

Back To School

I go to Daddy’s school every year to talk about being a service dog. Actually, Mom does most of the talking. We go with Aunt JoAnne who brings her Leader Dog puppies. I’m retired now, but I still know my stuff.

This year Aunt JoAnne brought Maggie May. She was “career changed” because of her hips. I think her hips look swell, but Leader Dogs for the Blind only accepts perfect dogs. She also brought her new puppy, Kaiser. He’s a German Shepherd.  I am the yellow dog in the picture in case you didn’t recognize me in my red backpack.

After we talked about stuff we got to receive pets and love from the students, which was my favorite part.

We all remembered to be gentle and I tried to give as much of my stray fur away to the students as could stick to their clothing. Mom brushed me real good before we went, but I stil managed to leave a little bit of me behind.

Yesterday was a really fun day. Today after the newsletter goes out, we’re ironing fabric for Mom’s trip to North Carolina. Then the quilt auction starts around lunch time. It’s a full day.

Tail wags to you,
Madison T. Dog

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Treats!

Although I am a dog I know things. Like when it is time to eat. Mom doesn’t need a watch. At 7 in the morning time, or as soon as she’s done yanking her head-fur with the electric heat machine, I know it’s time for breakfast. Dinnertime is precisely at 5pm unless Mom decides to make me suffer and wait. She does this on purpose so that I won’t faint from hunger if I’m always used to eating at the same time and no food comes.

The leash means WALKS!

I like ice cubes. I thought I’d mention that in case you would like to send me some.

I know that when Mom puts her coat on, she usually will want me to tinkle outside. Towels on the bathroom floor mean bath time, followed by much drinking of water and more tinkles.

Suitcases mean it’s another trip. She packs. I help by removing things and bringing them to her. I want her to stay home. I mope.

“Bye-bye” means we’re going some place in the car. My tail goes way up and I move fast before they change their mind. “Up-up” means get in the car. (Wait until they open the door first.) And at the end of the day “Night-night” means it’s time to go upstairs and go to sleep.

I also know the usual commands like sit, down, stay, off, leave it and wait.  I also know special things like ” remain.”  That’s what Mom says when she and Daddy leave the house with me in it alone. I’m supposed to REMAIN while they leave.  I don’t have to be any place in particular, just inside the house. I guess I’m not supposed to unlock the doors or drive the other car or something. STAY would be horrible, as I would have to plant my carcass in one place and not move for many long times.

“To the rug” is what I get told when the door bell rings. We have a rug just for me about 10 feet from the door and that’s my place when people come to the house. Mom wants to make sure any visitors  who come are OK with dogs. If they’re not I don’t get up. If they are, I am invited to “go visit.” My new best friends then get to pet me and love on me and I transfer my fur onto their pant legs in return.

I can also recycle. Mom gives me an empty water bottle and I put it in the recycle bin. 

And, I can ”trash it.” That’s putting things INTO the trash, like paper. Tissue is the hardest because it gets stuck to the roof of my mouth and although I want to let it go it just won’t fall out on it’s own. I can also pick up anything  Mom tells me to and hand it to her.

How’d I learn all these things? TREATS! That my best word. I can even spell it.

Here are some very nice dogs receiving treats in slow motion. You’ll want to watch this several times.

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Mom’s Leaving Me Again

Mom does this from time to time, and I don’t like it at all. The worst part is that she looks so happy about it.

Mom says she’s going on a teaching trip. She says it will be fun. Not for me.

She says she’s going to be teaching for the Crossroads Quilters Guild in Effingham, Illinois on April 13 and 14.  People who want to come to her lecture should email Sharon Davis right away so they can all fit in. I wish I could fit in. Dogs like quilting lectures too.

Mom says she’ll be home soon and that she’ll miss me every minute. I bet she will be having such a good time with all the quilters she won’t even think of me at all. I have been to her presentations before, not just the ones she teaches upstairs, and I know what goes on. All the laughing and sewing. I could carry fabric for her, and pre-moisten it in preparation for ironing. I can be a helpful dog.

I hate the suitcases. I try to take things out of them and hand them to Mommy. She just laughs and puts them back.

Perhaps if I put things INTO the suitcase….

Mommy will be sharing her lecture “Living With Quilts: A Survival Guide” at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 1501 W. Fayette, Effingham, IL. The meeting starts at 6p.m. I think you should all go and ask questions about me. I am so more important than quilting stuff.

Fur Between My Toes….Grows!

Madison T. Dog here. Again.  I thought I would write again because I am amazing and you probably want to read about me. I would like to tell you things.

I have fur. This is a dog thing. Some of us are hairless, but I have lots of hair. After Mom brushes me she says she can make a new dog out of the hair that falls off me.

I am a Golden Retriever dog. Even if you brush me, 30 seconds later I can walk near your leg and deposit more fur. It kind of jumps right off me. I can’t help it. Mom wears black only when she teaches.  She should buy stock in lint rollers.

This is me resting. I’m resting on Mom and Dad’s bed which I don’t get to do ordinarily unless I am invited up. Sometimes I invite myself up, for example during thunder storms. But, as I am rather bony and expand when I sleep, and don’t care that much who I step on as I make myself comfortable,  I am mostly not allowed on the bed with Mom and Dad

You will notice a lot that my toe fur is quite long. Mom thought it would be fun to return me to my natural state of dogness and so she let my toe fur grow out for a few weeks.

Here’s a better picture. As I stated I am quite hairy.

When I go outside in the winter I bring back little snowballs between my toes. I crunch them off with my teeth. I hope that is not too much information.

On Tuesday Mom said that the experiment of letting my toe hair go wild was over. It was up on the grooming table for me and she trimmed it all off.

She also brushed the rest of me and clipped my nails. And she combed my tail. I look even better than usual. And I smell good too because I had a bath. Mom shampoos me with Bath & Bodyworks shampoo. She told them that at the store but they didn’t seem as happy as they could have been she said.

I am resting some more in this photograph, but my feet are all trimmed.

Furly Yours,
Madison

 

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Dog Gets New Job, Economic Recovery Sure To Follow

Hello! Madison T. Dog here, blogging because Mom is hip deep in striped fabric from the previous blog. Thank you for your help, by the way, she was driving me nuts.

I’m here with good news. I got a job. It’s kind of a volunteer thing. I don’t get a kibble increase. But I came up with the idea on my own. I believe in showing initiative.

You see sometimes I get to go on errands. I’m not allowed to get out of the car much because I’m not allowed in too many places besides pet stores and the vet. I highly prefer the former over the later even though I get more treats from my doggie doctor.  They love me there, but I digress.

Mom went to buy office supplies and I waited in the car. Mom sets her watch for 10 minutes because she’ll only let me stay by myself in the car for that long, and never during the summer. The anti-theft device is locked onto the steering wheel, the doors are locked, she takes the keys, and then she shakes her finger at me and says, ” And don’t hot wire the car like last time.” This is for the benefit of people who might be exiting  their cars on either side of our car. They usually laugh.  Mom’s so funny.

So anyway, back to my job. I often walk to the back of the car and make sure she gets to wherever she is going. Then I lay back down again. This time I sat on Mom’s seat instead. I just like being near her. And when she is not there I like being near where she used to be.

I curled up in a little dog ball and when she came back to the car and sat down (I moved out of the way first) she said it was all toasty warm! Mom has been wanting heated seats in the car forever, and now she has them, courtesy of me.

Now when she takes me to a parking lot she asks me to Up-Up on her seat and lay down so it will be warm. (I may ask to pre-heat the sofa for her, but I don’t think she’s going to go for that.)

I live to serve. Or, if I figure out how to hot wire the car then I will live to swerve.

Yours in fur,
Madison

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The Seal of Approval

Mom was cleaning closets and I was helping.  When she feels the urge to purge (and clean and straighten) she usually takes a nap and waits until the urge passes.

But, for some reason she was MOTIVATED.  Did I mention I was helping?

Readers with very good eyes will notice that there is a bottle of glass cleaner that appears to be coming out of my tail area. It is not. It is on the steps, behind me waiting patiently with the other cleaning things.

First we remove, and sort. Then we clean. Then we put back. And in the middle we play. That’s what we were doing in the picture.

If I remember correctly, my sister (the girl person) found the gloves and put them on to see if Mom would notice. I am so happy when people notice me.

I think I look like the very noble creature, the seal. The black flippers are very atractive on me.  I approve of them. I approve of most things. Therefore, in this picture, you may think of me as the Seal of Approval.

Sadly we had to go back to cleaning.

No gloves were harmed in the making of this blog.

Respectfully submitted and awaiting your approval,
Madison T. Dog

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