My Beloved Noah

At 1:52 a.m. I received a call from Noah's overnight physician from the ER hospital. A "quick" ultrasound was done on Noah at some point after I left visiting him, and fluid was found in his abdomen. A sample of the fluid was taken which showed definite bacteria - - which means something in my precious Noah's abdomen was perforated or leaking. This is always considered a surgical emergency, which I approved.

At 2:20 a.m. the surgeon called me to let me know that there was nothing she could do for my precious Noah. His stomach had ruptured from multiple tumors and there was nothing but dead tissue in place of his stomach. The only thing that could be done for him was to mercifully transition him from this earthly realm. She agreed that she could keep Noah comfortable under anesthesia until I arrived to be with him when the drugs were administered. I arrived at the hospital around 3:20 a.m., and around 3:30 a.m. Noah joined his beautiful sibling baby sister Abbygayle and adopted big kitty brother Eli in heaven's perfect garden.

Needless to say my heart is aching right now and the tears are flowing, but there are so many things I am thankful for - - one of them having had the honor and privilege of being his human caregiver all the 14 years of his sweet physical life. I will get a pawprint and his ashes back sometime within the next week.

I want to thank each of you for your comforting support during this time of great sorrow,

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

My Precious Noah

My dear friends, I need to ask you to please keep my precious Noah close in your thoughts and prayers. He will be having serious abdominal surgery tomorrow, September 25, 2012, to remove a mass that has finally impeded his colon. Of course he showed no signs of illness until last Thursday, September 20, when he had an upset tummy after his breakfast. Since he has occassional challenges with furball tummies I gave him a dose of Laxatone which seemed to settle him for the rest of the day. Friday morning, September 21, he had numerous upset tummy spells after his breakfast. I took him to his doctor Friday afternoon at which time an X-ray was taken which showed a suspicious "something" in his intestinal tract but since it was late Friday the only thing the vet could do was give him fluids for dehydration and medication to help with the nausea. He was not a chipper boy during the weekend but we managed to make it through a very difficult yesterday when I thought I might have to take him to the ER vet - - but he settled down after awhile and was okay for the rest of the evening. I took him back to his doctor this morning so she could do a barium GI test. She called a few moments ago to confirm the worst -- that an abdominal mass is pressing on his intestinal tract which is now causing him to exhibit distress. The owner of the hospital who specializes in intestinal surgery will be doing his surgery tomorrow. This is a very long and invasive surgery that he may not survive, and if he does, the recovery is very serious.

I am going to go visit with my precious baby boy for awhile this evening as the hospital is opened until 7 p.m. tonight. As you know there are no words to describe the pain my heart is in - - I want my baby boy well again.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Memorial Day Reflections 2012

Memorial Day Greetings, Marc, and to all of our Lightning Strike friends. As I ponder over this Memorial Day it brought to mind a subject I taught many years ago to a group of at-risk youths on how animals help humanity every single day - - including serving in the military: horses in the cavalry, the Canine Corps, carrier and homing pidgeons who delivered messages to military headquarters miles away from the battle front, camels and elephants who offered transport to soldiers in the animals' native lands, dolphins trained to detect and protect our Naval ships from landmines in hostile waters, and many more acts of bravery above and beyond from the "special forces" corps of recruits. And let us not forget the bravery of a special rescue mounted by General Patton and with assistance from the German Army to save the Lipizzan Stallions from obliteration during WW II, as shown in Walt Disney's movie "The Miracle of the White Stallions."

Closer to home our thoughts turn to our beloved companions who are no longer physically with us who offer both their earthly lives and sweet Living Spirits to us with eternal love and devotion - - who unconditionally accept us for who we are. Their acts of love, devotion, and bravery - - knowing they would lay down their lives for us if needed - - are equal to the acts of heroism of our military forces - - both human and "special" recruits.

My heart goes out to each of you whose hearts are deeply missing the physical presence of your beloved companions this Memorial Day. It doesn't matter if your companions joined the angels months or years ago, or if your physical separation is still new and unbearably painful. The good news - - and why this Memorial Day is among each "memorial day" in our adjustment journey - - is that no matter how much time passes in our continued earthly journey our beloved companions are always a part of us - - they are always and forever in our hearts and memories to be honored and cherished - - they are always a heartbeat close to us.

It is my deepest and sincerest hope that each of you may have a very blessed and peaceful Memorial Day.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Poll Re: Food Stamps For Pets And Service Animals

Dear Lightning Strike Friends,
I get newsletters from a wonderful website called PetPlace.com. Today, September 29, 2010, I received a newsletter with a poll requesting feedback on a question that is concerning a lot of people who are financially challenged who have either companion animals or Service Partners. The question is if public / government provided food stamps should be allowed to include food for companion animals and / or Service Partners. Since this is an issue that is very dear to my heart I participated in this poll and thought of many of you who have shared with us concerning your financial challenges as well. My opinion is YES, I do believe food stamps should be provided for both Service Partners AND companion animals. But this is just my opinion, and I respect others who have different thoughts on the subject.

If you would like to participate in this poll, the following link is provided:


http://view.petplace.com:80/?j=fe6b1571706...d&jb=ffcf14

I wish each of you well, and hope that perhaps this poll can be used to petition, and CHANGE current regulations prohibiting financial assistance to include both Service Partners AND companion animals for people who cannot financially provide for them.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Duck Adopts Kittens

Dear Friends, the following is a very cute video that AngelCareOne sent me and asked me to post for everyone to see. Enjoy! moon_beam for AngelCareOne