“And who’s bright idea was this?”
“Looks like a Twiggy repellent device to me.”
The week has flown by. I’m not sure if it is because I don’t have my Christmas shopping started yet, or just a busy week. I always get a sense of panic when I don’t have my shopping done. This year is unusual in that I don’t even have an idea of the items to shop for as yet. Usually, I am ahead of the curve, but with all that’s been going on, I haven’t had the mental capacity to really concentrate.
Bailey takes a good deal of attention and time. She needs to go out every two hours which makes for a regulated day. On top of that, her medications and general care eat up some time as well. It isn’t the amount of time but the frequency of delivery.
We found out last week that the chemo treatments were causing some increased heart stress. So, for the second time, the cancer treatment was creating life-threatening problems. We have now stopped the chemotherapy. We know that in the end, this will shorten Bailey’s life. We also know that Bailey feels better without the treatment and so we are defaulting to quality vs. quantity. We tried everything, and now the objective is to make sure she is comfortable and loved for as long as she has.
Today’s JohnKu talks about hard decisions. I hope you all have a peaceful and fun weekend.
Decisions by John W. Howell © 2108
Some are easier,
Others are extremely tough. . .
All need to be made.
Fiction Favorites 
I think that’s the decision we’d make, John, and we really feel for you both at this time.
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Thank you, Keith. I know you have been in this position and I appreciate your kind words.
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Much love to Bailey… and you guys too from a dank a nd gloomy London.
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And home to A Christmas Carol. My all time favorite Christmas story.
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Brilliant haiku, dear John! Twiggy looks so unhappy under a Christmas tree.
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Took away her fun.
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True, she might be sad that there is no dog Santa. Good luck with Bailey’s treatment! You do the right thing. Everything is in God’s hands! Blessings!
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Thank you, Maria.
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🙂
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It’s a tough decision, but I think I’d do the same. Quality should come over quantity. Hope you have a good weekend.
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Thank you, Charles. I hope yours is nice as well.
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It’ll be something. Definitely something.
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I can imagine.
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Prayers for sweet Bailey, John. Quality of life is the most important. ❤️
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Thank you , Jill. She is feeling good right now and that is all we can ask. 🙂
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We are here . . . to listen and to pray.
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Thank you so much, Pamela. That means everything.
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What sad news for such a wonderful creature, and in this season that is usually supposed to be cheerful.
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We can still find cheer, GP. She is feeling okay and happy. She loves her food and laying in the sun. Right now it could not be any better. We know that condition will change but are looking at the blessing we have which gives us entry to the holiday spirit. Thanks for your kind words. 🙂
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All the best, John for whatever the future holds. —- Suzanne
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Thank you, Suzanne.
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Ah ha … Twiggy proofing the tree. Well played – and much to her dismay. Pets are special, and I know Bailey’s health is difficult on you. Considered strength to you and Mrs. Howell. Good choice of quality vs. quantity. Cheers to her joys.
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Thank you, Frank. Bailey is very upbeat so that helps too.
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Cheers for that!
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😀
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When I saw your beautiful tree earlier this week, I wondered about Twiggy. Questions answered now. 🙂 Hope you have a joy-filled Christmas even with the challenges, John. Blessings to you all.
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And (yes I started this with and) with your challenges the same wish, Gwen.
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😀
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😀
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What a mixture of laughter and sadness there is here. When I opened the page and saw that photo of Twiggy, I laughed in recognition. Been there and done that, as people say. I’ve been there in that hard decision making place, too, and understand the decision you made. Those two-hour intervals make it especially hard, but we do what we need to do. Blessings to you all.
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Thank you, Linda. At night we managed to stretch it to three so that is a blessing.
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We are thinking of you, and especially of Bailey. Those are difficult decisions, John, but they love us and trust us to make them. I hope the Twiggy-proofing holds – she looks like a tough little potato.
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Thank you , Dan. So far she hasn’t figured it out. She has lost interest.
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Someone else said it first. Laughter and sadness. Quite the bookends in this post. Hang in there, John.
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Thank you, Craig. We have this. It is an honor to tend to such a sweet pet. You are right about the bookends.
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Excellent Twiggy repellent device. Hint: it don’t work with cats.
Best wishes to Bailey, here is hoping that she has a fun and comfortable holiday season. If her stomach can handle it, maybe even a special dinner for Christmas.
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Thank you, Greg. We had a Main Coon cat who loved to climb up into the tree and sleep on a limb. He weighed twenty-two pounds and shook every ornament off as he asended. We had plastic ornaments then. Thanks for the nice words about Bailey.
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Joy and sadness – very difficult to separate! God Bless dear Bailey and the Howells! ♥♥♥
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Thank you, Billy Ray.
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Great Johnku. The tough decisions we have to make during our lives.
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Thanks, Guy
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The decision is difficult but I would do the same as you. Hugs to you and Mrs. Howell, Bailey, Lucy and Twiggy. And sending lots of love ….
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Thank you, Marie.
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I’m sorry it didn’t work John, but I would have done it exactly the same way. Quality is important you are very right. Sending prayers for Baily and family.
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Thank you so much, Denise.
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Hugs and love.
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Thank you, Marc.
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Cancer is a you know what. Hugs to you and Bailey, too ❤
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So true, Jacquie. Thank you
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Hard times with Bailey. Looks like the tree cage has upset Twiggy too.
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yes, she always wants what she can’t have. We have learned that if she is upset we are doing our job. Thank you, Melissa.
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John, I think I’d have opted for quality over quantity, too, in Bailey’s case. We love our dogs so much and we just can’t stand seeing them in pain — no wonder it’s been hard to find time and energy for you to shop. I love the tree in the doggie-pen and suspect he’s safest there. Fortunately, Dallas never bothers the Christmas tree though I imagine he wonders why it’s there! Blessings to all of you and continuing prayers for Bailey.
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Thank you, Debbie.
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I would choose quality of life over quantity of life even for myself. Bailey will be loved to the end. Twiggy must have some cat genes if she is drawn to the tree! Good luck on keeping her away…she is a clever girl. Cheers for the weekend, John!
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Thk you, Jo. So far so good.
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I love your attitude, John. And, yes! Quality over quantity any day. I love the Haiku. It expresses so much in such few words.
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Thank you, Jan.
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You had a hard decision to make, but you made it with Bailey’s welfare in mind. As you said, quality and love are all that matters. She’s blessed your lives, but you’ve also blessed hers. Hugs to all of you!
I also have to mention that judging by the photo, Twiggy must have the curiosity of a cat 🙂
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Thank you for the comforting words, Mae. Twiggy has the curiosity of a cat and the tenacity of a rhino. 😀
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What a girl! 🙂
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She is. Plus a hundred laughs a day.
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A humane and loving decision to make, John, as difficult as it was. Bailey is a sweetie; may she live joyfully until her end. xo
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We hope she lives joyfully as well, Pamela. Thanks for the kind words.
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Thinking of y’all. You truly are lovely. Enjoy your weekend, John. Lace up your tennys… last minute shopping doesn’t allow for many trip ups. ♡
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Thank you, Audrey. 🙂
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You are doing it right…she needs love, and hugs to a beautiful baby.
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Thank you, Victoria Ray. 🙂
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Sigh… I wouldn’t be able to concentrate either, John. Opting or quality of life is always best. Sending all of you huge hugs.
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Thank you, Teagan.
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My heart is with you, John.
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Thank you, Rob. That means a lot.
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Excellent JohnKu. Quality over quantity is certainly a good choice, especially for Bailey. Give her a gentle hug for me, John. ❤️
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Glad to hear you chose quality over quantity John. Bailey will love you more for it. Sorry that you and your wife have to go through this heart-break.
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Thank you, Lynne. She seems much happier.
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