Bluespirit

You know how when you haven't posted for a while, & it feels even more weird to actually post?
*face palm*
So, sorry - I am around & I'm okay. I just don't do much online anymore.

As a quick catch up - since my last post, I've had two new cancerous tumors, two surgeries & one round of radioactive iodine. Things are looking better now & I'm having bi-monthly ultrasounds to check for any other growths. Fingers crossed, things are clear so far.

In more pleasant news:

• I've had a 'big birthday' (50!!) which I celebrated with a fancy dress party with my friends & family & had the Best. Time. Ever.


• Buddy is an old, rather frail boy now, but he's plodding on & still enjoying life. He'll be 13 in January & is managing really well, despite his IBD & arthritis (which we're keeping under control with diet & medication.)


• I've learnt to crochet & am now addicted to making amigurumi animals!


• I've joined a local, amateur theatre company & am enjoying helping with wardrobe & front of house (not acting - you won't get me on stage!)

Here's my little old man enjoying a day at the beach a couple of weeks ago. ♥



Hugs to all!

Cross-posted at DW & LJ. I'm mainly a LJ person (such a dinosaur! *g*) but please comment wherever you feel most comfortable.

It's been a while since I've posted. LJ (& DW) don't have the same vibrancy as they used to for me - which isn't helped by me not posting either, I know. I can hardly complain about my sense of loss of community when I'm not posting much myself!
Anyhoo - a little update on things at Chez Buddy.

Bud's doing really well. He's living with severe IBD, but his latest meds seem to have really helped & he's gained back all of the weight that he lost. He's so well that some of his other meds have been reduced or removed completely. This time last year, he was such a poorly boy & we didn't think that he'd make it, but he's such a fighter. He's on a prescription diet, but his appetite has come back & he's really enjoying life. Although he is a bit of an old man now - he's 11 & 1/2 - & so he does snooze quite a bit! ♥

Here he is on one of our favourite walks. It's a National Trust hill range & woodland that's 5 minutes walk from our door.




I'm doing really well, too. I saw my oncologist a few weeks ago & he's very happy with my scans & blood tests. I have to go back in the autumn for some more extensive scans, but so far things are looking very good. *fc*

Mr B, Bud & myself are off on our holibobs in a week or so. We've hired a cottage in Northumberland that overlooks the sea & you can see Dunstanburgh Castle (a gorgeous ruin) along the coast. So, it's going to be lovely morning walks on the beach & lots of other exploring - Hadrian's Wall & castles galore! Yay!

I hope that everyone is doing well. I do try & keep an eye on my flist & reading circle, even if I don't always comment.
*hugs*

So, I'm sewing & I can't find the sleeve pieces. I look everywhere but no luck.
Then the Budlington gets up off his office bed - & there they are! They must have slipped off the shelf & he made himself comfy on them!
Oh, Buddy! The perfect sewing assistant! ♥

We had a glorious day at Ynyslas beach last Saturday.
An autumn walk by the sea with my two boys is my absolute heaven. ♥
I'm so very, very lucky.

Last weekend, it was the annual Dogs' Party for the Lab rescue who brought us our beautiful Bud.  It's such a lovely, happy-making event with so many beautiful dogs who now have their forever homes.
Here's the boy taking part in the fancy dress. The theme was 'the Queen's 90th birthday celebrations' & so Bud went as 'Union Bud'!  He won 5th prize & had a lot of fun! \o/

It's been a while since I last posted, but I wanted to let everyone know that Bud's doing okay.  He still has problems caused by the IBD (& I think this might be the best he gets now) but he's managed to regain some of his weight & is no longer anaemic.  Most importantly, he's happy & still able to enjoy life - just at a slightly slower pace & with more naps (if that's even possible!)
We took him for a week's holiday in Suffolk last month, staying in a lovely little cottage, & he really enjoyed himself.

Just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone for your love & support over the last few days.  I'm sorry & hope you'll understand that I don't feel up to individual replies just now.
No news from the specialist yet, but Bud's good in himself - eating well & sleeping through the night (with no need to go out for toilet breaks) which he hasn't done in a while.  He also thinks that his mom is a big old silly billy for keep crying into his fur, so he just gives her extra love & cuddles. ♥

Will update when I have news.
*hugs*

After a few ups & downs this week, Bud seems to be doing a little bit better.
He's taken to his new special diet food (a second kind as he had some problems with the first) & has even managed to regain a bit of weight! He's booked into the hospital on Monday for the endoscopy, etc. In the meantime, we're taking a day at a time.
Thank you so much to everyone for your love & support. I'm sorry that I haven't had chance to reply to comments - things have been a bit fraught, as you can imagine.  But I am very, very grateful & touched by your thoughtfulness.
Buddy sends lots of love & big cuddles. xxx

Bud had another fun day at the beach this weekend.
He explored the old wreck & generally was in charge of the whole place (as usual! *g*)

Last week, Bud & I represented Labrador Rescue South East & Central at Crufts!
We helped out on the LRSEC stand - raising awareness of the charity & getting donations.
Bud was an absolute star & people loved him! There were several offers to take him home - I had to explain that he was my dog & if they wanted to adopt him, they'd have to adopt me, too! *g*
It was a really lovely day, & I was so proud of my silly boy .
We had six happy-ending rescue dogs on the stand (including Bud) & there were people coming around all day long. It was so busy that apart from giving Bud a couple of comfort breaks, we worked the stand all day. So, I didn't get to do any shopping at any of the great doggie-related stalls or to see any of the events going on.  Never mind - I had so much fun talking about Bud all day!
It was rather tiring though, & when we got home, we both flaked out! *g*

I never thought that I'd be able to say that Buddy had been to Crufts! *g*

Ambassador Buddy!