Felicity the Greyhound

To say we are struggling is an understatement.    It’s been 8 days since surgery and whilst I’m very much a realist, I also tend towards the positive.  I have to admit, my positive is fast diminishing.  Watching my girl emotionally struggle is harrowing to say the very very least and I find myself wondering if I have made the right decision.  Felicity seems to be depressed and just does not want to be around me.  She is eating at the moment which is a huge highlight and cause for celebration considering she was living on two slices of plastic cheese in the days prior.  We have had little sleep and we are exhausted.  Two days of great eating, drinking and going toilet gave us an immense amount of hope.  Today – screaming, pain and depression seem to have taken a bit of that away.  My incredible partner remains a pillar of strength in our home.  He is just one amazing man.

So, this is our little update.  It’s a rollercoaster right now.  We haven’t given up at all, we are just struggling to find the positive.  It’s a depressing kind of update, but our blog is about our journey – the good, the bad and the ugly.  At the moment, this is what Felicity and I have.

undeniably scrawled with hope, by Cate

Flynn looks over sister Felicity, taking care of her xx

Day two doldrums.  They suck, just saying.  Felicity and I had a good night sleep last night (on a single mattress by the fire while poor Dad slept alone yet again) but upon waking she had the doldrums.  They lasted all day.  Our diligence to pain relief timings has paid off – she seems to be in less pain, which is a milestone for us considering the last day and night of heart wrenching screaming.  Along with doldrums comes a lack of eating.  After trying jam sandwiches, cheese, dog roll and Auntie’s special cookies – cheese sausages finally won the battle for us.  I made a trip to town to purchase a BBQ chicken and frankfurters for her which also seems to be working.

Felicity is exhausted.  I am exhausted.  Dad is now the trooper – he continues to be awesome in every way and we love him for it.  Still, we are all ok and continue to look positively forward.  There is no other way.  We celebrate the milestone’s of almost a full night sleep last night, laying in the sunshine today and the first poo.  Yes, you read that correctly – the first POO!  As each of you will absolutely understand, the small things in life right now, matter the most.  Felicity continues to teach me this, even in her current pain.  She is extraordinary.

I will sign off now but before I go – I really want to express my sincerest thanks to the Tripawds community for their ongoing support, encouragement and words of love and blessings.  You have made our journey so much easier, even though most of you are oceans away from us.  I have only just figured out how to reply to your comments on our blog and when I have a bit more energy, I will reply personally to each of you.  It makes us feel so warm in the dark of the night when things aren’t great, that we have you here with us.  Our deepest heartfelt thanks.  Cate & Felicity

We can’t not send you some photo’s from our day – until next time,

undeniably scrawled by a very tired Tripawd Mom, Cate xx

Just after our first “toilet”

Felicity, you are my treasure xx

It’s ok to have the doldrums some days.

I’m just going to launch right in here – Felicity is HOME!

I picked her up from our vet hospital 13th August at 5pm (I had been counting down the time for 5 long hours).  After discussing all our medications, possible side effects and post-op care Susan and Paula bought my girl out.  WOW she looked amazing.  So happy, confident and proud as punch.  And the tail went nuts!!!!

I had it in my head (somewhat overloaded and emotional) that she wouldn’t be able to walk, would need help balancing, fall over when going to the toilet etc – even though the vet team told me how amazing she was doing while in hospital.  Imagine my utter amazement when she WALKED to the car – she REALLY does have this.  Susan and Paula even escorted us the car admitting that they were going to miss Felicity as she had become a bit of a favourite.  They loved her cuddles, her courage, her “can do” attitude and her princess “need” to be hand fed (…hmmmmmm).  I had come prepared with a card of warm wishes and many many thanks and the biggest box of gourmet chocolates I could find.  With big smiles all round Felicity and I set off home to our little farm and the rest of our family.  Our first big achievement in the journey – surgery over and going home.  Well done Felicity!

Smiling is great.

This is where I get to tell you once again how extraordinary our girl is.  I helped her out of the car when we arrived home and let her wander onto the grass to go to the toilet.  Felicity made a quick bee line for the other dogs around the other side of the house.  She peeped around the corner not alerting them to her presence and once satisfied that they were ok, went into the house.  She just needed to know her pack was ok – always putting others first.

After checking the mail box, I squealed in delight and announced to Felicity “you’ve got mail!”  Here in the mail box was a parcel addressed to Felicity from her Aunty.  When she was settled, we opened it together and of course I had to take some photo’s.  Thank you so much – this was such a nice thing for us to come home to.  Felicity LOVES the gourmet cookies 🙂

Thank you Aunty xx

I did share them with my brothers and sister!

Our first night home had it’s good moments and had some not nice moments.  We had some special visitors in the evening which was fabulous.  During the night though, Felicity had spasm’s which were painful and early in the morning she became unsettled.  We lay by the fire in the quiet and got through it all together.

Day 1 at home did not start well.  Felicity was in pain and was unsettled.  As the day has progressed, Felicity has started to feel a bit better.  I think a visit from another adoring Aunty made things so much better too.  She isn’t screaming or crying with her pain and is very settled, laying near me as I write this.  Paula from the vet hospital has been phoning to check on us and to keep offering support.  Felicity is now eating really well and has sparkles back in her pretty eyes.  It’s early days of course, but this is yet another achievement for Felicity – getting through day 1 at home. You rock, Miss Fliss!

Our small steps are actually the most important leaps.

undeniably scrawled by Cate xx

On 11th August, 2015 Felicity had her surgery for amputation of her front right leg.  A little known secret for years now, somehow got out – this day was also my Birthday.  I didn’t want to celebrate my Birthday – this day was about Felicity.  I wanted an ordinary day for us.  Ordinary it certainly was not.  The support from close friends, family, work colleagues, my boss, Felicity’s ever loving Uncle’s and Aunties, people ocean’s away and our new friends from the Tripawds community made this day extraordinary.

Our Felicity made this day extraordinary.

We arrived at the vet hospital at 8am.  Felicity’s vet and team at the hospital are second to none.  Felicity and I had kisses and cuddles while I attempted to hide my tears from her – but she is no fool.  Our vet gave me a hug and reminded me that we were taking away her pain and saving her life.  You see, Felicity has aggressive cancer in her shoulder.  This means not only amputating her leg but also taking her scapula.  We certainly don’t have it as bad as some, but it’s not nice all the same.

Felicity with our lovely vet, Susan – not enough room to photograph the rest of the amazing team, but they are there.

I cannot begin to identify how I felt this day.  I just simply cannot.  Over the week prior to surgery, I struggled with the thought of taking Felicity’s dignity from her by taking her leg.  She runs.  That was her life.  That is her life.  The guilt haunted me.  While I slept it haunted me.  I felt a stupid amount of guilt on “the” day even considering all the positives for her.  Once again, the wonderful close supports that I have knocked that right out of me – thank you lovelies.  At 3.30pm I hadn’t heard a word.  Susan and the team are amazing at keeping me updated.  It would be a lie to say I wasn’t worried as hell.  I checked my phone.  I plugged it in.  I checked it again, like a woman possessed.  Susan finally called in the afternoon to tell me that the surgery went very well.  That there were no complications and that she was heavily sedated for the pain.  She is in ICU and will remain there.  She will receive 15 minute observations during the night, all night.  Susan assured me she would call me in the morning to update me and organise a visit.  I cannot begin to tell you the relief…although most of you reading this WILL KNOW!

At 8.30am this morning (12th August) Susan phoned to let me know that Felicity was doing well and much to their utter surprise and delight, decided she needed to go to the toilet in the middle of the night and “I’m all good to walk”…and walk she did!!!!  They were stunned, I was stunned!

I arrived at 10.30am bearing gifts of warm BBQ chicken and a warm egg and bacon pie for my girl who was not eating.  Nothing prepared me for seeing my girl without her leg.  Absolutely nothing.  Tears welled again.  I told her that she is amazing, brave and the most beautiful greyhound ever.  She was extremely sleepy from her pain medication and that was ok – it was just the best ever belated Birthday present just to see her.  She lay on her heated bed with a pillow under her head for quite some time as I stroked her head gently.  Then the light bulb came on – MOM IS HERE!!!!!  She pricked her ears, looked at me and proceeded to stand up!  Honestly, I could not believe my once again watery eyes.  I was shocked and delighted.  I shouldn’t have been shocked though because this is what Felicity is like – “Don’t worry Mom, I’ve got this”.  She is brave.  She is courageous.

She is extraordinary.

Before the light bulb moment…

After the light bulb moment…

I would like to sincerely thank all the wonderful, kind people from all around the world who have sent us warm blessings, best wishes and encouragement.  Our new friends from the Tripawds community who have embraced our story as it’s their own.  Our family and friends, Uncles and Aunts who adore “Miss Fliss”.  My Mom, who is our greatest fan and support.  And all who follow our story of Felicity’s strength and grace upon entering life as a Tripawd.  We will continue to update you on our every amazing step forward toward recovery. Every achievement – none are greater than the other.  Our deepest gratitude and thanks.

Three of my best and closet friends, all in their own special ways expressed the following today (and I think it sums her up completely);

“Felicity.  Grace and strength.  We could all learn a thing or two from her.”

** We interrupt this blog post to update you – we have had a call from the vet hospital and Felicity is not eating.  A mad dash was made with one of her favourites – fish and chips – delivered direct to ICU.  I really should have thought ahead and ordered some for the team, but my head is not working to it’s capacity at the moment.  Her drain is out and she MAY come home tomorrow!  I know my girl though…she WILL eat.

undeniably scrawled with blessings and many thanks, Cate

So proud of you, special girl. You ROCK!

That moment when your vet’s mouth opens and closes and you hear nothing.  That moment when you identify only the words “cancer”, “aggressive” and “amputation”.  That moment stinks.

My name is Cate and I live with Felicity and four other amazing retired greyhounds – Flynn, MG, Moe and Moonie and a very kind and understanding partner.  I have the honour of sharing Felicity’s story with you and I begin to write her story on the eve of life as a tripawd.

Felicity is an 8 1/2 year old greyhound.  She retired a successful and well known athlete.  Running is her life.  She loved her racing days and she continues to love her runs on our sunny little farm.

[I pause for a moment to respectfully request that should you, the reader, hold any anti-racing sentiments that you read on without judgement.  I absolutely respect that you may have opinions about the racing industry but this story is not about the right’s or wrongs of racing – it’s about Felicity.  I thank you in advance for not judging us.]

Felicity came from an outstanding racing establishment, loved by incredible and admirable trainers who gifted me the privalage of her retiring on my sofa.  I was even lucky enough to be a part of her impressive racing career.

Felicity and myself in 2008 – our first winning race together.

Like many retired greyhounds, Felicity adapted to life on the sofa with grace and ease…as long as she managed to grab the chance to stretch out and gallop in the sunshine.  As often as she could.  Often nicknamed the “princess tomboy” or “rip shit and bust”, she never let’s a moment of fun escape.

This bed stuff…easy peasy, lemon squeezy!

In July 2015, Felicity was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer.  According to our vet only 20% of dogs are lucky enough to be able to be operated on.  Felicity was in the 20%.  She pulled through surgery and recovery like a trooper.  She BEAT CANCER.

Two weeks later she became lame and we visited our wonderful vet once again.  That was “the” moment.  Cancer.  Aggressive.  Amputation.

After sleepless nights with Felicity on the sofa, agonising with my wonderful and kind partner over alternatives, a hell of a lot of crying, talking the ears off friends (not to mention my darling Mom) and a crap load of kisses and cuddles with Felicity – we all decided that amputation, life as a tripawd and kicking cancer’s ass was our plan moving forward.

In less than 12 hours we will be heading to the veterinary hospital for her amputation.  I cannot explain the feeling we have this evening.  A sense of dread.  A sense of loss.  A sense of immense hope.  It’s almost sickening.  But above all, there is hope and love.  Here’s to “Kick-Ass Day” tomorrow!

Undeniably scrawled by Cate

Always smiling. Our Felicity. May 2015