March 20, 2013 - The Final Update on Mabel, the Rescued Cocker,

Sweet Mabel

Mabel crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Thursday, March 14, 2013 when her heart finally gave out after lasting months longer than we expected. My own heart is especially heavy because I was not there to say goodbye. Instead I did it over the phone while Cindy held the receiver up to her ear. I told her what a beautiful lady she was, what an inspiration she had been to me and how she had taught me to age with grace. I also told her I loved her and it was okay to let go.

I will miss her sweet spirit and her finicky eating habits that always challenged us to find something different to offer her. She loved variety. I will miss her meandering around TBTB Dog Camp where all the dogs recognized her as special and gave her plenty of space to move about. I will miss seeing her in her Homer Hounds Hoodie with a SnugRug wrapped around her shoulders giving her the appearance of the little mystic she really was. I will miss her physical presence in my life.

A book will be published as a tribute to this inspiring little soul - the little black cocker that could. She leaves us with the following thoughts and will remain in our hearts forever.

“Take comfort in knowing I had the best ten months of my life. When I was found in that ravine I was searching for a human to love me, I was blessed with not one, but two loving homes full of caring humans and lots of dogs! My story was written and before I knew it, I had a fan club full of people showering me with loving-kindness. I was pampered, spoiled, loved, catered to, cooked for and cared about by many two and four-legged friends.

Mabel's Final Night Sleepng with her Sisters

But now I am tired, oh so tired and I know my time is coming to an end. I leave you with lots of memories of our time together and when you think of me, know that I am near you in spirit and will remain in your hearts forever. Thank you for showing me true love and caring for me so well in my old age. I had the time of my life thanks to all of you.” -- Mabel

We love you Mabel!

Woof! Woof!

February 7, 2013 - Update 11 on Mabel, the Rescued Cocker

 

Mabel Face

Mabel thinks it’s time to let you hear from her again. She’s happy to see 2013, as there was a time when many people counted her out. But she fooled us all. She is doing exceptionally well with foster mom Cindy and sisters Bette & Suzie, and is sending all her fans dog wishes for a terrific 2013.

The latest news is the publication of "The Diary of Mabel, the Rescued Cocker Spaniel" that will be released soon. The book is written in the voice of the tiny black cocker spaniel that could. Stay tuned for a release date and a link to where you can order a copy. All proceeds will be used for Mabel’s continued care. She’s such an inspiration that a book in her honor was inevitable.  

Mabel BoPeep

A couple of funny stories about our black cocker girl will make you smile. Mabel BoPeep appeared once she was fitted in her new pink and black lamb’s wool coat. Not only do her legs look nice and long, the coat also has a thinning effect and all girls like that. She is cute as a bug in a rug in her new coat and the name just popped out once I saw the photo. It’s fitting, no pun intended.

One day when Cindy was at work Mabel managed to get herself in a tight predicament for a few hours. Apparently she tried climbing over a table and couldn’t quite get her legs to the other side nor could she get back where she started. Oh Dear! She had a couple accidents in the process, and was exhausted from trying by the time Cindy got home. Hopefully she won’t do that again. Mabel has a habit of squeezing through tight spaces and often gets stuck and whines for help when that happens. This time no one was home so she had to wait. A friend is now assigned Mabel Duty – she is stopping by on the days Cindy works to check on our girl in case she gets stuck in a tight spot on her walk-abouts.

Where's the Liver?

One night Cindy put a bowl of yummy food down and Mabel sniffed it, then looked up as if to say: “What, No Liver?” When she got no response she sniffed it again still thinking about it, and then dove in devouring the entire thing. She just needs time to think about food sometimes. She has become such a connoisseur (aka Food Snob) of the good stuff. Who can blame her; she is accustomed to the best!

Cindy tells me that Mabel is doing great and her personality is blossoming. She finds Suzie’s toys quite fascinating but that’s because she loves Suzie so much and plops down next to her every chance she gets. Suzie used to growl and get snippy but not anymore. Bette has always been tolerant of Mabel. They are now three bonded black dogs that will remain BFF. I wonder if Mabel will even want to come to TBTB Dog Camp when we get home?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine’s Day is coming up next week and Mabel has made you a special Valentine to show her love and appreciation for all the support you have given her. Actually it’s quite creative and will make you smile. She had to squat just the right way to create the perfect shape. 

Mabel, the little girl that could! You are a funny black dog and we love you!

Woof! Woof!

January 6, 2013 - Update 10 on Mabel the Rescued Cocker

Watching the snow fall in the yard. . .

I just got the best news ever and I want to share it with all of Mabel’s fans right away. Mabel sent me an email reporting on her new year. I'm so excited! But first let me tell you how Christmas was for the girl. It made me so sad I wanted to fly back to Homer and give her lots of reassuring hugs.
 

Cindy has a terminally ill friend in Anchorage that she always spends Christmas with. She decided to take Mabel to TBTB since it was a familiar place for her, and leave the other two girls with a friend. Boarding three dogs can get expensive, so only Ms. Mabel was dropped off at TBTB for a few days. Kristen/Chris (dogsitters) were aware of our special needs girl as both Cindy and I had filled them in, and forwarded the blog for reference. 

Well the first night was horrible. Mabel howled every few hours, not in pain but sadness.  Although the house is familiar she couldn’t find any of the dog buddies she remembered. The people greeting her smelled different, in fact the place did not smell like home at all to Mabel. She was distraught; the fear of abandonment was rearing its ugly head all over again. Visions of being stuck in the ravine probably filled her mind. Kristin was up every hour to console Mabel, but nothing seemed to help. Her heart was broken and when Kristin called me the next day to talk about the situation, my heart ached for her. Poor Mabel. 

The second night was a little better, but she was still seeking anything familiar causing her to roam around much of the night. Where was Cindy? Where was Suzi? Where was Bette, she wondered? What about the spaniels and DoDog? She continued to meander in search of them in this unfamiliar space. Finally after much discussion a solution was found that made the rest of her stay at TBTB much better. 

Can I help?

Zip Tally, an adorable Corgi client was placed near Mabel at night for comfort. That did it, she obviously missed the warm bodies of her two sisters beside her and having Zip close to her saved the day. She was finally able to relax and get some much needed sleep. After that she was fine but boy was she glad to see Cindy, Suzi & Bette when they came to take her home. Cindy said she walked in the house to find Mabel cuddled in a pile of blankets napping in her pup tent and had to wake her up. But she was more than ready to see her little family and they were happy to see her too! Chris referred to Cindy as a ‘saint’ for fostering this needy little munchkin. 

Mabel's sleeping with Zip and he likes it!

And now for the good news, here is the email with the subject line: Mabel's New Year!

Dear Mom #2: I want to write and tell you about my wonderful new year. I hope you and the pups are having a good one too! Ever since I came back from TBTB without you there, I have been toasty warm in the cute little sweater you sent me. Pink is definitely my color and the bustle makes my butt look very adorable, especially with my plume tail that Lisa Ann gave me the last time I went to the Spa. And the good news? Well I have been sleeping through the entire night without any anxiety meds! Can you believe it? I no longer whine when I lay down. Cindy and the girls are thrilled because this means we all get good sleep every night!

Luv, luv, luv my pink sweater!

I think the change has to do with Cindy upping my Glucosamine – beats the hell out of that Rimadyl that makes me a little goofy and is hard on my kidneys. I am starting off the new year right in spite of the cold weather and snow! Maybe you can send me some boots to keep my feet warm when I go out to pee on cold mornings and have to traipse through 6” of new snow! Cute little booties would be a blessing! Of course they have to be stylish so they match my sweater and pink/black coat that you also sent. I will send pictures in my new coat real soon. I am now eating Canine Caviar lamb & millet, along with my liver pate! Nom! Nom! I love the taste of it! Miss you and the dogs so much, but I will see you in the spring and you will be amazed at how well I am doing for an ole gal! Hugs & Licks, Ms. Mabel xoxo

Pretty in Pink, Peein' or Not!

Recently Homer town woke up to 6” of new snow, and Mabel likes to stay on the covered porch when that happens. However, she meandered out onto the deck toward the edge and Cindy thought she might be inclined to jump in the powder. Instead she gazed out at all the white stuff and squatted to make some yellow snow. After finishing up, Mabel missed the step and accidentally fell forward head first into the fresh powder! Realizing just how cold it was, sweater or not – she scurried back onto the deck and into the house in record time, quickly finding her spot in front of the warm heater. Silly Girl.

Dogs are routine oriented, they prefer things to stay the same. Some dogs are more flexible than others, but when you are 15 years young any slight change causes confusion, disorientation and often panic. This is the main reason Mabel is not adoptable, it would stress her out too much to leave the routine she has grown accustomed to. After this brief episode I know my instincts are right. Ms. Mabel will live out her life being secure and loved with Cindy, Suzi, Bette, Luce, Woody, DoDog, BunBun, Anne Banane, RockDog and Moi. Mabel, we love you! 

Woof! Woof!

December 21, 2012 - Update 9 on Mabel, the Rescued Cocker

Mabel loves her fans!

Mabel was delighted to wake up today and see that we are still here and the world hasn’t ended with the Mayan calendar. Her tail is swishing to and fro as she communicates her gratefulness across the globe.  She is wishing her fans a special holiday season sending lots of hugs and licks in thanks for all you have done for her this year. Mabel is stronger and feistier than ever and is enjoying life so much after getting healthy. The teeth that were rotten and the heart that was irregularly beating have been fixed, thanks to all of you.

Cindy called me a couple weeks back and said that she had started giving Mabel Rimydle at night because she just couldn’t get comfortable on either side. We talked about taking her back to the vet to see if her arthritis was acting up, or if this was something new. As I slept on it that night the light bulb went off in my head. I remember when we first got her she had a similar problem and it was her anal glands that were impacted causing her so much discomfort. I called Cindy right away to have that checked, a simple ailment to fix. Sure enough, that was the problem and she is once again sleeping well at night with the help of her tincture – no more Rimydle, Yippee!

Speaking of meds? Well it is still a challenge and usually takes at least ten minutes, definitely quicker than it used to be. The crushed pills are dissolved in chicken or beef broth and added to a spoonful of baby food. Mabel is happy to slurp it up in the evening, but in the morning she has to be coaxed because well, she’s just not a morning girl. She much prefers sleeping in to taking medicine. By bumping the spoon to her mouth she slowly licks it and then realizes that it is pretty good. The tongue comes out to lick it all up and then straight back to sleep for a few more hours!

Winter Doo with Hollyberry Scarf

She has a new winter haircut leaving her core hair long to keep her warm, but trimming up her face, ears, feet and her lovely tail that looks like a giant plume. Needless to say she looks absolutely adorable. She always has a sweater on and sometimes when it’s really cold, she wears a SnugRug around her shoulders like a shawl. She likes it and of course looks extremely cute walking around with a shawl dangling off her back. If anyone has extra sweaters/coats that your pets have outgrown, please send them to Mabel. She is a Small/Medium size and we are working on getting more warm clothes in her wardrobe. In fact Santa is bringing her a couple things, but that’s still a surprise.

Suzi Makes a Great Pillow!

As you can see the three girls are getting really close to each other, snuggling and enjoying the warmth. Mabel loves to use Suzi as a pillow and Suzi of course doesn’t seem to mind. Cindy reports Mabel to be extremely cuddly, sharing lots of kisses and wagging her tail even when she’s going outside in the sub-zero cold. She still manages to get herself stuck in very tight places like under a table or between a wall and a table. She then whines to let you know she needs help!

Me & My Special Sisters

I’m still missing the little black girl bunches, but know that she is happy at Cindy’s with her two sisters. It has been unusually chilly in Alaska this season so Mabel enjoys lying in front of the heater rather than meandering around the yard. Her outdoors visits are brief and to the point as she scurries back in to cuddle up on her comfy spot near the heat, nuzzling up to Suzi and Bette to create a large, warm mass of black fur. It’s hard to tell where one doggie stops and another one begins.

And the last email I got from Cindy said: “Mabel is on my lap now helping me type to you. She sends her love, but now she needs to go outside and pee. All her love to you, ooops, she wants to go noooooowwwwwwwwwww!” Bless her sweet little spirit. Mabel, we love you!

We are still accepting donations to help with Mabel’s monthly medicine, tinctures and vitamins. So if you have anything extra lying around, please consider donating to this special girl. No amount is too small and we greatly appreciate it.  Merry Christmas to all of you that chipped in and made this rescue effort possible in 2012. Mabel is thriving because of your help. It warms my heart to see how well and happy she is doing.

Namasté & Woof! Woof!
http://mabel.chipin.com/meds-for-mabel-the-rescued-cocker

November 21, 2012 Update 8 on Mabel, the Rescued Cocker

Mabel & Suzi in front of the heater

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Mabel is enjoying life with Cindy, Suzi and Bette for the winter. I think of her often and get updates on her progress that I want to share with you. I frequent a pet shop called Wags here in Hendersonville and have found the perfect gift for my fospices girl in Alaska. It’s a surprise but I’m sure you will see pictures of her wearing it soon!

Sharing the bed with Bette & Suzi

Mabel continues her daily meandering and enjoys the company of the other girls in the house. In fact, she has decided she prefers the girls to the butt-sniffing males that she tolerates at TBTB Dog Camp. All it takes is a little snarl and they tuck their tails and leave her alone, but there is none of this at her winter home.

Mabel is a tough broad that knows exactly what she wants and doesn’t want, and is doing better than we could have ever imagined. All she needed was some love and patience, a few canines to make her feel at home and a vet to diagnose and treat her health issues. Having all of this has resulted in an amazing recovery of the little black cocker pulled out of a ravine near death just five short months ago. She’s like the little train that could. . . 

Before I left Alaska I was picking Mabel up in my arms, giving her hugs and gently lying her down on her pillow where she would fall fast asleep. Cindy discovered Mabel only likes to lie on her left side. When she told me this I realized it was indeed the side I put her on. She’s probably arthritic on her right and it hurts, but on her left side she sleeps for hours. It’s the little things we figure out that matter.

Rolling. . .

Mabel takes short naps, lying beside Suzi on the throw pillow in an arrangement of

dogs around the house that is hilarious. Lots of comfy beds adorn the place. Everyone has a spot and Mabel has her heart-shaped pillow that is coveted by Bette. Bette sometimes gets to rest on it until bedtime and then she is kicked out so that Mabel has her designated sleeping spot for the night.

Rolling. . .

Rolling. . . paws in the air!

She continues to be a finicky eater. Why, you wonder? Well, probably because she can be now that most of her meals are cooked for her. She gets bored easy, so food has to be varied to keep her interested. She loved halibut for two days and then turned her nose up at it, the same is true of salmon and hamburger but she always seems to go for the chicken. Cindy found that by grinding up all the food she had previously turned down, gave her a new attitude. She gobbled up the entire meal. LOL. 

Eating is Tiring. . .

Occasionally Mabel goes on strike refusing to take her morning meds served in the baby food she normally loves. So, out comes the liver pate! That’s right, Cindy is preparing a liver pate that she freezes, to make medicine time a little easier. When Mabel becomes bored with the pate dollops, then it will be back to the baby food. Of course any form of medicine takes a bit of coaxing before she actually agrees to take it – especially if it’s in the morning. Mabel is definitely not a morning girl, preferring instead to start her day around 2. So, Cindy is on her hands and knees spoon-feeding Mabel her meds all the while hoping she won’t spit it back out at her – this usually takes about 30 minutes. This can be extremely frustrating or laugh-out-loud funny, depending on whether you are trying to get to work on time or have the extra time needed to pamper her. 

Mabel is always so happy to go outside. Sometimes it takes a while for her to get her walk on, but one thing that never changes is the wagging tail. It’s almost like the tail winds her up and then she takes off walking. It is very funny and she’s always excited to go out for a pee in the snow. She loves meandering on the deck but when it’s cold? Well, she doesn’t stay out long – who can blame her? She prefers her bed in front of the heater when the temperature drops below her comfort zone. And, she sleeps much better at night after a few drops of the Passiflora/Valerian Root tincture that we order for her.

Woof-Woof! Mabel wanted me to say to all her fans, and tell them that she is doing fine at Cindy's. “I get tons of bedding to help me keep the memories of my doggie friends at Tails-By-The-Bay Dog Camp. I also have a deck to meander around on, and a warm heater to snuggle with my sisters Bette & Suzi. Sometimes I fall off my pillow couch and end up sleeping with my paws straight up in the air!”

Thanks to all of you who continue to support this little girl. No donation is too small so please consider giving to the Mabel fund at http://mabel.chipin.com/meds-for-mabel-the-rescued-cocker. All monies help Cindy and I with meds, specialty foods and wee-wee pads – did I mention how much Mabel likes to pee on these? They remind her of squatting in a meadow.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Woof! Woof!

October 15, 2012 Update 7 on Mabel, the Rescued Cocker

Mabel left Tails-By-The-Bay Dog Camp this morning to stay with her other foster mom for the long Alaskan winter. Cindy and sisters Bette & Suzi picked her up this morning at 11 AM and had to wake her up because Mabel decided to sleep in today.  It was bittersweet for me and if I could take her with me on our road trip to North Carolina I would do so. But, I think it would be very hard on her traveling across country in Dora with the other six dogs in tow. We will miss her sweet little face and disposition but will see her again in April at Dog Camp for the summer.

Ms. Mabel continues to do well. She loves to eat, sleep and meander around the deck. She also likes to lie on her bed and watch the activities around her. Often other TBTB resident dogs get on her bed to snuggle next to her. 

Mabel with Anne, Snugglin'

Thanks to all of you for your generosity in helping us care for her. We will continue to fundraise to help cover her heart medicine. No donation is too small and we greatly appreciate it. http://mabel.chipin.com/meds-for-mabel-the-rescued-cocker

I will be in contact with Cindy over the winter and will be able to give updates on Mabel’s progress. So that’s the news on Ms. Mabel for now. She’s sending hugs and licks to all her fans.

Woof! Woof!

September 19, 2012 - Mabel, the Rescued Cocker Update

Mabel is doing great, eating like a little piggy, sleeping well with the help of valerian because of back discomfort, and making it through most nights without a pee break. She is still meandering around the deck and house, and sitting on her pillow to observe all the activities around her at TBTB Dog Camp. She is a feisty girl, if a dog gets in her face to try and play around she quickly tells him to piss-off in doglish, baring her teeth and barking loudly. This only happens with the rambunctious ones.

Sweet Mabel

We had a visit with the vet yesterday for acupuncture and it was determined that Mabel does not have enough ‘meat’ on her spine to allow the needles to penetrate without hurting her. The vet recommended acupressure as an alternative. We are ordering a how-to book so we will be able to do the acupressure in the correct spots to help with her back pain. She has a crooked spine in her lumbar region, and probably arthritis – something that comes with age and a lifestyle that was probably less than desirable. She also has a fatty tumor in her right armpit that seems to be growing. If it continues to get bigger we will need to have it removed because of the possible walking hindrance it could cause her.

She is still on her heart meds that cost approximately $75 dollars month. They are new to the market and a generic brand won’t be available for a couple years. Mabel was coughing and wheezing every night before we started her on them, and that has totally gone away and her lungs are clear. They are definitely working. She is also on incontinence pills and glucosamine. Donations are greatly appreciated to help defray the costs of her meds for Cindy and I.

She visited Lisa Ann’s Grooming last week for a “Brazilian.” When she peed some of it was getting on her fur and making an every day bath necessary to eliminate the bad odor. She’s a beautiful little lady and smelling bad is just not part of the equation. With her new bikini clip the problem has been solved. The rest of her coat is growing out nicely to keep her warm this winter. The vet was impressed with how beautiful, thick and lush her fur coat looks.

As far as an adoption goes, I really haven’t tried much to find her a home. She is a special needs girl and Cindy and I both are aware that finding her a place to live out her life other than with us, is unlikely. And we are okay with that. I will be gone for six months this winter and Mabel will live exclusively with Betty Boo, Suzi Q, and foster mom Cindy, unless of course the perfect human falls out of the sky. She’s doing really well and seems happy and content. Upsetting her routine at this age is not a good thing either. She is a dear; a quiet little spirit unless a rowdy dog gets in her face and then look out.

So that’s the news on Ms. Mabel for now. She’s sending hugs and licks to all her fans.

Woof! Woof!