Monday, November 1, 2010

Two ninety year olds.





A great night. The confusion and hyperactivity of Saturday replaced by deep, sound, uninterrupted sleep for Wilf and for us. No invisible intruders to loudly guard against through the small hours. We're learning that cancers trigger unexpected changes in the old fellows behaviour. He's not in pain and his dignity is still intact - a very important issue for the alpha dog of the family. Tomorrow we'll go to see the specialist to review the medications and check on his eyesight.

The clocks changed yesterday so in the foreshortened afternoon a walk with Wilf along the banks of the little river that flows below the house. In an hour and twenty minutes two cars and a white van passed us by. Wilf was off his lead, zigzaging backwards and forwards across the fields at high speed. The three inch deep water of the rain starved brook proved to be a particular fascination. He returned home happy and wet and totally exhausted. A little garlic and rosemary seasoned sea bream and french beans with his kibbles soon perked him up. A tiny spoonful of rapture inducing ice cream now part of his daily routine.

This morning down to the market town with Wilf for a coffee and to look at a property that's for sale . An old fifteenth century pilgrims hostel that's been used as a butchers and has seen much better days. Owned by two ninety year old sisters who think its worth ten times the real market value. Wilf follows me round as I imagine a shop and kitchen on the ground floor, an open plan restaurant looking directly onto the market square on the first floor, and staff accomodation on top. What would we serve ? Who would come ? Wilf has a look to him that says ' if there were sausages on the menu I'd be there every day '.

Thank you all so much for your comments yesterday.Somehow its uplifting and reassuring to know that the experience and support of all these unknown folk in dog blog land is out there joining us as we discover what's next on Wilfs journey.

38 comments:

  1. wilf is showing us all the way unconditional love is the most precious thing xxx

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  2. What a relief that Wilf had a much better night! That last post really upset me.

    Are you going to buy the property?

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  3. Glad to hear you all had a good night.

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  4. Love to you all. I suspect that there are many of us 'out there' reading your news and wishing you well but cannot find anything to add that will give our deep emotions of dog and best friend love. We don't post but we are with you every step of the way.

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  5. Glad to see your night was good sweet boy. All my thoughts are for you every day, and i wish you a wonderful new week my beloved Wilf.

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  6. Perhaps if you do start a shop/restaruant in that building then there should be a "Wilf special" on the menu consisting of three courses of the food that made him smile most all served with love. I'd order that.

    Wishing Wilf many more good days to enjoy sausage, icecream and his other treats.

    Riley (and his mum)

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  7. What a relief! a great night and I hope many great nights to come.

    Stormy..

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  8. So glad that dear Wilf ( and yourselves ) had a better night. I have to be honest I open Wilfs blog with trepidation each morning and then I see his beautiful face looking at me and read your words and I am transported. Wilf is showing us all how a life should be lived, no matter what stage we are at in it.
    Thank you all for sharing yours and Wilfs daily life, heres to more days with ice cream raptures.
    Love
    Momma Tea
    x x x

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  9. Oh Angus...that is truly great news!
    I so wish for MANY more pain-free, happy days for your beloved companion. Day 21.
    Sending lotsaluv
    MAXMOM AND THE GANG IN SA

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  10. Nice to feel a smile after reading this update :) long may it last.
    Ginger infused pork and Rosemary and garlic sea bream have also caught my eye.. You have a way with food as well as words. Sounds like a good plan and fodder for many future blog entries too.

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  11. I'm just so glad that he had a better night. That restaurant sounds interesting, but I'm no businessdog so I haven't any idea what your market would be. I feel that anyplace that has cheese is a good place. I assume there'd be some cheese?

    lotsa licks, Lola

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  12. So pleased you had a good night. Wilf is such a gem of a dog and enjoying life to it's full. Long may it continue.

    Molly, Taffy and Monty

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  13. I'm glad to hear that he rallied and had a better day and night! I can just picture the happy little fellow after his romp at the river, toasting his toes by the fire and waiting to be served his ice cream! He's definitely earned his place in heaven already from all the joy he's brought to so many people. I look forward to hearing how he is every day and finding out what he ate. Then my stomach starts growling!

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  14. Glad to hear last night was good and Wilf is showing that great spirit today.

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  15. Hello Angus!

    We are glad to know that you, the fort and of course Wilf had a better night. We pray for more of those and less of the previous.

    Your words drew us into your blog but your love for Wilf and Digby brought us to your heart. Thank you so much and we pray for your beloved Wilf all the time.

    Love,
    Piappies Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Pai & Wai-Max

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  16. This is such uplifting news to start my day. Visualizing Wilf zigging and zagging across the brook, and arriving home contentedly tired is wonderful. I'm wishing for more days like this one for you.

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  17. Hello Angus,

    Maybe this could help.

    http://www.buzzle.com/articles/soursop-and-cancer-cure.html

    Nothing to lose.

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  18. Your story reminds me painfully of my old rescued poodles' last weeks, the ups and downs and arriving at the inevitable, awful decision.

    It breaks your heart and I wish you all the strength and love that it takes to get you through this time with your beloved friend.

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  19. Here's to many more good nights....and ice cream!

    Blessings and Love,
    Janelle and Maggie Mae

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  20. glad to hear that the ice cream is now a daily treat! we're keeping you in our thoughts.

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  21. A run in the fields and ice cream.
    Another good day.
    A granted wish.

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  22. Here's wishing you both more days of ice-cream and soft feet shuffles :) my love to the furry one.

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  23. So, so pleased you both had a better night..the poor little soul probably needed it. I can just imagine his facal expressions as the ice cream hits his tongue!!! lol.

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  24. Enjoy life - one moment at a time. Even in our darkest moments we can find joy and peace if we just look and listen for it.

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  25. My dingo Maggie was diagnosed with liver cancer at 11 years old. "Six months," they told us. She graced us with three and a half vibrant (and I mean vibrant), quality years after that diagnosis, in spite of the doctors opinions. For she loved to prove people wrong. Aside from malicioius, cancer is an odd thing. It teaches you to enjoy every moment. We too spoiled Maggie with meat and veggies with her kibble every night and ice cream. We did not use any intervention other than love, good food and a little holistic herbs (to slow the down the cancer and stop any internal bleeding in order to keep her comfortable). I felt like she was happy, so why would she bother changing things or giving up? She went on her daily walks and truly enjoyed every day.

    Ice cream always makes life more pleasant!

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  26. There you go. Open up a doggy restaurant!! :)

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  27. Ice cream the elixir of life! So happy Wilf is finding more joy in his life.

    But ANOTHER rickety, old building?

    XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella

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  28. We read your blog every day. Please know that although we may not comment on each post, you are in our thoughts and prayers always. Glad to hear Wilf had a more peaceful night and a fun filled day. You are doing so right by him in cherishing every moment and "spoiling" him...why not???? He certainly deserves it!
    Love to Wilf, you and the font,
    Skye, the Moondance Huskies Sleddog Team, kitties and mom Joan

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  29. Enjoy the little things - at times like this that is what is important and a little bit of ice-cream sounds like a very good little treat!

    take care
    Clive and Murray

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  30. Pray for you and Wilf often. You are as lucky to have him as he is to have the two of you. There is nothing like the unconditional and unbelievable love of a pup.

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  31. Sometimes when a man or a woman are terminally ill, they will gather strength from deep within because they are thinking of their loved ones and they may be trying to ease a family's pain as they live out their final days or months without concern for themselves. As Wilf bounds about enjoying the outdoors and the extra treats he is receiving, perhaps he has called up some extra energy to show his special love for those who love him the most and make the last stages of his illness less painful for his mistress and master. May you be blessed with a lot more time
    and Wilfie love.

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  32. such a relief to hear that wilf slept well and had a good day!
    are you really considering a shop/restaurant? that would be really cool!

    the booker man and asa's mama

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  33. One day at a time, Wilf and you teach us all. If only we could share these teachings and learning with my 87 year old mother. She recently lost her little femaie Yorkie to canine cancer following a lengthy battle ... on both their parts. Now she is faced with the sibling of her passed femaie pup, he with congestive heart failure. We would give anything for her to see the days and moments they share with the same positive attitude that you do. We try to take fragments of your experience and weave them into her life ... thank you for the example of strength.

    You stay in our daily thoughts and prayers, and you give us strength and guidance.

    Fondly
    Jake and Fergi and their Moma

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  34. One thing you can count on is that you are not alone. There are people that circle our planet that are now circling around you and Wilf. Dog people are like their dogs. They are loyal. They are pack animals and run in groups. Where you find one dog person in distress you will find others to give him support and to sit in the silence with him if that is all that is needed.

    We are here, you can't see us, but we are here. We are with you in the middle of the night when Wilf wakes and needs reassurance from you. We are with you on your morning walks and we will be with you when Wilf completes his Circle of Life.

    Already you and Wilf have experiences many more days of grace than were expected or predicted. Each day is blessed, truly blessed.

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  35. Dear Angus

    After my previous post I started reading your older posts and am now up to date with Wilf's (and your) journey.

    Your's will probably be the first blog I open up every day from now on - I have such understanding for what you are going through having had dogs all my life.

    Maintaining this blog is a gift, not only to yourselves and Wilf, but also to all the people following it.

    Reading all the good wishes, encouragement and love that you are receiving from all over the world has really touched me.

    I'll be sending your Wilf good thoughts today and wish him and your family strenth, love and happiness.

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  36. Angus, I second what Lesley and Scout 'n Freyja said....I cannot do better than they. I continue to send prayers and love across the miles and I thank you for continuing to share this remarkable, bittersweet journey with all of us.

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  37. Try to cherish every day you have with Wilf and keep this stored in your heart for the future is all I can say- as I have lived with the same problem.Just came across your blog today and had no idea Wild was ill, and just want to say, my heart goes out to you- I know how hard this must be for you from my own experience.

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