A very French sight. The surgery was packed full of farmers with mud caked boots talking animatedly on their mobile phones. Much waving of arms. Overnight a mystery disease had hit the local duck breeders flocks. A big issue here in the foie gras centre of France. Amid the chaos a hand on 'the fonts' shoulder and a friendly " If you don't mind me working while we talk I'll try to answer your questions ". Five snatched minutes of common sense and guidance. Keep taking the Cortisone. Insulin to be injected once a day. The diabetes probably caught before it did any permanent damage to his eyesight. Signs that the tumour may be metastasizing . No point in changing his diet . Come back in ten days. Reassurance that there was no pain. All this information, and the options open to him, passed to 'the font' across a duck strewn dissecting table . In a foreign land the multiplied comfort of having a caring vet.
Another difficult night for Wilf. The insulin will take time to work. In between pit stops we watch the cricket from Australia. A chance to think of the mystery and charm of blogs. So many comments from folk who've never met Wilf. Comments that are sometimes funny, sometimes helpful, sometimes wistful but always kind. Always kind. The best sort of companions for a long journey.
Thank you for the update.
ReplyDeleteNot bad news really.. Just another step on the journey perhaps.
Warm thoughts from downunder.
Fi
Another 10 days.........
ReplyDeleteXXXOOO Daisy, kendra & Bella
The nights always seem so long sometimes. Here's hoping for the mornings to come quickly.
ReplyDeleteIt's not easy to explain your dog blog friends to non-bloggers, they don't seem to understand how very real the connections can be. We're all with you, font, Wilf and Angus, even if our presence is only seen in our heartfelt words.
ReplyDeleteAnd we're all here, one day at at time :-)
ReplyDeleteGood you received some kind guidance. And that Wilf is in no pain.
ReplyDeleteA duck disease must be a disaster. Your neighbor farmers must be very nervous.
Yes, we enver met, but I come and visit each day, hoping that Wilf is still as good a possible and enjoying his life.
I have a blog too and have many repeat visitors I call my blogging friends. Yes people do care a lot I understand, and I check with you everyday to see how you all are doing with Wilf.
ReplyDeleteI hope he has to pee less soon. How exhausting for both of you. I thought maybe he'd just go on like he's been doing forever...at least I hoped. Still you are lucky to have these days to be with him and love him and be loved by him. My thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteAs you know you, Wilf and "the font" are not alone on this journey - there are so many all around the world who follow your progress step by step, sending you their best wishes and hoping that each day is as gentle and good as it can be for dear Wilf.
ReplyDeleteI read your blog every day too, and am hoping that Wilf continues to stay pain free. Blog friends are so supportive when you are having a hard time!
ReplyDeleteLove Kathy (and Inca the black lab)
you have made us all care because of the life, humour and love you pass across blogland...a hug to you all...xx
ReplyDeleteMay the insulin kick in soon and may your nights be peaceful. And yes, we're to walk beside you every step of the way.
ReplyDeleteGreat comfort from the Ashes!
ReplyDeleteSounds like good news in general. We love your spirit Wilf and hope your rough nights calm down soon.
ReplyDeleteAnd, yes, we agree that the dog blogging world is amazing. We started thinking that only family and a few forced friends would pay any attention to our blog. And then we discovered this entire world that truly cares about one another even though most of us will never meet face to face. Awesome.
P.S. - I can only imagine any of my dogs trying to remain calm if there was a duck or duck parts in a vets office.
We're here with you everyday, too. Love Wilf, and bless you and the Font.
ReplyDeleteWe are not going anywhere...
ReplyDeleteBlessings and Love,
Janelle and Maggie Mae
It is VERY difficult to explain to non-bloggers how much I care about a dog I've never met. I've tried to relate the beautiful feelings expressed by his master, but when I do, I see nothing but blank faces and a casual nod. No matter...I will continue to follow Wilf's progress daily here from Maryland and hope that these days are pain-free and full of treats. Fortunately, with all that love and cocoanut ice cream, he already knows what heaven is like!
ReplyDeleteA caring vet makes such a difference to me too. I hope that the insulin starts helping Wilf soon. I am thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteBTW, my father is an Irishman and was a high level cricket player. Yet, I've never understood the game... It seems crazy to one who doesn't know the rules.
The good news today is no pain for Wilf and the warm, kinder vet. The support on the blog for you & Wilf is a lovely thing - a chance to connect with simpatico folks worldwide....pure magic.
ReplyDeleteEach morning here in New England I put the coffee on, feed and walk my Maggie~make some toast and travel over to my desk to find your daily post~ It's Wilf for certain that is on all of our minds but I must tell you that it is your writing style is equally captivating...like mini chapters~ thank you for sharing Wilf with all of us~ E.
ReplyDeleteHey there Mongoose...
ReplyDeleteIf I could harvest and load up all the kindness, good wishes, prayers and thoughts of the world and send them to you all, I would.
You are simply amazing dog caregivers and Wilf is the richer for it. May God bless you!
Hang in there
Lotsaluv
MAXMOM IN SOUTH AFRICA
ps Who were you siding - Aus' or England - difficult choice I hear you say?
The power of the blog world came home to me through Wilf's journey. I have blogs I follow, but I can miss days or weeks of reading them, then I started reading your blog and I now I check in everyday and send my thoughts and prayers to Wilf. I have been touched by Wilf and pray he will have many more adventures.
ReplyDeleteSusan
Wilf is part of our wonderful Global Pack. It is good to have friends nearby when times are tough. xo
ReplyDeleteThank goodness you had a nicer vet this time, it makes such a difference.Wilf and his adventures and your musings have touched the hearts of many in the blogworld,so no wonder there is lots of kindness and support for all of you. In the short time I have been blogging ( since October ) I have only found kindness and support....
ReplyDeleteWishing you lots of strenght and a hug for Wilf
Give Wilf a big 'ole Scottie hug from Us, will you Angus?
ReplyDeleteAaaroooo! Stuart
I love how you capture life in rural France. I can picture the farmers filling the little vet's office. I'm glad that they think Wilf will do alright and has no serious diabetes damage. Sorry to hear about the metastizing of the tumor, though. The biggest relief is that Wilf will continue to eat well. The girls are all willing to come to France for support!
ReplyDeleteThere's been a post circulating around Facebook that relates to being happy that you've met so many wonderful people online. I am very glad to have "met" you! Your blog is one of four that I just have to see every morning before I go off to work.
Imagine Edward and me sitting up with you. We are in our hearts.
ReplyDeleteHe's the kind of canine that even a feline could love. Sending purrs your way.
ReplyDeleteMandu
True, we may have never met in person, but we feel like we know Wilf and all of his adventures since stumbling onto this blog. And for that WE are grateful! Let's hope this is just a silly little blip in the everyday life of Wilf and that he will truly, keep going!
ReplyDeleteWith our love from Canada,
Dianna along with Tor, Willow and Tucker
We are sending prayers your way for Wilf's comfort, and of course yours too! I have never met you , but so enjoy your beautiful writing, and I can hardly wait for my "daily dose" of Wilf's cuteness. We are hoping this set-back is temporary and that you all contine to enjoy each other's company for a while longer. Thanks so much for being Wilf's companion.
ReplyDeletewoofs, hope u start to feel better soon..just take it one day at a time..
ReplyDeleteb safe,
rocky
Hello Wilf,
ReplyDeleteSorry for not being able to comment in your previous posts. Rest assured that we constantly read your posts. Our prayers continue and we are here with you in every step of your journey.
Love,
Piappies Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Pai & Wai-Max
While too private of a person to have my own blog, there are several that I visit daily. Some I check out for the latest fashions and others because they are well written and offer interesting perspectives of the world. As much as I enjoy the rest, none have touched my heart as much as the blog with the two Polish Lowland Sheepdogs. Through your humor and eloquence, you have brought together people from around the world, all hoping and praying that a little dog has continued pain-free quality time with his family and perhaps, a little coconut ice cream.
ReplyDeleteAnother delightful picture of this gorgeous chap. I have shown him to my husband and teenage children, and we're all in love with Wilf! I've only recently stumbled across your blog, and love your style of writing (we all laughed about Joseph in your Nativity scene being replaced by an old woman).
ReplyDeleteWishing you, the font, and dear Wilf continued fun together.
x
I've come to love Wilf as if he were my own dog. We may never meet but that doesn't mean I don't care.
ReplyDeleteI do hope the insulin does it's job and he'll be able to have a restful night.
geeesh, Wilf. you're such a fighter. hang in there, buddy. we're with you in our thoughts.
ReplyDeleteAngus: But we have met Wilfie..through your words and pictures. We think of him daily and pray that his days are long and full of ice cream, duck, and other wonderful things he enjoys. We were away for a few days and Zach's 1st request was to check on his French friend. (OK not really, but).
ReplyDeleteZach's mom
We're glad to read "no pain." We hope there are still more good moments, hours and days than bad.
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to love Wilf, both for himself and because of the love we share with our own furry companions. It's a strange discovery that as our own physical communities become less intimate in a constantly changing world, the ability to build and participate in a supportive online community becomes more important and more wondrous. The details differ, but we've all been where Wilf, Angus & the font are now, so the empathy is instant and natural and thankfully genuine. The core value of any community.
Jed & Abby