Day 84 of Ania's Diary.

Well only a few more hours to the end of this year and we have got there.
I did not think I would be writing with such good news tonight.
Last evening Ania took a turn for the worst and she could not settle, her eyes were dark and streaming and were a picture of misery. We were ready to call the vet.
Thankfully after extra acupressure she rallied around . I must have given Ania too much exercise so it will only be much shorter walks in the future.
Today we have had gale force winds and floods and have got drenched when out walking, none of this is doing any of us any good.

I must say how lucky I am to have one very good friend who is going through a similar experience to ours. We are there to support one another through the good and the bad times. There are not many people who would go through what we are but the love of our dogs makes us continue and we will never say that we have not done everything that we possibly could.

Day 83 of Ania's Diary

We have had a good nights sleep, what a relief. Ania is back to normality. She has started eating again which is a bonus.
It had actually stopped raining today so on the third walk I decided to take the dogs a bit further, the younger 2 were suffering because we were so restricted. Ania decided her energy levels were up and she pulled me all the way, gasping as she went. We should be walking at a much slower pace but she felt better so we were not going to stop. When we got to the field where she had not been for a while she barked and jumped and got so excited, something she should not be doing. So back on her lead she went.
This is marvellous news for us and the longest walk for ages. The rain is due to return tonight and floods forecast once again. It was a pleasure not to get soaking wet.

Ania has now eaten all her dinner and is exhausted and fast asleep. I do hope that I have not walked her too far.

Day 82 of Ania's Diary

Ania had a very restless night and we had to get up to her 3 times as she was wandering about.
Her breathing is better thankfully and her coughing  has stopped. Today she has slept for the majority of the day except for her 3 walks in which we got drenched.
After a night of gales and heavy rain it has rained nearly all day with a respite of little over an hour.
All of this wet weather is doing us no good and it is set to continue like this until well into the New Year.
There are so many people here with colds. Thankfully ours are getting a lot better.

It has been a very long day. Usually we are out on our vets walk but because of this dreadful weather none of us wanted to go. We will start hopefully next year.
The fields look nothing like this and this picture was taken near our caravan park. It will be waterlogged now and like ours home here, you just sink into thick mud.

Day 81 of Ania's Diary.

At last today has come and nearly gone. Ania has been for her acupuncture and I have high hopes of her now getting a lot better.
The vet could notice the difference in her , on weighing her , she has lost weight and he could see her bounce was gone.
We will now revert to Ania's acupuncture every 2 weeks in the hope that this will stabilise her.
Also I will step up the acupressure and work on her every day but on the points for longer.
Ania is now sleeping very peacefully and we are so relieved.
It was so sad as I was talking to people in the waiting room and they had come to have their very old dog put too sleep.Their concern firstly for why Ania was choking so badly. My concern was for them and the very sad time that they will be having now.

To enable me to pay for this acupuncture I will start market my fabric doggy poo bags in earnest in the New Year.

Day 80 of Ania's Diary

Christmas is over and we only have to wait until tomorrow for Ania's acupuncture. Last evening she was so restless. Not only did I work on her with the acupressure , I massaged her but she could not settle. Her breathing was laboured and we could hear it above the noise of the television.
This is quite distressing to listen to. Eventually she went to lie in the cool upstairs. We very rarely have the heating on up there. Even then she wandered to and fro.
Through the night we had gale force winds and torrential rain. On walking this morning we just squelched through mud. Even at lunchtime the pavements were flooded. It is a nightmare of endless wet dog coats, thick with mud and towels.
We had a brief respite this afternoon when the rain stopped and the sun came out. I looked out the door just now and once again it is pouring with rain.
Ania has now started to breathe badly, the evenings are so bad and I feel as if we are back to square one.
I need to get back to my sewing but I just cant summon up the enthusiasm at the moment.

My bags will be featured in the February issue of Dogs Today so I am hoping to get some orders as I need it to pay for this very expensive acupuncture.
Just for a change we have a picture of Fudge and that completes the 3 dogs.

Day 79 of Ania's Diary.

We have spent a very relaxing day and I recorded some TV programmes yesterday which we have caught up on.
As each day goes by Ania is getting worse. We have torrential rains and the prospect of more floods. The walks have been shorter today but getting drenched each time does not help. The pavements are waterlogged .
Only tomorrow to get through and we will be at the vets and I hope Ania will pick up once again.

This is a very debilitating illness and I am told not a pleasant experience to have to go through.
Ania is sleeping a lot more and her bounce has gone but we will get it back I am sure of it.
In all my years of owning dogs I have never had one who loves the world and everyone in it.

Day 78 of Ania's Diary-Merry Christmas.

A very quiet Christmas for us here but the dinner has been cooked and eaten and the dogs walked.
I have managed to walk between the showers but even the pavements are waterlogged.

Again we have been a bit further for the sake of the other 2 dogs. In the silence Ania has been gasping. Her bounce has gone, it is definitely too long between the acupuncture sessions.
I was awake for a good part of the night listening to Ania's laboured breathing and it is heartbreaking to hear her.
We are glad that it has been quiet as Ania has not had the chance to get too excited which she does easily. this will start of her choking fits.
Today we have a picture of Abby my toy poodle. 7 years ago, 2 days before Christmas she was brought to me, her owner did not want her. She was and still can be neurotic, is terrified we will leave her although we love her so much. She is here to stay but we call her our Christmas Poodle.

Day 77 of Ania's Diary & A Happy Christmas

The rain has been incessant , dog walking a nightmare. Ania is not too well but the 2 little ones are suffering. Ania will not be left behind so we took a longer walk this afternoon. It was much slower and she is now exhausted but it was worth it. Trying to find a path that was not flooded or muddy was difficult. There are mountains of muddy towels to get washed and dried.
The dogs enjoyed it and so did I.
Tomorrow is Christmas and I was hoping for a dry day to be able to go out in the car to the beach but once again we have a yellow warning for floods.

If you are reading this I wish you all  A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS, from Ania, Abby and Fudge

Day 76 of Ania's Diary

Today Ania is not eating well. The acupuncture is definitely worn off. Last evening I spent it working on the acupressure and massaging Ania. This got us through the night.
I have had to change the route we walk so that we do not have too much of a slope to walk up and Ania is a lot happier with this. It is going to be a difficult few days until Ania will have her acupuncture.
Christmas will be very quiet for us. We had hope to have family here but people are being asked not to travel down to Cornwall as tonight we are forecast more floods and gales.
The ground is so saturated that there is just nowhere for the water to go.

So many people are going to have a very miserable Christmas. We are lucky as we are up very high and do not flood.

Day 75 of Ania's Diary

Here in Cornwall as in many parts of the country we have been flooded. Our house is high up and we are so very lucky but so many people have lost their homes.
After a night of torrential rain and high winds we went out for our walk and the heavens opened , the fields are waterlogged and there is just nowhere to run the dogs.
This morning should have been our walk at the vets but with 3 dripping dogs and muddy coats it was a no go area. For once Ania accepted that we could not go out again and settled down to sleep.
After last nights acupuncture her breathing has seemed to improve and although windy today again she has not been gasping. this is a vast improvement on the past few days and we are hoping she will keep this up.

We are now settled down and the wind is howling down the chimney but no more walks today in this terrible weather.

Day 74 of Ania's Diary.

Ania is not well, her breathing not good. She woke me up in the night it was so noisy.
It has been 2 weeks since Ania's last acupuncture and because of Christmas we have to wait until next Friday for her next session. It is too long for her to have to wait.
On this afternoons walk she flatly refused to budge to go on our normal route and would only walk along the flat road. We have hills wherever we go and this is proving to be very difficult.

Christmas is going to get in the way but we will make sure that Ania is not left alone in case she chokes. This is going to be very worrying.

Day 73 of Ania's Diary

The fog has gone but has it rained? There seems to be no end to it. We have had 3 walks today and this morning we were drenched. Ania is a lot better but getting so wet all the time it does not help.
Tonight her breathing has been laboured and I am considering putting on the humidifier for her.
My other half is now poorly so I have to do all the walking.
Not feeling so well myself does not help.

I am looking forward to Christmas, after cooking the turkey dinner putting my feet up and watching the television, for us it will be very quiet and really just like another day.
The whole meaning of Christmas has gone.
I am looking forward to having the time to get back and do some sewing.

Day 72 of Ania's Diary - Not so Well

Today we have had thick fog and drizzle all day but the temperatures have risen. the other half is now poorly so I have had to walk the dogs.
Ania has been gasping and nearly keeled over a couple of times. My asthma was not good either and breathing for us both was difficult. It took us nearly an hour just to do a short walk.
My other 2 dogs are suffering but Ania will not be left behind and it is so important that she does not get stressed out.

Tomorrow we are forecast floods and high winds so we will worry if our caravan will be ok. If it becomes flooded again we will consider in the New Year whether we will  keep it or not. It would be heartbreaking to part with it but we seem to be getting severe weather conditions now.

Day 71 of Ania's Diary

Ania is very quiet today. our morning walk was slower. This is not a good sign and she refused her breakfast this morning although eat tonight. My other half took the dogs the rest of the day. I think they miss our walks so tomorrow I must try and get back to normal.The dogs are creatures of habit and prefer me to take them for some reason.
My cold has turned into a nasty cough and I feel so tired. Hopefully it will get better before Christmas.
The Christmas cards are written and posted only a few left to deliver by hand. I will take the dogs with me when I go .

Last night I finished sewing up a jumper I was knitting and I am very pleased with it. I just cant sit and so nothing. this year I have bought no wool and used up my stash. Now I have to find something else to knit.

Day 70 of Ania's Diary

Ania is doing well, we are so lucky to have her with us still. Such a sad day for us though. Ania's best doggy friend at the caravan site has sadly died this afternoon. He was only 10 but did not look well for these past few weeks. Max was a rescue dog  who had been badly beaten and locked in a cupboard. My friend worked miracles with him and they were devoted to one another. Today is also the anniversary of her husbands passing, 3 years ago. It has not been a good day and my heart goes out to her. I just wish I could be there to help her.
To own a dog is a privilege and a joy but the hardest part is the parting and the dreadful void it will leave.
Max will wait at the Rainbow Bridge for my friend and my heart goes out to her. Only time will heal the pain. I also feel it for her.  R.I.P. Max.

My cold is still very much there but at last I can see out of my eyes. I am looking forward to going out again.

Day 69 of Ania's Diary

Ania has been brilliant as have the other 2. They know I am poorly. I cant shake this cold off and it is now going down on to my chest.
We managed this mornings walk in  a waterlogged field and got home just as the rain was starting again. My other half has walked them since.
Ania got excited when we had a visitor and started coughing, trying to keep her calm is very difficult.
Her breathing is not been to bad except when she goes into a deep sleep and then it can be laboured.
I try to work the acupressure every day and have not missed one.
It is now 10 days since Ania's acupuncture and we are going to try and get through until after Christmas. As we are no longer going away and I know the vet will be on duty I will not mind too much.

The sewing has gone by the wayside. Just feel too poorly to be bothered even to market my bags. Next year has to be a fresh start and my website updated.

Day 68 of Ania's Diary

After a sleepless night and non stop sneezing I walked the dogs. Not a word was said but Ania knew it was Saturday and she was going to the vets for her dog walk. I did not feel much like it but it was our favourite walk, around the footpaths of our beautiful coastline of which I shall never tire.
I decided the sea air would do me good. It did not but the dogs loved it.
Ania was in full steam although she had got so excited that she made herself cough.
We came home after an enjoyable walk and Ania slept until it was time for another walk which my other half took them on.
I am cross that I am so poorly as the highlight of my year was the carol service tonight which I will not be able to attend. No good infecting all the other people.
Ania is now sleeping at my feet.

After Christmas I will market my bags once again although someone has put a very rude comment on my facebook page about them.
What is the matter with people? If they cant say anything nice why bother to say anything at all.

Day 67 of Ania's Diary

My cold has got worse. am feeling really rotten. Over night Cornwall has been hit by floods once again. We are lucky here as we are up very high. I would not like to say whether our caravan has fared as well as us.
I managed to walk the dogs early this morning before the rain came back. the field was flooded, the ground so wet it can not hold much more water.
The dogs realise that I am not well and have been so good.
Ania seems very tired although it just could be because of this dreadful weather. My other half walked the dogs when the rain stopped later in the day. I try to make sure that they are walked quite early so that Ania is not out in the cold night air.

It has seemed a very long day as apart from the early morning walk I have stayed in. I am at the sneezing stage and do not want to infect anyone else.

Day 66 of Ania's Diary

Today I am feeling so poorly, my throat is raw and I have a cold coming and cannot stop shivering.
I have not had a cold for more than 2 years so this is not good.
I have only walked the dogs this morning and my husband has done the other two walks. Only shorter walks but at least they have been going out. The dogs only like me taking them out but it cant be helped.
Tomorrow we are forecast floods and high winds and heavy rains so this will not be good. It will mean wet and muddy dogs and coats once again.

Ania is doing very well, a little noisy breathing and her bark is not very good but in herself she is a lot better. We will hope that she keeps on this way.
This is Ania asleep on our caravan bed.

Day 65 of Ania's Diary

Today has been a much better day. last night it was so cold the heating was turned up and Ania asked to go upstairs in the cold where she could breathe better.
Not one cough and a longer walk again this afternoon. We have to go out quite early in the afternoon as the cold wind hits her chest. There was not so much running this afternoon but the cold air made Ania gasp. She just would not slow up.

Have just heard from dogs Today magazine. CornishK9 crafts will feature in the magazine and there will be a bag given away. All sales of the bags will go towards Ania's vets bills.
This bag is the only one with a long handle, the other one I made was an order.

Day 64 of Ania's Diary

No more choking or coughing for Ania I am happy to report. She seems to be a lot better except she is lying across my feet and her breathing is not too good.
although very cold I decided to take the dogs for a longer walk. We went to the woods and Ania was gone after a squirrel and then chased the birds. Instead of a dog that trailed behind me I have a  lively, happy dog. The only thing being that she should not even be running. Now Ania is very tired and I hope she will not suffer for her running.
No time for sewing, Christmas is nearly upon us and I have thought nothing about it.
I am busy making bread and reverting to all home cooking for us.

Day 63 of Ania's Diary

Since writing this last night Ania has choked and even after the acupressure her breathing was noisy.
We did have a good night though.
It is very cold and Ania has gasped on our walks although now her energy levels are up she thinks she can conquer the world. I may have to ring the vet if things do not improve.
Already Ania has asked me for her acupressure but I need to delay it until later so that she will sleep through the night.
We sleep in a cold room because I cannot stand a warm bedroom and normally like to have the window open.
I will let you know how things go tomorrow.

I have wasted hours as I am having to do so much cooking for Ania so will restart, hopefully my new business in 2013.
This is a one off fabric doggy poo bag which my friend who also has a Standard Poodle had.

Day 62 of Ania's Diary

We are having much better nights but each time we have been out for our walks Ania has been gasping. Her strength has increased and so she is always in a hurry and we have to try and get her slow down.Her barking has got worse and it is if she is compelled to bark to see if she can still do it.
It is very cold and now Ania is clipped off she always wears her coat outdoors and also when we go to bed.

I cannot sleep with the heating on as having asthma I cannot breathe.
This is the quiche I made for Ania's breakfast, it is full of grated veg and very soft. I make this about every 2 weeks just for her and she loves it.

Day 61 of Ania's Diary

I do not have to mention that it is Saturday. We go for our usual morning walk and home and Ania then gets so excited as she knows we will go to the vets walking group.
We had a lovely walk around our beautiful Swanpool. I will have to photograph it but it is all very difficult when you have 3 dogs leads in your hand.
Ania was so excited as we had missed last week that she was choking. Now her energy levels are up she is pulling me along, I do not have so much control with her harness but we must not have anything around her neck. All the way around she gasped.
From there we went to our allotment Christmas party, stayed an hour and then home, where Ania slept until it was time to go out for her last walk.

since we have been home Ania has definitely improved.
The picture is the soft liver cake that I have made up for Ania and she loves it. Anything hard is a no go area now.

Day 60 of Ania's Diary

Today Ania is a lot better although her breathing was laboured just now. She came and her appealing eyes asking me to help her and work the acupressure which I have just finished. This helps so much.
It has been bitterly cold today and the wind has been piercing. We have had 3 thirty minute walks and Ania has regained her strength which is good.
I have had to put my bags on hold once again as there is so much to do with cooking for Ania .

2013 has to be the year I knuckle down and do some serious work.
The photo was taken of Ania this afternoon after her walk with glimpses of Fudge and Abby.

Day 59 of Ania's Diary

We are  very late and very tired. Ania had a much better night She was feeling a lot better after her bath and clip. Still no photos as have had a very busy day again.
Tonight we went for the acupuncture which went very well. The vet and I discussed her being so poorly and worked out why and how it had happened. She does not have a chest infection a we thought she might have and it is just the LP doing it.
Ania is so good and just stands there while the needles are put in. Now she is sleeping peacefully and I am hoping for a better night again.

Tomorrow I will try and take some fresh photos.

Day 58 of Ania's Diary

We did not have a good evening. I spent a lot of it working the acupressure and giving Ania a massage. This helped her through the night  but we had to get up at 4.30am to go out in the garden. this is most unusual. Ania's breathing is noisy and not good.
Tomorrow I will bath and clip Ania which is now a major operation but she always feels better after it is done, already to go for her acupuncture on Thursday.

The hail showers are heavy and we have been unlucky with our walks today and got quite wet.This morning was spent cooking some dog biscuits and soft food for Ania, anything too hard and she will choke.

Day 56 of Ania's Diary

After the heavy frost came the rain. We have not long come back from a muddy walk along the riverbank which is beginning to look quite angry.
Ania was tired today and each time she barked to go out she would start choking. This is not so good..
There is no more room left to clean, the furniture needs to go outside. We will have to leave it.
The next dry day we will pack up and go home. Ania must not miss her acupuncture. I have three scruffy poodles who all need to be bathed and clipped.

I also need to make Ania some more biscuits. She can no longer eat the shop bought ones as they are too hard.
The picture shows just a little of what has had to be thrown out.
My heart goes out to the poor people who have lost their homes through flooding.It is the clearing up of the mud and silt and  seems never ending.

Day 55 of Ania's Diary

We had such a heavy frost this morning and had a lovely morning walk along the river banks.
This afternoon I decided to take the dogs to their favourite Stover Park. Ania heard the word and started getting so excited and barked until she choked and was gasping. We had a lovely walk but it has been several weeks since we have been . Ania was so wound up and raced around and by the time we got back to the caravan she was not too well.
Her breathing this evening has been laboured and she is now lying stretched out on our bed in the caravan.

Soon I will work the acupressure points on Ania and hopefully she will have a good nights sleep.
Some of the furniture drying out in the sunshine. Still lots of mud to clear away and it will take weeks before it is sorted.