A ROUND TUIT

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!!!

MAXDOG & MOM here...

TUESDAY 9TH FEB 2010: UPDATE

MAXDOG had another comfortable and peaceful night. He is tiring faster than he normally does but still seems to be quite happy to be around. He ate his breakfast this morning. Sometimes he has bouts of panting where I think, "This is it!", but then he suddenly stands up and shakes himself off as if to say "What are you worried about, Mom?"

It seems that MAXDOG is a fighter!

He is a lot more tired during the day though and sometimes falls into a deep, deep sleep. When I am unsure of his condition, then I grab the leads and watch him. Generally he'll get up and follow me and I will head down the road (50m) to the little patch of really long grass. This is the place that tells it all...

He loves the grass and will stand in it endlessly whilst TAMMY romps around him chasing all her phantoms...

It is also the place where he finds 'his own medicine' and chews endlessly on it - revealing his discomfort.

He has his 'pain meds' at night. I think that is why he's sleeping so well.

During the day however, its a little different

"Carpe Diem!"

(Seize the day!)

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TODAY'S POST:

(IT IS A LONG, BUT IMPORTANT ONE!)

There is a wonderful excuse which makes the rounds when one is pressed for time. It says;

"I will do it when I get a round tuit!"

I am sure you have heard this many times. Well today, our patch of Dahlias excelled itself and presented me with the most magnificent round white Dahlia. It is the biggest I have ever seen - it is far bigger than my outstretched hand. It it to become today's...

"ROUND TUIT!"

Today I have the chance to "get around to" thanking the incredible people of the blogging community... and to try to show other readers what it's all about...

As I have said before, I have been blown away by the incredible power of upliftment in the Doggie-Blogging cyber- community. Unless you are on the receiving end of this amazing strength of spirit, I don't think you will quite be able to comprehend its magnitude.

The first Tsunami hit me on Tuesday 2nd February where we received 135 comments of support on the post which notified everybody about MAX's illness. Not only were there tons of messages left but I have been emailed privately from all ends of the globe. It is all quite overwhelming and today, I wish to share with you a few of these amazing messages. Hopefully these will give new readers an insight into our amazing blogging community but

I am also posting them to acknowledge you ALL...my wonderful cyber-buddies!

MY THANKS GO TO ALL MY READERS WHO HAVE SENT ME MESSAGES OF SUPPORT OR WHO HAVE PUT UP SPECIAL POSTS ON THEIR BLOGS. I AM THANKING YOU ALL!!!

Here are some of the uplifting messages and notifications MAX has received...

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I want to start with...

MANGO:

Dear Mango, Thank you for your fantastic

Mango Minster
which we watched with both fascination and glee from the sidelines. Your dedication to Max during your Best in Show Competition was truly overwhelming...THANK YOU!

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From Paco, Milo & Maya

Friends Eternal

You're a true friend,
that I want you to know,
Our love for each other
has helped us to grow.
We've been through some tough times,
but we've made it through,
The only one I ever trusted was you.

You helped me through anger,
you've chased away fears.
You held me through sadness,
and kissed away tears.

You stayed by my side
when the world turned away.
You helped me see joy
when the skies were all gray.

You were the rainbow
at the end of the storm.
You help me be different
when I shouldn't conform.

You held my hand
when you knew we would fall.
Every heartache,
you saw me through it all.

I'm not sure
I'm always the best friend to you,
I know I'm not perfect,
but this much is true.

When life gets you down,
And there's nowhere to turn,
I'll help you through and
I'll share your concern.

I'll try my best to return every favor,
When you're sure that you'll drown,
then I'll be your lifesaver;
Even if we both go down.

Whether we sink or swim
doesn't matter at all,
Just know that I'll be there
whenever you call.

I'll pull you out
when life pulls you under.
I'll be the sun
when there's lightning and thunder.

And when it's all over,
And we've fought every war,
There's one thing I promise,
Of this I am sure,
When the time comes
that we're put to our rest.
Be sure that you know that,
My friend, you're the best.

And if there is Heaven,
then I know you'll be there,
That if you die first
then you'll hear every prayer.
And soon I'll join you,
but just know until then.
That I'll miss you each day
'til I see you again.

At the end of the tunnel,
you'll be my guiding light,
You'll lead me to heaven,
away from the night.

We'll be there together,
and we'll never grow old.
And we'll walk hand in hand
On the streets paved of gold

(Paco, Milo & Maya also put up a smile-box on their blog. It is absolutely beautiful! Please go and look at it)

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FROM my dear, special, little..

COCO...

For My Bestest Friend
by Tanyo


Friendship is something to hold on to
But for me that's not the case
Cause I don't feel I need to keep
Something that can't be erased


I am sure of what I have
Cause with you I have no doubt
For what we've built, can't ever fail
It's what I care about


I find it hard to describe
This thing that we share
Especially when there's nothing else
That ever could compare


Others always know
That together we will be
For there can never be another
"Tani and Kerrie"
(Max & Caryl)

Those two words, known all over
Might as well be one
Cause without a Kerrie, there is no Tani
(Caryl), there is no Max
I'm sorry, it just can't be done
For you're the "U", and I'm the "S"
And forever that will be
Cause together we make "US", and so
YOU COMPLETE ME!!

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With love from Petey's Mom...



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Good wishes from Asta...

(Wishing upon the Dog Star )

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FROM MURRAY & CLIVE

(ASSISTANCE DOG FOR AUTISM)

MURRAY is the most amazing young man who battles with autism . His incredible service dog - CLIVE - helps him cope with his daily challenges. For some strange reason, MURRAY and CLIVE have really loved MAX. The relationship has extended across oceans and has included emails, exchanging gifts and wonderful posts.

Here are some snippets of posts, which really touched our hearts...

"The NSLM came home from school this afternoon and insisted we went up to the Church to light a candle for you, Max "

AND THEN THIS ONE...WHICH if you haven't read, MUST READ!...

"We loved The Princess and the Frog - but perhaps for one very special reason more than any other! The film begins with a shining star and the words 'when you wish upon a star' ...

The NSLM jumped up from his seat and pointed to the screen and shouted out - in a very loud and clear voice (which he can have when you least expect him to use) - "I wish for Max to get better" - of course, some wise guy in the audience (it was a packed cinema) shouted out in reply "Hey, whose Max" to which the NSLM stood up again and exclaimed to the whole audience - "He's my friend in South Africa and he's dying" - well, that kind of had an impact!

We got through the film with Murray totally enjoying it and his Mom feeling very emotional and then just at the very end of the film when the star is shining brightly in the sky again and the wishes of Prince Naveen and Princess Tiana are coming through - the NSLM stood up one last time and shouted out again "I wish Max to get better, Star" to which we got a round of applause for you Max. We left the cinema with his Mom in tears but I was very proud of my NSLM - we're using that word a lot today!"



THEN YESTERDAY MURRAY & CLIVE BLEW US AWAY BY MAKING THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THEY WOULD BE SPONSORING THE TRAINING OF A SERVICE-PUPPY in honour of MAX.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

This is one of the most incredible gifts we have ever received!!!

"To mark our win - the NSLM and me wanted to do something special ... so we had an idea and this morning we have been on to the Guide Dog Training Centre and we are sponsoring a puppy in Max's honour. This puppy (one of the 'S') litter has only just come into the Training Centre - they are having their official photos taken today so it be next week before we can post a photo. But this puppy will be a puppy for Max's Mom to follow. She will get all the information and photos on him or her and will be able to follow the puppy's progress to when he/she leaves to go work as a guide dog / assistance dog! We haven't picked the exact pup yet - we want to wait until their photos are up on the Guide Dog website and then we'll let Murray chose one for Max's Mom!"

"Max - we loved your photos of the Guide Dog pressies we sent over to you so much that you inspired us to sponsor a puppy for your Mom! "

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Other bloggers have given us awards which we have never go "a round to" acknowledging...

...from Sasha...

from Chelsea and Shiloh

Sweet friends Award...from Kasha the Great Dane

AND

Tessa the Maltese

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From "Kit" at DOG DAZE...

(Thank you for the beautiful collage!)

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Heart of Bones...from Deborah

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Thank you to Kasha & Mom for starting the ball rolling with "MOM & ME TOGETHER" pictures! What a beautiful picture...and wonderful memory!

(Kasha the Dainty Great Dane)

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Another beautiful "Mom & Me" photo

CLOUD: "Me & Mom" photo

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There are also many other cyber-buddies whose doggies are ailing. I know of at least two:

HAMISH THE WESTIE

WILF

Please would you visit them to show your support.

and also to KB who is recovering from spinal surgery.

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My endless thanks to those I haven't mentioned in this post. To the Vets out there who have emailed me to give advice,(you know who you are!), to the total strangers who have come on to the blog to leave anonymous messages....THANK YOU! I treasure each and every one of you!

Here are a few more pictures of some of my own treasured quality time (last 48 hours) with

MAXDOG...

So....

If any of you haven't got a

'ROUND TUIT'

You may have my beautiful Dahlia today!

With love

C