My Little Heartbeat

Several who read this blog know this little happy guy!

Percy, my little white 'angel boy' came to me in April, 2000. He has been my 'heartbeat', my buddy, my best friend and the greatest therapy anyone could wish for. After living with me for her final 27 years, my sweet mother passed in March, 2000.

Approximately one month later, I bought this little guy, weighing two pounds and able to fit in the palm of my hand. Now he hasn't just been a pet. This bundle of joy took me through some dark days filled with more grief than one should face.

For that reason, Percy and I have been connected to each other's heart like no other dog I've ever owned! Folks, that's saying a lot! Life's twists are so strange. Five years ago I dealt with heart issues and congestive heart failure. Not today...it's behind me and I have my health back. Two years ago, that little guy developed issues with congestive heart failure.

He's been on heart med and diuretics for many, many months. I had begun to notice a change in his gait, his activity and his breathing. And, about six months ago, he started sitting like a LITTLE BEAR BOY almost 24/7. Yes, we're tight!

We saw Dr. Key yesterday morning, our 'ol friend and vet for many years. According to him, Percy's health is failing and all of these 'things' he does now is to help him breathe easier. I stood there with tears running down my cheeks as Dr. Key talked about his heart and all. Finally, I asked, 'in medical terms on a scale of 1-10, where is he right now'? Mike dropped his head and slowly looked up at me as he said, 'he's a three, it's not good'.

According to Mike, I must decide if I'm now doing this for ME or for PERCY. His little dog life has not been quality for a long time now and it's declining rapidly. Many thoughts raced through my mind as I drove home. Most of all, I don't want my 'heartbeat' to suffer. A big decision lies ahead. And, yes, he's just a pet, but my pets have all been far more than 'just a pet'. And, remember, this little guy brought me back into life after a great loss in life.

As I ponder this situation, somehow I query, 'how is that Percy developed the same issues I was dealing with? How is it that suddenly, my life has been restored to new levels and his life is now in decline? Was that just random events or can there be more to this puzzle'? I'm not sure to be honest. All I know is that a faithful pet will go any extra mile for the owner he's devoted to.

No, there will be no quick action taken here. It's a game now of keep him comfortable, watch him daily to see what else changes and go from there. You see, his balance is not what it used to be either. If he stumbles and falls on his side, he fights and claws the air frantically to 'right' himself to no avail. Percy is my heartbeat and somehow, I think he literally took over my issues to give me a second chance.

Probably sounds 'way out there' to some who read this column, but matters not. As I've struggled yesterday and today over his doctor's report, I visited my PCP for the first time since December, 08. HE WAS BLOWN AWAY! It's enchanting to see a doctor's face light up and the biggest 'ol smile break across his lips!

All of my blood work was tremendous. Everything is in the right place number wise and I've been officially removed from diabetic status, diabetic meds and blood pressure meds! Dr. Rogers and I celebrated with big HIGH FIVE when he pronounced me normal.

That's what this is all about! Life changing. Life giving. My heart sags heavily though over my little Percyman. Life long attachment to a pet is a tough row to hoe when the weather gets stormy. I celebrate, I anguish. I laugh, I cry. I look forwad to the coming months, I dread the coming weeks.

And who knows...he may outlive us all. His name came from a special place. Two days before our mother passed, she raised her head and starred intently at the foot of her bed. She did this two times in a row as I sat beside her sterile bed in the hospital room. We were in the hospital for eight of the longest weeks of my life. I was studying her profile knowing her days were numbered.

After her intense stare, I stood and said, 'mother, who were you looking at'? She muttered, lack of air, 'percy'...I said, 'WHO'? You see, there was no Percy in our family and no Percy in our lives! If you're on the same page, you've already arrived. I think Percy was an Angel who had come to ready her for the coming hours. Those were about the last words she uttered prior to that late Thursday afternoon.

And, so, Percy, my little white angel boy, had a purpose in his beautiful life. He has served it well and far beyond the call. I shall see him through until whenever and speak sweet dog things to him. After all, he understands many, many words and thoughts!

Until the time is upon us, he will feel the gentle touch of my hands, hear familiar words in voice and get premium hugs throughout the days. What a pleasure he has been...and what a job he has done! And, it has all been due to unconditional love for his master...we have literally traveled many, many miles together. His shining moment was as we fled the hurricane two years ago.

He lay in the passenger seat on his soft bed pillow...he understood something was wrong...but he took his lead from my smile each time he lifted his heavy eyelids to check me out. It took us 16 hours to travel 67 miles to Huntsville. He asked to potty once after we had been inching our way along...nine hours after we left our home!! A smart fella!

One step at a time. One day at a time. Whatever comes around the next bend in the road, we'll deal with it and move forward. I hope your health is good, your heart is happy and your will to survive, endless.

You Should've Seen It in Color

Paint horses...my first love as a little Annie Oakley! If you're not familiar with paint horses, they come in various colors. The foal to the left is called a "Toby" or TOBIANO.

This is due to the fact that his dark color breaks and does not run from head to tail down the top of his back. The stallion on the right is called OVERO. My most favorite and very 'flashy' hunk 'o horse flesh!

On the farm, I had my first intro to a horse just as I turned 6. He was crippled with arhtritis, blazing sorrel color from stem to stern and as gentle as a southern breeze. The family who owned him for years had allowed seven children to abuse him. They ran him on pavement over the course of a very long time.

Now Blaze, to me, was heaven sent. He was a horse. He was mine. I didn't care. Learning to ride him prepared me for future experiences with horses. As soon as bus #25 pulled up at the foot of the long, gravel drive, I hit the ground running! A change of clothes, a change of mind and out the back door. Once haltered and bridled, off we went. 300 acres and me and Blaze! Extremely wonderful!

Lives change, people move and the focus shifts shapes many times over. In 1984, I was so fortunate to have an opportunity to train and show paint horses!! It couldn't have been any better...my love, my passion and my chance to prove I could train a 'push button' horse for the ring. And, I did. However, during the third year I threw my hat in the ring!

I started with a filly and a mare in foal. Three years later, I was in charge of two stallion babies, a young mare and Mama Luck! Too many horses for one chic to wrangle. So, that piece of life passed on by.

However, when Mama Luck foaled that first little stallion, Norfleet's Cody, WHAM!!! He popped into the world looking as those someone had taken a bucket of red paint and splashed all over him! That baby was the cutest, liveliest creature I'd seen. On the farm, babies of all kinds, shapes and sizes. But, never a baby horse!

During the afternoon when I visited the barn, I'd take Mama Luck and Cody and turn them loose in the round pen (a pen used for training direction, gaits, etc.) That mare loved her foal to inth degree and put up with more sass from him than you could imagine.

I watched in awe many times as she lay down in the middle of the pen to allow her baby the freedom of play, knowing right where his mama was. He'd romp and play, run and kick his back leg as high in the air as he could and finally, move in on her. He run full blast, skid to a screeching halt and flare his cute nostrils. Suddenly, the air was filled with the whinney of baby stallion! Look out world!!

After carefully 'scenting' her for a few seconds, he'd rear, landing his two front hooves atop her broad belly. During that moment, that baby was KING OF HIS WORLD!! Slowly, he'd let his hooves slide over the edge of her tummy as his belly slid over the top of her. Then he gallop away to find something new and mysterious!

To see the devotion, affection and unconditional love shared between animals has a powerful effect on me. They teach us so much each time we allow ourselves to stand and appreciate their world. You see, The Horse Whisperer truly understands the majestic way of a horse. It's not about 'breaking their spirit' or causing them to succomb to a heavy hand. Training those animals has an art to it and as you care for them, they teach tremendous life lessons.

Cody was the "king of his world" any day he chose to be. And, his devoted mother allowed him the freedom to explore, learn and be a baby horse! Any new, strange noises, horses or voices caused doubt in his little mind. In order to make friends with him, I would kneel on both knees and talk in a sing-song rythm, cooing him and making friends with him. Trust was the key.

The way a horse's eye is made, for a little fellow looking at a big 'ol grown up, he has no chance in the world! A person is mangified through his lense and that lends to fear and escape mode. However, kneeling, you become as small as he is...charming...causing his inquisitive spirit to control.

I worked hard with the horses and loved every minute of it. When they were hauled away in the big trailer, it was somewhat sad to me. But, life moved forward and I had one more 'chapter' in a rock 'n roll life!

Haven't had horses since the mid 80's, probably won't again. But, in life, we replace things as easily as we let go of others. Bowling with Michael has been a priority in the past two years. Nope, I'm no expert...more like just a 'spurt'!! But, I have fun and socialize (imagine that) with all the old folks. We bowl on Tuesday's with the 'Ol Timers and trust me, I'm a baby!

But they've all been so supportive, cheering me on each week with my new found life and goal. Today was our end of year bar b que. Yes, I ate a little and was full instantly. They give out awards, patches, trophies, etc. And, then, the Secretary of the League said, 'last year, we had 'sweetheart' from our group. I decided we needed to that again today. If Pat Beard would come up here..." I was shocked.

I was also pleased. That is a group of about 100 folks who have become dear friends. They appreciate my smile, my 'hi, how are ya today', my empathy in heartbreaking news of loss, etc. I've just been me and it's another time where someone has been 'taking notes'. Many hugs have been passed out and many fun stories shared with anyone (dontcha know) who'll listen.

They put a crown on my head and gave me a beautiful plant. And, after Vanita hugged me and shared my success thus far with banding, I paused, threw my arms out to my sides and began to sing and dance... A PRETTY GIRLLLLLLLLLL, IS LIKE A MELODYYYYYYYYY....and as they chuckled and applauded, I returned to my safe harbor at the table with Michael.

Yep, THE SWEETHEART! Go figure! Be careful in your daily lives. Everyone is watching, someone is making note and another is modeling after you! I hope you are a positive influence in someone's special life!