The one in which I tell everyone what's been going on...

Yeah, there really has been a lot happening here in the DueWest house.

I have neglected telling everyone what has been going on with Melba for these past few months. Now that everyone who needs to know, knows, I feel that I can share with her blog friends.

On New Year's eve of this year Melba and I spent our evening in the emergency vet clinic. We were there for over four hours with a spinal injury.

When I got home on the afternoon of the 31st Mel came out to greet me at the car as she always does. I went to pet her face and she screamed the second I touched her. Something was wrong.

Not two hours later she was almost paralyzed.

We rushed her to the E.R. where I was asked if she could have been poisoned. Luckily the rest of the family was at home with her when the injury happened so I knew it wasn't poisoning. I let the vet know that there was no way that it could be something toxic and off to x-ray we went.

After many tears and much worry that I was going to loose my special girl, the vet came back out. Melba was put under anesthesia, x-rayed, poked and prodded. I was shown her x-rays and confirmed that it was indeed a spinal injury.

When we got home she could barely stand on her own, if at all. She cried all through the night in pain and confusion. I cried too. My gentle, sweet, amazingly wonderful girl, hurt. I could do nothing for her.

A few weeks were spent on crate rest and me holding her to potty. She would fall over if I didn't. Slowly she regained her strength. At times she is still 'off' when doing normal every day things. Her movement is still a little off and pottying can still be a small challenge. I am always here to help her when needed.

Melba has been diagnosed with Degenerative Stenosis. A spinal disease that will get worse as she ages. At 7 years old, she has a disease that will shorten her life span. At first I was devastated. Now we know that with regular anti-inflammatory treatment, massage and acupuncture she will lead a normal life. Yes, it most likely will shorten her life span, but, not by years.

My beautiful girl will live a happy and comfortable life. She will have ups and downs. It will not keep her spirit down. She is strong and has an amazing will about her. I have learned much from her in these last months. I can only hope to be half the being she is.

Please do not feel bad for her or me. I hope others that know her can learn from her as well. I will post about her condition as she progresses in hopes that others can be more informed about it.

Once again, she and I are learning something new together. We have been through a lot of 'firsts', she and I. I look forward to the next chapter of our lives together.

~A and Mel

An Introduction Of Sorts

We here at the DueWest household would like to introduce our newest family member. She has been part of the family for some time really but only recently came to stay.

Please welcome 'Bzantium Metaxa At Lost Creek', Brandi! Thank You to Helen for the opportunity to bring her home. We just adore her!




This wonderful girl makes 5 for the DueWest house. Melba and the other whippets don't mind that she is here. Bella really likes Brandi and they way they play together shows it.

We look forward to many happy years together.

Keep an eye out for us in the show ring this year! We are hoping to continue the success that last year brought us. Maybe pick up a few more points along the way.

Dog Show News

Well there hasn't been much happening as of late. We had a show this weekend that was pretty darn good. Nothing too major to report but nice none the less.

On Saturday, I went up with my friend Jessica. I showed Brandi and Jess showed two of hers, Dash and Vega. Brandi took 3rd in her Open class of 6 (I think). I was more than happy with that placement. There were some nice girls in that class. Jess took 3rd in Open Dogs with Dash and 4th in Open Bitches with Vega. So it was a decent weekend. I can't complain when we are in the ribbons!

On Sunday I went up with Helen (Brandi's owner). She had Audre (baby girl turned 2 on Saturday!!!) and Olivia, I had Brandi. Audre won her Bred By class. I was super happy about that! Brandi was again 3rd in Open and Olivia went on to win Open Bitches, Winners Bitch and Best Opposite!!! Yay Olivia!!!!!!

After whippet judging I had the chance to show a really lovely Greyhound boy in the group. That was a blast! A big Thank You to his owners for giving me the opportunity to show him and to Barb for asking if I would like to give it a go! We got pulled in the group, though we didn't place it was an honor to just make the cut. There were some very nice dogs in the group. Some being in the top 10 in the country so it really was an honor to be pulled with a puppy boy.

It was a good weekend out at the shows!