saturday morning meltdown and new books

Sawyer and I had quite a morning yesterday. It started at about 4am when he woke us up whining. He does this sometimes so we told him to shush and went back to sleep. He kept it up periodically but I tried to ignore it. Then around 8 he started gagging. I thought he might be choking on the stuffing he pulled out from his bed (bad boy) so I checked his mouth and throat and didnt feel anything. He eventually stopped the gagging so I thought he was better and started to get ready for work. Chris was getting ready to go on a kayaking trip with his friends so he went to Parkers to get something for lunch. I was still getting ready when I heard a weird sound, I looked over at Sawyer on the bed and he had thrown up all over the quilt. Yuck. So I cleaned it up and threw the quilt in the washing machine and didnt think much of it because sometimes dogs throw up and then they’re fine. Chris came back to grab his stuff and go and laughed at me for gagging and being grossed out.

Sawyer still didnt look like he felt good so I took him outside so he could go potty and he threw up out there too. I was thinking, ok, that was probably it. But when we came back in he started again on the living room rug. So by this point Im getting pretty worried so I called Chris and he said we should do something. I had about 15 mins. before I had to be at work so I started making phone calls to my boss, Brenda (left a voicemail) and the nearest vet (no appointment openings) and then to my vet (walk-in hours till 12 only). For some reason with each phone call I started to get more upset so when I called Brenda again and my co-worker, Joey, I was leaving voicemails in tears. I didnt want to just not show up for work, but I had to take care of my boy. Brenda called back and was so understanding and sweet, as always, and told me to take him to the vet.

So as we’re leaving Sawyer is looking all pitiful and sick, but then perks up some when we get in the car and seems to be enjoying sticking his nose out the window. When we get to the vets office there are two other dogs in the waiting room and Sawyer thinks its play-time. He’s trying to sniff and play with the dogs but one is sitting quietly not paying any attention to him and the other one is trying to play but his owner is restraining him. Im trying to keep Sawyer sitting down but he keeps whining and trying to get to them, so I guess he was feeling ok, or at least distracted enough to feel ok. The vet said he probably got into something that upset his stomach, like licking puddles before I can pull him back when we are out on walks. He gave him some meds and he seems to be fine.

When I finally made it to work Joey was already there, covering for me like the sweet guy that he is. He let me go back home to stay with Sawyer to make sure he was ok and then when Chris got back I went in and took over so Joey could leave. I have to say that I am so lucky to work with such understanding and wonderful people. I was a worried mama but everything seems to be ok now. I may have overreacted a little, but I couldnt leave him all day worried that something would happen. Its better to be safe than sorry, and Im glad I was able to get him looked at.

Dont let that pitiful face fool you, he’s just trying to get some kisses. My vet wants us to get him fixed soon. We have been putting it off for a while because even though we know we should do it, we dont really want to. Sawyer isnt aggressive, he doesnt chew things (except now his bed stuffing- but Ive taken care of that), and he doesnt bark unless someone gets close to the window or knocks on the door. We havent seen a major reason to do it yet, but I think it will be better for him in the long run. I guess its finally time.

Amidst all the craziness of yesterday, I got my books from Amazon! Right now I am reading Your Inner Physician and You, by John Upledger, and Wisdom in the Body, by Michael Kern. These books explain the benefits of CranioSacral Therapy and how it works. This information is fascinating and its what Ive been looking for, without knowing it, for a long time. I am still in the early stages of research, but basically the Craniosacral system is the area in the body in which the brain and spinal cord function. Upledger had a theory that the plates in the adult skull are not fused and do in fact move. When these plates get stuck it causes chaos in the body and manifests in ways that can cause chronic pain and decreased brain function. There is so much more to it and as Im researching I’ll post my findings. I am really enjoying these books. Up next is The Mindbody Perscription by John E. Sarno, who thinks that pain is caused by the mind holding on to a trama from the past and when you can let that go, the pain subsides.

Ive been doing some experimenting with tea this weekend and trying to work out a few ideas so I’ll be back to post those soon. I hope everyone is having a fun weekend!