a very hard day

I just said goodbye to a piece of my heart, my girl Brook.  She travelled on two days after her fifteenth birthday.  Brook was my last homebred girl.  Corgis as a breed are clever, loving, active, opinionated, fun and thrill seeking, humorous, and a bit noisy. Brook was all that and more.  She and her mom Pager were a pair to draw to, and the clear boss ladies of the other dogs, (not to mention cats, goats, ducks, & chickens) here at Sagefox. Brook was petite and easy on the eyes, drawing the question “is she a puppy?” all her days.  She took instinctive command of her environment, no matter where she was, and arranged things to her liking.  In her final days Brook made it clear to me she was ready for the next adventure.  So on she went, dignity fully intact, and she rests here on my property, next to her mama Pager. I know those two corgis will continue to make their presence known in ways small and large, still my girls, always by my side.  So once again I heed Garth’s advice: “I could have missed the pain, but I’d of had to miss The Dance”.

Given the chance, I will always choose to dance with these amazing animals.

Please treasure the days you spend with your dogs, as I know you do.

Brook meets Sappho

 

Here comes Summer!

Fourteen years ago today my homebred “Summer” litter set paw on earth, including my sweet (when she feels like it) girl Brook, and her always sweet brother Duff Combs.  The years spent with these dogs have enriched my life immeasurably.  Brook, four years out now from her cancer diagnosis and subsequent conversion to a “tripawd”, is thriving and shows me every day what courage looks like.  Brook is also a reminder that every moment counts, and we must savor them all, even something as “minor” as a nap in the cool grass or a romp with brother Trystan. Be present with your dogs, and enjoy a glorious season.

“Let them Corgis eat CAKE!”

The best of the season…

…will always include having our dogs near and dear, by our sides.

All my best to you and yours.  Lisa and the Corgis of Tumalo B&B

Hold that thought.. (repost 4/25/2015)

Due to the many ongoing requests from potential new clients, I am reposting the below entry from 2012. I very much appreciate all of you out there who are referring to me, but I remain at capacity with full bookings months in advance. To assure the quality of care I require of myself, I must limit new intake. Thank you all! Lisa

Tumalobedandbiscuit's Blog

SO after much evaluation and debate, I have finally decided that, at this time anyway, I can take no more new clients. If you have already been in contact with me, and we are due to have an intake interview this does not apply to you, don’t worry!  I also do not mean that if you are a client now and you add a new dog family member, you must take them elsewhere, no!  (although we do need to do a new intake interview for your new kid so they get an equal chance to “tour” before their first visit)  It is bittersweet that this little operation is doing so well that I am too full, always, to continue to add to my client base. This decision makes me sad as I just KNOW there are many fabulous dogs out there, and their owners, that I would love to meet…

View original post 283 more words

Thanks for the memories…and here’s to even more in 2015!

My deepest gratitude to you for sharing your dogs with me this past year. The grace of their companionship makes me want to continue with this endeavor for years to come. In memory of those sweet ones who after their time with us all have travelled on, and in anticipation of the new ones who will be joining us…peace to all.

Not too soon to Book!

Well here we are in the last lovely days of summer, and already the TB&B calendar for the fall and winter is getting full! Please do not forget to send me your requests now, especially if you need Thanksgiving and/or Christmas. Even if you only know approximate dates, I will block time for you. I do not want to risk missing spending the holidays with my traditional “old regulars”, as well as of course newer vacationers. Meanwhile, enjoy the warmth of this season with your pups. Thank you!

I love my crackerjack Veterinarians!

When my dad considered someone as having marked excellence in their field, he called them a “crackerjack”. I am lucky enough to have three such professionals in my dogs lives. The first is Dr. Leslie Griffith, owner of Sage Veterinary Alternatives. I first became Leslie’s client when an overwhelming number of my dog pro and other friends consistently raved about her, all giving her their “hosanna in the highest” praise. Although I had worked in area veterinary medicine clinics, I had not had any real experience with Traditional Chinese Medicine or any other veterinary “alternatives”. From my first appointment to present, going on over two years, I have been absolutely floored by the quality of care my dogs receive at Sage Vet, and even more profoundly by the abiding compassion and integrity Leslie personifies. My granny corgi Pager, at age fifteen and a half, gets routine acupuncture and supportive TCM, and her 3-legged daughter Brook, a cancer survivor, gets TCM and chiropractic work, at Sage. They adore Leslie, and look forward to their appointments, as do I. You can find details on Leslie and her services at http://www.sagevet.com

For a traditional western medicine clinic, after having tried several in the area and not quite finding the right fit, I was lucky enough to finally be referred to Dr. Ruth Loomis. Dr. Loomis, formerly with Blue Sky Vet, just started her own brand spanking new clinic, complete with cutting edge diagnostic equipment. Brookswood Animal Clinic (www.bendanimalclinic.com) will open in November 2014, on 19550 Amber Lane. Look for them on FB too for info on their grand opening!

Finally, for those times when a board certified, deeply experienced veterinary team is called for on a referral basis, you cannot do better than our local Bend Veterinary Specialists (www.bendvetspecialists.com) Dr Mark Parchman and wife Dr Sue Dougherty are as good as they come. My 11 year old girl Brook, a Heart Dog Deluxe for me, needed a repeat surgery for a soft tissue sarcoma, having already had a limb amputated for the initial cancer occurrence a year earlier. It was the tail end of the year, a time when vet clinics are typically both trying to wind down, and wrap up existing cases, for the season. BVS got me in for an appointment quickly, and even more promptly scheduled surgery. Again, from start to finish, my confidence in the team at this clinic was established and strengthened with each additional contact. A huge shout out also to the staff at the Animal Emergency Clinic, who allowed me exceptional access to Brook while she was in recovery and spending the night under their care.

Finding the right fit for your dog’s health care is both a technical and highly personal endeavor. I feel thrice blessed that I have found three veterinary health care resources that serve me and my corgis so exceptionally. And for those of you who know me well, I CAN be just a tad particular about this….Be well, at peace, and love your dogs…..Lisa