Chemical warfare

As I was talking to someone the other day about the general course of events we've faced with Shelly, she asked me, "How does something like this happen"? Great question! How does something like this happen to an otherwise very healthy animal?

When I dealt with lymphoma in Tessie, my previous tri-colored sheltie, it was a huge surprise but then it all seemed to fit as she had several other major health issues pretty much her entire life.  We knew her immune system was already compromised, so when cancer struck, it wasn't a shock of disbelief. I do remember however feeling like I had been sucker-punched the day I learnt she had it. It was a terrible feeling that started in my gut. I guess that all goes along with the unknown territory of cancer...

 

 

It's hard to truly see in the above pictures, but she suffered from DM, a degenerative disease of the skin, muscle and blood. She was diagnosed at the age of 1-1/2 years when her occipital protuberance/sagittal crest was becoming more and more pronounced. This is the bone felt at the top of a dogs head, between the ears. The reason for this was her muscle was wasting. This also caused her eyes to appear droopy as the muscle surrounding her skull was further eroding due to the disease. She actually lost about 2-3" of the fur on the tip of her tail early on. The poor baby. I remember it getting bloody during our cold harsh winters, worrying it would literally freeze. As she became older, her jaw would periodically quiver, which was attributed to a loss of muscle. If that had ever become so severe to where she couldn't swallow, euthanasia would have been the only option. Fortunately, it never reached that point.

In addition to the DM, she had severe, extremely severe allergies which required monthly shots. She was allergic to everything - including grass! Think about that for a minute. To us, that would be like being allergic to air. In essence, she basically was allergic to that too...

 

All things brought about because she had a weakened immune system, very likely from birth. Later on I learnt it was irresponsible breeding, but back then I wasn't going to return her! She was mine and I loved her, health issues and all. Please let this be a lesson if you're reading this, to be very, very thorough in purchasing a puppy from a breeder!!

 

So, getting back to my friends excellent question of "how could this happen?"

 

I felt led two years ago, by the Holy Spirit, to get rid of all lawn chemicals. We live in a HOA where we share common property, and therefore have a landscaper that yes, uses lawn chemicals!! I've actually been told in reading the MSDS specs on the chemicals used, that they are safe. Well, these are likely the same chemical companies that tell us that GMO foods are safe for us as well. Let me ask a rhetorical question - what part of CHEMICAL sounds safe to you??

 

Yes, I believe in my heart without question, that the lawn chemicals are to blame here. I specifically mention that I was led two years ago to do something, which further backs up my belief of this and how the holy spirit acted to inspire my action then.

 

When Jesus walked on the earth, He guided and taught His disciples. They could talk and listen to Him, gaze upon Him, and even reach out and touch Him. But on the day Jesus ascended into heaven, He told His disciples that He would lead and guide them in an entirely new way—through the Holy Spirit (John 16: 7–15).

 

In looking at Shelly's health history, the TCC (bladder cancer) that she now has, first showed symptoms in June 2013. When symptoms appear, the inflammation is already present. Had I done something the summer before in 2012 when I first felt prompted, perhaps she would have avoided the toxic chemicals that transitioned her healthy cells into cancerous cells.

 

Gods timing is perfect! "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

 

There is no such thing as coincidence.

 

So why didn't I do something 2 years ago?  I did, I tried.
I managed to get the HOA to eliminate chemically spraying pine trees that actually touch our back deck where we spend most of our summer evenings. Yeah - victory won! Sadly though, I dropped the ball on the lawn treatment. I tried. I was told by the HOA that we could eliminate chemicals on our immediate lawn area only, but they would continue to treat the common area. You'd have to see our lawn/common area in order to understand this was as good as saying no. How would we tell our shelties to stay just to our immediate lawn area? How would we manage the chemical residue to stay just to the common area and not leach into our personal property? It became complicated to say the least. Therefore, nothing changed, and they continued applying chemicals to the lawn.

 

I am happy to report however that as of Shelly's diagnosis, the HOA has agreed to quit chemically treating our lawn area! Yeah - another victory won! I also am happy to see that several other homeowners are on board with eliminating chemical use community wide. If you're in my subdivision,  please help be proactive in getting our HOA to eliminate chemical treatment throughout our tiny community.

 

For anyone with children reading this, please, please, be aware that even though this post is all about my dog Shelly, it could just as easily be about your precious little Jack or Emma. One story... We humans are just as susceptible to chemical toxins as pets. Real facts are that over extended time, it's only a matter of just that until the toxins begin to leach into our cells and thus begins the inflammation process...ultimately cancer of some form. Doubt what I'm saying? Just look around. They're continually building bigger and bigger cancer wards - why? Because more and more people and children are getting it. It's a sad reflection of our times today. I personally believe it all starts with what we allow into our bodies. Chemicals attack us and our pets everywhere, everyday even in our own Dangerous Backyards. This is another post for another day. For today it's about Shelly.

 

 

So...after beating myself up over this, it occurred to me that my beloved Shelly doesn't look at me today and ask me why? She looks at me with her eyes full of love and devotion just as she does everyday. She honestly has no idea what's going on. I believe with my whole heart that even if Shelly did know, she'd still forgive me. That's her nature, that's a dogs nature, that's God's nature.

If God can forgive us of our sins when we meet him at the cross where he laid down his one and only son to die for us, why can't we forgive ourselves? Yes I feel just awful. Heartsick about this, but I can't change it. I can only move forward one day at a time, to graciously accept the manna God provides each day. I like to call it grace. It's all a choice, and I do choose God. He's the only way to find that deep down peace we all yearn for and that peace is called Jesus.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.   John 3:16