Life threw a couple of really nasty curve balls over the weekend, leaving me crying, throwing tantrums, and just feeling absolutely down to the ground.
It took many days before I can finally start filling this space again. But knowing that I’ve made myself promise to write more, I thought it best to break things down and process them as best as I can.
Another wake-up call that the virus is real
Friday, September 22nd – my best friend’s mother passed away. COVID-19 aggravated her pre-existing conditions and took her from us.
The last time I messaged, my best friend and her dad were down with the fever and are getting swabbed. It frustrates me that I’m an airplane away and can’t even see her to give comfort during such a difficult time.
Tita, wherever you may be, I hope you’re finally free from the earthly pains you’ve been suffering from for so long. I wish I could’ve seen you before you left us. It’s been so long since spending time you and April. Pero sige lang, kitaay na lang ta sa sunod ah.
How to help your dog lose weight before her leg bones give away
Saturday, September 23rd – I took Windy to the veterinary clinic that had an X-ray machine, so I could check if her dysplasia had progressed, gone away, etc.
My heart sank when I saw how bloated she looked, how the femoral heads of her legs just didn’t fit her pelvic bone.
It didn’t help that she’s out of hip and joint supplements, and it’ll take weeks before the new bottles arrive.
I’ve spoken with her vet a couple of times. He graciously shared her results with his colleagues from the University of the Philippines. Windy’s biggest hurdle is her weight—she can’t have bone surgery or get spayed if she doesn’t shed at least 3 kilograms. I’ve managed her meals and treats since we found out about her dysplasia, but she just wasn’t losing as fast as she needs to.
I posted this in a story a while back when the pain and anger were still fresh, but took it down because I didn’t want to blemish Windy’s happy Instagram feed with my frustration. But I’ll repeat that here:
This is the hard reality of wanting to buy and raise a purebred dog in this country. Majority of the people buy from backyard breeders because they are the only available option. They breed and sell litters without any health tests for eyes, ears, elbows, hips, etc. They breed with no access to centers who can conduct these tests on the sire and dam. They don’t even bother to buy their breeding stock from ethical, responsible breeders who do.
Until today, I was one of the ignorant consumers who buy from backyard breeders. After reading and learning from ethical breeders’ content about what to look for when buying a dog, I realized with a heavy heart that every single one of my dogs are from backyard breeders, and I’ve paid high prices for that.
- Sappho is fearful and is now suffering from fungal infections.
- Scarlet is short for her breed, reactive to cats, and has a variety of skin issues that never went away.
- Brooklyn was bred from two Corgi parents with the recessive fluffy gene. He’s reactive and has a weak stomach from digestive issues he had as a puppy.
- Windy has hip dysplasia.
I believe I can power through hip dysplasia, but I’ve decided to NEVER.buy a puppy in the Philippines ever again. I’ve unfollowed all the local kennels I thought were potential people I could buy a puppy from. Until they can prove that their breeding stock aren’t carriers of diseases or disorders, I’m buying my dogs from ethical breeders abroad and who can show proof.
End rant. Now on to some joyful news:
I received a job offer
I received a job offer for a content writer role. It involves improving and creating new help center content, blog content, marketing materials, and more. It’s really exciting because it means I’m returning to my roots as a writer and content creator.
I’m still waiting for this to be finalized, so the details end here. As soon as that’s settled, I’ll have more to share.
The road to becoming a Karen Pryor Academy student
Yesterday, I solidified my decision to become a dog trainer by purchasing the Dog Trainers Foundation – Immersion course. It’s the first course to take before pursuing the KPA professional trainer program.
I’m so excited and nervous because this literally is me going back to school for a career path I never thought I’d consider taking till Windy and Brooklyn came into our lives.
I scheduled myself to start taking it next year, as I still have one mentorship and a gajillion dog training courses and webinars to finish.
More importantly, I want to share that journey with the people I’ve connected with through Windy’s Instagram account, so I hope to share more details on that here.
I just hope no other bad news will come my way.
Crossed fingers for more daily updates and writing
All these transitions happening at the same time make it so difficult to write, but I’m hoping that Diwa Daily will see more updates and thorough writing on a daily basis.
Nothing could make me happier than to see myself as how I was many moons ago—writing and posting frequently, sharing snippets of my life with vigor and passion, and connecting with people who share in my joys and sorrows.
I hope with every step towards progress, I’ll find and establish my rhythm again.
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