Lilly

It’s so bizarre to think Lilly, as she is so photogenic, hates getting her picture taken! I’ve used her in a number of shots with adding scripture or quotes, and I have to laugh she reminds me of my gram. I have a number of photos of my grandmother that was always hiding behind curtains, or with arms covering her face, or her face in her hands whenever a camera would appear. Much like Lilly though she does the same seeing a phone. Gram so did not like to get her picture taken - unless she was all cleaned up and posing. I remember there were times when my brother and I would have to clean up when she planned on taking our picture. We always had to look off into the distance or towards the sun and so many of our shots growing up with our eyes were squinting or with our arms trying to shade our eyes from the sun or both! ha ha

Anyway, I haven’t posted on here for quite some time for little if anything is going on in the Lily and or pet department. So, today I thought I would share what I shared with some of my friends. I hope everyone who reads this is blessed and encouraged knowing there is a God that loves you and our pets. 

My old dog Lilly is actually closer to 13 now. She had a really bad bout and has been holding on. In the photo she's looking off in a distance she also looks alone. She is not alone. She’ll get encouragement until we say goodbye. Many of us are feeling lonely. But we are not alone. The Bible tells us to encourage one another and not neglect meeting together. Some people need more encouragement than others. This morning, bear with me I know this is long, I was thinking of how some people at church go to everything and others who don't. Some need to go to everything there's encouragement, it keeps them on task, it keeps their focus on the Lord, at least helps keep their focus on the Lord during times of trouble. I'm not saying that's the only reason people go to everything or just on Sundays. But as the scripture verse says as time is drawing near. We do see things that are unsettling in this world and our focus needs to be on the Lord. So, let us encourage one another. Let's lift up our voices to the Lord and take a step of faith! For those that are feeling lonely every morning it's a choice and throughout the day we choose. Let's choose life in the Lord. 

She dealt with it ~ 🐾

What Was Once ~

I didn't realize all the time that has pasted since I posted last.  So much has happened since then in my family both good and bad as with many of you that maybe reading this.  I'm sure you have seen the fires blazing in Australia by now - how my heart breaks seeing the devastation in what was once a beautiful land.
When I was thinking of a post to share over the past couple days, my thoughts came to this after I changed the background on my phone.  While looking for a photo to use I came across those below taken September of 2016.  It was the last time my husband got to get up to "our mountain" and enjoy God's beautiful creation; just one of many landscapes there are.

The whole mountain was full of so many beautiful spots this was just one you could pull over just off the road that we enjoyed many times and so did Lilly.  Many people went there to sit and reflect, have lunch with a friend, get out of the "bustle" lol and destress.  Many of the photo's I've taken over the years were on this mountain (many posted on my blog) just don't do justice to what your eyes see and how it makes you feel.

As I look at the few, I'm sharing I'm sad this spot is no longer there.  On June 7, 2017, after lightening had stuck fires claimed over 48,435 acres making this the largest fire in Arizona history, (I'm hoping I got it right). Prior to that in 2004 the beloved mountain lost over 30,000 acres.  We also have species only known to this area.  Being that this is a smaller community it was very devastating to all of us that had to watch it burn.

This area was in a small canyon full of rock and boulders, water came down through the creek over the rocks and continued down watering riparian areas towards the bottom.  It narrowed up to the top over the trees you can see of this little canyon.  It was important.  After the fire you will not see anything of what you see in the photo's it is all rock and boulders and there is no water that is following from rain or snow to replenish the riparian area below.

My heart goes out to those that are suffering a great loss, we as a small community have tasted to a smaller degree with heartfelt sadness.  So many emotions get wrapped up into what you witness and when you can't seem to help or stop it from happening many experience anguish and fear, anger can set in.   We live in a world that is full of uncertainty the fires that burn whether it be from natural, manmade or from an evil intent we cant say or know when our lives will be shaken to such a degree that we feel hopeless.  This is a sad reminder of all uncertainties that we can face in this world.  

I've heard it said it will take decades for the bushland to heal.  When reading on our fire the reporter wrote this,  "The cycle of renewal happens roughly every five to 25 years and in the end leaves a more beautiful forest for all of us to enjoy."   David Capo  August 10, 2017 

So I'm praying lifting up those that are suffering from this loss.  Do not let your hearts be troubled. John 14:1  I know from the many things I've experienced my hope is placed in God not in the world.  He has never disappointed me and though I walk through the various trails in this life He strengthens me.  My healing always starts from within through Him.  He alone is my hope.  Healing always comes even with one day at a time. 

God’s Highway

WRITTEN BY SANDRA MCCRACKEN AND THAD COCKRELL

My feet are strong, my eyes are clear
I cannot see the way from here
But on we go, He knows the way
And in His arms, He keeps me safe.

Fear not, keep on, watch and pray
Walk in the light of God’s highway

The shadows flee, The valley is deep
But evil cannot conquer me
Your rod and staff, They protect me
You give me rest, You give me peace

CHORUS

I see the shore, from troubled seas
This tiny ship that carries me
It is not yet, But it will be
So heaven come, It’s you we need

CHORUS

I’m holding onto you, Lord
You’re holding onto me…
I’m holding onto you, Love
You’re holding onto me…

CHORUS

Thad Cockrell, Greg LaFollette, Brooke Murphy, Brian Murphy, Jay Foote, Kenny Meeks, Spencer Cohen – guest vocals, Tyler Burkum – electric guitar

A Day With Lilly ~

I figured its been awhile since I posted here, a couple years in fact.  So I thought I'd share with you a few pictures of Lilly Girl and how she spends most days.  Sadly, single doggie but she does keep us entertained.

 Ah - morning sun.

 Not amused.

Silly.

Hunter.

What was that?

You're killin me ~

No, I definitely heard something!

I'm the ever "waitin" traveler.  :(

What can one say - I'm also a napper.

But if you think me odd?  Check out this hen eating seed left for the birds!

A Lilly update!

We still do understand the hives - yesterday she did well, then by evening hives were appearing again.  So I working on giving her some Benadyrl - a real job trying to "out smart" her.  This morning no hives!  AUGH!  Never a dull moment ~ Vicky

We awoke to hives, no day 3!

Well how did you sleep?  Me not bad with a not so good thrown in.   Gordy and Sophie slept fine - so did Lilly, we're happy to say.  I just kept praying that everything would be well when we got up - actually I think it was more of a plead boarder line whine!  Forgive me Lord but as it was closer to getting up it was rough going - for me (lol). 
All kinds of thoughts - what is causing it, did she get bite, what did she get into, can't afford a trip to the vet / they have to knock her out, but she's not itching, she's not sick and on and on my mind went! And, if your thinking - Colgon, (if your old) it doesn't work never has - it never took me anywhere! Do they even sell it anymore ~  lol
So - time to get up - no hives, swelling around nose better also her nose on top seemed to ooze a liquid, that seems to have dried up - Thank you Jesus! I said,  and let everyone out to do their business.  Then noticed, a few small bumps on Lilly's hind quarters - though, not bad and she seems to have definitely improve - I'm still very thankful. 
So I was checking my email this morning and noticed my news letter from The Whole Dog , thinking to myself dummy; I should have checked the site about hives! I pulled up and article on using oregano oil.  In fact the article listed a book I have The Cure Is In The Cupboard by Dr. Cass Ingram.  I couldn't believe it and I purchased the book years ago after listening to an interview with him on the radio driving to PA.  I even used Oil of Oregano myself and never replaced it; that's what I hope to be doing today and so happy I found the article - there's no reason for me to think Oil of Oregano wouldn't work for Lilly or Sophie.  Sophie has problems with allergies and yeast from time to time.  Pets are difficult to help sometimes - they can't tell you in words whats wrong, you just study them carefully and learn to read then.  It's a job and truly an adventure with all of them!  Hope to get a picture today with my camera!  :)

We awoke to hives, day 2!

Poor Lilly Girl ~  After giving her Benadryl yesterday the hives literally subsided.   She wasn't necessarily itchy except for her nose (top back).  I gave her Benadryl before we all turned in for the night - still she seemed to be doing well.

Morning - bumps back and nose swollen.  .  . (taken by cell I apologize for the poor quality)

Either Lilly needs to be still or me ~ lol

Her nose is still swollen maybe a tad more and she resting for the most part.  However, she is one clever pup (of 2), she knows when you're trying to give her something to help - even in ground meat she will eat around it or turn it down!  Apparently it doesn't matter what the "ailment," she's the same.  .  . Keep us in your prayers,   :)   Oh - the bumps they disappeared not long after I gave her the Benadryl.

We awoke to hives!

I should call this post "Adventures With Lilly!"  The poor sweetheart and that's what she is.  I/we don't know what caused this reaction or what she possibly allergic to.  But, we'll certainly keep watch.  You know - if you have animals, or kids for that matter, there's never a dull moment.  :D   I gave her a couple Benadryl and it is working - thank the Lord.  It does make her sleepy though which is okay so we can keep her resting and out of the heat.  The photo doesn't show the hives - they are shrinking and she also doesn't like to be bothered to much so few pics.   While surfing the web for info on hives I came across some valuable information for you out there with dogs.  One thing we know is that Benadryl seems to work what we didn't know is they have a toxic reaction to Sudafed.   I have never even thought of Sudafed for a dog and I'm not sure what it would do for hives anyway.  Please check that article out here.  It's a site with questions from pet owners and answers from vets.  Another link with good info is here scroll to hives.   I also need to mention that I came across a nice blog called The Happy Pit Bull Blog check it out there's a great dog called Dozer there!  He also had hives - an older post - Lilly wasn't that bad.  I happy for that~  BTW - you can click on newer posts on Dozer to see hive updates, he's a sweet pup too!