A Dog's Tale: Occys' Story
Here in the UK we are known for the love we have for our four legged friends, the relationships we have with them are the same, if not, as precious as our human family.
They are our family.
From crazy outfits, plush beds, desinger coats and beyond, our pets are well up there with the things we care the most about and will invest heavily in.
I am a very proud dog owner. I love my boy, my giant hairy Chewbaca of a dog, my bear. Occy has been with me for the past 9 1/2 pup years making him a very honourable 66 1/2 dog years old.He most certainly thinks he is still in his prime with his puffed out chest and bouncy greeting accompanied with a very surly bark ensures he's still "got it".
A larger than life character is Occy and everything about him lets you know when he is around. He weighs in at around 50kg and is mostly that in muscle. The saying "fit as a butchers dog" was made for him (born to steal sausages). So, now you have a bit of an Occy picture in your head (Giant - Black Russian Terrier, American Bulldog Cross, remember Chance from Homeward Bound - a hairy black one of those ) I can relay the story of his this pup's unfortunate accident and the healing path we are on.
Back in March we took a Sunday morning stroll down to the woods with the dogs. Occy with usual bounding enthusiasm had taken off after a casually thrown stick, he slammed on the brakes as he had over shot the stick landing and turned to run back.
We heard the Crack and the Yelp as my partner and I took off at pace to see what had happened.
Although still on his legs he was clearly in such pain and his back hind began to look pretty out of shape. Fortunately we were not far from home so were able to sort transport quickly and headed to our local vets Grove Lodge in Worthing. Upon arrival they were clear he would be in over night and they would have to await the vets assessment and x-ray. Like leaving a baby or child in hospital we headed home deeply upset and worried at how he was coping and feeling but fairly convinced that the vet would get onto it first thing and fix what we thought may be a break or a sprain.
Little did we know at just how bad a break it would be.
Occy had shattered his femur and would have to be dealt with by a Senior Specialist Surgeon and the clock was ticking to find one who could help him.
We were fortunate to find a Specialist Surgeon who was located only twenty minutes away and available to get to work straight away. Once again we had to leave a very woo looking Occy in someone else's care, this time even more reluctantly as the specialist surgeon's bedside manner was less fluffy than the young vets and assistants at Grove Lodge and I was met with some tough love over what could potentially be going on.
The surgeon informed me that Occy's X-ray showed the bone looking "moth-eaten" and he advised that this looked much more like the dog had been hit by a car than just to have received this level of break from running and turning. He advised me he feared there was some kind of existing condition which looked very much like a OsteoSarcoma.... Bone cancer in the leg. Amputation would be incredibly challenging for a large breed like Occy and given his age it would be kinder possibly to say Goodnight.
On reflection I would have explored the opportunity for amputation (time was not really on my side here)
I was actually in the bank when I received this news and quite literally fell to my knees, I could not believe what the vet was saying or how this was playing out.
After a shaky drive home and a bit of a blur I had taken control once again and chatted with the vet about proceeding with the operation.
In my upset I had posted news updates on my FB and was contacted by so many of you beautiful souls with messages of love, support and healing vibes for Occy. One friend in particular reached out and referred me to a lady called Chris who proved to be an absolute God send in the days that followed.
Fast forward five hours and we received the fantastic news that Oc had made it through surgery and now it would be a long path to recovery. After another week at the vets he was finally allowed to return home.
We were still in full lockdown so seeing Chris physically was not on the cards but she soon whisked in to offer distance healing to Occy if I was happy to go ahead. I sent across photos of him and obviously she had the full story to work with and I monitored him while Chris got to work energetically from a distance.
Occy appeared to receive treatment well and would spread himself right out and look more peaceful while receiving the healing and less of the yawning and heavy panting that he would be doing otherwise. He certainly seemed receptive and Chris relayed his energy to me over our telephone calls. It was wonderful and a sense of real healing and soothing of our souls echoed over the next few weeks as Chris would gently build up his healing sessions.
Finally when locked down was lifted we had the most incredible visit from Chris and although Occy had never met her before and can be quite a grumpy dog towards new energy he was most certainly pleased to greet his angel in the flesh and jumped straight in with licky face (not very Occy at all)
Chris was finally able to get her hands on Oc and perform what she has trained in, the most subtle yet powerful healing treatment for horses, dogs and humans , The Emmett Technique.
If you have not heard of the Emmett Technique then you are in for a treat as I was only slightly aware of it but had not yet seen this form of support in action.
The EMMETT Technique is a unique form of body relaxation therapy for both people and animals, involving the application of light finger pressure at specific points. It is based on the belief that light touch can trigger a relaxation response in the soft tissues of the body, and that the therapist may thereby help relieve feelings of tension. Many people find they feel more at ease within their body and their emotional well being is enhanced. Animals appear more calm and at ease.
Chris performed the various techniques of Emmett and also worked with aromatherapy oils and herbs from Zoopharmologist Caroline Ingraham to test and see how Occy was and to which degree he may need extra support from natural pain relief.
He particularly loved the Peppermint and Chamomile oils and Chris and myself enjoyed a hilarious session with Oc watching his delight in discovering Rose Hip and Spirulina in a nice picnic moment.
Chris continued to be an integral part of keeping Occy well, balanced and as comfortable as he could be throughout these late stages of his life and I am so grateful for her support and natural affinity as an animal healer.
As time progressed Occy proved to show just how strong he really was and as the tumour continued to grow (there was a great deal of complications around the amount of metal and the extensive work of the surgery) he adapted to just using his three legs using his tale as propeller. I do feel amputation could well have been an option and maybe with a different surgeon I would have been writing a different story.
This article was actually started some time back and sadly we had to say Goodbye to Oc a few weeks ago. Today we would be celebrating his 10th Birthday and in his honor and to give my thanks to everyone I wanted to share this story.
Despite the surgeon recommending we should put him to sleep when he was first taken in Occy enjoyed an extra 8 months of his wonderful life. 8 extra months and he lived like a total Rockstar in that time. He enjoyed his regular love and visits from Chris, he even bowed out with a final photo shoot courtesy of Pet Photographer Olly Clarke, it was all very Bowie-esq
He dined on the finest foods and lapped up the luxurious salmon, veggies and the likes. My side note here is if your dog is as not yet on a raw diet I would encourage you to change and explore this thoroughly. Carbs are no good for them - period.
His coat shone like he had just stepped off the dog-walk and he even did a walk and talk with Shaman Touches Sky and enjoyed some plant medicine from both Touches Sky and herbalist Blue Gingko.
Our last day was spent in the woods, and devouring the best Scooby Snack ever a big fat juicy steak courtesy of lovely Mick Kemp. Thank You Mick it went down so well.
Above all else he was showered with love from so many and in his final moments here in our worldly plain he shared his big panty smiles and giant paw with myself, Avalon and Keith as he gently snoozed into a doggy dream with Hedley from Rest Assured (a company so aptly named I can not tell you) guiding him with such grace and dignity to the other side. On one of my most heart wrenching days there was certainly a great deal of comfort and support.
As many of you know I feel utterly heartbroken and the deep and turbulent waters of grief are very present. Once more I am extremely grateful for the knowledge and support of the holistic community. In particular a big thank you to Ros Thompson who was able to offer the soothing essence of Bach Flower Remedies, one such essence known for really helping is the Star Of Bethlehem.
We have a series of articles to come around Grief and will lead with one from Ros as she share's her expert knowledge on how various essences can be used either individually or as blends at such a time.
On a closing word I would like to say Thank You to you Oc my very best pal, you gave us the best of times and your legendary naughtiness and your wise ways of living life will be remembered and treasured. I know you are with us still, chasing squirrels with Bert & Freya, guarding and loving us all, and your giant bear paw is on my heart forever. #bemoreoccy
Night fella, til I see you again. X
For full details of some of the modalities and help featured in this article you may contact me directly or head to The Holistic Directory
Chris Price - https://www.theholisticdirectory.co.uk/united-kingdom/lancing/body/chris-price