Phred is HOME!!!!!

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Well, when you *used* to be able to hike the Mutts for between 3 to 5 miles; and still have some reserve left ...

"only" getting less than a mile before needing a "rest stop" is not such a successful hike.

Now you just stop it, Phred! The main word here is *used* to be able to. That was before a heart attack, heart failure, a kidney operation, a heart procedure and two(?) weeks in the hobspital! You can't expect to do the same things you *used* to be able to do just yet, you need to build your strenth up! A mile today, maybe 1.25 miles tomorrow, maybe 1.5 miles next week and 2 miles the week after that. Keep going at that pace and by summer you'll be back up to the 3-5 miles you *used* to do! The good news is, even though it's less than you used to do, it's still great exercise for your heart. Keep up the hikes and the old ticker will soon be just fine, if not better than before.

Another little story. I know, I know, I always have to throw a story in. My mom has walked 5 miles every morning for years and years and years now. When she had her heart attack, she had actually started out on her morning walk, but had to turn back because she didn't feel good. The point is, once the doc found out she had walked so religiously, he said that is probably the only reason she survived the heart attack. The daily walks made her heart strong enough to survive, and as soon as she could, she was back at it, starting out slow. The very first thing she has to do on the walk is go up a hill. So one day she made it down the driveway and back up the driveway. Then she made it down the driveway and the 1/8th of a mile to the bottom of the hill, then back the 1/8th of a mile and back up the driveway. Then she made it down the driveway and 1/2 way up the hill and back. Then she made it down the driveway and up to the top of the hill and back.

The point is, she took small baby steps and before she knew it she was back to 5 miles a day. I'm sure it seemed like forever for her, but to those of us on the observing side, she did it amazingly quickly after such major surgery. So the fact that you live in Ohio and have to wait for the weather to cooperate, doing a little over a mile so soon after being home is something to be celebrated!

Gosh.....why are my posts aways so blabby and eternally long?

Glad to hear you're sleeping a little better. Just keep up the good work and I know you'll be better than new in no time!

[Logan]

Your posts are wonderful, Debbie.

Phred, just take it slowly. You'll be back up to your regular hiking time in no time, I'm sure! I know the dogs loved the time that they got and it had to be good for you to get out with them and enjoy the day, even if you did have to dodge raindrops!!!!!!

Hang in there, my friend, and know that better days are coming. Just take it one day at a time!!!

Logan

[tatsxxx11]

Don't minimize your huge accomplishment, Phred! Geeesh, most "healthy," adults in their 30's and 40's I know would be hard pressed to walk a mile w/o getting winded; most won't/don't walk at all! I think you did great!!! I just came back from a 2 mile walk with Star, up and down some big hills and she's on her bed sleeping and I'm poooped too! You did GREAT! Remember Confucious! A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step! Debbie's mom has the right idea! Don't get discouraged friend

{{{HUGS}}}
Sandra

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Sounds pretty good to ME!!!
I can hardly go a block without needing to sit down!!!
Hang in there! Prayers still flying from me daily!!!

[KYS]

Hey! I can't even walk around the block with-out getting
winded. lol
You are doing great, Keep it up.

[RICHARD]

I retract my statement about climbing Everest during the September climbing season.

Slow but steady!

[cyber-sibes]

Sounds like a pretty good walk to me! And it's good to get out and enjoy the balmy weather! I'll be the furkids loved every step of it too. Gets lots of rest!

[Cinder & Smoke]

*Thank You* to the 31

Families who helped *stuff* the box!

I'm at a serious Loss for Words; as well as having great difficulty Typing through Tears ...

Keegan, Kylie, and Kloe - the Comforter is just GREAT - the Puter Room Thermostat has been reduced
(the FurKids have gathered a lil closer - the Three-Dawg Pile is a lil tighter) -
but I'm Snug as a Bug inna Rug wrapped in your Comforter!!

The Card ~ "Feelin Poopy?" - is probably how a few Nurses thought I looked!

The Gourmet Roast Beef Bisquits - are a *HIT*!
There was NO doubt when I brought the UPS Box upstairs - the Mutts wanted IN IT in
the worst way! Even Bowser wanted to help open it!

Now ... about the "Enclosure" included with the Card ...

THANK YOU ~ THANK YOU From the Top & Bottom of my sicklie Heart ...

but that's WAY too much for me to accept!

I KNOW you all mean well; but I know there are Other Pet Talkers and their Families who
are needier than I - but their Tail just hasn't been told to the extent mine has.

I've had the blessing of more Prayers than any one soul should be entitled to; cards; e-mails; phone calls; even VISITS ...
I think that's enough for one guy.

But I DO have a suggestion for using the "Enclosure" ... and it's something that has bothered
me for quite a while - and came to a head on Heart Attack Day - November 12 ...

WHAT Happens to my FurKids *if* something happens to ME?

I've sort of taken care on MY FurKids since the big Heart Attack Scare - Unka Pat is named "Payable on Death" for my checking & savings accounts.
He'll have enough money to properly care for and/or rehome Cinder, Smokey, Boots, and Bowser if I die.
But I still need a "fix" for if I become "disabled" and can't care for them myself, but don't "die" so Pat can get the money.

So my *Suggestion* is to set up a Fund, with Trustees or some governing body to take
charge of our "funds" and distribute them if and when needed by a Pet Talker or a PT FurKid.

Let's put our Thinkin Hats on and develop a plan and a Program to help deal with
the sudden loss of a PT Parent - and the resultant emergency that would effect the PT FurKid.

I'll be very honored to have my *gift* used to provide the initial funding.

THANKS, Friends!!

/s/ Phred

[pitc9]

I'm so glad to hear you had a great walk, I can't get over the great weather we've had here in Ohio! Sure has been great for a walk!
Glad to know you're feeling better!