Transitions

Well, we got a hint of spring this past week - 30s crept into 40s crept into 50s crept into 60s and by Saturday, we had full on 70 degree weather. It was a welcome reprieve from the cold, gray, dark monotony that is Ohio in the winter. The promise of spring has been a welcome metaphor as we prepare to say goodbye to Odin. The vet oncology consultation was disastrous - mostly because mdw went into shock as the list of complicating issues and contraindicated conditions and astronomical costs mounted. At the end of the day, we learned that Odin is not a candidate for the treatments available (including amputation which is the only way to be 100% pain free or palliative radiation which also addresses pain) because of concurrent diseases and neurological implications and limited resources. Basically, we learned that his body is shutting down and we have come to accept that our time with him is short. Our family vet has been amazing, agreeing with our "supportive care" plan to watch for his comfort and quality of life, treating the pain until we see/feel/intuit that it is too much. I hope for the same stewardship at the end of my life - (note to self, make a living will: DNR). In the meantime, we are loving every day with him - taking mellow walks while he is still relatively pain free and spending much time outside with eaw. So far, he is still very interested in walks, mealtime, treats, nap/petting time, strangers coming to the door, and rogue squirrels. Odin no longer chases balls, but loves to be around while Samantha and eaw have their fun.

We had plenty of outside time this weekend, given the good weather, and the fact that mtw was in Philly performing and recording new music with his old buddies and colleagues there. He said it was great to be back in the city of brotherly love, and commented how glad he was that we had spent time there. He drove back from Philly today with a piano so now eaw will have a piano in the house! mtw shared his musical talents with eaw's daycare class last week, bringing in various drums and playing with them. We don't have any photos (I'll try to get some from his teacher) - but it was a huge success by all accounts. His classroom has a big pictorial about the event, identifying country of origin for each drum he brought, and showing the kids and mtw in action. It was really sweet. In fact, the next day, eaw's teacher confessed to me that she now has a little crush on mtw after seeing him play and play with the children. I told her that his music got me too...

mtw had another musical event a week ago Sunday, where he performed with a faculty member in the music department at OSU. He was part of a John Cage 0:00" score that includes a "functional task" that just so happened to be shaving mtw's head: