Monday, February 10, 2014

When to Hire a Professional if You Are Self-Publishing

When do you hire a professional if you are considering self-publishing? Visit my guest post today with Elizabeth S. Craig to find out.

If you ever get the chance to meet Elizabeth in person, please do. She is a total delight and such a fun, spirited person.


The latest on Spunky -

If your pet ever has major surgery, be prepared! It’s very stressful and a lot of work. Spunky was so miserable and getting medicine down him was a struggle. We were terrified he’d pull out his staples as he bucked, trying to avoid the medicine.

He is better now, more alert, eating and drinking, and a total love bug. He has to wear the cone of shame until after the staples come out and be confined to the crate for a few more weeks, as he’s not to run or jump. (Which is exactly what he wants to do!)

What we’ve done is buy him another year or two. Sadly, the results came back on Friday that cancer is in his hip bones. There’s nothing they can do for him. We’ll just keep loving on him and taking care of him until it’s obvious he’s losing the fight. He’s been a wonderful kitty and we’ve appreciated having him in our life.

39 comments:

J.L. Campbell said...

Happy to hear that Spunky is feeling better, but sad to know what lies ahead for him.

Anonymous said...

Pleased to know that Spunky has recovered surgery but sad to know there is only a couple of years due to his hip bones.My late cat Tabitha was diagnosed with diabetes and was given 2 years with her twice daily shots and tons of love and care she lived another 4 years.
My heart goes out to you all.
Yvonne.

Gossip_Grl said...

I am very sorry to hear the news about your fur baby Spunky. In 1999 my breeder friend gave me the tiniest little Chihuahua who at the time only weighed 1/2 pound. The vet had only given him a year because of the health issues he had. She was just looking for someone to love him for whatever time he had. I was so scared I would fall in love with this tiny dog and only have a short time but knew each day we had with him was special. He lived to be nine years old.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Yvonne, we hope Spunky outlives the prediction.

Gossip Girl, he really beat the odds. We hope with love we can get some extra time with Spunky.

~Sia McKye~ said...

Aww, Diane. I'm so sorry. It's a hard thing to face.

But, you know what? A strong will to live and love does amazing things. I'm glad you have more time with him and that he's still full of spunk!

Hugs!

Sia McKye Over Coffee

Jo said...

Love and hugs to Spunky. I hope he lives lots of years and the hips get better magically. Until these posts, I never knew cancer was a problem with cats.

Jo said...

Love and hugs to Spunky. I hope he lives lots of years and the hips get better magically. Until these posts, I never knew cancer was a problem with cats.

Karen Lange said...

Glad Spunky is better. Hopping over to check out your post!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

The cones are tough on the animal as is keeping a kitty from jumping. Hope he keeps fighting the good fight for a long while.

Natalie Aguirre said...

So sorry about Spunky. My heart really goes out to you. That's the hard part of having pets, but they're so well worth it. I know you'll take great care of him.

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

So sorry about the cancer, but I suspect the special love that surrounds Spunky will garner more years than the doctor's prediction. Good luck with the care needed for the next few weeks.

Mary Montague Sikes

Jennifer Shirk said...

Aww, give Spunky a hug for me. I know he's in good hands. :)

D.G. Hudson said...

Give him love, Diane (I know you do). We nursed our diabetic cat for four years, giving him shots every day. The vet was amazed at how much we extended his time by TLC.

Good luck Spunky, get better soon!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Sorry about Spunky. Pets don't live long enough.

Arlee Bird said...

Eye surgery! Sounds complex.

Off to check your guest spot.

Lee
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog

Robin said...

That darn Cancer. Once it gets into you, it is pervasive. The surgery we had on our dog bought her an extra year... so we were thankful for that. I know that you will appreciate your time with Spunky, too. Just love on him... that's the best.

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear about your beloved cat :(

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Sia, he hasn't lost it.

Jo, he's the second cat I've owned that had it.

Susan, the poor thing keeps running into the side of the crate with that cone.

Mary, I hope so.

Karen, you are so right.

DG, Hobbes had diabetes and we gave her shots for years. She lived until she was 16 when cancer finally got her.

Robin, we will.

Bish Denham said...

At least he has you for the rest of is life. He'll be in good hands.

Jemi Fraser said...

Spunky's been a lucky cat to have you love him and take such good care of him. Wish we knew more about eliminating cancer before the beginning of it.

Great post over at Elizabeth's!

Carol Kilgore said...

I'm pretty sure Spunky loves you as much as you love him. Even though he is a cat. He knows you take good care of him. Make the most of the time you have left.

Stina said...

I'm so sorry about Spunky. I remember how hard it was when we had to give my parents' cats medicine. Sure if you drop human medicine on the floor, the cats would be all over it. But as soon as you try to give them their meds, no way was that happening.

Anonymous said...

It's great Spunky will be with you longer, and I'm sad about his fate. I get torn when my fur babies are ill. Enjoy him as much as you can.

shelly said...

I'm soooo sorry!:(

J E Oneil said...

Poor Spunky. Losing a pet is a horrible hurt. I hope the rest of his life is full of love and cuddles.

cleemckenzie said...

I have Elizabeth on my list. Absolutely.

As to Spunky. . . I have no words. Losing a pet is another of life's moments we'd all rather not have. I've gone through so many of these losses I've lost count and it never becomes easier. Thinking of you and Spunky.

Kimberly said...

I'm so glad he's doing better! He looks good. :) I'm sorry to hear it's in his bones though.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Oh, I'm so sorry. That is hard to bear and hard to hear. I hope that you have many more joyous, purring, cuddly days ahead.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Aw, that's so sad about Spunky. I hope the time he does have left is wonderful. I don't doubt it will be full of love.

Jay Noel said...

I always leave it to the professionals. I don't have the time or the patients to turn out an inferior product.

And sorry about Spunky. I'm sure you will give him all the love he deserves.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Stina, that's the truth.

Thank you for the kinds words, all.

Vanessa Morgan said...

Poor, Spunky. He looked like such a sweet cat. I'm sure he was, and is still, very happy with you. Give him a big smooch from me.

H. R. Sinclair said...

Mixed feelings. Happy to hear he's feeling better, sad to hear the prognosis. But like you mention, he may go well-past the dates.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

I'm sorry, Diane. I'm glad you can give Spunky a proper life and that you have control over his final days/years and departure. He looks so much like our cat, Mojo. They steal our hearts so easily. He's a beauty.

xoRobyn

klahanie said...

I shall, time permitting, try and visit your guest post.

The love we have for our precious animals. You have mixed news and yet, the time you share with Spunky, will be profoundly heart-warming.

Gary

Steven said...

Sorry to hear about Spunky. I've lost animals before, and it's never an easy thing.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Vanessa, I will.

Robyn, they do steal our hearts.

M Pax said...

Hugs to Spunky. I know how hard it is. Kisses to Spunky too.

Sheena-kay Graham said...

I will not say sorry, instead enjoy the time Spunky has to continue bringing you joy and wish you guys loads of happiness. Hi Elizabeth.