Peso's 1st Hernial Repair Surgery

1st Hernial Surgery because while I am writing this, Peso is already scheduled to have his 2nd surgery tentatively on August 25, 2008. Unfortunately Peso developed hernia at the right side of his behind which aggravated by the repair of the one in the left. But I believe Peso is much better now, so I believe and trust God that his second surgery will not be as life threatening as the first one....Peso is such a strong dog.... a real fighter..





My heart melts whenever I see this picture. Peso here still managed to look at the camera in spite of discomfort he felt at that time. He can no longer eliminate, the reason why his behind was so bulky









Peso here was looking at his veterinarian, my dog can sense that something is going to happen to him at that moment......



Peso here after his first anesthetic shot....









sleeping soundly now

Peso with oxygen and a dextrose about to be placed on his right arm..




His bulky behind without the fur.....


That's the displaced bladder, the reason why he can no longer bring out his urine.


The surgery is almost over here..

Peso lying on his back, he is being neutered....

time to wake up......


Still at the clinic and groggy, Peso here wearing his elizabethan collar....




Peso here after a few days.....Please pray that his 2nd surgery will be as successful at the first....

Peso's hernial repair surgery

To all my friends who have known Peso and learned to love Peso through my stories about him, I am wishing all your prayers for Peso. Later this afternoon, he will have his hernial surgery.. a risky one..... he is supposed to have it 2 weeks from now but sudden development happened. MOnday morning he just can urinate, and when he did he just had drops... I brought his to vet last tuesday morning was catherized and I was told the bladder is already dislocated making Peso's behind bigger and causing his delayed urination.... his vet originally did schedule him today, but since Peso was in great discomfort last night, almost kept me awake the whole time... I believe this is the time... I am in great sorrow now coz Peso has a huge behind now.... Ill write more in the future about it.. I need to go now to prepare him for his surgery...

Why I love my dogs.......

I want to believe I spent my first 7 months of 2008 taking care of Peso. I worry about him, happy when I feel he is okay, and wrote a lot about him..... I joined a lot of dog websites because of him... Lately I am often told how good human I am to my dogs, some even said good things about me, admiring my dedication and adjustment just to give Peso my quality time....I thought I am just doing the normal thing, I would like to believe that people I met through those dog websites will also do the same.... Especially those who can really afford it more than I financially speaking.....

I grew up with dogs in our house, and I never heard my parents gave up when one dog got seriously sick....but there is a story behind my great love for my dogs.

This started when life became harder, meaning when my father retired from work and I slowly shared responsibilities at home... I love my dog Clarky, she was 9 nine years old when she died of something that until now I didn't know what to call it, all I knew was she was stud and considering her age and never been stud since birth, it was bad for her, she was not sent immediately to the vet.... and the time I sent her it was too late maybe coz after a day or two, when I arrived home, mother said Clarky died... I blamed it to lack of financial strength in our family, but that did not stop me from having more dogs....














A year after my father's death, My other favorite dog I called ConCon got sick. when I sent him to veterinarian I was told he had distemper, it's like in the final stage of cancer.... those were unforgettable saddest days of my life. Witnessing my dog slowly deteriorating was very agonizing... until he can't even walk on his own. it was really sad, in fact I still feel sad when I remember him.....at that time I still have a mother who took care of him when I went to work... When I arrived home I spent time with my dog, helped him eliminate, helped him walk, I even heard passers by telling me "Let him die", and I ended up saying "mind your own business"... and life was hard then, I brought him to his veterinarian, got injected by something though the vet said, it won't help anymore and even suggested mercy killing.... one day, mother talked to me, and told me how she felt bad about concon's condition..and how she felt that she too slowly got weaker everyday... Mom suggested to bring concon to mercy killing, and I agreed painfully, brought my dog to his vet, then left him, I can still remember him when he cried when he saw me leaving him, God knows I cried a river that day. it was very sad and painful, but I love my mother, my father just died and she's all I have...









Since then I promised myself not to let the same thing happen to my dogs in the future... I was truly broken hearted with concon's lost that I did not get a dog right away. Maybe it was a trauma and guilt combined that even to write about Concon was hard, I only had the strength to write about him when I joined my first dog website (dogs.com.ph)where there are lots of fellow dog lovers who can identify with me. Even when Peso came to my life, I still have Concon's memory at the corner of my heart. Moving on, After a year, I tried to look for a dog bringing concon's picture so that I can get someone who looks like him.. I even asked officemates to find me one who looks like him but everybody failed to find another Concon so I gave up.

Few months later, a neighbor told my mother that they want to give us a dog, I told my mother that I will only get a dog in a condition that "It is a male with brown and white fur and with a spot in the eyes",I had those conditions because I was desperately missing Concon, so I still want his look alike. September 17, 2000 a male puppy came to my home, as if created to fit my condition, with white and brown fur,with spots in the eyes.. and most of all he is quite similar to Concon, only concon has one spot in his left eye, while the puppy has two. and that puppy is now the Super Dog Peso that is well known in at least 3 dog websites that I am actively participating (dogs.com.ph;philippinepethaven.com; and pinoypetfinder), that Super Dog Peso in July issue of Animal Scene Magazine and the same Peso with perineal hernia at May issue.... he is also the same Peso7272k which you can search at Youtube....

Concon is the reason why I love Peso and Pissy so much, he is the reason why I am so over protective of my dogs, that's why I never give up on my Peso's ailment, that's why I am doing everything to survive Peso's expenses. I don't want a repetition of what happen to Concon...I believe God gave me a chance through Peso, He sent Peso to me to remove the guilt in my heart....but I realized it's not only Concon that God returned to me, Pissy was nearly one year old when I see her resemblance to Clarky...





So that's the story behind my love for my dogs.... aside from having this unexplainable passion for dogs since childhood, I also acquired prolific stories of unconditional love provided by my dogs in the past....God is obviously very instrumental. My dogs are confirmation of his guidance to me.

I guess there is no getting over when your beloved dogs died. Grieving over pets will not stop as long as we choose to take care of them and make them part of our lives....I mean I know it's sad that all living things will soon leave the world.... Peso may survive his ailment, but not old age, the same is true with Pissy. So although I will be very sad that my babies will soon have their time to say goodbye, I still believe that it's best for them to leave ahead of me, because I can't imagine their lives here on earth without me... I can't imagine leaving Peso in his present condition, no one can take care of him the way I do...

that's why I just wish dogs have souls, so that when the time comes, I can still meet them with the Almighty and my parents, welcoming me in my new home.

I miss my dogs

I already gave up out of town gigs, all for the love of my dogs Peso and Pissy, but most especially Peso. I already panic if I know I have been away from home for so long.... I left the house at past 1 pm yesterday, and I haven't returned yet... I am worried about Peso, he needs to eliminate.... I don't worry much about Pissy, if she feels like doing it, she really wont mind doing it anywhere she wants... I haven't slept yet but definitely once I arrived home, I will not rest, I will bring Peso to our bonding place, then I will feed them, then maybe after that I can rest a little....

I posted my favorite pictures of Peso. He was 5 lbs bigger there, that photo was taken a few years before he got his perineal hernia...





I really love his eyes.... he is so goodlooking....




This is my little girl Pissy, she is so loveable and sweet, but moody...



I love her when she's afraid, she runs to me like a child, as if she knows I can always protect her....

Combined Passions

it's 8:25 am now, still on straight overtime... I wrote this as I edited my write up for SONA (in between sleepy eyes, and empty head) according to my boss' instruction and changing the figures according to what PGMA has....

Looking at May and July issues of Animal Scene, almost always resurrect my confidence and my hope in writing. It made me feel I have achieved something in my life out of combining my three passions; my dogs, writing and photography.



And indeed it is a dream came true. I mean my first published article was a success because I received feedbacks on how I touched readers' hearts and some even said I made them cry...some even offered help, and one was inspired by my article which made her submit her own story too. The magazine also confirmed my dog's legacy, which I really want him to be... I know he will be remembered as what others called "ASKAL", but treated with too much affection by his human... People with the same interest with dogs, know Peso... not only because I am a member of three dog websites (dogs.com.ph, philippinepethaven.com and pinoypetfinder.com) but also because petlovers nationwide read the magazine.

Can I call myself a writer now? I really like it when people address me as a writer, and how I love to be told how my first write up about "My dear Peso", has touched their hearts. The truth is I am the one really "so" touch by their reactions... It's a kind of greatness that I thought will only exist in my dreams. that as of this moment I am not the insecure woman anymore. I used to think of writing as something common to everybody that it took the backseat of my priorities.that creative writing is actually not common to everybody who learns to write, that turning emotions into words is not as easy as I thought them to be... that for what ever reasons, I have met a lot of people who told me they can't write the way that I do... That I do exist in a world where my capabilities are not required so I took this strength for granted, believing that my write ups will remain unread and will just fade in this world unnoticed....









Maybe life is different now.... and it's never too late. I guess this is the real Maricel now.... leading her life to the way that she wanted... Thanks for those who inspires me to write again, God, my ex, my parents, and my dogs.....

My Superdog, My Hero

This is the original piece, which I started writing on May 12, 2008 but the improved version, is the one you can read at the July issue of Animal Scene Magazine... I want to maintain it as it is... I kept it for quite sometime while waiting for improved version to get published.... the improved version included updates of Peso's condition, and how my Superdog is taking his very long medication.... this became a part 2 of my first published article "My dog has perineal hernia, soon I'll be writing the Part 3, after Peso's surgery...









My Peso is a Super dog, not that he can carry a four wheeler truck and throw it away to anyone who will attempt to hurt his "Big Sis", but because of the tremendous things he has done in my life. Almost eight years ago, I found him in my home comfortably sitting on the floor. I guess we like each other the first time we met, and if there is the so called soul mates between Human and dog, well that's us.



I always tell my friends that Peso is everything that I want my dog to be... Medium size, good body built, nice white and brown fur, beautiful eyes, nosy ears, very smart, very playful, likes toys and ball, obedient, tricky, spoiled etc... Most of all I love it when he just follows me everywhere I go, when he hugs me when he thought I am mad, and when he brings out his toy from my bedroom because he knows how I adore him when he plays toys in his mouth and wags it.



Peso is really a best friend who witness the ups and downs of my life.... when my mother became sick, and I have no choice but to leave her alone in our house, Peso is the one I left my last words with. Before going to office, I told him "Peso take care of Mommy and Pissy and the house ha, you're the only man here, in case you sense intruder in our house, don't wait for them to hurt you, kill if necessary, what's more important is you, mommy and pissy are safe and Okey..



When I was sick and attacked by my Asthma, Peso woke up with me in the middle of the night as if trying to know what he can do to help me....when I was down and depressed in all aspects of my life, he and Pissy approached me in my bedroom and hugged and kissed me as if they understood what's ailing thier big sis.




Peso neutralizes my life..... He is like a fire extinguisher, that kills all the fire of anguish in my heart which I acquired from my workplace... He and Pissy became a constant reminder that "Maricel" is never really a mean person, that just like dogs, Maricel will never bite unless she is threatened....



Indeed, Peso is my Hero. But Super Dog gets sick too. And it's my turn to be a real heroin of his life... On May 17, 2008, Peso might have his first surgery, Hernial repair combined with neuter... Peso is 7 years old and will turn 8 on July this year. Age factor has a risk involved specially in the anesthetics, but we need to take the risk and correct the problem as early as possible....



And this situation led me back to a familiar situation when my mother was still alive and very sick, the only difference will be the place, instead of hospital for human, I will be looking after my dog at Pendragon Veterinary Clinic... but for sure, familiar feelings will be with me.... fears, worries....tired....afraid, can't breath freely unless the vet tells me he's ok;... I can't wait to see my dog jumping after the operation....



I filed a week leave from work... I will miss work for my dog.. For some, it maybe a waste of time, but for me, it's all worth it.....Spending time for my Hero and angel at the same time is nothing as compares to the difference he makes in my life...
Having a dog that can react to me is like witnessing a miracle,next to God. And I thank God for him.





Goodluck Superdog, I will do everything to make you feel better, I will not leave you as you never leave me... Let's just trust God that you will be okey and much more better after your surgery... You need to live Super Dog, I can't imagine life without my hero..

My First Published Article

Another dream just came true...and again my Dog Peso is instrumental to it....I love you Peso Peso you always fulfill Big Sis' dreams, you really live up to my "Ideal dog" standard and now you are almost a legacy, something that I really want your life to be...

The Month of May became very special because of Animal Scene Magazine, which published my article about my dog and his perenial hernia.



This situation can be compared to hitting too many birds in one stone. It is very fulfilling.... This is my first write up to get published by a good magazine owned by the company that also publish one of the oldest, most popular and elite newspaper in the Philippines that is the Manila Bulletin.



I admit this is not my first time to submit my article to the publication, and I realized my mistakes now. It is really very important to follow instruction or to give what the magazine wants.... A write up tailored-fit to them not the one that you already have in your file.... and it really pays to adjust..





I can say that the result exceeded my expectation... I thought my write up will be shortened, pictures that I have submitted to give impact to my articles may not all be included, and maybe my article will just be a replacement for one article that did not reach the deadline...


But then I should stop underestimating myself, my article was accepted because they were deeply touch by the way I have written my experiences, while taking care of a dog with Perenial Hernia. Now I have the so "called" portpolio, and I hope to have lots of it in the future. I have articles published in our company newsletter before but this is my first time to have my write up in a magazine that is read by animal lovers nationwide...I am also very delighted to see my name below the Title of my article and both were written parallel to page 28.











Aside from the overwhelmingly beautiful presentation of my write up, the managing editor of the magazine, even talked about Peso in her culumn, "the Managing editor's desk", appealing to dog lovers about helping me to raise fund for Peso's surgery. and I really appreciate their effort to help Peso.









As a whole the Magazine worth the Peso that I spent to it. The payment I recieved is just an icing on the cake.... Imagine getting paid for doing things that you really love to do, and that's my long time dream too, getting paid because of my talent. It revived my long forgotten ego, and resurrect the Maricel with a good heart, not what she almost think of herself for years. And I really regret thinking of myself that way...so I decided to accept my defeat in my present professional status, and believe that I only need my present job to survive, but no sad heart about that anymore, it's about time to face what I really love to do, I am not so occupied with my job anyway so I have my time to write about so many things especially my dog Peso...

Stroll 7

Last Sunday, I decided to bring Peso to a park one tricycle ride away from our subdivision..

Peso wearing his new shirt, Trying to see where we are going...









Peso's first picture at the park, the popular cows...


This is the park's mini bridge. Beneath that bridge is a large canal, which separates the road going to the mall.. Peso refused to pose in the middle..





This is a nearby park, and Statue of Virgin Mary is in the middle....We prayed there in a while for Peso's health....




A restaurant a few walks away, we were not allowed to enter because Peso was wearing sleeveless and he has no short and slippers



Of course we have picture again...


Then we proceeded to 7-11 Convenient store, Peso was waiting for me here, while I was paying for his bottled water in the counter



We ended up relaxing at the coffee shop outside Rustan's Supermarket, I ordered Strawberry Iced Tea, and Cheeseburger rolls for Peso




Peso drinking water after eating his cheeseburger rolls


Peso trying to befriend Ronald Mc Donald here....

Now they are friends....

Finally we are going home....look at Peso getting ready with a toy in his mouth




Home at last....