Greetings from North of the Tension Line

/ J. F. Riordan

The blessings of Saint Augustine.

No, I’m not actually back on the Island. But I do feel that I am back from the brink of grief. We have had a rough month with our six year old German Shepherd, Auggie.

Without getting too gruesome with the medical details, there were times when I left the veterinary hospital sobbing, thinking we would have to let him go. He was in and out of the hospital for the better part of three weeks. Even after his second surgery to remove two enormous cysts, we did not know if he would ever recover. Then he got pneumonia.

We couldn’t explain to him why he was in pain, or why we left him with strangers. The veterinarians didn’t want us to visit because it upset him for hours afterward. It upset us, too.

But…Auggie is nothing if not obstinate…and so are we. We promised each other to do whatever we could to save his life, and we were blessed with a dedicated and relentless team of veterinarians, who studied, and researched, and watched, and consulted, and kissed him, and fed him braunschweiger. He has a neurologist, but not until a week after his surgery could we begin to hope that he did not have a vanishingly rare neurological condition which is, essentially, untreatable, and would have meant he could not go on.

Auggie goes back to the surgeon on Wednesday to get his staples out–he has an incision that must be 20 inches long. He is healing–so far as I can tell–beautifully. I know because we cannot keep him quiet.

He has blasted through two hard plastic cones (the soft ones were too easy for him to get around) and the one he’s wearing now is patched together with duct tape. He has figured out how to use it as a battering ram to open doors and push past his brother, and also how to position it so he can pick up his beloved green ball. He is not permitted to run with green ball, but carrying it comforts him. I have piles of boxes and baskets on the chest on the foot of our bed so he can’t jump up, but he wants desperately to be cuddled. We have had to keep him tranquilized to prevent him from ripping out his stitches, which are both internal and external. In the process he has had nine separate prescriptions which need to be given at varying intervals of six, eight, and twelve hours, which has meant lots of middle of the night, early morning, and late night alarms. Also lots of braunschweiger, freeze-dried tenderloin, and Secret Cheese.

I haven’t gotten much writing done.

But along the way I have learned once again how much it matters to count your blessings. And since I am inexplicably locked out of Twitter, I will be putting my energy into more blog posts, and more serious writing. Please pass the word for me on twitter with @audacityofgoats so people know to look for me here.

Cheers to you all. And to Auggie.

221 thoughts on “Greetings from North of the Tension Line”

    • So glad to hear from you. We check your Twitter account every day in hopes
      of some news. Sounds like this ordeal is coming to an end-and Auggie will recover. Wish you could get back on Twitter even though it is now hellscape.
      Thanks again for the update.
      Mary Ann Kelly
      Sun City West Az

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Many thanks for the update and continued prayers for complete recovery for your boy, Auggie. Hopeful that you all can find some way to rest during this challenging time. Take good care of yourselves and be lifted up by all who care about you.

    Like

  8. I am so happy to hear he is on the mend. I was following you on Twitter and was anxious for updates. German shepherds are God’s most perfect creatures ( I have 3 ) and we mourn when they are so ill. Love your books!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Thinking of all of you; what a traumatic ordeal. I’m so glad Auggie has you both, I know he couldn’t be more loved. I have no problem caring for injured humans, but injured animals break my heart. I hope you’re through the worst. Sending a hug.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. I’m so sorry to hear about Auggie’s struggles. I hope he’s on the mend. I miss reading your tweets, since I left that awful place a while ago. Any chance you’ll join Threads?

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Well… I along with every one of your, and Auggie’s, devoted fans, am so far beyond dismayed at this news. Yet at the same time, so very glad to get ANY word of Auggie’s health and situation. We have missed you so much on Twitter, it defies mere words. Hoping you will be reinstated any moment now. I have missed your daily tweets on Auggie’s and Eli’s adventures and, like everyone else, need our daily fix of your boy’s goings on. We are inordinately and inextricably bonded to you all. When I first opened this post, my first impression was that Auggie had a halo around his head. I.. We all…are pulling for Auggie’s continued recovery and living a healthy, wonderful life which we get to hear about every single day. (One of) Your Biggest Fans. Rita Shuker

    Liked by 1 person

  16. I am glad this is an update and not an ending. Bless you and Charlie for taking such good care of the boys. One of the few things I miss on Twitter is you, since they booted me a year ago. Mastadon on has been great.
    ‘
    All the best from NC,
    Nita

    Liked by 1 person

  18. You are certainly in our thoughts and prayers! Miss these 2 gorgeous animals on Twitter!
    I hope he recovers quickly and correctly. It is so hard when they want you to love them and you have to be careful of stitches! I know he must understand in his own way. Thinking of you and your entire family! Love for a dedicated reader!

    Liked by 1 person

  20. THANK YOU so much for letting Auggie’s fans know. Having done a few rounds of this with beloved dogs, I know this has been hard for you guys. Fingers crossed for a full recovery. Jackie Schad Tel. 541-282-2342, Cell 541-778-9074

    Liked by 1 person

    • I am so glad to hear from you. I have been so worried about both of you. Grateful that you have a good team to work with. I know how much that big boy means to you❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  22. I am so sorry for all y’all are going thru and so thankful you have excellent care for Auggie and that he’s recovering! This reminded me of losing Joey just 15 months ago but there was nothing that could be done when the cancer nobody had diagnosed, took him. I pray for a full recovery and that you can sleep thru the night soon. Many Hugs 🤗❤️🤗 Ingrid

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Oh my. I’m so sorry Auggie is going through this. I wondered why I had not seen you on Twitter for awhile. Prayers for continued healing and good news at his next vet visit.

    Liked by 1 person

  26. My heart goes out. Lost my dear sweet Terrier Mix Lily to kidney failure September 23. Also left her in vet hospital overnight, still hoping they did not torture her. My emotional support and COVID best buddy.

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  27. Oh my goodness. I know Auggie will get through this ordeal. He’s a warrior & he’s truly blessed to have such loving parents.

    Please consider joining Threads. It’s very positive there & a lot of Twitter refugees have joined.

    🙏 from a puppy dog lover in Illinois

    Liked by 1 person

  28. I am so glad to hear that Auggie is getting back to full health. I so miss your posts on Twitter. They were always the highlight on my day reading about the adventures of Auggie and Eli. I can’t even imagine the difficulties you experienced in his journey back to health (or how expensive this journey has been). Just happy to hear he’s turned the corner and hopefully will soon enjoying Butter Burgers again. Bless you, Augie, Eli and Charlie.

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Good evening!

    Just want to say that I have followed your boys’ adventures, including Pete’s, for some years now but had lost touch since I cancelled my Twitter account last spring.

    I hope that Auggie is doing well and getting through this awful medical emergency. Saying a prayer for him…

    My 9 year old Lab, Jake, is having a tumor excised in 2 weeks as a precautionary mesure since the biopsy was inconclusive.

    Fingers crossed…

    Get well soon, Auggie!

    Sent from my iPad

    Liked by 1 person

  32. That inability to explain to them that we want to be with them, that we continue to cherish them and are not abandoning them, that we will do whatever it takes to relieve them of their pain is excruciating. I’m so glad Auggie is healing.

    Liked by 1 person

  33. So good to hear from you, and about Augie. Prayers for his healing and recovery, and your strength and faith in caring for him. Read all your books and looking forward to the next.
    Best-
    Mary Ellen Sawyer

    Liked by 1 person

  34. What great news! So relieved for your update. I had seen the initial post on Twitter and was concerned when there wasn’t an update. Keeping you and Auggie in my thoughts and prayers. 🙏🐾

    Liked by 1 person

  36. So happy to hear of the progress so far, and wondered since we hadn’t head much if Auggie was worsening. What a beautiful soul, we will keep you all in our prayers as he continues to heal.

    Liked by 1 person

  38. I had checked multiple times, not knowing there was a problem with X posting. Thought it odd for you to abruptly stop. Important thing is you are hanging in there as family. That is the secret to it all–you will beat this as family. So relieved to hear from you. Continued positive progress wished for Auggie!

    Liked by 1 person

  41. I am so sorry about how traumatic this is for you all. I cannot imagine not being able to visit Auggie and I am so happy he is home with you now. I am continuing to pray for his healing and for your resilience as the pain and suffering of loves of our lives can tear a whole in our hearts. Sending you all my best. ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  43. Thank you so much for the update. Didn’t know you are locked out of the ‘x’ platform (may not be a bad thing) but my heart knew Auggie must have been struggling, and therefore everyone. Thank God for amazing vets. Our EM’s more then once have made a teaching center say …we never saw this before…and then they go to work! Fur babies are our family. Please continue getting well Auggie!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  44. So glad to hear from you. I am no longer on twitter and i have missed you so much. Thank goodness that Angie is on the road to getting well. Thinking of you, Charlie and the pups and sending love.

    Liked by 1 person

  45. I’m glad to have gotten your post via email, but tears clouded my eyes when I read it. Auggie is back in the present where he is at home and loved, but the humans may be traumatized by the ordeal. Eli was probably not himself as something was amiss, was he? Blessings to you, Charlie, Auggie and Eli, and of course your very special French grandson staying with you.

    Liked by 1 person

  46. I’m glad to have gotten your post via email, but tears clouded my eyes when I read it. Thank God Auggie is back in the present where he is at home and loved, but the humans are traumatized by the ordeal. Eli was probably not himself as something was amiss, was he? Blessings to you, Charlie, Auggie and Eli, and of course your very special French grandson staying with you.

    Liked by 1 person

  48. I was thrilled this morning to see your post turn up in my email list. I have thought so often about you and the boys. So glad that Auggie is recovering well. Clearly it has been a long hard battle for all of you.

    Liked by 1 person

  50. I’m so glad to hear from you; the absence made me fear the worst for Auggie. Glad you’re all alive and healing. Our pets are our hearts. Best, Corry

    Liked by 1 person

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