Charlie Pants Has Cancer

I am so sad to report, but my precious seizure-alert service dog Charlie Pants has 3 different mast cell tumors.  We found out this past Monday while making an emergency trip to the vet for Charlie to get some stitches on his ear (he cut his ear on a rose bush and hit a vein while we were out walking).  While the vet was stitching him up we asked her to examine some weird looking lumps, one on his neck, one on his front leg, and one on his back leg.  The bumps on his legs looked like tiny blisters so we didn't think much of them and the one on his neck we were once told was a fatty tissue build-up, so we weren't that worried they were tumors.  The vet aspirated the lumps and informed us later that day (Monday) that indeed all three lumps are cancerous.  I burst into tears (being 6 1/2 months pregnant doesn't help with my ability to control my emotions) nor does the fact that Charlie is truly the love of my life.  He gives me a 5 to 10 minute warning before I have a seizure and if he dies at 7 years old I am gonna lose my best friend, my dearest companion, and my miracle dog.

We have been referred to Colorado State University's Veterinary School in Fort Collins, Colorado and we met with a team of Doctors yesterday to discuss our options. It is a fantastic place filled with loving and caring students and doctors.  So far this is what we know:  fortunately the cancer is currently localized in the 3 lumps so surgery is a good option, unfortunately some of the lumps are so big that they can't get all the cancer cells so Charlie will still need radiation and possibly chemotherapy.  The surgeons would like to operate tomorrow (Friday 11/9).  What a week!

Charlie at the Cancer Center

I am very overwhelmed with this.  We have a new baby coming in less than 3 months and the next 3 months are going to be spent taking Charlie to surgery, radiation everyday for 15 - 20 days, and possibly chemo.  Not to mention the high cost (we are looking at around $7,000-$10,000).

Does anyone have any success stories with Mast Cell Tumors and their dogs?

Charlie's Clues: How to Make a Dog Sleeping Bag

Today's Charlie's Clues includes a fun DIY project, a dog sleeping bag.  Since Charlie is a service dog and goes with me everywhere I have to bring a blanket for him with me for 2 reasons.

1.  The dog training organization said it is important to bring a blanket to a place of business such as a restaurant so that the dog hair stays contained on your mat and you bring the dog hair with you when you leave the business.

2. Charlie doesn't have an undercoat so he is always freezing.

Charlie loves my puffy coat and like to crawl inside and I had a genius idea, what if Charlie had his own sleeping bag to crawl into when we go places.

I found this children's coat size XL at Old Navy for only $10 (good time to buy as all coats are on clearance right now).  I imagine using a puffy vest would even be more genius.

First I turned the coat inside out and sewed the bottom shut like so

Then I sewed the arms shut about one to two inches off of the seem where the sleeve meets the body of the coat

Cut off the left over sleeve

Flipped it right side out and Voila!

Charlie's new Dog Sleeping Bag.  I decided to keep the hood on so Charlie can lay his sweet little head on it.

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Online Singing Lessons, Vocal Lessons Online

Have you heard about Charlie Pants Music?  It is a virtual music studio offering online vocal lessons to students around the world. 

Vocal lessons are  available for the beginner student all the way through to the advanced  and professional student.  Some reasons singing students love taking singing lessons online.

1. Don't have to battle traffic to rush to lessons
2. It is convenient and easy
3. Sound quality and quality of lesson are just as good as in person vocal lessons
4. Singing students can live anywhere in the world and study with Leah Stone, a certified Speech Level Singing Instructor.

Charlie Pants Music also offers in person lessons at its vocal studio location in Denver/Boulder, Colorado.   Leah Stone also travels regularly to teach singing lessons and vocal  classes in Boston, New York City, Chicago, Denver, Boulder, Washington  DC, Richmond, and Los Angeles.

VOCAL AND MUSIC TRAINING OFFERED IN: 

- Singing lessons


- Guitar and Piano Accompaniment lessons

- Songwriting/Arranging lessons


- Stage Presence and Performance lessons


- Executive Speech Presentation Coaching



- Rock, Pop, Alternative, Folk, Jazz, Country, R&B, Indie, Broadway, and Classical lessons and more to all ages and all levels of experience


- Read about Online Singing/Songwriting Lessons 

SKILLS YOU WILL LEARN:

- How to make your natural tone sound its best


- How to develop great vocal control


- Smoothing out the vocal breaks in your voice


- Vocal Stylization


- Stage Presence and Performance


- Songwriting and Lyrics


- Accompanying yourself on guitar and or piano



Contact the vocal studio today to learn more about how you can enhance your singing voice either by in person singing lessons or by online singing lessons via Skype.


Check out what Charlie Pants Music singing students have been doing.

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Charlie Goes To NYC

Back in November, I was asked to come and teach some vocal workshops for a couple of churches in Richmond, VA, East End Church and Bon Air.  So I packed up Charlie's and my suitcase and flew to Washington DC.  I taught singing lessons in DC for a day and then headed down south to Richmond, taught my workshops, and then headed back to DC.  The next morning, Paul, Charlie and I took the Tripper Bus, an inexpensive and awesome way to get from DC to NYC, and 4 hours later found ourselves in the heart of Times Square.

It was a cold day in NYC and Charlie wasn't all too happy to be traipsing around the city in only his little green coat. If he could of had it his way he would have been wrapped in a down blanket and carried everywhere. After lugging our suitcases around for what seemed like a zillion blocks, we found our hotel, Yotel.  Have you heard of it?  It is some new hotel in NY that specializes in affordable luxury.  I thought it was perfect.  We paid $150 for the night and were on the corner of 42nd Street and 10th Ave and could see the Hudson from our window.  Plus the staff was fantastic, especially Michelle, about allowing a service dog to stay at the hotel, they were just in love with Charlie.  It is always so nice to go to a hotel that knows the ADA laws and I don't have to spend 10 minutes arguing with them about why Charlie can stay there.

Our room was tiny, but what NYC hotel room isn't when you are trying to stay on the cheap.  It was extremely clean.  The bed was pretty snazzy as it rolled up during the day like a couch and down at night all by the touch of a button.  Here is what our room looked like.

 
The hotel also offered complimentary kitchens on each floor with an awesome and FREE fancy schmancy coffee/hot chocolate machine whipping up a variety of splendid drinks. 

While in NY we went and saw Mary Poppins the musical, which was fun but I wish we had gone to see something a little more exciting like Rock of Ages.  But I think the highlight of our trip was 2 things.

1. we ran into some old friends from our old neighborhood in Utah. I mean we litterally ran into them. Had no idea they were in NYC and bumped into them in Times Square.  How funny.  Out of millions of people jammed into that small area, who would have thought we would see someone we know.

2. We went sailing.  We took the Schooner Adirondack and went for a sunset sail.  We sailed past Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty and saw the Brooklyn Bridge. It was such a fun way to see the Statue of Liberty. The captain passed out wool blankets and served wine, beer, soda, and Champagne, and you could bring snacks, if you'd wanted to.  Charlie was freezing and wrapped up nice and warm in his blanket, but Paul and I had a magical time.  On the way back to the dock the sun had set and all the lights in NYC were twinkling and it was so magical. I highly recommend it. I think we paid like $60 a person for a 2 hour sail.

Happy Thanksgiving Charlie

Charlie I just want you to know how grateful I am for you.  You love me no matter what even when I haven't showered in days, don't have on make-up, am lounging in sweats, and even feed you the same food practically every day.  You are my favorite person (I realize you are a dog, but to me you are more like a human).  Thanks for taking care of me.  Hope you like your new blanket (from Kohls super cozy soft).

Love You.

Happy Thanksgiving Readers.

What do you love most about your dog?

I Love Flying Southwest Airlines

 

Last week I went home to visit the fam in good ol' Salt Lake City, Utah, or as some refer to it, the promised land:) I really get nervous to fly with Charlie without Paul around because

1. It is more difficult.  Especially going to the bathroom. Dragging in a dog and luggage into any itty bitty toilet stall cause the handicapped ones are never available (frowny face to those that steal them) is never fun and I am pretty sure Charlie ends up getting his face smashed either against the toilet as we enter or the door as we exit.

2. People are rude to me when Paul isn't around.  I mean my husband is wickedly sexy and strong (ish) looking, but for some reason no one bugs me when he is around.  I think it is cause he has a shaved head.  Everyone must think he is some skin headed freak who will hurt at any bad comment my way. Works for me.

3. I usually have to argue with the ramp agent for the bulk head seat so I end up at the back of the plane which is a disaster (thank you United Airlines for sucking so bad. PS. I will never fly with you again cause you lack customer service and human skills)

4. I end up sitting next to weirdos that make me feel like I have leprosy instead of seizures.

This time was different.  First of all, they checked my bag for free so I didn't have to deal with that which made 1. Going to the bathroom, much easier. Additionally, Southwest ticket check-in woman called the ramp agent to let her know I was coming and so they saved me a seat in the very front of the plane (literally saved it with tape over the seat and a sign that read DO NOT OCCUPY) so that Charlie would have room on the floor in front of me.  And they gave me a blue pre-board ticket so I could get on the plane first. Fixing problem number 3.  And number 4 was just pure luck.  I sat next to a charming man named Jesse who found Charlie to be amazing and he didn't spill coffee on me or reek of cigarettes like the guy I sat next to the last time I flew.  Plus Jesse is related to the talented blogger Nie Nie who I read regularly and you should too.

I highly recommend flying Southwest if you travel with a service dog.  I mean 5 stars, two-thumbs up, get it while it is hot kind of review.

Thanks Southwest for being one of the only airlines with customer service.

Below I have posted some additional stories about me flying with Charlie.

A airport service dog potty station inside the Dulles Airport
Flying in general
United Airlines denied me pre-boarding...argh
Didn't happen to me, but crazy dog out of cage on plane...yikes

Spotted: Rover Dog, Funny Dog Clothes

I stumbled upon the amazingly fashionable doggie attire of Rover Dog and wanted to share with you. Aren't these cute coats, shirts, and ties funny? They are appropriately dressy without involving even a scrap of tulle or cheesy doggie tuxedo pants. For those of you who consider yourself opposed to dogs in clothes, I dare you to resist this kind of cute. Maybe Charlie should get one for church.

{Photos from Rover Dog.}

Meet the Breed: Miniature Pinscher

I think it is about time we all read about the characteristic traits of Charlie dogs, the min-pin. I found this synopsis of Charlie dogs on Martha Stewart's website (go figure).

Enlarge image

Photo: Mary Bloom/The American Kennel Club, Inc.

Known as the "King of the Toys," the Miniature Pinscher is a compact, smooth-coated dog who is alert, spirited and fearless, with a unique high-stepping, hackney-like gait. With his black and rust coloring, cropped ears, and docked tail, he resembles his cousin the Doberman Pinscher, but he is not a miniature Dobie. Coat colors include red, stag red (red with black hairs), black with rust markings, or chocolate with tan.

A Look Back"Pinscher" means "Terrier" in German, and the Miniature Pinscher is a distinctly German breed that originated several centuries ago as an efficient barnyard ratter. The Miniature Pinscher is reported to include the Dachshund and Italian Greyhound among its ancestors, along with the shorthaired German Pinscher.

Right Breed for You?The Miniature Pinscher can really spice up a person's life. This dog is small, but he doesn't know it! He's quick and active, with a lively curiosity. They are good family companions and look out for their family, bravely challenging intruders with their bold, insistent bark. The "Min Pin" will be happiest with a family that treats him like a standard-sized dog. He may be stubborn, but he's also smart. Their small size makes them a good choice for apartment life. Play and a daily walk will take care of most of their exercise needs. His short, easy-care coat requires occasional brushing and shampooing.

• Toy Group; AKC recognized in 1925.
• Ranging from 10 to 12 1/2 inches tall at the shoulder.
• Rat hunter.

AKC Meet the Breeds is a registered trademark of the American Kennel Club, Inc.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: AKC Meet the Breeds: Miniature Pinscher- Martha Stewart Pets

Charlie is totally a rat hunter, and protector of all things family, spirited, fearless, and has about the most prince like gait you have ever seen.  Fun to hear that he is not alone with his entitlement issues. 

Charlie Playing the Piano

Happy Sunday! xoxo Charlie Pants.

 

Have you heard about Charlie Pants Music?  It is a virtual music studio offering online vocal lessons to students around the world. 

Vocal lessons are available for the beginner student all the way through to the advanced and professional student.  Some reasons singing students love taking singing lessons online.

1. Don't have to battle traffic to rush to lessons
2. It is convenient and easy
3. Sound quality and quality of lesson are just as good as in person vocal lessons
4. Singing students can live anywhere in the world and study with Leah Stone, a certified Speech Level Singing Instructor.

Charlie Pants Music also offers in person lessons at its vocal studio location in Denver/Boulder, Colorado.  Leah Stone also travels regularly to teach singing lessons and vocal classes in Boston, New York City, Chicago, Denver, Boulder, Washington DC, Richmond, and Los Angeles.

VOCAL AND MUSIC TRAINING OFFERED IN: 

- Singing lessons
- Guitar and Piano Accompaniment lessons

- Songwriting/Arranging lessons
- Stage Presence and Performance lessons
- Executive Speech Presentation Coaching
- Rock, Pop, Alternative, Folk, Jazz, Country, R&B, Indie, Broadway, and Classical lessons and more to all ages and all levels of experience
- Read about Online Singing/Songwriting Lessons 

SKILLS YOU WILL LEARN:

- How to make your natural tone sound its best
- How to develop great vocal control
- Smoothing out the vocal breaks in your voice
- Vocal Stylization
- Stage Presence and Performance
- Songwriting and Lyrics
- Accompanying yourself on guitar and or piano

Contact the vocal studio today to learn more about how you can enhance your singing voice either by in person singing lessons or by online singing lessons via Skype.

Check out what Charlie Pants Music singing students have been doing.

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Grad School Graduation

I graduate on May 20 from my Master of Arts in Arts Management program.  I can not wait. I have loved this degree and am really happy with the education I have received from my program.  All I need now is to find a job using my degree :)

I am planning on walking at graduation with Charlie.  My cap and gown will be green and I want to make Charlie a graduation hat to wear as he walks with me across the stage.

I found this great tutorial on Little Birdie Secrets and thought I would share it with you.  Now all I need is to go shopping for green felt.

how to make a graduation cap

Cue "Pomp and Circumstance." Yes, it's that time of year again. Stacy's son and my son go to the same preschool, and today was their last day of school. Since there wasn't a formal graduation ceremony, one cute mom took it upon herself to plan a wonderful program, complete with little felt graduation caps. I believe she bought them from Oriental Trading Company, but when we saw them we thought, like we always do, "we could makes those!" And now you can, too. This size was perfect for our five-year-olds, but it also fit Stacy's little one and ME! The elastic is the key.

Felt Graduation Cap Tutorial

What you'll need:

*Felt (about 22" by 22")
*Needle and thread
*Small piece of elastic, about 1 inch long
*Sewing machine
*Embroidery floss or yarn
*Piece of light cardboard or heavy card stock (see link to video for more information)

1. Cut two pieces of felt that are 9 inches by 9 inches. Cut one piece of felt that is 2 ½ inches by 22 inches.

2. Sew the long band (2 ½ inches by 22 inches) together at the short side using a ¼ inch seam Turn inside out so the seam is on the inside of the band

3. Fold one of the 9 x9 squares in half to make a triangle and again to make a smaller triangle.



4. Measure 3 inches from the point of the triangle and make a mark on one side, again in the middle, and again on the other side of the triangle. Cut out the center of the triangle in an ice cream cone shape using your 3 inch marks as a guide




5. Pin the square piece with the circle cut out to the band. Sew together using a ¼ inch seam.




6. Place the whole square piece on top of the hat and sew all four sides together. Please note that I accidentally left my seam on the outside in this picture. Don’t do that or you will be able to see the seam. It should be on the inside of the hat.



7. Cut a piece of elastic about 1 inch long. Sew this to the inside of the hat over the seam. As you sew, pull the elastic as tight as possible. Really stretch it out. You want it to bunch back up when you are done sewing. This will help the hat stay on.



8. Make a tassel using your floss or yarn and piece of cardboard. You can use this great video tutorial (or watch it here) if you need help.


9. Using needle and thread, sew your tassel to the top center of the hat.


Congratulations Class of 2009!!!