14 Comments
Apr 26·edited Apr 26Liked by FPWellman

I'm sorry to hear about your dog and also about your back pain. I did lots of physical therapy before having to have a laminectomy/discectomy and then more discectomy six months later. Before ending up with the surgeries, I was given a book from my physical therapist called, "Treat Your Own Back" by Robin McKenzie. This might not be the answer to everyone's back problems, but the recovery position where you lay on your stomach with your head to the side arms at your side helps restore the lordosis, that small curve at the base of your spine. It teaches you not to sit folded forward like the letter C, but to maintain the natural S curve of your spine while sitting. The exercises progress in the book like the superman exercise or bending at your knees and lifting them up while laying on your stomach to strengthen the muscles around your core without causing more back pain. The exercises did help relieve the sciatic pain for which I eventually had to have the surgeries to completely eliminate. I hope you get some answers to heal your back and thank you for all of your inspirational writings and podcasts. I'm currently reading "School Moms" because I was inspired to buy that book after you interviewed the author. I along with my legislative district 13 Dems volunteers and PCs here in Arizona attend school board meetings regularly. We support candidates who run for school board that share or Democratic values. We don't want the moms of liberty taking over Chandler Unified School District. Keep up the good work and hopefully your weeks going firward will be less trying than this last one was.

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I love that you picked up 'School Moms'. We can fight this battle but we have to organize. Thanks for the advice on my back. The epidural has taken the edge off and I am moving again thankfully.

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Apr 26Liked by FPWellman

I’m so sorry about your dog Fred. Our pets, no matter what kind, help us mark time and they hold our good memories. In my second marriage we had three dogs and the loss of each was heartbreaking. But I walked as far as I could with them to that rainbow bridge. My husband joined me when we took our last mini schnauzer to his final vet visit. We were both basket cases for it and he was so devastated he asked that we have no more dogs; he couldn’t handle the pain of loss again. So we had no more dogs for 11 years. When he died, I wasn’t sleeping, eating well; typical mourning and then I found a small rescue. She’s lying here beside me now keeping me company as I write. When I relocated out of the US, it took moving heaven and earth to bring her with me but moving heaven and earth has gotten to be a thing in my later life. My only hope now is to outlive her because I’m not sure how she would do living with my son. Just for today though, it doesn’t seem to be an imminent issue.

In answer to your question, yes. For this week or at least until Sunday I’m declaring a moratorium on all things trump, all his criming, the Basement Court and all the other bad news inundating everything. I am though including a link to Luciano Pavarotti’s IL GLADIATORE. For some reason this aria has really affected me for some reason. If you know Italian, you can figure out the lyrics. If not, there’s always Google but in a short, it’s about overcoming even in the face of death.

Have a smooth weekend Fred. Remember your furry friend with a smile in your heart.

https://music.apple.com/us/album/il-gladiatore/1452794748?i=1452795065

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Good plan and excellent recommendation. I've been in my garden a lot this week.

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Apr 26Liked by FPWellman

Oh, Fred, I am sorry to hear your lovely River has returned to the Universe. What lovely memories you have, what fun you’ve shared, what a big hole her being gone will have made in your life. Sending love and virtual hugs. ♥️♥️♥️

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Thank you, Annie. This one was a tough one. She was my partner in crime for so long.

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I am so, so sorry for the loss of your sweet fur baby. You've written before very touchingly about how much she has meant to you over the years. I've said goodbye to five dogs over my life and I remain convinced that every dog that we are privileged to have as a companion captures a piece of our hearts, and when they cross the rainbow bridge, that part of our heart(s) die(s) with them (I'm allergic to cats and thus have never had one live with me, but I imagine that it's much the same for cat-owners).

May River's memory always be for a blessing.

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Thank you so much. She was one of a kind. I miss her dearly. Hard to get up in the morning. She would get up and wag her tail against the bed until I got up.

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Dogs are the best. My heart goes out to you.

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Apr 26Liked by FPWellman

I’m so sorry about your companion. We put our cat down earlier this year, it’s a devastating experience. Hang in there, keep creating great content. Diving in to work can be a welcome distraction.

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Thank you and I'm sorry about your loss as well.

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Sending lots of love and hugs. My kids and grandkids know I love my dogs like I love them; fiercely, constantly, completely. Yesterday, Mr. Ward and I had lunch with friends who recently canceled a trip to care for their sick cat. She said people don’t understand. I do. Love is.. That’s a complete sentence. I love you and hope you are comforted by memories of River. DoG is GoD ✨💜💫

Follow @jauncydev on YouTube. I want to help him build the Tower of Doggo. I’d also like to build a new Tower of Babel, but to develop a common language. I’ll need the help of @TheRickWilson (he has the best words), but he’s a little busy right now.

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Thank you.

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I was hoping after the 2020 election I could unclench my jaw from gritting my teeth over every fucking thing that man did during his presidency. I had no idea it would just get worse. We all have to step back every once in a while or this is going to kill us. And losing your best friend in the midst of this, well it breaks my heart. I’m so sorry for the hole in your heart. I hope that writing (which I am thankful for) helps to distract from the empty spot at your feet.

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