Global Scale Modeller

Barry started this idea, summarizing one’s experience in 2020
The Year of the Dumpster Fire


So the builds
MPC Honda Trail


Phantom egg build for Easter


Fujimi 1/16 Ferrari 288GTO


Tamiya Panigale...just a gorgeous kit to build


Re laced spokes on a retro English bike


Then I just kinda fell off the tracks
I have a Revell A/C Cobra to finish, but her wheels and running gear need to be re-done, possibly in brass. Hate that about old Revell
Also a Fujimi 1/16 Ferrari F40 that I have almost got done, just final body paint and clear.
Problem is I lost a ton of mojo after returning to work in large June. Just too busy and stressed with staff, office and procedure changes due to Covid precautions. Fortunately my office is strong and people returned in droves...became busier than ever! Which is also more stressful By December, was counting the seconds to be off for Christmas.

Now we have a rough go with our special partner and best pal.

My BMD Coco is sick and diagnosed with a lymphoma in November. She has had a couple rounds of expensive chemo and seems ok, but they say the tumours haven’t responded. We have to decide to go to a different chemo or do palliative. I am really torn as she hates going to the vets, it takes a lot out of her to recover and I hate putting her through this especially when she looks ok and acts pretty normal. Not sure what we will do.

So in the end, I got to be closer friends with many off you and really close with a couple. I thank Neil and Matthew for helping me through this shite year. Everyone keep your spirits up and things will get better

You had a great year for model building!

As far as Coco, she and I have a lot in common as far as our lymphomas go. I've typed a lot here and deleted it all because in the end all that matters is that my thoughts are with you, her and your family. She looks to be a great companion. Giver her a few hundred pets for me.

Here's to a great 2021!

BigWall wrote: Sat Jan 02, 2021 2:03 am You had a great year for model building!

As far as Coco, she and I have a lot in common as far as our lymphomas go. I've typed a lot here and deleted it all because in the end all that matters is that my thoughts are with you, her and your family. She looks to be a great companion. Giver her a few hundred pets for me.

Here's to a great 2021!

Oh shoot, didn’t know that mate, sorry to hear.

Those are some slick builds! Sorry to hear about the puppers, I hope they start doing better.

Great post mate. Lovely builds but really sorry to hear about Coco. Its a tough choice you've got to make and I hope you come to a decision you can find some peace with.

While work has been busy, I'm glad your practice has come through the year in strength. It looks like 2021 will have its challenges but I hope you will be able to face them with your usual humour, decency and grace.

Some beautiful models there and Coco looks like a sweetheart. I'm sorry to hear how she is.
My uncle's greyhound, Ruby had a very sudden cancer diagnosis a couple of years ago and it was very tough.

I've really enjoyed getting to know you a bit, Scott and you've given me some great advice! This time next year, the Cobra will be finished!

Man, sorry to hear about the struggles this year... Coco is blessed to have you as a pal, as I'm sure you are as well. And whatever decision you make I'm know Coco will love you, no matter what you do.

Some great builds, Scott, you know I love that Duck!!
I wouldn't say you lost your mojo as much as you just had life to deal with... You're so talented and also so helpful to people that are in search of tips and advice. Thank you for being here for all of us.

Wish you a great and prosperous 2021 (at minimum, better than a dumpster fire ).

barryf1fan wrote: Sat Jan 02, 2021 4:28 pm Man, sorry to hear about the struggles this year... Coco is blessed to have you as a pal, as I'm sure you are as well. And whatever decision you make I'm know Coco will love you, no matter what you do.

Some great builds, Scott, you know I love that Duck!!
I wouldn't say you lost your mojo as much as you just had life to deal with... You're so talented and also so helpful to people that are in search of tips and advice. Thank you for being here for all of us.

Wish you a great and prosperous 2021 (at minimum, better than a dumpster fire ).

Oh man, thanks a lot
That means very much to me as I do try to be as helpful as I can
Yes, life kinda caught up with me. Too many oars in the water so to speak
Cheers bud, really appreciate it

OOOooooo I found a good meme

Only just catching up with all the posts this arvo as I'v been away for a few days. I'm really sorry to hear about Coco. I know you will do whats best for Coco. Quality of life is everything judging where that knife edge of quality changes is the hard bit. I hope 2021 is kinder for you and yours.

digger303 wrote: Tue Jan 05, 2021 10:55 am Only just catching up with all the posts this arvo as I'v been away for a few days. I'm really sorry to hear about Coco. I know you will do whats best for Coco. Quality of life is everything judging where that knife edge of quality changes is the hard bit. I hope 2021 is kinder for you and yours.

Thanks mate. Yep it isn’t easy. We will be lucky to have her until the spring

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Tue Jan 05, 2021 3:14 pm

digger303 wrote: Tue Jan 05, 2021 10:55 am Only just catching up with all the posts this arvo as I'v been away for a few days. I'm really sorry to hear about Coco. I know you will do whats best for Coco. Quality of life is everything judging where that knife edge of quality changes is the hard bit. I hope 2021 is kinder for you and yours.

Thanks mate. Yep it isn’t easy. We will be lucky to have her until the spring

Shoot that was a bad foreshadow. I am gonna write this out for therapy and memory. Pretty rattled at the mo

She had a rough Wednesday night after a normal walk to the park. She could not stop peeing. Kept going back to pee and not wanting in. So I sat with her on the back grass and she curled into me then ran out to pee and came back. Finally was getting late and got her into my workshop all nervous and jittery. Had another bathroom break outside right before bed and I bunked her in the workshop with the door closed so if she had an accident inside it was easily cleaned up. I didn’t check on her at night though was awake a couple times.
In the morning she could barely stand and was heavy laboured breathing with rattled sounds like fluid in her lungs. I steered her out to the curb grass and she tried to pee and then collapsed. Steered her back into the driveway close to the workshop and we just sat and cuddled. She just layed and breathed lifting her head every once in a while. My wife came out and sat with her and I got my daughter up to say she needs to come out ASAP as Coco is dying. My son had already gone to work. Got the pup back into the workshop and she settled on floor with my daughter who stayed with her all day. We had a discussion and decided to call the vet that does euthanasia as this was the sign we were told to look for. I worked half a day and came home to a dog in the exact same position as I had left her. The doc got there and examined saying her kidney function had totally stopped and she was filling her belly with fluid but not absorbing so dehydrating. Organ shut down would progress over the next few hours. So we decided to do the injections and get her sedated, comfortable and then asleep. Son was last to get home and realize this was the plan and took it a bit hard but was on board.
She barley noticed the vet even there for first injection. Layed in the shade on a comfy blanket with me curved into her back and holding her. Felt her full body relax after five minutes and then her breathing slowed. Then second shot and she didn’t respond just noisy sleepy breathing. Last injection and her heart stopped. Gave her some hugs and kisses, said goodbye and helped load her to take her away for cremation. She was beautiful in death as she was in life and had zero stress or pain through this process.
Sill listening for her collar jingle or her footsteps. I am pretty lost this weekend without her. I really hope this was the right time to make the decision and not have two or three horrible nights more or a difficult stressful vet visit and a panic euthanasia in their hospital instead of such a peaceful one at home with all those around who loved her .
Truly this is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life...and we have both lost all our parents. This was worse.
Thanks for the vent

Rest in peace Coco.

You absolutely made the right choice Scott. I can say this as someone whose body has at one time been dying from lymphoma. At least we can make our pets passing easy, quick and peaceful surrounded by those who love them.

BigWall wrote: Sun May 16, 2021 4:35 am Rest in peace Coco.

You absolutely made the right choice Scott. I can say this as someone whose body has at one time been dying from lymphoma. At least we can make our pets passing easy, quick and peaceful surrounded by those who love them.

Thanks bud.
I was thinking of you when I wrote this, hoping your situation improved.

If I knew her end point, I could have even made her last days/weeks/months happier. But we don’t and we can’t.
If we prolonged things, it would have been for selfish reasons and made it worse for her and us. Still feel guilty.
She had a good steak dinner Wednesday night and some extras off of my plate; a nice walk to the park; some good pets and hugs on the grass after when she wasn’t well.
I didn’t suspect that was her last night, not by a long shot.
She had a really good life, as best as I could make it, spoiled at every opportunity and knew only loving hands at home.
I will get another Berner at some point and make her life even better.

oh man that's so sad scott beautiful looking dog
loosing your pet is awful but to loose your pal like this must be devastating, so sorry for your loss mate.

My Border Terrier Roxy had a funny turn yesterday and scared the life out of me, she had a fit on the deck outside and lost her balance and rolled off the edge into the flower border. I thought she was a gonna but she came round a couple of minutes later and has been fine since. The vet said Borders are known to have fits as they get older, didn't know that she's 13 and 3mths today as it goes and was a Birthday gift to my son, he's 21 today
Our other Border called Bear left us two years ago he developed a large tumour on his shoulder in a matter of weeks, we had to be strong and do what was right for Bear but it was difficult and so upsetting. Had dogs all my life, its horrible to say goodbye.
This is Roxy


and this was Bear

Cheers man, lovely dogs @Casper glad she is ok

This was my first dog and we synced like crazy. I swear she could read my mind and I could hers.
There was no real training needed for her and she was 95% off leash unless it was unsafe for her or mandatory
I never realized how intertwined in your daily, minute by minute life a dog can become.
I knew the end comes soon for the Berners, just not ready for it so soon
When I heal a bit, I will get on the wait list for another puppy, same breed

It looks to me you did exactly the right thing - in every respect.

You're going to feel awful and that's perfectly normal grief, just don't let that make you second guess your decisions. Coco died as she lived, surrounded by family and amazing love.

Continuing to think of you and yours.
David

Rest In Peace Coco

I can feel your pain Scott. It’s never easy to say goodbye to your pets. I lost my woofie recently. Thanks to the bloody virus I haven’t been home in over 18 months. Never got a chance to say goodbye. I’m just consoling myself says she’s gone to that big ground in the sky where she’ll feel no pain.

I share your grief and will keep you in my prayers.

Regards
Raj

iflytb20 wrote: Thu May 20, 2021 9:00 pm Rest In Peace Coco

I can feel your pain Scott. It’s never easy to say goodbye to your pets. I lost my woofie recently. Thanks to the bloody virus I haven’t been home in over 18 months. Never got a chance to say goodbye. I’m just consoling myself says she’s gone to that big ground in the sky where she’ll feel no pain.

I share your grief and will keep you in my prayers.

Regards
Raj

Sorry to hear that Raj, very hard to not be there for it...and hard to be there when it happens. So no win

A sad day for every dogs friend.

digger303 wrote: Fri May 21, 2021 12:52 am A sad day for every dogs friend.

Worse news for me, our Breeder is no longer. Don’t have a foot in the door for getting another pup
Shite

Hi scott !
just stumble on this post..... I'm so sad for you even if it's date from a month ago.... As you know I lost mine too in January so I totally understand how you and your family feel. I still have trouble with it on my side and my son too. We ha her pay imprint in some kind of stone.
These are just a few days before she left us...
Sans titre by Francis Pare, sur Flickr
Sans titre by Francis Pare, sur Flickr
Sans titre by Francis Pare, sur Flickr

She died in my arms during the night. My son came back from his mom in the morning to say goodbye
Sans titre by Francis Pare, sur Flickr

My dearest condolences to you and your family. These are by far the best dog we can have.
Take care

just wanted to add this poem that my girlfriend's daughter wrote to me when Cleo passed away :
(translated in English from French )
Goodbye my dog
They tell us not to to cry
They tell us it's just an animal, not a human
They tell us that she doesn't know she has to die, that the important thing is not let her suffer
They tell us our pain will go away and that they are some more painful
They tell us it not irreplaceable, that you can have another one.
But THEY don't know how much you've changed since your dog came into your life,
THEY don't know how often your dog and you were alone looking at the darkest hours
THEY don't know how often, only your dog knew how much you were suffering when things were going bad, that she was the only one that always stayed
THEY don't know how often you talk to her while looking in her eyes because only her was really listening
THEY don't know that she is the only one that never judged you
THEY don't know how beautiful you were for your DOG
THEY don't know how it feels to see you dog trying to say good morning every day even when she has trouble moving
They will never know how you felt the last time you hugged her in the last moment of her life
All THOSE people do not know that crying for our dog is one of the most noble things, sgnificant, true, genuine and sincere that you can do

@Garion77 ion77

Thank you my friend. Little misty eyed reading that poem.
We had similar experiences in the early loss of a loved family member, right down to holding her with her last breaths.
That will live with me forever, as both a good memory and a bad one.
The doc said most people wait too late before they agree to euthanize their pets. I could see and feel Coco had fought cancer enough. She told me. But I still feel terrible about it and miss her like crazy. I second guess my decision.
I am trying to occupy the hole in my life and heart with doing positive things like exercise walks morning and night and home reno projects.

Interestingly enough, I have a phone interview with a Berner breeder tonight for next years litter.

Thanks again for you post. Cleo was a lovely dog and well loved
Scott

Hope you have a great phone interview with a Berner breeder matey

Same for me ! I'm sure the interview is going to go fine ! Not ready on my side to have another one yet. Not sure I have the time too...with our new house and a few trips in the planning once traveling is easier.
Hope for you that breeders didn't took advantage of the pandemic like they did here. Cost from a breeder tripled ! Keep us posted on what happened !

I'm sure the interview will be fine. The worst outcome will being put on a waiting list for a age.
Just think what a new dog will have to contend with.....having to train you and break you in at your advanced years...old dogs and new tricks .....

Typical. Guy bailed on me, was busy

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Tue Jun 15, 2021 2:22 am @Garion77 ion77

Thank you my friend. Little misty eyed reading that poem.
We had similar experiences in the early loss of a loved family member, right down to holding her with her last breaths.
That will live with me forever, as both a good memory and a bad one.
The doc said most people wait too late before they agree to euthanize their pets. I could see and feel Coco had fought cancer enough. She told me. But I still feel terrible about it and miss her like crazy. I second guess my decision.
I am trying to occupy the hole in my life and heart with doing positive things like exercise walks morning and night and home reno projects.

Interestingly enough, I have a phone interview with a Berner breeder tonight for next years litter.

Thanks again for you post. Cleo was a lovely dog and well loved
Scott

it's funny you mentioned the similar experience with the lost of a loved one, because the poem is related to that in a way. A bit of it gets lost in the translation. It's because I only had her when I lost my father a few years ago. THat's what it talk about indirectly