Making Time for Full Spectrum Dog Cancer Care

There is a big difference between coming up with an idea to do something, and doing it.

We humans are very good at deciding that we should do.  The problem is that many times we sort of lose track of this focus, and don’t totally follow through.

This is a very important issue when it comes to a Full Spectrum Dog Cancer Plan.  I talk about all the components of a plan like this in the Guide.  There really is quite a lot you can do to create better days for your dog.

The first thing I discuss in the Guide is how to clear your head so you feel a little better and can be more effective in helping your dog.  This takes a little bit of time, every day, for about 3 days.

Once accomplished, you will have more attention to gather data.  Facts are facts, and getting all of them (prognosis, survival times, treatments versus life quality and more) are a big second step.

Next, we are faced with treatment plan analysis.  Age, life expectancy, and personal ethics related to your four legged family member are all factored in to the choice of treatment plans.

Treatment plan analysis takes time, and these days it seems like there is a shortage of time.

Then there are the treatments themselves.  We have the conventional therapies: surgery, chemo and radiation.  We have diet to prepare and purchase.  There are supplements to get and give.

Treatments take time and attention too, and sometimes we can come up against conflicts in daily life.  Don’t our jobs need time?  How about family?  Is there any personal time left over? Are our hobbies allowed while dealing with canine cancer?

Now back to our Full Spectrum Plan: don’t forget the whole gamut of life quality enhancers shown to help cancer patients: increasing doggy social relationships, touch therapies like massage or T-touch, acupuncture, self-esteem boosting, novel experiences, and so on.  These take time too!

The key in all of this is an old idea: leverage.  In a day, there are so many different things that demand our attention. How in the world can we do it all?  Well, leverage tells us it is possible to exert brief, targeted efforts to great benefit.

With just a little discipline, we can fit everything we need into the day.  There are just a few tools that might help.  They might sound a little hokey, but they work.  I speak from experience. These tools make it possible to do about 50-100% more in a given day.

First:  get a little notebook.  Write down what you do in 24 hours.  Also note how long you do it (from when to when),  each day for about 4 days.  You will need a time keeping device like a watch or a cell  phone.

Second: review it. Upon reviewing you will be amazed how many hours are spent doing things that don’t seem to relate to your goals.

Third: define your goals in your life.  In this case, your goals will include time allocated daily to your Full Spectrum Care plan.  Other goals could be working out, spending family time, learning a new skill, getting your office organized, calling your friends, prayer, getting your care fixed and so on.

Fourth: rank your goals. Next to each one, number it appropriately.

Five: look back at your little notebook and be amazed.  There is actually some extra time to accomplish what you need to!

Six:  make a new schedule.  Put activities to achieve your top two or three goals in this schedule.  Care for your loved dog will be in this list. This time will replace the time previously spent doing things that did not accomplish your top goals.

Seven: use your time keeping device to set alarms.  This keeps you honest.  If, at 7:45, it is time for a dog massage right before going to work, your alarm beeps. Set the alarm for the next high priority goal time. Now give your dog a massage!

Hope this helps,

Dr D