Four medications …

Ned playing in the snow!

Our 13 year old pointer-collie is now on four medications because he shows signs of pain with his arthritis, muscle loss and failing hips.

He is on Cosequin which I pull apart and mix into his food. He is also on Deramaxx which he takes as a treat. He gets one Tramadol at bedtime which seems to help keep him comfortable through the night.

We are having routine bloodwork done on him. He has one slightly elevated liver value and everything else is normal. I have purchased a liver supplement and we are trying to give it to him once daily. It needs to be given 1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after a meal and I’m struggling to get it in him properly everyday! I am hopeful it will help keep his liver a little safer since he’s taking the nsaid daily. Thankfully, he is on the low end of the dose currently.

It is so difficult to see him age. He’s always been such a happy and playful dog. It is hard to see him have a bad day, struggle to get up and down, fall and to be grumpy!

A Sunday Visit!

Every Sunday for the last few weeks, I’ve received a special visit from a beautiful Bloodhound.

She’s shy until you speak to her and then she’s very friendly. I would guess her at being less than one year old. I found her owners and returned her home the 1st Sunday she visited.

She is messy, sweet, gentle and goofy! She bounces through mud puddles. She needs to touch me with her paw and it really doesn’t seem like a dominance issue.

Her owners are keeping her outdoors in a large dog run until they can get her more properly trained. They have also fenced the yard with the Invisible Fence. Somehow, this large dog decides she can get out of her Invisible Fence yard but then is afraid to go back into it.

My “pom” who is in heaven “trained” my other dogs. Our greyhound would run under the kitchen table if she scolded him about something. Our “Nedd”, a German Short Hair Pointer and Collie mix PRANCES as he walks. He will stand on the sidewalk to go potty holding his body over the grass to avoid getting wet or dirty!

I enjoy the visits from this goofy girl. I really like her and am falling in love! Her owners are use to a different breed and this is their first experience with a bloodhound. I hope it works out for them but if it doesn’t, I’d find a way to welcome her into our lives although I cannot imagine welcoming this drooling dog into my home and I cannot imagine keeping a dog outside!

~Trina Daniels

His love for Nedd …

I see it and experience it everyday. They share a special bond. Nedd accepts me into the pack but think of me as a “buddy” who feeds him and takes him out. He comes to me when he’s sick or doesn’t feel well too.  Nedd kisses me and romps and plays with me.  He cuddles with Marty without kisses and gently plays with Marty.  He will let Marty brush him for a long time and barely lets me brush him for a minute!  Somehow, Marty is still the one who Nedd adores!

My “doggy soul mates” have passed on and I miss them terribly. I love Nedd … but it is obvious he’s Marty’s “doggy soul mate”!

Read this recent blog written by Marty. It is talking about the upcoming Oprah show about puppy mills.  It is also a great dog story.

Nedd is truly Marty’s best friend!:

http://humbleoradio.com/oprah/oprah-is-going-to-the-dogs/

~Trina

How do they steal our hearts?

I’ve never loved a pet like I’ve loved my dogs!  For some reason, DOGS steal my heart.  My own dogs own me and other dogs sure do grab my attention.

I’ve never met a dog I didn’t like.  I don’t believe there’s such a thing as a bad dog.  If the dog is acting up, I believe it is the dogs’ humans who haven’t helped the dog learn!  I’m sure there’s exceptions to this as there is with everything … but typically, there’s no bad dogs!

I’ve seen giant dogs be gently giants.  I’ve seen what some call stubborn dogs listen better than a child.  I’ve seen a PIT BULL be bossed around by my 10# pom!  The PIT BULL would run under the deck when the POM barked.  The PIT BULL would also let my POM hold its leash and lead it around the yard.

I wouldn’t turn my pom loose with just an pit bull … this was a friends dog … and I knew how it was being raised and trained.  I knew it was a gently dog with good manners!

It doesn’t matter what the breed is or even if it is a “mutt”, I love each and every DOG that God created! 

DOGS REIGN!

Nedd’s new bed!

His old bed needed replaced so desperately!  I finally put a new bed where his old bed was and he’s not using it!  It’s the same color and same design as his old bed.  He smells it, walks across it and even laid on it for a brief moment with a chew toy.

Thankfully, I didn’t get rid of his favorite chair.  He’s loves it and is now spending even more time in his favorite chair!  We’ve wanted to find a new home for this old chair for a long time.  We keep hanging onto it because Nedd loves it!  He fits in it so perfectly.  It’s his favorite seat in the house.

Nedd in his favorite chair.

Pet Sitters

It’s always so hard when we have to leave Nedd behind.

We had a wonderful pet sitter for years.  She came to our house.  She would even take our dogs to her home.  She took excellent care of our dogs and we were comfortable leaving them.  Over the years, she has finally quit pet sitting.  I sure do miss the great service she gave and the comfort level I was able to have with her.

I’m thankful that my parents now keep Nedd from time to time.  I know they love him.  I know they take good care of him.  I know he loves them and he enjoys spending time with them.  I am comfortable leaving him and that makes going away easier.  They do spoil him … but that’s what grandparents are supposed to do.

It seems that no matter how much I know he is in good hands, I still miss him and wish we could have taken him along.

Papa & Nedd

~Trina

Brushing teeth …

We were visiting relatives and Nedd was with us, of course. He used excellent manners and everyone was so impressed.

Nedd has his own travel bag full of necessary items, such as his Cosequin as well as dental treats, healthy treats, his brush and his toothbrush and poultry flavored toothpaste. One evening, Nedd was knocking at his bag with his foot. The folks we were staying with were amazed at Nedd’s personality and wanted to watch. I went to Nedd and started going through our nightly ritual. I brushed his hair, gave him his Cosequin and a treat.

I then proceeded to get his toothbrush out and his toothpaste. The folks we were staying with couldn’t believe Nedd sat so proud while I brushed his teeth. They couldn’t believe how much Nedd enjoyed it.

I learned the hard way! I had a pom whose teeth I didn’t take care of because I started to try when she was five years old and after she had to have a dental. It was too late. She hated it and I never got to brush her teeth. She refused dental treats. She had numerous dentals in her lifetime. She passed away in November 2007 at the age of 18 with only seven teeth left.

Nedd is twelve years old, has some tartar, has some wear on his teeth from being a power chewer but has never had the need for a dental from a veterinarian.

a great day

Nedd is having a great day. Come to think of it, most of his days are great!

Today, he started off his day as usual with breakfast and playing outside. He spent quiet a bit of time outside sniffing despite the 5 degree temperature.

He played ball, took a nap and just had lunch. This time when we were out, I discovered WHY he was in such a sniffing mood. He is a German Short Hair Pointer and Collie Special Blend … so some sniffing is always expected. This time, he was really being curious about something.

We soon seen a CAT! Nedd thinks they are playmates but most cats usually don’t want to play with him … until they get to know him.

Nedd is napping again while I’m doing laundry. We’ll see what the rest of the day has for Nedd to do and discover.

Nedd, the 12 year old “puppy”

Our boy, Nedd is “scary smart”! He’s one of a kind, a special blend of a sable and white collie and a black and white German Short Hair Pointer. He’s absolutely beautiful and brilliant.

Nedd has several nicknames including: “Nedd, the atomic party puppy”. At the age of 12, he begins each day with a favorite Kong toy in his mouth. He barks very loudly and still plays very hard.

He has a little bit of arthritis which he takes a daily dose of Cosequin which seems to help keep in under control safely.

We also feed Nedd the best diet we’ve found, Blue Buffalo Senior Lamb & Rice! And, he had the best veterinary care available.

He’s a great buddy, especially to my hubby, Christian Comedian MartyDaniels. Nedd shows us unending loyalty and devotion. He’s truly a best friend.

Manda’s Last Days

I could tell she was growing weaker. I could tell she was having more bad days than good days. She was developing more problems.

She still asked for food but ate it a lot slower. She still greeted me when I woke her up. She was always happy to know I was nearby. She handled not seeing or hearing so well that most people wouldn’t realize she had any difficulty with either.

I optimistically called the veterinarian and made her an appointment telling them “she’s doing worse”. Her veterinarians, Dr Elizabeth Lauron and Dr Gale Kerr and their staff have provided excellent care for Manda for many years. I left the house alone with Manda saying we’ll be back soon.

I have utmost confidence in them. I had every belief that we could just add more medicine to her regiment of already taking 7 different medications three times daily. Dr Kerr seen Manda on this day and an examination and testing revealed that in addition to renal failure, congestive heart failure, and a collapsing trachea, Manda now had kidney stones, one of which was in her urethrea and a mass on her neck which was the size of my thumb. The mass was not visible to the eye or when touching her neck. It was obviously causing her problems though.

After seeing the results, I called my husband and he joined me at the vet’s office. We had to send Manda to heaven where she’ll get to run and play with our greyhound Russ who went to heaven in 2003. We had 18 great years with Manda and are thankful God sent her to us to love. She added so much to our lives and we miss her terribly.

This happened on November 22, 2007. My husband is a stand up comedian and he had a show that night. We had planned for friends to join us at the show and we had made plans to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with them. They are great friends and they offered comfort, love, support and didn’t judge me when I excused myself and went to bed while they stayed awake with great conversations until the early morning hours.

The veterinarians and their staff sent us a beautiful arrangement of flowers which lasted through the holiday seasons. The funeral home even called us. The urn is done beautifully.

I’m so thankful that I got to hold Manda during the euthanasia. She wasn’t scared or stressed. I am grateful that she went peacefully without struggle.

I miss her so much. She’s been my faithful little companion for many years. I miss her demanding yet loving attitude. I never begrudged a dime that I spent on her nor a moment that I spent with her or caring for her. After she was gone, I suddenly had two extra hours in each day. I didn’t even realize her care was taking any amount of time.

Nedd is doing well. He has missed her and is adjusting. He is 12 and this is his first experience being the only dog in the house!

If you’re looking for the best veterinary care in the Columbus OH area, please contact Elizabeth Lauron DVM and Gale Kerr DVM at 614.871.1111.

If you’re looking for entertainment for 2008, check out my funny hubby at: www.MartyDaniels.com.