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.

Dogs are so awesome!

Traveling with our dog, Nedd

We recently went on a trip to the DC area.

There were many hotels that were welcoming to our 55# dog. We are pleasantly surprised at the number of places in the DC area where we could take our dog!

My hubby is a comedian and we travel a lot. The website: www.DogFriendly.com is a big help as we travel from coast to coast.

~Trina

Thankfully, Nedd used great manners during the entire trip!

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.

Still going!

Manda at nearly 18 years old, with heart disease, congestive heart failure, renal failure, arthritis and a collapsing trachea is still going strong. She is also nearly blind and nearly deaf. She has also started having “episodes” where she collapses. It’s only happened three times within the last three months … so we’re not doing a lot about it.

She still greets me at the door, recognizes people and pets she knows, wags her little tail, loves to eat and loves to be with her human family. As an old dog, she no longer tolerates nail trims or being brushed even though she use to enjoy being groomed when she was younger.

I cherish my time with her. She thinks taking her seven medicines every day is a treat! She spins in circles as I prepare her meds two or three times daily. I admire her attitude and spunk! What a life lesson!

Quality Time for my Geriatric Dog …

Manda is 17 1/2 years old. You may have already been following her story. She has good days and bad days because of heart failure and renal failure. She also has a collapsing trachea, arthritis and is anemic.

She has a great attitude. She is still as demanding as she was when she was young. She no longer tolerates being brushed or having her nails done; which never was a problem until the last few years. She doesn’t see very well and will walk into things occasionally. She doesn’t hear very well and no longer hears the tone of my voice.

I still try to spend time with her. I no longer take her places unless I am traveling overnight. She doesn’t enjoy it like she use to. She doesn’t mind the hotel stays as long as she has her mesh kennel. She doesn’t like to be picked up or held any more. She doesn’t want to sit and watch Letterman with me at the end of our days as we use to. Instead, she lays on her own doggy bed next to my chair. She no longer jumps on and off the bed; instead, she sleeps near me on her own blanket. She no longer plays and doesn’t seem to enjoy a walk anymore. While I try to spend quality time with her, basically, it consists of sitting on the floor or ground with her and gently petting her. Her little tail wags as I tell her how much I love her and that she is beautiful. That seems to be the extent of our quality time together at this point.

During the last few months, she has really bonded with my husband. They always liked each other, but now, there’s a new bond. I am the one that forces meds down, gives subq fluids, cleans her body even when she doesn’t want it done and he’s the one who only offers her gentle touches and food! It’s been hard to see but I’m glad they’ve bonded.

When she is left alone, she waits by one of our desks, knowing that when we come in, the computer is one of our usual first stops! She patiently waits under the computer desk. I’ve moved a doggy bed into the office to help keep her comfortable.
~Trina

12 million to “Trouble”; the dog

This week, I read an interesting news report about Leona Helmsley, the late US hotel billionaire leaving 12 million dollars to her dog, “Trouble”. While Ms. Helmsley was known as the “Queen of Mean”, I can only imagine that there were some shocked humans at the reading of the will.

“Trouble” is a beautiful white Maltese who will receive the best of everything for life and will someday be buried beside Ms. Helmsey and her late husband, Harry.

It was reported that her brother will receive 10 million and will have the privilege of continuing to provide “Trouble” with a pampered lifestyle; two grandchildren will receive 5 million only if they visit their late father’s grave at least once a year and the other two grandchildren were excluded due to reasons which are known to them.

Okay, from what I’ve heard, it sounds like she really earned her title of “Queen of Mean”. I have to wonder though, was it survival? Did she experience a grand failure of mankind to drive her to the point of leaving a trust of 12 million to her beloved dog?