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

Nedd vomited piece of dental bone …

In the middle of the night, I heard the sound.  I jumped out of bed and ran toward Nedd.  There he stood with the sad look in his eyes, his belly jerking as he vomited by the door.  There was the normal stuff you see in vomit and there was a piece of a dental chew that he had enjoyed while we watched the American Idol last night.  This piece of the dental chew was about the size of the palm of my hand.

I feel like a terrible pet parent right now.  I didn’t even know he had swallowed it!!!  I buy these particular dental chews at the vet hospital because they are of a good quality and are a food product.  They really do help his teeth.  I’ve purchased these for about 3 years and we’ve never had this problem previously!

I’m a little frightened right now.  This is a treat he really enjoys and he has one about every other day.

He acts perfectly fine now.  I gave him a late breakfast and he’s still doing fine.  I didn’t call the veterinarian … at least not yet.  If he vomits again, I’ll be calling very quickly.  I try not to call over every little thing while at the same time not overlooking a health concern.

~Trina Daniels

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!

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.

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?

Arthritis ???

He’ll be twelve years old in November. Most of the time he acts like he is still three. Lately, he’s had a few times of being stiff in the neck and slower getting up and down. He’s also had a few times of being reluctant to climb stairs.

We’ve taken him to the veterinarian twice for this problem. Since he is a senior citizen and a 55# dog, we had a senior wellness workup done for him. His bloodwork and urine was normal. He had a few days of a muscle relaxer and Rimadyl. He responded well and was back to normal very quickly. A couple weeks later, the same stiffness came back. We treated it the same only this time, after the Rimadyl, we began a daily regiment of Cosequin only.

Now, a few weeks later, it’s back again. I’m looking at options. I’ve heard so many negative things about Rimadyl that I’m afraid to use it on a long term basis as a maintenance drug. I’ve increased his Cosequin since there’s varying doses on the back of the bottle. I’m hoping that helps.

I am researching adding fatty acid tablets and special diets. I’m also reading about some other supplements, holistic treatments, natural dog care and even acupuncture that folks have told me work well for arthritis in dogs.

It sure is hard to see this great dog age! He’s the smartest dog and just lives to love and play.

He’s typically daddy’s boy…until he doesn’t feel well and then he only wants me! It’s really a neat experience to see our dog suddenly become my boy and only want comforted by me when he is feeling ill. I didn’t realize a dog would react the same way that a child typically d0es when ill.

We’ve always said Nedd is almost human and is our son. I guess he’s proving us right!

Still treating Heart Disease & Renal Failure

It’s so hard. She has both heart disease and renal failure. As we treat one, we make the other worse.

I am praying she isn’t suffering. I’m not always sure as the last few days have been really rough. She has had continuing loose stool which is caused from a “bad gut”. She has been up nearly every night with a coughing/wheezing episode. She is panting more and more.

Her medicines are increased and we’re moving toward every 8 hours instead of every 12 hours with the veterinarians advice.

She is currently on Tramadol, Benazapril, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sulcrafate, Sub q fluids every other day, Furosemide, Famotidine, Hydrocodone and Pet Tinic. She thinks she is getting treats because most of the meds are hidden in something yummy. I don’t administer the subq fluids as I should because she runs and hides which makes it really hard for me to do. She doesn’t like the sulcrafate slury but I give her the pet tinic afterwards so she tolerates it pretty well.

She can’t hear or see. She still greets me with a wagging tail. She spins in circles as I prepare her food. She still barks and is demanding. She uses pee pads as she can’t always wait on someone to be able to take her out. She is still bright and alert.

I keep praying she’ll pass in her sleep someday. It is so hard to watch her body fail.