February 11th 2012 10:27 am
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It has been a very long time since I updated Caesar's diary. So much has happened in our lives. Sadly, a very unexpected event happened back in August of 2008, Caesar had an (unknown at the time) hereditary condition that caused his entire spinal column to "slip" paralyzing him and causing extreme pain. (A similar condition happens to dachshunds)
It hit out of the blue, one day he was fine and happy, the next he was in agony and while the vets X-rayed and gave him massive doses of morphine and prednisone the fact was that he was paralyzed and crying constantly in extreme pain. With tears in my eyes I asked my vet what she would do if it were her own dog. Euthanize him or risk taking him to the Veterinary University of St.Louis to see if they could do anything. Since even the tiniest bump or movement caused him to scream in agony we both decided to give him peace.
The veterinarian said to me "I can tell he loves you so much, look at the way he just keeps tracking you with his eyes". It broke my heart. For some odd reason I was Caesar's whole world and he loved me as I had never been loved by another dog. Max was a partner and best friend, but Caesar seemed to worship me.
It was far harder to hold my gentle giants head in my lap as they gave him the medication that would ease his suffering that it was the day I helped Max pass over. I think maybe because it was the suddenness of it, the cruel pain he was in, and worse the way he stared at me, through me, the whole time as if he was fighting to keep staying at my side no matter what.
Caesar is now pain free and over the Rainbow Bridge, where he waits along with my heart dog, Max, and all the other beloved animals who have been in my life.
Rest easy big guy, I know your time on this earth was far to short, but maybe an Angel in heaven needed a Service Dog and you were called home to help because they knew how big and loyal your heart was. We'll see each other again my friend.
June 17th 2008 12:31 pm
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Well, my owner finally went and did it. Kept good on her promise that she once said to me when I was a young pup full of mischief and constantly harassing Max, the older dog to play. She said "one day Caesar, this will all come back around to you. Karma, my friend."
She was right. We have a new family member, a brand new, young, female Rottie pup that is named "Bella"... I could think of many other names I would have named this constant ball of energy, mischief and never ending source of bothering me... But I am far to polite to say those names here. ;)
Bella must think that I exist only to be here personal toy, at any hour of the day. (Well, Ok, it's not too bad. They do crate her at night, and for a two hour nap during the day). For a young dog Bella can tire me out quicker than anything. She loves to climb on my back, eat my ears, and do her vampire bat imitation...This is where she pounces on me cat-like from the shadows and literally hangs by her little needle sharp puppy teeth on the flews of my throat. Good thing I am very thick skinned and have alot of loose skin on my neck!
For the first couple of days, I wanted nothing to do with "Little Miss Mischief" but after awhile I relented. Especially as Bella always wants to literally sleep curled up against my big strong body. I gotta admit, there is something kind of sweet about that.
I have a whole new respect for Max, the "Padrone" who is now on the other side of Rainbow Bridge.... If I was even one tenth as annoying to him, as this pup can be, I am lucky he didn't bite my head off!
I guess, deep down, I don't really mind the little one too much. She does like to look up to me (Both literally and figuratively). It is kinda neat teaching her things, fun things, like how to chase a squirrel out of the back yard, the joys of rolling in the grass (with all four feet waving about madly) and of course the love of fuzzy yellow tennis balls. She picked up on that pretty quick! Thing is though, for all her times she teases me, and wants to relentlessly play, the cute little thing will come over with her own tennis ball and then plunk it down in front of me. Literally sharing her toys with me. She lays down then with her head on her front feet and her eyes get all big and kindly as she nudges the ball towards me, as if she is saying, "Yeah I know I can be a pain in the butt sister. So here, I'll share with you."
Ten minutes later she is back hanging on my neck, doing her vampire bat impression. Whaddya gonna do?
January 8th 2007 1:58 pm
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Yes, I am all grown up now and have passed all my Service/Assistance Dog training and tests with flying color. I sure am a big boy, at nearly 116 lbs, in fact Mom keeps me on a diet, but I am also a big "muscle puppy".
I am exhuberant, playful and really enjoy being at my special person's side. In fact I get rather worried or anxious if I can't be with her, but this is a positive trait for a service dog. We want that intense bonding.
So here I am a BIG boy with still the playful joy of a pup...Think of me as the 400 lbs gorilla, sometimes I have to watch myself because I get so happy and playful I accidently step on the little dog Monty, or bump the grand Padrone, Max a bit to roughly as I charge down the hall and out to the back yard to chase squirrels or tennis balls.
What is really funny is I still do my "melting act" whenever I get love, and imagine myself to be a 'small little 10 lb puppy' that can be picked up and cuddled. So when I get love I meeeelllllt down onto the floor like melted ice cream and make the cutest little eyes, or else I want to climb on someones lap and be cuddled. Of course I am to big for that, but I don't realise that.
I mean, afterall, they pick up the rat terrier and cuddle him, why not me?
Mom says I am a good boy, and very dedicated but not the sharpest crayon in the box (although she always says it good naturedly) saying that I have a body full of muscles and muscles in my brain too. Think of me as the bodybuilder 'goon' of the dog world. I love to run on the treadmill for exercise and I enjoy going for about 3 miles a day on it, and then having a good game of fetch afterwards!
My human looks so funny trying to throw tennis balls as fast as she can for both Max and I. Ping! Ping! Ping! Go the tennis balls off the tree, off the house, down the roof and occasionally off my thick skull. I am good natured and fun loving and I think it's funny when a tennis ball accidently bounces off me...In fact I have gotten very good at catching them when they do that.
I have a few chew treats, but my human has a hard time finding any good strong chew toy that I cannot tear apart in 3 seconds flat. We have found only two, the Gallileo bone by Nylabone, and the Tuff Chews by Nylabone. Kongs are good too, but they don't interest me unless they are stuffed with treats and then I just LICK them to death and don't really chew them... (but either does ol' Max either)
I told Mom to get some updated pictures of me posted here on this internet, so hopefully she does.
Take care for now, and may you always have tennis balls in your life!
Love,
Ceaser
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