Good Bye Bear Baby

It saddens me dearly to write this entry. A difficult decision was made. In the past week Bear's health really started to decline. I decided today that it was enough. I didn't want him to suffer anymore. I spent half the day with him while he slept outside (it's Bear weather outside) and when he was awake I gave him some cooked chicken.
Late this afternoon I took him to our regular vet who so quickly and peacefully put Bear to rest. Bear rested in my arms as he made his travels to the Rainbow Bridge to meet up with his buddy Nyna. Bear was a trooper all the way until the end. He still had a smile on his face today- although it was clear his body was not. I am honored to have had such a wonderful dog in my life. I was 18 years old when he entered my life almost 15 years ago. Bear will forever be "Sweet Sixteen" and the king in my life.
Thank you to those of you who left messages of support during Bear's many illnesses- for each message we received he got an extra hug and kiss.
I cherish every memory I have of him and I hope to post some new pictures soon.
In honor of my Bear Baby...
CHOW!

My 16th Birfday!!!

Hi All!

I made it to Sweet Sixteen! And sweet it is! I got to eat cookies for breakfast and then my mommy pampered me all day! Ok really- she drugged me so she could cut my nails and groom my fur. I'm such a brat otherwise- I don't want anyone touching my nails. I am glad she did it though. Now my nails don't get caught in my fur.

Well, life is good here. Nothing better than being the King of the house! My eye sight is going but the sniffer works great! I can always tell when mommy is nearby. I sure do love my life... but I miss our puppina Nyna. I know I'll see her soon.

Chow for now!
Bear

good-bye Nyna

Well, life has had its ups and downs lately. I tend to be slower in the mornings but still enjoying my afternoon naps... and of course I love waking da gwammy up at night to take me out or just to say hi!
Nyna (see my page under pals) started losing function of her hind legs at the beginning of the year. She even had acupuntcure to make it better- it didn't work in the end. After about six months of this da gwammy made the decision. Lemme tell you, this Nyna was always a puppy. Oh, I remember when my mommy and gwammy brought her home. I said "on no, here we go again." She would yank on my furry tail and drag me around on the hardwood floors. I'd yell at her every now and then- but I liked to play with her. When she got older we played my way- rough! In my youth I really enjoyed playing with her. I haven't played so much lately and neither had she. But still- we found our own way to connect. Even up until her last days she'd barge through when I stood in her way. Oh that Nyna- she'll forever be the puppy in my heart.
Good-bye Nyna- I'll see you soon at the Rainbow Bridge. Love you forever.
Chow.
Bear

Chilly weather ahead :(

Waaahhhhh...
Chilly weather means I can't sit outside in the gate area. How I will miss the warm days.
My condition hasn't changed much. I have good days then I have bad days. Did I tell you all that Mommy moved and left me? Well it's really not as bad as I make it sound. Mommy moved to a condo that has too many stairs for me to climb and no backyard for me to have easy access to. So now I'm stuck living with my Gwammy and her two dogs... Nyna and Jordi treat me well though. Mommy comes to visit, sometimes I think she's there but in reality I think I've lost all sense of time.
Nyna keeps me on my toes by trying to eat my food so I snarfle at her. I do it for fun! That's about it from here. Hope you're all well. I'll update soon.
CHOW!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ME!

That's right my furry pals- I was diagnosed with cancer ONE YEAR AGO!
I'm happy to say that I am holding my own! I was told I only had 2-12 months to live and SURPRISE, SURPRISE... I'm still here! My mommy loves me so much. She jumps everytime I cry- she yells at me when I whine though (which is usually because I smell the stinky skunks outside!). I'm still taking my thyroid meds, but that's ok because they are tiny and mom is real good about pushing it down my throat. Sometimes I cheek my meds if Gwammy does it... I think it's funny!
Anyway- I just want you all to know that I am loving life to the fullest- still hangin' with my friends at San Bruno Dog Obedience School. I don't have to do anything there, my Auntie Dina (our teacher) says I don't have to do the work that the others do- I've reached that Golden Number!
Thank you to all my furry pals and your humans for the thoughtful messages and all the good vibes you send my way. Each time I get a message my mommy gives me BIG OL hugs, so keep the messages coming because I love my hugs!
CHOW for now!
Bear

The sun is out!

Hi All,
Just thought I'd update you on my happenings. Life is good! I've been having a real good month, maybe even the last 2 months have been good. I can't keep track anymore. Mommy still shoves chicken down my throat, I laugh when I spit it back out. Sometimes I refuse to eat (or drink water) until she comes home. I wait by the front door, and wheh she comes home I go upstairs to eat and drink. Gwammy sometimes yells at me to take my pill, but I don't listen to her. Mommy just has to ask me once and I run upstairs to take my tiny pill. I like it when Mommy gives it to me. IT'S JUST FOR ME, and the other doggies can't have none. HaHa Don't tell the other doggies but I think they love me the most.

As much as I hate it, Mommy sometimes just hugs me and hugs me. Well, I used to hate it, but now I run to her and Gwammy for my lovin'. I can't tell you enough how good I'm feeling. And now that the sun is out, IT'S BEAR WEATHER! So I hope ya'll go out and enjoy the good weather I'm sending to all of you, enjoy it while it lasts!


Chow,
Bear

My Tail of Devotion for Bear

This is a special Tail of Devotion

See All Tails of Devotion

Updates...

Hi,
It appears it doesn't matter that I might have Cushing's or not. The tumor that was removed was cancerous. The vet doesn't know how this is all gonna play out. Either way the prognosis isn't good. I was given a 93% chance to live another 2-12 months.
So because of that, the vet said that even if I do have Cushing's, he wouldn't treat it. So now, Mommy is just looking for homeopathic remedies to help me be more comfortable.
CHOW for now,
~bear

From my Mommy

Hi all,
The vet called to say that Bear might have Cushing's Disease. Does anyone have more information about this? I'd appreciate all the leads possible.
Thanks,
Bear's Mommy

YUCK...

So where do I begin? I went for the ultrasound, come to find out I had a tumor in my spleen. Mommy had then operate to remove it...boy was I mad at her. I was gone for 24 hours, they kept me to monitor me overnight. I'm home now, not sleeping much, resting some. Mommy says my bruising is pretty bad, I'm still mad at her.

Gotta go, no more energy.