Now I'm REALLY a toothless beggar!

My extraction went well. Vet said I didn't even bleed much - surprising for a husky I guess. They sent my tooth home in a baggy but Mom wouldn't let me eat it (it sure looked like a snack to me). I was really groggy and doped up when they woke me up to go home. I just kinda gazed at Mom a little wobbly. She said thanks to the vet techs as they handed over my leash, and I turned in slow motion and remember HA - they were standing behind me. I figured I better say good bye too - hehe morphine makes you love EVERYONE! I gave the techs a little nose nuzzle on their legs before turning back around to go with Mom - they thought that was just the most adorable thing EVER -- I guess no dog had ever said goodbye like that before. Aren't you supposed to say goodbye? They took really good care of me after all. Man was I HUNGRY when we got home. Surprising I know - after being pumped full of anesthesia stuff and getting a tooth yanked out. I hadn't ate my dinner the night before, and there was no breakfast. I WOLFED down dinner like food was going out of style. Mom was all nervous because I was supposed to take it easy while eating ppsssshhhhh - heck - she gave me soft food - which was even better - I couldn't stop myself.

The next day - I guess I was really naughty, and I ate the free sample of tooth brushing nugget food. Sure sure - it was in a bag in a bag in the middle of the table - and Mom thought it was safe - but I was still hungry. I guess I wasn't supposed to eat that for another week or 2 -- oops! It was SO good - don't regret it a BIT. Also chewed up a bottle of orange Gatorade Mom forgot to bring to work. I even heard herself muttering before she left how she couldn't forget it or she knew I would get it. Hehe, got it just right so I could lick out some drips, but much of it all over the cream carpet - ooh boy was Dad pissed when he got home. I was iiinnn trouble. What can I say - they took away my chew toys - a dog's gotta chew when a dogs' gotta chew! I'm not getting my hard chew toys back until at LEAST another week and a half. Boo hoo!
Oh and at that - Mom said she's done transcribing for me because she has to evacuate the premises after I let a noxious gas bomb for her just now. Man -- the only drawback to having that canned food. Dog I love that stuff! I'm fleeing too - yikes that was a BADD'UN!

Yay more walks. Boo for abscesses!

In mom's effort to start some healthy habits, eat better, exercize more, and shed some #s for the up coming wedding - she found this super cool site called SparkPeople.com On it she set one of her goals to walk me (I used to get most of my walks from Dad). That means more walks for me, and that often we go walking as a pack.

Mom was playing with me yesterday, and happened to notice one of my teeth looked like it had a bunch of plaque on it, and looked a little closer and saw it looked like people cavities. Mind you - since I was a little pup and I had that retained deciduous tooth (my baby canine never fell out when the big dog tooth came in and the vet pulled it when I got snipped) - I've NEVER liked people going near my mouth because it freaked me out when the people tried to pull it. Anyway, mom moved in and was looking even closer, and pulled up my lip and saw my horrifyingly bad abscess. She (and dad) just feels terrible about it - and apologized up and down for not noticing it sooner.

Mom did some internet searching, and found that I have (or at least her preliminary amateur diagnosis) what is called a 4th premolar carnassial tooth abscess - and that it's something that some dogs to get from chewing stuff they aren't supposed to (or even stuff they are like hard bones). From the pictures, she thinks mine is probably a bad case too, so I'm most likely going to have my whole tooth pulled later this week/or next week (actually I'll probably have to go on antibiotics first).

Dad drove to a dental vet a co-worker of his highly recommended on his way home from work first thing this morning. Good thing Mom had done web-searching because when he told them what we think it is (Mom would bet money she's right), they said that's one of the few things they don't like to get involved in, and referred him to a specialist (without even seeing me), that works at another vet close by. Mom is bummed, but understands this is one of the responsibilities of pet companionship, she'll probably have to make a LOT more sacrifices so they can make their wedding budget (they were already falling behind). I didn't mean to cause any trouble ma - really I didn't! She says she understands - and really just wants me to feel better as SOON as possible.

Looking back there probably were a few signs mom missed. So this doesn't happen to any of my pals - or if it does so their dogmoms and dogdads can catch it early --

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?articlei d=995
(Not completely copied - mom just cut out important bits, and did the underlining).
If you look inside your dog's mouth you will notice one tooth that is much larger than the rest. It is on the upper jaw, about half way back. It is the fourth premolar, sometimes referred to as the carnassial tooth. In wild canines, it is the main tooth used to break up or crush hard material in their diet such as bones or large pieces of meat. Today's canine diets, even the all-dry ones, really do not require this big "work horse" tooth for the animal to adequately break up his food before swallowing. ...

An infection of the 4th premolar is a unique dental problem and has outward signs that are often misunderstood by the owner. The large carnassial tooth has three roots while most other teeth have only 1 or 2. From ½" to ¾" long, they extend from below the gumline up into the bone of the skull just in front of the eye. There are two in the front portion of the tooth and one in the rear. Carnassial tooth infections actually involve only the roots of the tooth and not the visible exposed portion. The individual root usually involved is the front one that is closest to the skin. ...

In the case of a carnassial tooth, the abscess builds up around the affected root just under the skin below and in front of the eye. The swelling may reach the size of a golf ball.(Luckily that didn't happen to me, mine is the size of a lima bean.) In the case of an abscess, the white blood cells and chemicals that are released have the ability to dissolve the body's tissue. The weakest portion of the body in this case is the skin, so a small pore soon opens from which pus (or a pink-tinged fluid) will drain. Left alone, this opening will occasionally close, but then reopen later as more material accumulates. This didn't happen to me, at least not on the outside of my mouth.

Owners often confuse this condition with an eye infection, insect bite, or puncture wound. They may consider it something that, if left alone, will heal on its own. The untreated abscess will, in fact, often spread to 1) the eye causing a very serious and potentially blinding infection or 2) other teeth causing them to be lost also. This is fairly painful for the animal, especially when eating. In dogs that stay outdoors or those with long hair, it may remain unnoticed for a long period of time.

http://www.avds-online.org/info/carnassiala bscesses.html
This condition is usually caused by a fractured tooth (usually the upper fourth premolar) that has been infected by the oral bacteria and died. The bacteria will gain access to the jaw through the apex (or bottom) of the tooth. The combination of the bacteria and the reaction of the white blood cells will cause bone destruction at the area of root tip. If this is allowed to progress, the infection can travel through the bone of the upper jaw and break out either on the gingiva over the tooth, or on the skin under the eye. This is the only time that endodontic disease is usually noticed by the owner, as most dogs and cats do not show any outward signs of disease.

http://www.petshealth.com/dr_library/caran.html< i>
The last premolar tooth of the upper jaw (carnassial tooth) frequently becomes infected. This tooth has 3 long roots and when infected, extend into the surrounding bone, break through the skin, and appear as a small, draining wound below the eye.

Facial injuries may also cause carnassial tooth infections.

Extraction or a root canal of the affected tooth usually is necessary to allow drainage and prevent recurrence of infection. General anesthesia is necessary, as triple-rooted teeth are difficult to remove and often require splitting before extraction.

Proper dental care and eliminating hard toys and bones may prevent this disease from occurring.


Bummer huh?!? Well wish me luck pals. I've been kinda freaked out by all the attention my mouth is getting. Hopefully no infection has spread to my blood or anywhere else in my body, my blood work comes back ok, and this all heals up nice once I get to the doctor. Mom would take pictures - but its REALLY gross and embarrassing, and I wont let her.



Other things going on in my world:

My buddy Cody - whom we occasionally dog sit for, has to go back to Oklahoma to live with his original family (his human grandparents). Even though he is the most mellow sweetest of dogs, he nipped his neighbor (freak thing - never done it before - will never do anything like it again). There was no blood drawn, and really not even any bruising. He just got excited as dogs do, and nipped her in the leg. Her fully clothed with blue jeans leg. Cody's dad was mortified, and shocked, and apologized immediately, offering to pay if she needed to go to the doctor (not thinking she would - he SAW the so called "wound" or lack there of). That should have been the end of it right? ... RIGHT? A simple I'm sorry, I'll never let it happen again, and if your experiencing medical issues, I will help. In a perfect world - that would have been the end of it - but were total jerks about it, and called animal control and the police. Unfortunately he was a couple months overdo on his rabies shot (even more unfortunate and ironic was set to go in to get it the following week). Cody had to be quarantined for a week (wasn't a big deal, he's a house loving dog anyway). His dad apologized profusely, and even paid the co-pay for the completely unnecessary doctor visit. The neighbors are now complaining they live in constant fear. (They sure seem fearful when they come in the gated yard to raise trouble with his dad, and kind of jump toward Cody to provoke him). Cody as I said before is a 95# rotund lazy lump of a lab, that can be and has been trusted around babies, tiny kittens, and anything under the sun but cookies. Cody's dad knows the neighbors will keep trying to provoke him to do it again (it'll never happen), and make threats so that they can suit. He already is being arraigned for the whole thing, and isn't allowed to just pay a fine and be done with it - the neighbors caused so much trouble he has to go to court. So Cody's dad decided to let them win and drive him all the way back to Oklahoma this weekend. Worst thing - these people own a dog - a PUPPY - who no DOUBT will nip someone within the next year. We all REALLY hope it's Cody's dad too. He did EVERYTHING including calling animal control himself in the first place to report the incident (before the neighbors called), and he called the city to find out the quarantine rules, made a sooner vet appointment, and a follow up appointment, investigate his rights, and wrote a letter of apology. Some people are just the worst jerks ever. It's so sad. So Cody has to leave a life he loves to go live out on a farm again. I hope Karma comes back to these people, I really really do.

Hmmmmm what else - oh is going to get super darn cold this weekend, as we experience what is called and Artic Vortex. It'll be below 0 degrees in MN here for the temp lows, and only get up in the single digits. That's nothing though. Mom says you're not a TRUE Minnesotan until you've experienced 30 below or more. She went for a walk (albeit brief one) with a friend when she was in high school when it was -65 while at a hockey tournament in International Falls. Brrrr. I hope I NEVER ever ever feel that. EVER. I'd start going potty inside - seriously.

Well - till next time pals (who knows when that will be) *glares at mom* -- hope you're all staying warm this winter! Oh I'm now being told we promise to do an update right after my surgery to let you know I'm ok.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today is my birthday, and Olive's 1 year anniversary of being at our house. Mom got my 2 CVS stuffed animals - they were 75% off Christmas clearance! I love them - even though the cool reindeer I'm not allowed to bring in the house. Mom had hooked it's arms around my neck which was really fun running around with in my mouth at 1st. I took it off, and had to pee really bad and accidentally peed ON it - so now it stinks and I can't bring it in.

We have my pal Cody staying with us for a few days so that's pretty cool. He doesn't like to play inside with me, but outside, he likes to wrestle so it's way cool having him here. The only thing that sucks is that he at a large portion of my new Christmas Mammoth bone - but Mom said something about getting me another one for my birthday.

On New Year's Eve my pal Spirit came, it was great. I LOVE her so much. Even more so now because her mom brought these really yummy dog cookies.

Also, Mom works with someone with a dog named Shady, and she was very nice and sent me some peanut butter AND some mint cookies too for a Secret Santa gift. MMmmm!

Not much new to report. It's still cold with snow here as usual in MN. TTYL pals. Happy New Year!

Santa Paws is a comin'

Santa is coming ... and I hear talk of getting another mammoth bone. I still have mine from last year, and still love it over all of my other bones -- though it's WAY smaller than it used to be.

We got about a foot of snow, and though it's melting, it's still covering the ground. It's SOOOOO much fun to race around the backyard. I found a frozen tennis ball, but Mom wont let me bring it in the house. She keeps throwing it into the yard, and I dig around 'til I find it. We're getting more snow on Saturday - so I think we're going to have a white Christmas!

I can't believe I'm saying this but everyone please pray for wind in MN. There is an air quality alert, and as some of you may already have read -- Mom has BAD asthma. She caught a cold last weekend, and now Dad has it too - and with the air quality - both my humans are MIS-ER-ABLE. The air alert means very short walks for me until at least Saturday (when the weather people say the pollution will blow away) - it's not healthy even for me I guess - something about fine particles. No worries though (at least for me) - we've been playing lots of tug, and throwing toys down the hall, and hiding toys - they are playing with me more than usual because they feel bad. But I hope Mom and Dad are feeling better before Santa comes!!!

I got a bath on Monday. It was actually pretty nice. I was really dirty, and smelly - and I think this was the longest I've EVER gone without one before. Mom is allergic to dogs, and really I should be getting one as often as my skin can handle - but she's usually OK unless it's been over a month. I think my last bath was ... August? I'm pretty sure. I was supposed to get one this weekend, before my Santa picture, but Mom didn't feel good so we didn't go. She's bummed because she doesn't think he's going to be at the store this weekend. All I care about is getting a present anyway - I think he's creepy so I'm glad we didn't go. After my bath -- I went berserk -- I felt a thousand times better - and refreshed - and Mom did that fun towelin' me dry thing she does -- you know where you sit there like a good boy, and she wiggles the towel back and forth really quick - she thinks it's hilarious I like it so much -- she says I'm like a little human kid. I would sit really nice, get a few towel passes, and then run as fast as I could around the house, and then back to get another round of towel action. I had the biggest husky smile on my face. Once I was mostly dry, Dad took me outside and brushed out my coat. Now I have my beautiful down like winter coat, and I'm all poofy - Mom says I'm SO handsome - and boy do I know it! She doesn't want it to go to my head, but I already know I'm a studmuffin.

Anyway, gotta go take care of my humans. Mom needs to lie down, and no more dogster transcribing.

If I don't see you all ...

May this Yule bring you all Blessings of Light and Love -- and fill you with warmth and joy with the rebirth of the sun and it's wonderful rays.

May the One who was a source of blessing for our ancestors, bring blessings of healing upon everyone (for everyone could use healing in some way), a healing of body and a healing of spirit. May those in whose care they are entrusted be gifted with wisdom and skill, and those who surround them be gifted with love and trust, openness and support in their care. And may they be healed along with all those who are in need. Blessed are You, Source of healing.

Happy Howlidays!

Hey pals. As it has been lately - long time no bark. It's getting COOOOLLLLD. Right now in MN it's 25 - not so bad but a bit fridged. We're getting light snow - big fluffy flakes but it isn't quite sticking yet. Maybe 3-5" in a couple day the weather guy said. Mom updated my page a little and got me a background and photo. We went to this really cool park about a month ago, and mom found this HUGE fallen tree by Rum River. She went over and sat on the log, and called to dad ... do you think Arthur will jump over this? So he called me, and I went running toward them, no time to stop - they didn't even have to ask - I totally cleared the log and soared through the air - it was so much fun. Mom works with someone who jumps horses and she says I have really good form, and I should professionally jump ;-P BOL! Could you imagine? That would be awesome - I'd be really good at that - I wish there was a canine equivalent to Cross-country Equestrianism. Anyway, mom managed to snap that photo at just the right moment, maybe a little late. She was going to take another, but the camera went dead! Oh well. We had such a good time, I hope we go back there some day. Well, gotta get going for a frigged walk in winter wonderland and then to the pet store - hoping to con mom into another squeakie-stuffie - doubt it'll happen though. Keep your paws crossed.
One last thing - thanks for the gift Lena!!!

I've been tagged! I was wondering when this would happen.- :-)

My new friend - the beautiful Lena Malik - a fellow Minnesotan who loves to camp - tagged me.

Here are the Tag game rules:
(hint: copy and paste the rules to post in your Diary!)

Each player starts with seven random facts about themselves. Dogs who are tagged, need to post in their Diary the rules & their 7 pawsome facts. Then choose 7 dogs to tag and list their names. Don’t forget to bark them a p-mail, or send a fun rosette, letting them know that they have been tagged and to read your Diary fur the rules.

1- I sleep OFTEN - I spend my days sleeping up in bed with Dad - who works nights - and staring out the picture window, watching the passers by -- the neighbors think it's so cute. Then at night I squeeze under the bed - though I barely fit anymore, and by morning I'm snuggled up to mom - yep I sleep all night too. Some say I'm lazy, but amazingly I've been able to stay thin.

2- I have started an anthropological dig in the backyard - which eventually I plan to excavate until my pal in Australia Myf meets me near the middle somewhere.

3- I love camping - and sleeping up on the air mattress after a long hard hike. I know it's not ruffing it - but I'm a city dog after all!

4- Someday I want to get into skijoring, bikjoring and/or sledding.

5- I'm a totally sober dog - can't STAND the smell of smoke, or alcohol. Mom has a strong suspicion I'm republican too - like Annie, and is very glad I can't vote. She thought at first I was ultra conservative in my religious beliefs too, but remembers my heritage from the rez. I'm just trying to keep my soul pure!

6- When mom is typing on the keyboard, I almost always come up and rest my chin on it and occasionally hit some F key that messes up the computer. I love getting attention.

7- I am completely neurotic with my rawhide bones, and bury them in the couch. If they aren't covered up, I will continue to rub my nose on it until it is raw - so mom has to intervene and put a pillow or blanket over it to cover it up. I don't do it with hard bones or rawhide sticks or chew - just the knotted bones.

Now in honor of my pal - lovely Lena Malik, I am passing this along to 7 of my pup pals!

"Myf" - my pal from Oz - we're 2 peas in a pod!
"Abby" - my pal from the east coast - she's really cool! The only non-husky/shepherd on the list apparently. Guess I'm a breedist.
"Bailey" - my long lost littermate gal pal
"Loki" - one of my newest pals - neat dog!
"Zoe" - has the best diary entries EVER!
Legalas Alaska's Arctic Legacy~ "Legalas" - A GORGEOUS white shepherd with silly ears not named Artie ;-)
"Chevy" - my very first dogster pal - a beautiful husky also from my state.

Murder at the dogpark!?!?! *GASP*

That was the rumor about all the police and the police tape last weekend! Just to clarify - our dog park is in a nice quite safe suburban neighborhood - this sort of thing is unheard of. We found out that it wasn't a murder at all. It was still really sad though. Mom's all kinds of freaked about about ever walking down on the paths portion of the park (the leash on, non-fenced part) by herself ever again - even with me as a security escort. Last weekend one of the dog park people (the guy who owns several Beagles), had taken one of the Beagles down to the creek for an extra walk to burn off some energy while the lady stayed back with the other dogs. He saw a tent set up (there is no camping) and something that looked to be a log floating in the creek but it wasn't a log. :-( *shivers* Some unfortunate transient got too drunk and drowned in the creek. Which is WEIRD - in MN, we don't see as many homeless as many southern states - especially this time of year - many often train hop south. I had never even heard of people camping out in the park, until one of the dog parents told Mom someone was caught camping a few weeks ago too (we're thinking it was probably the same person). It is all sad though - poor guy!

2 months of no blogging! I'm a BAD Dogsterer!

It is all Mom's fault. Oh and beautiful MN weather. Been to the park a lot more now that it is cooler. Thought I would take the night to say hi to all my pals since it has been raining so much and it is so cold this week. FALL is here pals. At least in MN it is. We're probably peaking leaf colors in our area this week. I've been extra cuddly to mom the last couple weeks. We had Annie stay for a week and a half, and then my human uncle came for a night while Mom and Dad were gone. Then my pal Cody came over and stayed for a week. We went to my grandma's and she had a new stuffed duck for me. As you can see by my photo - I got a costume for Howloween - I LOVE it - SUPER DOG just like I always wanted. I'm trying to chew the stupid human arms off it, but the rest - I don't mind wearing at all. I get so much attention. I can't wait until the little people come to get candy at the end of the month. That was so much fun last year. Well, I don't have much to update right now - going outside - bark atchya later!

Goodbye Auntie Sierra Dog!!! :'-(

I will miss you oh so much! Grandma's house will never be quite the same.

Dad got to Grandma's as soon as he could this evening. They scooped Sierra up and drove to the vet. She was basically unresponsive when Grandma had arrived home from work and I will spare you a few other not so great details.

Sierra passed on a few minutes after arriving at the vet - unassisted. The vet told Dad and Grandma to just hold off a few minutes on giving the injection (he must have known).

She waited until her boy came home one last time to say goodbye, and was surrounded by her boy and human mom. She was truly a good dog.

Mom knows I can tell something bad happened as I seem kind of sad too. She wonders if I knows why she and Dad are sad, but I do. I have been really nice and Grandma stopped over with Dad before going out to dinner with Mom -- I gave them all very tender gentle hand licks to cheer them up.

Later they came home with a bunch of Sierra's stuff (beds, a raised bowl etc) because Grandma didn't want to see it around - (understandably so).

I want to thank everyone for your kind words - Mom has found a couple times that Dogster is such a wonderful healing place for humans - and it reminds her that there are some wonderful caring strangers out there.

We love you Sierra - you are already missed. Give Sasha a whole bunch of licks for me!



RAINBOW BRIDGE
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they miss someone very special to them; who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. YOU have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

THEN YOU CROSS RAINBOW BRIDGE TOGETHER...


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WAT ERBUGS AND DRAGONFLIES

Down below the surface of a quiet pond lived a little colony of water bugs. They were a happy colony, living far away from the sun. For many months they were very busy, scurrying over the soft muc on the bottom of the pond. They did notice that every once in a while one of their colony seemed to lose interest in going about with its friends. Clinging to the stem of a pond lily, it gradually moved out of sight and was seen no more.

"Look!" said one of the water bugs to another. "One of our colony is climbing up the lily stalk. Where do you suppose she is going?" Up, up, up it went slowly. Even as they watched, the water bug disappeared from sight. Its friends waited and waited but it didn't return. "That's funny!" said one water bug to another. "Wasn't she happy here?" asked a second water bug. "Where do you suppose she went?" wondered a third. No one had the answer. They were greatly puzzled.

Finally one of the water bugs, a leader in the colony, gathered its friends together. "I have an idea. The next one of us who climbs up the lily stalk must promise to come back and tell us where he or she went and why." "We promise," they said solemnly.

One spring day, not long after, the very water bug who had suggested the plan found himself climbing up the lily stalk. Up, up, up, he went. Before he knew what was happening, he had broken through the surface of the water, and fallen onto the broad, green pad above.

When he awoke, he looked about with surprise. He couldn't believe what he saw. A startling change had come to his old body. His movement revealed four silver wings and a long tail. Even as he struggled, he felt an impulse to move his wings. The warmth of the sun soon dried the moisture from the new body. He moved his wings again and suddenly found himself up above the water. He had become a dragonfly.

Swooping and dipping in great curves, he flew through the air. He felt exhilarated in the new atmosphere. By and by, the new dragonfly lighted happily on a lily pad to rest. Then it was that he chanced to look below to the bottom of the pond. Why, he was right above his old friends, the water bugs! There they were, scurrying about, just as he had been doing some time before. Then the dragonfly remembered the promise: "The next one of us who climbs up the lily stalk will come back and tell where he or she went and why."

Without thinking, the dragonfly darted down. Suddenly he hit the surface of the water and bounced away. Now that he was a dragonfly, he could no longer go into the water. "I can't return!" he said in dismay. "At least I tried, but I can't keep my promise. Even if I could go back, not one of the water bugs would know me in my new body. I guess I'll just have to wait until they become dragonflies, too. Then they'll understand what happened to me, and where I went."

And the dragonfly winged off happily into its wonderful world of sun and air!

(A Parable of Death As A Transition To A Better Afterlife)
by Doris Stickney
Pilgrim Press, 1982 New York (ISBN - 0829806091)

Prayer Request for Sierra !!!

Grandma just called Dad, and he just to rushed over to her place because Sierra is breathing really bad ... it doesn't sound good.

We think she might be going to see Sasha on the Rainbow Bridge tonight.

Please pray and/or keep us in your thoughts and send us healing vibes.

I hope she gets well quick but I don't think it's going to happen this time.
If not, I hope she doesn't suffer long, and Sassycat is there to show her around.

Boy will I miss her! :'-( Poor Daddy - Sierra is his childhood dog, and will be the first pet he's ever lost (Sasha, Shadow and Pumpkin were Mom's cats).