They will not go quietly..

"They will not go quietly,
the dogs who've shared our lives.
In subtle ways they let us know
their spirit still survives.
Old habits still make us think
we hear a barking at the door.
Or step back when we drop
a tasty morsel on the floor.
Our feet still go around the place
the food dish used to be,
And, sometimes, coming home at night,
we miss them terribly.
And although time may bring new friends
and a new food dish to fill,
That one place in our hearts
belongs to them .......... and always will"
(author unknown)

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A new angel at the bridge

I went to Rainbow Bridge today. I got awfully weak over the past few days, and fell a lot and it was a struggle to get up and just get around. I had several health problems but it was probably the cushings disease that took me.

I took one of mom's socks along with me to always remember her by.

*note from mom: Virginia's biggest joy in life was guarding my socks, and I would give her a different pair every day. She waited for them, and would tuck them under her chin and go to sleep that way. It was our daily ritual.

You were such a different little character Virginia, and so devoted.

love you furever.

I've got a really big heart

dear diary, I went to the dogtor for a check-up recently re cushings, cause mom thought I needed my meds adjusted. The dogtor said I seemed to be breathing funny so I had an x-ray. That's when it was discovered that I have an enlarged heart, and am actually in heart failure.

We were all surprised, because an ultrasound just a year ago showed that my heart was just fine thank you; but the dogtor says heart problems can come on fast in us seniors, so there you are! I've been on heart meds a couple of weeks now, and I am kind of in a holding pattern...I dont seem to feel any worse but I'm not getting much better either. The dogtor said the meds can't cure me but will slow down the progression of the disease, and the good news is: the first time she listened to my heart all she could hear was fluid, but now she can hear my heart clearly, so that's an improvement.

Looks like I will be seeing the dogtor fairly often now for monitoring; I'm ok with that, she's very nice and gives treats !! BOL

time for a nap. BAYL

Virginia

It's my 14th barkday

well imagine that, 14 today. I was 5 when I joined this family and time's gone fast. My brother Jetta only made it to 14, so I hope I do better than him!

I feel pretty good in spite of cushings and thyroid. My thyroid pills have brought my levels up to normal but so far I haven't lost much weight, only an ounce !! I guess that means I can't expect an extra helping today - or maybe mom will make an exception for my special day.

We are having real hot weather all of a sudden and its almost too much, I think I'll go spend my barkday in the shade somewhere.

BAYL

Recent events

Mom kept me off the cushings meds for a good month and then I went on a lower dose and am tolerating them well. however mom noticed I was still looking pretty heavy and also had some hair loss on my legs - she suspected something was going on besides cushings, probably thyroid, so off to the vet again for a consultation and bloodwork.

yes I'm hypothyroid so I will be taking thyro-tabs from now on. They usually work pretty fast so we are hoping to see improvement in a few weeks.

mom says it would be nice if I slimmed down a bit and got a waist again - I have to agree, its no fun dragging those extra pounds around. otherwise I'm doing ok for a gal who is facing her 14th barkday.

I'll post a thyroid update when I've been on the pills a while.

BAYL

Cushings disease

Good grief I have been diagnosed with cushings. Mom can't believe it either; she says I am the 4th pup she's had with cushings.

Mom kind of thought so before we got the diagnosis because my appetite increased and I grew a pot belly - and that's just like my brother Jetta went.

the vet put me on meds but they didnt agree with me and I had two weird neurological type episodes - in the first episode I started circling and that time mom thought maybe it was an ear infection. the second time I started head bobbing and my eyes were darting around--that's when mom freaked out and took me to ER in the middle of a snow storm - the worst day of the year, and there we were out in it !

by the time the dogtor at ER saw me I was ok again (these episodes only last about an hour). by now mom had clue'd in that it might be the cushings meds so she discontinued them, and so far I feel a lot better and act normal too! we still need to address the cushings somehow - I'm on some supplements and a liver friendly diet for now, we will probably have to try the drugs again next year, but they would be at a lower dose. Power of the Paw would be appreciated..

my brother has gone to Rainbow Bridge

I only found my half brother Jetta two years ago; sadly he had a myriad of health problems, and yesterday kidney disease won and he left for the Bridge. He and mom had a final cozy picnic together while they talked over old times. You can read the whole story in Jetta's diary http://www.dogster.com/dogs/389481

I've been coughing

I've been coughing for a couple of weeks and mom thought it was that heart thingy I've got getting worse, so it was off to the dogtor for a re-check.

turns out my heart is still the same, but I've got collapsing trachea for goodness sakes! The dogtor prescribed Vanectyl-P and it has helped a lot. I dont eat anything too dry or I seem to choke--so most of my food is wet now, and no kibble unless its soaked first...I'm cool with that !

I had an ultrasound

well mom got the idea that we should all have ultrasounds to see how we're doing inside - somebuddy told her we would find things way before they showed up in bloodwork, and they were right! I have sludge in my gallbladder, and mitral valve insufficiency (heart), so I started on a couple of meds and I should be up to speed before too long--not that I wasn't feeling good before!

I think my results were pretty good for a senior !

ACL Surgery

Yup I tore my ACL in the rt. rear leg, dont know how I did it, but mom noticed I was limping and off to the dogter we went for confirmation.

March 7, oh-oh its surgery day - I knew something was up when I didnt get any breakfast and mom hustled me into the car at 7:30 a.m. The surgery went well, the dogter said it was a full tear and I got the traditional ACL repair.

March 8 - I stayed over night and mom picked me up the next day; I came home on the pain patch and stayed quite comfortable through the whole ordeal.

March 14 - I had a re-check and a shot of cartrophen and the dogter said I am making the right amount of progress - not too fast - just toe touching so far which apparently is desirable, so good for me !! I feel so good I want to jump and run all over the place, mom is having quite a time keeping me under control !!

April 08 - I've finished my cartrophen shots and the dogter is pleased with my leg, nice and stable she said. I still have to be on restricted activity, which is really hard--but it is kind of nice being carried up and down stairs - mom sez I shouldnt get used to it !! BOL