Whine Enthusiast

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@PrettyLilHound!

I am Pal of the Week!

OH MY DOGNESS! I am absolutely thrilled to be this week's Pal of the Week in Administrators of Catster & Dogster Groups!

This is an incredible honor for a pretty, lil' stinky hound!

Thank you!

Tag I'm It!

I’ve Been Tagged by Maximillian The Trickster, Mirra, and fagged by Rudy Patudy!

This is a game to help us get to know each other!

Here are the Rules:

Choose seven pups and notify them via Paw Mail or by Rosette that they have been tagged and to read your Diary for the instructions on how to play.

Tagged pups must post the rules, the seven facts about themselves, and the names of their seven chosen pups, in their Diary.

Seven Facts About Me:

• I suffer from car anxiety
• I’m a whiner
• I like to chase my own tail
• Before going to sleep, I scoot backwards in a circle on my behind 4-5 times and curl up in a donut shape on my bed.
• I’m an HQ Pup!
• I like to lick everything- the licky, licky, the licky licky
• I love to nuzzle and get kisses on my fuzzy face

The Pups I’ve Tagged:

Sadie Boo
Kansas
Sammy
Sugar
Champ
Willie
Bonzer

Do You Remember Love?

My furiend Brody sent this beautiful poem, Do You Remember Love, to me. I suggest selecting View Moving Picture With Music Only. Get out the tissue; it is a tearjerker!

Everyone Knows it's Sammy!

I had surgery to remove my right eye two weeks ago Tuesday. There were absolutely no complications with my surgery. My biggest challenge was the cone. The cone, coupled with the "loopiness" from pain meds, made "mapping" my whereabouts and maneuvering around difficult; the cone also interferes with my hearing. I was only blind a week prior to the surgery and was just starting to get around without my sight, so these first few days after her surgery were a difficult setback. I had a tendency to get stuck in one place and couldn’t find my way out. I would just sit down and whine. I’m a hound so I whine a lot more than other dogs anyway, but I whined a bit more that usual.

The first weekend after my surgery, Moxie, my furiend from work, came to stay with us. She wouldn’t come near me because she was afraid of the cone, so we removed it, since I would be supervised all weekend. I didn’t scratch at my stitches, so the cone came off permanently. After the cone was removed, and with some coaxing from Moxie, I started to move around a lot more. Every day my confidence grew and I can now find my way around the house with no trouble at all. I can find my way outside, into the living room and up on to my favorite spot on the couch. I can find my bed in the bedroom and know exactly where They keep the treats! I can also hear much better. I keep my ears perked up a lot more than I used to and everyone thinks I look really cute with my “perky ears.”

I was hesitant to go out for walks at first and would stubbornly refuse to move. But today I was trottin’ along and enjoying every minute of my morning stroll. Today is a beautiful sunny day in San Francisco, and we took a walk down to one of our favorite places to have breakfast. The restaurant has an outdoor patio with a water bowl for dogs and I got some bacon! On our way home we ran into Dr. Fong from Irving Street Veterinarian Hospital. He performed both of my enucleation surgeries. I recognized his voice immediately. He was so happy to see me doing so well. He took a look at my stitches and said they could come out in a few days. He thought I looked really good.

I also got to stop and sniff all of the dogs we met along the way. I’m no longer afraid of other dogs approaching me. A lot of people stop and ask about my blindness. Most of them always point out that I don’t seem to have a problem using my nose to get around. Which is so true! I do love a good sniffin’!

I continue to be showered with love, reassurance, and encouragement. My furiend Kansas suggested we order the book "Living With Blind Dogs.” It just arrived from Amazon so we’re looking forward to learning more about my life without sight. We’ve also heard from a lot of pups on Dogster who have offered great advice. Thanks everyfur!

We are completely overwhelmed with all of the Gifts and Rosettes, and Paw Mail we’ve received. We have every intention of personally thanking each and everyone but in the meantime, please know that each and every kind word has touched our hearts so deeply and we are so grateful for your love and support.

One of the dogs on Dogster that has been one of my greatest sources of support and inspiration, Samuel Jacob, whom I fondly refer to as my beloved sweet Sammers, a dog of great strength and determination, left this world yesterday and crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Our hearts go out to his Mom and Dad and his brother and sister, Mickey and Bernadette (aka The Roo Croo).

One of the things that Sammers loved to do most was run and jump. His back problems, and the loss of his back leg, made this difficult. I find comfort knowing that he is pain free and runnin’ and jumpin’ to his heart’s content. Last night we we’re havin’ a cuddle on the couch and the wind howling. All of the windows in our old Victorian were rattlin and I knew that it was Sammers with all of his runnin’ and jumpin kickin’ up all the wind. Sammers, I love you dear friend and every time the wind blows, I will think of you and know that it is you runnin’ and jumpin’.

For what is it to die, but to stand in the sun and melt into the wind?
-Kahlil Gibran

Seeing With The Heart

I had a terrible spike in my ocular pressure Saturday morning and lost my sight.

Today is day five without my sight and everyday I become more confident. The vet says I’m walking in circles sometimes because I’m “mapping out” my surroundings. I may need a snout guard to help cushion the **bumps.** Yesterday, I found my food and water and made my way outside without a lead. Stairs are scary, especially going down, but they get easier to maneuver every time I take them. I’m a bit weary of strange dogs, but I my office “furiends” have been a big help with alleviating my fears. They all met me at the door yesterday morning and I was VERY happy to have them around me.

I’m learning a lot of new voice commands like stop, downstairs, upstairs, and bump. Of course, She never leaves my side and always offers encouragement and reassurance.

I'm going to have surgery to have my eye removed on Tuesday. Relieving any discomfort from the increased pressure will help me adjust much quicker.

A heartfelt thanks to “everyfur” that has reached out through Paw Mail, with Gifts and Rosettes, and in the Forums to wish me well and offer kind words of support, advice, and hope; they are a cherished comfort.

When I'm not sleepin', my tail is still waggin’ non-stop!

A Poem from my beloved pal Sammers:

Poem about a Blind Dog
by Sherrill Wardrip

I cannot see you Mommy, when you cuddle me so near.
And yet I know you love me, it's in the words I hear.
I cannot see you Daddy, when you hold me by your side
But still I know you love me when you tell me so with pride.

I cannot see to run and play out in the sun so bright
For here inside my tiny head it's always dark as night.
I cannot see the treats you give when I am extra good
But I can wag my tail in thanks, just like a good dog should.

"She cannot see. The dogs no good" is what some folks might say
"She can't be trained, she'll never learn She must be put away."
But not you, Mom and Daddy You know that it's all right
Because I love you just as much as any dog with sight.

You took me in, you gave me love and we will never part
Because I'm blind with just my eyes, I see you in my heart.

Afternoon Cuddle

Everyday at the office, usually sometime between 3-4pm, She scoops me up and takes me to the couch for an “Afternoon Cuddle.” She and I, along with other team members and their dogs (vv brings his fish, fishbowl and all), take about 15 minutes to snuggle up together, get belly scrubs and ear scratches and kisses all over our furry lil’ faces. If you call between 3-4pm and nobody picks up the phone, we just might be on the couch having a cuddle. So, grab your pup and cuddle with us!

Just a short note about my glaucoma. I’ve had a couple of spikes in my ocular pressure the last couple of weeks. The pressure went down immediately following my regular eye drop application and medication, but the vet is concerned about the effect the spikes may have on my vision. My laser surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18.

Sadly, my pals Arthur and the puppopotomus Shebaboth went to the Bridge last month. We miss them dearly.

Happy, Happy, Friday!

I had an outstanding morning at the vet. My ocular pressure is normal, my optical nerve is fat and healthy and my vision is great! The vet says I am responding very well to the new medication and that he won't need to see me for another month!

Keeping paws crossed for my pal Arthur and the puppopotomus Sheba.

Sweet Arthur

My Pal, Arthur is having some trouble with his heart. Please keep him in your thoughts.

It's All About the Eye Drops

The good news about my vet visit yesterday was that the pressure in my eye was at a good level, however the vet is concerned that continued spikes in my pressure will damage my eye and cause blindness. I got a prescription for a new drop (now I have three) and a pill I will take twice a day. I have another appointment in two weeks to see how I’m responding to the new medication.

Laser cyclophotocoagulation, which uses a laser to burn small areas in the tissue in the eye that produces fluid, so that less fluid is produced, is a procedure we’re considering if I don’t respond well to the new meds. She is committed to doing whatever is necessary to preserve the vision in my remaining eye and keep me comfortable and pain free.

Thank Goodness For My Emergency Kit!

Last night as we were leaving the office, She noticed that my left eye was cloudy white again and I was not able to see. As soon as we got home, She grabbed the “emergency kit.” About an hour later, the cloudiness had cleared from my eye and I could see again! I’m back in the office today and have been under Her desk sleeping for most of the day. She checks my eye regularly. My pupil is big and blue but I can see. Tomorrow morning I have an appointment with the vet to check the pressure in my eye.

La Vida Glaucoma

I had surgery to have my right eye removed on December 20. After surgery, I had a little swelling but the vet said I did really well. I got a nice combination of painkillers the vet called "puppy vicodin” and an antibiotic I had to take twice a day for ten days.

My eye area was shaved and with the bright pink stitches and the swelling, I looked pretty pathetic, but She still thinks I’m one of the prettiest lil' hounds She’s ever seen! It wasn't as drastic a change as we had anticipated, however, my adorable eyebrows are still very expressive.

When I came home from surgery I whined non-stop unless I was being cuddled. I was a little freaked out from the morphine. I also got to sleep in the big bed because it was the only way I’d settle down and stop crying. I don’t normally sleep in the big bed because it’s really tall and They’re worried I’ll hurt myself jumping off of the bed, but this night, I was spooned safely between them.

The day after surgery, I went into the office just like any other day, tail waggin’ non-stop. My appetite returned the same day; I ate my regular food, treats and drank lots of water! We took a long walk on the beach over the weekend, and I learned I could use my “cone” to shovel sand!

By the time Christmas rolled around I was feeling great. We spent the holiday’s at Grandma’s and I made sure to stick my long nose in every present under the tree, knocking ornaments off the tree with my cone” as I went along. Grandma gave me plenty of brisket nibbles at Christmas Eve dinner, and I even had a few bites of crab leg.

The time between Christmas and New Year’s was quiet. I spent lots of time cuddled up on the couch with Them watching movies and getting my belly scrubbed and ears scratched.

On New Year’s Eve, I went to the vet and had my stitches removed. The vet said I had healed perfectly. The best part was not having to wear the cone anymore!

Thursday, January 3, marked the one-year anniversary of my arrival from Tampa to my “furever” home in San Francisco. She wasn’t feeling well and had opted to do a little work from home between naps and mugs of hot tea. Around 10:00 am She woke me up to give me my eye drops. When I opened my eye, it was cloudy white and I could not see a thing. She ran immediately for the “emergency kit,” and called the vet. The vet would see us late in the afternoon. Meanwhile, She contacted my wonderful friends in the B&A Group, while I sniffed my way around the house, occasionally bumping into a doorway. I finally settled down in the hallway and went to sleep. She checked on me every few minutes and within two hours, the cloudiness had cleared from my eye and I wandered back into the living room with my vision restored! A miracle happened, or the emergency kit worked (We prefer to believe it was the prayers). The vet said that I’d had a spike in pressure but that it was back to normal and there was no permanent damage to my vision. OMD! I have new drops and another appointment next week to check the pressure. In a few weeks I’ll go into the vet for a full day for an interval pressure check.

This week I’m happy and pain free. Thanks to everypup (and puppycat) for your love, support, thoughtful wishes, and prayers.

DOG OF THE DAY!

Between grunts and snores, and maneuvering around the plastic cone on my head, tails a waggin’ non-stop!

I don’t know how much more love and attention a pretty, stinky, lil’ hound can take! The honor of Dogster’s Dog of the Day is causin’ quite a bit of commotion around the house today!

Much woof and thanks to HQ, especially, my BWPPF (Best Work Pup Pals Forever) Mr. Niles, Sherpa, the puppopotomus Sheba, Zach, Miss Moxie, and Marcel.

A BIG howl out to all of my very special Pup Pals (and puppycat Dusty), in the Before and After Group. I WOOF YOU ALL SO MUCH!

I’m goin’ down for the belly scrubs—Howooooooooooooooooool!

I've been Diagnosed With Glaucoma

I was diagnosed with glaucoma on Tuesday.

Primary Glaucoma is an inherited condition and occurs in many breeds, especially American Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, Chow Chows, Shar Peis, Labrador Retrievers, and Arctic Circle breed dogs (Huskies, Elkhounds, etc).

If you are one of the breeds listed above, I urge you to have your vet check the pressure in your eyes, and your caregivers to learn more about glaucoma. There are a lot of resources on the Internet and Dogster's Forums have posts from other pups that have glaucoma. They've helped me immensely!

I've already lost sight in my right eye, and I am not responding well to the eye drops I was given to keep the pressure in my eye down. The opthamologist has recommended removing the eye, so I am having surgery on Thursday. In the meantime, I have pain medication to keep me comfortable. I also have drops once a day to delay the onset of glaucoma in my left eye and an emergency kit to prevent blindness.

Most importantly, I have very loving and supportive friends and family, both at home and on Dogster that are holding my paws during this difficult time.


This diary entry is dedicated to my new Pup Pals Jester, Weiland, and Mia and everypup living with glaucoma.

Wink, wink and tail wags,

Lucy

I've Been Thanksgiving Tagged!

I’ve Been Thanksgiving Tagged by Sassy!

Here are the Rules:

Choose seven pups and notify them via Paw Mail or by Rosette that they have been tagged and to read your Diary for the instructions on how to play.

Tagged pups must post the rules, the seven special things they are thankful for, and the names of their seven chosen pups, in their Diary.

Seven Things I’m Thankful For:

• They always greet me with a smile
• She takes me to work with Her
• Living within walking distance of Golden Gate Park
• Ear scratches and Belly Scrubs
• Five months without an ear infection
• I can ALWAYS find something stinky to roll in
• All of my Pup Pals on Dogster

The Pups I’ve Tagged:

Tilda
Truman a.k.a Nib-Daddy
Daisyhead Max of West Delhi
Izzie
Tia
Sequel
Tag

How Old is Ten in Dog Years?

Much woof to all of my "furiends" for the wonderful woofday wishes! I am truly "furtunate" to run with the always amazing and "pawe-inspiring" Dogster pack!