One month later, we miss her so much

It's been over a month since Phara has left us and we've since cremated her remains and buried them underneath the Pharaoh Hound statue in our front yard. I ordered a marker that says "Phara, Sunbathing in Heaven, 1997-2007" which totally describes how she loved to spend her afternoons. She was quite the princess. Me (her mommy) misses her so much. I've finally stopped crying over her but I still miss her barking (very loud!) her grunting when she'd lie down against her will and I especially miss her company. She was a good and loyal friend. Her doggie sister Luna Belle, misses her too. She's grieving still. I know she's more stressed now that her dominant sister is gone. With a new human baby coming in 5 weeks we know it will be hectic, but it will be different without her...

rest in peace....

Phara went to Doggie Heaven today...

Thursday I got the call that our dog Phara's recent illness was due to multiple cancerous tumors in her lungs called carcinomas. Treating it with chemotherapy would be a futile effort and wouldn't stop the fluid building up in her lungs and chest cavity. Over the last two weeks we've already drained out 2.5 liters of fluid and I wasn't going to keep putting her through that. So today, we encouraged Phara to take the path to doggie heaven. She went very peacefully and seemed to be relaxed and happy about it. She was 10 years old, born Feb 4, 1997. She will be missed horribly by us (her human family), her doggie sister Luna Belle and all who crossed paths with this freakishly interesting excuse of a dog called Phara.

We miss her so much already....

over and out....Phara's parents.

The End is Near

I never thought the day would come, but Phara is nearing the end. She was diagnosed with a fatal form of cancer in her lungs, a carcinoma. And no, we do not smoke nor has Phara ever inhaled a cigarette! Why she got it, we don't know. But she's got it and it's bad. The tumors are numerous in her lungs, creating a rush of fluid to her remaining lung nodes and her chest cavity. She is literally drowning in her own body. We drained 1 liter last week and a liter and a half this week. Then came the diagnosis. So I've decided that it's time for her to pass on.

I am so deeply distressed about this. Her sister Luna Belle will be so devastated along with the whole family. My toddler doesn't understand but he knows she's ill. Phara was with me for the last 10 years, through a bitter marriage, a divorce, a rush of singlehood freedom, a new marriage, the birth of my first son and now she will pass on three months before the birth of my second son. Just as in the book "Marley & Me" by John Grogan, she's been the worst dog I could ever not train, but I love her so much, it was worth it. She cost me over $7,000 in medical expenses over the last 10 years. She's always eaten poop. She's snagged a whole tray of raw hot dogs off the kitchen counter, along with many FULL loaves of bread, a couple handmade turkey sandwiches, a bag of bagels, all devoured within minutes. She's the worst barker when someone comes over. She hates storms and firecrackers so much that she pawed her way through many doorframes and drywall. She pretty much detests playful dog friends but tolerates her sister like it was meant to be! But there's one thing I will always remember about Phara - she was my first dog, my first "baby" and she will always be my first dog "love".

The best memory of Phara is what she does best - sunbathing on the lawn. That's how I will remember her best.

My checkup at the vet today!

Today I went for my yearly checkup at the vet. As usual, I went into panic mode but my mom helped me calm down. Luna (my sister) was there and she was a nervous wreck too, but hey, at least I didn't have to have my anal glands squeezed like she did! Tee hee. All is good. I'm old, but still kickin'. Dr. Wendy said my big cysts that keep growing aren't tumors that my mom should worry. She said that's just old age stuff (fatty tumors). Thank goodness they aren't cancer. But they are hideous looking when I am prancing around the yard trying to look like a princess. I mean - when's the last time you saw a beautiful princess with a huge goiter-looking thing growing on her tummy? Mom says that they're hardly noticible to regular people. Whatever. Ever since Mom starting training other dogs more often (mom is a canine behaviorist) she comes home from work and pretends like I am one of her clients! Like I can be retrained?! Go figure. She might think she can rehabilitate other dogs with problems but when it comes to me - I'm wrapped around her little finger, thank goodness. Well, off to bed.

Spring is here!

Thank goodness Spring is here. I didn't think I was going to make it through the winter here in Cincinnati. I hate the cold weather so this warmer weather is just perfect for my sunbathing again. Today, mom and dad and that stupid kid of theirs took me and my doggie sister Luna out for a nice long walk around the neighborhood. We met Jade (a pit bull mix) and I just didn't like her (perhaps it was her new pink collar, which I thought was too nice for her). So I growled at her and she growled back and then our doggie mommies put an end to that fast! Oh well. Then the human kid fell in the mud which meant that was the end of the walk. We had to go home! I am loving the futon I am sleeping on right now as mommy types. It's so comfy after a long day in the sun. My neck is so much better thanks to Dr. Wendy at the Fairfield Animal Care Center. She's awesome. Mom took a new photo of me sleeping in my new bed last night. It's the new main photo on my web page! Check it out!

Take care! Phara

April 5th 2006

Welcome to my diary. I'm getting quite old, just past 9 years. Mom and Dad say that I'm getting cranky in my old days. My sighthound ears and eyes are working okay but my neck isn't so good (my vertebrea are fusing together). I usually just lay on my dog bed and occasionally try to scarf down some of the human kid's food when he drops it on the floor. I have a great life and Luna (my dog sister) is very good to me. She follows me and keeps me company. Together we live in luxury and we are very thankful for our good life!

Mom is starting to teach other dogs and their owners (she's becoming a dog behavorist!) She has three clients so far so she's going to be very good at this!

That's all for today! I hope my neck feels better; it's painful at night!