Always my little girl

September 21, 2011 Madison lost her battle with cancer. She was at home with her family around her. I know it will take time but I still ache for her every moment.

"Your absence has gone through me like thread through a needle. Everything I do is stitched with its color".

Cancer Sucks

Unfortunately in early July of this year at just over 5 years old Madison was diagnosed with cancer. We went the chemotherapy route and unfortunately Maddy had a really hard time with it. We decided that for all the discomfort and stress it was causing her it would be better for her to be home and receive treatment there.

She's been having a difficult time and we know that our time with her is limited.

Inelegantly and without my consent I'm losing my big baby girl.

It's been over a year now.

January 23rd 2009 was the date of Madison't second knee surgery. She is doing well. She used to have a bit of what we called the John Elway walk but as she gained her muscle mass back that helped a ton. Every now and then if she over does it she gets a bit stiff but overall she is an active pooch. She goes for walks, chases Reggie, and gets the zoomies daily.

I still can't believe how well she took the whole process. She was a perfect patient. She still loves the van and going for rides is something she enjoys and has no problem at all getting in and out all by herself. Thanks to all who offered advice, showed their support and continue to do so we both greatly appreciate it.

I've been Tagged by my pal Gordy

My friend Gordy tagged me!

This will be fun! I love games, so here is how it works.... I tell you 7 things about myself and then tag 7 of my pals to do the same. Ready?

1. Not only do I sleep curled up in a ball, but I also sleep with my teddy bear. I take it everywhere I go. I kiss, and hug my bear. I even greet everyone with my bear to show them how great he is.

2. One my favortie part of the day is when my older brother Karl gives me kisses. We make an event of it. I wait patiently for him and he kisses my face all over.

3. I love to just sit in the sun. Sunbathing is one of my favorite activities.

4. I'm always so embarrassed when I have to take a bath. They take me in the front yard and hose me off, then rub shampoo all over me, and hose me off again. I admit the massage feels kind of nice but I feel so vulnerable.

5. Despite size, I am a lap dog.

6. When I'm really excited and happy I kind of purr like a cat.

7. I have one, little, odd white spot on my bum.

Now for the 7 pals I tag
Annie - 865483
Nallah - 558301
Rosie - 138230
Levi PAWS - 588934/451
Nina - 791725
Sanford Hawley - 921642
Bailey - 552101

Maddy gets her own car.

Yup, Madison has her own car now. Or should I say she is the reason for the new car? We have and SUV and had my little car (which I LOVED), but we traded in my little car.

Maddy has always been able to fit easily in the SUV but with her knees being bad it was getting harder and harder for her to get in and out. I couldn't take her places on my own because I couldn't lift her in and then carry her out. So it became quite clear that we needed something lower to the ground, but still big enough for her and the other pooches as well. So the best choice seemed MINI VAN!

I never, ever thought I'd be driving a mini van, but here I am. It's a new Dodge Caravan and has plenty of room for everyone to fit all at once. In fact I think we're even going to take a road trip to PA to see the inlaws, all five dogs and everything.

So look out road, here I come, and this little gal ain't used to driving such a big vehicle.

Maddy's second surgery

Well Maddy had her second surgery on January 23rd. The surgeon said the arthritis in this knee was much worse then the first, and she spent more then twice as long in surgery this time then last. Other then that though he said things went well.

We picked her up the next day she had a pretty pale green cast/bandage and more then anything she wanted to come home!

It has been several weeks and I think she's progressing along fine. Her biggest obstacle is the lack of muscle in her back legs. She has lost so much muscle mass back there that building it back up will take quite a bit of work. She also has a lump on one of her knees at the end of the incision right at her knee that the vet seemed some what concerned with. He said he'd call the surgeon and have her come back in for him to look at, so fingers crossed that it's nothing.

This time around recovery seems to be much slower and much more difficult. Maybe that's just me projecting or me remembering how she used to be and comparing it to how she is now. I'm not sure, but things do seem to be a bit more difficult for her this time around.

She has been nothing but the perfect patient though and tough as nails. She's going to pull through just fine. I know she will.

I've Been Tagged by Kuma

Madison's been tagged by Kuma!
Here are the rules:

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 pmail that they have been tagged and to read your Diary, or, send them a fun Rosette announcing they've been Tagged!

7 Fun facts about me(Madison):

1. My original name was Megan and my new Mum and Dad named me Madison when they adopted me.
2. I am actually a Dachshund
3. I'm horrified of bees
4. I like to sleep curled up in a little ball
5. I know people are jealous of my long "dancer" legs
6. I love car rides with the windows down. Only down a little bit, I don't like too much wind.
7. I love being a couch potato.

7 puppers I tag:

Charley
Thor
Nikita Sophia
Zeus Carleton
Cracker
Ollivander
Mississippi

It's Maddy's Day

Well today is Madison's Birthday. She turns a young 3 years old. When we had her at the vets for her knee check-up the receptionist called her middle age. WHAT! Not my little girl, after all she is still my little girl.

Her check up went well. He thought maybe she had some fluid in her knee or it could just be things settling in and adjusting. He said to do some cold press and hot press treatments and see where things go. Since doing that her knee seems to be great, and no fluid.

Since she can't really go for a walk, or go outside and play (since her other knee is still busted) I'm going to take her for a car ride and get her a couple plain hamburgers. Probably even drive by the beach and let her hang her head out the window to bark at the seagulls.

So Happy Birthday sweet girl. It doesn't get much better then you. :)

Well we have an update. The surgeon called today and Maddy goes in for her second knee surgery next Friday the 23 rd.

Almost one month. I can't believe it.

Well, next week will be one full month since Madison's surgery. I can't believe it. She's been doing so well, we're so proud of her. She has her one week check-up next Thursday, and I'm sure the doc will be please with how things are coming. The scar looks good, and she already has so much hair coming back.

The biggest issue now is that she thinks she's completely better, and wants to play. So our task at hand is still keeping her quiet and still.

Better and better everyday

She's getting better with each passing day. Even the scar is starting to look not so intimidating, and is beinning to blend in. Her hair is also coming back in.

Keeping her still and quiet is becoming more of a chore. Thankfully she listens well, but you can tell that she is really not happy about it. More and more she's wanting to get up, and play with the others. Mum won't let her though, and for that she is very annoyed. She'll get over it though.

We're keeping her quiet and doing her exercises so that she'll get better and be on her way and healthy enough to do the next surgery.