Taking Prednisone means Hope drinks more water, and the bowl makes a headrest.

Sunday was supposed to be a day of rest and play—and it almost was.

The afternoon gathering of local dachshund owners was fun. Dozens of wiener dogs, and a few non-wieners, were there with their owners. Jake and Windy socialized a bit. Hope could not go because she is on restricted activity. I missed her terribly; she stayed home and kept an eye on my husband. At these gatherings she will socialize a bit then will sit near us.

That evening we had to make a trip to the emergency vet. Hope’s breathing became labored, and she did want to lie down.

The ER doctor on call did not find any breathing problems and her lungs were clear, but Hope still didn’t want to lie down and sleep. They kept her overnight to help her rest and to monitor her.

This morning Hope’s oncologist examined our little girl. She said the lymph nodes you could feel were smaller, and I had felt them the day before and noticed the same thing. The nodes we can feel are under her jaw and on one hind leg. The doctor is concerned about Hope’s loud breathing. She has no obstructions, and her airflow is fine. Is there something going on in her throat we cannot see?

Hope’s blood work was OK, so she had chemotherapy. The doctor is hoping the chemo will improve her breathing. The vet said Hope was well behaved and stayed alert.

To help her rest Hope will take Tramadol, in addition to her other medications. Last week she did not vomit or have diarrhea. I’m hoping this week will be the same.

Windy and Jake enjoy the afternoon spring sun while waiting on Hope to come home.

Jake and Windy welcomed Hope home with a competition to see who could sniff her butt the most.