Busy Dogs

Posted on July 27, 2011 by daysofourdogs

Jake's giant fish is a constant source of amusement for him.

Jake hit the road with me this week to help out some relatives.

As usual he got excited at the site of a bag being packed. He didn’t need to be told to go to the car; however, Windy and Hope were not amused to be left behind.

Jake gets an A+ as a houseguest. He knows when to be quiet, how to ask for attention and eagerly greet visitors. Windy could learn a great deal from him.

Hope saw her oncologist today. Her cancer is playing games with us. It is gone in some places but appearing in others. We are not in remission, but we haven’t lost ground. She will be trying a new chemotherapy tomorrow. Other than that, the doctor was pleased with her behavior, and she is learning to trust the doctor more.

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Hot Dogs

Posted on July 22, 2011 by daysofourdogs

Hope patiently waits for the results of her blood work.

With the furkids lounging in an air-conditioned living room, I think they forget how hot it is.

Potty breaks are brief because of the heat and humidity, but their short-terms memories are toast when it comes to begging for a walk. Even at 9 p.m. the humidity could be dangerous for Hope’s breathing.

This week the oncology veterinarian said Hope’s blood work was great. We can stop giving her antibiotics. We can’t feel any swollen lymph nodes. She will get more chemotherapy Wednesday, so that means a few days of anti-nausea medication and an antibiotic.

Don’t tell Hope she is sick. She is active, curious, hungry and demanding. During a thunderstorm the other day she was asking for a walk. Windy, however, gets annoyed with thunder and lightening and lets out her intruder bark. Jake, on the other hand, ignores the girls and naps. Jake knows how to live.

Jake waits for Hope's blood test results.

 

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Walking In Summertime

Posted on July 18, 2011 by daysofourdogs

Jake prepares to come in the back door. Windy, however, wants longer to work on her tan.

The furkids, while living in an air-conditioned house, don’t know that temperatures are in the 90s and the humidity is so heavy you could almost swim in the air.

Hope argued with me yesterday. At mid-day she wanted a walk. I gently said, “No, not now. We will later.” This did not sit well with her. Her barking intensified.

I never yell at Hope. I seldom correct her. I am so glad when she acts like a normal dog I cannot bring myself to lower my voice and bark out “No!” Her environment of living in an Amish puppy mill for five years deprived her of so much. I want her to explore her surroundings. Of everyone in the house, Windy hears that “No!” the most often. On the rare occasions Jake hears it, which is when he wants more treats than he should have, he acts like his feelings have been hurt and will go sulk in his bed.

Hope finally settled down. We went for a walk at 9 p.m. And when we got home, she didn’t even say “Thank you”.

After their walk, Jake and Hope wait for the front door to be opened.

 

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Living With Cancer

Posted on July 14, 2011 by daysofourdogs

Hope takes a break from her toy.

Hope is improving.

Last week’s change of chemotherapy has reduced the masses in Hope’s anal area to “nearly normal,” the oncology vet said. Her tonsil and throat look normal also.

However, Hope’s white cell count is dangerously low—the lowest it ever has been. The risk of infection is great. Just like a human, a dog’s body has germs on the outside. If we have a normal white cell count and encounter one of our own germs, we can fight it off. In Hope’ case, she might not be able to fight it off.

So we look for signs of infection. We watch to see if she is lethargic. If she doesn’t want to eat that could indicate a problem. If we see a problem, we must get her to the emergency vet immediately.

Hope, though, is energetic and eating. She will go back to her oncologist next week for another exam and blood test.

Windy and Jake continue to care for their sister. Windy likes to snuggle, especially at bedtime, and Jake still gives her a good slurping massage down her back each night.

Jake and Windy enjoy the afternoon sun.

 

Posted in Dachshunds, Dog Health, Dogs and Cancer, Schnauzers | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Waiting For The Doctor

Posted on July 12, 2011 by daysofourdogs

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Jake supports Hope while we wait for the doctor.

Will update later. Trying out a mobile app now.

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Ask Them About Their Grandogs

Posted on July 8, 2011 by daysofourdogs

Windy is exhausted after an eight-hour drive. At least she didn't get a ticket.

Windy hit the road with me to visit her “grandparents”.

Windy never traveled without Hope or Jake before, so she sulked a bit in the car. The trip was good; however, because she got to explore a new environment, and I got some time to work with her one-on-one.

Dogs like routine, so this did upset Windy. New sounds were bothersome. But she got plenty of attention and love. She does bark at bit too much, and a week working on this problem made some progress.

When we returned home, Jake, Hope and her daddy were thrilled to see us. Windy fell into her routine almost immediately.

Hope still isn’t in remission. Her appointment this week with the oncology veterinarian
was not encouraging. During her physical exam, the vet found “raised masses” in her rectal area. And somehow she got tapeworms. Fleas can result in tapeworms, but we regularly use Advantix on everyone.

Hope’s chemotherapy drugs were changed again. The positive news is she has good airflow through her nose and no cancer re-growth in her throat. Next week she will get a blood test and another physical exam. Now she is on two antibiotics, a de-wormer and Metronidazole because her stools are loose.

Hope, though, is active. She still nags us for walks, and she gets one every day. She explores the back yard and likes to look out the bay window in the living room to bark frantically at squirrels, rabbits, people and cars. Her appetite is good and she is bright-eyed. We are not ready to give up.

Hope prepares for an afternoon nap in the living room.

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She Keeps Fighting Cancer

Posted on June 29, 2011 by daysofourdogs

Jake, Hope and Windy settle in for a good night's sleep.

The last chemotherapy is working. The oncologist said Hope’s breathing was good and she could not see a swollen tonsil or any other swollen area. Her lymph nodes are smaller.

This is good news, and the vet said this was the first time Hope seemed happy. She always is alert and bright-eyed. Her white count, though, is the lowest it ever has been. She is scheduled for chemo Tuesday. We will hope her white count cooperates.

As for taking the whole pack to the doctor: It went well. Jake charmed the folks in the waiting room, and once sufficient attention was paid to Windy, she became prissy and endearing.

Hope is still on two antibiotics to protect against infection, but she is lively and eating well. We continue to be hopeful, and please keep those prayers coming.

 

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Fireworks And Furkids

Posted on June 28, 2011 by daysofourdogs

Hope will have a quiet place for the Fourth of July.

The Fourth of July means fun and fireworks—but that may not be so fun for your furkid.

Sudden loud noises can frighten dogs. Please keep your furkids away from fireworks, or at least keep them contained.

Even obedient dogs have been known to run away and be lost when they hear fireworks going off. You don’t want that to happen. Preferably, keep your furkid inside.

Fireworks can also cause anxiety and fear. Handle this like you would any fear situation. Don’t indulge in your dog’s fear, but provide a safe place, and maybe some toys and treats, for him.

In other news, Hope goes to the veterinary oncologist this afternoon. Jake and Windy will accompany her to give her moral support. She does better with them around. However, getting three dogs through an automatic door can be like herding cats in a tornado.

Windy, not thrilled with getting up, yawns.

 

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Cancer, Schmancer: We Are Still In The Fight

Posted on June 24, 2011 by daysofourdogs

Hope loves to play with Jake's fish. In the Amish puppy mill, Hope didn't have toys.

Hope seems to be responding to Monday’s chemotherapy!

Hope’s snoring has been reduced by about 90 percent and her wheezing has stopped. She is alert and energetic. We took a long walk last night and she enjoyed herself.

However, she has a bit of diarrhea and must take some Metronidazole in addition to the Zofran for nausea. She has not vomited and does have some appetite.

Windy and Jake has wonderful caregivers. Each night Jake licks Hope and sometimes in the afternoon he will sneak up on her for slurping. Windy enjoys snuggling next to her.

When people say dogs are hard-wired with only instinct I am dismayed. All furkid parents know their dogs have feelings. Yes they observe our actions, listen to our voices and respond accordingly. But we know they experience joy, anxiety, sadness, fear, and other emotions.

Recently I read that 95 percent of all dog owners talk to their furkids. http://www.dogsgossip.com/ That does not surprise me. They are a part of our families. I confess I will sing to my dogs — but only when no one is home. I wouldn’t want my husband to think I am crazy.

Windy and Hope settle in for a good night's sleep.

 

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Waiting And Wondering

Posted on June 21, 2011 by daysofourdogs

An afternoon nap is a necessity for Hope.

Hope had chemotherapy yesterday.

Her dose was increased a bit because she is between the weight guidelines for dosages. We know she is not in remission any more because of her snoring. The snoring returned last weekend. Her exam yesterday revealed a swollen tonsil and additional swelling farther down her throat.

Hope is still tired from yesterday, although her day was easier because I took Jake along to give her support. She is more relaxed with him around. Jake is sleeping today also.

Hope’s appetite is a bit off today, and I suspect she vomited a bit this morning. She has taken her nausea medicine. She is bright-eyed and alert.

Can we get her back into remission? If not we can try another chemo drug. The oncology veterinarian said we could try radiation on her throat, but we will not try that. Radiation is where we would draw the line. Whatever time she has left, I want it to be without having to have her skip breakfast, be put under anesthesia, radiated, then brought home — and not knowing how many doses she would need. I know the vet who specializes in radiation would be more upbeat about the process, but I think Hope has been through enough with chemo.

Please keep the prayers coming. Thank you.

 

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