(((Hugs CWS)))
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CWS4322
Chef Extraordinaire
Thanks. She's the "wild child" in this painting--the one with the funky hair and smudge spot on her face (upper-right hand corner of the painting 1). She's the one who could climb a tree, escape out of the bathroom window, under the fence (4"), counter surf without a sound, spent 90% of the time at obedience class (the first time) in the back room, the next time, she was the demo dog. She could spot a fly on the wall and climb the wall to catch it, hear the cheese wrapper opening when she was outside, and has been the most challenging dog I've ever had, but I must say, I've loved her despite it all (even when she bit me). I've wrapped her legs 2x a day for three weeks after she got in a dog fight. I've held her when she's been on IV fluids (after the dog fight) and loved her best. I've been down this road more times that I like to count (or admit). Not sure how to link the paintings I had done of my dogs, but here's a the link (James, btw, is an amazing artist--very well known in Japan and he did the graphics for the Cosby Show. He is also a great friend). Ironically, James did these paintings for my birthday in 2006. The backstory is that he had some pastel cartoon-like drawings he had done of his dogs, he was preparing for a show and showed us his paintings. His b'day is today, so we used to celebrate our b'days together. I raved over it so much, he offered to do a painting of my dogs, which turned out to be two. To see the paintings, you have to load his site, and then select Original Art, then Mixed Media, and then Dogs (1 and 2 are my paintings--I LOVE these paintings and I love James for doing them for me--these paintings are so dear to me).
James Talmadge Art - Original Art - Mixed Media - Dogs 1 and 2
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Dawgluver
Chef Extraordinaire
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Can't open the link, CWS. Really want to see it!
CWS4322
Chef Extraordinaire
Great pictures!
Dawgluver
Chef Extraordinaire
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Ah! No Flash on iPad, will look through the desktop. Thanks!
CWS4322
Chef Extraordinaire
I feel very blessed to have those paintings. He stepped out of his comfort zone to do those for me. When he unveiled the paintings, I was speechless (and cried). At the time, all but one of the dogs was still alive. The Big Saint and the Black labby-type (the puppy and the big boy on the upper left of the first painting) died in February, 2007. I was very happy to have the paintings before they died.
Framed, the paintings are about 4 ft x 3 ft. Charlie and Martin Sheen have his art, as does Brooke Shields, but they don't have what I have that captures James' talent and his love for animals and his gift to me. Up close and personal, the web site does not do them justice. The colors are very vibrant (they are acrylic with pastel on handmade watercolor paper) and he captured each dog's personality. All the others are gone, she's the only one left.
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Claire, in all my blubbering about Joie I missed this. Big hugs to you and gentle ones for Rosebud. My sister has had two Goldens who suffered from seizures. It is a rough go. My heart goes out to you.
And I agree about them being worth every penny (Joie was a sort of rescue as well). It is just so hard when you don't have enough pennies for them (and here in Canada the penny is becoming extinct!).
Keep us posted on how she is doing, please.
Joie ended up wanting supper when I fed Violet. I gave him a small amount of plain rice with a few kibbles and so far it has stayed down. He is looking better too. "Mom" is totally worn out, but glad he is a little better.
We just got back from the vet about an hour ago from getting Joie's follow-up xrays. One month ago they saw a small mass in his abdomen, near his lungs and what could have been a foreign object in his stomach. He got better and so we didn't do anything except watch him and keep up with some medication. He was his old self for a couple of weeks then a few days ago the pain and vomiting started all over.
Joie's new x-rays showed that the stomach is clear, but the lungs are full of fluid and there are at least 6 more masses and a lot of inflammation.
The vet said we could do an ultrasound, biopsies, surgery, chemo, etc. but it still wouldn't guarantee he would ever be 100%. In fact it may be harder on him and not increase the length or quality of his life much if at all. Second choice is giving him medication as a palliative measure and keep him comfortable at home. Third, is to "put him out of his misery now".
Bottom line is Joie has cancer and it has spread very quickly.
He is having trouble breathing, walking, etc. but still has moments of being our fun baby boy. The medication should help him and we were just not ready to say goodbye. He is home with us and we will take it day by day. If the medications don't work we will definitely go to option 3 (don't want him to suffer for our selfishness), but if we can keep him comfortable and loved that is what we want.
I am numb right now. I am dealing with my own health issues at the moment but they are not important at the moment. TB went with me and it was getting close to the time he would have to go to work, but when we got the news he called in - we are both upset.
Even Violet is sensing it and will not leave his side. It will be very hard on her when he goes. It will be hard on all of us.
Joie's new x-rays showed that the stomach is clear, but the lungs are full of fluid and there are at least 6 more masses and a lot of inflammation.
The vet said we could do an ultrasound, biopsies, surgery, chemo, etc. but it still wouldn't guarantee he would ever be 100%. In fact it may be harder on him and not increase the length or quality of his life much if at all. Second choice is giving him medication as a palliative measure and keep him comfortable at home. Third, is to "put him out of his misery now".
Bottom line is Joie has cancer and it has spread very quickly.
He is having trouble breathing, walking, etc. but still has moments of being our fun baby boy. The medication should help him and we were just not ready to say goodbye. He is home with us and we will take it day by day. If the medications don't work we will definitely go to option 3 (don't want him to suffer for our selfishness), but if we can keep him comfortable and loved that is what we want.
I am numb right now. I am dealing with my own health issues at the moment but they are not important at the moment. TB went with me and it was getting close to the time he would have to go to work, but when we got the news he called in - we are both upset.
Even Violet is sensing it and will not leave his side. It will be very hard on her when he goes. It will be hard on all of us.
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Dawgluver
Chef Extraordinaire
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Ohhhh, LP. {{{{{{{hugs LP, Joie, Violet and TB}}}}}}. This makes me cry. So sorry, I know how much you love your furbabies.
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Barbara L
Traveling Welcome Wagon
I'm still crying. I've never even met Joie or Violet but I have loved them for years. You know we love you and are praying for all of you. 
What Dawg said. (((Hugs)))
jabbur
Master Chef
Laurie, I'm so sorry to hear about Joie. I know it will be hard on the whole family! I'm sitting here reading it and getting a lump in throat. Hugs and prayers for you flying over the internet.
Claire
Master Chef
LP, I know how hard it is to have to decide when to have a pet put down. When is the pain too much? The two I've had to put down, there was no question whatsoever to the vet or to us (kidney disease with our senior doggie, a stroke a few years later with her daughter). We didn't have the hard limbo you're in, and my heart goes out to you. The hardest part in our two were that when "mommy" died, her daughter took off looking for her. We regained her after ten days, but it was ten days of he*l.
Rosebud has been on her meds for 3 full days now and I'm not seeing any of the side effects I was concerned about (research: lethargy, increased thirst/appetite, agitation (why agitation? It's a tranquilizer?). As for more seizures (or reduced liver function), only time will tell. But for now she seems fine.
Rosebud has been on her meds for 3 full days now and I'm not seeing any of the side effects I was concerned about (research: lethargy, increased thirst/appetite, agitation (why agitation? It's a tranquilizer?). As for more seizures (or reduced liver function), only time will tell. But for now she seems fine.
Laurie, I am so very sorry. Love and hugs for all of you.
Somebunny
Executive Chef
Laurie, I'm so sorry and am thinking of all of you, these decisions are the hardest to make.
Thank you everyone. Your kind words help. I keep expecting to see him perk up and be the old Joie I fell in love with but I know that is not going to happen. Specially with all the medication. But I am just enjoying the time I can spend with him. He is content to be near us all the time even if it is beside us in his bed.
Joie's not having a good night. We are thinking we may be making a decision sooner than expected. I thought I would touch up the picture I posted below. I think I will use this one for the Rainbow Bridge wall at our Vet's office. They have been so good to him, Violet and us.
The friend who gave us Joie is coming by tomorrow to say goodbye. We often say that even though he was from someone we knew, he was a rescue. But she did the best she could and if it wasn't for her we wouldn't have had 7 years with him (she only had two).
The friend who gave us Joie is coming by tomorrow to say goodbye. We often say that even though he was from someone we knew, he was a rescue. But she did the best she could and if it wasn't for her we wouldn't have had 7 years with him (she only had two).
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Whiskadoodle
Executive Chef
It is saddening to read both CWS and Laurie and your doggies are having sad times. This is so hard for you all. I don't look to these days when a new family member arrives. I look to this day and this day and all the days we have together are good and important days. I don't know why, since I never met either of you, I am shaking and have foggy eyes to type this and a lump in my throat too. I guess, Just {{hugs}} is all I can offer too. Fred
CWS4322
Chef Extraordinaire
I'm sooooo sorry, Laurie. As one oncologist once told me, no one knows enough to be a pessimist. And, Joie doesn't know about the cancer. I wouldn't share that information. I never showed dyplastic dogs their x-rays. Count each day as a bonus day. You will know when the time is right. But today is a bonus day--enjoy your time together, make each minute count. It is never easy saying goodbye or having to make the call, making the call takes courage and strength. I've walked that road more times than I like to admit with fur babies. Hugs.
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