(((Hugs CWS)))
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).Me too. It's so hard. You gave her a good life, CWS.
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). 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. 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
You have to go from here:Can't open the link, CWS. Really want to see it!
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.Great pictures!
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.I think the fact that Rosebud was so good about her crate is what (along with the help of my DC pet friends) allowed us to keep her.
For those who have followed Rosebud's progress, we put her on phenobarbitol this morning. When her seizures were 3-4 mos apart it was one thing, but when it started at 10 days our vet and we, mutually, decided to medicate. I did a lot of research and we decided to go with the old tried-and-true rather than the newer med on the market. Our little rescue doggie is becoming an expensive one, but worth every penny at this point. The hardest part, for me, is not the seizure itself, but her fear afterwards.
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.
What Dawg said. (((Hugs)))Ohhhh, LP. {{{{{{{hugs LP, Joie, Violet and TB}}}}}}. This makes me cry. So sorry, I know how much you love your furbabies.
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.