Friday, January 10, 2014

Here's to Hoping!

My work week is finally at an end, and so is the brutal cold and that we had on Tuesday.
~Josh (left) and Sheba~
Tuesday also was also a day for a little celebration at Golden Pines, it was Annie's 15th birthday. The life expectancy for a Golden Retriever is about 12-14 years, so a milestone birthday like this one is a call for a little celebration--And this is especially true for our gem, Annie. She has really slowed down, and as is natural for a gal of her respectable age, she sleeps most of the time.
And the results from her last vet appointment a couple of weeks ago showed the progression of  renal failure that we've known about since she came to us almost two years ago.  But over lunch a couple of weeks ago, my friend and mentor for the senior dogs suggested that I feed Annie raw green tripe.  With her appetite not the best, I decided to try it and she really loved it! For nearly two weeks she ate all of her meals. But I guess the newness has worn off because her appetite has started to wane again, and she didn't eat this morning. However I'm hopeful it'll pick up again, and we will make our two year anniversary-goal in April.  So, here's to hoping!
And here's to hoping you have a good weekend!
~A cold little Cardinal on our porch railing~

52 comments:

  1. She has such a dear, sweet face! I really hope she has another few good months, or even longer!

    Happy Birthday sweetheart!

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  2. sweet annie - happy birthday, girl.

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  3. sweet annie - happy birthday, girl.

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  4. I wish she could live forever and be happy and healthy. Just brings tears to my eyes. Sweet girl!

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  5. Love that sleepy face! Sending hugs!

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  6. Hang in there Annie. So glad the weather is shaping up.

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  7. Happy birthday, Annie - what a beautiful little face you have. xxx

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  8. If only they would all live that long. Give her hugs from us.

    Monty and Harlow

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  9. Happy Birthday to beautiful Annie! Raw green trip sounds quite disgusting!!

    Keep warm, Kim.

    xx

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  10. Happy Birthday to Annie...sleeping a lot,she knows what's best for her, Kim...:)JP

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  11. Tripe is wonderful but boy does it stink!
    Happy Birthday Annie!!!

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  12. Happy Birthday Anne ! Lovely photos . Have a good weekend !

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  13. Birthday Wishes to a beautiful girl Annie, big hugs.....love the Cardinal, so pretty, Happy Weekend Kim, Blessings Francine.

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  14. Happy Birthday, Annie. We think you need a BIG celebration. Just keep enjoying one day at a time old girl.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

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  15. What a dear sweet girl she is, Happy Birthday Annie!

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  16. Happy Birthday Annie. What an absolute treasure. Enjoy those snoozes and keep warm sweetie pie.
    No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

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  17. My life is so complicated right now, that I so appreciate your posts. I know that there are a whole gaggle of good dogs and CC getting the very best love possible. It helps me to confirm that bit of a bright spot in this old world.
    Sweet Annie. I can hardly believe it has been almost two years since she came to you. You have given her many days of grace.
    Enjoy your weekend. It is well deserved.
    Gus' Mom

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  18. Happy Birthday to sweet Annie! It is nice to see Annie has had some happy days with an appetite. Give all those cute doggies a hug. Pretty Cardinals.

    Have a happy weekend!

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  19. what a beautiful old gal! one of my goldens will be 13 in june…..hopeful we will celebrate!
    xoxo

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  20. Happy Birthday to your sweet Annie!

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  21. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, Kim. ♥

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  22. There's nothing quite like the sweet face of a senior dog ... your Annie is particularly lovely. Happy Birthday, sweet Annie!

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  23. Aww, best wishes Annie...you beautiful girl!

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  24. Happy Birthday Annie and paws crossed for April or past it.

    Aroo to you,
    Sully

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  25. Oh I came to wish Annie a Happy Birthday too,, and send well wishes for her for sure.. So here they come in a million magic bubbles..
    Oh,, and maybe a bite of cheese burger might make her happy!
    love
    tweedles

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  26. One more thing!! That little birdie photo is so beautiful!
    love
    tweedles

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  27. I sure hope Annie continues to rally. Oh my how we love these furry bundles, don't we!

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  28. Here, raw tripe would be the height of culinary endeavour .

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  29. I'm sure that Annie s havng a long and happy life! Happy birthday to her!!(one day late but still) ♥

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  30. Happy Birthday Annie!!! Such a cutie!

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  31. Happy Birthday Annie. Wishing you comfort in your golden years!

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  32. Love the last few pics of Todd :) Congratulations on 15 years sweet Annie!

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  33. Annie has such a sweet face.Happy birthday sweetheart! Todd looks very dapper in his scarf.Have a great weekend,Kim,raining here in Pa.phyllis

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  34. Oh, your Annie is precious. I sure hope her appetite comes back. Maybe you need to alternate between the tripe and something else?!? I eat a raw diet and love alternating my proteins...I never get bored with my food. Just a thought...
    Happy Saturday,
    Oz

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  35. Hi there Kim,
    dear Annie has done so well - thanks to you. I can't believe her age.
    We're also battling with our ol' lady too...and may have to make a decision soon.
    sending lotsaluv to you.
    Keep warm, my friend.

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  36. Happy birthday to Annie. 15 is quite a milestone for any dog. Morgan at 14 has slowed down a lot but she doesn't sleep all the time. She's much too busy getting into trouble and bossing the other dogs around.

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  37. Happy Birthday to wonderful Annie girl! :) xx And hugs to you Kim. Something to celebrate for sure!

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  38. Happy Birthday Annie! what a sweet girl you are :-)

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  39. oh kim.
    that precious annie face.
    love and joy and hope for you dearest old girl. you are still beautiful! xoxo ♥

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  40. Oh, was worried about you guys over the cold, when I didn't see a post. Hugs....

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  41. Awww Annie, what a sweet girl you are! Happy Birthday to you. I love the pic of the bird. Sweet!

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  42. Sweet Annie! Happy Birthday!

    You have far more experience than I do. But, in the few elderly dogs I've had, I sometimes had to keep changing the special treat that I added to their food to keep them eating. Just a thought - but, like I said, you know more about this than I do!!!

    That first photo of Todd is wonderful.

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  43. Kim,
    Lovely pictures of Annie. Happy Birthday to you Annie, you still look so young for 15 years old.
    The poor cardinal does look cold.
    We never see these birds here, but when I lived in Toronto they were plentiful.
    Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

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  44. Happy Birthday, sweet Annie, you are so adorable and have brought us all so much joy whenever we get to read about you here on your mom's blog.

    And Kim, that cardinal picture is amazing!

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  45. The weather has been up and down here. It's hard to know what to wear!
    Sending all the pups kisses on the nose!
    xo Catherine

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  46. Happy birthday Annie! So happy Annie made her milestone birthday. We lost our Golden to renal failure at age 13. Wish I had known about the tripe then. :)

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Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!