Sunday, October 8, 2017

The Labs

Facebook reminded me that we have reached a 1 year anniversary with our boy Bo.  He's been doing pretty well these days and is up and around.  You'll recall that he finished his beginner nose-class at the start of summer.  I was going to enroll him in the advanced class, but I missed the deadline that came at the same time Josh left us.  Maybe I'll put him in the next one. But his sense of smell is totally engaged. Bo almost always comes to the table during mealtime and looks for a sample of whatever we're eating. I don't usually like dogs begging at the table, but for Bo, I make an exception. Overall, Bo seems to be feeling pretty well, (knock on wood!).  On Thursday "mobile vet" is coming, and we're going to repeat the blood work he had done a couple of months ago when he wasn't feeling well to see if there's any change.  I'm hoping there will be.

The other Lab in our household that doesn't get mentioned much, is our chocolate lab, Peanut-butter, or Georgie as I call him.  He's been here since July, and to be honest, he was a hard dog to find a connection with. This has been for several reasons from his constant pacing inside and never settling down; probably because he's probably never lived inside before - And he wasn't housetrained, and he had a lot of "digestive upset" so that made it even worse. Georgie was so focused on food and ate everything and anything. I was really discouraged.
Then one day, I asked the manager at the shop where I buy dog food his thoughts and he suggested raw goat's milk.  Almost immediately, everything changed when I started adding goat's milk to his breakfast. His stomach settled down, and so did he.  It has been easy to see that he is finally feeling better and seems content and happy. His eyes that never met mine, are looking at me and listening as I talk to him. We are finally connecting and for that that I've been grateful. 
His feeling better on the inside, has allowed me to focus more on Georgie's health on the outside. The mast cell tumors have gotten worse, especially on his back. He wears a shirt to keep them covered and clean. On Thursday, Georgie meets "mobile vet" who will give me his thoughts for any treatment that will not cure the cancer, but make him comfortable.
~Georgie in early September~
We all know that being comfortable is what it's all about. 

23 comments:

  1. Raw goat's milk. Who knew? Hoping the vet has favorable news for you and the boys.

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  2. Todd is like our ginger boy Boris. He has to be where ANY action is taking place, Your 2 labs, both lovely,I hope the vet's visit is encouraging.

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  3. Hmmm...I would have never thought...raw goat's milk! Isn't it amazing what we find out! So glad to hear that it is helping Georgie...he certainly does deserve to be comfortable! And just look at Todd...he is a happy guy! :)

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  4. Wonder why raw goat milk was the ticket to success
    and how that bit of wisdom was discovered.
    I always look forward to your posts . . .
    Ending usually with that silly handsome boy!

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  5. I am just catching up on all I've missed....raw goats milk does sound very tasty to me...now where can I find me a goat?
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  6. Bless you for what you do. My own dogs range between 11-15 years old, one is deaf and blind, and another close to it, so I know how difficult it is, especially with the ones that you don't feel quite as closely connected to...
    I'm definitely going to remember about the goat's milk!

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  7. Hello, I am glad to hear Bo and Georgie are both doing well. Or at least better! Yay for the raw goat milk. Todd is always happy! Happy Monday and enjoy your new week ahead.

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  8. I'm trying to keep Fudge comfortable but sometimes he fights the idea. He still wants to run and jump even though it has to hurt.

    We're having a hard time getting Noah's intestinal issues under control. I wonder if goat milk would help. I gave it to them when they were puppies and they loved it.

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  9. How lucky you are to be able to find raw goat milk! I am glad to hear it has helped.
    I hope you all have a blessed week, Kim.

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  10. a wonderful hospice for Georgie. and now because of the simple goat's milk you will get to see his REAL personality and love before he has to leave you. who knew? goat's milk. and how grand to add that to your own amazing knowledge to try again if needed.
    i'm glad for bo. so very glad. the old fellow deserves that special treat at the table! XO♥

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  11. Glad you found something to make Georgie a little more comfortable.

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  12. It sounds like your lab boys are doing well. Glad to hear you found something to settle Georgie's stomach.

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  13. Dear Bo and Georgie - may they both receive encouraging reports from the vet. Every happy comfortable day they have is welcome.

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  14. Curious about the raw goats milk! So glad it helped Georgie in more ways than one.
    hugs
    Hazel & Mabel

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  15. That is very interesting about the raw goat's milk. So glad it has helped with Georgie. There is brighter light in his eyes from that photo back in July to the newer ones. We wish him well with those mast cell tumors. And Bo, we think you are just so sweet. And we may need to try out your technique to see what we can get from the dinner table too:)

    Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber

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  16. Poor pup. I hope his tests come back well. It is wonderful that he has someone to love him at this time of his life.

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  17. I frequently learn from you, Kim. Goat's milk? Who knew? So far we have been able to control Lucy's very intermittent problems with pumpkin but next time we just might try a bit of the milk.

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  18. Cut the fluff and just gimme the damn cookie.

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  19. I love all your dog stories and photos, but I have to say Sweet Georgie Brown would steal my heart if I were around him for long.

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  20. I loved this beautiful post Kim!
    loved it
    love
    tweedles

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  21. I'm so happy about your two Labs. Bo is amazing. I hope that you get a chance to do more nosework with him! And I love Georgie. Good job figuring out a solution to what was making him so uncomfortable. He looks very focused on you and engaged in that video. :)

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  22. So glad things are turning out well for those beautiful boys. Good to see the intensity with which Georgie regards you, when you talk to him, Kim. He knows you'll try to make him better if you can.

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